The colossal world of Ark: Survival Ascended presents challenges in navigating the vast landscape without optimal mounts. Each creature encountered possesses unique methods to traverse land and sea. Some dinosaurs and other creatures require specific food sources to be tamed and turned into mounts. Carnivores and herbivores exhibit different feeding patterns, requiring players to gather their preferred sustenance before they can be tamed. Narcoberries serve as the key to unlocking mount transformations, and Tranq Arrows enable the process of knocking out animals and turning them into mounts.
Also known as the Beelzebufo, the Frog is one of the first mounts you try to tame in ARK: Survival Ascended. This small amphibian may not have a lot of health, but it makes up for this with an incredible jump that goes over a great distance. Holding down the jump button lets you charge the Frog's leap before launching both you and the creature forward quickly.
The Gallimimus, the fastest land mount in ARK: Survival Ascended, possesses incredible speed, capable of traversing the ground at breakneck speeds. Its robust weight allows it to carry a considerable amount of gear throughout the game's early and mid-game stages. However, this mount comes with certain weaknesses that make it more challenging to use compared to others.
The Gallimimus possesses a disappointingly low amount of health, susceptible to a few well-placed attacks from hostile creatures. Its formidable speed becomes a significant factor in evading most foes, but a lucky attack could spell disaster. Exercise caution when utilizing this mount, especially when facing powerful Alpha Creatures in ARK: Survival Ascended.
The Pteranodon is one of the first flying mounts in ARK: Survival Ascended, allowing users to soar through the skies with remarkable ease. While most flying mounts have limited weight limits, the Pteranodon's ability to glide through the air enables cross-world travel with remarkable ease. Based on a YouTube video by creator Sethum, Pteranodons are notoriously difficult to tame, requiring specialized tools and techniques.
This reptile possesses a hidden skill that allows it to barrel roll in the air, granting it the ability to navigate through narrow spaces and evade enemy attacks. This characteristic significantly enhances the Pteranodon's speed by 15% and significantly amplifies the strength of its strikes, making it an formidable aerial warrior in the ARK: Survival Ascended world.
There are many creatures native to the seas of ARK: Survival Ascended, but one of the most distinct is the Basilosaurus. This colossal eel-like creature can be a challenge to tame and may not seem like an obvious choice for someone looking to explore the vastness of the ocean. However, the Basilosaurus possesses a unique ability to resist electricity, making it a sought-after travel mount for adventurous explorers seeking to brave the perils that lurk beneath the waves.
The Procoptodon, a formidable travel mount on land, boasts a remarkable vertical leap that adds an exhilarating element to its otherwise grounded nature. While it may lack the Frog's agility, its impressive jump can compensate for its weaknesses, making it a versatile and reliable mount for various journeys.
The Procoptodon's sturdy frame helps it navigate across land with ease, and while it is slower than other mounts when walking, its leap serves as its primary mode of travel. To maximize its potential, riders should prioritize jumping over cliffs and using the enormous leap as their primary mode of travel.
However, caution is paramount when riding the Procoptodon. A fall from the enormous jump could result in severe consequences, especially when landing on an uneven surface. To avoid this fate, riders should dismount at the last second to minimize the impact of their fall.
Small creatures called Mantas darted through the oceans of ARK: Survival Ascended, showcasing their incredible speed and agility. Their swift movement would allow them to traverse the vast expanse of water in an instant, making them the fastest seafaring mounts one could tame.
While their weight and health may be adequate, the sheer speed at which these creatures maneuver would enable them to swiftly reach points A and B. As passive animals, capturing them would be a seamless endeavor as they darted through different bodies of water.
The presence of chests found at sea would offer valuable resources that could facilitate a swift journey back to the mainland. With their exceptional stamina, the Mantas possessed an unmatched ability to traverse vast distances without slowing down.
The Iguanodon is widely considered to be the best land mount in ARK: Survival Ascended due to its unique relationship with the Stamina stat. According to YouTube creator DrDigital, Iguanodons possess the ability to walk on all fours to run faster and do not consume Stamina while moving. This allows for continuous travel and sprinting through environments without needing to rest for their mount to recover.
One of the coolest flying dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Ascended is a massive bird called the Argentavis, boasting the highest Weight of any flying mount. Its formidable size provides several advantages, including immense health and Stamina, allowing it to withstand dangerous ground and air threats.
With powerful talons, the Argentavis serves as an unparalleled guardian, protecting you and your belongings from ground and air dangers. The creature's natural weight manipulation capabilities enable it to transform certain materials into lighter forms when placed on its body, offering a strategic advantage for carrying and maneuvering heavy items.
The Plesiosaur is one of the most versatile mounts in the game, allowing players to build structures on its back, providing decent speed and a large health pool that grants this ancient creature many strong traits. It is one of the biggest mounts in the game, capable of supporting nearly any base design, with the option to create a mobile fortress floating on the high seas.
As seen in a video by YouTube creator Spartacus, the Plesiosaur is highly challenging to tame but is one of the best ocean mounts to befriend due to its fighting capabilities and ability to carry an immense amount of cargo.
The Rhyniognatha is an extraordinary mount in ARK: Survival Ascended. It possesses the remarkable ability to traverse the skies, oceans, and land with equal ease. This majestic creature boasts impressive stats across the board, showcasing prowess in various combat aspects. With its remarkable flight capabilities, the Rhyniognatha allows you to effortlessly defend yourself from any threats while soaring through the sky or navigating through aquatic landscapes.