Complete Drakeling Guide: Ark Survival Ascended

In ARK: Survival Ascended, the Drakeling is a small, dragon-like creature with a whimsical, fairy-like charm. While its appearance is enchanting, this shoulder pet is far more than ornamental. Found in the Fantastic Tames DLC, it offers useful buffs, practical abilities, and even helps uncover hidden treasure. Whether you’re navigating steep terrain or searching for valuable loot, the Drakeling is a reliable and magical companion.

Quick Glance Info: Drakeling

Behavior of the Drakeling

Drakelings are small, dragon-like creatures with wings and an ethereal glow, evoking imagery from fairy tales and European folklore. Their temperament is curious, and this behavior heavily influences their taming process. Rather than fleeing or attacking, Drakelings are drawn to sources of light—especially fire.

Drakelings

Details About the Drakeling

First up in this Drakeling guide, let’s discuss the basic details to know: available variations, colors (and regions), temperament, and drops. Drakeling are tied to the paid DLC “Fantastic Tames”, and their presence varies depending on the map. These creatures can be found across multiple Ark maps, including Ragnarok, The Center, Extinction, and Scorched Earth. However, their spawn locations are tied to seasonal variants and the biomes they prefer:

• Autumn Drakeling: Appears in redwoods and jungle biomes.
• Spring Drakeling: Found in lush grasslands.
• Summer Drakeling: Common in beach and desert areas.
• Winter Drakeling: Inhabits snowy, cold regions.

Each variant is influenced by its native biome and comes with unique traits, making them ideal partners for different environmental challenges.

Currently, the color regions are unknown but this section will be updated once we have more information:

1. Region 0: Unknown
2. Region 1: Unknown
3. Region 2: Unknown
4. Region 3: Unknown
5. Region 4: Unknown
6. Region 5: Unknown

The Drakeling belongs to both the Fantasy Creatures and Reptiles groups. It is a carnivore, preferring cooked meat, though it can also be tamed with exceptional kibble.

Drakelings can produce Dragon Hoard Keys, rare items that act like treasure maps. These keys are acquired randomly or guaranteed when you transfer at least 5,000 XP using their Draconic Knowledge ability. When near a hidden treasure, the Drakeling will summon a chest packed with high-quality loot.

Seasonal variants are not just cosmetic. While they can be bred, offspring inherit only one seasonal passive ability—not a combination of both parents. This maintains balance while still encouraging strategic breeding.

Abilities, Utilities, & Combat of the Drakeling

Drakelings are packed with passive buffs, functional utilities, and optional combat abilities that make them one of the most useful shoulder pets in the game.

Shared Passive Abilities

• Slowfall: Greatly reduces or completely negates fall damage when enabled from the radial menu.
• Experience Sharing (Draconic Knowledge): Stores a portion of XP gained and allows you to transfer it to allies. XP stored scales with the Drakeling’s level.
• Native Biome Boost: Provides +10% XP gain and +10% loot quality while in the Drakeling’s home biome. This buff lasts up to 3 hours even after swapping pets or leaving the biome.
• Dragon Hoard Keys: Has a chance to reward keys randomly or after transferring XP. These keys open exclusive treasure caches.

Unique Passive Abilities (Seasonal Aspects)

Each variant carries a different Aspect:

• Spring Drakeling – Aspect of Spring: +10% health regeneration and -10% stamina consumption.
• Summer Drakeling – Aspect of Summer: +10% movement speed and 25% reduced stun duration.
• Autumn Drakeling – Aspect of Autumn: +5% melee damage and +15% harvesting yield.
• Winter Drakeling – Aspect of Winter: +10% damage resistance and +100 insulation.

These buffs apply while the Drakeling is on your shoulder and persist even while riding a mount, providing strategic advantages during travel or combat.

Combat & Utility Features

Drakelings can be equipped onto your hand, unlocking three interactive modes via keybinds (default R on PC):

• Attack Mode: Left-click for a bite attack; right-click for a charged breath attack.
• Season Mode: Right-click to temporarily grant your Drakeling’s seasonal buff to an ally for 60 seconds.
• XP Mode: Right-click to transfer all stored XP to a target.

The Summer Drakeling also functions as a portable cooking station. It cooks raw meat like a Campfire and produces Cooked Meat Jerky and Prime Meat Jerky from cooked meat—no oil required. This is a similar effect as the pyromane.

How to Tame a Drakeling

Drakelings have a straightforward taming process, let’s explore how to tame them.

Step 1: Purchase Access

Before initiating any interaction, you must unlock the Drakeling by purchasing the DLC (only available combined with Lost Colony DLC as of June 2025). Without this purchase, taming is disabled.

Step 2: Spot & Attract the Drakeling

Locate a Drakeling in its native biome. Once you do, equip a torch and hold it visibly. The Drakeling’s curiosity will lead it to fly down and perch on your shoulder once it sees the torch.

Step 3: Accept the Drakeling’s Request

After landing, it will issue a task requiring you to gain experience through one of the following:

• Harvesting resources
• Crafting items
• Killing creatures

The method is random and changes each round.

Step 4: Fulfill the XP Goal

Perform the specified task until the Drakeling’s taming meter fills. XP-rich activities (like crafting a structure) are more effective than low-yield tasks (such as making arrows).

Step 5: Feed the Drakeling

With the XP goal completed, feed it from the last slot on your hotbar—preferably cooked meat or exceptional kibble.

Step 6: Repeat the Process

Taming is incremental. The Drakeling may present a different XP request after each feeding. Repeat the steps until taming completes. Act quickly, as there is a time limit on fulfilling each request.

Fun Facts About the Drakeling

• 🐉 Fairy-Dragon Hybrid: Inspired by European fairy and dragon myths.
• 🔥 Tamed Through Curiosity: Drawn to fire rather than food or force.
• 💎 Treasure Hunter: Grants Dragon Hoard Keys that unlock valuable loot.
• 🌸 Seasonal Variants: Four biome-based variants with unique buffs.
• 🍖 Portable Kitchen: Summer Drakeling cooks and preserves meat on the go.
• 🪂 Fall-Safe Travel: Shared Slowfall ability prevents fatal falls.
• 🔁 Buffs Extend to Mounts: Active even when riding other creatures.
• ⏳ Persistent Biome Bonus: Native biome buff lasts up to 3 hours after leaving.
• 🌦️ Inspired by Scrapped Seasons: Possibly based on a canceled seasonal system from the original Ragnarok map.
• 🤝 Buff-Beaming Ally Support: Use Season Mode to share your Drakeling’s unique ability with nearby allies.

Join Wolfe’s Den Servers

The Drakeling may look like a charming shoulder pet, but it’s a surprisingly capable companion packed with useful features. From managing XP and boosting mobility to helping you track down hidden treasure, it offers plenty of practical benefits. Its seasonal variants and unique taming method bring both magic and strategy to your adventures, making it a standout ally in any survivor’s journey.

If you’re eager to befriend your very own Drakeling or get involved in the Ark community, come join the Wolfe’s Den public servers! Whether you’re looking to team up with other survivors or learn advanced taming techniques, our Discord community and servers are the perfect place for you.