Ark Ascension: Tame A Pteranodon Easily
What's up, Ark survivors! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most iconic and useful creatures you can get your hands on early in Ark: Survival Ascended: the Pteranodon. Seriously, guys, if you haven't tamed one of these bad boys yet, you're missing out on a game-changer. Taming a Pteranodon isn't just about getting a flying mount; it's about unlocking a whole new dimension of exploration, resource gathering, and survival strategy. Imagine soaring over the treacherous landscapes of The Island, spotting valuable resources from a bird's-eye view, or making a swift escape from a nasty predator. That's the power of a tamed Pteranodon. This guide is going to walk you through everything you need to know, from finding them to feeding them their favorite treats, ensuring you can get yourself a reliable aerial companion without too much hassle. So grab your tranq darts and some prime meat, and let's get ready to take to the skies!
Finding Your Feathered Friend
Alright, first things first, you gotta actually find a Pteranodon before you can even think about taming it, right? These flyers are pretty common across most of Ark: Survival Ascended's maps, but they tend to hang out in specific areas. You'll most frequently spot them soaring high above open plains, near cliffs, and generally anywhere with a good vantage point. Think areas like the beaches early on, grassy plains, and mountainous regions. They often fly in small flocks, so if you see one, chances are there are a couple more nearby. Now, a pro tip for you guys: Pteranodons are pretty skittish. If you approach them directly, especially on foot, they'll likely just fly away before you can even get a shot off. The best strategy is to approach them cautiously from a distance or, even better, use another flying mount if you've already got one (like a Pelagornis or Argentavis if you're further along) to intercept them. If you're starting fresh, a crossbow or longneck rifle with plenty of tranq darts is your best bet. Keep an eye on the skies, listen for their distinctive squawks, and be patient. Sometimes, you'll have to scout a bit, but finding a Pteranodon is usually not the hardest part of the process. Just remember, Pteranodons are commonly found near coastlines, open fields, and rocky outcrops. Happy hunting!
The Best Food for Your Pteranodon
Now, let's talk grub, because what you feed your Pteranodon during the taming process is crucial for success in Ark: Survival Ascended. The absolute best food for taming Pteranodons, hands down, is Prime Meat. Yep, that succulent, high-quality meat you get from killing larger herbivores like Triceratops or Parasaurolophus. If you can get your hands on Prime Meat, use it! It significantly speeds up the taming process and increases the effectiveness of the tame, meaning you'll end up with a higher-level Pteranodon. However, Prime Meat can be a bit scarce early on, and it spoils quickly. So, what's the next best thing? Cooked Meat is a solid alternative. Just kill any creature, cook its raw meat at a campfire or industrial cooker, and you're good to go. It's not as fast as Prime Meat, but it's much more accessible. If you're really struggling, Raw Meat will also work, but it's the slowest option and will result in a lower taming effectiveness. For those of you playing on servers or with friends, Pteranodon Kibble is actually the best food in terms of taming effectiveness and speed, but crafting kibble requires specific eggs and resources, which might be a bit advanced for your first Pteranodon tame. So, for most players, I'd recommend stocking up on Prime Meat if possible, or at the very least, a good supply of Cooked Meat. Always try to have more than you think you'll need, because running out mid-tame is a recipe for disaster, guys! Remember: Prime Meat > Cooked Meat > Raw Meat for Pteranodon taming.
Taming Methods: Tranq Darts vs. Torpor
When it comes to actually knocking out a Pteranodon in Ark: Survival Ascended, you've got a few primary tools at your disposal, but the most reliable and common method involves tranq darts. These bad boys are fired from a Crossbow or a Longneck Rifle. The higher the rarity of your weapon, the faster you can fire and the more damage it does, but for basic taming, a standard crossbow will do the trick. The key here is to aim for the Pteranodon's head. Headshots deliver significantly more torpor, which is the stat that knocks creatures unconscious. You want to hit it with as many tranq darts as possible, as quickly as possible, to build up its torpor meter. Keep an eye on that torpor bar – once it's full, your Pteranodon will pass out. Another method, especially if you're desperate or only have basic gear, is using a Club or Wooden Club. These melee weapons inflict a lot of torpor but are much riskier to use, especially on a flying creature. You'll have to get dangerously close, and the attack speed is slow, making you a prime target. For a flying creature like the Pteranodon, Bola can also be a lifesaver. If you manage to hit a Pteranodon with a Bola, it'll be stunned and grounded for a short period, giving you a crucial window to land those tranq shots. Never use regular arrows or darts; they just kill the creature! Always ensure you're using tranq darts. The goal is to maximize torpor while minimizing the risk to yourself and the Pteranodon. Remember, a dead Pteranodon is a failed tame!
Step-by-Step Taming Guide
Alright, guys, let's put all that knowledge together and get you that Pteranodon! This step-by-step guide for Ark: Survival Ascended will make the process as smooth as possible. First, gather your supplies. You'll need: a Crossbow or Longneck Rifle, plenty of Tranq Darts (at least 20-30 to be safe, more if you're using a lower-tier weapon or aiming for a higher-level dino), a Bola (highly recommended!), some good food for the Pteranodon (Prime Meat or Cooked Meat), and ideally, some Narcotic or Narcoberries to keep its torpor up if the tame takes a while. Next, find your target. Scout out a Pteranodon in a relatively safe area – avoid spots swarming with aggressive dinos. A coastal area or open plain is usually a good bet. Once you've spotted one, approach cautiously. Try to get the drop on it, maybe from above or using cover. If it spots you and starts to fly away, use your Bola! A well-aimed Bola will ground it temporarily. Now, it's time to knock it out. Switch to your tranq weapon and aim for the head. Fire as fast as you can. Keep an eye on the torpor bar that appears above its health bar. If you miss too many shots, or if it's a very high-level Pteranodon, you might need more darts. If the torpor starts to drop significantly before it's unconscious, use Narcotics or Narcoberries to keep it up. Once it's unconscious, quickly place the food in its inventory. Open its inventory (usually by pressing 'E' when looking at it) and drag your Prime Meat, Cooked Meat, or Raw Meat into the taming slot. Make sure you take out any other food it might have in its inventory so it only eats your taming food. Now, wait patiently. Keep an eye on its torpor and hunger levels. You'll need to periodically replenish its torpor with Narcotics or Narcoberries if it starts to wake up or if the torpor gets too low. Keep feeding it the taming food as it eats. The taming progress bar will fill up. You'll get notifications about taming effectiveness. Try not to get hit by other dinos, and protect your downed Pteranodon! Once the bar is full, congratulations, you've tamed a Pteranodon! Now you can get a Pteranodon Saddle crafted and take to the skies!
The Perks of a Pteranodon Mount
So, you've gone through the effort, dodged a few raptors, and finally tamed yourself a Pteranodon in Ark: Survival Ascended. Awesome! But what makes this flying lizard so darn special? Let's break down why having a Pteranodon as your first (or one of your first) aerial mounts is a total game-changer. Firstly, mobility is key. Before a Pteranodon, you're stuck on the ground, limited by terrain and the speed of your land dinos. With a Pteranodon, you can fly over rivers, mountains, and dangerous territories with ease. This opens up the map significantly. Need to get to a resource node on top of a cliff? No problem. Need to escape a pack of aggressive carnivores? Just take off! Secondly, exploration and scouting. A Pteranodon is your ultimate scout. You can fly high above the landscape and spot valuable resources like metal nodes, rare flowers, or crystal deposits without having to trek through dangerous areas. You can also locate new caves, hidden areas, or potential base locations much faster. Thirdly, early-game resource gathering. While it can't carry huge amounts like an Argentavis, a Pteranodon can still help you gather smaller amounts of resources more efficiently, especially berries and thatch from trees, or even collect eggs. Its speed allows you to harvest quickly and get back before danger arrives. Fourthly, transportation of small items. Need to ferry a few important items from one base to another quickly? A Pteranodon can do that. While it's not a cargo plane, it's far faster than any land mount for short to medium distances. Finally, combat potential. While not a frontline fighter, a Pteranodon can be used to harass smaller enemies, pick off weaker targets from the air, or act as a distraction while you or your other dinos engage. Its dive attack can be quite effective. In short, guys, the Pteranodon gives you the freedom of flight, which is arguably one of the most significant advancements you can make in Ark. It drastically changes how you interact with the world, making survival easier and exploration more rewarding. So get out there, tame one, and enjoy the view!
Keeping Your Pteranodon Safe and Happy
Taming is just the first step, survivors! Now you've got this awesome flying buddy in Ark: Survival Ascended, you need to make sure it stays safe and happy. Think of it like adopting a digital pet – it needs care! The first and most crucial thing is protection. When your Pteranodon is passive (not following you or attacking anything), it's vulnerable. Always try to park it in a safe spot, ideally within the confines of your base or near a defensive structure. If you're out and about, keep an eye on it. If you see enemies approaching, whistle it to follow you and get it airborne quickly. Saddles are essential. Once you reach level 20, you can craft a Pteranodon Saddle. This not only allows you to ride it but also provides a significant boost to its armor, making it much more resistant to damage. Don't ride your Pteranodon naked, guys! Food and Stamina management are also key. Your Pteranodon needs food to survive and regenerate health and stamina. Keep its inventory stocked with its preferred food (Cooked Meat is usually a good go-to once tamed). If you notice its stamina is low during flight, let it hover or land for a bit to recover. Don't push it too hard, especially early on. Torpor management is also important, though less critical for tamed dinos than when you're taming. However, if your Pteranodon gets into a fight and takes a lot of damage, its torpor might rise, making it vulnerable. Keep some Narcotics handy just in case, though it's rare you'll need them for a Pteranodon unless it's under heavy attack. Breeding can also enhance your Pteranodon's capabilities over time, allowing you to get individuals with better stats. Finally, practice makes perfect. Get comfortable with its controls, learn its attack patterns, and understand its limitations. A well-cared-for Pteranodon will be your loyal companion for many adventures to come in Ark! So keep 'em fed, keep 'em safe, and enjoy soaring through the skies.
Conclusion: Your Wings to Freedom
And there you have it, my fellow Ark adventurers! We've covered the ins and outs of taming a Pteranodon in Ark: Survival Ascended. From finding these magnificent flyers and knowing exactly what to feed them, to the best methods for knocking them out and finally, why they are such an invaluable asset to your survival. Seriously, guys, getting your hands on a Pteranodon is one of the most rewarding early-game achievements you can accomplish. It transforms your experience, offering unparalleled freedom of movement, enhanced exploration capabilities, and a significant boost to your resource gathering efficiency. It's your first taste of true aerial dominance in the harsh world of Ark. So, don't delay! Gear up, head out, and put these tips into practice. With a little patience and the right strategy, you'll be soaring over the ARK landscape in no time, looking down on all the ground-bound dangers. Happy taming, and may your flights be swift and your discoveries plentiful!
