How do I craft a tek helmet and use it for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Tek Helmet in ARK: Survival Evolved is a significant milestone in the game, as it represents advanced technology and provides powerful abilities, including night vision. To craft and use a Tek Helmet, you need to progress through the gameÔÇÖs tech tree, gather rare resources, and defeat bosses to unlock the necessary engrams. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to unlock the Tek Helmet engram. This requires defeating one of the gameÔÇÖs bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, on at least Gamma difficulty. Each boss drops Element and Tekgrams, which are used to unlock Tek-tier items. Once you defeat a boss, you will gain access to the Tek Helmet engram, allowing you to craft it at a Tek Replicator. Note that you must be at least level 100 to unlock the engram.

To craft the Tek Helmet, you will need a Tek Replicator, which is a high-tech crafting station. Building a Tek Replicator requires a significant amount of resources, including 2000 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 150 Polymer, and 100 Element. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from specific nodes in the gameÔÇÖs later stages. Once you have the Tek Replicator, you can craft the Tek Helmet using 75 Metal Ingots, 25 Crystal, 15 Polymer, and 10 Element.

Resource gathering is a critical part of this process. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge, Crystal is mined from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains, and Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or harvesting Obsidian and Cementing Paste. Element is the most challenging resource to acquire, as it requires defeating bosses or completing specific endgame activities. If you are playing solo, consider taming strong dinosaurs like Rexes or Therizinos to help you defeat bosses. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather resources and prepare for boss fights.

Once you have crafted the Tek Helmet, you can equip it in your head slot. The Tek Helmet provides several advanced features, including night vision, thermal vision, and a heads-up display (HUD) that shows nearby creatures and their levels. To activate night vision, simply press the designated key (default is N on PC) while wearing the helmet. This ability is incredibly useful for navigating dark areas like caves or exploring at night without needing to carry torches or other light sources.

When using the Tek Helmet, there are a few important tips to keep in mind. First, the helmet consumes Element as fuel. Each piece of Element provides 10 minutes of usage, so always carry extra Element to avoid running out of power at critical moments. Second, the night vision mode can sometimes make it difficult to see in certain environments, so toggle it on and off as needed. Third, the thermal vision mode is excellent for spotting hidden creatures or players, but it can be disorienting in crowded areas.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the resource requirements for crafting the Tek Helmet and failing to prepare adequately for boss fights. Make sure you have strong tames, high-quality weapons, and plenty of healing items before attempting to defeat a boss. Additionally, avoid wasting Element by using the Tek HelmetÔÇÖs abilities unnecessarily. Save its power for situations where it provides a clear advantage.

Advanced techniques for using the Tek Helmet include combining it with other Tek-tier items, such as the Tek Rifle or Tek Boots, to maximize your combat effectiveness. For example, the Tek RifleÔÇÖs targeting system pairs well with the helmetÔÇÖs HUD, allowing you to quickly identify and eliminate threats. In PvP scenarios, the Tek HelmetÔÇÖs thermal vision can give you a significant edge by revealing hidden enemies.

In terms of tribe and solo considerations, tribes can distribute the workload of gathering resources and preparing for boss fights, making the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to focus on taming strong dinosaurs and carefully managing their resources. Regardless of your playstyle, communication and planning are key to successfully crafting and using the Tek Helmet.

In summary, crafting and using a Tek Helmet in ARK: Survival Evolved requires defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and building a Tek Replicator. The helmetÔÇÖs night vision and thermal vision abilities provide significant advantages in both PvE and PvP scenarios. By following this guide and avoiding common mistakes, you can unlock the full potential of the Tek Helmet and enhance your survival and combat capabilities in the game.