Ark: Survival Ascended – Top 5 Best Dinosaurs to Tame First in the Early Game!

 Waking up on the beaches of Ark: Survival Ascended with nothing but a specimen implant in your wrist can be terrifying. The Island is packed with predators ready to make you their next meal. To survive and thrive, you need to start taming dinosaurs as soon as possible.

But with over a hundred creatures roaming the map, which ones should you prioritize first? In this guide, we’ll list the top 5 absolute best early-game tames that will completely change your survival experience!

1. Moschops (The Ultimate Resource Gatherer)

Don't let its goofy looks fool you; the Moschops is the king of early-game utility.

 Why you need it: It is an incredible gatherer of fiber, berries, thatch, and even rare flowers. More importantly, you don't even need a saddle to ride it!

 How to tame: It is a passive tame. You just need to walk up to it and feed it whatever food it randomly asks for (usually berries or Tintoberries in the early game).

2. Parasaur (Your Personal Radar & Pack Mule)

The Parasaur is usually the very first dinosaur players tame, and for good reason.

 Why you need it: It has great weight capacity for carrying your heavy stone and wood. It also has a unique "Turret Mode" that scans the surrounding area and pings any nearby danger or hostile predators.

 How to tame: Use a Bola to immobilize it, knock it out with a slingshot or tranquilizer arrows, and feed it Mejoberries.

3. Pteranodon (Your Ticket to the Skies)

The moment you take to the air, Ark becomes a completely different game.

 Why you need it: The Pteranodon is the easiest flying mount to get. It allows you to scout the map safely, escape ground predators, and easily locate rare resources like metal and obsidian on mountain peaks.

 How to tame: Wait for one to land on the beach, throw a Bola to trap it, knock it out quickly, and feed it Raw Meat or mutton. (Note: You unlock its saddle at level 38).

4. Raptor (Your First Real Bodyguard)

If you want to start exploring the deeper jungles, you need some teeth on your side.

 Why you need it: Raptors are fast, agile, and deal great damage. Having a pack of 2 or 3 tamed Raptors will protect you from most medium-sized predators like Dilophosaurs and Carnotaurus.

 How to tame: Use a Bola to stop its charge, shoot it in the head with tranquilizer darts/arrows, and feed it meat.

5. Trike / Triceratops (The Stone Wall)

The Triceratops is a powerhouse that offers both incredible defense and unmatched utility.

 Why you need it: Its charge attack can knock back enemies, and its head shield reduces incoming damage. It is also the best early-game dino for collecting thousands of Narcoberries in seconds, which you need to make tranquilizers.

 How to tame: Find a safe high-ground spot where it can't reach you, shoot it with tranquilizers (avoid hitting its armored head!), and feed it berries.

🦖 Survival Tip: Always build a small wooden taming pen to trap aggressive dinos like Raptors before trying to knock them out. It will save your life!

Which dinosaur are you going to tame first to conquer The Island? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more Ark: Survival Ascended guides!