Ark: Survival Evolved throws you into a prehistoric world brimming with challenges. Long-term success hinges on mastering various aspects of the game, from taming powerful creatures to building formidable bases. This guide focuses on a crucial early-game taming target: the Raptor. We'll explore proven techniques for capturing and utilizing these swift predators to significantly boost your chances of survival.
Understanding Raptors in Ark: Survival Evolved
Before diving into the capture process, let's understand what makes Raptors valuable assets in your Ark journey.
Strengths:
- Speed: Raptors are incredibly fast, making them ideal for exploration and quick escapes.
- Damage: Their attacks deal significant damage, especially against smaller creatures.
- Relatively Easy Taming: Compared to some of the game's behemoths, taming a Raptor is relatively straightforward for beginners.
- Early-Game Utility: Raptors serve as excellent mounts early on, enabling faster travel and improved hunting capabilities.
Weaknesses:
- Low Health: Raptors are not particularly durable and can fall prey to larger predators quickly.
- Vulnerability to Certain Creatures: Certain creatures, like higher-level predators, can easily overwhelm a Raptor.
Step-by-Step Guide: Capturing a Raptor
Here's a breakdown of the process, focusing on maximizing your chances of success:
1. Finding Your Target:
- Location Matters: Raptors tend to roam in packs and are often found in forest and jungle biomes. Explore these areas carefully.
- Level Matters: Look for a Raptor with a level suitable to your current skill and resources. A lower-level Raptor is easier to tame but might not be as powerful in the long run.
2. Gathering Necessary Resources:
- Tranquilizer Arrows: You'll need a bow and a significant number of tranquilizer arrows to knock out your Raptor target. The number required depends on the Raptor's level.
- Narcotics: These are crucial for keeping your Raptor unconscious during the taming process. You'll need a substantial supply, preferably more than you think you'll need. You can create narcotics from various plants.
- Raptor Food: Raptors prefer raw meat. Hunt smaller creatures like Dodo's or Compys for a readily available food source for taming.
3. The Capture Process:
- Knockout: Carefully aim your tranquilizer arrows at the Raptor. Avoid hitting it too much as it could kill your target. A good strategy is to shoot several arrows at once, then wait and observe its health.
- Maintaining Unconsciousness: If the Raptor starts to wake up, quickly shoot more tranquilizer arrows to keep it unconscious.
- Taming: Once your Raptor is fully knocked out, start feeding it raw meat. Watch the taming bar carefully. The lower the level of the Raptor, the faster it will be tamed.
4. Post-Taming:
- Healing: Once tamed, your Raptor might have low health. Use healing potions or simply wait for it to heal naturally.
- Mounting and Training: After a brief rest, you can mount your newly tamed Raptor and start exploring the world!
Advanced Techniques for Raptor Mastery
- Breeding: Once you have multiple tamed Raptors, you can breed them to create offspring with potentially higher stats.
- Saddles: Invest in crafting a saddle for your Raptor to improve its carrying capacity and enhance combat effectiveness.
- Combat Strategies: Learn how to utilize your Raptor's speed and agility in combat. Using it for flanking maneuvers can turn the tide of battle.
Conclusion
Capturing a Raptor is a fundamental step towards long-term success in Ark: Survival Evolved. Mastering this taming technique will provide you with a powerful ally for exploration, combat, and resource gathering. By employing the strategies outlined in this guide, you'll significantly improve your survival odds and enjoy a more rewarding Ark experience. Remember to always prioritize safety and plan ahead!
