ARK Survival Ascended Beginner's Guide
Last Updated: June 2025Welcome 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:
-
Gather Basic Resources
- Pick up stones from the ground
- Punch trees for thatch and wood (watch your health!)
- Collect fiber from bushes
-
Craft Essential Tools
- Stone Pick (1 wood, 1 stone, 10 thatch)
- Stone Hatchet (1 wood, 1 stone, 10 thatch)
- Spear for defense (8 wood, 2 flint, 12 fiber)
-
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 |
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:
- 10-20 Tranq Arrows (depending on level)
- 50-100 Mejoberries or other berries
- 20-30 Narcoberries or 5-10 Narcotics
- Bola (optional but highly recommended)
Step-by-Step Process:
- Craft a bow and tranq arrows
- Find a lone Parasaur (avoid groups)
- Bola it to immobilize (if you have one)
- Shoot tranq arrows at the body (not head)
- Once unconscious, put berries in its inventory
- Monitor torpor and add narcotics as needed
- 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: