Deinocheirus in ARK: Survival Ascended is a modded creature, mainly found in the GuiShan Collection. It is not vanilla.

It is a huge omnivore with strong damage, armor pierce, harvesting, weight reduction, water buffs, self-healing, and a risky challenge-based tame. If you treat it like a normal passive tame, you will probably lose a mount.

Deinocheirus Quick Facts

Deinocheirus is peaceful at first, but it reacts badly to large tamed carnivores nearby. Bring the wrong setup and it turns into a damage-resistant monster.

Where to Find Deinocheirus in ASA

Look near wet inland zones.

Best search areas:

• Rivers
• Inland lakes
• Swamps
• Wet forests
• Extinction forest biome, if enabled

If you cannot find one, check the server's GuiShan Collection spawn settings. Server owners can disable individual creature spawns.

Deinocheirus Taming Requirements

You need to be level 92. Below that, you cannot properly feed it.

Before going out, unlock:

• GSC Smithy
• Deinocheirus Challenge Entry
• Deinocheirus Saddle

Craft the Deinocheirus Challenge Entry in the GSC Smithy.

Your survivor must consume the challenge token to start the tame.

How to Tame Deinocheirus in ARK Survival Ascended

This tame has one rule: win the challenge without killing it.

You need to trigger challenge mode, bring it below 15% HP, survive the timer, then feed it.

Step 1: Bring One Strong Mount

Use one powerful carnivore with a strong saddle.

Best picks:

• Giganotosaurus
• Carcharodontosaurus
• High-stat Rex
• Strong modded apex carnivore

Do not bring a carnivore army.

In practice, saddle quality decides the tame. A high-level Deinocheirus can kill expensive mounts if you cheap out on armor.

Step 2: Consume the Challenge Token

Use the Deinocheirus Challenge Token on your survivor.

Then approach the target.

• If you are on a large carnivore, it may attack instantly.
• If you are on a herbivore, hit it once to trigger the challenge.

Step 3: Confirm Challenge Mode

Challenge mode lasts 150 seconds.

You know it worked when Deinocheirus:

• Screams
• Gets a red aura
• Heals to full HP
• Starts hitting much harder

During challenge mode, it gains brutal buffs.

This is why multiple carnivores are a trap. You are not helping yourself. You are feeding the boss.

Step 4: Drop It Below 15% HP

Your goal is simple:

Get Deinocheirus below 15% HP before the 150-second timer ends.

Do not overcommit. Stop attacking once it is low.

Use a spyglass or health viewer if your server has one. Without it, slow down once it looks badly wounded.

Step 5: Wait Out the Timer

When it is below 15% HP, stop damaging it.

Let it keep attacking while the timer runs out. If the challenge ends while it is low enough, it becomes docile.

Step 6: Passive Feed It

Once docile, walk up and feed it.

During this phase, Deinocheirus is immune to damage, so wild hits should not ruin taming effectiveness.

Deinocheirus Taming Mistakes to Avoid

Most failed tames come from bad prep, not bad luck.

Do not trap it. In challenge mode, it can break metal, and bear traps can stop the tame from working correctly.

Deinocheirus Saddle Guide

The Deinocheirus Saddle unlocks at level 92.

Better saddles come from killing wild Deinocheirus.

Farm low or mid-level wild ones first. Better saddle, safer high-level tame. Simple progression.

Deinocheirus Controls and Abilities

Deinocheirus has a strong combat kit. It is not just a harvester.

Left Click: Claw Attack

Your main attack.

It gives:

• 25% armor pierce
• Berry harvesting
• Wood harvesting
• Thatch harvesting

Good damage. Good utility. You will use this constantly.

Right Click: Claw Thump

A heavier hit that applies a debuff.

It deals 1.5x damage to already crippled targets. Use it after setting up enemies, or during Guardian Mode for much better burst.

C: Jump Stomp

The stomp hits hard and harvests:

• Trees
• Rocks
• Metal

It also applies an 8-second effect. Use it when surrounded or when clearing resource-heavy areas.

X: Bite

A basic bite attack. Fast and simple.

Use it when you do not want to lock yourself into slower heavy moves.

Deinocheirus Guardian Mode Explained

Deinocheirus has a creature meter above the hotbar.

Build the meter by attacking and killing creatures.

Each point gives 0.25% melee damage.

At 100 meter, activate Guardian Mode.

Guardian Mode Effects

This mode is strong, but the taunt can get you killed if you pop it in a bad spot.

Use it when you are ready to tank. Not when you are already running for your life.

Guardian Heavy Claw Attack

During Guardian Mode, hold Right Click.

You perform a triple heavy claw combo.

It applies:

• 75% armor pierce
• 8-second debuff
• 5-second stun
• Three heavy hits

This is the kill button. Use it on armored threats, dangerous modded creatures, or anything you need locked down fast.

Deinocheirus Passive Abilities

This is where the creature earns its slot.

Immunities

Deinocheirus is immune to:

• Reaper acid
• Lymantria powder
• Dilo venom
• Shadowmane venom

These immunities make it reliable in messy fights where other mounts get blinded, slowed, or disabled.

Fish Meter and Rapid Regeneration

Deinocheirus has a fish meter.

Fill it to 300 fish, then hold X to activate Rapid Regeneration.

This is excellent after fights, during long travel, or when Guardian Mode pulls too much aggro.

Keep fish available. The heal is too good to ignore.

Berry Juice Utility

Deinocheirus can craft berry juice from berries in its inventory.

Use berry juice for:

• Survivor healing
• Team sustain
• Herbivore taming
• Long swamp or river runs

When Deinocheirus is sitting, it can automatically consume berry juice from its inventory when needed.

Best Uses for Deinocheirus

Deinocheirus works best as a hybrid bruiser.

It feels like a tankier, more sustain-focused Therizinosaurus with better emergency tools.

Deinocheirus Breeding and Eggs

Deinocheirus can breed and lay eggs.

Its eggs can be used for Exceptional Kibble.

A good breeding pair is worth keeping. High HP and melee lines make this creature much safer in late-game modded content.

FAQ

Is Deinocheirus official in ARK Survival Ascended?

No. Deinocheirus is not a vanilla ASA creature. It is available through mods, mainly the GuiShan Collection.

What level do you need to tame Deinocheirus?

You need to be level 92. You also need the GSC Smithy and Deinocheirus Challenge Entry engrams.

What is the best food for Deinocheirus?

Exceptional Kibble is best. Fish meat and standard herbivore food also work, but they are slower.

Can you trap Deinocheirus while taming?

No, do not rely on traps. In challenge mode it can break metal, and bear traps can interfere with the tame.

How does Guardian Mode work?

Build the creature meter to 100, then activate Guardian Mode. It lasts 30 seconds, gives +25% damage resistance, taunts nearby creatures, doubles Claw Thump damage, and unlocks a heavy triple claw attack.

Summary

Deinocheirus in ARK Survival Ascended GuiShan Collection is a high-value modded tame, but the tame is dangerous.

The clean method:

1. Reach level 92.

2. Craft the Deinocheirus Challenge Entry.

3. Bring one strong carnivore with a high-armor saddle.

4. Trigger challenge mode.

5. Drop it below 15% HP within 150 seconds.

6. Stop attacking.

7. Feed Exceptional Kibble when it becomes docile.

Once tamed, it gives you strong combat, armor pierce, harvesting, weight reduction, Guardian Mode burst, fish-based healing, berry juice support, breeding, and Exceptional Kibble eggs.

For modded ASA servers, Deinocheirus is worth the risk.