If I want to start playing ARK what do I have to buy?

[VilzeTSF]

Do I need all expansions? Do I need the season pass? Or is ARK: Survival Evolved enough?

[margalus]

You need the base game and nothing else. Don't waste money on the season pass or paid dlc's. The free dlc maps would be good to grab though.

[liberator65853]

Originally posted by ChodeChunkerChad:

Do I need all expansions? Do I need the season pass? Or is ARK: Survival Evolved enough?

I would start with just ARK:Survival Evolved. If you like it and want more after get the Ragnarok DLC and Valguero dlc. Then think about the paid dlc if you are really enjoying it

[Trigger Zero]

As others have said, just the base game without any season pass / paid dlc. See if you like the game. The DLCs are maps, but you still have access to all content from those maps in the form of mods or modded maps that include DLC content (this is also why the game is so large even though its just base game).

If you decide you absolutely love the game then purchase the season passes for the additional maps to play on. Each map has had its own environment, playstyle, and challenges. It also is a story progression, of sorts. Its not exactly in your face like an MMO would be, its in the form of explorer notes, but there is a very good story behind the game.

[VilzeTSF]

hey thanks everyone for the great advice! :D I'll do as you say and start with the base game, cheers <3

[Night]

You never "NEED" to buy everything and all dlc right away before even trying out a game first. Just play the base game, then go on from there. Why would you even consider buying extra stuff for a game you have not tried yet. It is a great game though, hope you enjoy it!

[VilzeTSF]

Originally posted by Night:

You never "NEED" to buy everything and all dlc right away before even trying out a game first. Just play the base game, then go on from there. Why would you even consider buying extra stuff for a game you have not tried yet. It is a great game though, hope you enjoy it!

the sale, 50% off for all dlc and 80% off the base game ^^

[Xandor]

You get all the content of the DLCs except for the maps, you need to spawn in things with admin commands or use mods that add them as spawns on the free maps to do it though.

So you only need to buy DLC if you want to play the maps or if you want to legit obtain the dinos on those maps (can move character, items and dinos between maps) or for PVP (or official servers / server clusters) I think one of the best dinos are on one of the DLC map, so that is a reason also.

[Jesse]

Originally posted by ChodeChunkerChad:

Originally posted by Night:

You never "NEED" to buy everything and all dlc right away before even trying out a game first. Just play the base game, then go on from there. Why would you even consider buying extra stuff for a game you have not tried yet. It is a great game though, hope you enjoy it!

the sale, 50% off for all dlc and 80% off the base game ^^

I have seen them on CD key sites for cheaper. My friend bought the base game and 2 other dlcs (Abberation and extinction) for 5$ each. If you get into the game those 2 are must haves imo because of the dinos and fun playthrough..the gacha is a great resource producer(extinction) rockdrakes aren't necessary but they have amazing colors and abilities. There's more to say about those 2 dlcs alone. Out of all the Dlc though my favorite is ragnarok. That Map Is alot of fun, valguero is also good/beautiful, the scenery and Abberation zone on that map is alot of fun to experience

[Cobretti]

The paid DLC are a step up in difficulty so new players should start with the base game on The Island map to learn the ropes and then proceed to maps like Rag or Valguero which are low difficulty but have more creatures. Then if you still like the game and want to challenge yourself, you might consider the paid DLC but thats a long way off for a new player.

[Night]

Originally posted by ChodeChunkerChad:

Originally posted by Night:

You never "NEED" to buy everything and all dlc right away before even trying out a game first. Just play the base game, then go on from there. Why would you even consider buying extra stuff for a game you have not tried yet. It is a great game though, hope you enjoy it!

the sale, 50% off for all dlc and 80% off the base game ^^

That sale comes up like every other month or so. Since you get so many free maps with the base game you don't need to buy any dlc just yet. You will have months of playtime with just those free maps (which happen to be the most popular and played maps yet) until you are done with them, then get the paid ones.

[UnknownYTBlunt]

Originally posted by margalus:

You need the base game and nothing else. Don't waste money on the season pass or paid dlc's. The free dlc maps would be good to grab though.

How to i get the freee dlc maps?

[margalus]

Originally posted by UnknownYTBlunt:

Originally posted by margalus:

You need the base game and nothing else. Don't waste money on the season pass or paid dlc's. The free dlc maps would be good to grab though.

How to i get the freee dlc maps?

Originally posted by UnknownYTBlunt:

Originally posted by margalus:

You need the base game and nothing else. Don't waste money on the season pass or paid dlc's. The free dlc maps would be good to grab though.

How to i get the freee dlc maps?

Go to the Store page for ARK, they are all listed along with the paid dlc's

[Bruce]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.