Chibi-Megalania

A miniature Megalania companion

Both ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended have the Chibi-Megalania, a miniature pet that is mostly cosmetic but can also raise your level cap. The ARK Wiki ties it to the ASE event ARK: Winter Wonderland 4 and says it has been part of every event since. The game's description: "Earn XP from Alpha creature kills when equipped, to increase its level and earn additional max-levels for your Survivor!"

How it raises your level cap

Every chibi-pet can be leveled five times. It earns XP when you kill certain predators while wearing it, and each new level permanently gives the survivor who has it equipped at that moment 1 more maximum level, for up to 5 extra levels in total. Qualifying kills on the ARK Wiki's list include the Alpha Basilisk, Alpha Deathworm, Alpha Fire Wyvern, Alpha Leedsichthys, Alpha Tusoteuthis and Enraged Corrupted Triceratops. Some are tied to one game: the Alpha Ossidon and Enraged Lightning Rex count in ASA, the Alpha Dakosaurus and Alpha Tridacna in ASE on Steam.

Equipping it, and what happens on death

In ASE a chibi takes the off-hand slot; ASA gives it a Chibi slot of its own. The pet then stands to your front-left and turns with you, and it rides in your lap when you are on a mount. A chibi is a normal item, not an unlockable skin: it drops with the rest of your gear when you die, and if your death cache is not retrieved, the pet is lost.

Where Chibi-Megalania comes from

Our records list the Megalania as a creature that drops it, plus 3 crate types that can contain it: Raptor Claus Gift, Fishing Items (Valentine's) and Fishing Meat (Valentine's). Our map list for it has 5 entries: The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction and Lost Colony. The pet weighs 0 and has a stack size of 1.