Far Cry Primal is loaded with beasts, both timid and ruthless. Surviving in this environment takes more than just a spear, a club, and a bow. You will need a companion to watch your six when you are roaming the world of Oros. There are some stealthy animals that will sneak up on you and attack, but with a companion, you have a better chance of not getting gouged by a wooly rhino or eaten by a sabretooth tiger.
Taming beasts is simple, just toss out the bait and wait, approach slowly, and hold the “Tame” button until the beast accepts you. As you tame them, they seem reluctant to accept, but then they quickly join you. Failure to tame a beast is rare, and usually only happens if you or the target beast gets attacked while in the taming process. You must do these things first before you can tame animals:
- Complete the first mission for Tensay the Shaman before you can catch your first beast, canines.
Tensay the Shaman teaches the basics of taming animal companions
- To tame wildcats, you will need to level up Tensay’s Hut in The Village.
- Unlock taming “Apex Predators” after taming 5 beasts of any kind, even duplicates.
- Unlock “Cunning Beasts” after taming 8 beasts of any kind.
So, which companions are the best? I have ranked them for you, starting with good at #10, and ending the list with the #1 “Best Companion”.
10. The Rare Black Lion:
The Black Lion has spotted some prey
Rare Black Lions are a little more difficult to find. They are black in color and look strong and muscular. They can tag nearby people, like the cave lion and are very similar, except that they are stronger. Rare black Lions can rip an enemy apart and then get to the next enemy quickly. They also sometimes chew on their kills.
- Strength 4
- Speed 3
- Stealth 3
- Heal with 1 meat
Once you tame a Rare Black Lion:
- They are stealthy and strong so attacking enemy camps is a breeze.
- They are also great at watching your back when your attention is on something else.
- The rare black lion scares away most smaller beasts as you travel the map.
Taming a Cave Lion:
Rare Black Lions hunt alone, and are hard to spot because they move fast and blend in to the environment, and it’s difficult to keep track of where run. When you find one, it is usually hunting other animals and may have started a stampede of mammoths or wooly rhinos, making taming the black lion a little more challenging. Toss out your bait as soon as you know the black lion is near. The faster you can get them to take the bait, the less damage you will take when they are attacking you.
9. The Jaguar:
The Jaguar is fast and aware of the surroundings
Jaguars are stealthy and can kill quickly but they need to attack a few times, as they are not very strong. They use the “chomp and romp” method of taking a bite out of enemies and then running off, just to quickly come back at another angle and bite again.
- Strength 2
- Speed 4
- Stealth 5
- Heal with 1 meat
Once you tame a Jaguar:
- They are stealthy but weak so attacking enemy camps in stealth mode is better than kicking in the enemy gates and shaking your spear over your head.
- They do not alert enemies if they stay idle. As small as they are, they are not easily detectable.
- Most enemies or beasts will not even realize the jaguar is near until it attacks.
Taming a Jaguar:
Jaguars hunt alone and are hard to spot because they move fast and are somewhat small. Their attack method of bite, run, bite, run makes getting their attention with bait a little challenging. When you find one, it is usually hunting smaller animals that won’t take your bait.
Toss out your bait as soon as you know the Jaguar is near. The faster you can get them to take the bait, the less damage you will take if they are attacking you.
8. The Leopard:
The Leopard is fast, quiet, and loves to get pet
Leopards are stealthy and can tag animals nearby. They are not as stealthy as the jaguar but are stronger. They use the same hunting strategy as the jaguar, and they are easier to spot with their bright white color.
- Strength 3
- Speed 4
- Stealth 4
- Heal with 1 meat
Once you tame a Leopard:
- They are stealthy but weak so attacking enemy camps in stealth mode is better than kicking in the enemy gates and shaking your spear over your head.
- They are not as common and only appear in certain locations.
Taming a Leopard:
Leopards also hunt alone but are easy to spot, even with their small size. Their attack method of bite, run, bite, run makes getting their attention with bait a little challenging. When you find a leopard, it is usually hunting smaller animals that won’t take your bait.
Toss out your bait as soon as you know the leopard is near. The faster you can get them to take the bait, the less damage you will take.
7. The Rare Black Jaguar:
The Rare Black Jaguar listening to commands
Rare Black Jaguars are extremely stealthy and all dark in color. They a little stronger than the normal jaguar, as well. They use the same hunting strategy as the jaguar. To find one, you will need to wipe out a lot of the normal jaguars, first.
- Strength 3
- Speed 4
- Stealth 5
- Heal with 1 meat
Once you tame a Rare Black Jaguar:
- They are stealthy and strong so attacking enemy camps in stealth mode is as good as kicking in the enemy gates and shouting “come and get it!”.
- They do not alert enemies if they stay idle, but when attacking, they are vicious.
- Most enemies or beasts will not even realize the black jaguar is near until it attacks.
Taming a Leopard:
Rare Black Jaguars also hunt alone. Their similar bite, run, bite, run attacks make getting their attention with bait a little challenging. When you find a black jaguar, it is usually hunting smaller animals that won’t take your bait.
Toss out your bait as soon as you know the black jaguar is near. The same strategy applies, the faster you can get them to take the bait, the less damage you will take.
6. The Brown Bear:
The Brown Bear is a slow but powerful companion
Brown Bears are not stealthy at all. The brown bear is strong and doesn’t need stealth. Their purpose is to attract the attention of enemies and take the heat off you. Their speed makes them great for getting into battle and getting the job done.
- Strength 4
- Speed 3
- Stealth 2
- Heal with 2 meats
Once you tame a Brown Bear:
- They are strong but large so attacking enemy camps in stealth mode is an exercise in futility.
- When the brown bear is idle, it will dig up items it finds randomly around the area and give them to you
- Tamed brown bears can be ridden, if you have the beast rider skill. You can ride and attack with the spear or arrows from the bear’s back, and even command the bear to attack.
Taming a Brown Bear:
Brown Bears hunt in pairs or threes. They are usually roaming around together and can be a challenge when trying to tame one. Take out the other bears so only one remains. They do not typically run away if they are alone, they just get meaner. When they are alone, toss out the bait and tame it.
5. The Cave Bear:
The Cave Bear is large and powerful, and it loves hugs
Cave Bears are not stealthy at all but is very strong. Their purpose is to attract the attention of enemies and they do it well as they are large beasts that command attention. Their speed makes them a force to reckon with when they are chasing down an enemy.
- Strength 5
- Speed 3
- Stealth 1
- Heal with 2 meats
Once you tame a Cave Bear:
- They are strong but large and loud so attacking enemy camps in stealth mode is not realistic.
- The cave bear is not a rideable bear, like the brown bear is.
- They protect you and take the attention off you in smaller fights.
Taming a Brown Bear:
Cave Bears hunt alone. They are usually roaming around in a bad mood already and can be a challenge when trying to tame one. They do not typically run away when attacked, they just get more vicious. Toss out the bait as soon as you can and tame it before it rips you apart.
4. The Sabretooth Tiger:
The sabretooth tiger can be ridden, and can attack while it is being ridden
Sabretooth tigers are categorized as the fastest predators. They can be ridden (if you have learned the skill) and they cover great distances quickly.
- Strength 4
- Speed 5
- Stealth 3
- Heal with 2 meats
Once you tame a Sabretooth Tiger:
- They are strong and stealthy. Great for attacking enemy camps both quietly, and with rage.
- The sabretooth tiger is a rideable beast and covers great distances in less time than sprinting on foot.
Taming a Sabretooth Tiger:
Sabretooths hunt alone. They are usually hunting and difficult to spot sometimes. They move fast so hunter vision is strongly recommended. They do not run away once it has a target, they hunt to the death. Toss out the bait as soon as you can and tame it to claim it.
3. The Snowblood Wolf:
The Snowblood Wolf looks fierce with all white fur and a blood-stained chin
Snowblood wolves are the rarest wolves. They are basically the same as the other wolves, but stronger and quieter. Taming a Snowblood Wolf is a task that takes a little more than just tossing out some bait and taming it. It is a mission on the map to specifically find it. You will have to track it and chase it down based on the mission parameters.
- Strength 4
- Speed 3
- Stealth 4
- Heal with 1 meat
Once you tame the Snowblood Wolf:
- They are strong and stealthy. Great for attacking enemy camps and will typically howl when it gets a kill.
- The Snowblood Wolf is not a rideable beast but will act like and have the same benefits of the other wolves.
Taming the Snowblood Wolf:
This is a special mission that Tensay will give you when you have completed his other missions. You will need to follow the tracks and do a special hunt for the Snowblodd Wolf. The mission appears on the map at the South-Eastern corner as an orange circle with a white wolf head. The Snowblood wolf hunts in a pack of large wolves. Take out the majority of the wolves first to get the Snowblood Wolf alone. Use the provided traps in the hunt area to help capture the wolf. You will need 3 hardwood supplies for each trap. Tame it when it is low on health and on the ground no longer running.
2. The Great Scar Bear:
The Great Scar Bear is intimidating and enemies tend to run the other way when it is by your side
The Great Scar Bear is the rarest bear. It is stronger and a little better at stealth than other bears. Easy to spot because of the scars and all over its body and the permanent arrows stuck in its back. Taming the Great Scar Bear is also a mission on the map to specifically find it. You will have to track it and chase it down based on the mission parameters.
- Strength 5
- Speed 3
- Stealth 2
- Heal with 2 meats
Once you tame the Great Scar Bear:
- They are strong and great for attacking and terrorizing enemy camps.
- It is difficult to kill.
- The Great Scar Bear is not a rideable beast but will act like and have the same benefits of the other bears.
- Vicious and large, this intimidating beast is a great companion on the road.
Taming the Great Scar Bear:
This is a special mission that Tensay will give you when you have completed his other missions. You will need to follow the tracks and do a special hunt for the Great Scar Bear. The mission appears on the map at the Eastern side as an orange circle with a black bear head. The Great Scar Bear hunts alone.
Use the provided traps in the hunt area to help capture the bear. You will need 3 hardwood supplies for each trap. Tame it when it is low on health and on the ground no longer running.
1. The Bloodfang Sabretooth:
The largest and most powerful Sabretooth in the game has more muscles than your average sabretooth
The Bloodfang Sabretooth is the best beast for many reasons. It is stronger and a little better at stealth than other bears. Easy to spot because of the scars and all over its body and the permanent arrows stuck in its back. Taming the Great Scar Bear is also a mission on the map to specifically find it. You will have to track it and chase it down based on the mission parameters.
- Strength 5
- Speed 5
- Stealth 3
- Heal with 2 meats
Once you tame the Bloodfang Sabretooth:
- They are strong, fast, and stealthy. When you absolutely, positively need to kill every enemy in the camp, accept no substitute.
- The Bloodfang Sabretooth is a rideable beast and gets you from point A to point B in the fastest time (besides fast travel).
- Great companion on the road, due to it warding off most other animals.
- Recommended for hunting the other special hunt beasts because it makes taking down the beasts to tamable health much easier.
Taming the Bloodfang Sabretooth:
This is a special mission that Tensay will give you when you have completed his other missions. You will need to follow the tracks and do a special hunt for the Bloodfang Sabretooth. The mission appears on the map at the Central-Eastern side as an orange circle with a sabretooth head.
The Bloodfang Sabretooth hunts alone. Use the provided traps in the hunt area to help capture the sabretooth. You will need 3 hardwood supplies for each trap. Tame it when it is low on health and on the ground no longer running. This may take a few nights to beat down and tame, as when it takes so much damage during your hunt, that it runs off and you are prompted to rest at a camp until the next night to continue the hunt. The Bloodfang’s health will not regenerate on the next night.
