Taming a Compsognathus, commonly known as a Compy, is a unique experience in ARK: Survival Evolved due to its distinct diet and pack mechanics. While small and relatively harmless alone, these creatures can quickly become overwhelming in groups. Master the taming process to add these deceptive little dinosaurs to your base defense or personal collection.
Preparing the Necessary Supplies for the Tame
Before searching for a Compy, you must gather Prime Meat, as they refuse to eat standard raw meat during the taming process. You should also craft a wooden club or bring tranquilizer darts to safely knock out the creature without causing lethal damage. Carrying Narcotics is essential because a Compy has a low torpor capacity that drains rapidly.
It is best to hunt larger creatures nearby right before attempting the tame so your Prime Meat remains fresh. Using a preserving bin or salt can help extend the spoil timers while you locate your target. Preparation ensures you do not lose torpor progress midway through the encounter.
Locating and Isolating a Compy
Compies are usually found in beaches, jungles, and safe coastal zones across various maps. They often travel in groups, gaining a pack buff that increases their aggression and attack power. You should identify an isolated individual or carefully clear out its companions to make the process safer.
Once you locate a target, separate it from wild aggressive predators that might attack it while unconscious. Setting up a simple wooden barricade around the target area can protect the creature during the taming duration. This step prevents unexpected interruptions from roaming wildlife.
Knocking Out the Target Safely
Due to the extremely low health pool of a Compy, using high-damage weapons like crossbows or rifles can easily kill it. A standard wooden club or a weak slingshot is often the safest method for applying torpor without inflicting massive physical harm. Aim carefully and space out your hits to avoid accidental death.
Keep a close eye on the unconscious meter immediately after the creature drops to the ground. Because their torpor depletes faster than many other species, you must react quickly with Narcotics or Narcoberries. Feeding the creature tranquilizers manually keeps it asleep long enough to complete the process.
Feeding and Completing the Taming Process
Place Prime Meat, Raw Prime Fish Meat, or Mutton directly into the Compy's inventory as soon as it is unconscious. The taming meter will progress significantly faster when using high-quality meat types compared to lesser alternatives. Monitor both the torpor bar and food consumption continuously until the taming bar fills completely.
Once the taming process finishes, name your new companion and set its behavior preferences. Tamed Compies are great shoulder pets that provide emotional flair and alarms around your main base. Building a pack of them can also create an unexpected layer of defense against unsuspecting intruders.
