Introduction
The Dire Bear, a massive and powerful creature roaming the landscapes of Ark: Survival Evolved, is a highly sought-after tame for many survivors. These furry behemoths are not only formidable combatants, capable of tearing through enemy creatures with ease, but also excellent resource gatherers, particularly adept at collecting berries, fiber, and honey (ironically!). However, taming a Dire Bear is no walk in the park. They are aggressive, easily spooked, and require a significant investment of time and resources. One of the most crucial aspects of successfully taming a Dire Bear is understanding and utilizing the correct taming food. Using the wrong food can dramatically increase the taming time, reduce the effectiveness of the tame, and ultimately result in a weaker, less capable Dire Bear companion.
This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to the best foods for taming Dire Bears in Ark: Survival Evolved. We’ll explore the various options, ranking them based on their effectiveness and ease of acquisition. We’ll also delve into the specific strategies and tips you’ll need to maximize your chances of a successful tame. Mastering the art of Dire Bear taming, particularly the understanding of “ark dire bear taming food,” will give you a significant advantage in your Ark survival journey.
Understanding Dire Bear Taming Mechanics
Before diving into the specifics of taming food, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental principles of the taming system in Ark: Survival Evolved. Most creatures in Ark, including the Dire Bear, are tamed using a non-violent method. This involves knocking the creature unconscious, then feeding it its preferred food until the taming meter reaches completion. During the taming process, the creature’s torpor (unconsciousness) level must be maintained. If the torpor drops to zero, the creature will wake up, and the taming process will be reset.
Dire Bears, in particular, present a unique set of challenges. They are naturally aggressive and will attack on sight. They also have a relatively high torpor level, meaning they require a significant amount of narcotics or narcoberries to remain unconscious throughout the taming process. Furthermore, they are sensitive to damage during taming. Taking excessive damage can drastically reduce the taming effectiveness, resulting in a tamed Dire Bear with significantly lower stats.
The location you choose for taming is also critically important. A safe and secure environment is essential to protect both yourself and the unconscious Dire Bear from other predators. A well-planned taming strategy, combined with the right food, is the key to success. Remember that taming effectiveness directly impacts the bonus levels and stats the Dire Bear gains after being successfully tamed. Maximizing taming effectiveness is therefore paramount. The choice of “ark dire bear taming food” has a great impact on the final stats of the animal.
The Best Taming Foods for Dire Bears: Ranked
When it comes to “ark dire bear taming food,” some options are significantly better than others. Choosing the right food can dramatically reduce the taming time and increase the taming effectiveness, resulting in a stronger, more loyal companion.
Honey: The Undisputed Champion
Honey reigns supreme as the absolute best “ark dire bear taming food.” Dire Bears have an insatiable craving for this sweet treat, and feeding them honey provides the highest possible taming effectiveness bonus. Using honey will significantly shorten the taming time and maximize the potential stats of your tamed Dire Bear. The higher the taming effectiveness, the more bonus levels your Dire Bear will receive, resulting in a stronger and healthier companion.
However, acquiring honey can be a dangerous endeavor. Giant beehives are often found high in trees, guarded by swarms of angry bees. You’ll need a strategic approach to harvest the honey safely. One common method involves using a Dimetrodon, which can provide protection from the bees’ attacks. Another option is to use a Beelzebufo (frog), which is immune to the bees’ sting. Alternatively, you can wear a full Ghillie Suit to reduce your visibility and sneak past the bees undetected. Always approach beehives with caution and be prepared for a fight. The reward, though, is well worth the risk, as honey provides the most efficient taming experience for Dire Bears.
Superior Kibble: A Reliable Alternative
While honey is the ideal choice, it can sometimes be difficult to obtain. Superior Kibble serves as a fantastic alternative, offering a significant boost to taming effectiveness, though not quite as high as honey. Kibble also tends to be easier to mass produce. This makes kibble a more practical choice for many players.
To craft Superior Kibble, you will need the following ingredients: one Large Egg, one Citronal, one Prime Meat Jerky, two Mejoberries, three Fiber, and one Water. These ingredients must be cooked in a cooking pot. Large eggs can be harvested from creatures such as the Rex, Spino, or Bronto. While Prime Meat Jerky can be created by putting Prime Meat in a Preserving Bin or Preserver along with oil and sparkpowder.
Raw Mutton: A Meaty Option
Raw Mutton is a good alternative to both honey and kibble, being more easily available than honey and better than other Raw Meats. Raw Mutton is harvested from dead sheep. Sheep are most commonly found in the northern regions of most maps. These creatures will run if provoked, so prepare to chase it with a weapon that does not damage the pelt, such as a bola or tranq darts. While not as effective as honey or kibble, raw mutton is a readily available option for taming Dire Bears and can be a viable choice if other resources are scarce. Keep in mind that using mutton will still require a significant amount of time and narcotics to complete the taming process.
Other Meat Options: Use as a Last Resort
While honey, kibble, and mutton are the preferred choices, Raw Prime Meat, Raw Meat, and Cooked Meat can be used to tame Dire Bears, but only as a last resort. These options provide significantly lower taming effectiveness and will result in a much longer taming process. They will also result in a tamed Dire Bear with lower stats.
Raw Prime Meat is a better option than raw or cooked meat but is difficult to acquire in large amounts. Raw meat and Cooked Meat have such low effectiveness that using them can result in a significant waste of resources and time. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using these options unless absolutely necessary.
Taming Strategies and Tips
Successfully taming a Dire Bear requires more than just the right food. Careful planning and execution are essential to ensure a safe and efficient taming process.
Pre-Taming Preparation
Before attempting to tame a Dire Bear, you need to gather all the necessary resources. This includes a sufficient supply of your chosen “ark dire bear taming food,” a generous amount of narcotics or narcoberries to maintain torpor, and appropriate weapons for knocking out the bear. You’ll also need to choose a safe taming location and clear the area of any potential threats. Bear traps can be incredibly useful for immobilizing the Dire Bear while you knock it out. Elevated platforms can also provide a safe vantage point from which to attack and protect the unconscious bear.
During the Taming Process
Knocking out the Dire Bear safely is the first step. Tranq darts fired from a crossbow or longneck rifle are generally the most effective method. Aim for the head to maximize torpor infliction. Once the bear is unconscious, immediately start feeding it your chosen “ark dire bear taming food.” Continuously monitor the torpor level and administer narcotics or narcoberries as needed to keep the bear unconscious. Protecting the unconscious bear from predators is crucial. Build a temporary enclosure around it or assign guard dinos to watch over it.
Post-Taming Care
Once the taming meter reaches completion, immediately feed the Dire Bear to replenish its food level. Imprinting is a critical step in maximizing the Dire Bear’s potential. Regularly interact with the bear to increase the imprinting percentage, which provides significant stat bonuses. Leveling up your Dire Bear strategically is also important. Focus on increasing its health, melee damage, and stamina depending on its intended role.
Troubleshooting Common Taming Issues
Even with careful planning, unexpected issues can arise during the taming process.
The Dire Bear is Waking Up Too Quickly
This is usually due to insufficient torpor maintenance. Make sure you have enough narcotics or narcoberries on hand and administer them regularly to keep the bear unconscious.
The Dire Bear is Taking Damage During Taming
This can be caused by predators or environmental hazards. Clear the area of threats before starting the taming process and build a protective enclosure around the bear.
I Can’t Find Honey
If you’re struggling to find honey, explore alternative methods of acquisition, such as using a Dimetrodon or Beelzebufo to harvest it safely. If all else fails, use Superior Kibble or Raw Mutton as a backup option.
Conclusion
Taming a Dire Bear in Ark: Survival Evolved can be a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. By understanding the importance of “ark dire bear taming food” and utilizing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Remember that honey is the best option, followed by Superior Kibble and then Raw Mutton. A well-planned taming process will result in a powerful and loyal companion that will serve you well in your Ark adventures. So, gather your resources, prepare your strategy, and get ready to tame your own Dire Bear – a fuzzy, formidable friend waiting to be unleashed!
