Yes, dodo taming is often considered a great way to begin playing ARK: Survival Evolved.
Is dodo taming start game ark a question you’ve pondered? Many new players find themselves wondering this as they first venture into the world of ARK. These small, harmless creatures seem like an easy first step, and that’s mostly true. They’re plentiful, slow, and relatively simple to knock out, making the initial survival stage slightly less intimidating.
Taming a dodo gives you experience, meat, and some very basic resources. It’s not the most efficient process, but it’s great practice. It helps you learn about the core mechanics of the game, such as taming, feeding, and managing resources in a safe way.
Is Dodo Taming Start Game Ark?
So, you’ve just spawned into the wild world of ARK: Survival Evolved! Maybe you’re a little scared, maybe you’re excited, but one thing is for sure – you’re surrounded by strange creatures. And amongst them, you’ll often find the humble dodo. These little, flightless birds are practically everywhere in the starting areas, and you might be wondering: are dodos a good tame for a beginner? The answer is a bit complicated, but generally, yes, they are a great first tame and perfect for learning the basics of taming in ARK. Let’s break down why.
Why Dodos are Perfect Starter Tames
Dodos are like the training wheels of ARK taming. They’re gentle, easy to find, and don’t require much to knock out. Let’s look at some specific reasons why they are the go to tames for beginner:
Easy to Knock Out
Unlike some of the bigger, meaner creatures, dodos have very little health. You can usually knock them out with just a few hits from your fists or a basic club. You don’t need fancy weapons or a perfect strategy. This makes them a great first target for practicing the taming process. They won’t put up much of a fight, which means you’re less likely to get hurt while you are learning.
Simple Taming Method
Dodos are herbivores, which means they eat plants. They are especially fond of berries, and that’s what you’ll be using to tame them. Berries are super easy to find in the early game. Just go around bushes and collect the berries. There is no special food needed. This makes the entire process of taming a dodo very straightforward and helps a new player to get used to taming method in ARK.
Found in Starting Zones
Dodos are commonly found in the areas where new players begin their ARK journey. This means that you don’t need to go into dangerous areas to find them. They are typically on the beaches and in the fields around the spawn points. This makes them incredibly convenient as you begin your adventure in the game.
Good for Practice
Taming a dodo allows new players to experience the taming mechanics in a safe and low stakes environment. You learn about the importance of keeping the creature unconscious, feeding it the correct food, and protecting it from other threats during the taming process. This experience will prepare you for the challenge of taming stronger and more useful creatures in the future.
What are Dodos Good For?
Okay, so dodos are easy to tame, but what are they actually good for? Well, they might not be the strongest fighters or the best gatherers, but they are surprisingly useful in the beginning:
Egg Production
One of the primary reasons for taming dodos early is egg production. Dodo eggs are a basic source of food and can also be used to make kibble which makes taming other dinosaurs easier in the future. A few dodos can start a small egg farm, providing you with a reliable food source early on. Having multiple female dodos will mean you’ll have a steady stream of eggs, making a great resource for your early survival.
Fertilizer
Yes, dodos can even help with your garden! Their poop, like the poop of many other herbivores, makes great fertilizer. Fertilizer is important for growing crops, which in turn will help you to have a sustainable food source of fruits and vegetables. When you build your small garden, the dodos can help. Just let them wander in your garden area!
Meat and Hide
While it may seem cruel, dodos can provide a source of meat and hide if you’re in a desperate situation. However, they don’t give you much of each, so it is only a last resort option. It’s much more beneficial to keep them alive for eggs and fertilizer.
Early Companionship
Let’s be honest, having a little dodo buddy can make a lonely starting area feel a little bit more populated and welcoming! Having tamed something can boost morale. They may not be the most powerful creatures, but having tamed dodos can help you feel more at home in the game.
These are the reasons dodos are very useful for a beginner.
The Taming Process Step by Step
Now that we’ve established why dodos are great to tame for a beginner in the start of the game, let’s look at the actual taming process of a dodo:
Step 1: Finding a Dodo
Walk around the beach or grassland areas near where you start. Dodos are usually easy to spot, and they aren’t aggressive. Look for the small, flightless birds that wander around.
Step 2: Knocking Out the Dodo
Once you’ve found your dodo, use your fists or a simple club to knock them unconscious. Be careful not to hit them too many times after they are down, or you will kill them. Try to hit them just until they get knocked out.
Step 3: Feeding Berries
After the dodo is unconscious, go to its inventory. Place some berries into its inventory. Now, simply wait. The dodo will slowly eat the berries and the taming bar will fill up. Keep checking the dodo’s inventory and continue adding more berries to it. This ensures the taming process continues without stopping.
Step 4: Protecting the Dodo
While the dodo is being tamed, make sure to defend it from any potential threats. The last thing you need is for another creature to wander over and kill your soon to be pet. This step is important to have a successful tame.
Step 5: Claim Your New Pet!
Once the taming bar is full, the dodo is yours! You can now give it a name and have it follow you. It will be added to your list of tames, and you can start to put it to work!
Tips for Taming Dodos Effectively
Here are some additional tips to help you tame dodos more effectively and get the most out of them:
- Gather extra berries: Always have extra berries in your inventory before starting the taming process. This is so that you don’t have to go hunting for them mid taming process and risk the dodo waking up.
- Use a club: A club inflicts more torpor (the unconsciousness effect) than your fists, making it easier to knock a dodo out quickly.
- Build a small pen: A small wooden fence around a dodo while it’s taming will protect it from other creatures.
- Check the taming progress: Frequently check the taming bar on your dodo. If it drops too low, you’ll have to start again.
Are There Better Early Tames?
While dodos are great first tames for new players, you might be wondering if there are other good options for taming early in the game. The answer is yes, there are some, but they might require a little more effort:
- Lystrosaurus: Lystrosaurus are friendly little lizards that you can find in the starting zones. They are very easy to tame by just petting them. They also boost experience gain for your other tames, making them excellent allies. They are tamed by giving them a quick pat on the head!
- Parasaur: Parasaurs are slightly larger and more useful than dodos in terms of carrying capacity and speed. They are also passive tames, and you can knock them out with a simple club. They are often found in the same areas as dodos, and once tamed, they can carry more than a dodo, so they are a great second tame after the dodo.
- Moschops: Moschops are passive tames, and they can be tricky to tame, as they ask for random resources, but they are very useful in gathering resources. They have a higher health and carry more than a dodo, but you might want to wait to tame one of these until you are a bit more experienced in the game.
While these creatures offer more benefits, Dodos still hold their place as the most beginner-friendly option for taming. It’s good to know the alternatives so you can start working toward taming those once you have a few dodos.
Things To Remember About Dodos
Before you start your dodo taming adventure, let’s keep a few key things in mind:
Dodos are not Fighters
Dodos are very weak and should not be used for combat. They can be easily killed by even the smallest predators in the game. Keep your dodos away from any dangers and don’t rely on them in a fight. Their purpose early in the game is to be egg producers and fertilizer makers!
Level Does Not Matter Much
The level of dodo you tame matters less than the level of other dinos, as their stats are always poor, so don’t waste too much time looking for a high level one when you are starting. Dodos are there for their eggs, not for strength, so any dodo is good to tame.
Don’t Get Attached
This sounds a little bit sad, but it’s true, since dodos are a very basic tame, they might not live long. They can easily be killed by wild dinosaurs. Remember that they are here to get you started and might not be with you for a long time.
So, is dodo taming a good idea for beginners in ARK: Survival Evolved? Absolutely! Dodos are easy to find, easy to tame, and provide essential resources for early game survival. While they might not be the most powerful creatures, they teach you the basics of taming and help you to get started. They give you a steady supply of eggs, fertilizer for your garden, and a little bit of companionship, which can help you as you start out. So, if you are new to the game, go ahead and grab a dodo. They are the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of ARK!
Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One – 5 Minute Tutorial – Dodo Taming
Final Thoughts
Dodos are a very easy tame, providing a simple introduction to Ark’s mechanics. New players often start by taming one. They provide basic early game resources, such as meat and eggs.
Dodos, while small, make excellent early practice for taming. They’re docile and slow, giving players a low-stakes way to learn the process. They are a common and easy target.
Ultimately, is dodo taming start game ark? Yes, it certainly can be a starting point. A beginner can easily capture one and learn the game’s core mechanics with them.



