ARK: Taming the Beast Within – Your Guide to Giga-Taming and Dino-Domination
You want a Giganotosaurus in ARK: Survival Evolved? That’s brave or maybe crazy. Taming this beast is key. Who doesn’t want a giant muscle mountain on their side? But let’s be honest, taming a Giga is tough. It’s not easy.
Giga Taming 101: Tranqs, Traps, and Tears
How Many Tranqs to Bring? More Than You Think!
The big question: how many tranq darts do you need? A lot. Forget what you think; double it and add more. We need serious torpor here.
You’ll need 70 to 225 tranq darts just to knock it out. Many say bring at least 250. One player shared needing 800 darts and 150 arrows for a Level 135. Overprepare. It’s smart. When a Giga wakes up early, things get tricky.
Darts work better than arrows. Some have used arrows, one legend used 520 tranq arrows on a Level 145 with a Mastercraft Crossbow. But darts are efficient from a Longneck Rifle. Arrows might need 300 shots while darts about 100. Plus, aiming during the chaos is hard.
Weapon quality matters. A primitive bow is like a butter knife for a dragon. Get a good Longneck Rifle and Shocking Tranq Darts. They help apply torpor faster. That’s key against a Giga’s quick torpor drop.
Level Up Your Taming Game: Giga Level and Tranq Count
The higher the Giga’s level, the more tranqs needed. A Level 1 is easier than a Level 150. Use Dododex to calculate tranqs needed per level. Bookmark Dododex; it’s a lifesaver.
Trapping a Giga: Because Running Isn’t Always an Option
Tranqing in the open is risky. Trapping is essential. Use behemoth gates, either stone or metal. Four gates with gateframes works best. Lure the Giga in, close the gate fast, and now you’ve got a target.
Bear traps also work well. Picture 50 large bear traps. Sound crazy? It’s effective. One player used this with an Ascended Longneck and Shocking Tranq Darts. The Giga stepped into traps and allowed for tranq shots. Just have an escape route. Gigas are not known for waiting.
Narcotics: Keeping the Giga Snoozing
Knocking out the Giga is half the work. Their torpor drops fast. You’ll need narcotics for this. Bring so many narcotics. Bio Toxin is great for more torpor, but narcotics work too. Watch the torpor level and feed narcotics to avoid waking up the Giga.
Giga vs. The World: Dino Showdown
Giga vs. Carcha: The Apex Predator Debate
The classic debate: Giga or Carcha? Both are apex predators. Carcharodontosaurus, or Carcha, is versatile. It has better speed and stamina. Its rage mechanic is useful too. Plus, it gets a damage buff after kills.
Giga vs. Rex: Size Isn’t Everything (But It Helps)
Tyrannosaurus Rex is iconic. But how does it compare to the Giga? The Rex has a stronger bite force. It might be more powerful in a direct fight. However, the Giga is much larger—about three times the size. Size helps intimidate others.
Who Can Beat a Giga? Not Many.
Few creatures can beat a Giga in combat. Even tamed Gigas can be glass cannons. Wild Gigas? They are nightmare fuel. Tamed Gigas? Still scary but more manageable. Even strong packs of Rexes or Carchas can struggle against a Giga.
Giga-Specific Shenanigans in ARK
Rage Mode: Jekyll and Hyde, Dino Edition
Both wild and tamed Gigas can rage. Anger boosts their damage significantly, possibly doubling it. This can be dangerous for wild Gigas. For tamed ones, it means power but unpredictability in battle.
Giga Stats: Built Different
Gigas have incredible stats. Their base torpor is 10,000, increasing by 600 per wild level. Tamed Gigas can reach 17,000 HP and 1285% melee damage before imprinting. With imprinting, stats can reach 33,000 HP and 1500% melee damage.
Stone Structure Demolition: Not as Effective as Metal, But Still Destructive
Gigas can damage stone structures. They won’t destroy stone like metal but still can ruin a stone base quickly. In PvP, a Giga rampaging through your base is not fun. Use metal for real protection.
Gigas on Extinction: Spawn Group Shenanigans
Gigas on Extinction share spawn groups unlike the Island map. If the group is full of other creatures, fewer Gigas will spawn. Clear existing spawns to encourage Giga appearances. Think of it as ARK spawn economics.
Giga Torpor: The Stuff of Nightmares
Giga torpor is insane. The base torpor is 10,000—no typo here. Keeping their torpor up during taming is crucial. Narcotics, Bio Toxin, and constant attention are your allies.
Giga Chow Time: What to Feed Your Behemoth
After knocking out the Giga, it’s feeding time. Exceptional Kibble is best for taming speed. If you lack that, Raw Mutton is next, followed by Raw Prime Meat. Avoid regular Raw Meat; it hurts your taming effectiveness.
Is Taming a Giga Worth It? Depends on Your Goals (and Sanity)
Taming a Giga costs effort and resources. For hunting? Yes, it’s worth it. A tamed Giga is perhaps the greatest hunting partner you can find.
Mounts in the game offer unique benefits. For base defense, they can be effective. However, consider their rage mechanic and risk of damaging structures. For PvP base luring, they fall short. Wild Gigas prioritize other dinos, so they won’t be reliable. A tamed Giga represents strength and control, but comes with risks.
Tranqing and Taming Other Dinos: A Quick Cheat Sheet
Giga taming can be intense. But what about other ARK creatures? Here’s a concise rundown of tranqing and taming methods for popular dinos:
Rex: The Classic Powerhouse
To knock out a Rex, you’ll need 75-175 tranq darts (bring 250+ just in case). Trapping is highly recommended. Use a bear trap or dino gate trap. A Level 150 Rex requires about 70 tranq darts. Raw Prime Meat or Exceptional Kibble works best for taming.
Raptor: Speedy and Pack-Loving
Two headshots with tranq arrows usually take down a Raptor. Use bolases for immobilization. Taming is easy; use Raw Meat and Narcoberries. They tame quickly and serve well as early-game mounts.
Griffin: King of the Skies (and Taming Difficulty)
Griffin taming involves specific methods and preferred kibble (usually Griffin Kibble). For knocking one out, use 75-100 tranq arrows, but bring extras. Higher-level Griffins are surprisingly tough.
Spino: The Aquatic Terror
Spinos need 40-100 tranq darts to knock out, depending on their level. Found near water, it’s best to trap them on land. Raw Prime Fish Meat and Kibble are good for taming.
Megalodon: Shark Week, ARK Style
Taming Megalodons requires underwater tranqing. Use bows in shallow water with 10-30 tranq arrows. Alternatively, use fast aquatic mounts like Sarco or Baryonyx to tranq from the saddle while kiting the Megalodon.
Therizino: The Tickle Chicken of Doom
Therizinos are known for aggression and difficulty in taming. Bring at least 50 tranq arrows and 200+ narcotics. Keep a safe distance and kite them while tranqing, as taming takes time.
Argy: The Utility Bird
Argentavis are easy to tame. About 45 tranq arrows or 18 tranq darts suffice for most levels. They spawn commonly, making them accessible. Use Raw Meat or Kibble for taming.
Pelagornis: The Fish-Eating Flyer
Pelagornis act like Pelicans in ARK. Generally docile, they are simple to tame. Use tranq arrows and fish meat to secure these avian anglers.
Yutyrannus: The Fear Roar King
Yutyrannus often accompany Carnos. They have a fear roar that can debilitate your dinos. Trapping is essential for this tame. Use wood or stone structures to trap them, then tranq them.
Carcharodontosaurus: Giga-Lite, But Still Deadly
Carcharodontosaurus taming is unique; no knockout needed. You feed it corpses to gain trust. Once the trust bar fills, it becomes tamable. Raw Meat and Kibble are usable once it’s ready.
Gigantoraptor: The Egg Thief Tamer
Gigantoraptors require non-violent taming. Distract the adult with fertilized eggs, sneak into its nest, and mimic the baby’s emotes. Stealth and patience are essential.
Velociraptor: Pack Hunters, Tameable Too
Like Raptors, Velociraptors are simple to tranq and tame. Use tranq arrows, Raw Meat, and Narcoberries to get your pack of speedy predators.
ARK Oddities and Ends: Tek, Rex Saddles, and More
Tek Rex: The Chrome-Plated Rex Upgrade
Tek Rexes are special Tek Creatures in ARK. Tek Creatures spawn 20% higher levels than normal kinds and have a 5% chance to spawn instead of regulars. They breed only with other Tek Creatures. For a futuristic Rex, go for Tek Rexes.
Indominus Rex: Jurassic World Fantasy
Clarifying, the Indominus Rex isn’t in ARK: Survival Evolved and isn’t a real dino. It’s a fictional creature from “Jurassic World.” A cool concept, but purely a Hollywood fantasy.
Nigersaurus: The 500-Tooth Wonder
The Nigersaurus is a real dinosaur with over 500 teeth. In ARK, it’s a gentle herbivore. Fun fact: Nigersaurus once roamed the Sahara Desert.
Rex Saddle and Tek Rex Saddle: Gearing Up Your T-Rex
The standard Rex Saddle unlocks at level 74. Find blueprints in ice caves or underwater caves. For the ultimate Rex experience, obtain the Tek Rex Saddle by defeating Alpha Bosses like Megapithecus, Manticore, Rockwell, or Forest Titan.
Tek Armor: Endgame Protection
Tek Armor ranks as the best armor in ARK. It provides high physical protection and decent cold resistance. A complete set offers extra protection from heat, cold, and radiation. Unlocking Tek Armor pieces requires defeating various bosses.
Stone Farming Dinos: Resource Gathering 101
Need stone? Doedicurus excel in stone farming. For metal, use Ankylosaurus. Brontos and Therizinos gather berries well. Castoroides (Beavers) rank top for wood collection, although Therizinos are also good at wood harvesting.
Fastest Carnivore Dino: Speed Demons of ARK
The Allosaurus holds the title for fastest land carnivore in ARK: Survival Ascended. With a base speed of 650, Allos are designed for speed and aggression.
ARK Game Mechanics: Taming, Cloning, and Levels
Alpha Creatures: Untamable Brutes
Alpha creatures are stronger wild versions of regular dinos in ARK. The downside? You cannot tame them. Their role is to provide challenging encounters and loot, not companionship.
Taming Mechanics: The ARK Way
Taming in ARK typically involves knocking out a creature and feeding it food it prefers. For Gigas and large dinos, trapping is crucial. The process consists of trap, tranq, feed, and defend until your new dino buddy is ready.
Cloning: ARK Science vs. Real Science
ARK features cloning mechanics that allow you to duplicate dinos. However, real-world cloning remains firmly in science fiction territory. Current cloning tech involves nuclear transfer and viable DNA, which dinosaur DNA lacks after millions of years.
Max Dino Levels: Reaching the Cap
Wild dinos have level caps. Tek Dinos boast a 20% higher level cap than regular ones. On official servers, maximum levels upon taming reach 74 due to taming effectiveness mechanics. Perfect tames won’t exceed 75 levels higher than their wild level.
Real-World Dino Facts: ARK Inspiration
Giganotosaurus: The Real Giant
The real Giganotosaurus was a huge predator named “jig-a-NOT-o-SOR-us.” While smaller than ARK’s version at around 12 meters long, it remains impressive among the Carcharodontosauridae family
T-Rex: The Bite Force King
T-Rex likely had a stronger bite force than Giganotosaurus despite the latter’s larger size. In combat scenarios, T-Rex was potentially more powerful overall.
Carcharodontosaurus: Sharing the Shark-Tooth Lineage
Carcharodontosaurus and Giganotosaurus share Carcharodontosauridae lineage. Both were large predators in their ecosystems.
Nigersaurus: 500 Teeth, Herbivore Lifestyle
Nigersaurus was indeed a herbivore despite its many teeth. Those over 500 teeth helped strip vegetation rather than tear flesh.
Dinosaur DNA: A Jurassic Park Dream (or Nightmare)
Extracting viable dinosaur DNA is improbable due to DNA degradation over time. With dinosaurs last existing 65 million years ago, any remaining DNA likely proves too fragmented to aid in reviving them.
This sums up your comprehensive guide to Giga taming and dino knowledge in ARK: Survival Evolved. Go forth, survivor! Tame those beasts! Just remember enough tranqs… and perhaps a therapist for post-Giga-taming stress.
