A safe and efficient base is critical to your survival in Ark: Survival Evolved. It's not just a place to live, but also your workshop, your storage area, and your fortress against both the elements and hostile creatures. In this guide, we'll look at the best practices for building bases, highlight optimal designs, talk about material choices, and suggest strategic locations for your Ark base.

Base Building Best Practices

Start Small and Functional

In the early stages of the game, your resources will be limited. Begin with a small and functional base - a simple one-room structure with just enough space for a bed, a storage box, a campfire, and a crafting station.

Plan Ahead

Before you start building, have a plan in mind. Consider future expansions, especially if you aim to tame large dinosaurs.

Use Foundations

Foundations provide stability and an even surface to build on. They also prevent the respawn of resources and creatures in their vicinity, ensuring your base stays clear of unwanted obstructions.

Protect Your Base

Ensure that your base is safe from predators. Use walls, spikes, or fences to ward off unwanted creatures.

Material Choices

Thatch and Wood

When you're starting, thatch and wood will be your primary building materials. While they're not particularly durable, they are plentiful and easy to gather.

Stone

Once you're able to gather more efficiently, consider upgrading to stone. Stone buildings are more durable and resistant to attacks from most creatures.

Metal

In the late game, metal is the most durable material and is highly resistant to attacks. However, it is also the most resource-intensive to gather and craft.

Optimal Designs

Basic Rectangle

A simple rectangular or square design is easy to build and expand upon. It provides enough space for all your necessities.

Dinosaur Pen

As you start taming dinosaurs, you'll need a place to keep them. This could be a fenced area outside your base or an enclosed barn for smaller creatures. Larger dinosaurs may require specialized buildings or pens.

Multi-story Buildings

Building upwards can provide more space on a smaller footprint. This can be useful if building space is limited. Make sure to use pillars and ceilings to support higher floors.

Crafting and Storage Room

As you progress, you'll have more crafting stations and more items to store. Having a dedicated room for crafting and storage can help keep your base organized.

Strategic Locations

Access to Resources

Choosing a location with easy access to essential resources such as wood, stone, and water can save you a lot of time and effort.

Defense Considerations

High ground can be advantageous as it provides a good view of the surroundings and can be more easily defended.

Proximity to Points of Interest

Being close to important locations like caves, mountains, or supply drop locations can be beneficial for resource gathering and exploration.

Building a base in Ark: Survival Evolved is much more than just a creative endeavor - it's a crucial aspect of survival. By incorporating these best practices and strategies, you can create a stronghold that is not just a safe haven, but a statement of your persistence and ingenuity in the face of Ark's challenges. Happy building, survivors!