Obelisks have two different jobs
The terminals are used for boss access and for uploads or downloads used in transfers. These are separate interactions with separate requirements. Seeing an upload option does not mean you have supplied a boss tribute, and reaching an Obelisk does not mean the server permits transfers. [W2] [W9]
For a boss arena, identify the map, boss and difficulty first. Then check the tribute list and the correct terminal. The research records single-player differences, including particular colored Obelisks for some Island bosses; do not assume every server instruction matches a local world. [W9]
The Island Broodmother tribute checklist
This table is for Broodmother Lysrix on ASE The Island. Choose a difficulty and collect its column; a dash means that trophy is not required. Check the terminal and server rules before each summon. [W9]
| Tribute or requirement | Gamma | Beta | Alpha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum survivor level | 30 | 50 | 70 |
| Artifact of the Clever | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Artifact of the Hunter | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Artifact of the Massive | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Argentavis Talon | — | 5 | 10 |
| Sarcosuchus Skin | — | 5 | 10 |
| Sauropod Vertebra | — | 5 | 10 |
| Titanoboa Venom | — | 5 | 10 |
For a first attempt, consider Gamma: collect the three artifacts, then prepare your creatures, saddles, rider gear and recovery supplies. Check teleport range and server entry rules before starting. Meeting the level requirement does not guarantee victory: creature stats, saddles and rates matter. Artifact caves are dangerous too; prepare for the caves and the return trip. Other maps, mods and custom settings can differ; consult the Broodmother reference and your terminal. [W9]
The Island’s four major encounters
| Encounter | Route or environment | Required survivor level: Gamma / Beta / Alpha |
|---|---|---|
| Broodmother Lysrix | Swamp-themed arena; heat matters | 30 / 50 / 70 |
| Megapithecus | Snow-themed arena; cold matters | 45 / 65 / 85 |
| Dragon | Island guardian arena | 55 / 75 / 100 |
| Overseer | Tek Cave route to Observation Deck | 60 / 80 / 100 |
The level gate is an entry requirement, not an assessment of whether a particular army is ready. Creature preparation, saddles, supplies and arena conditions still matter. Overseer is not simply another ordinary beach-terminal portal; the Tek Cave is part of the route. [W9] [W10]
Artifact sets for the Island guardians
| Guardian | Core artifact set |
|---|---|
| Broodmother | Clever · Hunter · Massive |
| Megapithecus | Brute · Devourer · Pack |
| Dragon | Cunning · Immune · Skylord · Strong |
These sets orient the collection route. Higher difficulties also require additional trophies. The table is not a complete tribute recipe: use the boss and difficulty’s current tribute list for exact quantities before collecting organs, talons or venom. [W9]
Do not combine the artifacts for one guardian with the level gate or terminal instructions for another. Keeping the boss, difficulty and mode together in your notes prevents a long collecting trip from ending at the wrong portal.
A preparation sequence
- Select one encounter and difficulty rather than farming for all of them without a plan.
- Record the required artifacts and extra trophies from the relevant arena page.
- Confirm the terminal behavior for single-player or your server.
- Prepare a suitable group of creatures, saddles and rider equipment.
- Account for the arena’s environmental conditions.
- Read the entry and return conditions before activating the portal.
Creature composition and preparation depend on the chosen encounter and server settings. Compare those settings before copying another group’s army.
Encounter names on other maps
| Map or context | Encounter orientation |
|---|---|
| The Center | Broodmother and Megapithecus together |
| Ragnarok | Dragon and Manticore together |
| Valguero | Forsaken Oasis guardians; separate Broodmother context |
| Scorched Earth | Manticore |
| Aberration | Rockwell |
| Extinction | Titans and King Titan |
| Crystal Isles | Crystal Wyvern Queen |
| Lost Island | Dinopithecus King |
| Fjordur | Fenrisúlfr and map terminal encounters |
| Genesis chapters | Moeder, Corrupted Master Controller and Rockwell Prime |
This is an encounter index, not a claim that all maps use The Island’s tribute or entry rules. Open the destination map’s information before transporting an army or collecting its requirements. [W6] [W9]
Transfers depend on the cluster
Uploads and downloads of characters, items and eligible creatures operate inside the allowed server or cluster rules. The existence of a terminal does not guarantee a connection to another map or server. Check destination availability, permitted transfers and the server’s own policy before uploading anything valuable. [W9]
Historical official-network instructions can be misleading in a different unofficial cluster. Read the current host’s rules instead of assuming the old official configuration was inherited.
Explorer Notes and the story route
Explorer Notes are narrative collectibles that explain the people and purpose behind the ARKs. The main story-map sequence runs from The Island through Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction and the Genesis chapters. Free expansion maps are additional worlds, not automatically the next chapter in that sequence. [S1] [W6]
For the content directory and pack boundaries, see maps and DLC. For the systems underlying army preparation, see taming.