Finding the Elusive Beaver
Habitat and Identification
The sprawling, unforgiving world of ARK: Survival Evolved demands resourcefulness, strategy, and a whole lot of patience. From battling colossal creatures to constructing elaborate bases, survival hinges on the intelligent use of everything the environment offers. Among the numerous denizens of the ARK ecosystem, the humble beaver, or *Castoroides*, might seem unassuming at first glance. Yet, the beaver is an absolute game-changer. Mastering the art of ark how to capture beaver can significantly enhance your survival experience, providing access to vital resources and boosting your base-building capabilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every stage, from locating these industrious creatures to maximizing their usefulness in your ARK adventure.
Before you can even think about capturing a beaver, you need to find one. These semi-aquatic creatures prefer specific environments within the ARK. You won’t find them roaming the scorching deserts or icy tundras.
Beavers typically thrive near freshwater sources. Think of rivers, lakes, and swamps as their preferred habitats. The deeper the body of water, the more likely you are to spot a beaver and a dam. Look for areas with dense foliage and ample access to wood, their primary building material.
While exploring, keep your eyes peeled for the characteristic structures they construct – dams. These large, intricate structures are a dead giveaway, and often indicate the presence of several beavers in the vicinity. Look for dams near the water’s edge, often partially submerged.
Identifying a beaver is relatively straightforward. These creatures resemble giant rodents, easily recognizable by their large, flat tails and thick, brown fur. They have a somewhat stocky build, and their large incisors are instantly noticeable. However, don’t let their seemingly harmless appearance fool you! Beavers can be surprisingly aggressive, especially if provoked or if you get too close to their territory.
Be aware of their behavior. Beavers, especially in the wild, often travel in groups. Spotting one likely means others are nearby, and they will defend themselves and their dams. Approach with caution and always assess the surrounding area before committing to a capture attempt. Consider scouting with a flying creature to survey the area and identify potential threats.
Preparing for the Capture
Essential Resources and Gear
Capturing a beaver isn’t a walk in the park. It demands proper preparation, and you’ll need the right tools and resources to ensure a successful tame.
The first and foremost requirement is a reliable weapon for applying tranquilizers. A bow combined with tranq arrows is a good starting point for beginners. For higher-level players, a crossbow equipped with tranq arrows is a better alternative, providing more accuracy and a faster rate of fire. If you prefer a more advanced option, a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts will make the process go even faster.
You’ll need an ample supply of tranq arrows or darts. The exact number required depends on the beaver’s level, but it’s always wise to overestimate. Start with at least twenty tranq arrows.
The most effective food for taming a beaver is kibble. However, kibble can be time-consuming to make, and sometimes not feasible. If you can’t make kibble, crops are the next best option. Simple crops such as berries or vegetables can be used as a last resort.
Building a trap is essential. We’ll explore specific trap designs shortly, but you’ll need wood, stone, or metal to construct the basic structure. Gather enough resources to build your trap before seeking out the beaver.
Don’t underestimate the importance of appropriate armor. Leather armor is a minimum requirement, but better protection is always preferable. Chitin or fur armor offers decent defense, while higher-tier sets like flak provide superior protection.
Consider your own level and your dinos before attempting to tame a beaver. Being under leveled will lead to a difficult tame. Bring a mount that can carry resources and defend you from attacks. A fast and agile mount will help you keep pace with the beaver. A strong mount will increase your chances of surviving an accidental encounter.
Beavers themselves can be dangerous. Be extremely cautious when interacting with wild beavers. They possess a powerful bite and a tail slap that can knock you off your mount and damage structures. Furthermore, they can inflict damage on your base structures, which is very annoying.
Crafting the Perfect Trap
Trap Designs and Techniques
A well-designed trap is the cornerstone of a successful beaver capture. There are a few effective trapping methods, ranging from simple designs to more elaborate setups.
A simple trap can be made using pillars and ramps or gates. Find a suitable location near the beaver’s habitat. Place a series of pillars in a square shape. Then, position ramps leading into the enclosure. Lure the beaver into the enclosure and then quickly close it.
More complex traps provide greater safety and allow for more controlled taming. These traps typically involve a larger pen with a single entrance. Construct a pen using stone or metal walls, ensuring the walls are high enough to prevent the beaver from escaping. At the entrance, place a dino gate and gate frames. Build a ramp leading up to the entrance to allow the beaver to walk in.
The location of your trap is important. Choose a location that offers cover, such as trees or rock formations, to conceal your activity. Avoid locations near aggressive predators or other dangerous creatures. The trap should be far enough away from a wild beaver’s dam to prevent them from getting defensive.
Luring a beaver into your trap requires patience and a bit of strategy. Beavers are naturally drawn to water. Place the trap near the water’s edge or along a well-traveled path that the beaver takes. You can try placing berries or crops near the entrance to lure the beaver into the trap.
The Art of Taming: From Knockout to Companion
The Taming Process
Once the beaver is safely contained in your trap, the taming process can begin. This is where the real skill and patience come into play.
The first step is to knock the beaver unconscious. Use your chosen weapon (bow and tranq arrows, crossbow, or longneck rifle) to apply tranquilizers. Aim for the beaver’s body, avoid headshots. Aiming for the head will deal more damage and potentially kill it.
Be aware of the beaver’s torpor stat. Torpor determines how long the beaver remains unconscious. As the torpor level decreases, the beaver will start to wake up. Maintaining their torpor levels is crucial. Use Narcotics or Bio Toxin. Narcotics are the easiest to obtain, so keep a supply ready. Bio toxin is a rarer alternative that can increase torpor quicker.
Once the beaver is unconscious, access its inventory and place the food. Keep a close eye on the taming progress bar and the beaver’s food level. The food level will decrease over time. Adding more food before it drops to zero is key to efficient taming.
The taming effectiveness is the percentage bar that indicates how well the creature is being tamed. Keeping the taming effectiveness high is critical to end taming successfully. The better the taming effectiveness, the better the beaver’s stats will be. Using the correct food will improve the taming effectiveness. Using the wrong food will decrease it.
Taming a beaver can take time. The taming time varies depending on the beaver’s level and the type of food you are using. Be prepared to spend time waiting. It will take longer to tame a higher-level beaver.
Building a Beaver’s World: Post-Taming
Utilizing Your Tamed Beaver
Successfully taming a beaver opens up a world of possibilities. These creatures become indispensable companions for base building and resource gathering.
The first thing you will want to do is craft a saddle. At level 38, you can craft a beaver saddle. A saddle is necessary for riding the creature and controlling it. Crafting the saddle requires hide, fiber, and wood.
Beavers excel at gathering wood. They have a natural affinity for this resource, making them incredibly efficient wood gatherers. They can harvest wood much faster than a player can by hand.
They also provide a weight reduction on wood, stone, and metal. A beaver’s inventory can hold a significant amount of resources, and its weight reduction ability makes it easier for you to carry resources without being encumbered. This significantly boosts your base-building efforts.
Beavers can be used in base building. They are great for storage and transport. They are great for base defense.
Keep your beaver well-fed. Provide it with ample supplies of food to keep its health up and prevent it from starving. Provide water, especially if the beaver has been working hard. Keeping them healthy is paramount for your survival.
Tips, Tricks, and Secrets of the Beaver Master
Advanced Strategies and Optimization
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you perfect your beaver-taming techniques and get the most out of your new companion.
Avoid common mistakes. One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the number of tranq arrows or darts needed. Always bring more than you think you’ll need. Another mistake is not having a secure trap. Ensure your trap is properly constructed and secure before attempting to capture a beaver.
Maximize efficiency. Level up your beaver’s weight stat. This will increase its carrying capacity, allowing you to gather more wood and resources.
Level up its melee attack stat. You want your beaver to be able to defend itself and harvest resources efficiently.
The Beaver Advantage: A Final Word
Capturing a beaver can be a rewarding experience. They significantly enhance your ability to gather resources and build bases. Mastering the ark how to capture beaver process is a key skill for any aspiring survivor in ARK: Survival Evolved. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to harnessing the power of these industrious creatures and dominating the ARK landscape. So, gather your resources, craft your traps, and get ready to tame your very own beaver!
Now go forth and explore!
