What are the best ways to manage tribe tames during a server maintenance in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Managing tribe tames during server maintenance in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical task to ensure the safety and survival of your creatures. Server maintenance can lead to unexpected downtime, and if not handled properly, your tames could be left vulnerable to starvation, environmental hazards, or even enemy attacks if you are on a PvP server. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to manage your tribe tames effectively during server maintenance.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics involved. When a server goes down for maintenance, the game world essentially freezes in time. However, if the server is down for an extended period, tames will continue to consume food, and their hunger will deplete over time. This is especially critical for creatures with high food consumption rates, such as large carnivores or creatures with special diets. If their food reaches zero, they will begin to lose health and could eventually die. Additionally, if your tames are left in dangerous areas, such as near aggressive wild creatures or in harsh environments, they could be at risk when the server comes back online.

To prepare for server maintenance, start by ensuring all your tames are in a safe location. This means moving them to a secure base or enclosed area where they are protected from wild creatures and environmental hazards. If you are on a PvP server, consider placing them in a hidden or well-defended location to prevent enemy tribes from targeting them during the downtime. Make sure your base has adequate defenses, such as turrets, walls, and gates, to deter potential threats.

Next, focus on food management. Before the server goes down, ensure all your tames have full food inventories. For carnivores, stockpile raw or cooked meat in their inventories. For herbivores, gather berries or crops like vegetables. Some creatures, such as the Giganotosaurus or Wyverns, have unique food requirements, so make sure you have the appropriate resources on hand. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to place feeding troughs in your base, as they can distribute food to nearby tames automatically. Fill these troughs with enough food to last through the maintenance period.

Another important consideration is the use of preserving bins or refrigerators. These structures can slow down the spoilage of food, ensuring your tames have a steady supply even if the server is down for an extended period. If you have access to advanced technology, consider using a Tek Trough, which preserves food indefinitely and can feed a large number of tames.

Communication within your tribe is key. Assign roles to tribe members to ensure everyone knows their responsibilities. For example, one member could be in charge of gathering food, while another focuses on securing the base. Use in-game chat or external communication tools like Discord to coordinate your efforts. If you are playing solo, make sure you have a clear plan and enough time to prepare before the server goes down.

Common mistakes to avoid include leaving tames in vulnerable locations, underestimating the amount of food required, and failing to secure your base. For example, leaving a Rex near the edge of a cliff could result in it falling to its death when the server restarts. Similarly, not having enough food in troughs could lead to tames starving during the downtime. Always double-check your preparations to avoid these pitfalls.

Advanced techniques include using cryopods to store your tames. Cryopods allow you to freeze creatures in a stasis state, preserving their food and health indefinitely. This is especially useful for high-maintenance creatures or if you expect the server to be down for a long time. Simply cryopod your tames and store them in a secure location until the server comes back online. Another advanced strategy is to use Tek generators and force fields to protect your base and tames from enemy attacks during the downtime.

Resource requirements and preparation will vary depending on the size of your tribe and the number of tames you have. For a small tribe with a few tames, gathering enough food and securing a small base should be manageable. For larger tribes with dozens of tames, you may need to allocate more resources and manpower to ensure everything is prepared. Stockpile food, build additional troughs, and reinforce your base defenses as needed.

In conclusion, managing tribe tames during server maintenance requires careful planning and coordination. By securing your tames in a safe location, ensuring they have enough food, and using advanced techniques like cryopods or Tek structures, you can protect your creatures and maintain your tribeÔÇÖs progress. Communication and preparation are key, so work together with your tribe members to ensure everything is in place before the server goes down. With these strategies, you can minimize the risks and keep your tames safe during server maintenance.