Chibi-Argentavis

A pocket-sized Argentavis

The Chibi-Argentavis is a miniature pet for ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended. It is mostly cosmetic, but it can also lift a survivor's level cap. The item text sums it up: "Earn XP from Alpha creature kills when equipped, to increase its level and earn additional max-levels for your Survivor!" According to the ARK Wiki, it first appeared in the ARK: Winter Wonderland 4 event in ASE and has been available in every event since.

Equipping and leveling it

ASE puts the pet in the off-hand slot, while ASA gives chibis a slot of their own. Once equipped, it trails along at your front-left, rides in your lap when you are mounted and sits close by while you sleep in a bed. Killing certain predators while it is equipped gives it experience, for up to five level-ups. Each level-up adds 1 to the maximum level of whoever has it equipped at that moment, for at most 5 extra levels. Creatures that count include the Alpha Raptor, Alpha Carnotaurus, Alpha T-Rex and Alpha Megalodon; ASA-only entries include the Astral Argentavis and the Alpha Ossidon.

Finding one and keeping it

Our records list the Argentavis as a creature that drops it, and 2 crates can contain it: Fishing Items (Valentine's) and Fishing Meat (Valentine's). The maps on our record are The Island, Extinction and Lost Colony. It weighs 0 and stacks to 1. Unlike unlockable skins, a chibi is an ordinary item: it falls with the rest of your inventory when you die, and if you never recover your death cache, it is gone.