Discord Bot Pilot: Invites are open for a limited run (up to 100 servers). Log in and visit Discord Bot to grab an invite while slots last, or hop into our Discord server if you need help. Maintenance note: Overnight database maintenance on Sept 19-20 briefly impacted uptime; everything is back online now.

ARK Survival Ascended Beginner's Guide

Last Updated: September 2025

Welcome to ARK Survival Ascended! This comprehensive guide will help you survive your first days on the ARK and establish a foundation for success. Master these essential tips and strategies to thrive in the prehistoric world.

Quick Start Tip

Always spawn in the southern beaches for an easier start. The northern areas are significantly more dangerous!
1. Choosing Your Spawn Location

Your spawn location dramatically affects your survival chances. Choose wisely!

🟢 Easy Zones (South)

  • Southern beaches (South Zone 1-3)
  • Passive herbivores like Dodos and Parasaurs
  • Abundant basic resources
  • Fewer aggressive predators

🔴 Hard Zones (North/Swamp)

  • Northern tundra and swamps
  • High-level predators everywhere
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Only for experienced players
2. Essential First Steps (First 30 Minutes)

Priority Actions:

  1. Gather Basic Resources
    • Pick up stones from the ground
    • Punch trees for thatch and wood (watch your health!)
    • Collect fiber from bushes
  2. Craft Essential Tools
    • Stone Pick (1 wood, 1 stone, 10 thatch)
    • Stone Hatchet (1 flint, 1 wood, 10 thatch)
    • Spear for defense (8 wood, 2 flint, 12 fiber)
  3. Create Basic Shelter
    • Thatch foundation and walls (temporary)
    • Storage box for resources
    • Bed for respawn point
    • Campfire for cooking and warmth
Always place a bed as soon as possible! Dying without a spawn point means starting over from scratch.
3. Character Stats - Where to Invest Points

Every level gives you points to allocate. Here's the optimal distribution for beginners:

Stat Priority Recommended Points Reason
Health High 20-30 points Survive longer against threats
Weight High 20-30 points Carry more resources
Stamina Medium 10-15 points Run longer, fight more
Movement Speed Note N/A Disabled on official servers
Melee Damage Low 5-10 points Gather resources faster
3b. (New) Skill Tree & Milestones (Lost Colony)

What it is: A progression layer with passive and active abilities that augment core gameplay.

Where to find it: Open your inventory and click the red Skill Tree tab on the far right.

How it works:

  • Complete Milestones (e.g., Beachcomber, Woodland Worker, Stone Age) to earn Skill Points.
  • Spend points across early branches:
  • Beast Mastery – mount/taming bonuses (e.g., Experienced Killer for mount XP).
  • Wayfarer – survivability & movement (e.g., Hot Blooded regen, Spirit Rush active).
  • Utility – building/harvesting/crafting (e.g., Well‑Oiled Machine repair reduction, Tracker active).

Respec: A mindwipe resets the tree and refunds points.

Important access note

The Skill Tree is available with the Lost Colony expansion content.
4. Critical Early Engrams (Levels 1-20)

Don't waste engram points! Focus on these essentials first:

Must-Have Engrams:

  • Bola - Immobilize threats
  • Bow & Arrows - Ranged combat
  • Tranq Arrows - For taming
  • Narcotics - Keep dinos unconscious
  • Bed - Respawn point
  • Mortar & Pestle - Craft narcotics
  • Preserving Bin - Food storage
  • Smithy - Metal tools

Avoid Early:

  • Decorative items
  • Advanced saddles
  • Industrial equipment
  • Most furniture
  • Specialty structures
5. Your First Tame - Parasaur Strategy

Parasaurs are perfect first tames: easy to knock out, fast runners, and excellent pack mules.

Taming Requirements:

  • Use a Bola, then Club/Tranq Arrows to knock out.
  • Food, narcotics, and time vary by level and current server rates. Check a taming calculator and our live Official Rates first.
  • Protect the tame during the process (build a quick thatch perimeter if needed).

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Craft a bow and tranq arrows
  2. Find a lone Parasaur (avoid groups)
  3. Bola it to immobilize (if you have one)
  4. Shoot tranq arrows at the body (not head)
  5. Once unconscious, put berries in its inventory
  6. Monitor torpor and add narcotics as needed
  7. Protect it from predators while taming
6. Essential Survival Tips

Water Safety

You can drink ocean water in ARK Ascended - no need to find fresh water!

Bola Everything

Since movement speed is disabled, bolas are essential for escaping Raptors and other fast predators.

Explorer Notes = XP Boost

Finding explorer notes gives you double XP for a limited time. Look for them in ruins and caves!

Death is Learning

You WILL die. A lot. Each death teaches you something new. Don't get discouraged!
7. Efficient Resource Gathering

Different tools yield different resources from the same source:

Source Pickaxe Yields Hatchet Yields Best Tool
Trees More Thatch More Wood Hatchet for wood
Rocks More Flint More Stone Hatchet for stone
Metal Nodes Metal + Stone Less efficient Always pickaxe
Dead Bodies More Meat More Hide Depends on need
Pro tip: Tame an Ankylosaurus for metal gathering - they're 10x more efficient than picks!

Ready for More?

Once you've mastered these basics, explore our other guides:

Resource Locations Advanced Taming