How do I craft and use a pike effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pike effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early-game survival and mid-to-late-game combat. The pike is a versatile melee weapon that offers longer reach than most other melee tools, making it a valuable asset for defending against aggressive creatures or players. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft, use, and optimize the pike for survival and combat.
To craft a pike, you will need to unlock its engram at level 25. The crafting recipe requires 20 wood, 15 fiber, and 15 metal ingots. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a refining forge, which itself requires stone, wood, and thatch to craft. Once you have the necessary materials, you can craft the pike at any inventory or crafting station. The pike has a durability of 40, meaning it can break after extended use, so itÔÇÖs wise to carry backup weapons or repair materials.
The pikeÔÇÖs primary advantage is its extended reach, which allows you to attack enemies from a safer distance compared to shorter weapons like the spear or sword. This makes it particularly effective against smaller or medium-sized creatures, such as raptors, dilophosaurs, or even players in PvP scenarios. When using the pike, aim to keep your distance while attacking. The pikeÔÇÖs attack animation is a thrusting motion, so timing and positioning are crucial. Always try to strike enemies just outside their attack range to minimize the risk of taking damage.
One important tip is to use the pike in combination with movement. Strafe or circle around your target while attacking to avoid being hit. This is especially useful against creatures with slower attack animations, such as carnotaurus or trikes. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from higher ground or behind obstacles, giving you a tactical advantage in combat. For example, standing on a rock or ledge while poking at a predator below can keep you safe while dealing damage.
A common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since the pike has a slower attack speed compared to other weapons, spamming attacks can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on landing precise strikes and retreating to a safe distance between attacks. Another mistake is using the pike against large creatures with high health pools, such as rexes or brontos. While the pike can deal damage, its durability will deplete quickly, and you may find yourself defenseless mid-fight. In these cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs for better efficiency.
For advanced techniques, consider pairing the pike with a shield. Equipping a shield in your off-hand allows you to block incoming attacks while still using the pike to strike. This combination is particularly effective in PvP scenarios, where blocking arrows or melee strikes can give you the upper hand. Additionally, you can use the pike to dismount players from their tamed dinosaurs by targeting the rider directly. This can disrupt enemy strategies and create opportunities for your tribe to gain the upper hand in battles.
Resource management is critical when using the pike. Always carry repair materials, such as wood, fiber, and metal ingots, to fix your pike in the field. This ensures youÔÇÖre never caught without a weapon during critical moments. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to share resources and craft multiple pikes for everyone. This ensures your tribe is well-equipped for both PvE and PvP encounters.
In solo play, the pike is a reliable tool for defending yourself against smaller threats while exploring. However, avoid engaging large predators or groups of enemies alone, as the pikeÔÇÖs limited durability and damage output may not be sufficient. Instead, use the pike as a defensive weapon while retreating to a safer location or calling for help from tamed dinosaurs.
Specific scenarios where the pike shines include defending your base from smaller raiding creatures, such as troodons or microraptors, which can be difficult to hit with shorter weapons. The pikeÔÇÖs reach allows you to keep these agile threats at bay. In PvP, the pike is effective for close-quarters combat in tight spaces, such as caves or narrow corridors, where ranged weapons may be less practical.
In summary, the pike is a versatile and reliable weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved, offering extended reach and decent damage output. By mastering its mechanics, combining it with a shield, and using it strategically, you can enhance your survival and combat effectiveness. Always prepare repair materials, avoid overcommitting to attacks, and use the pike in situations where its reach provides a clear advantage. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for navigating the dangers of ARKÔÇÖs world.
To craft a pike, you will need to unlock its engram at level 25. The crafting recipe requires 20 wood, 15 fiber, and 15 metal ingots. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a refining forge, which itself requires stone, wood, and thatch to craft. Once you have the necessary materials, you can craft the pike at any inventory or crafting station. The pike has a durability of 40, meaning it can break after extended use, so itÔÇÖs wise to carry backup weapons or repair materials.
The pikeÔÇÖs primary advantage is its extended reach, which allows you to attack enemies from a safer distance compared to shorter weapons like the spear or sword. This makes it particularly effective against smaller or medium-sized creatures, such as raptors, dilophosaurs, or even players in PvP scenarios. When using the pike, aim to keep your distance while attacking. The pikeÔÇÖs attack animation is a thrusting motion, so timing and positioning are crucial. Always try to strike enemies just outside their attack range to minimize the risk of taking damage.
One important tip is to use the pike in combination with movement. Strafe or circle around your target while attacking to avoid being hit. This is especially useful against creatures with slower attack animations, such as carnotaurus or trikes. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from higher ground or behind obstacles, giving you a tactical advantage in combat. For example, standing on a rock or ledge while poking at a predator below can keep you safe while dealing damage.
A common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since the pike has a slower attack speed compared to other weapons, spamming attacks can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on landing precise strikes and retreating to a safe distance between attacks. Another mistake is using the pike against large creatures with high health pools, such as rexes or brontos. While the pike can deal damage, its durability will deplete quickly, and you may find yourself defenseless mid-fight. In these cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs for better efficiency.
For advanced techniques, consider pairing the pike with a shield. Equipping a shield in your off-hand allows you to block incoming attacks while still using the pike to strike. This combination is particularly effective in PvP scenarios, where blocking arrows or melee strikes can give you the upper hand. Additionally, you can use the pike to dismount players from their tamed dinosaurs by targeting the rider directly. This can disrupt enemy strategies and create opportunities for your tribe to gain the upper hand in battles.
Resource management is critical when using the pike. Always carry repair materials, such as wood, fiber, and metal ingots, to fix your pike in the field. This ensures youÔÇÖre never caught without a weapon during critical moments. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to share resources and craft multiple pikes for everyone. This ensures your tribe is well-equipped for both PvE and PvP encounters.
In solo play, the pike is a reliable tool for defending yourself against smaller threats while exploring. However, avoid engaging large predators or groups of enemies alone, as the pikeÔÇÖs limited durability and damage output may not be sufficient. Instead, use the pike as a defensive weapon while retreating to a safer location or calling for help from tamed dinosaurs.
Specific scenarios where the pike shines include defending your base from smaller raiding creatures, such as troodons or microraptors, which can be difficult to hit with shorter weapons. The pikeÔÇÖs reach allows you to keep these agile threats at bay. In PvP, the pike is effective for close-quarters combat in tight spaces, such as caves or narrow corridors, where ranged weapons may be less practical.
In summary, the pike is a versatile and reliable weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved, offering extended reach and decent damage output. By mastering its mechanics, combining it with a shield, and using it strategically, you can enhance your survival and combat effectiveness. Always prepare repair materials, avoid overcommitting to attacks, and use the pike in situations where its reach provides a clear advantage. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for navigating the dangers of ARKÔÇÖs world.