How do I craft a sword and use it for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a sword in ARK: Survival Evolved is an important step in progressing your characterÔÇÖs combat capabilities. The sword is a powerful melee weapon that deals high damage and is effective against both creatures and other players in PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft a sword, use it effectively, and optimize your gameplay around it.
To craft a sword, you first need to unlock its engram. The sword engram becomes available at level 35 and costs 18 engram points. Once unlocked, you will need the following resources to craft it: 15 metal ingots, 20 hide, and 50 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a refining forge, hide is gathered from killing creatures, and fiber is collected from plants like bushes. Ensure you have a smithy or fabricator available, as these are the crafting stations required to make the sword.
Once you have the resources, place them in the smithy or fabricator and select the sword from the crafting menu. The sword has a durability of 40 and deals 50 base damage, making it one of the strongest melee weapons in the early to mid-game. It is particularly useful for close-quarters combat, as it swings faster than other melee weapons like the pike or club.
When using the sword, it is important to understand its mechanics. The sword has a fast attack speed and can hit multiple targets in a small area, making it effective against groups of smaller creatures. However, it has a short range, so positioning is key. Always try to close the distance between you and your target before engaging. The sword also consumes stamina with each swing, so managing your stamina is crucial during prolonged fights. If you run out of stamina, you will be unable to attack or defend yourself, leaving you vulnerable.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the swordÔÇÖs durability. While it deals high damage, it degrades quickly with use, especially when fighting tougher enemies. Always carry repair materials (metal ingots and hide) with you to fix your sword in the field. Another mistake is using the sword against large or armored creatures without proper preparation. While the sword is effective against smaller foes, it may not be the best choice for fighting creatures like Rexes or Stegosauruses, which have high health and armor. In these cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs to handle the threat.
For advanced techniques, consider pairing the sword with a shield. The shield can block incoming attacks, allowing you to close the distance safely and strike with your sword. This combination is particularly effective in PvP, where blocking and counterattacking can give you the upper hand. Additionally, leveling up your melee damage stat will increase the swordÔÇÖs effectiveness, allowing you to deal more damage per swing. However, be cautious not to neglect other important stats like health and stamina, as these are vital for surviving combat.
Resource management is critical when using the sword. Metal ingots, in particular, are a valuable resource that is also needed for crafting other advanced items like armor and tools. Prioritize gathering metal ore from rocks in mountainous areas or using a metal pickaxe for better yields. Tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus can also help you gather metal more efficiently. Hide and fiber are easier to obtain, but it is still a good idea to stockpile these resources to ensure you can repair or craft additional swords as needed.
In a tribe setting, swords can be a valuable asset for raiding or defending your base. Coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to swords and the necessary repair materials. In solo play, the sword is a reliable weapon for handling smaller threats and gathering resources, but you may need to rely on tamed dinosaurs or ranged weapons for larger challenges.
Specific scenarios where the sword shines include clearing out caves, defending against smaller predators like Raptors or Dilophosaurs, and engaging in close-quarters PvP combat. For example, when exploring caves, the swordÔÇÖs fast attack speed and high damage make it ideal for dealing with swarms of creatures like Araneos or Onycs. In PvP, the sword can be devastating when used in ambushes or tight spaces where ranged weapons are less effective.
In summary, the sword is a versatile and powerful melee weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, managing resources effectively, and using it in the right situations, you can greatly enhance your combat capabilities. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the sword is a valuable tool for survival and dominance in the world of ARK.
To craft a sword, you first need to unlock its engram. The sword engram becomes available at level 35 and costs 18 engram points. Once unlocked, you will need the following resources to craft it: 15 metal ingots, 20 hide, and 50 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a refining forge, hide is gathered from killing creatures, and fiber is collected from plants like bushes. Ensure you have a smithy or fabricator available, as these are the crafting stations required to make the sword.
Once you have the resources, place them in the smithy or fabricator and select the sword from the crafting menu. The sword has a durability of 40 and deals 50 base damage, making it one of the strongest melee weapons in the early to mid-game. It is particularly useful for close-quarters combat, as it swings faster than other melee weapons like the pike or club.
When using the sword, it is important to understand its mechanics. The sword has a fast attack speed and can hit multiple targets in a small area, making it effective against groups of smaller creatures. However, it has a short range, so positioning is key. Always try to close the distance between you and your target before engaging. The sword also consumes stamina with each swing, so managing your stamina is crucial during prolonged fights. If you run out of stamina, you will be unable to attack or defend yourself, leaving you vulnerable.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the swordÔÇÖs durability. While it deals high damage, it degrades quickly with use, especially when fighting tougher enemies. Always carry repair materials (metal ingots and hide) with you to fix your sword in the field. Another mistake is using the sword against large or armored creatures without proper preparation. While the sword is effective against smaller foes, it may not be the best choice for fighting creatures like Rexes or Stegosauruses, which have high health and armor. In these cases, consider using ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs to handle the threat.
For advanced techniques, consider pairing the sword with a shield. The shield can block incoming attacks, allowing you to close the distance safely and strike with your sword. This combination is particularly effective in PvP, where blocking and counterattacking can give you the upper hand. Additionally, leveling up your melee damage stat will increase the swordÔÇÖs effectiveness, allowing you to deal more damage per swing. However, be cautious not to neglect other important stats like health and stamina, as these are vital for surviving combat.
Resource management is critical when using the sword. Metal ingots, in particular, are a valuable resource that is also needed for crafting other advanced items like armor and tools. Prioritize gathering metal ore from rocks in mountainous areas or using a metal pickaxe for better yields. Tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus can also help you gather metal more efficiently. Hide and fiber are easier to obtain, but it is still a good idea to stockpile these resources to ensure you can repair or craft additional swords as needed.
In a tribe setting, swords can be a valuable asset for raiding or defending your base. Coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to swords and the necessary repair materials. In solo play, the sword is a reliable weapon for handling smaller threats and gathering resources, but you may need to rely on tamed dinosaurs or ranged weapons for larger challenges.
Specific scenarios where the sword shines include clearing out caves, defending against smaller predators like Raptors or Dilophosaurs, and engaging in close-quarters PvP combat. For example, when exploring caves, the swordÔÇÖs fast attack speed and high damage make it ideal for dealing with swarms of creatures like Araneos or Onycs. In PvP, the sword can be devastating when used in ambushes or tight spaces where ranged weapons are less effective.
In summary, the sword is a versatile and powerful melee weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, managing resources effectively, and using it in the right situations, you can greatly enhance your combat capabilities. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the sword is a valuable tool for survival and dominance in the world of ARK.