Introduction
The Megatherium, a colossal ground sloth, is a powerful and versatile creature coveted by many survivors. This gentle giant, while slow on land, is an unparalleled cave explorer and a formidable combatant, especially against insect swarms. Taming a Megatherium, however, is no small feat. It requires patience, preparation, and a good understanding of its dietary preferences. This guide will walk you through the best food choices and effective strategies to successfully tame a Megatherium and add this magnificent beast to your arsenal. Consider this your comprehensive resource for mastering the art of Megatherium taming. Also, be aware that game mechanics are always subject to change, so always check the latest patches for any updates.
Understanding the Megatherium’s Diet and Taming Efficiency
In reality, the Megatherium was a primarily herbivorous creature, consuming a variety of plants and vegetation. The game represents this herbivorous nature, but thankfully provides options beyond basic greenery to accelerate the taming process. While the Megatherium will accept various berries and plant-based sustenance, some food items are far more effective than others, drastically reducing taming time and maximizing taming effectiveness. The right Megatherium tame food can make all the difference between a successful and efficient tame, and a frustrating and prolonged ordeal.
Prime Taming Food: The Pinnacle of Efficiency
When it comes to taming a Megatherium, one food reigns supreme in terms of efficiency: Superior Kibble. This manufactured food source provides the highest taming affinity, significantly reducing the time required to tame the creature and maximizing the bonus levels it will gain upon successful completion of the taming process.
Superior Kibble
Superior Kibble is crafted using specific ingredients in a Cooking Pot or Industrial Cooker. Typically, it requires a Special Egg, a Large Lemon, Cooked Prime Meat, Fiber and Rare Mushroom. Securing the egg can be a challenge in itself, so research your egg source well before you are ready to begin taming. While the recipe might seem complex, the investment is well worth it, especially for higher-level Megatherium. Using Superior Kibble minimizes the number of feeds required, reducing the risk of taming effectiveness loss and potential interruptions from predators or environmental hazards. If acquiring the necessary eggs is too difficult, consider the second choice:
Honey
Next up as the second best food is honey. It can be collected from wild beehives or from your own tamed giant bee hives. Honey not only tames your Megatherium more efficiently than berries, it is also necessary to get a bug-killing buff. This buff will make your Megatherium an insect killing machine.
Alternative Taming Foods: Acceptable but Less Desirable
While Superior Kibble is the ideal choice, it might not always be readily available. In such cases, you can resort to alternative food sources, but be prepared for a longer taming process and a potentially lower taming effectiveness.
Mejoberries
Among the berry options, Mejoberries stand out as the most effective. They provide a slightly higher taming affinity than other berries, but still pale in comparison to Superior Kibble. Using Mejoberries will significantly increase the taming time and the number of feeds required.
Other Berries
Other berries like Amarberries, Azuberries, Tintoberries, and Narcoberries can technically be used to tame a Megatherium, but their taming affinity is very low. These berries are generally not recommended for taming, as they will result in an extremely long and inefficient process. Avoid these whenever possible.
Food Spoilage: A Constant Threat to Your Taming Efforts
A critical aspect of taming any creature is managing food spoilage. Berries and other perishable items will decay over time, rendering them useless for taming. This is even more crucial when taming a Megatherium, as the extended taming time necessitates a reliable method for preserving food.
Refrigerators are the most effective solution for preserving food, significantly extending its lifespan. Refrigerators require electricity to operate, so you’ll need a generator and a source of fuel (e.g., gasoline). Preserving Bins are another option, offering a longer storage life for food than just your inventory. Add Preserving Salt to further increase the preservation time. While refrigerators are ideal, Preserving Bins are a good alternative, especially for remote taming locations. Also, consider storing food on a creature with weight reduction, like a Doedicurus, for easy transport.
Strategies and Methods: Preparing for a Successful Tame
Taming a Megatherium requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a breakdown of the essential steps to ensure a successful taming experience.
Location Selection
Megatherium are often found in caves, sometimes in the Redwood forests, and near mountains. Caves present unique challenges due to the confined spaces and the presence of other aggressive creatures. Taming in the open world is generally safer but exposes you to other threats, such as player interference.
Resource Gathering
Before attempting to tame a Megatherium, gather an ample supply of resources. This includes the chosen Megatherium tame food, narcotics/narcoberries, materials for a taming pen (if desired), and weapons/armor for self-defense. Always overestimate your resource needs, as the taming process can be unpredictable.
Calculate the minimum amount of food needed. Always prepare more food than you think you need. Nothing is worse than running out of Megatherium tame food during the taming process. Use a taming calculator to determine the amount of food and narcotics you will need for the desired level of Megatherium.
Creating a Taming Pen (Optional)
Constructing a simple taming pen can significantly improve your chances of success. A basic enclosure made of wood or stone will prevent the Megatherium from escaping and provide a safe space for you to administer narcotics and feed it. The size of the pen should be adequate to accommodate the Megatherium without being too cumbersome.
Dealing with Dangers
Caves are notorious for their dangerous inhabitants, including bats, spiders, scorpions, and other aggressive creatures. Before engaging a Megatherium in a cave, clear the surrounding area of any potential threats. Outside of caves, be wary of other predators and hostile players.
The Taming Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
With your preparations complete, you can now proceed with the actual taming process.
Knocking Out the Megatherium
The first step is to render the Megatherium unconscious. This can be achieved using tranquilizer darts, tranquilizer arrows, or other non-lethal methods. Aim for the head to maximize the torpor inflicted, but be cautious not to inflict excessive damage. A well-placed headshot will deliver a substantial amount of torpor, but too many can kill the beast. Body shots are safer in terms of minimizing damage, but they inflict less torpor, requiring more shots.
Maintaining Torpor
Once the Megatherium is unconscious, its torpor will slowly decrease over time. To prevent it from waking up, you must continuously administer narcotics or narcoberries. Monitor the torpor bar closely and administer narcotics whenever it drops below a certain threshold (e.g., fifty percent). Running out of narcotics or allowing the torpor to reach zero will reset the taming progress, wasting all your previous efforts.
Feeding the Megatherium
With the Megatherium unconscious and its torpor maintained, you can begin feeding it. Place the chosen Megatherium tame food in the last slot of your hotbar, approach the unconscious creature, and press the corresponding key to feed it when prompted. The taming progress bar will gradually fill as the Megatherium consumes the food. Taming Effectiveness: As you feed the Megatherium, you’ll notice a “Taming Effectiveness” percentage displayed. This percentage represents the quality of the tame and directly affects the creature’s bonus levels after taming. Using higher-quality food, like Superior Kibble, and minimizing interruptions will help maintain a high taming effectiveness.
Protecting the Tame
While the Megatherium is unconscious, it is vulnerable to attacks from other creatures. Remain vigilant and defend it from any potential threats. Consider having a friend help you protect the tame, as the taming process can be time-consuming and require constant attention.
Post-Taming: Leveling and Utilizing Your Megatherium
Once the taming process is complete, you’ll have a fully tamed Megatherium at your disposal. Now, it’s time to level it up and utilize its unique abilities.
Leveling Up
When leveling up your Megatherium, prioritize stats that align with its intended role. If you plan to use it primarily for cave exploration, focus on health, melee damage, and weight. If you intend to use it for combat, prioritize melee damage and health. Always plan what you will use the Megatherium for when leveling it.
Cave Exploration
The Megatherium excels at cave exploration. Its size and strength allow it to navigate tight spaces and overcome obstacles. Furthermore, it receives a special damage buff when fighting insects, making it an ideal choice for clearing out caves infested with spiders, scorpions, and other creepy crawlies.
Resource Collection
While not its primary strength, the Megatherium can be used to collect certain resources, such as thatch and wood. Its high weight capacity allows it to carry large amounts of materials.
Saddle
To ride your Megatherium, you’ll need a Megatherium Saddle. This saddle is unlocked at a specific level and can be crafted using resources like hide, fiber, and metal ingots.
Breeding
Megatherium can be bred, allowing you to create offspring with improved stats and abilities. Breeding requires patience and careful planning, but it can be a rewarding endeavor.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Megatherium Taming
Taming a Megatherium is a challenging but ultimately rewarding endeavor. By understanding its dietary preferences, employing effective taming strategies, and carefully managing resources, you can successfully tame this magnificent beast and add it to your tribe. Remember to prioritize Superior Kibble for maximum efficiency, manage food spoilage, and protect your tame from potential threats. With this guide, you’re well-equipped to embark on your Megatherium taming adventure and reap the benefits of this powerful and versatile creature. Good luck, survivor! Consider taming and using giant bees to acquire the honey needed for your next Megatherium tame!
