Glossary of ARK Terms

Understand ARK terms. This glossary defines gameplay, creature, item, structure, and lore vocabulary for new and experienced survivors.

The world of ARK: Survival Evolved is rich with unique terminology, from creature names and item descriptions to gameplay mechanics and lore elements. For new survivors, this can be overwhelming. This glossary aims to demystify the language of ARK, providing clear definitions for commonly used terms, ensuring you can navigate discussions and understand guides with ease.

General Gameplay Terms

• ARK: The fictional planet or series of islands where the game takes place.
• Survivor: You character.
• Tribe: A player-formed group that allows for shared bases, resources, and progression.
• PvE (Player vs. Environment): Servers where player-vs-player combat is disabled or heavily restricted, focusing on cooperative survival against the game's challenges.
• PvP (Player vs. Player): Servers where You can attack and raid each other.
• Engram: A learned blueprint that allows you to craft specific items, structures, or saddles.
• Taming: The process of rendering a wild creature unconscious and feeding it to make it a loyal companion.
• Torpor: A stat that, when filled, renders a creature unconscious.
• Stamina: Used for sprinting, jumping, and attacking. Depletes with exertion and regenerates over time.
• HUD (Heads-Up Display): The on-screen interface showing health, stamina, hunger, thirst, etc.
• Griefing: Intentionally harassing or destroying other players' progress or creations, often on PvE servers.
• Kiting: Luring an enemy away while attacking from a distance.
• Aggro: When a creature or player becomes hostile and targets you.

Creature-Related Terms

• Dino: Short for Dinosaur, referring to any tamed or wild creature in ARK.
• Mount: A tamed creature that a player can ride.
• Passive Tame: A creature that can be tamed by feeding it without rendering it unconscious.
• Knock-Out (KO) Tame: A creature that must be rendered unconscious before it can be tamed.
• Mutation: A random genetic change that adds extra stat points or changes color patterns in bred creatures.
• Imprinting: A process of interacting with baby creatures to gain significant stat bonuses.
• Wild Dino: A creature that has not been tamed.
• Tamed Dino: A creature that has been successfully tamed.

Item and Resource Terms

• Chitin/Keratin: Materials harvested from insects and certain dinosaurs, used for crafting armor.
• Polymer: A crafting material essential for advanced items, can be organic or crafted.
• Metal Ingot: Refined metal ore, used in high-tier crafting.
• Narcotics/Narcoberries: Used to maintain a creature's torpor level.
• Stimberries/Stimulants: Used to quickly restore health and stamina.
• Prime Meat: A high-quality food source, often obtained from larger creatures.
• Element: A powerful, rare resource used for Tek tier items and boss fights.
• Artifact: Items found in caves, required for summoning bosses.

Structure and Building Terms

• Foundation: The base of most structures, providing stability.
• Pillar: Used to support ceilings or extend foundations.
• Ceiling: Used to create roofs or upper floors.
• Wall: Forms the perimeter of a base.
• Gate: Used for entrances and exits, often with a corresponding gate frame.
• Turret: Automated defensive structures.
• Fabricator: A crafting station for advanced items.
• Tek Tier: The highest tier of technology in ARK, offering advanced structures and items.

Lore and Story Terms

• Explorer Notes: Collectible items scattered across the Arks that reveal lore and provide experience boosts.
• The Arks: The various maps in ARK (The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, etc.).
• Ascension: The process of defeating bosses to progress the story and unlock higher levels.
• Homo Deus: A concept related to the evolution of humanity in the ARK narrative.

This glossary provides a foundation for understanding ARK's unique language. As you play, you'll encounter even more terms, but this list should cover the most essential ones.