How do I craft and use a sword for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a sword for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward process, but it requires preparation, resources, and an understanding of the game's mechanics. The sword is a powerful melee weapon that deals high damage and is effective against both creatures and players in PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a sword, along with tips and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.
To craft a sword, you must first unlock its engram. The sword engram becomes available at level 35 and costs 18 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft the sword at a Smithy, which is a crafting station used for advanced tools and weapons. The Smithy itself requires level 20 to unlock and costs 12 engram points. To build a Smithy, you need 5 metal ingots, 70 wood, and 35 hide. Metal ingots are crafted by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees, and hide is obtained by killing creatures.
The resources required to craft a sword are 15 metal ingots, 50 wood, and 20 hide. Metal ingots are the most critical resource, as they are used in many advanced crafting recipes. To gather metal ore, you need to locate metal nodes, which are typically found on mountains or rocky areas. Use a pickaxe to harvest metal ore efficiently. Once you have enough metal ore, smelt it in a forge to produce metal ingots. Wood and hide are easier to gather, as they are abundant in most areas of the map.
Once you have the required resources, place them in the Smithy and craft the sword. The sword has a durability of 40, meaning it can be used for 40 hits before it breaks. It deals 50 base damage, making it one of the most powerful melee weapons in the early to mid-game. However, it has a slower swing speed compared to other melee weapons like the pike or spear, so timing your attacks is crucial.
When using the sword, it is important to manage your stamina. Each swing consumes stamina, and if you run out of stamina, you will be unable to attack until it regenerates. To optimize your combat effectiveness, avoid spamming attacks and instead time your swings to hit your target accurately. The sword is particularly effective against smaller creatures and players, as its high damage can quickly eliminate threats. However, it is less effective against larger creatures with high health pools, as you may need to land multiple hits, which can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks.
One common mistake players make is using the sword without proper armor or backup. While the sword is powerful, it requires you to be in close range, which can be dangerous against aggressive creatures or players with ranged weapons. Always wear armor to reduce incoming damage and consider bringing a ranged weapon like a bow or crossbow as a backup. Additionally, taming a dinosaur like a Raptor or Carnotaurus can provide support in combat, allowing you to focus on dealing damage while your dinosaur distracts or attacks the enemy.
Advanced techniques for using the sword include combining it with movement and positioning. Strafe around your target to avoid their attacks while landing your own. This is especially useful in PvP scenarios, where players may try to kite or outmaneuver you. Another strategy is to use the sword in combination with a shield. Equip a shield in your off-hand to block incoming attacks while using the sword to strike when an opening presents itself. This can be particularly effective against ranged enemies or creatures with predictable attack patterns.
Resource management is key when using the sword. Since it has limited durability, always carry repair materials like metal ingots and hide to repair it at a Smithy when needed. Additionally, consider crafting multiple swords to have backups during extended combat situations. This is especially important in PvP or when exploring dangerous areas like caves, where you may encounter multiple threats in quick succession.
For solo players, the sword is a reliable weapon for defending against smaller threats and gathering resources. However, in a tribe setting, the sword can be part of a coordinated combat strategy. For example, one tribe member can use the sword for close-range combat while others provide ranged support or use tamed dinosaurs to control the battlefield. Communication and teamwork are essential to maximize the effectiveness of the sword in group scenarios.
In specific scenarios, the sword shines in close-quarters combat, such as inside caves or during base raids. Its high damage output can quickly dispatch enemies in confined spaces where ranged weapons may be less effective. However, always be cautious of your surroundings and avoid getting overwhelmed by multiple enemies. Use the environment to your advantage, such as funneling enemies into narrow passages where you can focus on one target at a time.
In summary, crafting and using a sword in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, resource management, and strategic combat techniques. By unlocking the engram, gathering the necessary resources, and mastering the sword's mechanics, you can become a formidable melee combatant. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, the sword is a versatile weapon that can help you survive and thrive in the dangerous world of ARK.
To craft a sword, you must first unlock its engram. The sword engram becomes available at level 35 and costs 18 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft the sword at a Smithy, which is a crafting station used for advanced tools and weapons. The Smithy itself requires level 20 to unlock and costs 12 engram points. To build a Smithy, you need 5 metal ingots, 70 wood, and 35 hide. Metal ingots are crafted by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees, and hide is obtained by killing creatures.
The resources required to craft a sword are 15 metal ingots, 50 wood, and 20 hide. Metal ingots are the most critical resource, as they are used in many advanced crafting recipes. To gather metal ore, you need to locate metal nodes, which are typically found on mountains or rocky areas. Use a pickaxe to harvest metal ore efficiently. Once you have enough metal ore, smelt it in a forge to produce metal ingots. Wood and hide are easier to gather, as they are abundant in most areas of the map.
Once you have the required resources, place them in the Smithy and craft the sword. The sword has a durability of 40, meaning it can be used for 40 hits before it breaks. It deals 50 base damage, making it one of the most powerful melee weapons in the early to mid-game. However, it has a slower swing speed compared to other melee weapons like the pike or spear, so timing your attacks is crucial.
When using the sword, it is important to manage your stamina. Each swing consumes stamina, and if you run out of stamina, you will be unable to attack until it regenerates. To optimize your combat effectiveness, avoid spamming attacks and instead time your swings to hit your target accurately. The sword is particularly effective against smaller creatures and players, as its high damage can quickly eliminate threats. However, it is less effective against larger creatures with high health pools, as you may need to land multiple hits, which can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks.
One common mistake players make is using the sword without proper armor or backup. While the sword is powerful, it requires you to be in close range, which can be dangerous against aggressive creatures or players with ranged weapons. Always wear armor to reduce incoming damage and consider bringing a ranged weapon like a bow or crossbow as a backup. Additionally, taming a dinosaur like a Raptor or Carnotaurus can provide support in combat, allowing you to focus on dealing damage while your dinosaur distracts or attacks the enemy.
Advanced techniques for using the sword include combining it with movement and positioning. Strafe around your target to avoid their attacks while landing your own. This is especially useful in PvP scenarios, where players may try to kite or outmaneuver you. Another strategy is to use the sword in combination with a shield. Equip a shield in your off-hand to block incoming attacks while using the sword to strike when an opening presents itself. This can be particularly effective against ranged enemies or creatures with predictable attack patterns.
Resource management is key when using the sword. Since it has limited durability, always carry repair materials like metal ingots and hide to repair it at a Smithy when needed. Additionally, consider crafting multiple swords to have backups during extended combat situations. This is especially important in PvP or when exploring dangerous areas like caves, where you may encounter multiple threats in quick succession.
For solo players, the sword is a reliable weapon for defending against smaller threats and gathering resources. However, in a tribe setting, the sword can be part of a coordinated combat strategy. For example, one tribe member can use the sword for close-range combat while others provide ranged support or use tamed dinosaurs to control the battlefield. Communication and teamwork are essential to maximize the effectiveness of the sword in group scenarios.
In specific scenarios, the sword shines in close-quarters combat, such as inside caves or during base raids. Its high damage output can quickly dispatch enemies in confined spaces where ranged weapons may be less effective. However, always be cautious of your surroundings and avoid getting overwhelmed by multiple enemies. Use the environment to your advantage, such as funneling enemies into narrow passages where you can focus on one target at a time.
In summary, crafting and using a sword in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, resource management, and strategic combat techniques. By unlocking the engram, gathering the necessary resources, and mastering the sword's mechanics, you can become a formidable melee combatant. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, the sword is a versatile weapon that can help you survive and thrive in the dangerous world of ARK.