ARK: Survival Evolved, released in 2017, is an action-adventure survival game that captivates players with its immersive open world filled with dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures, and epic landscapes. Players not only battle these creatures but also build bases, craft items, and explore the vast terrain in solo or multiplayer modes. Among the many customization options in the game are icons and banners, which allow players to personalize their tribes and outposts, adding a visual flair to their survival journey.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of game icons and banners in ARK: Survival Evolved, their importance, and how players can use them effectively to enhance their gaming experience.
Table of Contents
What Are Icons and Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved?
In ARK: Survival Evolved, icons and banners serve as visual representations that can be used for various purposes, such as tribe identification, base customization, and communication between players. These graphical elements are used both in solo and multiplayer modes, especially in a tribe or server environment where players want to distinguish their group or territory from others.
Icons:
- Icons in ARK are small graphical symbols used to represent items, tools, creatures, or tribe logos. They help players identify various elements of the game more quickly and add an extra layer of customization.
- Tribe Icons: In multiplayer mode, tribes can create unique icons to represent their group, which is often displayed on structures, flags, or armor.
- In-Game Items: Every item in the game has an associated icon, helping players quickly identify resources, weapons, and tools in their inventory.
Banners:
- Banners in ARK are customizable flags that players can place on structures, walls, or around their bases. These are decorative items, but they also serve practical purposes, like marking territory or showcasing the tribe’s emblem.
- Flag and Banner Customization: Using paintbrushes and dye, players can design their own banners, adding color and patterns to represent their tribe or personal style.
Why Are Icons and Banners Important in ARK?
1. Tribal Identity and Pride:
In multiplayer modes, tribes are player-created groups that band together to survive, build, and defend against hostile players and creatures. Having a unique tribe icon or banner is essential for establishing an identity in the game. When other players see your tribe’s flag or logo, it signals a level of organization, making it easier to differentiate friend from foe.
2. Territorial Marking:
Players often build large bases or settlements in ARK, especially when playing with others. Banners and flags can be placed around your territory to mark your tribe’s land. This not only helps in protecting your base from invaders but also adds to the visual appeal of your settlement.
3. Customization and Personalization:
One of the appealing aspects of ARK: Survival Evolved is the level of personalization available to players. From crafting unique weapons to building expansive bases, the game offers many ways for players to make the world their own. Icons and banners are part of this experience, giving players creative freedom to design their tribe’s visual identity and make their bases stand out.
4. Strategic Use:
In PvP (Player vs. Player) servers, strategic use of banners and icons can serve as a psychological tool. A well-designed banner might deter enemies by signaling that a base is well-defended, or it can be used to intimidate opponents. In some cases, tribes use banners as warning signals or to rally their members during battles.
How to Create and Customize Banners and Icons in ARK: Survival Evolved
Creating and customizing banners and icons in ARK requires a few in-game resources and tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Gathering Resources:
To create a banner or flag, you need to gather materials such as fiber, hide, and wood. These materials can be easily obtained from the environment by harvesting plants, killing animals, and chopping down trees.
2. Crafting a Banner or Flag:
Once you have the necessary materials, you can craft a banner or flag using the Smithy or inventory crafting menu. Navigate to the appropriate section (Structures -> Miscellaneous) to craft banners and flags.
3. Customizing Your Banner:
After placing your banner, use a paintbrush and dye to customize its appearance. ARK offers a variety of dyes, which are crafted using resources like berries, charcoal, and water. You can paint your banner in different colors and patterns, creating a unique design for your tribe.
4. Adding Icons:
Tribe icons can be uploaded to your server or created using in-game tools. To add a tribe logo, players can either use a pre-existing image (as long as it meets the server’s requirements) or manually draw an icon using the in-game painting system.
5. Placing Banners and Flags:
Once customized, you can place banners and flags anywhere within your base or territory. They can be attached to walls, placed on the ground, or flown high from a structure. The placement of these banners helps to mark territory, guide allies to your base, or simply add to the aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the purpose of banners in ARK: Survival Evolved?
A: Banners in ARK serve both a decorative and practical purpose. They allow players and tribes to personalize their territory, mark their base, and represent their tribe’s identity with unique symbols and designs.
Q: How do I create custom tribe icons in ARK?
A: To create custom tribe icons, players can upload an image file that meets the server’s requirements or use the in-game painting system to design their own icon. The icon can then be used on flags, banners, or armor to represent the tribe.
Q: Can I change my banner design after placing it in ARK?
A: Yes, players can modify their banner designs even after they have been placed. You can repaint your banners or flags using the paintbrush and dye, and make changes to the patterns or colors as needed.
Q: Do banners have any impact on gameplay?
A: While banners do not directly impact gameplay mechanics, they play a crucial role in tribal identity, territorial marking, and strategic use during PvP scenarios. Well-placed banners can deter invaders or help tribes showcase their presence on the map.
Q: Can I upload custom images for banners in ARK: Survival Evolved?
A: Yes, players can upload custom images to use as tribe icons, but this feature is typically server-dependent, and there may be specific file size or format requirements.
Q: How do I obtain dye for customizing banners?
A: Dye in ARK can be created by combining berries, charcoal, water, and other resources in a cooking pot or industrial cooker. You can use the dye to paint banners, flags, armor, and other items in the game.
Conclusion
In ARK: Survival Evolved, icons and banners play an important role in personalizing your tribe and base. Whether you’re using them to show off your creativity, mark your territory, or intimidate rivals in PvP, these visual elements add a unique layer to the survival experience. Crafting and customizing banners is a simple process that allows players to express their identity and create a distinctive presence in the game’s vast world.
Whether you’re part of a large tribe or playing solo, adding icons and banners to your base is a great way to leave your mark in the world of ARK.
