Ark Megatherium – Essential Guide to Taming & Survival

Okay, y’all, if you’ve been surviving on Ark: Survival Evolved for any decent amount of time, you have to know about the Ark Megatherium. This giant sloth isn’t just some lazy animal hanging around like it’s on vacation—it’s a freakin’ powerhouse that’s going to save your life (or at least make you look a little cooler). My first Ark Megatherium encounter? Disaster. I thought, “Hey, it’s just a big ol’ sloth, how bad can it be?” Well, fast forward a few minutes, and I’m running for my life, clutching my inventory and screaming as it slowly lumbered after me. But once I got the hang of taming it, things changed fast.

In short: You need one of these guys. Trust me.

What Is the Ark Megatherium?

Let’s break it down. The Ark Megatherium looks like an oversized sloth, and yeah, it’s big, but don’t let that fool you. This thing packs a punch. Not in the traditional “punch” sense, of course. It’s got claws the size of my whole leg (no exaggeration). Those claws? They are designed to tear through anything and everything in its path. Especially insects. If you’re dealing with a swarm of bugs, your Ark Megatherium is like calling in the big guns. I’ve seen this thing destroy an entire Meganeura swarm in one swipe.

I’ll admit it took me a while to figure out what the Ark Megatherium was really capable of, but once I realized how useful it is, I felt a little silly for not taming it sooner.

Where to Find the Ark Megatherium

Finding an Ark Megatherium can be a bit of a wild goose chase. But once you know where to look, you’ll never forget it. These creatures seem to love temperate forests or mountainous regions. If you’re playing on maps like The Island or Ragnarok, they hang out mostly in the snow-covered mountains or the lush southern forests. It’s like they’re just chilling in those areas, minding their own business (until you show up and ruin everything by trying to tame them).

First time I went looking for the Ark Megatherium, I swear I spent hours walking around in circles on The Island, just hoping to see one. I had no idea where they were. Turns out, they love the southern snow-covered mountains. I stumbled onto my first one by accident, and I’ll never forget the moment: “Oh, there it is!” Then, of course, I promptly got wrecked by a T-Rex. Classic.

Preparing for the Taming of the Ark Megatherium

Now, let’s talk about taming this massive creature. It’s not like you just stroll up, throw some berries at it, and call it a day. Nah. Taming an Ark Megatherium is more like preparing for battle, except you’re trying to knock it out without getting killed. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

First thing’s first: make sure you’re stocked up. The last thing you want is to run out of tranquilizer darts right when your Ark Megatherium is about to fall asleep.

What you’ll need:

• Tranquilizer Darts or Arrows: The Ark Megatherium isn’t a lightweight, so you’ll need some firepower to knock it out. Don’t skimp. Go for Darts if you’ve got the resources. Otherwise, arrows work, but be prepared for more shots.
• Mutton or Prime Meat: This creature is a picky eater. It loves Mutton more than anything. If you can’t get mutton, go for Prime Meat. But seriously, mutton is top-tier for this.
• Protection: Trust me, you don’t want to go in alone. There’s always some wild Raptor or Allosaurus lurking around. So bring backup, or build a damn good trap.

On my first attempt, I showed up with barely any tranquilizer darts and no backup. Yeah. Big mistake. I barely survived that encounter and left with a bruised ego. Don’t do what I did.

Taming the Ark Megatherium: Step-by-Step

Okay, so you’ve found your Ark Megatherium, you’ve got your gear, and now it’s time to knock it out. There’s no room for hesitation here. You mess up, and it’s game over. That’s what I learned after my first failed attempt when I was this close to taming it. Anyway, here’s the kicker: patience is key.

Step 1: Knock It Out

First, you’ve gotta hit the Ark Megatherium with tranquilizer darts or arrows. This part’s pretty straightforward, but don’t think it’ll go down quickly. It’s tough, and you’ve got to land your shots. Be careful, though—don’t get too close unless you want to test your running skills. One swipe from those claws and you’ll be regretting everything.

Make sure you’re prepared for a long process. You’ll be firing multiple darts or arrows to get this thing knocked out. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, try to find a safe spot where it can’t get to you. Pro tip: build a trap. It’ll save you from getting smashed.

Step 2: Feed It

Once it’s knocked out, toss in some mutton or prime meat into its inventory, and wait. Like, a while. The Ark Megatherium doesn’t tame quickly, and you’ll need to keep an eye on its unconscious timer. Don’t let it wake up or you’ll have to start over. Oh, and keep an eye out for predators while you’re doing this. I’ve had more than one taming session ruined by a random Raptor.

When I was taming mine, I left the area to grab more mutton, came back, and—yep—wild Raptors had taken out my Megatherium. Lesson learned.

Step 3: Protect It

This is where I almost always fail. Protect the Ark Megatherium. While it’s taming, you need to be on guard. Those Raptors or Allosaurus? They’re always nearby, waiting for a chance to ruin your day. I once lost a Megatherium to a T-Rex that wandered too close. Never again.

If you can, bring a few tamed creatures to guard the area. I’ve started carrying a Trike around just for backup—those horns aren’t just for show.

Strengths and Abilities of the Ark Megatherium

Once you’ve tamed one of these bad boys, you’ll quickly realize how useful they are. This isn’t some random, slow-moving beast. The Ark Megatherium has some serious advantages that make it worth the effort to tame.

Combat: A Beast in Battle

When it comes to combat, the Ark Megatherium does not mess around. Its claws are perfect for dealing with Raptors, Allosaurs, or anything else that crosses its path. What really makes it stand out? It’s wicked good against insects. Seriously, you could throw a Meganeura swarm at it, and it’ll chop them down like it’s swatting flies.

Last time I used my Ark Megatherium in a fight, I had a blast. I sent it into battle against a whole pack of Raptors—and, well, let’s just say those Raptors didn’t stand a chance.

Resource Gathering: A Pro at It

This is one of my favorite parts about the Ark Megatherium. It’s excellent at gathering resources. Specifically, wood, thatch, and berries. You won’t need to chop down trees by hand anymore. I swear, the first time I sent my Megatherium to work on a bunch of trees, it gathered more wood than I could in a whole hour.

Weight and Stamina: Haul It All

The Ark Megatherium has a ridiculously high weight capacity, so if you’re planning on collecting a lot of resources, this is your go-to. No more running back and forth to base to drop stuff off. Load up your Megatherium with wood, stone, or whatever you need, and it can carry it all back for you.

Survival Tips for the Ark Megatherium

Okay, you’ve tamed your Ark Megatherium, but now you’ve got to keep it alive, right? Here are some survival tips to make sure you’re maximizing its potential:

1. Watch Out for Predators

Despite how tough the Ark Megatherium is, it can still be taken down by bigger predators. Always be aware of your surroundings. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way—T-Rex ambushes are real.

2. Keep It Fed

Don’t forget to keep your Ark Megatherium fed. That means carrying plenty of Mutton or Prime Meat when you’re out exploring. No food, no fun.

3. Level It Up

Focus on health, stamina, and melee damage. It’s all about making your Ark Megatherium stronger, faster, and better at gathering. I’ve had a few close calls with mine, but after a few levels, it became an absolute tank.

Wrapping It Up

So, there it is. Your Ark Megatherium taming guide, straight from someone who’s learned the hard way. It’s not the easiest creature to tame, but once you get it, your Ark: Survival Evolved experience will be way better. Trust me—this thing will become a lifeline. Whether it’s fighting, gathering resources, or just hauling stuff around, the Ark Megatherium is wicked useful.

Now get out there, tame one, and tell me how it goes!