How do I craft a bola and use it to immobilize enemies in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a bola in ARK: Survival Evolved is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities, especially in the early game. A bola is a simple yet effective tool that immobilizes small to medium-sized creatures and even human players, making it easier to tame, escape, or defeat them. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a bola effectively, along with tips and strategies to maximize its utility.
To craft a bola, you need to unlock its engram at level 9. Once unlocked, you can craft it using 5 fiber, 9 hide, and 15 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is gathered by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station like the Smithy, and craft the bola. It is a single-use item, so you may want to craft several at once to have them ready for emergencies.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires good timing and aim. Equip the bola in your hotbar and throw it at your target by pressing the corresponding key or button. The bola will immobilize the target for 30 seconds, during which they cannot move or attack. This is particularly useful for taming creatures like raptors, sabertooths, or even players in PvP scenarios. However, the bola does not work on larger creatures like rexes or brontos, so be mindful of its limitations.
One of the most common uses for a bola is taming. For example, if you encounter a raptor, you can bola it to stop it from attacking you or running away. Once immobilized, you can knock it out with a slingshot, tranq arrows, or a club, and then feed it the appropriate food to tame it. This strategy is especially useful for solo players who may not have strong weapons or tames early in the game. Additionally, bolas can be used to immobilize aggressive creatures like troodons or microraptors, giving you time to escape or deal with them safely.
In PvP, bolas are a powerful tool for immobilizing enemy players, especially if they are on foot. Throwing a bola at an opponent can give you a significant advantage, allowing you to attack them while they are unable to move or fight back. However, be cautious when using bolas in PvP, as experienced players may carry multiple bolas or have tames that can break free quickly. Always have a backup plan, such as a weapon or a tame, to finish the fight if the bola fails.
When using bolas, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. First, do not rely on bolas for large creatures or flying creatures like argies or pteranodons, as they are ineffective against them. Second, always carry multiple bolas, as they are single-use and you may need more than one in a fight. Third, be mindful of the bola's range and aim carefully, as missing a throw can leave you vulnerable. Finally, do not underestimate the importance of positioning. Throwing a bola from a safe distance or elevated position can give you the upper hand in combat.
Advanced techniques for using bolas include combining them with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a creature and then place a bear trap or spike wall nearby to deal additional damage or prevent escape. In PvP, you can bola an enemy player and then use a grappling hook to pull them into a trap or off a cliff. Additionally, bolas can be used in conjunction with tames like raptors or wolves to quickly incapacitate and kill smaller creatures or players.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas, especially in the early game. Always gather extra fiber, hide, and stone to craft bolas in bulk. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has bolas when needed. Solo players should prioritize crafting bolas as soon as they unlock the engram, as they are a versatile tool for both survival and combat.
In summary, the bola is an essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved that can be used for taming, combat, and survival. By crafting and using bolas effectively, you can immobilize enemies, tame creatures, and gain a significant advantage in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Always carry multiple bolas, aim carefully, and combine them with other tools and strategies to maximize their effectiveness. With proper preparation and practice, the bola can become one of your most valuable assets in the game.
To craft a bola, you need to unlock its engram at level 9. Once unlocked, you can craft it using 5 fiber, 9 hide, and 15 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is gathered by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station like the Smithy, and craft the bola. It is a single-use item, so you may want to craft several at once to have them ready for emergencies.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires good timing and aim. Equip the bola in your hotbar and throw it at your target by pressing the corresponding key or button. The bola will immobilize the target for 30 seconds, during which they cannot move or attack. This is particularly useful for taming creatures like raptors, sabertooths, or even players in PvP scenarios. However, the bola does not work on larger creatures like rexes or brontos, so be mindful of its limitations.
One of the most common uses for a bola is taming. For example, if you encounter a raptor, you can bola it to stop it from attacking you or running away. Once immobilized, you can knock it out with a slingshot, tranq arrows, or a club, and then feed it the appropriate food to tame it. This strategy is especially useful for solo players who may not have strong weapons or tames early in the game. Additionally, bolas can be used to immobilize aggressive creatures like troodons or microraptors, giving you time to escape or deal with them safely.
In PvP, bolas are a powerful tool for immobilizing enemy players, especially if they are on foot. Throwing a bola at an opponent can give you a significant advantage, allowing you to attack them while they are unable to move or fight back. However, be cautious when using bolas in PvP, as experienced players may carry multiple bolas or have tames that can break free quickly. Always have a backup plan, such as a weapon or a tame, to finish the fight if the bola fails.
When using bolas, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. First, do not rely on bolas for large creatures or flying creatures like argies or pteranodons, as they are ineffective against them. Second, always carry multiple bolas, as they are single-use and you may need more than one in a fight. Third, be mindful of the bola's range and aim carefully, as missing a throw can leave you vulnerable. Finally, do not underestimate the importance of positioning. Throwing a bola from a safe distance or elevated position can give you the upper hand in combat.
Advanced techniques for using bolas include combining them with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a creature and then place a bear trap or spike wall nearby to deal additional damage or prevent escape. In PvP, you can bola an enemy player and then use a grappling hook to pull them into a trap or off a cliff. Additionally, bolas can be used in conjunction with tames like raptors or wolves to quickly incapacitate and kill smaller creatures or players.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas, especially in the early game. Always gather extra fiber, hide, and stone to craft bolas in bulk. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has bolas when needed. Solo players should prioritize crafting bolas as soon as they unlock the engram, as they are a versatile tool for both survival and combat.
In summary, the bola is an essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved that can be used for taming, combat, and survival. By crafting and using bolas effectively, you can immobilize enemies, tame creatures, and gain a significant advantage in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Always carry multiple bolas, aim carefully, and combine them with other tools and strategies to maximize their effectiveness. With proper preparation and practice, the bola can become one of your most valuable assets in the game.