Engrams are the crafting recipes you unlock as you level in ARK: Survival Ascended — and because engram points are limited, spending them well is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make. This guide explains how the system works, what to unlock first (with a priority table), how to respec if you misspend, and how tribes share engrams to cover more between them.
Engram priority order
| Priority | Unlock | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Survival | Stone Pick, Hatchet, Spear, Campfire, Waterskin, basic clothing | Keeps you alive on the beach |
| 2. First base | Thatch → Wood pieces, Storage Box, Bed | Shelter + a respawn point |
| 3. Taming kit | Bola, Bow, Tranq Arrows, Mortar & Pestle, Cooking Pot | Unlocks the whole taming game |
| 4. Mid-game | Smithy, Forge, then Fabricator | Guns, metal tools, electronics |
| 5. Saddles | Saddles for the dinos you tame | A tame is useless without its saddle |
How engram points work
Each time you level up you earn engram points, which you spend to permanently learn engrams. Higher-tier engrams cost more points and have level requirements — you can’t learn a Fabricator at level 5. By default you can’t unlock everything on a single character, so you have to prioritise. Many servers raise the engram-point multiplier so players can learn more, but on vanilla rates choices matter.
Don’t waste points
- Skip what you can loot — many items drop fully crafted from supply crates and don’t need the engram.
- Skip cosmetics early — leave decorative and luxury engrams until you have points to spare.
- Mind level requirements — don’t burn points on something you can’t use yet at your level.
Respeccing with a Mindwipe
Made a mistake? A Mindwipe Tonic refunds all your engram points (and stat points) so you can respec from scratch. It can only be used periodically, so don’t rely on it constantly — but it’s there if you over-invested in the wrong tree.
Tribe engram sharing
In a tribe you don’t all need the same engrams. Split coverage — one member takes building, another weapons, another saddles — and because tribe members can use each other’s crafting stations, you collectively unlock far more than any one player could alone. Coordinating engrams is one of the biggest advantages of playing in a tribe. Plan it with our free ARK Engram Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What engrams should I unlock first in ARK?
Survival basics (pick, hatchet, spear, campfire), then a first base (wood pieces + a bed), then the taming kit — bola, tranq arrows, mortar & pestle and a cooking pot. That taming kit unlocks the part of the game that makes everything else easier, so prioritise it over cosmetics.
Can you unlock all engrams in ARK?
Not on a single character at vanilla rates — engram points are limited, so you must prioritise or split coverage across a tribe. Many servers raise the engram-point multiplier so you can learn everything; on official rates you specialise and rely on tribemates or loot for the rest.
How do I reset my engrams?
Drink a Mindwipe Tonic, which refunds all engram and stat points for a fresh respec. It’s on a cooldown so you can’t spam it, but it’s the fix if you’ve over-invested in the wrong tree or want to rebuild for a new role.
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