ARK Survival: 100 Days On The Island

Hey guys! So, you're thinking about taking on the ultimate challenge in ARK: Survival Evolved: surviving a whopping 100 days on the Island. That's a serious commitment, but trust me, it's incredibly rewarding. Getting to 100 days means you've overcome floods of challenges, learned to adapt, and probably built some seriously cool stuff. This article is your go-to guide, packed with tips, strategies, and everything you need to know to not only survive, but thrive, during those first crucial 100 days. We're talking resource management, base building, dino taming, and dealing with the constant threat of the environment and other players (if you're on a PvP server). Let's dive in and break down what it takes to make it to that triple-digit milestone. This survival game has a lot in store for you, and we'll learn how to overcome these situations together!

Early Game Essentials: Setting the Stage for Survival

Alright, let's be real, the early game in ARK can be brutal. You spawn naked, cold, and probably terrified. Your first few hours are all about securing the basics. Survival is the name of the game, and your priorities should be: shelter, water, food, and a means of defense. Finding a good spawn location is critical. Look for areas with access to fresh water (rivers, waterfalls), plenty of trees for wood, and easy-to-gather stone and thatch. Avoid areas crawling with aggressive dinos like Raptors and Carnos at first. The beaches are often a good starting point, but watch out for those pesky Compys and Piranhas!

Your first order of business should be crafting a Stone Pickaxe and Hatchet. These are your bread and butter for gathering resources. Use the Pickaxe to collect stone and flint (essential for crafting more advanced tools) and the Hatchet for wood and thatch. Start with a basic thatch shelter – it won't offer much protection, but it's better than nothing. As soon as you can, upgrade to a wooden structure. Wooden structures provide a better defense and are more resistant to the elements. Remember to craft a campfire for cooking food and providing warmth. Raw meat will spoil quickly, so cooking it is crucial for survival. Also, make sure you have a waterskin to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration is a quick killer!

Don't underestimate the importance of crafting clothing. The cold can quickly drain your health. Start with basic hide armor as soon as you can. Also, learn to craft a bow and some arrows. This will be your primary means of defense and hunting in the early game. Practice your aim and learn how to kite (lure) aggressive creatures away from your base. Early game dino taming is also possible. Dodos and Parasaurolophus are easy to knock out and tame, providing a source of eggs and early transportation, respectively. Don't be afraid to experiment, explore, and learn from your mistakes. Every death is a lesson learned in this unforgiving world. Finally, level up your stats wisely. Focus on health, stamina, weight, and fortitude in the early game. These stats will improve your overall survival chances significantly.

Resource Management and Base Building: Securing Your Territory

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to focus on resource management and building a more secure base. Resource gathering is a constant cycle in ARK. You'll need wood, thatch, stone, fiber, metal, and eventually, more advanced materials. Efficient resource gathering is key to scaling up your survival. Consider crafting a Refining Forge to create metal, which is crucial for crafting better tools, weapons, and structures. A good base location should offer easy access to multiple resources. Proximity to water is always important. Consider building near a metal-rich area, as this will save you time and effort in the long run.

When it comes to base building, choose a location that offers natural defenses, such as cliffs, narrow passes, or enclosed spaces. This will make it harder for predators to reach your base. Start with a secure perimeter. Walls are essential, but also consider using spike walls or plant species X to deter attackers. Build multiple layers of defenses for added security. Inside your base, create dedicated areas for different functions: crafting, storage, cooking, and sleeping. Organize your storage to keep track of your resources and prevent clutter. Build crafting stations indoors to protect them from the elements and potential attacks. The early game is about surviving, the mid-game is about thriving. Upgrade your structures as you level up. Stone structures are more durable than wood, and metal structures offer the best protection against attacks and the elements. Consider adding traps, such as bear traps or bola, to your base defenses. These can be used to capture or slow down attackers. And don't forget lighting! Torches and lamps will help you see at night. Plan your base layout carefully. Consider future expansions and make sure you have enough space for your crafting stations, storage, and eventually, your tamed dinos.

Dino Taming and Progression: Your Scaly Companions

Dinosaurs are the heart and soul of ARK. Taming them is a game-changer. Early on, focus on taming utility dinos that can help with resource gathering, defense, and transportation. Here’s a quick guide of some early game dinos:

• Parasaurolophus: Easy to tame, provides early transportation, and can carry a decent amount of weight.
• Trike: A good early-game defense dino, with decent health and attack power.
• Stego: Great for gathering berries, and has good health and armor.
• Pteranodon: The ultimate early-game flyer, allowing you to explore the map and scout for resources.

To tame a dino, you'll need to knock it out (either through melee attacks, ranged weapons, or traps), and then feed it its preferred food. Research the preferred food for each dino – it will significantly speed up the taming process. You can use the Ark wiki for this, or use dododex. Bring the right amount of narcotics to make sure the dino doesn't wake up during the process, and that's it!

Build a taming pen to keep your target locked in place. This will make the taming process much easier and safer. Protect your tames. Build walls around them or keep them inside your base. Level up your dinos. Put points in health, stamina, melee damage, and weight, depending on the dino's role. Breed your dinos for improved stats and mutations. This is a late-game process, but it is great for building the best dinos. Learn how to craft saddles for your dinos. These are essential for riding and controlling them. Remember, patience is key. Taming can take a while, especially for higher-level dinos, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Tamed dinos can gather resources, protect your base, and provide transportation. The more dinos you tame, the easier your survival becomes.

Mid-Game Strategies: Expanding Your Empire

Once you've made it past the initial struggles, the mid-game is all about expansion, optimization, and tackling more advanced challenges. You should have a solid base, a few tamed dinos, and a good understanding of the game mechanics. This is where you can start focusing on a few key areas:

• Advanced Resource Gathering: Upgrade your tools and dinos to gather resources more efficiently. Tame a Bronto to harvest berries, a Doedicurus to gather stone, and an Ankylo to gather metal.
• Base Defense and Security: Build a formidable base with multiple layers of defense, including turrets, plant species X, and well-placed traps. Protect your dinos with walls, gates, and shelters.
• Exploration and Map Knowledge: Explore the island, discover new resources, and unlock new engrams. Learn the locations of caves, artifacts, and boss arenas.
• Boss Fights and Endgame Content: Prepare for boss fights by leveling up your dinos, crafting powerful weapons and armor, and gathering the necessary resources. Work towards completing the game's objectives and unlocking the endgame content.

Consider joining a tribe. Working together can greatly improve your chances of survival. A tribe allows you to share resources, coordinate tasks, and provide mutual protection. Specialize in different roles. Some members can focus on crafting, while others can focus on resource gathering, base defense, or dino breeding. Communicate effectively. Keep your tribe members informed about your activities, and coordinate your plans. Trust is essential. Choose your tribe members carefully, and build a strong relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation. The mid-game is the most exciting phase of the game!

Dealing with Threats and Challenges: Staying Alive

ARK is a dangerous game, and you'll face threats from the environment, wild dinos, and other players. Here's how to deal with these challenges:

• Weather: The weather can change quickly, so be prepared for rain, heat, and cold. Build structures that provide protection from the elements. Craft appropriate armor for different weather conditions.
• Wild Dinos: Learn to identify and avoid dangerous dinos, and be ready to defend yourself against them. Tame dinos to assist in combat and provide protection.
• Raids and PvP: If you're on a PvP server, be prepared for raids. Build a secure base, store your valuable resources safely, and be ready to defend your territory. If you get raided, don't give up! Learn from your mistakes, rebuild, and come back stronger.
• Disease and Injury: Stay healthy by eating nutritious food and avoiding dangerous situations. Craft medicine and bandages to treat injuries. Learn to identify and treat different diseases.
• Boss Fights and Endgame Content: Prepare for boss fights by leveling up your dinos, crafting powerful weapons and armor, and gathering the necessary resources. Work towards completing the game's objectives and unlocking the endgame content.

100-Day Milestone: Victory and Beyond!

Reaching 100 days on the Island is a huge achievement. You've proven your ability to survive, adapt, and overcome the odds. Celebrate your victory and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But the journey doesn't end there!

Here are some goals you can pursue after 100 days:

• Explore the Island: Discover all the hidden locations, caves, and artifacts. Complete the explorer notes to learn more about the lore of ARK.
• Conquer Bosses: Defeat all the bosses to unlock new rewards and progress through the endgame content.
• Build the Ultimate Base: Create a massive, fortified base with all the amenities you need.
• Breed the Perfect Dinos: Breed your dinos to achieve perfect stats and mutations.
• Join or Form a Tribe: Work with other players to build a strong community and dominate the server.

Enjoy the game, and experiment with different strategies and builds. Don't be afraid to try new things and push your limits. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the experience of surviving in ARK. ARK is an open-world sandbox, and this is just the beginning. The world is yours!

Good luck, survivors! I hope these tips help you conquer the ARK and survive the 100-day challenge! Keep exploring, keep building, and never give up. You got this!