Dinosaur survival-sim ARK: Survival Evolved is free on PC until June 11 and it’s yours to keep forever on the Epic Games Store this week. But taming dinosaurs is only part of the game’s appeal. ARK: Survival Evolved also allows you to construct elaborate bases on its tropical island. The base building system is highly intricate and getting started can be a challenge, so here are a few quick tips that are important to remember when constructing your dream dino-house.
Stuck for space? Go inland
If you’re playing ARK: Survival Evolved online (which is how most people play), then finding a space to construct a base can be difficult. When you spawn, you may well find that the starting areas along the coast are already strewn with bases. If this is the case, don’t bother scouring the coast for a tiny wedge to start building, instead venture further inland. It shouldn’t be long before you find somewhere to get building.
Fences are important
When constructing bases in ARK, it’s crucial to remember that four walls and a roof may not be enough to protect you from attack. Dinosaurs are pretty strong animals, and can sometimes attack you through walls. Hence, it’s wise to construct a perimeter fence around your main living structure to ensure there’s additional distance between you and any prowling dinos.
Beware of decay
If you don’t fancy fighting other players, ARK: Survival Evolved has many PvE servers where it’s just you versus dinosaurs. Even on a PvE server, however, your base can still be destroyed by other players. Structures begin to decay if you log out for too long, making it vulnerable to destruction. The amount of time a structure takes to decay varies depending on the building material. Thatch structures, for example, take just 4 days to decay, while stone structures take 12 days. It’s important to bear this in mind while playing.
