How do I craft and use a pump-action shotgun for close combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pump-action shotgun in ARK: Survival Evolved is a powerful way to handle close combat situations, especially when dealing with aggressive creatures or hostile players. The pump-action shotgun is a mid-to-late-game weapon that requires specific resources and engrams to craft. Below is a detailed guide on how to obtain, craft, and effectively use this weapon.
To begin, you need to unlock the pump-action shotgun engram. This engram becomes available at level 55 and costs 21 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft the shotgun at a fabricator, which itself requires level 35 to unlock and craft. The fabricator is essential for creating advanced weapons and tools, so ensure you have one set up in your base. The resources needed to craft the pump-action shotgun include 35 metal ingots, 15 polymer, 50 cementing paste, and 15 electronics. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge, polymer can be obtained from killing creatures like Kairuku or harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures, cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or chem bench, and electronics are crafted from metal ingots, silica pearls, and oil in a fabricator.
Once you have gathered all the necessary resources, place them in the fabricator and craft the pump-action shotgun. It is important to note that the shotgun requires shotgun shells to function. Shotgun shells are crafted in a fabricator using 5 metal ingots, 5 gunpowder, and 2 polymer per shell. Gunpowder is made by combining charcoal and sparkpowder in a mortar and pestle or chem bench. Always ensure you have a sufficient supply of shotgun shells before heading into combat, as running out of ammo in a critical moment can be disastrous.
When using the pump-action shotgun, positioning and timing are crucial. The shotgun is most effective at close range, as its spread pattern makes it less accurate at longer distances. Aim for the head or weak spots of your target to maximize damage. The shotgun has a slow rate of fire due to its pump-action mechanism, so make each shot count. Reloading takes time, so try to find a safe spot to reload if you are in a prolonged fight. Using the shotgun in tight spaces, such as caves or narrow corridors, can be particularly effective, as the spread pattern will cover a larger area, increasing your chances of hitting your target.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the reload time of the pump-action shotgun. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid reloading in the middle of a fight if possible. Another mistake is using the shotgun at long range, where its effectiveness drops significantly. Stick to close-quarters combat to make the most of this weapon. Additionally, ensure you have enough ammo before engaging in combat, as running out of shotgun shells can leave you vulnerable.
Advanced techniques for using the pump-action shotgun include combining it with other weapons and tools. For example, you can use a long-range weapon like a rifle to weaken enemies from a distance before switching to the shotgun for close combat. Using tamed dinosaurs to distract or tank damage while you focus on dealing damage with the shotgun can also be effective. For example, a well-trained Carnotaurus or Raptor can keep enemies at bay while you take them out with your shotgun.
Resource management is key when using the pump-action shotgun. Always keep an eye on your ammo supply and gather resources regularly to craft more shotgun shells. Setting up a dedicated crafting area with a fabricator and chem bench can streamline the process of creating ammo and other necessary items. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources more efficiently. Solo players should focus on building a secure base with storage containers to stockpile resources.
In specific scenarios, such as defending your base from a raid or clearing out a cave, the pump-action shotgun can be a game-changer. For base defense, position yourself in a choke point where enemies are forced to come close, maximizing the shotgun's effectiveness. In caves, the tight spaces and close encounters make the shotgun an ideal weapon. Always bring a backup weapon, such as a sword or pistol, in case you run out of ammo or need to switch tactics.
In conclusion, the pump-action shotgun is a powerful weapon for close combat in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding the crafting requirements, mastering its use, and managing your resources effectively, you can dominate in close-quarters combat situations. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pump-action shotgun is a valuable addition to your arsenal.
To begin, you need to unlock the pump-action shotgun engram. This engram becomes available at level 55 and costs 21 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft the shotgun at a fabricator, which itself requires level 35 to unlock and craft. The fabricator is essential for creating advanced weapons and tools, so ensure you have one set up in your base. The resources needed to craft the pump-action shotgun include 35 metal ingots, 15 polymer, 50 cementing paste, and 15 electronics. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge, polymer can be obtained from killing creatures like Kairuku or harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures, cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or chem bench, and electronics are crafted from metal ingots, silica pearls, and oil in a fabricator.
Once you have gathered all the necessary resources, place them in the fabricator and craft the pump-action shotgun. It is important to note that the shotgun requires shotgun shells to function. Shotgun shells are crafted in a fabricator using 5 metal ingots, 5 gunpowder, and 2 polymer per shell. Gunpowder is made by combining charcoal and sparkpowder in a mortar and pestle or chem bench. Always ensure you have a sufficient supply of shotgun shells before heading into combat, as running out of ammo in a critical moment can be disastrous.
When using the pump-action shotgun, positioning and timing are crucial. The shotgun is most effective at close range, as its spread pattern makes it less accurate at longer distances. Aim for the head or weak spots of your target to maximize damage. The shotgun has a slow rate of fire due to its pump-action mechanism, so make each shot count. Reloading takes time, so try to find a safe spot to reload if you are in a prolonged fight. Using the shotgun in tight spaces, such as caves or narrow corridors, can be particularly effective, as the spread pattern will cover a larger area, increasing your chances of hitting your target.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the reload time of the pump-action shotgun. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid reloading in the middle of a fight if possible. Another mistake is using the shotgun at long range, where its effectiveness drops significantly. Stick to close-quarters combat to make the most of this weapon. Additionally, ensure you have enough ammo before engaging in combat, as running out of shotgun shells can leave you vulnerable.
Advanced techniques for using the pump-action shotgun include combining it with other weapons and tools. For example, you can use a long-range weapon like a rifle to weaken enemies from a distance before switching to the shotgun for close combat. Using tamed dinosaurs to distract or tank damage while you focus on dealing damage with the shotgun can also be effective. For example, a well-trained Carnotaurus or Raptor can keep enemies at bay while you take them out with your shotgun.
Resource management is key when using the pump-action shotgun. Always keep an eye on your ammo supply and gather resources regularly to craft more shotgun shells. Setting up a dedicated crafting area with a fabricator and chem bench can streamline the process of creating ammo and other necessary items. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources more efficiently. Solo players should focus on building a secure base with storage containers to stockpile resources.
In specific scenarios, such as defending your base from a raid or clearing out a cave, the pump-action shotgun can be a game-changer. For base defense, position yourself in a choke point where enemies are forced to come close, maximizing the shotgun's effectiveness. In caves, the tight spaces and close encounters make the shotgun an ideal weapon. Always bring a backup weapon, such as a sword or pistol, in case you run out of ammo or need to switch tactics.
In conclusion, the pump-action shotgun is a powerful weapon for close combat in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding the crafting requirements, mastering its use, and managing your resources effectively, you can dominate in close-quarters combat situations. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pump-action shotgun is a valuable addition to your arsenal.