In the lush and perilous world of ARK Survival Ascended, players find themselves battling not only the elements and prehistoric creatures but also the challenge of survival itself. One of the essential skills to master in your survival journey is cooking meat. Cooked meat provides a reliable source of sustenance, boosting health and stamina, while often offering additional benefits. This article guides you through the mechanics, techniques, and strategies for cooking meat in ARK Survival Ascended, ensuring your survival in this unforgiving landscape.
The Importance of Cooking Meat
Cooking meat is not just a way to fill your hunger bar; it’s also crucial for optimizing your character’s health and wellness. Here are a few reasons why cooking meat is vital:
- Increased Nutrition: Cooking meat not only makes it palatable but also increases its nutritional value. Cooked meat restores more hunger than raw meat.
- Health Restoration: Certain cooked meats restore health over time, which can be critical during tough gameplay encounters.
- Prevention of Food Poisoning: Cooking meat eliminates the risk of food poisoning, which can be detrimental to your survival efforts.
Types of Meat in ARK Survival Ascended
Before diving into the cooking process, it’s essential to understand the different types of meat available in ARK Survival Ascended. The primary variants include:
1. Raw Meat
This is harvested from most of the non-herbivorous creatures like carnivores. It’s the most basic form of meat but has low nutritional benefits when consumed raw.
2. Cooked Meat
When raw meat is cooked, it becomes cooked meat, which offers better nourishment and health restoration compared to its raw counterpart.
3. Prime Meat
Obtained from larger or stronger carnivorous creatures, prime meat is superior to raw meat but requires careful cooking to maximize its benefits.
4. Cooked Prime Meat
Cooked Prime Meat restores even more hunger and health than regular cooked meat, making it a preferred choice during long expeditions.
5. Exceptional Meat
This high-value meat type is derived from rare creatures in Ark, offering superior nourishment and health benefits.
Cooking Methods in ARK Survival Ascended
Cooking meat efficiently requires knowledge of the various cooking methods available in ARK. Each method varies in complexity and required materials.
1. Campfire
The Campfire is the most basic cooking tool in ARK. Here’s how to set it up and use it:
Building a Campfire
To create a Campfire, players need the following materials:
- Stone (x12)
- Wood (x3)
- Thatch (x1)
Once constructed, place the Campfire in a safe location to avoid unwanted dinosaur encounters.
Using the Campfire
- Access the Campfire’s inventory.
- Place Raw Meat in the cooking slot.
- Add fuel (Wood or Thatch).
- Wait for the cooking timer to complete, yielding Cooked Meat or Cooked Prime Meat, depending on the raw materials used.
2. Cooking Pot
The Cooking Pot is ideal for preparing advanced meals with multiple ingredients. Here’s how to utilize it:
Building a Cooking Pot
For this, you need:
- Stone (x15)
- Wood (x5)
- Flint (x5)
Using the Cooking Pot
- Access the Cooking Pot’s inventory.
- Combine various ingredients, including Raw Meat and other items (like vegetables).
- Add fuel using Wood or thatch.
- Wait for the dish to complete—resulting in a range of meals that can significantly boost your character’s capabilities.
3. Industrial Grill
For those who end up crafting or discovering the Industrial Grill, this is the most efficient cooking method, especially for bulk meat cooking.
Building an Industrial Grill
To create this grilled masterpiece, you’ll need:
- Metal Ingot (x20)
- Cementing Paste (x10)
- Wood (x30)
Using the Industrial Grill
- Open the Industrial Grill inventory.
- Place your Raw Meat or Prime Meat in the cooking slots.
- Add enough fuel (Gasoline or Wood).
- Watch as the meat cooks quickly with minimal wait time.
Advanced Cooking Tips
Mastering the basics of cooking is only the beginning. Here are additional tips to enhance your meat cooking experience in ARK.
1. Preserve Your Meat
To ensure you have meat available for extended gameplay, utilize the Preserving Bin. This will keep your cooked meats fresh for longer periods, especially invaluable during large quests or battles.
2. Experiment with Recipes
The world of ARK offers numerous cooking recipes that combine meats, berries, and other items. Some recipes yield significant buffs, health restoration, and stamina regeneration. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients to discover powerful meals.
3. Time Management
Know the timing of your cooking. Different meats take varying times to cook. Always keep an eye on the cooking progress and plan your activities accordingly to make the most out of your waiting time.
Building a Sustainable Meat Supply
Cooking is only one part of the equation in ensuring that your character remains well-nourished. You’ll also need to establish a reliable source of meat. Here’s how you can do this effectively:
1. Hunting Techniques
Learn the best hunting strategies to collect meat. Use stealth to approach your prey, and utilize your tools effectively to take down larger animals for prime meat.
2. Taming Dinosaurs
Tame carnivorous dinosaurs in ARK, which can help you gather meat much more efficiently. Dinos like the Argentavis or Rex can scout and kill prey, supplying you with meat while you focus on cooking.
3. Farming Resources
Ensure you gather resources like Wood and Thatch for your cooking tools and fuel. Building a sustainable resource farm will give you easy access to cooking materials.
Conclusion
Cooking meat in ARK Survival Ascended is not just about sustaining your character; it’s an art form that combines strategy, resource management, and creativity. From setting up your first Campfire to mastering the Industrial Grill, understanding the differences in meat types and their respective benefits is critical.
As you embark on your survival journey in ARK, remember that the food you cook is not just fuel; it’s a lifeline that could dictate the success of your adventures. So gear up, gather your resources, and dive into the deliciously dangerous world of ARK Survival Ascended where mastery in cooking meat could be the key to thriving against every obstacle. Happy cooking and may you survive long in this thrilling game!
What types of meat can I cook in ARK Survival Ascended?
In ARK Survival Ascended, players can cook various types of meat, including Raw Meat, Cooked Meat, Raw Prime Meat, Cooked Prime Meat, and more. Each type of meat offers different nutritional benefits and is suitable for different purposes, such as restoring health or satisfying hunger. Additionally, players can acquire specialized meats from creatures like fish (Raw Fish Meat) and the rare Kibble from certain animals.
Understanding the types of meat available is crucial for survival and efficient resource management. Raw meats provide basic sustenance, while prime meats offer greater health restoration. Experimenting with different meats and their cooking methods can help players optimize their in-game performance and improve their survival odds.
How do I cook meat in ARK Survival Ascended?
Cooking meat in ARK Survival Ascended requires players to use a Campfire, a Cooking Pot, or an Industrial Grill. To cook meat on a Campfire, players should place raw meat and light the fire, ensuring they have enough fuel. Once the cooking time is complete, players can retrieve the cooked meat, which will restore more health and hunger than its raw counterpart.
Using a Cooking Pot allows players to create more complex recipes that might include meat along with other ingredients. In contrast, the Industrial Grill is more efficient for cooking large quantities of meat simultaneously. It’s important to monitor the cooking process because overcooking can lead to spoiled meat and waste of resources.
What are the benefits of cooking meat rather than eating it raw?
Cooking meat offers significant advantages, such as increased health and hunger restoration. For example, Cooked Meat restores more food points compared to Raw Meat, allowing players to sustain longer periods of survival without needing to eat frequently. Cooked meats also have a lower chance of causing food poisoning, which can occur when consuming raw meat.
Moreover, cooked meat has a longer preservation time than its raw counterpart. This means that players can store cooked meat for extended periods without it spoiling as quickly, making it a more reliable source of sustenance during long expeditions or when exploring dangerous areas in the game.
How can I preserve cooked meat in ARK Survival Ascended?
Preserving cooked meat is essential in ARK Survival Ascended to prevent spoilage and maintain a supply of food for longer periods. One popular method is to use a Preserving Bin, which requires salt and other ingredients to keep cooked meats fresh. Players can also use the Refrigeration method by crafting a refrigerator, which keeps food items chilled and slows the spoilage rate significantly.
Another useful strategy is to utilize the various preservation techniques linked to crafting and taming, such as using Mejoberries or other preserving agents. By employing these methods, players can ensure they have a steady supply of nutritious food, enabling them to survive the harsh environments of ARK much more effectively.
What is the best meat for taming dinosaurs in ARK Survival Ascended?
When it comes to taming dinosaurs, Raw Prime Meat is often considered the best option due to its high taming effectiveness. This type of meat not only reduces the taming time but also increases the likelihood of a successful tame, especially for carnivorous creatures. Players can acquire Raw Prime Meat by hunting larger animals or by using specific weapons and tools designed for hunting.
Another option for taming herbivorous dinosaurs is to use Kibble, which is crafted from specific types of eggs and plants. Kibble offers the best taming effectiveness for many species, making it a sustainable option for players looking to build a formidable collection of tamed creatures. Experimenting with different types of meats and Kibble can help players discover the most effective taming methods for the dinosaurs they encounter.
Where can I find the best sources of meat in ARK Survival Ascended?
The best sources of meat in ARK Survival Ascended can primarily be found by hunting various wildlife across the game’s diverse environments. Common prey includes Dodos, Parasaures, and Stegosaurus, all of which provide different types and amounts of meat. Additionally, larger and more dangerous creatures like T-Rex or Brontosaurus yield significant quantities of Raw Prime Meat when hunted, supplying players with valuable resources for cooking and sustaining their needs.
Players can also utilize tamed creatures for hunting, which allows for efficient meat gathering without exposing themselves to danger. By using high-damage mounts or even specially trained carnivores, players can quickly collect meat from numerous enemies, ensuring they have ample supplies for both cooking and taming purposes.
What cooking recipes can I make with meat in ARK Survival Ascended?
In ARK Survival Ascended, players have the opportunity to create various cooking recipes using meat. Simple recipe options include Cooked Meat and Cooked Prime Meat, which are foundational for sustaining health and hunger. Beyond the basic options, players can combine meat with other ingredients to create dishes that offer enhanced benefits, such as the Meat Jerky recipe, which preserves meat while providing nutritional value.
More complex recipes include items such as the Lamb Chop and Special Kibble, both of which cater to specific needs, such as taming and enhanced health restoration. Experimenting with different combinations allows players to create a wide array of dishes ton optimize their gaming experience and can lead to discovering unique cooking outcomes that enhance their survival skills in ARK.