Cooking in ARK: Survival Evolved is not just about sustenance. It’s a vital skill that enhances your gameplay, allowing you to craft and consume foods that provide various benefits, from increased health to enhanced stamina. If you’re a newcomer to the world of ARK on PS4 or just looking to refine your culinary skills in the game, this guide is for you. We will explore the detailed process of cooking, from gathering ingredients to crafting gourmet dishes that will give you an edge in survival.
Why Cooking is Essential in ARK: Survival Evolved
Surviving in the harsh world of ARK requires strategy, adaptability, and a well-rounded skill set. Cooking plays a crucial role in your overall success for several reasons:
- Nutritional Benefits: Eating cooked food is far superior to raw food, as it restores more health and hunger points.
- Buffs and Effects: Certain recipes give players buffs, such as increased movement speed or better stamina regen, which can be pivotal during raids or exploration.
Understanding how to cook efficiently not only ensures that you stay nourished and healthy but also enhances your gameplay experience.
Getting Started: The Basics of Cooking
Before we dive into the specifics of how to cook in ARK, let’s cover the basic requirements.
Gathering Ingredients
The first step to becoming a master chef in ARK is gathering the right ingredients. Here are some common ingredients you’ll need:
- Meat: Obtain raw food by hunting various creatures, such as fish, dinosaurs, and other animals.
- Berries: For vegetarian dishes, you can gather berries by simply walking up to berry bushes and collecting them.
Make sure to keep an eye on your inventory as you gather these resources, ensuring you have adequate supplies for your cooking needs.
Crafting Cooking Equipment
To cook your food, you’ll need the right tools. The primary cooking equipment in ARK includes:
Campfire
The simplest cooking device available. To craft a Campfire, you will need:
- Stone (1)
- Thatch (1)
- Wood (1)
Position the Campfire
Once crafted, place the Campfire on the ground and light it using a fuel source, such as wood or thatch.
Cooking Pot
The Cooking Pot allows for more advanced cooking. You will need:
- Cementing Paste (5)
- Fiber (20)
- Wood (15)
Simply place the Cooking Pot on the ground, access its inventory, and start creating delicious recipes.
Cooking Techniques in ARK: PS4
Now that you have gathered your ingredients and set up your cooking equipment, it’s time to learn how to prepare your meals.
Cooking with the Campfire
The Campfire is the most basic cooking method. To cook meat at the Campfire, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Inventory
Access the Campfire’s inventory and place your raw meat inside.
Step 2: Add Fuel
Next, add a fuel source, like wood or thatch, to ignite the fire.
Step 3: Wait for Cooking
Once the fire is lit, wait for the meat to cook completely. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns from “Raw Meat” to “Cooked Meat” in the inventory.
Cooking with the Cooking Pot
The Cooking Pot opens up a wider array of culinary possibilities. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
First, gather the specific ingredients needed for the recipes you want to prepare.
Step 2: Access the Cooking Pot
Open the Cooking Pot’s inventory and place the gathered ingredients inside. You should also add a fuel source, like thatch or wood.
Step 3: Mix and Wait
Once the ingredients are in the Cooking Pot, you will be able to see potential recipes you can create. Mixing the right combinations will lead you to delicious meals. Wait for a short amount of time, as indicated on-screen, for the cooking process to complete.
Popular Recipes to Try
Cooking becomes increasingly rewarding when you start experimenting with different recipes. Here are a few popular recipes that every player should try:
Meat-Based Recipes
- Cooked Meat: High health recovery. Just raw meat and any fuel source.
- Meat Jerky: Combine raw meat and oil in the Cooking Pot. Great for long expeditions because it doesn’t spoil as fast.
Berry-Based Recipes
- Simple Kibble: Required for taming creatures. Combine cooked meat, a specific type of berry, and other resources in a Cooking Pot.
- Bug Repellant: Useful for explorers. Combine long grass, citronal, and other ingredients to create a potion that deters bugs.
These recipes can help keep you well-fed and equipped for survival while exploring ARK’s vast landscapes.
Understanding Food Benefits and Buffs
Each food item you cook provides different health and buffs. Understanding these can significantly improve your gameplay.
Health Restoration
Many meals restore health. For example, consuming Cooked Prime Meat not only replenishes hunger but also heals a substantial amount of health.
Stamina and Buffs
Certain foods can provide buffs like increased stamina regeneration or added speed. Always check the details of each dish and plan your meals according to your gameplay objectives.
Preservation Techniques: Keeping Your Food Fresh
Food spoiling is a constant concern in ARK. Hence, mastering preservation techniques is critical.
Using the Preserving Bin
The Preserving Bin allows you to store cooked foods and keep them fresh longer.
Crafting the Bin
To create a Preserving Bin, you’ll need:
- Wood (40)
- Thatch (10)
- Fiber (10)
Once built, simply place your cooked meals inside along with some sparkpowder to extend the shelf life.
Refrigerators
Once you progress further, building a refrigerator will ensure your foods remain fresh indefinitely. The refrigeration unit requires electricity, so plan your resources carefully.
Food Tips for New Players
For players just starting, here are some key tips:
- Prioritize Cooking: Always make it a priority to cook rather than rely on raw foods, as cooked foods provide significantly greater benefits.
- Experiment: Take time to try various recipes. You might discover combinations that fit your playstyle better.
Final Thoughts
Cooking in ARK: Survival Evolved on PS4 isn’t just a mundane task; it’s a vital aspect of survival gameplay that can lead to significant advantages. From gathering the right ingredients to honing culinary skills at the Campfire and Cooking Pot, mastering cooking can elevate your experience to new heights.
Now armed with the knowledge about cooking techniques, recipes, and preservation strategies, you have the tools at your disposal to thrive in the world of ARK. So fire up that Campfire, get those Cooking Pots boiling, and prepare to feast on the bounty of your hard work! Happy cooking and good luck surviving in ARK!
What is the importance of cooking in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Cooking in ARK: Survival Evolved plays a critical role in sustaining your character and enhancing survival. Prepared meals provide higher health restoration, stamina boosts, and various other benefits compared to raw food. As players navigate the harsh landscapes filled with dangers, having access to nutritious meals can make a significant difference in the gameplay experience.
Moreover, cooking expands your options for resource management. By utilizing different ingredients found throughout the world, players can create diverse dishes that suit their survival strategies. This not only helps in keeping your character healthy but also allows you to make use of surplus resources, thus minimizing waste and optimizing your inventory.
How do I unlock cooking recipes in the game?
Unlocking cooking recipes in ARK is primarily done by leveling up and learning engrams. As you progress through the game, you will gain engram points that allow you to unlock various cooking recipes, from simple meals to elaborate dishes. It’s important to strategize which recipes to learn based on your current needs and available resources.
Additionally, some recipes can also be discovered through experimentation in crafting stations like the Cooking Pot or the Industrial Grill. By combining different ingredients, you might unlock new recipes without necessarily investing in an engram, encouraging players to experiment with food combinations for potential culinary surprises.
What equipment do I need to start cooking?
To start cooking in ARK, you’ll need either a Cooking Pot or an Industrial Grill. The Cooking Pot is a more basic option and is relatively easy to craft, requiring a few common resources like thatch and stone. It’s an excellent starting point for players venturing into the culinary arts, allowing them to prepare several nutritious meals.
The Industrial Grill is a more advanced cooking station that allows for larger quantities and faster cooking times. However, it requires more resources and is typically unlocked at higher levels. Having both options gives players flexibility in their cooking endeavors, letting them choose between basic meals and more advanced culinary creations as they progress.
What are some beginner-friendly recipes I can make?
For beginners, some recipes that are easy to craft include the Simple Meal, Cooked Meat, and Urgent Food. The Simple Meal requires very few ingredients and can be made quickly in the Cooking Pot. It’s a great starter choice for new players still gathering resources and getting accustomed to the game’s survival mechanics.
Cooked Meat is another excellent beginner option, as it only requires cooking raw meat over a fire. This is one of the first meals players can create, making it a reliable source of food early on. As you progress, you can start experimenting with more complex recipes that provide additional benefits and restoration for health and stamina.
How do cooking times and fuel usage affect meal preparation?
Cooking times and fuel usage are vital factors that determine how efficiently you can prepare meals in ARK. Each cooking station has its own specific cooking times based on the dish being prepared. Understanding these times can help you plan your cooking sessions around your gameplay, especially in high-risk situations where you need to look out for threats.
Additionally, the type of fuel you use can affect how long your cooking supplies last. For example, using wood as fuel in a Cooking Pot may burn out quicker than using thatch or other stronger fuels. Being aware of these factors allows you to manage your resources better and ensures you have a consistent supply of food as you explore and survive in the game.
Can I store cooked food, and how long does it last?
Yes, you can store cooked food in ARK: Survival Evolved, which is crucial for managing your resources effectively. Cooked meals can be stored in your inventory, in a chest, or even on your character. They will last a considerable amount of time, but it’s essential to keep track of their spoilage timer to avoid wasting food.
The storage conditions can also influence how long food lasts. For instance, placing cooked food in a refrigerator can significantly prolong its freshness, allowing you to stock up on meals for future expeditions. This functionality is vital for maintaining a steady food supply, particularly during long outings in the wilderness.
How can I improve the benefits of my meals?
To enhance the benefits of your meals in ARK, you can focus on using higher-quality ingredients, such as those obtained from rare creatures or locations. For instance, crafting meals with special meats like Prime Meat can significantly improve the restoration amounts and additional effects your dishes provide. This emphasis on ingredient quality allows you to maximize the effectiveness of your culinary creations.
Additionally, understanding food combinations and their effects can help elevate your cooking game. Certain meals provide bonuses such as increased stamina, health, or even specific resistances. By experimenting with different combinations and focusing on enhancing these benefits, you can provide yourself a distinct edge in survival gameplay.
Are there any specific cooking strategies to keep in mind?
When cooking in ARK, one effective strategy is to gather ingredients in bulk. Focus on hunting and foraging consistently so that you have a variety of resources on hand. This not only allows you to explore diverse recipes but also ensures that you won’t run into a resource shortage when you need to cook food in bulk during times of crisis.
Another key strategy is to keep an eye on the nutritional balance of the meals you are preparing. Experimenting with meals that restore health, stamina, or give specific buffs can be a game-changing aspect of survival in harsh environments. Tailoring your cooking strategy to suit your immediate needs can dramatically improve your chances of staying alive while exploring the game.