If you’re diving into the oceans of ARK: Survival Ascended – Tides of Fortune, mastering ships is essential for exploration, trading, combat, and endgame progression. Whether you’re a beginner building your first raft or an experienced captain commanding a galleon, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
How to Build Your First Ship
To start building ships, unlock the Seafaring skill tree by spending Engram Points. Once unlocked, craft a Shipyard near deep water. You’ll need plenty of Wood, Thatch, Fiber, and Metal Ingots to construct hulls and components.
Recommended Starting Ships:
- Raft – Easiest and cheapest to build
- Sloop – Fast, agile, and great for small crews
- Brigantine – Balanced for trading and light combat
- Galleon – Endgame powerhouse with heavy firepower
Sailing Mechanics & Tips
Sailing in Tides of Fortune is wind-dependent. Sailing with the wind gives maximum speed, while sailing against the wind slows you down significantly. Use the wind indicator at the top of your screen to adjust your sails.
Basic Controls (PC):
- W/A/S/D – Steer the ship
- Left Click – Fire cannons (if equipped)
- Right Click – Raise/Lower sails
- X – Drop/raise anchor
Pro Tip: Always keep repair materials (Wood, Metal, Thatch) on board. Storms and sea monsters can deal heavy damage to your hull.
Ship Skill Progression Tree
| Tier | Skill Name | Benefit | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Navigation | Increases sailing speed & turning | High |
| 2 | Reinforced Hull | Boosts ship durability and health | High |
| 3 | Master Gunner | Improves cannon accuracy and damage | Medium |
| 4 | Wind Whisperer | Better control when sailing against wind | High |
| 5 | Admiral’s Command | Allows commanding multiple ships at once | Endgame |
Focus on Basic Navigation and Reinforced Hull early. These two skills make sailing much smoother and safer. Later, invest in Wind Whisperer to reduce the penalty of sailing against the wind.
Best Strategy:
- Build near deep water to avoid getting stuck on land.
- Upgrade your ship’s storage and add cannons as soon as possible.
- Join a tribe — larger ships are much easier to manage with a crew.
Mastering ships will give you a massive advantage in both PvE and PvP. The ocean is full of valuable loot, dangerous creatures, and hidden islands — all waiting to be explored.
For more ARK guides, check our ARK Tides of Fortune Best Ships Ranked and Complete Tides of Fortune Guide on Technosports.
Learn more about the game on ARK: Survival Evolved (Wikipedia).
FAQs
How do you unlock shipbuilding in ARK Tides of Fortune?
Spend Engram Points in the new Seafaring skill tree after reaching level 15.
What is the best ship for beginners?
The Raft or Sloop is best for new players due to low cost and ease of control.
