or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/PrimalEarth/Dinos/Megalodon/Megalodon_Character_BP.Megalodon_Character_BP'" 500 0 0 35
Common
Rare
Untameable
Cave
The Megalodon (meg-ah-low-don) is one of the creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved. It is a large, prehistoric shark.
Basic Info
Dossier
This section is intended to be an exact copy of what the survivor Helena Walker, the author of the dossiers, has written. There may be some discrepancies between this text and the in-game creature.
- Wild
Were it not restricted to the waters, Carcharodon ultramegalodon would be one of the most dangerous creatures on the island. As powerful and dangerous as the Tyrannosaurus is on land, Megalodon is near its equal in the water. In addition, it has a speed advantage over any non-aquatic creature when submerged. Megalodons need large quantities of food to sustain themselves, so they attack most creatures immediately on sight. Smaller fish are the sole exception I've seen; I believe this is because they cost more energy for Megalodons to catch than the predator would gain.
- Domesticated
Having access to the resources and treasures hidden deep within the ocean is near impossible without a domesticated sea creature. The Megalodon, though difficult to domesticate, proves to be very useful when exploring the deep sea. It's not the most efficient swimmer but it should be able to protect your cargo should you find yourself in a hostile encounter.
Lore
After visiting Sir Edmund Rockwell, Helena went to The Island's ocean to study marine life with the help of the Painted Shark tribe, she wanted to find a pattern between the mainland and ocean ecosystems to understand the scientific abnormalities on this island. One of the creatures she studied was megalodon, this creature is extremely different from what she knows about sharks back home. Their aggressiveness stood in contrast to most sharks, which are territorial, and their gestation period only lasts for one week. Their intelligence was also confusing. Sharks are neither mammalian nor avian; they're fish that rely on instinct, but what she saw didn't make sense - megalodon can be easily trained by survivors to make them obedient and can be ridden.
Behavior
Megalodons will stay in the deeper waters unless attacking prey, but even then they rarely enter shallow areas. They are aggressive and can swim faster than most creatures, including the player. They also aggro on a player from a very long distance, therefore it is not uncommon that the player suddenly has to deal with multiple Megalodons at once.
Appearance
Resembling nothing less than an oversized great white shark, Megalodon is the most common of the large, dangerous predators in the oceans of ARK. The ones in ARK appear to be based on the minimum estimates for the monster shark's size.
This section displays the Megalodon's natural colors and regions. For demonstration, the regions below are colored red over an albino Megalodon. The colored squares shown underneath each region's description are the colors that the Megalodon will randomly spawn with to provide an overall range of its natural color scheme. Hover your cursor over a color to display its name and ID.
This information can be used to alter the Megalodon's regions by entering cheat SetTargetDinoColor <ColorRegion> <ColorID>
in the cheat console. For instance, cheat SetTargetDinoColor 0 6
would color the Megalodon's "body" magenta.
Drops
- Harvest
- Guaranteed Special Loot
Base Stats and Growth
Attribute | Base Value | Level Increase | Taming Bonus | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild | Tamed | Additive | Multiplicative | ||
Health | 600 | +120 | +5.4% | 0.042 | |
Stamina | 320 | +32 | +10% | ||
Oxygen | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
Food | 2000 | +200 | +10% | 15% | |
Weight | 250 | +5 | +4% | ||
Melee Damage | 40 | +2 | +1.7% | 14% | 17.6% |
Movement Speed | 100% | N/A | +1% | ||
Torpidity | 800 | +48 | N/A | 0.5 |
- For a comparison of the stats of all creatures, see Base Creature Statistics.
- For an explanation of exactly how the levelup calculation works, see Creature Stats Calculation.
Movement [u/s] |
Base Speed | Sprinting Speed | Stamina | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild | Tamed1 | Tamed2 | Wild | Tamed1 | Tamed2 | ||
Walking | 400 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 20 |
Swimming | 400 | ? | ? | 570.4 | 2070 | 2070 | 3 |
- 1These are the base speeds of the creature at 100% Movement Speed.
- 2These are the speeds of the creature tamed and non-imprinted.
- For a comparison of the speeds of all creatures, see Base Creature Speeds.
Wild Stats Level-up
Type in values of a wild creature to see on which stats it's emphasized. Green values on a high-level creature are very good for breeding. If you have already tamed your creature you can try to recover the breeding stats with an external tool.[1]
The stat-calculator does not work in the mobile-view, see here for alternatives: Apps
Note that after the creature is tamed it gets bonuses on some stats depending on the taming effectiveness. This makes it hard to retrieve the levels on a tamed creature, so this tool is only for wild ones, but gives a first impression, how well the stats are distributed.
Taming
Level 1 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:04:48 |
Raw Mutton | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:06:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:13:30 |
Raw Prime Meat | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:09:01 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:15:44 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:10:08 |
Raw Meat | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:24:46 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:20:49 |
Cooked Meat | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:23:38 |
Raw Fish Meat | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:30:23 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:29:49 |
KO: × 80; × 33; × 9; × 6; × 4; × 2 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 0.3 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:44:26 |
Level 30 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:09:36 |
Raw Mutton | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:15:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:29:14 |
Raw Prime Meat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:20:16 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:38:13 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:23:38 |
Raw Meat | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:56:16 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:48:33 |
Cooked Meat | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:56:16 |
Raw Fish Meat | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:10:53 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:10:19 |
KO: × 220; × 90; × 25; × 14; × 10; × 5 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 0.5 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 01:13:18 |
Level 60 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:12:00 |
Raw Mutton | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:24:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:44:58 |
Raw Prime Meat | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:31:31 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:00:41 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:38:16 |
Raw Meat | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:30:01 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:17:27 |
Cooked Meat | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:30:01 |
Raw Fish Meat | 100 | 81 | 17 | 9 | 1:52:31 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 200 | 81 | 17 | 9 | 1:52:31 |
KO: × 364; × 149; × 41; × 24; × 17; × 9 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 0.66 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 01:33:05 |
Level 90 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:16:47 |
Raw Mutton | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:33:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:02:56 |
Raw Prime Meat | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:42:46 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:23:10 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:51:46 |
Raw Meat | 55 | 79 | 17 | 9 | 2:03:46 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:46:21 |
Cooked Meat | 110 | 79 | 17 | 9 | 2:03:46 |
Raw Fish Meat | 138 | 229 | 49 | 25 | 2:35:16 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 275 | 227 | 49 | 25 | 2:34:42 |
KO: × 508; × 208; × 57; × 33; × 23; × 12 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 0.79 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 01:47:27 |
Level 120 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:21:35 |
Raw Mutton | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:42:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:18:40 |
Raw Prime Meat | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:54:01 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:45:39 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:06:23 |
Raw Meat | 70 | 208 | 45 | 23 | 2:37:31 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 117 | 89 | 20 | 10 | 2:15:15 |
Cooked Meat | 140 | 208 | 45 | 23 | 2:37:31 |
Raw Fish Meat | 175 | 419 | 91 | 46 | 3:16:53 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 350 | 419 | 91 | 46 | 3:16:53 |
KO: × 652; × 266; × 73; × 42; × 30; × 15 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 0.92 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 01:58:44 |
Level 150 | Time | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Kibble | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:26:23 |
Raw Mutton | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:51:46 |
Cooked Lamb Chop | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:34:24 |
Raw Prime Meat | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:05:16 |
Cooked Prime Meat | 57 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2:08:07 |
Raw Prime Fish Meat | 71 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1:19:53 |
Raw Meat | 85 | 371 | 82 | 41 | 3:11:16 |
Cooked Prime Fish Meat | 142 | 212 | 47 | 24 | 2:44:09 |
Cooked Meat | 170 | 371 | 82 | 41 | 3:11:16 |
Raw Fish Meat | 213 | 654 | 144 | 72 | 3:59:38 |
Cooked Fish Meat | 425 | 651 | 143 | 72 | 3:59:04 |
KO: × 796; × 325; × 89; × 51; × 36; × 18 | |||||
Torpidity-depletion: 1.04 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 02:08:02 |
Note that the values are for optimal cases, always bring extra supplies!
For a level-dependent count of resources needed, try an external taming calculator.
Taming Strategy
- For taming, the best method is to tranquilize one or a few Megalodons which are enticed into shallow waters by swimming. Since the bow cannot be fired underwater, but can be fired into water for at least a short distance, an effective way to tame Megalodons is to tranquilize them in shallow waters with 10-30 Tranq arrows. One method of doing this is to build an elevated platform from which to fire arrows into the water. Keep in mind, this method will draw numerous Megalodons, which will occasionally swarm and target your tamed Megalodon, so bring plenty of arrows and be prepared to defend your new companion.
- Chumming, which is killing a smaller fish and holding it in your hand while on the beach, or even just setting it on the beach, will attract any Megalodons in the area to it. They will swarm the beach trying to get to the fish. Sometimes they will beach themselves and die. (This will not cause Megalodons to spawn if they are not in the area; so try to do it in places where you see them swimming off in the distance.)
- Find a Megalodon in somewhat shallow waters, and then have another player aggro the Megalodon by stepping in and out of the water in their aggro range. While the other player does this, shoot it with Tranquilizer Arrows. Repeat until it is knocked unconscious. The rocks that are just under the water in the sea are a good taming spot for this. Stand on a shallow spot and the sharks will stick their heads out to attack you, allowing you to easily shoot them with a bow.
- You can also tame one or several ichthyosaurus (which requires only meat) and swim them up into a river too shallow for the megalodon. The megalodons will group at the head of the river, usually partway out of the water.
- A crossbow is useful in taming the Megalodon as it can be fired underwater, unlike the bow.
- As you can fire a crossbow from the back of an ichthyosaurus, a bit of fancy riding can let you run circles around the Megalodon while shooting it. This also allows you to 'herd' it to where you want it to be knocked out, as it will start swimming away from you as its torpor nears max.
- Using the Scorpion is another good tactic to knock out the Megalodon, since the scorpion can swim. Ride it and sting the shark, then back up out of range. Repeat this every ten seconds until the shark falls asleep.
Combat
This section describes how to fight against the Megalodon.
General
It is not recommended to full on engage a Megalodon in the water, but rather attack it from an advantageous position such as a raft, rock, the shore, or perhaps even a platform above or partially in the water.
Strategy
Make sure you see it coming! Escape if you cannot fight, or instigate the battle if ready. If you plan to engage a Megalodon via the shoreline, make sure you have either a Sword, Pike, or an adequate supply of Spears. Megalodons appear to lose interest in the player when the player is swimming in shallow water around the beaches. Thus, a very easy way to deal with even large groups of Megalodons is to lure them into the water around the beaches and repeatedly stab them until they die, as they will not attack the player. Just make sure that you keep an eye on your Stamina!
Weaponry
Ranged weapons such as the bow or Longneck Rifle can't be fired while swimming. Only the crossbow or harpoon gun can be used underwater, otherwise the player is left to a frantic stabbing battle with a pike or sword so make sure you bring a crossbow or harpoon gun if you plan to go underwater. Use a Longneck rifle or bow if you plan to fire at it from land, which is the safer option. Alternatively, if the player wishes to deal with Megalodons via the beaches, melee weapons such as Spears or a Pike are essential.
Dangers
The Megalodon has incredible range in terms of becoming aggressive (aggro range), so they will appear out of nowhere to chew upon the oblivious player when they enter the water. Do not become distracted when underwater, as such choices lead to death at the hands of an otherwise preventable killer.
Weakness
Megalodon can't go out of the water, so you could shoot it from above ground or from your raft.
Collectibles
Resource | Efficiency |
---|---|
Raw Meat | ★★★★☆ |
Angler Gel | ★★★☆☆ |
Chitin | ★★★☆☆ |
Raw Prime Meat | ★★☆☆☆ |
Black Pearl | ★★☆☆☆ |
Utility
Roles
- Trilobite Farmer: The Megalodon is able to easily kill trilobites and farm them for their chitin, oil and silica pearls.
- Water transport: While not nearly as fast as the Ichty, the Megalodon can be used as a good way to travel the seas of the map. A perk of using a Megalodon over an Ichty is that a Megalodon can easily fend off mantas, whereas an Ichty is very fragile. (Level up Speed and Stamina)
- WaterKiller: While not being as strong as a Mosasaurus or a plesiosaur, the Megalodon is a good water creature for gathering fish meat. The Megalodon is also good at killing mantas and icthys, and is even able to kill a Plesiosaur if it has high health and damage, making it safe for transport and great for gathering meat. (Level up health, damage and if needed stamina)
Notes/Trivia
For information pertaining specifically to the real-world Megalodon, see the relevant Wikipedia article.
- Megalodons spawn in all waters of the outer sea. They do not spawn in rivers, but can be brought there while chasing prey (be it a player, tamed or wild creature). One unusual location where Megalodons can be found are waters around the red Obelisk, mostly because of two wide connections with the sea.
- Strangely, the dossier for this creature states; "Were it not restricted to the waters, Carcharodon ultramegalodon might be the most dangerous creature on the island." This is likely an exaggeration, as it has only half the health of a Rex. It also has less health and damage than Spinosaur. The most capable waterborne predator is Mosasaurus.
- Megalodons do not fit through the normal Dinosaur Gateway.
- An Ichthy can easily outrun a Megalodon.
- Megalodon cannot be tracked by Transponder Nodes.
Patch Changes
- Before v183.2, tamed Megalodons could be beached and killed if the player riding them was not careful.
- Before v175.0, wild Megalodons could beach themselves and die.