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Establishing a Foothold
ARK: Survival Ascended

Establishing a Foothold

Learn how to establish a foothold in ARK: Survival Ascended. This guide covers essential early-game survival tips, resource gathering, and base building to get you started on the island.

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Learn how to establish a foothold in ARK: Survival Ascended. This guide covers essential early-game survival tips, resource gathering, and base building to get you started on the island.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Gather Basic Resources: Start by collecting wood, thatch, and stone. These are do-or-die for crafting your first tools and structures. Look for fallen trees for wood, harvest bushes for thatch, and pick up stones from the ground.
  2. 2
    Craft Essential Tools: With your gathered resources, craft a Stone Pickaxe and a Stone Axe. These will significantly speed up resource gathering.
  3. 3
    Find a Suitable Location: Choose a spot for your first base that is relatively safe, near essential resources (water, wood, stone), and offers some natural defenses. Avoid areas with high-dinosaur traffic.
  4. 4
    Build a Small Shelter: Start with a simple thatch or wood structure. A 1x1 or 2x1 room is sufficient for early protection. Craft a Door and place it to secure your shelter.
  5. 5
    Craft a Campfire: A campfire is essential for cooking food and providing warmth. Place it inside or just outside your shelter.
  6. 6
    Craft Storage Boxes: As you gather more resources, you'll need places to store them. Craft Wooden Storage Boxes to keep your inventory organized.
  7. 7
    Tame Your First Dinosaur: Focus on taming a passive dinosaur like a Dodo or Parasaur first. They can help with gathering resources or carrying items.
  8. 8
    Expand Your Base: Once you have basic necessities, gradually expand your base. Add more rooms for crafting stations, sleeping areas, and storage.
Tips
  • Always keep an eye on your hunger and thirst meters.
  • Craft a Water Jar as soon as possible to carry water.
  • Learn basic crafting recipes by leveling up.
  • Be wary of aggressive dinosaurs, especially at night.
  • Consider building near a cave entrance for early-game safety and access to resources.
  • Use the map to identify resource-rich areas and potential base locations.

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