The world of Ark: Survival Evolved is a harsh and unforgiving place, filled with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Among the most useful of these creatures is the Ankylosaurus, often referred to simply as the Ankylo. This armored beast is a resource-gathering powerhouse, capable of efficiently harvesting metal, flint, stone, and more. Successfully taming an Ankylo can significantly boost your progress, making it an invaluable asset to any survivor’s arsenal. But taming this creature isn’t as simple as knocking it unconscious and hoping for the best. Choosing the right Ark Ankylo Tame Food is paramount to ensuring a successful and efficient taming process. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to tame your very own Ankylo, focusing on the optimal food choices that will save you time and resources.
Understanding the Ankylo
Before diving into the specifics of taming, let’s take a closer look at the Ankylo itself. This quadrupedal herbivore is easily recognizable by its distinctive armored plates and large, club-like tail. Ankylos are generally docile, but they will defend themselves if threatened, and that tail can pack a serious punch.
The primary reason players seek to tame an Ankylo is its unmatched ability to gather resources, particularly metal. Its tail is incredibly effective at shattering rocks and extracting valuable minerals. While other creatures can also gather metal, the Ankylo does so with unparalleled efficiency. It’s also a decent gatherer of flint and stone, making it useful even in the early stages of the game. The Ankylo’s relative ease of taming compared to some of the more formidable dinosaurs makes it an attractive option for players of all levels. A well-tamed Ankylo can be a game-changer, providing the resources needed to craft advanced tools, weapons, and structures.
When embarking on an Ankylo taming adventure, understanding key stats will vastly improve your odds of success. Let’s delve into them.
Important Stats When Taming
During the taming process, certain stats of the Ankylo are more important than others. These stats determine how easy the tame is, how long it will take, and how strong your tamed Ankylo will ultimately be.
Torpor
Torpor is essentially the unconsciousness meter of the Ankylo. When the Ankylo’s torpor reaches zero, it will wake up, potentially ending the taming process prematurely. Keeping the torpor high is crucial, which can be achieved by administering narcotics or narcoberries. The higher the level of the Ankylo, the faster its torpor will decrease, requiring more frequent administration of torpor-inducing substances.
Food
The taming process relies on the Ankylo’s food stat decreasing. As the Ankylo gets hungry, it will eventually consume the food you have placed in its inventory. Each time it eats, the taming meter will increase. The speed at which the food stat decreases is influenced by the Ankylo’s level and species. Using the best Ark Ankylo Tame Food significantly reduces the time it takes for the food stat to deplete and for the Ankylo to eat, leading to a faster taming process.
Taming Effectiveness
Taming effectiveness reflects the bonus levels and stat boosts your Ankylo will receive after being successfully tamed. Using less effective Ark Ankylo Tame Food, or allowing the Ankylo to take damage during the taming process, will lower the taming effectiveness. A higher taming effectiveness means a stronger, more capable Ankylo.
The Best Ark Ankylo Tame Food
Choosing the right food is the single most important factor in determining the speed and effectiveness of your Ankylo tame. While berries can work in a pinch, they are far from optimal.
Superior Kibble
The undisputed champion of Ankylo taming food is Superior Kibble. This type of kibble is crafted using specific ingredients in a cooking pot. Recipes can be found throughout the world, and it’s well worth the effort to learn how to make it. Superior Kibble provides the fastest taming time and the highest taming effectiveness, meaning your Ankylo will be tamed quickly and will have higher stats after the process is complete. Using Superior Kibble translates to less time spent babysitting the unconscious dinosaur and a more powerful companion in the long run.
Berries
In the early game, when Superior Kibble is unavailable, berries are the only option. Among the various types of berries, Amarberries and Azulberries are the most effective for taming Ankylos. While berries will still get the job done, they are significantly less efficient than Superior Kibble. Taming will take considerably longer, and the taming effectiveness will be lower, resulting in a weaker Ankylo. If you’re relying on berries, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time guarding your unconscious Ankylo and regularly administering narcotics to keep it asleep.
Comparison of Taming Foods
| Food Type | Taming Effectiveness | Time to Tame (Example) | Food Quantity (Example) |
| ————— | ——————– | ———————— | ————————- |
| Superior Kibble | High | Fast | Low |
| Amarberry | Low | Slow | High |
| Azulberry | Low | Slow | High |
*Note: Taming times and food quantities vary depending on the Ankylo’s level and server settings.*
Taming Strategies
Taming an Ankylo is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and execution.
Preparation is Key
Before you even set out to find an Ankylo, take the time to prepare. This includes:
- Location Scouting: Ankylos are typically found in mountainous regions and near rivers. Knowing where to look will save you valuable time.
- Resource Gathering: Gather a sufficient amount of Ark Ankylo Tame Food (ideally Superior Kibble, if possible) and narcotics or narcoberries to keep the Ankylo unconscious. You’ll also need materials to build a taming pen or bolas to immobilize the Ankylo.
- Building a Taming Pen (Optional but Recommended): A taming pen is a simple structure made of walls and a gate that prevents the Ankylo from wandering off or being attacked by predators. This greatly simplifies the taming process and increases your chances of success. The pen should be big enough to trap the Ankylo, without being too large that the ankylo can still maneuver well.
The Taming Process
- Immobilizing the Ankylo: Once you’ve found your target, the first step is to immobilize it. If you have a taming pen, lure the Ankylo inside and close the gate. Alternatively, you can use bolas to temporarily restrain the Ankylo, providing a window of opportunity to knock it unconscious.
- Knocking Out the Ankylo: Use a ranged weapon, such as tranquilizer darts or arrows, to increase the Ankylo’s torpor. For the very early game, slingshots are effective, but make sure you aim for the body of the Ankylo. Continuously hitting the head of your tame can result in a killed tame, especially in lower levels. Keep in mind that dealing too much damage can kill the Ankylo, so use caution.
- Maintaining Torpor: As the Ankylo’s torpor increases, it will eventually fall unconscious. At this point, it’s crucial to maintain its torpor by administering narcotics or narcoberries. Monitor the torpor bar and administer these substances whenever it starts to decline significantly.
- Feeding the Ankylo: Open the Ankylo’s inventory and place your chosen Ark Ankylo Tame Food inside. The Ankylo will automatically eat the food when its hunger level drops. As it eats, the taming progress bar will increase.
Tips and Tricks
- Clear the Area: Before starting the taming process, eliminate any potential predators in the area to prevent them from interfering.
- Use a Taming Calculator: Websites like Ark Dododex provide taming calculators that allow you to input the Ankylo’s level and the food you’re using to determine the exact amount of food and narcotics needed.
- Stay Vigilant: Remain near the unconscious Ankylo throughout the taming process to protect it from harm.
- Consider Server Settings: Be aware of your server’s taming speed multipliers, as these will affect the time it takes to tame an Ankylo.
Post-Taming Care
Once you’ve successfully tamed your Ankylo, it’s time to level it up and put it to work.
Leveling Up Your Ankylo
When leveling up your Ankylo, focus on stats that will enhance its resource-gathering capabilities.
- Weight: Increasing the weight stat will allow your Ankylo to carry more resources before becoming encumbered.
- Melee Damage: Boosting melee damage will increase the amount of resources gathered with each swing of its tail.
- Health: Increasing health is useful for keeping your Ankylo alive in combat.
Resource Gathering
The Ankylo is a master of resource gathering, particularly for metal, flint, and stone. Its tail is incredibly efficient at breaking apart rocks and extracting these valuable minerals.
Ankylo Combat
Ankylos are typically used for gathering, but that doesn’t mean they are useless in combat. While you are mining, it is useful to have your Ankylo follow you as a bodyguard.
Conclusion
Taming an Ankylo is a worthwhile investment for any Ark: Survival Evolved player. Its resource-gathering prowess can significantly accelerate your progress and allow you to craft more advanced gear. By understanding the Ankylo’s behavior, choosing the right Ark Ankylo Tame Food, and following the taming strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to adding this valuable creature to your tribe. So gather your supplies, prepare your taming pen, and get ready to experience the benefits of having your very own Ankylo. Good luck, survivor, and happy taming!
