You're standing in the scorched remains of the Burnt Meadows or maybe wandering the eerie, violet-hued depths of the Aberration zones in ARK: Survival Ascended. Suddenly, the air gets heavy. A dark, ethereal horse with a flaming mane and eyes that look like they've seen the heat death of the universe trots into view. This is the Dreadmare. It’s not just a reskinned Equus. Honestly, it’s one of the most mechanically unique—and frustrating—tames Wildcard has ever dropped into the game.
If you’re trying to figure out how to tame a dreadmare ark style, you’ve probably already realized that punching it or shoving Berries up its backside isn't going to work.
This creature is part of the Bob's Tall Tales DLC, specifically the Steampunk Ascent pack. It’s a paid addition, which some people hate, but if you have it, you have access to a mount that can literally blink through dimensions and wither the souls of your enemies. But first, you have to survive the taming process. It’s a "passive" tame, but "passive" is a massive understatement. It’s more like a ritualistic sacrifice where you are the primary victim.
Why the Dreadmare is a Total Game Changer
Before we get into the "how-to," we need to talk about why you’d even bother. Most flyers in ARK are straightforward. The Argentavis is a flying tank. The Pteranodon is a starter jet. The Dreadmare? It’s a debuff machine. It has this ability called "Shadow Dash" that lets it teleport forward, leaving a trail of dark energy that slows down anything caught in it.
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The real kicker is the "Wither" effect. When a Dreadmare attacks, it applies a stackable debuff that reduces the target's damage output and increases the damage they take. In a PvP setting, a high-level Dreadmare is a nightmare—pun intended. Even in PvE, it’s arguably one of the best scouts because it can phase through obstacles and outrun almost anything that isn't a Wyvern.
Preparation: Don't Be a Hero
You can’t just walk up to this thing. You’ll die.
The Dreadmare is naturally aggressive to anything that breathes. To start the taming process, you need a specific tribute. We aren't talking about Mejobberries or Exceptional Kibble here. You need Withered Hearts. These are dropped by high-level predators that the Dreadmare has "marked."
The Gear You Actually Need
- Ghillie Suit: This is non-negotiable. You need to reduce your detection range as much as possible.
- Cactus Broth: If you're on Scorched Earth or have access to the ingredients, drink this. It makes you nearly invisible to wild dinos.
- Medical Brews: You're going to take damage. A lot of it.
- A Shield: A high-durability Riot Shield or Metal Shield can save your life when the Dreadmare decides it doesn't like your face.
- The Tribute: At least 5-10 Withered Hearts for a high-level (150) creature.
How to Tame a Dreadmare Ark: The Step-by-Step Ritual
First, find your target. Dreadmares usually spawn in "spooky" or desolate biomes. On the Scorched Earth map, look near the dunes or the mountainous passes. On Aberration, they're often found lurking in the mid-layers where the light starts to fade.
Once you spot one, clear the area. Kill the Raptors. Kill the Sabertooths. There is nothing worse than being 90% through a Dreadmare tame and having a Dilo spit on you, ruining the taming effectiveness.
Step 1: The Offering
Approach the Dreadmare while wearing your Ghillie suit and crouched. You need to have the Withered Hearts in your last item slot (the "0" slot on PC). When you get close enough, you'll see a prompt to "Offer Heart."
The horse will consume it. It won't love you yet. Instead, it will start a "Trial."
Step 2: Survive the Veil
Once it eats the heart, the Dreadmare will create a localized zone of darkness. You’ll see shadowy apparitions start to spawn. These are "Shadow Foes." They look like darkened versions of common island creatures like Wolves or Sabers.
You have to kill them.
If you leave the radius of the dark circle, the taming bar will reset. If you die, it resets. If the Dreadmare takes damage from a third party, it resets. Use a high-DPS weapon like a Pump-Action Shotgun or a high-quality Sword. Honestly, the sword is better for the smaller shadows because it doesn't require reloading, and in that dark circle, every second counts.
Step 3: The Mounting
After you've cleared enough shadows, the Dreadmare will become "exhausted." This is your window. Run up to it and press the interact button to mount it.
Now, it’s basically a bucking bronco mini-game, but with higher stakes. The horse will fly into the air, trying to shake you off. You’ll see a prompt to "Soothe" or "Steady" yourself. If you miss the timing, you get bucked off, take massive fall damage, and lose taming progress.
The Secret to 100% Taming Effectiveness
Most people fail here because they get impatient. The taming effectiveness drops every time the Dreadmare hits you during the "Shadow Phase."
To keep that effectiveness at 100%, you need to use a Shield. When the apparitions charge at you, block. If you can parry or block the incoming damage before counter-attacking, the game rewards you with a higher taming affinity boost. It’s a bit like a rhythm game mixed with a survival horror.
Also, pay attention to the Dreadmare’s stamina. If it runs out of stamina while you’re riding it during the sky-bucking phase, it will crash-land. If it lands in water, the tame is basically ruined because the oxygen logic in ARK is... well, you know how it is.
Common Pitfalls and Why You're Failing
"I keep getting kicked off immediately!"
Check your weight. If you are encumbered, the Dreadmare will immediately buck you. It’s a finicky mechanic that isn't explicitly explained in the UI. Empty your inventory of everything except your weapons, armor, and the hearts.
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"The shadows aren't spawning!"
This usually happens if the Dreadmare is stuck on terrain. If it's wedged between two rocks, its AI pathing for the "Trial" breaks. You might have to lead it into an open clearing using a flyer (carefully!) before starting the taming process.
Powers of the Tamed Dreadmare
Once the taming bar hits 100%, you have a beast. You don't even need a saddle to ride it, though you can craft one for extra armor.
- Void Step: This is a short-range teleport. It uses a chunk of stamina but makes you invulnerable for the split second you're moving. Great for dodging Rex bites.
- Miasma Breath: The Dreadmare breathes out a cloud of corruption. This is your primary tool for weakening bosses or alpha predators.
- Life Drain: Passive lifesteal. Every time you bite or kick an enemy, the Dreadmare heals a small percentage of its health. This makes it incredibly sustainable for long cave runs.
Stat Priorities
Don't waste points on Movement Speed; the base speed and the teleport are plenty. Focus on Health and Melee Damage. Because of the lifesteal mechanic, the more damage you do, the more you heal. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of destruction. A little bit of Stamina is good if you plan on using Void Step frequently, as that drains the bar faster than a sprint.
Final Considerations for the Aspiring Shadow Rider
Taming a Dreadmare isn't for the faint of heart or the low-level player. You really need to be at least level 70+ to have the gear and the health pool necessary to survive the Shadow Trial.
If you're playing on a crowded server, try to do this during off-peak hours. Other players "helping" you kill the shadows can actually mess up the taming credit, leading to a half-tamed horse with terrible stats. It's a solo ritual. Treat it with the respect (and the paranoia) it deserves.
Actionable Next Steps
- Farm Withered Hearts: Head to the desert or the red woods and look for Alphas. They have a 100% drop rate for the hearts needed.
- Craft High-Quality Ghillie: Don't settle for primitive. You want the durability because those shadows hit hard.
- Scout Spawn Points: Don't just settle for the first Dreadmare you see. Look for a level 130 or higher. The taming process is so intensive that doing it for a level 15 is a waste of your time and resources.
- Practice the Block: Go fight some Dilos with a shield. Get the timing of the block down. It’s the exact same timing you’ll need for the Shadow Trial.
Once you have one, the game changes. You stop being the hunted and start being the thing that haunts the shadows. Just remember to keep some extra Withered Hearts in your storage—Dreadmares have a unique diet and won't just eat plain old hay. They crave the essence of the fallen. Keep them fed, and they'll carry you through the toughest boss fights in the game.