Best ARK Survival Ascended Starting Base Locations

Embarking on your ARK Survival Ascended journey, one of your foremost and critical missions is to establish your stronghold or base of operations. As you begin this challenging endeavor, an array of factors demand your attention, but none is as vital as the specific location you choose to lay down your roots.

The significance of your base location cannot be overstated, especially for those new to the game. Your decision could quite literally determine whether you survive or succumb to the elements and creatures surrounding you. With this in mind, our guide is here to offer you a comprehensive exploration of the prime base-building locations tailored to beginners in ARK Survival Ascended.

Best Beginner Locations To Build Your Base in ARK Survival Ascended

Selecting the right spot for constructing your base in ARK: Survival Evolved is of utmost importance for your overall survival and success. As a novice player, you'll be best served by opting for a secure location teeming with essential resources like wood, thatch, stone, metal, and access to water.

Additionally, you should take into account the presence of potentially hostile creatures and the general aesthetics of the area, aligning with the type of base you intend to build. For instance, you might desire a concealed base nestled within a forest or positioned strategically amidst valleys and ravines.

With these considerations in mind, let's now explore some of our top recommendations for the most suitable beginner base building locations in ARK Survival Ascended: 

1. Starting Base Location - South Zone 2

You'll find one of the best starting base locations in the southeastern part of the Island map. It's situated on a little Peninsula known for its safety and abundant resources. South Zone 2 is a common spawning point for new players, making this area an ideal place to establish your initial base.

This base location offers numerous advantages. The immediate area is relatively free of dangerous creatures and is rich in essential resources, especially along the eastern shoreline. Beyond its safety and resource availability, this spot hosts an Explorer note, which grants a significant experience boost when activated.

Additionally, there's a nearby cave with a pre-built structure ready for you to occupy. The cave serves as an excellent foundation for your base. It's just a matter of adding a few foundations to the existing structure, and you'll have a secure and cozy home.

Furthermore, the surrounding mountains are dotted with metal nodes, providing a consistent supply of metal, which is invaluable for advanced crafting and technology. 

The combination of a water source, flat terrain, and nearby mountains makes this location an attractive choice for players seeking a safe and resource-rich starting point. Additionally, it's well-suited for taming herbivores, which can be valuable companions and resource providers.

2. Herbivore Island - South Zone 3

In the southern reaches of the Island, as shown below, Herbivore Island is a sanctuary for survivors. This location is an absolute paradise for players looking for a secure base. Herbivore Island is a unique location because it is entirely devoid of carnivorous creatures, making it one of the safest starting points on the map.

The Island's flat terrain is laden with abundant metal nodes, perfect for early-game metal harvesting. Additionally, there's a substantial presence of ankylosauruses on the Island, making metal collection efficient even from the very start.

Moreover, players can find silica pearls in the shallow waters surrounding the Island, making it an ideal place for advanced crafting and electronics production. Furthermore, Herbivore Island is replete with crystal deposits and is home to the humble beaver. Beaver dams can be spotted near the entrance of the nearby river, which is a valuable source of cementing paste and wood.

Players can also encounter hesperornis, which can be clubbed to obtain organic polymer. The Island's isolation ensures that players can progress without the constant threat of carnivorous creatures, making it a peaceful haven for survivors.

3. Flat Plateau Base - South Zone 1

A large, flat plateau in South Zone 1 offers a unique and appealing starting base location. It stands out due to its mostly flat terrain, surrounded by towering cliffs, providing natural protection against threats. The spaciousness and flatness of this plateau make it an excellent choice for those looking to establish a large and open base.

Building on the plateau is straightforward. With a single wall to seal off one side, the entire plateau becomes an expansive area for base construction. You'll find yourself with plenty of room for structures, taming pens, and other essential facilities. The immediate area around the plateau is relatively free of hostile creatures, particularly in the early game. This ensures a peaceful environment for new players to build and grow.

However, there are limitations to this location, as resources like silica pearls and crystal might not be as readily available. Nevertheless, it's an ideal spot for those who prefer a more secluded and elevated start. While isolation can be an advantage, keep in mind that expanding and gathering resources may require additional effort due to the plateau's remoteness from key resource points.

4. Long Peninsula Beach Base

If you're looking for a peaceful, easy-to-defend base location, the long peninsula beach at South Zone 1 offers an excellent choice. The pink sand beach stretches across a flat terrain that's mostly devoid of hostile creatures, apart from occasional enemy dino encounters. However, these minor annoyances are manageable, especially when you consider the location's numerous benefits.

The extended peninsula grants you ample space to build your base, and its accessibility from the water makes it an appealing option for survivors who want to construct beachfront properties.

If you're interested in a more secure dwelling, there's a spot further north, near a rocky outcrop, which allows you to build a house elevated off the ground, out of reach of raptors and other ground-dwelling threats.

Additionally, this location's proximity to underwater caves makes it a fantastic starting point for those looking to explore the depths and secure valuable loot. Nearby, you can also find resources such as silica pearls and crystal, along with a multitude of silica pearls in shallow waters.

5. South Zone 1 - Default Starting Zone

South Zone 1, commonly the default starting zone for new survivors, offers various advantages and challenges. It provides beginners with initial access to fundamental resources like wood and thatch, which are essential for starting base construction.

While the region offers a relatively safe environment for new players, it's not without its threats. As you progress, you may encounter more dangerous creatures, such as raptors. This makes it crucial to exercise caution and have a plan in place to relocate to a safer location as you advance in your survival journey.

While South Zone 1 offers early-game resource accessibility, it's vital to understand that it may not provide a completely secure long-term base. Consider it a starting point to gather essential materials and level up before transitioning to a more fortified location, ensuring your long-term success in ARK Survival Ascended.

And that concludes our breakdown of the five best starting base locations for beginners in ARK Survival Ascended. We want to express our appreciation to the YouTube Channel Ark: Survival Guide, whose video on this topic was instrumental in informing our breakdown.

We recommend subscribing to their channel for more fantastic content, and you can watch the full video above for additional insights. As always, stay safe in your ARK adventures!