Taming a Dreadnoughtus in Ark: Survival Ascended can be a thrilling challenge, combining strategy, preparation, and defense skills. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully tame this massive sauropod, including a quick overview of the process, a step-by-step walkthrough, and tips for defending your Dreadnoughtus during taming. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a newcomer to the game, this guide will prepare you for the task ahead.
What is a Dreadnoughtus?
The Dreadnoughtus is a sauropod, larger than brontos, that is exclusive to the map Extinction in the game Ark: Survival Ascended (ASA). They have several special abilities, such as “Titan Slayer” which gives a damage and resistance bonus against large creatures around it, such as rexes or spinos. They also have a unique platform saddle that is designed to be a mobile artillery platform. One of the best aspects of this new creature is that they have free movement, meaning they have the ability to freely turn on their axis and strafe from side to side.
Dreadnoughtus Taming Quick-Guide
Taming a Dreadnoughtus is straightforward: find your target dino, lead it to an element node by feeding it element from your hotbar, then defend it while it eats the element node. While the concept is simple, the execution requires preparation and skill, particularly during the defense phase.
Here is a quick one minute guide on how to tame a Dreadnoughtus by Syntac:
Dreadnoughtus Detailed Taming Guide Step-by-Step
Step 1: Locate a Dreadnoughtus of the preferred level or color you want
Start by scouting the map for a Dreadnoughtus that matches your desired criteria. Once you’ve identified your target, place element into the last slot of your hotbar and approach the creature on foot, being careful of any hostile corrupted creatures nearby beforehand. After feeding, the Dreadnoughtus will follow you for approximately one minute, giving you a brief window to guide it to an element node. During this time, you may lead it from the back of a mount. If it stops following, simply repeat the process and feed it another element to continue the journey towards your designated element node.
Step 2: Consider the element node difficulty
When choosing an element node, keep in mind that higher difficulty nodes can yield more taming progress per wave. However, these nodes also present greater challenges in terms of defending the Dreadnoughtus. Your decision should balance your combat capabilities with the node’s difficulty level. If no high-difficulty nodes are available, you’ll need to work with what’s currently spawned on the map.
Step 3: Initiate the taming process at the element node
As the Dreadnoughtus approaches the element node, it will destroy any small nodes directly between it and the core element node. At this point, it will be locked onto that core element node and won’t need to be manually guided towards the node. During this time, you can begin setting up defenses around the Dreadnoughtus once it reaches the core element node.
Once it reaches the core element node, a variation of the element node’s initialization music will play and the Dreadnoughtus will begin to eat. This triggers a wave-clearing mini-game, during which corrupted creatures will spawn and target the Dreadnoughtus. Each successfully cleared wave increases the taming progress percentage, so focus on eliminating threats quickly and efficiently. The number of waves varies depending on official or unofficial server settings.
Step 4: Defending the Dreadnoughtus
Each wave of taming will spawn various corrupted creatures that will focus on attacking the Dreadnoughtus while it’s eating the core element node. You will need to destroy all of the hostile creatures in order to achieve the next stage in the taming progress. The Dreadnoughtus will help you in this by pinging the corrupted creatures, creating a pulsing effect on their head.
Continue reading below to find helpful tips to defend your Dreadnoughtus.
Step 5: Complete the taming and claim your Dreadnoughtus
Once the taming progress reaches 100%, you’ll see the naming box appear if you’re close to the creature. If not, approach the Dreadnoughtus to manage it directly.
Congratulations—you’ve tamed a Dreadnoughtus!
Tips on Defending the Dreadnoughtus During Taming
Defending the Dreadnoughtus during the taming process is critical. Luckily, the creature benefits from a “digestion shield,” which provides a buffer before taming progress is lost. To enhance its protection, consider the following strategies:
- Use structures for defense. Many players opt to build a protective enclosure around the Dreadnoughtus using stone or metal behemoth gateways and gates. Metal is preferred due to its higher durability and overall structure health. This enclosure can help funnel attackers and minimize damage to the Dreadnoughtus.
- Bring strong defensive creatures. Having powerful tamed dinos, such as rexes or spinos (or Acrocanthosaurus if you have the Ark Additions mod), can make a significant difference when dealing with waves of corrupted enemies. Even a strong argentavis will help survivors navigate over the smaller element nodules to prevent getting stuck.
- Work as a team. If possible, enlist other players to assist with the defense. Assign roles, such as one person clearing waves and another repairing the enclosure or monitoring the Dreadnoughtus’ taming progress .
- Watch out for corrupted wyverns. Their flame breath leaves a damage over time effect on their victim that does a percentage of the target’s health per tick. This can rapidly drain not only your tame’s health bar, but yours as well. If you have access to servers with naturally occurring wyverns, you can bring Wyvern Milk for your tames to negate the damage over time. A full set of Hazard Suit Armor is sufficient to protect survivors from the flame breath.
Below is a video from Teachers Game Too that goes through a visual guide on how to tame the Dreadnoughtus.
Conclusion
Taming a Dreadnoughtus in Ark: Survival Ascended is both a rewarding and intense experience. This guide covered the taming process from start to finish, including locating your target, leading it to an element node, defending it during the wave-clearing mini-game, and ensuring its safety with strategic tips. With proper preparation and teamwork, you’ll be well-equipped to claim this majestic creature as your own.
Looking for teammates to help tame a Dreadnoughtus? Join Wolfe’s Den and play Ark: Survival Ascended with us!
