The Ark: Survival Evolved offers a vast and unforgiving world where establishing a secure base is paramount. As you traverse the perilous island, the choice of where to establish this sanctuary becomes crucial. This article delves into the best base locations on the Ark, providing insights into strategic advantages, resource availability, and defensive capabilities. From the tranquil shores of Herbivore Island to the treacherous peaks of the Redwoods, discover the ideal locations to build a thriving and resilient home in the unforgiving wilderness.
Nestled between the eastern coast and the lush Herbivore Island, the South Zone 2 location stands as a prime choice for base establishment. This region boasts an abundance of resources, including metal, crystal, and obsidian, conveniently accessible from nearby mountains. The relatively flat terrain allows for efficient base construction, while the proximity to the ocean provides easy access to water and aquatic resources. Furthermore, the zone’s central position offers quick access to various other points of interest, ensuring a strategic vantage point for exploration and resource gathering.
For those seeking a more secluded and defensible location, the Redwoods biome in the northwest corner of the island offers a prime choice. Towering trees provide ample cover and natural camouflage for your base, making it less visible to potential threats. The rugged terrain offers multiple elevation points, allowing for layered defenses and strategic vantage points. Additionally, the Redwoods’ proximity to the snow-covered mountains provides easy access to high-quality metal and crystal resources, ensuring a steady supply of essential building materials and equipment.
Strategic Considerations for Base Location Optimization
1. Resource Accessibility
Establish your base near abundant resources like wood, stone, metal, and water. These resources are essential for building, crafting, and sustaining your settlement. Choose a location with easy access to these vital elements to minimize travel time and enhance efficiency.
2. Defensibility and Natural Barriers
Prioritize locations that offer natural defenses such as cliffs, rivers, or dense forests. These barriers obstruct enemy attacks and provide strategic advantages. Build your base on high ground or in areas with limited access points to minimize vulnerability. Consider constructing walls, fences, or traps to further enhance your defense.
| Defense Consideration | Ideal Location |
|---|---|
| Cliffside Protection | Base perched atop a cliff, with limited access from below |
| Riverine Barrier | Base situated on a riverbank, with enemies forced to cross water for approach |
| Forest Concealment | Base nestled within a dense forest, providing camouflage and restricted access |
3. Access to Important Landmarks
Choose a base location that provides convenient access to crucial landmarks, such as obelisks, caves, and artifact spawns. These landmarks offer valuable loot, challenges, and opportunities for exploration and progression. Proximity to these sites reduces travel time, allowing you to efficiently utilize resources and engage in gameplay activities.
Assessing Security Concerns and Defensive Measures
Assessing Security Risks
When selecting a base location, consider potential security threats, including wild dinos, aggressive players, and environmental hazards. Identify areas with low dino spawns, limited player traffic, and ample resources to minimize these risks.
Defensive Measures
Establish a perimeter defense by constructing walls, fences, or natural barriers like cliffs or rivers. Utilize traps and turrets to deter and eliminate potential threats. Establish multiple layers of defense to provide depth and redundancy.
Specific Defensive Locations on The Island
| Location | Advantages |
|---|---|
| The Center: Redwoods | High ground, dense vegetation, low player traffic, limited dino spawns |
| South Zone: Herbivore Island | Isolated, ample resources, easy to defend from water access |
| The Far North: Snow Biome | Extreme cold deters players and most dinos, providing natural protection |
| Swamp: Southwest Zone | Abundant resources, easy to camouflage structures, natural hazards deter enemies |
| Volcano: Southern Foothills | Elevated position, commanding views, limited access due to lava and heat |
Maximizing Resources and Minimizing Vulnerabilities
1. Identify Abundant Resource Zones
Locate areas rich in resources such as metal, stone, and wood. Establishing a base near these sites ensures a steady supply of essential materials for building and crafting.
2. Scout for Water Proximity
Water is crucial for hydration, irrigation, and food production. Choose a base site within proximity to a river, lake, or ocean to easily access this vital resource.
3. Explore Elevated Locations
Higher ground provides strategic advantages, improving visibility and making it harder for enemies to approach undetected. Look for cliffs, hills, or mesas that offer natural protection.
4. Utilize Natural Barriers
Identify natural obstacles that can deter potential attackers, such as rivers, canyons, or thick vegetation. These barriers can create defensive perimeters and limit access to the base.
5. Evaluate Exposure to Wildlife
Be aware of the local wildlife and their potential threats. Avoid areas heavily populated by aggressive or dangerous creatures that could pose risks to your safety.
6. Consider Climate Conditions
Take into account the climate of the region. Choose a base site that is protected from extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or excessive heat. Consider the availability of shelter and access to water during inclement weather.
7. Assess Defensive Options
Plan for defensive measures to protect your base from attack. Consider the following strategies:
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Building Fortifications | Provides strong physical barriers and protects against ranged attacks | Can be expensive and time-consuming to construct |
| Placing Turrets | Automated defenses that can target and attack enemies | Requires power and resources to operate |
| Training and Breeding Dinosaurs | Can act as living defenses and deter potential threats | Requires extensive resources and time to raise and train |
The Importance of Location Secrecy and Stealth
Secrecy Surrounds Your Base
Keeping the location of your base a secret is crucial in ARK: Survival Evolved. If other players discover it, they may attempt to raid and steal your valuable resources. The best way to maintain secrecy is to build your base in a remote location, far from common high-traffic areas or popular landmarks.
Natural Disguise
Utilizing natural terrain to camouflage your base can enhance its secrecy. Choose a location surrounded by dense vegetation or rocks that can effectively conceal it. This makes it harder for other players to spot and approach your base, giving you more time to prepare for potential attacks.
Stealthy and Undetectable
Employing stealth tactics during base construction is essential. Avoid using bright or reflective materials that can attract attention. Paint your structures with natural earthy tones to blend in with the surroundings. Additionally, try to minimize noise and light emissions from your base, making it less detectable.
Remote Access Point
Establish an access point that is separate from the main entrance to your base. This allows you to enter and exit discreetly without revealing the exact location of your base. Conceal this access point behind obstacles or vegetation to make it harder to find.
Defensive Ambush
Creating an ambush strategy around your base can deter potential attackers. Set up hidden traps, turret placements, or strategically place structures to hinder access to your base. This makes it more challenging for raiders to approach and infiltrate your stronghold.
Stealth Technology
Utilizing stealth technology can provide an additional layer of protection. Equip yourself with a Ghillie Suit, which provides camouflage in vegetation, or invest in technology that suppresses noise or renders your structures invisible.
Alliance Protection
Forming alliances with other players can bolster the security of your base. By sharing resources and information, you can create a network of protection that makes it more difficult for enemies to target your base.
Alternative Base Locations
| Location | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Underground Caves | Hidden, protected from the elements | Difficult to access, limited space |
| Volcano Crater | Remote, natural defenses | Extreme temperatures, limited resources |
| Dense Forests | Camouflaged, easy to expand | Limited visibility, potential wildlife threats |
| Ocean Depths | Isolated, defendable with water mounts | Limited space, vulnerable to underwater creatures |
Advanced Base Building Techniques for Optimal Defense
Base Location Considerations
When choosing a base location, prioritize areas with strategic advantages, such as elevated positions, chokepoints, or proximity to key resources. Consider the surrounding terrain, potential threats, and accessibility to materials.
Structural Integrity
Build structures with robust materials like stone or metal. Reinforce walls, ceilings, and foundations to withstand attacks. Use turrets, traps, and other defensive mechanisms to enhance security.
Multiple Defensive Layers
Create multiple layers of defense, including walls, turrets, and traps. Stagger defenses to hinder attackers’ progress and reduce the impact of breaches.
Concealment and Camouflage
Conceal your base by blending it with the surroundings. Use natural features like foliage or rock formations to hide structures. Camouflage structures to avoid detection.
Resource Management
Secure access to critical resources like water, food, and materials. Consider building farms, water collectors, and storage facilities. Plan for resource sustainability to avoid shortages.
Escape Routes
Establish multiple escape routes from your base in case of emergencies. These routes should be concealed, easily accessible, and lead to safe areas.
Utility and Convenience
Design your base for comfort and functionality. Include essential amenities like storage, crafting stations, and sleeping quarters. Optimize layout for ease of access and resource utilization.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Build with flexibility in mind. Allow for future expansion, reconfigurations, and upgrades to adapt to changing needs and threats. Consider using modular designs that facilitate quick adjustments.
Community Considerations
If playing on multiplayer servers, coordinate with allies to establish interconnected and cooperative defenses. Share resources, information, and support to enhance overall security.
Advanced Perimeter Security
Implement advanced defensive measures around your base perimeter. This could include moats, spike walls, bear traps, or motion detectors. Layered defenses with multiple options increase the attacker’s time and effort to breach.
| Perimeter Defense Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Moats | Trenches filled with water to impede attackers and create a barrier. |
| Spike Walls | Vertical structures covered in sharp spikes to deter climbers and damage attackers. |
| Bear Traps | Concealed devices that immobilize attackers, slowing their progress and alerting defenders. |
| Motion Detectors | Sensors that trigger alarms or turrets when movement is detected, providing early warning of potential threats. |
Best Base Locations in Ark: The Island
Finding the best base location in Ark: The Island can be daunting, given the game’s vast and diverse terrain. However, with careful consideration and a keen eye for strategic advantages, players can establish formidable strongholds that will serve them well throughout their survival journey.
One crucial factor to consider is resource availability. Proximity to essential resources such as metal, crystal, and wood makes base maintenance and expansion much easier. Additionally, being near water sources ensures a steady supply of fresh water, vital for both players and dinosaurs.
Security is also of paramount importance. Choose locations that offer natural defenses, such as cliffs, mountains, or dense forests, to deter potential attackers. Building on elevated terrain provides a clear view of the surroundings, making it easy to spot approaching threats.
Finally, consider the strategic advantages of each location. Being near key landmarks or chokepoints in the map can give you control over valuable resources or deter enemy access to your base. Establishing a base in a secluded area may provide safety but may also limit your access to resources and potential allies.
People Also Ask About Best Base Locations in Ark: The Island
What are the best base locations for beginners?
For beginners, it’s recommended to find a base location on the southern coast of the island, near South Zone 2. This area has abundant resources, such as berries, trees, and water, making it easy to survive and build up your base.
Where is the best hidden base location?
The Redwoods biome is a good choice for hidden bases due to its dense vegetation and challenging terrain. Building a base in the trees or on a secluded mountainside can make it difficult for enemies to spot.
What is the best location for a large base?
The Highlands biome provides ample space for building a large base. With its open plains and rolling hills, you’ll have plenty of room to expand and build defenses. The central location of the Highlands also gives you easy access to various resources and regions.
