How do I craft a shield and use it for blocking attacks in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early-game survival and late-game combat. Shields provide a significant defensive advantage, allowing you to block incoming attacks from creatures, players, and even environmental hazards. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to craft and use a shield effectively.
To craft a shield, you first need to unlock the appropriate engram. The Wooden Shield engram is available at level 16, while the Metal Shield engram becomes available at level 51. The Wooden Shield is a good starting point for early-game defense, but the Metal Shield offers superior durability and protection. To craft a Wooden Shield, you will need 15 wood, 10 fiber, and 10 hide. For a Metal Shield, you will need 15 metal ingots, 10 fiber, and 10 hide. These resources are relatively easy to gather, especially if you have tamed dinosaurs like a Trike or Ankylosaurus to help with resource collection.
Once you have the necessary resources, open your inventory or a crafting station like a Smithy. Navigate to the engram for the shield and craft it. The shield will appear in your inventory, and you can equip it by dragging it to your hotbar and selecting it. When equipped, the shield will appear in your characterÔÇÖs off-hand, and you can use it to block attacks by holding down the right mouse button (or the corresponding button on your controller).
Blocking with a shield reduces the damage you take from incoming attacks. The amount of damage reduction depends on the type of shield you are using. A Wooden Shield reduces damage by 50%, while a Metal Shield reduces damage by 75%. However, shields have durability, which decreases with each blocked attack. Once the durability reaches zero, the shield will break and need to be repaired or replaced. To repair a shield, place it in a Smithy or Fabricator along with the required resources, such as wood or metal ingots.
When using a shield, positioning and timing are crucial. Face the direction of the incoming attack and hold the block button just before the attack lands. This will ensure that the shield absorbs the damage. Be mindful of your stamina, as blocking consumes stamina over time. If your stamina runs out, you will be unable to block until it regenerates. To manage stamina effectively, avoid holding the block button continuously and only block when necessary.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on the shield and neglecting other defensive strategies. While shields are useful, they are not invincible. Some attacks, such as those from large creatures like Rexes or Giganotosaurus, can break through your shield and deal significant damage. In these situations, itÔÇÖs better to use a combination of dodging, kiting, and ranged attacks to avoid taking damage altogether. Additionally, shields do not protect against environmental hazards like fire or poison, so always be aware of your surroundings.
For advanced players, combining a shield with other equipment and tactics can greatly enhance your survivability. For example, using a shield in conjunction with a pike or sword allows you to block incoming attacks and counter with melee strikes. In PvP scenarios, shields can be used to block incoming projectiles like arrows or bullets, giving you an edge in combat. However, be cautious of explosives, as they can destroy your shield and deal area-of-effect damage.
Resource management is also important when using shields. Always carry spare materials to repair or craft new shields, especially during extended expeditions or raids. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure that everyone has access to shields and the necessary resources. In solo play, prioritize gathering materials for shields early on, as they can make a significant difference in your ability to survive encounters with aggressive creatures.
In specific scenarios, shields can be a game-changer. For example, when exploring caves, shields can protect you from the swarms of bats, spiders, and other hostile creatures that inhabit these areas. In boss fights, shields can help mitigate damage from the bossÔÇÖs attacks, giving you more time to deal damage or heal. However, always be prepared to adapt your strategy based on the situation, as some bosses have attacks that can bypass shields or deal massive damage.
In conclusion, crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward but essential skill for survival and combat. By understanding the mechanics, managing resources, and using the shield effectively, you can significantly improve your chances of surviving the gameÔÇÖs many challenges. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, a well-timed block can mean the difference between life and death in the dangerous world of ARK.
To craft a shield, you first need to unlock the appropriate engram. The Wooden Shield engram is available at level 16, while the Metal Shield engram becomes available at level 51. The Wooden Shield is a good starting point for early-game defense, but the Metal Shield offers superior durability and protection. To craft a Wooden Shield, you will need 15 wood, 10 fiber, and 10 hide. For a Metal Shield, you will need 15 metal ingots, 10 fiber, and 10 hide. These resources are relatively easy to gather, especially if you have tamed dinosaurs like a Trike or Ankylosaurus to help with resource collection.
Once you have the necessary resources, open your inventory or a crafting station like a Smithy. Navigate to the engram for the shield and craft it. The shield will appear in your inventory, and you can equip it by dragging it to your hotbar and selecting it. When equipped, the shield will appear in your characterÔÇÖs off-hand, and you can use it to block attacks by holding down the right mouse button (or the corresponding button on your controller).
Blocking with a shield reduces the damage you take from incoming attacks. The amount of damage reduction depends on the type of shield you are using. A Wooden Shield reduces damage by 50%, while a Metal Shield reduces damage by 75%. However, shields have durability, which decreases with each blocked attack. Once the durability reaches zero, the shield will break and need to be repaired or replaced. To repair a shield, place it in a Smithy or Fabricator along with the required resources, such as wood or metal ingots.
When using a shield, positioning and timing are crucial. Face the direction of the incoming attack and hold the block button just before the attack lands. This will ensure that the shield absorbs the damage. Be mindful of your stamina, as blocking consumes stamina over time. If your stamina runs out, you will be unable to block until it regenerates. To manage stamina effectively, avoid holding the block button continuously and only block when necessary.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on the shield and neglecting other defensive strategies. While shields are useful, they are not invincible. Some attacks, such as those from large creatures like Rexes or Giganotosaurus, can break through your shield and deal significant damage. In these situations, itÔÇÖs better to use a combination of dodging, kiting, and ranged attacks to avoid taking damage altogether. Additionally, shields do not protect against environmental hazards like fire or poison, so always be aware of your surroundings.
For advanced players, combining a shield with other equipment and tactics can greatly enhance your survivability. For example, using a shield in conjunction with a pike or sword allows you to block incoming attacks and counter with melee strikes. In PvP scenarios, shields can be used to block incoming projectiles like arrows or bullets, giving you an edge in combat. However, be cautious of explosives, as they can destroy your shield and deal area-of-effect damage.
Resource management is also important when using shields. Always carry spare materials to repair or craft new shields, especially during extended expeditions or raids. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure that everyone has access to shields and the necessary resources. In solo play, prioritize gathering materials for shields early on, as they can make a significant difference in your ability to survive encounters with aggressive creatures.
In specific scenarios, shields can be a game-changer. For example, when exploring caves, shields can protect you from the swarms of bats, spiders, and other hostile creatures that inhabit these areas. In boss fights, shields can help mitigate damage from the bossÔÇÖs attacks, giving you more time to deal damage or heal. However, always be prepared to adapt your strategy based on the situation, as some bosses have attacks that can bypass shields or deal massive damage.
In conclusion, crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward but essential skill for survival and combat. By understanding the mechanics, managing resources, and using the shield effectively, you can significantly improve your chances of surviving the gameÔÇÖs many challenges. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, a well-timed block can mean the difference between life and death in the dangerous world of ARK.