ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis Wiki
ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis — Naval Combat
Master broadside tactics, cannon types, boarding actions, and fleet coordination in ARK Genesis Tides of Fortune naval PvE and PvP combat.
Combat Fundamentals on the Open Ocean
Naval combat in ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis follows broadside doctrine: align your port or starboard cannon arcs with the target while minimizing exposure of your bow and stern weak points. Cannon projectiles are physics-based with drop at range, so Gunners must lead moving targets such as X-Megalodons and enemy Schooners. Each cannon tier uses Cannonballs, Chain Shot, or Grapeshot loaded through the inventory of the mounted weapon.
Ship health is split across hull segments. Concentrated fire on a single quadrant can breach the hull and trigger flooding, slowing the vessel until a Bosun patches the leak. Flooding stacks with storm damage, so disengage early if two quadrants drop below thirty percent integrity. The combat log displays segment status in real time on the navigator panel.
Ammunition Types and When to Use Them
Standard Cannonballs deal heavy single-target damage ideal against hulls and large sea creatures. Chain Shot shreds sails and masts, crippling enemy mobility before you close for boarding. Grapeshot spreads in a cone effective against crew on open decks and low-flying tames. Harpoon bolts immobilize X-creatures briefly, letting your ship kite while ranged DPS finishes the kill.
Advanced crews stock Element-charged rounds unlocked after defeating Moeder Master of the Ocean. These rounds pierce Tek-reinforced plating and deal bonus damage to Corrupted drones during offshore platform assaults. Element rounds consume a small amount of Element Shard per volley, so bring a dedicated shard crate on long expeditions.
PvE Encounters and Mission Defense
Ocean missions often spawn wave-based naval assaults. Escort convoys require you to maintain formation within a highlighted zone while Megalodon packs and jellyfish swarms attack from multiple headings. Prioritize Chain Shot on fast skirmishers and Cannonballs on alpha predators marked with gold nameplates.
Offshore Corrupted platforms introduce Master Controller drone patrols. Drones hover above water and strafe with laser bursts. Elevate a Ballista gunner or use Tek Turret mounts on the foredeck. Destroy drone spawners on the platform legs before attempting to land troops—otherwise infinite respawns will sink even Galleon-tier fleets.
PvP Fleet Tactics
Organized tribes run scout Skiff flanks, main Brigantine lines, and Galleon artillery anchors. Scouts tag enemy positions with smoke buoys visible to allies. Main lines execute crossing maneuvers to bring combined broadside fire on a single target—a tactic called crossing the T. Artillery anchors stay at max range with Alpha Cannons while faster ships force enemies into kill zones.
Boarding requires Grapeshot softening, then deployment of Boarding Planks when hulls are within five meters. Melee specialists with Tek Swords and Shields rush enemy decks to disable helm stations. Defenders use Oil Slicks and Chum Dispensers to disrupt approach vectors. Always designate a recovery ship outside the engagement radius to pick up swimmers and fallen loot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective cannon setup for PvE?
Run four Medium Cannons per broadside with one fore-mounted Ballista. Load Cannonballs for alphas and Chain Shot for fast X-Megalodons. Add a harpoon on the stern for emergency kiting.
How do I counter boarding attempts?
Deploy Grapeshot when enemies approach, assign deck melee defenders with high armor, and use Oil Slicks to break plank contact. Reinforced stern gates block plank attachment if upgraded at the Ship Mod Bench.
Can tamed sea creatures fight alongside ships?
Yes. X-Mosasaurus and Tusoteuthis tames can engage underwater threats while your ship handles surface targets. Use whistle commands to prevent friendly fire from cannon splash damage.
Do Corrupted drones respawn during naval fights?
Drones respawn from platform spawners until the spawner nodes on each leg are destroyed. Assign a fire team to legs while the fleet suppresses aerial units.
Is friendly fire enabled for ship weapons?
Cannon splash and Grapeshot can damage allied ships and tames. Tribes should enable crew damage mitigation in tribe settings during joint operations.