ARK: Survival Ascended Beginner Guide: Taming, Bases and Breeding
ARK: Survival Ascended is the remastered version of the dinosaur survival game. You start with nothing, and the creatures you tame become your tools, transport and army. Here's how to get through the early game.
Last updated: Beginner guide · Oct 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Your first hours
Gather wood, stone and fibre, craft a pickaxe and spear, and build a small shelter near water. Learn engrams for basic tools and a bed so you can respawn there. Avoid dangerous predators until you have tames.
How taming works
Most creatures are tamed one of two ways:
- Knockout taming: knock the creature out (tranquilizer arrows or darts), then feed it.
- Passive taming: feed it while it's awake, without getting hit.
- Kibble and preferred foods tame faster than regular food.
- Protect the creature while it's being tamed — other creatures may attack it.
Good early tames
Look for creatures that gather resources quickly, carry weight or help you travel. Gatherers save hours of manual work, and a strong mount helps you explore and fight.
Build a safe base
Upgrade from thatch to wood and stone as soon as you can. Build away from busy areas on PvP servers, and protect your tames inside walls. Turrets and strong materials matter later on PvP servers.
Breeding and imprinting
Breeding lets you combine the best stats from your creatures. Imprinting babies by caring for them as they grow gives them bonus stats. It takes time, but it's how players build the strongest creatures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tame a dinosaur in ARK: Survival Ascended?
Most creatures are knocked out and then fed, while some are tamed passively by feeding them while awake. Kibble tames fastest.
What should I tame first in ARK?
A creature that gathers resources or helps you travel. It saves a lot of time early on.
What is imprinting in ARK?
Caring for a baby creature as it grows, which gives it bonus stats.