Fun Ways to Play ARK

[Creg]

Me and my friend were talking about fun, interesting and challenging ways to play ARK the other day, so I decided to compile a list for anyone looking for a different way to play the game. If anyone else thinks of any, feel free to post them below :D

No Flyer Travel:
The most basic and least game changing, this challenge would make the game exactly that; a challenge. Travelling everywhere on an Argy is quick and easy, but it lacks that flair that the beginning of the game has; the thought that you could die at any moment. Coupled with the recent tamed-dino nerf, this way to play can certainly be interesting for those seeking a challenge, but without changing the game

Nomad:
Another simple one, a Nomad playthrough would be difficult to get started, (Although that can be bypassed with cheats/supply drop tweaks) but it would be one of the most fun. This challenge involves building the main tribe base on the back of platform-saddled creatures. Whilst the constant glitching could be irritating, moving around every few days to different points on the island could be a perfect playthrough for calm, PvE lovers that want to see more of the island than just where their base is located. This challenge would be best suited for a PvE setting, and coupled with a RP/Tribe Vocations server, it would be very different, yet, extremely entertaining. Something to further enhance this would be the usage of a map mod, such as Valhalla, that is known for great scenery.


Signature Creature:
This challenge would involve the different members of your tribe picking one (Or another extremely low number) creature that is exclusive to them; they can only tame and use that creature, and no one else in the tribe can use that creature either. This challenge would be another that would be perfect for a RP/Vocations server. (E.g: the Tribe's Farmer could only tame and use Dung Beetles/Phiomias.) Something to make this challenge a little less difficult, however, if allowing all tribe members to use utility animals, such as Phiomias, Ankys etc.


Purge:
This particular challenge is a very interesting one indeed. In short, this challenge involves playing on a PvE server, but about once a week or so, the server restarts as a full PvP, anything goes, no rules server for an entire day. If you don't want to partake in the purge, however, the server owner/admins could allow the usage of flags on the base, to show that you aren't willing to compete this time around, and that they are to be left alone this purge. (E.g White flag on base walls means not taking part, but Red flag on base walls means that this tribe is)


No Engrams:
One of my favourites, but arguably one of the most difficult to set up, a No Engrams challenge would mean getting 0 engrams on every level up. However, supply drops (preferably with an increased spawning rate) would contain a wide range of different blueprints. These blueprints would depend on supply drop colour (E.g: White having Thatch building materials and spears, Yellow having Metal building materials and high quality metal tools etc.) This would be extremely interesting in a PvP, no offline raiding, type of server, where raids would take place specifically to get blueprints. This would introduce an element of stealth into base raids, careful strategic planning and the likes, especially if you are a low-level tribe. You would almost NEED to break into the "Alpha Tribe's" base in order to get some decent blueprints, so that you could actually advance in the game.

So, there's my list. Let me know what you think, and leave any other ideas you have down below :P Thanks for reading this wall of text!

~Hydra

[Elf]

Wow, nice ideas. I really enjoyed reading them and thinking how it would be like. Especially liked the nomad idea, on an official, PVP server, or in single player, since I didn't play Valhalla.

[Creg]

Originally posted by Elf:

Wow, nice ideas. I really enjoyed reading them and thinking how it would be like. Especially liked the nomad idea, on an official, PVP server, or in single player, since I didn't play Valhalla.

Thanks :D I only recommended Valhalla because I've heard it's got some amazing scenery. I've only really played a little bit myself.

[NotDylan7055]

I think that What I call "Buccaneers life" is a cool challenge. Pretty much, you're not allowed to go onto land. Taming argies is made very interesting with this! They're needed though so that you can get metal, because while you'e allowed to fly, you can't touch ground!

[Sistermatic™]

Can you add,

- Start a new character during a winter wonderland event. :)

[Creg]

Originally posted by dylan:

I think that What I call "Buccaneers life" is a cool challenge. Pretty much, you're not allowed to go onto land. Taming argies is made very interesting with this! They're needed though so that you can get metal, because while you'e allowed to fly, you can't touch ground!

That actually sounds like a really cool idea!! How would you even go about taming an Argy like that though? I would assume rafting on up to Carno Island and hoping like hell it falls in the beach/raft?

Originally posted by Sista:

Can you add,

- Start a new character during a winter wonderland event. :)

I can see why that would be quite a challenge, yes xD Though from what I remember, it made getting Pelt and Blubber a lot easier...

[Riorach]

Lovely ideas, a few of which I've been using in a more recent playthrough of mine(No flyer, Nomad sans saddle.) Good stuff Hydra! +1 for you.

[Sistermatic™]

Originally posted by Hydra:

Originally posted by Sista:

Can you add,

- Start a new character during a winter wonderland event. :)

I can see why that would be quite a challenge, yes xD Though from what I remember, it made getting Pelt and Blubber a lot easier...

It was a throwaway. Your thread was actually about "fun" things to do.

Forgive my flippancy. It's an Australian disease :)

[NotDylan7055]

Originally posted by Hydra:

Originally posted by dylan:

I think that What I call "Buccaneers life" is a cool challenge. Pretty much, you're not allowed to go onto land. Taming argies is made very interesting with this! They're needed though so that you can get metal, because while you'e allowed to fly, you can't touch ground!

That actually sounds like a really cool idea!! How would you even go about taming an Argy like that though? I would assume rafting on up to Carno Island and hoping like hell it falls in the beach/raft?

I usually build a raft as wide as it can go with ceilings and foundations, then run in circles shooting its butt until it falls onto the platform. Almost always works. The hardest part is getting fiber and wood, but to do that I usually just punch out a trike standing close to the water, farm megs for a saddle, and ride around getting mats. The player character cannot touch the ground, never said anything about dinos :p

[TheUnderDog135]

Originally posted by The Widower:

Can you add,

- Start a new character during a winter wonderland event. :)

i like to start in the snow biome on the centre and survive on that (harvest multiplier 5 just because thats how i always play ark)hardest part about starting in the snow, stones, barely any on the ground XD