Taming Procoptodon in ARK Survival Ascended

The Procoptodon stands out as one of the most versatile creatures in ARK: Survival Ascended, offering exceptional jumping capabilities and a unique pouch system that revolutionizes breeding and transport. This giant kangaroo-like herbivore excels in traversing rugged terrain, carrying allies or baby dinos, and aiding in high-level challenges like boss fights. Domesticating one requires patience, preparation, and precise tactics due to its skittish nature and high mobility.

Understanding the Procoptodon’s Role in Your Survival Strategy

Procoptodons provide unparalleled vertical mobility with their powerful leaps, allowing players to scale cliffs, evade predators, and access hidden areas effortlessly. Their pouch can hold two humans or small creatures, making them ideal for team transport or protecting newborns during imprinting. In breeding operations, a female Procoptodon with a mate-boosted male nearby doubles imprinting affinity for babies placed in the pouch, significantly boosting stats. Post-taming updates have enhanced their carry weight, reduced fall damage, and added knockback attacks, making them even more valuable.

Base stats include 400 health, 350 stamina for sustained jumps, and 550 weight capacity with reductions for key resources like metal and stone. They rank highly in mobility but require investment in stamina and health for combat viability.

Prime Spawn Locations Across ARK Maps

Procoptodons inhabit diverse biomes, favoring mountainous bases and swamp edges where they hop between elevations. On The Island, target the northeast beaches, mountain foothills, and swamp flats—clear aggressive dinos to force spawns. Ragnarok, Valguero, Crystal Isles, and Fjordur offer abundant spots, especially around cliffs and rivers.

• The Island: Northeast coastlines and swamp peripheries; hop down from peaks.
• Ragnarok/Valguero: Highland ridges and desert-mountain transitions.
• Genesis/Extinction: Varied zones with vertical terrain for natural hopping paths.
• Other Maps: Scorched Earth dunes, Center valleys, Lost Island peaks.

Spawn rates are low, so patrol high-traffic areas and eliminate competitors like Raptors or Spinos to refresh populations.

Preparation Essentials Before the Hunt

Gather narcotics (around 72 for high-level tames), tranq arrows or darts, and building materials for traps. Prioritize Rare Mushrooms as the top taming food—1 suffices for 96.2% effectiveness on a level 150, yielding 72 bonus levels. Plant Species X Seeds are a slower alternative at 1:34 taming time.

Arm yourself with a crossbow or rifle for torpor delivery; their 350 base torpor rises quickly with levels. A Chain Bola or Large Bear Trap immobilizes them effectively. Fast mounts like a Pteranodon help in pursuit.

Step-by-Step Trapping Techniques

Procoptodons flee aggressively when approached, demanding immobilization first. The chain bola tethers their legs mid-jump, buying time for tranquilizers.

1. Locate Target: Spot a suitable Procoptodon (high level, female for breeding) and clear nearby threats.
2. Immobilize: Fire a Chain Bola from range; avoid standard bolas as they fail. Alternatively, use a Large Bear Trap in narrow paths.
3. Build Trap: Construct a 2×2 enclosure with 4+ Stone or Wooden Billboards/Dino Gates. Lure the bola’d creature inside.
4. Secure and Tranq: Close the gate, spam tranq arrows/darts until unconscious (monitor torpor to avoid overdose).
5. Protect During Tame: Add spikes or guard with turrets; they spawn in predator-heavy zones.

For advanced play, deploy Rare Flowers to aggro them into pre-built traps—risky but efficient. Gigantopithecus or Karkinos can lift and relocate them.

The Taming Process Demystified

Once downed, force-feed Rare Mushrooms while keeping torpor topped with Narcoberries or Ascerbic Mushrooms. Total tame time is 1 hour 11 minutes at peak efficiency. Protect from wandering carnivores; a Thatch foundation under the trap prevents escapes.

Post-tame, saddle up (level 41 craft) and test jumps: hold space for charged leaps covering vast distances with minimal fall damage.

Optimizing Your Procoptodon Post-Tame

Distribute points into Stamina (35 per wild level) for endless hopping, Health (80 per level) for durability, and Weight for hauling. They consume berries post-tame but prefer veggies.

Weight reductions apply to Pelt, Hide, Raw Meat drops, and crafting mats.

Advanced Uses and Combat Tactics

In arenas, Procoptodons solo bosses by jumping to vantage points like Broodmother mushrooms. Their knockback kick repels foes, and pouch transport shields allies. For breeding, pouch imprinting halves maturation time effectively.

• Exploration: Skip terrain obstacles.
• Breeding: Double imprint affinity.
• PvP: Rapid repositioning and carry escapes.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

Avoid over-tranqing (wait for torpor decay). If it escapes, re-bola immediately. Low spawn areas? Server-hop or clear zones repeatedly. Updates may tweak stats—check patch notes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the fastest way to tame a Procoptodon?

Use 1 Rare Mushroom after chain bola trapping for 96% efficiency.

Can Procoptodons be carried by other dinos?

Yes, by Gigantopithecus, Karkinos, Quetzal, or Tusoteuthis.

Are they useful for boss fights?

Absolutely—their jumps access high perches for ranged attacks.

What do tamed Procoptodons eat?

Berries, Mejoberries, or veggies; Rare Mushrooms for speed.

Which maps have the best Procoptodon spawns?

Ragnarok, Valguero, and The Island for density.

Mastering Procoptodon for Endgame Dominance

Integrate Procoptodons into your fleet for unmatched agility. Pair with flyers for hybrid mobility and prioritize females for breeding empires. With practice, they’ll transform your ARK experience from survival to supremacy.