ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis Wiki
ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis — Ships Guide
Complete guide to building, upgrading, and sailing ships in ARK Genesis Tides of Fortune. Hull types, cannons, crew roles, and ocean survival tips.
Why Ships Matter in Genesis
The Tides of Fortune expansion transforms Genesis into a naval survival sandbox where the ocean is no longer a transit zone—it is a primary biome with its own economy, threats, and progression loop. Ships are your mobile base, your combat platform, and your ticket to high-tier mission rewards. Unlike traditional ARK rafts, Genesis vessels support modular hull sections, dedicated weapon mounts, cargo holds, and crew stations that scale from solo schooners to multi-deck galleons.
Every ship begins at a coastal shipyard found near Ocean biome outposts. You craft a Ship Frame with metal ingots, polymer, and a new resource called Treated Planks harvested from Bog-adjacent timber. Once placed in shallow water, the frame accepts Hull Panels, Deck Tiles, Mast Assemblies, and Rudder Links. Each component adds weight, buoyancy, and structural integrity. Overloading a small hull causes sluggish turning and increased damage from rogue waves, so plan your build before you commit rare Tek fragments.
Hull Classes and Build Paths
Genesis ships fall into four hull classes: Skiff, Schooner, Brigantine, and Galleon. Skiffs are single-mast scouts ideal for Tidepup taming runs and quick hexagon courier missions. Schooners balance speed and cargo, making them the default choice for mid-game tribes. Brigantines introduce a second deck and broadside cannon slots, while Galleons require alliance-level resource investment but dominate naval PvP and Moeder escort routes.
Upgrade paths branch through the Ship Mod Bench. Reinforced Hull plating reduces damage from Megalodon packs and X-Mosasaur rams. Swift Rigging cuts sail deployment time and improves tacking angles against wind shifts—a critical advantage during Tides of Fortune storm events. Silent Running modules dampen sonar pings from Palaeoctopus ambushes. Most competitive crews prioritize Reinforced Hull first, then weapon capacity, then speed.
Sailing Mechanics and Crew Roles
Wind direction is displayed on the helm UI and changes with Genesis weather cycles. Full sails maximize speed but reduce maneuverability; reefed sails trade velocity for tighter turns around reef clusters. The rudder has momentum, so captains should plan wide arcs when fleeing Corrupted Master Controller drone swarms that spawn near offshore platforms.
Assign crew to explicit stations: Helmsman controls direction and sail trim; Gunner operates deck cannons and harpoon turrets; Navigator marks sonar blips and mission waypoints; Bosun repairs hull breaches with a Repair Hammer while underway. Solo players can autopilot along placed buoys, but manual helm control avoids hidden sandbars that autopilot ignores in shallow Arctic fjord entrances.
Loadouts for PvE and PvP
PvE loadouts emphasize sustained DPS and cargo security. Mount two Medium Cannons per broadside, one Ballista for flyer sniping, and reinforced cargo nets that prevent item loss on ship destruction (items drop in a floating crate instead). Carry Extra Rations and Medical Brews in heated deck lockers when sailing through Arctic transition zones.
PvP loadouts stack Alpha Cannon turrets, Chum Dispensers that attract wild ocean predators toward enemy vessels, and boarding planks unlocked via hexagon vendors. Keep powder kegs below deck—explosion radius is reduced by hull tier. Always maintain a escape Skiff on the stern davit; losing a Galleon without a backup craft strands your tribe across ocean tiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I build my first ship in Genesis?
Locate a coastal Shipyard in the Ocean biome or major mission hub. Craft a Ship Frame, deploy it in shallow water, and attach Hull Panels plus a Basic Mast. Skiff-tier frames unlock at level 30 without prior boss clears.
Can ships be destroyed permanently?
Ships can sink in combat or storms, but the frame persists as a wreck you can salvage for partial materials. Reinforced cargo nets and insurance contracts from hexagon traders recover a percentage of stored items automatically.
How many players can crew a Galleon?
A fully upgraded Galleon supports eight assigned stations: helm, two gunner seats per side, navigator, bosun, and two passenger bunk slots. Additional riders can stand on deck but cannot operate stations without swapping.
Do sails work during Genesis storms?
Yes, but storm winds are unpredictable. Reef sails to half deployment to avoid capsizing, or anchor in designated storm shelters marked on the map with anchor icons.
What is the best starter ship for solo players?
The Schooner offers the best mix of cargo space, cannon mounts, and manageable solo helm controls. Skiffs are cheaper but cannot survive deep-ocean X-creature patrol routes.