Understanding the Core of Manta Ray Taming
The Essence of Passive Taming
Navigating the vast, sometimes treacherous, underwater world of ARK: Survival Evolved can be a challenge. But imagine soaring through the depths with the grace and speed of a majestic Manta Ray. These magnificent creatures are not only stunning to behold but can also provide a significant advantage to any survivor. This guide will dive deep into the art of taming these impressive beings, focusing on the most crucial aspect: what to feed them. We will explore the most effective **ark manta tame food** options, ensuring you can acquire your own aquatic companion and unlock the full potential of underwater exploration and combat.
Understanding the core mechanics of taming in ARK is paramount. Unlike some creatures that require a knockout and forced feeding, taming a Manta Ray is a passive process. This means you must approach the Manta, feed it its preferred food, and wait. Patience is key, as the taming process can take a while, depending on the quality of the food you provide. Successfully taming a Manta relies heavily on knowing its dietary preferences and supplying it with the best possible meal. This guide aims to provide you with that knowledge, taking the guesswork out of your aquatic adventures.
Benefits of Acquiring a Manta Ray
One of the primary reasons to tame a Manta Ray is the freedom of movement it offers in the water. You can traverse vast distances much faster than you would be able to by swimming. They’re also capable of carrying multiple survivors, effectively turning underwater exploration into a team activity. Beyond exploration, the Manta Ray is a competent combatant, capable of using its speed to evade threats and inflict damage. Tamed Mantas can be invaluable in defending your underwater bases or engaging in conflicts. The versatility of this creature makes it a must-have for any serious survivor.
Selecting the Optimal Diet
The Importance of Food Quality
The foundation for a successful Manta taming experience lies in the quality of food. The higher the quality of food you provide, the faster the taming process will be, and the more effective the taming will be overall. This guide will break down the various food options available and their relative effectiveness, ensuring you know the best options to utilize.
Exceptional Kibble: The Premier Choice
The absolute best option for taming a Manta Ray, and the one you should strive for whenever possible, is Exceptional Kibble. This is due to its exceptional taming effectiveness. Kibble is a made in the fabricator, and while the exact ingredients can vary slightly based on the specific ARK map you’re playing, the core components remain the same. Typically, you will need some form of high-quality, fertilized egg (like a Bronto or Quetzal egg), various crops, and other ingredients, like Mejoberries. The exact Kibble recipe can be found on any ARK: Survival Evolved Wiki, but it’s essential to have the correct ingredients if you want to see results. Acquiring all the necessary components to make exceptional kibble can be a challenge, but the increased taming speed and efficiency make it worth the effort. It significantly reduces the time it takes to tame a Manta, allowing you to spend more time exploring the underwater world.
Prime Fish Meat: A Reliable Alternative
Prime Fish Meat is the next best alternative, but it is significantly slower than exceptional kibble. Prime Fish Meat is made by killing and harvesting a variety of fish. The specific fishes that will provide prime fish meat vary based on the map, but generally, larger and more aggressive fish are the best sources. For example, the Coelacanth, Piranha, and Sabertooth Salmon can drop Prime Fish Meat. This meat has higher taming effectiveness than standard Fish Meat, but it is still slower than exceptional kibble. You must harvest the carcasses quickly before they rot or get eaten by other creatures.
Fish Meat: A Viable Option
As the lowest rung of the food options, regular Fish Meat is still an acceptable option, but it’s the least effective. While the taming process will still work using this food, it will take a considerable amount of time to tame a Manta Ray if you utilize it. This will leave you vulnerable to attacks from other underwater creatures or PvP players. Fish Meat is obtained by fishing or harvesting from various fish in the ocean. The quality of the fish does affect how long it takes to tame your Manta.
Foods to Avoid
Several food items are best avoided when taming a Manta Ray. The Manta will not eat berries, crops, or any meat other than Fish Meat. Attempting to feed a Manta anything other than Fish Meat will result in a failed taming attempt. Be certain of the food you are offering it during the tame!
Procuring the Necessities
The Art of Fishing
Fishing is a fundamental skill for any aspiring Manta tamer. The ocean teems with fish, and fishing is a consistent way of gathering the Fish Meat needed for the taming process. Equipping a Metal Fishing Rod will significantly increase your chances of successfully catching fish, especially the larger species that yield more meat. Experiment with various types of bait to increase your catch rates.
Locating Fishing Hotspots
There are numerous recommended fishing spots where the fish are abundant. Look for areas with strong currents or areas where smaller schools of fish gather. Some fishing spots are also near underwater wrecks, which can be great for gathering resources. Be mindful of the creatures that may be nearby. Fishing is a relatively safe activity, but it can still be hazardous if you are not paying attention.
Harvesting from Aquatic Fauna
Besides fishing, harvesting fish from various creatures is another way to acquire Fish Meat. Several creatures, when killed, yield Fish Meat. Piranhas are good examples of creatures that can be easily harvested for Fish Meat. Equipping a Hatchet is the ideal tool for harvesting fish. The Hatchet will provide a good yield for raw fish meat. The further you venture out into the ocean, the more you will find dangerous creatures that also yield Fish Meat.
Practical Taming Strategies
Preparations Beforehand
Careful preparation is key to ensuring you have a successful taming process. Before you even think about approaching a Manta, ensure you have enough food and the appropriate tools on hand. If you’re using Kibble, you’ll want to be sure to have extra on hand to reduce the time required for taming.
Selecting the Ideal Taming Location
When approaching a Manta Ray, select an area where it is safe from dangerous predators. Aggressive creatures can ruin your taming attempt, either by attacking you or by killing the Manta you are trying to tame. Identify a safe spot in the water where the Manta can’t be easily disturbed. You can also use water-based traps to keep the Manta confined while you feed it, but this can be risky. The objective is to ensure the Manta isn’t attacked while you tame it.
Weapons and Inventory Considerations
You will also want to prepare for combat. The ocean is filled with danger, from the smaller Piranha to the larger Mosasaurus and Tusoteuthis, both of which can deal significant damage. Consider wearing diving gear and having weapons on hand. If you have a tame underwater creature of your own, you can use it for protection.
Inventory management is also an essential consideration. Ensure you have enough food to last the entire taming process, particularly if you are using lower-quality food. Being caught with insufficient food could spell failure, so make sure to have backups. You can also use dinos with high weight stats to carry extra food items for a quick, easy, transfer.
Avoiding Common Taming Pitfalls
Certain mistakes can easily derail a Manta Ray taming attempt. The first is running out of food during the process, resulting in the Manta Ray returning to its normal behavior. Another common mistake is being attacked during the taming process. Keep an eye on the surrounding environment for any incoming threats and consider using a tribe member or another creature to protect the taming area.
Remember that patience is crucial. Taming Mantas can take time, especially when you are using standard Fish Meat. Staying vigilant and sticking with the process will eventually pay off.
Wrapping Up the Taming Expedition
Conclusion: The Path to Manta Mastery
Successfully taming a Manta Ray in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and knowledge of their dietary preferences. By understanding the **ark manta tame food** options available, you can significantly increase your chances of success and decrease the time it takes to tame your new aquatic companion. Exceptional Kibble is always the best, followed by Prime Fish Meat, and regular Fish Meat being the least effective. Armed with this knowledge, you are well-equipped to navigate the underwater world and take advantage of the Manta’s capabilities, enriching your entire ARK experience. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be soaring through the depths with your very own Manta Ray in no time. Now get out there, and tame that Manta!
