What are the best early-game weapons for surviving in ARK: Survival Evolved?
In ARK: Survival Evolved, early-game survival heavily relies on crafting effective weapons to defend yourself against hostile creatures and other players. The best early-game weapons are simple to craft, require minimal resources, and are versatile enough to handle a variety of threats. Below is a detailed guide on the best early-game weapons, how to obtain them, and how to use them effectively.
The first weapon you should craft is the Stone Pickaxe. This tool is essential for gathering resources like stone, flint, and thatch, which are needed to craft other weapons. To make a Stone Pickaxe, you need 1 wood, 1 stone, and 10 fiber. These materials are easily found by punching trees and rocks. The Pickaxe is not just a tool but also a basic melee weapon. While it deals low damage, it can be used in emergencies to fend off small creatures like Dodos or Dilophosaurs.
Next, craft the Stone Hatchet. This tool is better for gathering wood and hide, and it also serves as a slightly more effective melee weapon than the Pickaxe. To craft a Stone Hatchet, you need 1 wood, 1 flint, and 10 fiber. Flint is obtained by hitting rocks with a Pickaxe. The Hatchet deals more damage than the Pickaxe and is useful for defending against slightly stronger creatures like Raptors.
Once you have these basic tools, the next step is to craft a Spear. The Spear is one of the most versatile early-game weapons. It can be used as a melee weapon or thrown as a ranged weapon. To craft a Spear, you need 8 wood, 2 flint, and 12 fiber. The Spear is effective against small to medium-sized creatures and can be thrown to deal damage from a distance. However, it has limited durability and will break after a few uses, so always carry multiple Spears.
Another essential early-game weapon is the Slingshot. The Slingshot is a ranged weapon that uses stones as ammunition. To craft a Slingshot, you need 20 fiber, 5 hide, and 5 wood. Hide is obtained by killing creatures like Dodos or Parasaur. The Slingshot is particularly useful for taming small creatures like Dilos or even knocking out larger creatures like Trikes if used strategically. Aim for the head to maximize damage and torpor.
The Bow is a significant upgrade from the Slingshot and becomes available once you unlock the engram at level 10. To craft a Bow, you need 15 fiber, 25 wood, and 10 hide. Arrows are crafted separately using 2 wood, 1 stone, and 2 fiber per arrow. The Bow deals more damage than the Slingshot and has better range, making it ideal for hunting and defending against larger threats like Carnotaurus or even players in PvP scenarios.
For melee combat, the Pike is a powerful early-game weapon that becomes available at level 20. To craft a Pike, you need 12 wood, 35 fiber, and 20 hide. The Pike has a longer reach than the Spear and deals more damage, making it effective against larger creatures. It is particularly useful for defending your base or engaging in close-quarters combat.
When using these weapons, always consider your surroundings and the type of creature you are facing. For example, using a Bow or Slingshot from a high vantage point can give you an advantage against ground-based predators. Additionally, always carry backup weapons, as early-game tools and weapons have low durability and can break mid-fight.
A common mistake is underestimating the importance of armor. While weapons are crucial, having basic Hide Armor can significantly increase your survivability. Crafting Hide Armor requires 35 fiber and 50 hide, which can be obtained by killing creatures and harvesting their bodies. Armor reduces the damage you take, allowing you to engage in combat more confidently.
Advanced techniques include using tamed creatures to assist in combat. For example, taming a pack of Dilophosaurs can provide a significant advantage in early-game battles. These small predators can swarm and distract enemies, giving you time to attack or retreat. Additionally, using terrain to your advantage, such as luring enemies into narrow spaces where they can be easily targeted, can turn the tide in difficult fights.
Resource management is key in the early game. Always gather extra materials to craft multiple weapons and repair them as needed. Prioritize gathering flint, wood, and fiber, as these are essential for crafting most early-game weapons. If playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has the necessary tools and weapons.
In solo play, focus on crafting versatile weapons like the Spear and Bow, as they allow you to handle a variety of threats. In a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person focusing on crafting weapons while others gather resources or tame creatures. This division of labor can significantly improve efficiency and survival chances.
Specific scenarios include defending your base from a Raptor attack. In this case, using a Bow from a safe distance is ideal. If you are caught in the open, a Pike or Spear can help you fend off the Raptor while retreating to safety. Another scenario is taming a Trike. Using a Slingshot to knock it out from a distance is safer than engaging in melee combat.
In conclusion, early-game survival in ARK: Survival Evolved depends on crafting and using the right weapons. The Stone Pickaxe, Stone Hatchet, Spear, Slingshot, Bow, and Pike are essential tools for defending against threats and gathering resources. Always carry backup weapons, prioritize crafting armor, and use tamed creatures and terrain to your advantage. With careful resource management and strategic planning, you can survive and thrive in the dangerous world of ARK.
The first weapon you should craft is the Stone Pickaxe. This tool is essential for gathering resources like stone, flint, and thatch, which are needed to craft other weapons. To make a Stone Pickaxe, you need 1 wood, 1 stone, and 10 fiber. These materials are easily found by punching trees and rocks. The Pickaxe is not just a tool but also a basic melee weapon. While it deals low damage, it can be used in emergencies to fend off small creatures like Dodos or Dilophosaurs.
Next, craft the Stone Hatchet. This tool is better for gathering wood and hide, and it also serves as a slightly more effective melee weapon than the Pickaxe. To craft a Stone Hatchet, you need 1 wood, 1 flint, and 10 fiber. Flint is obtained by hitting rocks with a Pickaxe. The Hatchet deals more damage than the Pickaxe and is useful for defending against slightly stronger creatures like Raptors.
Once you have these basic tools, the next step is to craft a Spear. The Spear is one of the most versatile early-game weapons. It can be used as a melee weapon or thrown as a ranged weapon. To craft a Spear, you need 8 wood, 2 flint, and 12 fiber. The Spear is effective against small to medium-sized creatures and can be thrown to deal damage from a distance. However, it has limited durability and will break after a few uses, so always carry multiple Spears.
Another essential early-game weapon is the Slingshot. The Slingshot is a ranged weapon that uses stones as ammunition. To craft a Slingshot, you need 20 fiber, 5 hide, and 5 wood. Hide is obtained by killing creatures like Dodos or Parasaur. The Slingshot is particularly useful for taming small creatures like Dilos or even knocking out larger creatures like Trikes if used strategically. Aim for the head to maximize damage and torpor.
The Bow is a significant upgrade from the Slingshot and becomes available once you unlock the engram at level 10. To craft a Bow, you need 15 fiber, 25 wood, and 10 hide. Arrows are crafted separately using 2 wood, 1 stone, and 2 fiber per arrow. The Bow deals more damage than the Slingshot and has better range, making it ideal for hunting and defending against larger threats like Carnotaurus or even players in PvP scenarios.
For melee combat, the Pike is a powerful early-game weapon that becomes available at level 20. To craft a Pike, you need 12 wood, 35 fiber, and 20 hide. The Pike has a longer reach than the Spear and deals more damage, making it effective against larger creatures. It is particularly useful for defending your base or engaging in close-quarters combat.
When using these weapons, always consider your surroundings and the type of creature you are facing. For example, using a Bow or Slingshot from a high vantage point can give you an advantage against ground-based predators. Additionally, always carry backup weapons, as early-game tools and weapons have low durability and can break mid-fight.
A common mistake is underestimating the importance of armor. While weapons are crucial, having basic Hide Armor can significantly increase your survivability. Crafting Hide Armor requires 35 fiber and 50 hide, which can be obtained by killing creatures and harvesting their bodies. Armor reduces the damage you take, allowing you to engage in combat more confidently.
Advanced techniques include using tamed creatures to assist in combat. For example, taming a pack of Dilophosaurs can provide a significant advantage in early-game battles. These small predators can swarm and distract enemies, giving you time to attack or retreat. Additionally, using terrain to your advantage, such as luring enemies into narrow spaces where they can be easily targeted, can turn the tide in difficult fights.
Resource management is key in the early game. Always gather extra materials to craft multiple weapons and repair them as needed. Prioritize gathering flint, wood, and fiber, as these are essential for crafting most early-game weapons. If playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has the necessary tools and weapons.
In solo play, focus on crafting versatile weapons like the Spear and Bow, as they allow you to handle a variety of threats. In a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person focusing on crafting weapons while others gather resources or tame creatures. This division of labor can significantly improve efficiency and survival chances.
Specific scenarios include defending your base from a Raptor attack. In this case, using a Bow from a safe distance is ideal. If you are caught in the open, a Pike or Spear can help you fend off the Raptor while retreating to safety. Another scenario is taming a Trike. Using a Slingshot to knock it out from a distance is safer than engaging in melee combat.
In conclusion, early-game survival in ARK: Survival Evolved depends on crafting and using the right weapons. The Stone Pickaxe, Stone Hatchet, Spear, Slingshot, Bow, and Pike are essential tools for defending against threats and gathering resources. Always carry backup weapons, prioritize crafting armor, and use tamed creatures and terrain to your advantage. With careful resource management and strategic planning, you can survive and thrive in the dangerous world of ARK.