Introduction
Ark: Survival Evolved throws you into a prehistoric world teeming with dinosaurs, dangerous creatures, and the constant struggle for survival. One of the most fundamental aspects of conquering this wild environment is understanding and mastering the management of food. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a fresh spawn struggling to find your first meal, knowing which foods to prioritize can be the difference between thriving and becoming a dino’s dinner. From replenishing your own health and stamina to efficiently taming the powerful creatures that roam the land, the right food is your ultimate weapon. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the best food in Ark: Survival Evolved, arming you with the knowledge to conquer hunger and tame even the most formidable beasts. We’ll explore everything from early-game sustenance to late-game power-ups, ensuring you’re equipped to face any challenge the island throws your way.
Understanding Food in Ark
In Ark: Survival Evolved, food isn’t just a simple resource; it’s a core mechanic intricately woven into the fabric of survival. For players, maintaining a healthy food and water level is essential to avoid debilitating effects. Ignoring your hunger bar leads to starvation, causing a steady drain on your health and stamina. Prolonged starvation will eventually lead to death. The same goes for thirst; dehydration can quickly cripple your character, making you vulnerable to predators and the elements. It’s crucial to monitor these stats and consume food and water regularly.
However, food in Ark isn’t merely about satiation. Different food items offer varying degrees of nourishment and can even provide temporary buffs. Some foods heal your character, while others grant boosts to stats like movement speed or damage resistance. Understanding these nuances allows you to strategically choose food items to enhance your performance in specific situations.
The importance of food extends far beyond the player character. Dinosaurs, the iconic creatures of Ark, also rely on food for survival. Each species has its own dietary needs, with some being herbivores, others carnivores, and a few omnivores. Understanding these dietary preferences is crucial for keeping your tamed dinos alive and healthy. But perhaps the most important aspect of dinosaur food is its role in the taming process.
Taming in Ark involves rendering a wild creature unconscious and then feeding it its preferred food until it’s fully tamed. The effectiveness of the food directly impacts the taming efficiency and the amount of time it takes to tame a creature. Using the correct food can drastically reduce the taming time and result in a higher-level tame with better stats. During this taming process, creatures enter a state of unconsciousness known as torpor, which slowly decreases. Certain items like narcotics can increase a creature’s torpor, ensuring they remain unconscious long enough to be successfully tamed with the best food.
Best Food for Players
When starting your adventure on the island, accessibility is key. Cooked Meat, and Cooked Fish Meat are your reliable early-game staples. These are relatively easy to obtain by hunting small creatures like Dodos or Coelacanth and cooking the meat over a campfire. Berries, gathered from bushes, provide a basic source of sustenance, though they offer less nourishment than meat. Keep in mind that some berries have special effects, so be cautious which you consume. Jerky, made from preserving cooked meat, is an excellent choice for longer expeditions due to its extended shelf life.
As you progress through the game, you’ll want to seek out more powerful food options that provide buffs and advantages. Focal Chili is a crafted dish that grants a temporary boost to experience gain, making it ideal for leveling up your character and dinos. Battle Tartare enhances your damage output and provides increased resistance to damage, making it invaluable during combat situations. Shadow Steak Saute provides a temporary stealth boost, allowing you to sneak past enemies or ambush unsuspecting prey. Lazarus Chowder improves your oxygen capacity and fortitude, making it perfect for underwater exploration or enduring harsh weather conditions.
For sustained survival, Cooked Meat Jerky remains a reliable option due to its long-lasting nature. If you or your creatures are injured, Sweet Vegetable Cake provides a healing effect, making it a valuable asset during prolonged battles or challenging expeditions.
Never underestimate the importance of proper hydration. Water is essential for survival, and you should always carry a water skin or canteen. Beer, brewed from berries and water, can provide temporary buffs, but be mindful of its negative side effects, such as blurred vision and reduced stamina.
Best Food for Taming Dinosaurs
The key to successful taming lies in understanding the dietary preferences of different dinosaurs. Herbivores primarily consume plants, fruits, and vegetables. Mejoberries are a good early game taming food, while crops like Amarberries, Azulberries, and Tintoberries offer improved taming efficiency. However, the ultimate food for taming herbivores is Kibble.
Carnivores, on the other hand, prefer meat. Raw Meat and Raw Fish Meat are your basic options, while Prime Meat and Prime Fish Meat offer significantly faster taming. Mutton, obtained from sheep, is even more effective than Prime Meat. Just like herbivores, Kibble is the gold standard for taming carnivores.
Some dinosaurs have unique dietary requirements. Honey is essential for taming bees and Dire Bears. Spoiled Meat is strangely effective for taming Vultures. Blood Packs are required for taming Bloodstalkers, Deathworm Horns are needed for taming Mantis, and Ambergris is the preferred food of the Astrodelphis.
Kibble: A Deep Dive
The Kibble system has undergone several revisions throughout Ark’s history. The current system revolves around egg size, with larger eggs producing Kibble that is more effective for taming larger and more powerful creatures. The size of the egg determines the tier of kibble you can make.
To craft Kibble, you’ll need specific dinosaur eggs, along with other ingredients like cooked meat, fiber, vegetables, and water. The exact recipe varies depending on the type of Kibble you’re crafting.
Making the highest tier Kibble requires breeding dinosaurs, some of which can be hard to get. Using Oviraptors to increase the frequency with which your breeding dinosaurs lay eggs is essential to making a lot of Kibble. Make sure to use crop plots to increase your yield of fiber and berries needed for Kibble.
Advanced Food Strategies
Preserving food is essential for long-term survival. Preserving Bins, Refrigerators, and Cryopods can significantly extend the shelf life of food items. Salt can also be used to preserve meat, turning it into Jerky.
Efficient food farming requires optimizing your crop plots with fertilizers and a reliable water source. Taming efficient berry gatherers like Stegosaurus can greatly increase your berry yields. Hunting strategies for obtaining Prime Meat and Prime Fish Meat are also crucial for taming carnivores quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
The best food in Ark: Survival Evolved varies depending on your current needs and goals. For player survival, focusing on a balanced diet that provides both nourishment and buffs is key. For dinosaur taming, understanding the dietary preferences of each species and utilizing Kibble whenever possible is essential for maximizing taming efficiency.
Mastering food management is crucial for thriving in Ark: Survival Evolved. By understanding the different types of food, their effects, and how to efficiently obtain and preserve them, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the island and tame the powerful creatures that inhabit it. Remember to experiment, adapt to different situations, and always be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Good luck, survivor!
