How to Tame a Bloodstalker in ARK (Quick, Complete Guide)

To tame a Bloodstalker in ARK: Survival Evolved you must: go to the Genesis (Part 1) Swamp/Bog , find a Bloodstalker hanging from big trees, let it grab you, then feed it enough Blood Packs while staying still until it finishes taming. Taming is passive (no tranquilizers), requires lots of Blood Packs, and you’ll fall with the creature when it finishes—so parachutes or a glider suit are essential.

Where to Find Bloodstalkers

  • Location : Genesis Part 1’s Swamp / Bog biome (the green, buggy area with huge trees and “lampshade” lights).
  • Spawn behavior : They hang upside‑down from large tree branches , often hard to see without a Spyglass.
  • Multiple Bloodstalkers can be in the same area; plan to clear or avoid the ones you don’t want to tame.

What You Need Before Taming

Essential Items

  • Blood Packs :
    • Amount depends on the Bloodstalker’s level; use a taming calculator like Dododex to check exact numbers.
* Bring **~25% more than recommended** to avoid failing mid‑tame.
  • Parachutes or Glider Suit :
    • Required because you’ll drop with the Bloodstalker when it finishes taming.
  • Grappling Hooks :
    • Useful to get close to high‑up Bloodstalkers and to pull yourself up the trees.
  • Spyglass :
    • Makes spotting Bloodstalkers in the trees much easier.

Optional But Helpful

  • Ghillie Suit : Reduces agro range from insects and swarms.
  • Bug Spray / Repellent : Highly recommended to avoid being swarmed while taming.
  • Crossbow : For killing unwanted Bloodstalkers or threats in the area.
  • Low‑level tames (e.g., Moschops) : For boosting taming effectiveness to 100%.
  • Cactus Broth : Can reduce insect agro range further (community tip).

Step‑by‑Step Taming Process

1. Prepare and Clear the Area

  1. Craft or gather your Blood Packs , parachutes , grappling hooks , and Spyglass.
  2. If you want a clean spot:
    • Wear a Ghillie Suit.
    • Use a crossbow to kill nearby Bloodstalkers you don’t want.
  1. Activate Bug Spray before you get close to the target.

2. Locate and Approach the Target

  1. Go into the Swamp/Bog and look for huge trees with big lamp‑shade lights.
  1. Use a Spyglass to scan branches.
  2. Grapple up trees or use parachutes to reach higher branches where Bloodstalkers hang.

3. Let It Grab You

  1. Do not shoot the Bloodstalker with tranqs—they ignore tranquilizers and taming won’t work.
  1. Get close enough that it notices you; it will web you and pull you into its hands.
  1. When grabbed, do not move or fight back unless it’s a Bloodstalker you don’t want to tame (then attack to force it to drop you).

4. Feed Blood Packs

  1. Make sure your Blood Packs are easily accessible (e.g., last slot on your hotbar) so they feed automatically.
  1. Stay still :
    • Do not try to break free.
    • Do not attack.
    • Just let it consume the Blood Packs.
  1. The taming bar will slowly fill; this can take several minutes depending on server speeds and level.

5. Fall Safely After Taming

  1. When the Bloodstalker finishes taming, it and you will drop from the tree.
  1. Immediately deploy your parachute or glider suit to avoid dying on impact.
  1. Once on the ground, you can mount and start using its abilities.

Boosting Taming Effectiveness to 100%

If you want a Bloodstalker with maximum level bonus:

  1. Clear the area of other Bloodstalkers.
  2. Use Bug Spray and a Ghillie Suit to stay safe.
  3. Before taming your target:
    • Bring out several low‑level tames (Moschops work well).
    • Set them passive so they don’t fight.
  1. Let the Bloodstalker eat a few of those tames—this increases taming effectiveness.
  2. Check effectiveness by grappling near it and pressing the appropriate key (e.g., “H” on some setups) to see if it’s at 100%.
  1. Once at 100%, proceed with the normal Blood Pack taming.

This is a long process with modest reward, but it gives you the highest possible level from the tame.

Bloodstalker Abilities Overview

Once tamed, the Bloodstalker is one of the most unique creatures in ARK:

  • Right‑click (swing) : Throw a web that anchors to trees or structures, letting you swing quickly across the map in forested areas.
  • Left‑click (single web) : Attach a web to suspend yourself from a point, useful for hovering or gliding.
  • Glide : Hold the glide key (often Ctrl) to glide slowly through the air, great for controlled descents.
  • Climbing : Can climb vertical walls and walk on water, making it excellent for traversal in bogs and complex terrain.
  • Suck & Pin: Can吸 in small creatures (and players) and pin them down while attacking, useful for crowd control in PvP or certain boss fights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not bringing enough Blood Packs : You’ll fail mid‑tame and the Bloodstalker will drop you, often killing you.
  • Trying to shoot with tranqs : Tranqs don’t work; taming is purely passive via Blood Packs.
  • Moving or fighting while grabbed : This interrupts feeding and can cause the tame to fail or drop you prematurely.
  • No parachute/glider : Falling from height after taming is a common death cause.
  • Ignoring swarms : Entering the Bog without bug repellent or Ghillie can lead to constant insect attacks during taming.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.