Understanding the Manta
The vast and often treacherous world of Ark: Survival Evolved presents players with a myriad of challenges, not least of which is the art of taming the prehistoric creatures that roam its lands and seas. Among the many fascinating creatures that inhabit the oceans, the Manta stands out as a graceful and surprisingly useful companion. Its sleek form, impressive speed, and unique ability to provide an oxygen boost make it a highly sought-after mount for explorers and resource gatherers alike. However, taming this gentle giant requires patience, preparation, and, most importantly, the right food. This guide serves as your definitive resource for successfully taming Mantas in Ark, focusing on their preferred delicacies and the best strategies to ensure a successful and swift acquisition.
The Manta, often referred to as the Giant Manta Ray, is a docile creature that can be found patrolling the deeper ocean regions of Ark’s various maps. They are generally peaceful and will not attack unless provoked, making them relatively safe to approach. However, their habitat is teeming with dangers, including aggressive sharks, jellyfish, and other predatory creatures that can quickly turn a taming attempt into a deadly encounter. Knowing where to look for Mantas and understanding the potential threats in their environment is the first step towards a successful tame.
Beyond their beauty and gentle nature, Mantas offer several practical advantages to survivors who manage to tame them. Their incredible speed and agility in the water make them ideal for exploring underwater caves, traversing long distances, and outmaneuvering hostile creatures. Unlike many other aquatic creatures, Mantas provide a passive oxygen boost to their riders, allowing for extended underwater exploration without the need for constant resurfacing. Additionally, owning a Manta is simply a cool statement, proving that you are a good survivor in Ark Survival Evolved.
The Best Taming Food for Mantas
Successfully taming a Manta hinges on providing it with its preferred food source. While Mantas are not particularly picky eaters, certain foods will significantly accelerate the taming process and improve the creature’s initial stats after taming. Understanding the hierarchy of preferred foods is crucial for maximizing your taming efficiency.
The Superior Choice: Exceptional Kibble
At the pinnacle of Manta delicacies sits Exceptional Kibble. This high-tier kibble is the most effective food for taming Mantas, drastically reducing the taming time and maximizing the taming effectiveness. Taming effectiveness is crucial, as it determines the number of bonus levels the Manta will receive after being successfully tamed. The higher the taming effectiveness, the more levels your Manta will gain, resulting in a stronger, healthier, and more capable mount.
Obtaining Exceptional Kibble requires a bit of preparation and resourcefulness. It is crafted using eggs from certain creatures, along with other specific ingredients. The recipe can be found online and varies depending on the platform you are playing on. While the ingredients can be challenging to acquire, the benefits of using Exceptional Kibble far outweigh the effort involved. If you are serious about taming a high-level Manta with optimal stats, Exceptional Kibble is undoubtedly the way to go.
Alternative Taming Foods
While Exceptional Kibble is the gold standard, it may not always be readily available. Fortunately, there are alternative food sources that can be used to tame Mantas, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness. These options provide viable alternatives when kibble is scarce, allowing you to still tame the creature.
Raw Mutton
Raw Mutton is a prime alternative to Exceptional Kibble. It is obtained by harvesting the carcasses of sheep. While Mutton is less effective than kibble, it still provides a significant boost to the taming process compared to other raw meats. One major drawback of using Mutton is its relatively short spoil time. Mutton decays quickly, especially in warmer environments. Therefore, it is crucial to have a reliable method of preserving it, such as a preserving bin or refrigerator, or to gather it fresh just before initiating the taming process.
Raw Prime Fish Meat
Raw Prime Fish Meat is another viable option for taming Mantas. It is obtained by harvesting larger fish, such as Salmon or Coelacanth. While more readily available than Mutton, Raw Prime Fish Meat is less effective in terms of taming speed and effectiveness. Like Mutton, it also has a relatively short spoil time, requiring careful planning and preservation strategies.
Raw Fish Meat
Raw Fish Meat is the least effective option for taming Mantas, and should only be used as a last resort when no other food sources are available. It is obtained from harvesting smaller fish, and provides a minimal boost to the taming process. Using Raw Fish Meat will significantly increase the taming time and result in a lower taming effectiveness, ultimately yielding a weaker Manta.
Taming Strategies and Tips
Taming a Manta effectively requires more than just the right food. Careful preparation, a sound strategy, and a healthy dose of caution are essential for success. The ocean is a dangerous place, and a poorly planned taming attempt can quickly turn into a disaster.
Preparing for the Tame
Before venturing into the depths to tame a Manta, it is crucial to equip yourself with the necessary gear and resources. A full set of SCUBA gear is essential for breathing underwater and moving with greater speed and agility. A reliable weapon, such as a crossbow or harpoon gun, is necessary for defending yourself against hostile creatures. Consider crafting a Ghillie suit to reduce your visibility to underwater creatures, making it easier to approach the Manta undetected. It’s also important to have enough narcotics.
Scouting the area beforehand is also a good idea. Finding a relatively safe location, free from aggressive creatures, is paramount. Clear out any immediate threats before attempting to approach the Manta. Finally, gather a sufficient quantity of your chosen taming food and narcotics before heading out. Running out of resources mid-tame can be a fatal mistake.
The Taming Process
Approaching the Manta requires stealth and patience. Swim slowly and carefully, avoiding any sudden movements that might spook the creature. Once you are close enough, begin hand-feeding the Manta your chosen taming food. Each time the Manta eats, its torpor will increase. As the Manta’s torpor rises, it will become unconscious. Once unconscious, maintain its torpor by administering narcotics.
Continuously monitor the Manta’s torpor level and administer narcotics as needed to prevent it from waking up. While the Manta is unconscious, it is vulnerable to attack from other creatures. Keep a watchful eye out for any potential threats and defend the Manta if necessary. This may involve eliminating hostile creatures or kiting them away from the taming area.
Taming Pen Considerations
While not always necessary, constructing a taming pen around the Manta can provide an extra layer of protection during the taming process. A simple pen can be built using stone or metal structures, creating a barrier that prevents other creatures from interfering. The design of the pen will depend on the location and the available resources.
Post-Taming Care
Once the Manta is successfully tamed, it’s time to equip it with a saddle and begin putting it to work. The Manta saddle can be crafted at a certain level and requires specific resources. Once saddled, the Manta can be ridden and controlled.
Mantas have a particular diet and need a steady supply of fish or meat. Proper food storage is a must to prevent your Manta from going hungry. Just like any other tameable in Ark, they need love and care.
When leveling up your Manta, focus on stats that will enhance its speed, stamina, and health. Speed is essential for traversing the ocean quickly, stamina is important for sustained exploration, and health is crucial for surviving encounters with hostile creatures.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taming Mantas
Even with careful planning and execution, taming Mantas can be challenging. Avoiding these common mistakes will increase your chances of success:
Underestimating the dangers of the ocean is a frequent mistake. The ocean is teeming with aggressive creatures that can quickly overwhelm an unprepared survivor. Always be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to defend yourself.
Using ineffective taming foods will significantly prolong the taming process and result in a weaker Manta. Always prioritize Exceptional Kibble or Raw Mutton whenever possible.
Running out of narcotics is a common and often fatal mistake. Always carry an ample supply of narcotics to maintain the Manta’s torpor level.
Failing to protect the Manta while it is unconscious can lead to its death. Always keep a watchful eye out for potential threats and defend the Manta if necessary.
Conclusion
Taming a Manta in Ark: Survival Evolved is a rewarding endeavor that can significantly enhance your underwater exploration and resource gathering capabilities. While the process can be challenging, understanding the Manta’s preferred foods and implementing sound taming strategies will greatly increase your chances of success. Remember, Exceptional Kibble reigns supreme as the optimal taming food, but Raw Mutton and Raw Prime Fish Meat can serve as viable alternatives. By preparing carefully, executing your plan with precision, and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully tame a Manta and unlock its many benefits. So, gather your gear, brave the depths, and embark on your Manta taming adventure! The ocean awaits, and a loyal Manta companion is within your reach.
