How do I craft a pike and use it for combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pike in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early and mid-game survival. The pike is a versatile melee weapon that offers better range and damage compared to the spear, making it a reliable tool for defending yourself against hostile creatures and players. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and effectively use a pike, along with tips and strategies to maximize its potential.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike becomes available at level 25, and it costs 12 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The crafting recipe requires 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by hitting trees with a pickaxe, hatchet, or a tamed dinosaur like a Beaver or Mammoth, and fiber is collected by harvesting bushes or using a tamed dinosaur such as a Therizinosaurus or Moschops.
Before crafting the pike, ensure you have the necessary resources and a Smithy or Fabricator ready. Metal ingots are particularly important, so prioritize gathering metal ore from rocks in mountainous areas or riverbeds. Use a pickaxe for better metal yield. Once you have the materials, place them in the Smithy or Fabricator and craft the pike. It is a good idea to craft multiple pikes, as they have durability and can break during combat.
Using the pike effectively in combat requires understanding its mechanics. The pike has a longer reach than most melee weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is especially useful against smaller or faster creatures like Raptors or Dilophosaurs. To use the pike, equip it in your hotbar and press the corresponding key or button to swing it. The pike deals moderate damage and can stagger smaller enemies, giving you time to reposition or follow up with additional attacks.
One important tip is to aim for the head or weak spots of creatures, as this can increase damage output. For example, when fighting a Carnotaurus, targeting its head can help you defeat it more quickly. Additionally, the pike is effective for defending against swarms of smaller creatures, such as Compys or Dilos, due to its wide swing arc. However, avoid using the pike against larger, tankier creatures like Rexes or Spinos, as its damage may not be sufficient to take them down quickly. In such cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs for better results.
A common mistake players make is relying solely on the pike without considering their surroundings. Always be aware of your environment when engaging in combat. For example, fighting near cliffs or water can be dangerous, as you might accidentally fall or get pushed into the water by aggressive creatures. Additionally, avoid fighting multiple enemies at once unless you are confident in your ability to handle them. The pikeÔÇÖs durability can deplete quickly in prolonged battles, so carry backup weapons or repair materials.
Advanced techniques for using the pike include combining it with movement and positioning strategies. For instance, you can use the pikeÔÇÖs reach to attack enemies while backing away, maintaining distance and avoiding counterattacks. This is particularly effective against creatures with slower attack animations, such as Trikes or Stegos. Another technique is to use the pike in conjunction with traps or environmental hazards. For example, luring a Carnivore into a trap and then attacking it with the pike can make the fight much easier.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore and a functioning forge. Tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency. Additionally, always carry repair materials, such as extra metal ingots, to fix your pike during long expeditions. This is especially important in PvP scenarios, where durability can be a deciding factor in battles.
For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for early to mid-game survival. It provides a good balance of damage and range, making it suitable for defending against most threats. However, in tribe settings, consider coordinating with teammates to maximize its effectiveness. For example, one player can use the pike to engage enemies while another provides ranged support or heals. This teamwork can make combat encounters much more manageable.
In specific scenarios, the pike can be a lifesaver. For instance, when exploring caves, the pikeÔÇÖs reach allows you to attack hostile creatures like Arthropluera or Onyc from a safe distance. It is also useful for defending your base against smaller raiding creatures or players in PvP. However, always be prepared to switch to a stronger weapon or mount a tamed dinosaur if the situation becomes too dangerous.
In conclusion, the pike is a versatile and effective weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and combat strategies, you can use it to survive and thrive in the gameÔÇÖs challenging world. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for early to mid-game progression. Just remember to manage your resources, avoid common mistakes, and adapt your tactics to different situations. With practice and preparation, the pike can become one of your most trusted weapons in ARK.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike becomes available at level 25, and it costs 12 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The crafting recipe requires 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by hitting trees with a pickaxe, hatchet, or a tamed dinosaur like a Beaver or Mammoth, and fiber is collected by harvesting bushes or using a tamed dinosaur such as a Therizinosaurus or Moschops.
Before crafting the pike, ensure you have the necessary resources and a Smithy or Fabricator ready. Metal ingots are particularly important, so prioritize gathering metal ore from rocks in mountainous areas or riverbeds. Use a pickaxe for better metal yield. Once you have the materials, place them in the Smithy or Fabricator and craft the pike. It is a good idea to craft multiple pikes, as they have durability and can break during combat.
Using the pike effectively in combat requires understanding its mechanics. The pike has a longer reach than most melee weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is especially useful against smaller or faster creatures like Raptors or Dilophosaurs. To use the pike, equip it in your hotbar and press the corresponding key or button to swing it. The pike deals moderate damage and can stagger smaller enemies, giving you time to reposition or follow up with additional attacks.
One important tip is to aim for the head or weak spots of creatures, as this can increase damage output. For example, when fighting a Carnotaurus, targeting its head can help you defeat it more quickly. Additionally, the pike is effective for defending against swarms of smaller creatures, such as Compys or Dilos, due to its wide swing arc. However, avoid using the pike against larger, tankier creatures like Rexes or Spinos, as its damage may not be sufficient to take them down quickly. In such cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs for better results.
A common mistake players make is relying solely on the pike without considering their surroundings. Always be aware of your environment when engaging in combat. For example, fighting near cliffs or water can be dangerous, as you might accidentally fall or get pushed into the water by aggressive creatures. Additionally, avoid fighting multiple enemies at once unless you are confident in your ability to handle them. The pikeÔÇÖs durability can deplete quickly in prolonged battles, so carry backup weapons or repair materials.
Advanced techniques for using the pike include combining it with movement and positioning strategies. For instance, you can use the pikeÔÇÖs reach to attack enemies while backing away, maintaining distance and avoiding counterattacks. This is particularly effective against creatures with slower attack animations, such as Trikes or Stegos. Another technique is to use the pike in conjunction with traps or environmental hazards. For example, luring a Carnivore into a trap and then attacking it with the pike can make the fight much easier.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore and a functioning forge. Tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency. Additionally, always carry repair materials, such as extra metal ingots, to fix your pike during long expeditions. This is especially important in PvP scenarios, where durability can be a deciding factor in battles.
For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for early to mid-game survival. It provides a good balance of damage and range, making it suitable for defending against most threats. However, in tribe settings, consider coordinating with teammates to maximize its effectiveness. For example, one player can use the pike to engage enemies while another provides ranged support or heals. This teamwork can make combat encounters much more manageable.
In specific scenarios, the pike can be a lifesaver. For instance, when exploring caves, the pikeÔÇÖs reach allows you to attack hostile creatures like Arthropluera or Onyc from a safe distance. It is also useful for defending your base against smaller raiding creatures or players in PvP. However, always be prepared to switch to a stronger weapon or mount a tamed dinosaur if the situation becomes too dangerous.
In conclusion, the pike is a versatile and effective weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and combat strategies, you can use it to survive and thrive in the gameÔÇÖs challenging world. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the pike is a valuable tool for early to mid-game progression. Just remember to manage your resources, avoid common mistakes, and adapt your tactics to different situations. With practice and preparation, the pike can become one of your most trusted weapons in ARK.