How do I set up tribe-owned feeding troughs in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Setting up tribe-owned feeding troughs in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential part of managing a tribe, especially when you have a large number of tamed creatures. Feeding troughs allow you to store food that automatically feeds nearby dinosaurs, saving you time and effort. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to set up and optimize tribe-owned feeding troughs.

First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics. Feeding troughs are structures that hold food and distribute it to tamed creatures within a certain radius. When placed, they can be set to tribe ownership, meaning any tribe member can access and refill them. The troughs will feed any tamed creature within range, as long as the creature is set to tribe-owned or personally owned by a tribe member. The range of the feeding trough can be adjusted in the game settings, but by default, it covers a 16-meter radius.

To set up a tribe-owned feeding trough, you need to craft it first. The recipe requires 15 fiber, 50 wood, 35 thatch, and 5 hide. Once crafted, place the trough in a central location within your base or near your tamed creatures. After placing it, interact with the trough to open its inventory. Here, you can deposit food items like berries, meat, or fish. The trough will automatically distribute the food to any hungry creatures within its range.

When setting up multiple feeding troughs, itÔÇÖs important to space them out to ensure full coverage of your base or dino pen. Overlapping ranges can help ensure no creature is left unfed. You can also place troughs at different heights, such as on platforms or elevated structures, to cover multi-level bases. This is particularly useful for bases with flying creatures or creatures kept on different floors.

One common mistake is not keeping the troughs stocked with enough food. Always monitor the food levels and refill them regularly, especially if you have many creatures or carnivores that consume meat quickly. Another mistake is placing troughs too far apart, leaving gaps in coverage. Use the range indicator when placing troughs to ensure full coverage.

Advanced techniques include using multiple troughs with different types of food. For example, you can have one trough filled with berries for herbivores and another with meat for carnivores. This helps manage food consumption more efficiently. Additionally, you can use refrigerated feeding troughs, which are an upgraded version that preserves food longer, reducing the need for frequent refills. These require electricity and a generator to function.

Resource management is crucial when setting up feeding troughs. Ensure you have a steady supply of the required materials, especially if you plan to build multiple troughs. Wood and thatch are easy to gather, but hide may require hunting. For food, establish a reliable source, such as farming berries or hunting for meat. In a tribe, assign roles to members to handle resource gathering and trough maintenance, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

In solo play, feeding troughs are still useful but require more personal attention. YouÔÇÖll need to manage the resources and refill the troughs yourself. However, the time saved by not having to manually feed each creature is significant, especially as your collection of tamed creatures grows.

Specific scenarios include large-scale breeding operations. When breeding, baby dinosaurs require constant feeding, and feeding troughs can help manage this. Place troughs near breeding pens and stock them with the appropriate food. This ensures the babies are fed without you having to manually place food in their inventories.

In PvP scenarios, feeding troughs are vital for maintaining your army of tamed creatures. Ensure they are placed in secure locations within your base to prevent enemies from destroying them. Consider using hidden or reinforced troughs to protect your food supply during raids.

Overall, tribe-owned feeding troughs are a powerful tool for managing tamed creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding the mechanics, properly placing and stocking them, and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure your creatures are well-fed and your tribe operates efficiently. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, feeding troughs are a key part of your survival strategy.