Introduction
ARK: Survival Evolved is a captivating game that plunges players into a dynamic world teeming with prehistoric creatures, demanding survival skills, and offering endless possibilities for building and exploration. At the heart of ARK’s engaging gameplay is the ability to tame these magnificent creatures, forging alliances that can drastically improve a player’s chances of survival and progression. Taming, however, is a complex process, intricately tied to understanding creature diets, taming times, and resource management. That’s where an ARK food calculator becomes an invaluable tool.
Successfully taming a creature in ARK relies heavily on providing the right food in the right quantity. Different creatures have different dietary preferences, and the amount of food needed can vary dramatically based on the creature’s level and the taming effectiveness you’re aiming for. Without a precise method for calculating these needs, players often find themselves wasting valuable resources, prolonging the taming process, or even failing to tame a creature altogether. An ARK food calculator solves this problem by providing accurate estimations of food, narcotics (if needed), and taming times, allowing players to plan their taming expeditions with confidence.
This article delves into the world of ARK food calculators, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding their importance, selecting the best calculator for your needs, and using them effectively to master the art of taming. We’ll explore the top calculator options available, offer step-by-step instructions for their use, and share advanced tips and tricks to help you optimize your taming strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned ARK veteran or a newcomer to the game, this guide will empower you to tame creatures efficiently and build a formidable roster of companions.
The Importance of a Food Calculator in ARK
Taming in ARK is far from a simple process. It involves a nuanced understanding of creature behavior, food preferences, and the mechanics of the taming system. Each creature species has its own unique dietary requirements, with some preferring prime meat, others demanding specific types of berries, and still others requiring complex kibble recipes. Furthermore, the taming process is influenced by factors such as the creature’s level, the type of food used, and the server’s taming speed settings.
Attempting to tame a creature without a proper plan can quickly lead to frustration and wasted resources. You might bring an insufficient amount of the correct food, causing the taming process to stall and potentially allowing the creature to escape. Or, you might use the wrong type of food, resulting in a lower taming effectiveness and fewer bonus levels for your newly tamed companion. An ARK food calculator eliminates these uncertainties, offering a clear roadmap for success.
Using a food calculator offers several key benefits. First and foremost, it provides accurate estimates of the amount of food required to tame a specific creature at a given level. This allows you to gather the necessary resources in advance, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted taming process. Second, a food calculator helps you determine the optimal food choice for maximizing taming effectiveness and bonus levels. Using kibble, for example, can significantly speed up the taming process and increase the number of levels gained upon completion. Third, the calculator can estimate the taming time, allowing you to plan your schedule accordingly and minimize the risk of disruptions. Finally, for creatures that require narcotics to remain unconscious during taming, the calculator provides an estimate of the necessary amount, preventing accidental awakenings and potential taming failures.
Exploring the Best ARK Food Calculator Options
Fortunately, the ARK community has developed a wealth of resources to aid in the taming process, including a variety of excellent food calculators. Here are some of the top options available:
Dododex: The Ultimate ARK Companion
Dododex stands out as a comprehensive resource for all things ARK, boasting a robust creature database, a powerful taming calculator, a breeding calculator, resource maps, and much more. Its user-friendly interface and frequently updated information make it a favorite among ARK players. The Dododex taming calculator allows you to input the creature species, level, food type, and server settings to generate accurate estimates of food quantity, taming time, and narcotics needed. One of the best things about Dododex is that it is always up-to-date and factors in the most recent patches to the game. It can be accessed as a website or via a mobile app, providing flexibility for players on the go. While the sheer amount of information available on Dododex can be slightly overwhelming for beginners, its comprehensive nature makes it an invaluable tool for both novice and experienced ARK players.
The Official ARK: Survival Evolved Companion App
Developed directly by the creators of ARK, the official companion app offers a reliable and accurate taming calculator, along with breeding information and news updates. This app is a solid choice for players who prefer to rely on official sources and want to ensure the accuracy of their calculations. Since it is directly from the developers, the information is more than likely to be reliable. However, the official app may not be as feature-rich as some third-party options like Dododex. It is a more stripped down version with less features, but the features it does have are reliable.
Additional Food Calculators and Resources
Beyond Dododex and the official app, several other food calculators offer unique features and benefits. ASB Taming Calculator is known for its detailed calculations and customization options, allowing players to fine-tune their taming strategies. SA Companion is a popular mobile app that combines a taming calculator with other helpful tools, such as resource maps and crafting recipes. In addition, many players create their own custom spreadsheets or utilize online websites to calculate taming requirements. Each of these options has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s worth exploring different calculators to find the one that best suits your individual playstyle and needs.
Using a Food Calculator: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you’ve chosen an ARK food calculator, it’s time to learn how to use it effectively. The process is generally straightforward, but it’s important to pay attention to detail and ensure that you’re entering the correct information.
Begin by selecting the creature you intend to tame from the calculator’s database. Most calculators offer a search function to quickly locate the desired creature species. Next, enter the creature’s level. This is a crucial step, as the amount of food required increases significantly with each level. Then, select the food you plan to use for taming. Most calculators offer a variety of food options, including prime meat, regular meat, berries, and kibble. Choose the food that is most readily available to you and that offers the best taming effectiveness. Finally, enter your server’s taming multiplier. This setting affects the rate at which creatures tame and can significantly impact the amount of food required. If you’re unsure of your server’s taming multiplier, consult your server administrator or check the server settings.
Once you’ve entered all the necessary information, the calculator will generate a set of results, including the estimated amount of food required, the taming time, and the amount of narcotics needed (if applicable). It will also display the taming effectiveness, which indicates the number of bonus levels the creature will gain upon completion.
Advanced Taming Tips and Strategies
To truly master the art of taming in ARK, it’s important to go beyond the basic calculations and understand the nuances of the taming system.
Server settings play a crucial role in taming, particularly the taming speed multiplier. A higher taming speed multiplier will significantly reduce the amount of time and food required to tame a creature. Be sure to enter the correct taming multiplier into your food calculator to ensure accurate results. Food spoilage can also impact the taming process. If your food spoils before the creature has finished eating it, the taming process will stall, and you may need to provide additional food. To mitigate spoilage, use preserving salt to extend the shelf life of meat and berries, and store food in refrigerators or preserving bins.
Using kibble is a great way to tame creatures faster and more effectively. Kibble is a specially prepared food that offers significantly higher taming effectiveness than regular meat or berries. Different creatures require different types of kibble, so consult a kibble chart or use a kibble calculator to determine the appropriate kibble for your target creature. Some creatures require specific taming methods or items, such as honey for a bear or a ghillie suit for a more stealthy approach. Research the taming requirements for your target creature to ensure you have everything you need for a successful tame.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a food calculator, taming can sometimes be a challenging endeavor. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
“The calculator says I need X amount of food, but the creature is still not tamed!” This issue can be caused by several factors, including incorrect settings, food spoilage, or creature damage. Double-check your settings to ensure that you’ve entered the correct creature level, food type, and taming multiplier. Monitor your food supply to ensure that it’s not spoiling before the creature has finished eating it. Protect the creature from damage during the taming process, as taking damage can reduce taming effectiveness and require additional food.
“The calculator is giving me incorrect results.” If you suspect that your calculator is giving you incorrect results, it may be due to an outdated calculator version, incorrect creature level, or incorrect server settings. Update your calculator to the latest version to ensure that it’s using the most accurate data. Double-check the creature level and server settings to ensure that you’ve entered them correctly.
Conclusion
An ARK food calculator is an indispensable tool for any player looking to master the art of taming. By providing accurate estimates of food, narcotics, and taming times, a food calculator empowers you to plan your taming expeditions with confidence, optimize your resource management, and maximize your taming effectiveness. Whether you prefer Dododex, the official ARK companion app, or another calculator option, incorporating a food calculator into your taming strategy will significantly improve your chances of success. So, embrace the power of these tools, experiment with different taming techniques, and build a formidable roster of creatures to conquer the ARK. Happy taming!
