Introduction
The prehistoric world of ARK: Survival Evolved is teeming with dinosaurs and creatures both majestic and terrifying. Among these towering beasts, the Brontosaurus stands out as a symbol of immense power and resourcefulness. Coveted by survivors for their unparalleled resource gathering capabilities and the potential to be transformed into mobile fortresses with platform saddles, taming a Brontosaurus is a significant achievement in ARK. However, undertaking this task is no small feat. These gentle giants possess impressive endurance, requiring a substantial amount of effort and, most importantly, the right taming food to bring them peacefully into your tribe. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and secrets to successfully taming a Brontosaurus, with a specific focus on selecting the optimal taming food for the quickest and most effective results.
Understanding the Gentle Giant: The Brontosaurus
Before embarking on your Brontosaurus taming adventure, it’s crucial to understand the creature you’re about to encounter. Brontosauruses are generally found grazing peacefully in open fields, meadows, and along riverbanks across The Island and many other ARK maps. While passive by nature, they are far from defenseless. A Brontosaurus, when provoked, can unleash devastating tail swipes capable of sending even seasoned survivors flying.
These behemoths are characterized by their colossal health pools, enormous stamina reserves, and unparalleled weight capacity. This makes them invaluable for transporting large quantities of resources, especially berries, thatch, and wood. With the addition of a platform saddle, a Brontosaurus can become a mobile base, equipped with crafting stations, storage containers, and defensive turrets, allowing you to traverse the ARK landscape in comfort and safety.
However, the very attributes that make them so desirable also contribute to the difficulty of taming them. Their high health and stamina mean that knocking them unconscious requires a significant amount of tranquilizer ammunition. Furthermore, their immense size and appetite necessitate a large quantity of taming food, and the taming process can be quite lengthy if you’re not prepared.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Taming: From Preparation to Pacification
Taming a Brontosaurus is a multi-stage process that demands careful planning and execution.
Strategic Preparation
Begin by scouting potential Brontosaurus locations. Look for areas where they commonly spawn and assess the surrounding environment for potential dangers. Once you’ve identified a suitable target, gather the necessary equipment. This includes a ranged weapon (preferably a crossbow or rifle), tranquilizer darts or arrows (lots of them!), building materials for a taming trap, and, of course, an ample supply of the right taming food.
The Importance of a Taming Trap
A well-constructed taming trap is essential for safely and effectively taming a Brontosaurus. A simple trap can consist of four to five dinosaur gates or large gates placed in a square or rectangle, with one gate left open to lure the Bronto inside. Once the Brontosaurus is inside, quickly close the gate to prevent its escape. More elaborate traps can include ramps or elevated platforms to provide a better vantage point for shooting tranquilizers. The goal is to create a confined space where you can safely administer tranquilizers without being harmed.
The Knockout Blow
With the Brontosaurus safely contained within your trap, it’s time to start applying torpor. The most effective weapons for this purpose are tranquilizer darts or shock darts fired from a crossbow or rifle, or tranquilizer arrows fired from a bow. Maintain a safe distance to avoid being hit by the Brontosaurus’s attacks. Monitor the Brontosaurus’s torpor level closely, as it will slowly decrease over time. Continue firing tranquilizers until the torpor bar reaches its maximum, rendering the Brontosaurus unconscious.
Selecting the Perfect Taming Food
Choosing the right taming food is critical for a successful taming process. The type of food you use directly impacts the taming speed and the final taming effectiveness of the Brontosaurus. Taming effectiveness determines how many bonus levels the Brontosaurus gains after being tamed, directly influencing its stats.
Maintaining Consciousness: The Long Haul
Once the Brontosaurus is unconscious, access its inventory and place the chosen taming food inside. The Brontosaurus will automatically consume the food when its hunger depletes. However, the torpor level will continue to decrease, so you’ll need to administer narcotics or narcoberries periodically to keep it unconscious. Monitor the torpor bar closely and use narcotics or narcoberries whenever it drops significantly.
It’s also important to protect the unconscious Brontosaurus from predators. Clear the surrounding area of any dangerous creatures and consider building walls or other defenses around the trap to prevent unwanted interruptions.
The Best Taming Food: A Culinary Hierarchy for Brontosauruses
Now, let’s delve into the specifics of the best taming food options for Brontosauruses:
The Gourmet Choice: Vegetables
While Brontosauruses are herbivores, they surprisingly benefit from the same food that high tier carnivores like the Rex love; vegetables. These grant the highest taming effectiveness and significantly reduce the overall taming time. Acquiring these, however, requires establishing a small farm, planting seeds and keeping them watered and fertilized. The crops that Brontosauruses love are:
- Savoroot
- Rockarrot
- Longrass
- Citronal
A More Common Choice: Mejoberries
Mejoberries are generally considered a good option for taming Brontosauruses, particularly in the early to mid-game. They are significantly easier to obtain than prime meat, as they can be harvested from bushes with relative ease. While not as effective as vegetables, Mejoberries still provide a decent taming speed and taming effectiveness boost compared to other berries. If you’re willing to invest the time, using Mejoberries is a viable option.
The Emergency Ration: Other Berries
Other berries, such as Amarberries, Azulberries, Tintoberries, and others, can be used to tame Brontosauruses, but they are generally not recommended. These berries have a significantly lower taming speed and taming effectiveness compared to Mejoberries and vegetables. Using these berries will result in a much longer taming process and a Brontosaurus with fewer bonus levels. However, in a pinch, if you have no other options available, they can be used to initiate the taming process and potentially prevent the Brontosaurus from despawning.
Taming Food Comparison: A Quick Reference
| Food Type | Taming Speed Multiplier | Taming Effectiveness Impact | Availability |
| ————– | ———————– | ————————– | ———————– |
| Vegetables | Highest | Highest | Requires Farming |
| Mejoberries | Medium | Medium | Common from Bushes |
| Other Berries | Lowest | Lowest | Very Common from Bushes |
Pro Tips and Tricks: Mastering the Tame
- Server Settings: Be aware of taming multipliers on official or unofficial servers. These multipliers can significantly reduce taming times.
- High-Level Hunting: Use a Direwolf to sniff out high-level Brontosauruses. Higher-level Brontosauruses have better base stats.
- Level Scouting: Use a spyglass to check the Brontosaurus’s level from a safe distance before engaging.
- Safe Zone Taming: Choose a taming location that is relatively safe from predators.
- Taming Calculators: Utilize taming apps or online calculators to determine the exact amount of tranquilizers and taming food needed.
The Triumphant Conclusion: A Gentle Giant Joins Your Tribe
Taming a Brontosaurus is a challenging but rewarding endeavor in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding the creature’s behavior, preparing effectively, and, most importantly, selecting the right taming food, you can significantly increase your chances of success. While vegetables are the preferred choice for optimal taming speed and effectiveness, Mejoberries offer a viable alternative, especially in the early game. Avoid using other berries unless absolutely necessary.
With a tamed Brontosaurus at your command, you’ll gain access to unparalleled resource gathering capabilities and the potential to create a mobile fortress, giving you a significant advantage in the harsh world of ARK. So, gather your supplies, prepare your trap, and embark on your Brontosaurus taming adventure. The rewards are well worth the effort. Good luck, survivor!
