ARK: Fjordur Beginner's Guide - Survival Evolved

Hey guys, welcome to the wild and wonderful world of ARK: Survival Evolved, specifically focusing on the massive and mysterious Fjordur map! If you're just starting out or looking to get a solid grip on this epic survival game, you've come to the right place. Fjordur is HUGE, with tons of cool stuff to discover, but it can also be a bit overwhelming at first. Don't worry, though; we're going to break down everything you need to know to survive, thrive, and explore this incredible new DLC. Get ready to tame some awesome creatures, build amazing bases, and uncover the secrets of Fjordur!

Getting Started: Your First Steps on Fjordur

So, you've just spawned into Fjordur, and it's looking pretty epic, right? Your first priority, guys, is to stay alive. Seriously, that's job number one. The world is teeming with creatures, some friendly, some... well, let's just say they're not big fans of fresh spawns. Your initial steps should focus on gathering basic resources and crafting essential tools. Look around for thatch, wood, stones, and fiber. You can get thatch and wood by punching trees (yes, really!) and stones from small rocks on the ground. Fiber comes from picking bushes. These are your building blocks for everything.

Your very first craft should be a stone pickaxe and then a stone axe. These tools make resource gathering so much faster. Next up, you'll want to craft a bed (a simple bed, not a sleeping bag) to set your spawn point. Trust me, you don't want to run all the way back from your starting location every time you die. Speaking of dying, watch out for Dilophosaurs – those little guys spit poison and can be surprisingly deadly. Also, keep an eye out for Raptors; they travel in packs and will mess you up if you're not careful. Early game survival on Fjordur is all about being aware of your surroundings and avoiding unnecessary fights. Focus on gathering enough wood and fiber to craft a Primitive Bow and some Arrows. This will give you a little self-defense and allow you to hunt small creatures like Dodos and Compy's for prime meat and hide. Remember, every little bit of progress counts in ARK!

Essential Early-Game Crafting and Survival

Alright, you've got your basic tools and maybe even a bow. Now, let's talk about really getting your survival game on track. Your next big goal should be establishing a safe place to call home. For your first base, a small hut made of thatch or wood is perfect. Look for a relatively flat area, maybe near some resource nodes and a water source, but not too close to high-traffic creature spawn points. Building a base isn't just about shelter; it's about protection and crafting.

Craft a Campfire to cook your hunted meat. Raw meat will give you food, but cooked meat provides more, and importantly, it won't spoil as quickly. You'll also want to craft a Mortar and Pestle. This is a crucial crafting station for creating more advanced items like Sparkpowder (needed for torches and firearms later) and Narcotics (essential for taming). Speaking of taming, your early game should involve taming some useful creatures. The Dodo is an easy first tame – they provide thatch and hide when killed. A Parasaur is also a great early-game companion; they can carry a decent amount of weight and have a headbutt attack that can stun smaller creatures. To tame them, you'll need Berries (which you can get from bushes) and a Club or Bow to knock them out, followed by feeding them their preferred food.

Don't forget about water. Staying hydrated is key. You can drink from water sources directly, but it's safer to craft a Water Jar and fill it up. This allows you to carry water with you. As you progress, you'll want to build a Water Collector near your base to passively generate purified water. Also, keep an eye on your temperature. Fjordur has diverse biomes, and some can be quite cold or hot. Crafting appropriate clothing (even primitive rags) can make a huge difference. Remember, preparation is key in ARK. Always be thinking about what you need next and how you're going to get it. Don't be afraid to explore a little, but always have a way back to your base.

Exploring Fjordur: Biomes and Key Locations

Fjordur is massive, guys, and it's split into distinct biomes, each with its own challenges and rewards. Understanding these areas is crucial for effective exploration and base building. You'll typically start in one of the more temperate regions, like the Greenland area, which is relatively safe and rich in basic resources. This is your go-to spot for early game gathering and establishing your first base. As you venture out, you'll encounter The Asgard region, which is stunningly beautiful with its Norse mythology-inspired landscapes. It's home to powerful creatures like the Fenrir (a unique Fjordur creature) and Einherjar Warriors, so proceed with caution!

Then there's The Vanaheim region, characterized by its lush forests and ancient ruins. This area offers a good balance of resources and dangers. You'll find unique plants and potentially encounter creatures like the Stegosaurus and Carnotaurus. The Jotunheim region is where things get seriously cold and dangerous. Think snow-capped mountains and icy plains. Survival here requires warm clothing and a sturdy base. Creatures like Yutyrannus and Ice Wyverns (yes, Wyverns!) can be found here. It's a challenging but rewarding area for finding rare resources and high-level creatures.

Finally, you have the Underworld or Realm of the Dead. This is arguably the most dangerous area on Fjordur, filled with aggressive creatures, lava, and treacherous terrain. However, it also holds some of the most valuable resources and unique artifacts. Taming creatures like the Deathworm or exploring ancient ruins will test your mettle. When exploring, always pay attention to your surroundings. Use your map, and if you have a Spyglass, use it to scout ahead. Consider building smaller outposts in different biomes to serve as respawn points and storage locations. This makes it easier to manage your inventory and venture further without the risk of losing everything. Map knowledge is power on Fjordur!

Taming Your First Major Creatures on Fjordur

Once you've got a decent base and some basic gear, it's time to start taming some bigger and better creatures, guys! Fjordur offers some fantastic options right from the get-go. Your first major tame should probably be a Triceratops. They are sturdy, have a decent attack, and can harvest berries and thatch efficiently. To tame a Trike, you'll need to knock it out with tranquilizer arrows (crafted using Narcotics and Sparkpowder) or a tranquilizer dart if you have a fabricator and the resources. Once it's unconscious, feed it ** Mejoberries** or Rare Flowers. Its Torpor will need to be kept up with more narcotics if it starts to wake up.

Another excellent early-to-mid-game tame is the Argentavis. These powerful birds are invaluable for transportation and carrying resources. They can pick up many smaller creatures, making them excellent for moving tames or collecting resources. To tame an Argentavis, you'll need to find one, knock it out, and feed it Raw Mutton or Prime Meat. This requires a bit more preparation, as you'll likely need to hunt larger creatures first. A Doedicurus is also a fantastic tame for resource gathering, specifically stone. Its tail attack harvests stone very efficiently, making it a must-have for any serious base builder.

For Fjordur-specific taming, keep an eye out for Andrewsarchus. These boar-like creatures can be ridden with a Saddle and have a unique charging ability. They are tamed passively by feeding them Kibble (specifically Rock Elemental Kibble if you can manage it, or otherwise basic kibble) while wearing a Hesperornis Egg Kibble and approaching them slowly. Procoptodons are also incredibly useful; they are fast, can carry multiple passengers, and their pouch is excellent for protecting smaller tames. They are tamed by feeding them Berries and Mejoberries after a passive approach.

Remember, taming takes time and patience. Always ensure the creature is safely unconscious and protected from other predators. Use Narcoberries or Narcotics to keep its torpor up. The better the food you feed it (like Prime Meat or specific Kibble), the faster and more effective the tame will be. Don't get discouraged if your first few attempts don't go perfectly. Learn from your mistakes, and you'll be taming massive beasts in no time!

Building Your First Fjordur Base

When it comes to building your first proper base on Fjordur, location, location, location is everything, guys! You want a spot that's: resource-rich, defensible, and relatively safe. Many players opt for areas near the coast or in clearings within the forests of the initial spawns. Proximity to metal, obsidian, and crystal nodes will become increasingly important as you progress, so keep an eye out for those.

Your first base shouldn't be a mansion. Start small with wood or stone foundations and walls. A simple square or rectangular structure is perfectly fine. Make sure to place walls all around, and don't forget a roof. A doorway with a wooden or metal door is essential for entry and exit while keeping unwanted visitors out. Place your bed inside your base for a reliable spawn point. Add a Crafting Bench (which unlocks at level 10) for more advanced crafting, and a Storage Chest to keep your precious items organized and safe.

Consider building a small enclosure outside your base for your early tamed creatures, like your Dodos or Parasaur. This keeps them safe and accessible. As you gather more resources, upgrade your base materials. Stone is significantly more durable than wood and thatch, offering better protection against creature attacks and other players if you're on a PvP server. Think about building a small smithy early on to craft metal tools and armor. A preserving bin is also a lifesaver for keeping food from spoiling.

Don't be afraid to get creative! You can build underground bases, treehouse bases, or even underwater bases later on. However, for your initial Fjordur home, focus on functionality and security. Always ensure your base is well-lit with torches or campfires to prevent hostile creatures from spawning inside. Reinforce your doors and walls as you find better materials. Building a solid foundation early on will make your ARK journey on Fjordur infinitely smoother. Think long-term when choosing your base location and initial design.

Mastering Fjordur's Challenges and Secrets

Fjordur, guys, is packed with unique challenges and secrets that make it one of the most engaging ARK maps. Beyond the standard survival mechanics, you'll encounter Boss Arenas and unique Fjordur creatures. The Boss Arenas are your ticket to progression. Defeating bosses like the Dragon, Megapithecus, or Broodmother (which are Fjordur variants) grants you access to higher-tier engrams and allows you to ascend. Each boss requires a specific tribe of creatures and a considerable amount of preparation.

Speaking of unique creatures, Fjordur is home to the Andrewsarchus, Fenrir, and various powerful Norse-inspired beasts. Fenrir, the wolf, is particularly sought after. It's a reward for defeating the final boss, Hati and Skoll, and is incredibly powerful. Learning the spawn locations and behaviors of these creatures is key to taming them or avoiding them. The map also features Relics and Shrines scattered throughout the biomes. Interacting with these can provide temporary buffs, lore insights, or even rare resources. Some shrines might require specific offerings or completing small challenges.

Fjordur also has a unique elemental cave system. These caves are dangerous but hold valuable resources like element shards and artifacts needed for boss summoning. Navigating these caves often requires specialized gear, like scuba gear for underwater sections or fire-resistant armor for lava-filled areas. Don't forget to explore the various dungeons and ruins that dot the landscape. These often contain valuable loot chests and opportunities to learn about the lore of Fjordur.

Finally, always be on the lookout for Gacha. These crystal-like creatures passively produce resources and items. Finding and taming a Gacha can be a game-changer for resource acquisition. They require cave crystals to become active and will then produce random items based on what they eat. Pay attention to server events as well, as these can offer temporary boosts to taming, gathering, or experience. Fjordur is a map that rewards exploration and dedication. Keep pushing your boundaries, experiment with different strategies, and you'll uncover all the amazing things this map has to offer. Never stop exploring!

Final Thoughts and Tips for Fjordur Survival

Alright guys, we've covered a lot of ground on your journey through Fjordur! Remember, patience and persistence are your greatest allies in ARK: Survival Evolved. Fjordur is a challenging but incredibly rewarding map. Don't get discouraged by early deaths; view them as learning experiences. Always prioritize gathering essential resources, crafting the right tools, and building a secure base. Taming the right creatures can make a massive difference in your progression, so focus on taming utility dinos like Argy's and Dodos early on.

When exploring, always be prepared. Carry food, water, and medical brews. Have a spyglass handy to scout ahead, and consider creating outposts in different biomes to reduce travel time and risk. Keep an eye on your inventory weight – a Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus can help immensely with this later on. Upgrade your gear whenever possible. Metal tools are a significant upgrade over stone, and primitive armor is better than nothing. As you gain experience, you'll start to recognize creature behaviors, spawn points, and resource locations, making your survival much easier.

Don't neglect the importance of crafting stations. The Mortar and Pestle, Smithy, Fabricator, and Chemistry Bench are essential for progressing through the game. Always be working towards unlocking new engrams that will help you. Finally, remember to have fun! ARK is a complex game with a steep learning curve, but the sense of accomplishment you get from surviving, building, and conquering challenges is immense. Fjordur offers a truly unique and epic ARK experience. Embrace the adventure, and happy surviving!