Understanding Procoptodon Taming
The world of ARK: Survival Evolved is a vast and perilous place, teeming with creatures both magnificent and deadly. Among the more endearing inhabitants of this prehistoric paradise is the Procoptodon, a creature instantly recognizable as a giant, prehistoric kangaroo. More than just a novelty, the Procoptodon offers unique capabilities that can significantly enhance your survival and progress within the game. From its impressive jumping ability, making traversal a breeze, to its innate breeding buff, making raising baby dinos easier, and its unique ability to carry both smaller dinosaurs and other players in its pouch, the Procoptodon proves to be a versatile and invaluable asset for any survivor. But acquiring one of these bouncy buddies is no easy feat. Successful Procoptodon taming hinges on a crucial element: selecting the optimal taming food. Choosing wisely can dramatically shorten the taming process, maximize taming effectiveness, and ultimately secure you a happy, bouncing companion. This guide will delve into the best food choices for taming a Procoptodon, explore effective taming strategies, and highlight the many benefits this marsupial friend brings to your ARK adventure.
Understanding Procoptodon Taming
The key to a successful Procoptodon tame lies in understanding its nature and employing the correct method. Unlike many creatures in ARK, the Procoptodon cannot be subdued through brute force. Forget your tranquilizer darts and clubs; you’ll need a more subtle approach.
Procoptodon Temperament
Procoptodons are generally skittish creatures, preferring to hop away from danger rather than engage in combat. They will typically not attack unless provoked, making them relatively harmless to approach – provided you do so with caution. Loud noises, sudden movements, or aggressive actions can easily startle them, causing them to flee and reset their taming progress.
Taming Method
The Procoptodon requires a non-violent, passive taming approach. This means you must offer it its preferred food while remaining undetected. This method demands patience, stealth, and a good understanding of the creature’s habits. Rushing the process or neglecting precautions will likely lead to failure.
Taming Food Ranking
Not all food is created equal when it comes to taming a Procoptodon. The quality of the food directly impacts the taming effectiveness and the overall duration of the tame. Here’s a ranking of food options, from best to worst: Exceptional Kibble, Mejoberries, Berries (Amarberry, Azulberry, Tintoberry, etc.)
The Best Taming Food: Exceptional Kibble
Exceptional Kibble reigns supreme as the most effective taming food for the Procoptodon. Its superior quality significantly reduces taming time and maximizes taming effectiveness, ensuring you end up with a high-level, well-trained kangaroo.
Why Exceptional Kibble is Superior
Exceptional Kibble offers a considerable advantage over other food options. It provides the highest possible taming effectiveness, meaning each feeding contributes more to the overall taming progress. This translates to a much faster taming speed, reducing the amount of time you need to spend babysitting your target Procoptodon. Furthermore, Exceptional Kibble minimizes the number of feeds required to complete the tame, lowering the risk of the Procoptodon getting spooked or interrupted during the process.
Exceptional Kibble Recipe and Ingredients
Crafting Exceptional Kibble requires gathering specific ingredients and utilizing a cooking pot or industrial cooker. Here’s the recipe: You’ll need one Special Egg, one Cooked Prime Meat Jerky, one Citron, two Rare Mushrooms, one Sap, one Fiber, and water. Special eggs are laid by creatures such as the Yutyrannus, Rock Drake, Magmasaur, Crystal Wyvern, and Golden Phoenix. Knowing which creatures lay these eggs is half the battle and knowing how to get those eggs, is the other half.
Where to Acquire Ingredients
Each ingredient for Exceptional Kibble requires its own dedicated farming run. Citron can typically be found growing on beaches and in jungle environments. Keep an eye out for their distinctive appearance. Sap can be harvested from tree taps placed on redwood trees. Simply attach a tap to a redwood tree and periodically collect the sap it produces. Rare Mushrooms are most commonly found in caves and swampy areas. Be prepared for potential dangers when exploring these locations. Prime Meat Jerky requires Cooked Prime Meat in a Preserving Bin, along with Sparkpowder and Oil.
Alternative Taming Food: Mejoberries
While Exceptional Kibble is the ideal choice, Mejoberries provide a viable alternative, especially when kibble production is not yet feasible. However, be prepared for a significantly longer and more challenging taming process.
Mejoberries as a Viable Option
Mejoberries, the purple berries found throughout the ARK, can be used to tame a Procoptodon, but they are substantially less effective than Exceptional Kibble. Using Mejoberries will result in a slower taming speed and lower taming effectiveness, requiring more berries and patience. Despite these drawbacks, Mejoberries remain a practical option for early-game taming or when resources for kibble are scarce.
Finding and Harvesting Mejoberries
Mejoberry bushes are easily recognizable by their distinctive appearance: a cluster of purple berries on a small, shrub-like plant. They can be found in abundance in forests and grasslands. Harvesting Mejoberries by hand is possible, but using a herbivore dinosaur can significantly increase your gathering efficiency. Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus are particularly effective at harvesting berries in large quantities.
Considerations when Using Mejoberries
Using Mejoberries carries certain risks and requires careful planning. The lower taming effectiveness means the Procoptodon will gain less taming progress with each feeding, increasing the overall taming time. It is essential to carry a large quantity of Mejoberries to avoid running out mid-tame. Keep in mind this method will take significantly longer to tame, making it important to clear the surrounding area of any threats.
Taming Strategy for Procoptodons
Regardless of your chosen taming food, the overall taming strategy for Procoptodons remains consistent. Stealth, patience, and careful observation are key to success.
Preparing for the Tame
Before approaching a Procoptodon, thorough preparation is essential. Clear the surrounding area of aggressive creatures to minimize the risk of interruptions. Gather the required taming food in sufficient quantities, anticipating a longer tame if using Mejoberries. Consider equipping yourself with appropriate gear, such as a ghillie suit for improved stealth and bug repellent to ward off pesky insects.
Approaching the Procoptodon
Stealth is paramount when approaching a Procoptodon. Crouch low to the ground and move slowly and deliberately. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle it. Approaching from downwind can help minimize your scent, making it less likely for the Procoptodon to detect you. Wearing a ghillie suit further enhances your stealth, making it easier to approach undetected.
Feeding the Procoptodon
Place your chosen taming food in the last slot of your hotbar for easy access. Slowly approach the Procoptodon until the prompt to feed it appears. Interact with the Procoptodon to offer the food. After feeding, step away and remain out of sight. The Procoptodon will need time to digest the food before it can be fed again.
Maintaining Taming Effectiveness
Throughout the taming process, it is crucial to remain undetected to prevent scaring the Procoptodon and resetting its taming progress. Monitor the taming progress bar to track its progress. Constantly scan the surrounding area for potential threats that could interrupt the taming process. If danger approaches, prioritize your own safety and consider aborting the tame temporarily.
Using Your Tamed Procoptodon
Once tamed, the Procoptodon opens up a range of possibilities for enhancing your ARK experience. From its unique breeding buff to its long jump ability, the Procoptodon is a welcome addition to any tribe.
Saddle and Riding
To ride your newly tamed Procoptodon, you’ll need to craft a Procoptodon Saddle. This saddle requires resources such as hide, fiber, and metal ingots. Once crafted, equip the saddle to your Procoptodon to unlock its riding capabilities. The basic controls for riding a Procoptodon are similar to other creatures, with the addition of a powerful jumping ability.
Unique Abilities
The Procoptodon possesses several unique abilities that set it apart from other creatures. Its pouch provides a significant breeding buff to any baby dinosaurs placed inside, accelerating their growth rate. The pouch can also be used to carry smaller dinosaurs and even other players, making it a valuable asset for transporting creatures or providing mobile support. Furthermore, the Procoptodon boasts an impressive long jump ability, allowing it to traverse difficult terrain with ease.
Uses in Gameplay
A tamed Procoptodon is extremely versatile. Its baby-boosting ability makes it an ideal breeding base. The ability to transport smaller dinos that can’t normally be carried is amazing. Its long jump ability makes it fantastic for scouting.
Conclusion
Choosing the right taming food is paramount for successfully taming a Procoptodon in ARK: Survival Evolved. Exceptional Kibble offers the most efficient and effective approach, while Mejoberries provide a viable alternative for those lacking the resources for kibble production. But regardless of your chosen food, understanding the Procoptodon’s temperament, employing stealthy tactics, and carefully monitoring the taming process are essential for success. With its unique abilities and versatile capabilities, the Procoptodon is a valuable addition to any survivor’s arsenal, making the effort of taming one well worth the reward. So, venture forth, gather your supplies, and embark on the exciting journey of taming your very own bouncing Procoptodon companion! Experiment with different taming strategies to figure out which ones work best for you, because every player has their own style. Good luck, and may your ARK adventures be filled with happy hoppy kangaroos!
