Chibi-Dilophosaur

A pocket-sized Dilophosaur

Chibi-Dilophosaur is a miniature pet for ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended that is largely cosmetic but can also add levels to a survivor's cap. Its description: "Earn XP from Alpha creature kills when equipped, to increase its level and earn additional max-levels for your Survivor!"

First appearance and sources

According to the ARK Wiki, it debuted in ASE's Eggcellent Adventure 7 event and has been offered at every event after that; the wiki dates it to patch 345.6. Our records name 3 loot sources that can contain it, Fishing Items (Valentine's), Fishing Meat (Valentine's) and the Raptor Claus Gift, and tie it to The Island, Extinction and Lost Colony.

Earning bonus levels

With the pet equipped, kills of certain predators give it experience. It can gain five levels, and each one permanently raises the maximum level of the survivor wearing it at that moment by 1, up to 5 extra levels in total. On the wiki's list are the Alpha Carnotaurus, Alpha Mosasaur, Alpha Tusoteuthis, Alpha Basilisk and Enraged Corrupted Triceratops. ASE on Steam adds the Alpha Chrysaora and Alpha Dakosaurus, and ASA adds creatures such as the Astral Mammoth, Alpha Palaeoctopus and Enraged Lightning Triceratops.

Slot and death

ASE equips chibis in the off-hand slot; ASA has a chibi slot of its own. The pet stays at the survivor's front left, rides in their lap on mounts and sits close by when they sleep in a bed. It counts as an item rather than an unlocked skin: it drops with the inventory on death and is gone for good if nobody recovers the death cache. It weighs 0 and stacks to 1.