How do I craft a tek railgun and use it for long-range combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a Tek Railgun in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game endeavor that requires significant preparation, resources, and knowledge of the game's advanced mechanics. The Tek Railgun is a powerful long-range weapon that deals massive damage, making it ideal for taking down tough enemies or defending your base from a distance. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Railgun effectively.
To craft a Tek Railgun, you must first unlock its engram. This requires defeating certain bosses to obtain the necessary Tekgrams. Specifically, you need to defeat the Dragon boss on Alpha difficulty to unlock the Tek Railgun engram. Once unlocked, you can craft the Tek Railgun at a Tek Replicator, which itself requires defeating the Broodmother boss on Alpha difficulty to unlock. The Tek Replicator is a high-tech crafting station that uses Element as its power source, so ensure you have a steady supply of Element before attempting to craft the Railgun.
The resource requirements for crafting a Tek Railgun are substantial. You will need 200 Element, 500 Metal Ingots, 200 Polymer, 100 Crystal, and 100 Electronics. Gathering these materials can be time-consuming, so it is advisable to use tamed dinosaurs like Ankylosaurus for metal and crystal, and Beavers or Mammoths for wood and thatch. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste. Electronics are crafted from Metal Ingots, Oil, and Silica Pearls, which can be gathered from the ocean or rivers using a tamed Anglerfish.
Once you have crafted the Tek Railgun, you need to power it with Element Shards. Each shot consumes one Element Shard, so ensure you have a sufficient supply before heading into combat. The Railgun has a long charge time and a cooldown period after firing, so timing your shots is crucial. The weapon is most effective against large, slow-moving targets like Titans, Gigas, or enemy bases. Its high damage output can quickly dismantle structures or take down powerful creatures, but its slow firing rate means you must aim carefully to avoid wasting shots.
When using the Tek Railgun, positioning is key. Since it is a long-range weapon, you want to maintain a safe distance from your target while still being able to land accurate shots. High ground is ideal, as it provides a clear line of sight and reduces the risk of being ambushed. If you are playing solo, consider building a small fortified outpost with turrets to protect yourself while using the Railgun. In a tribe, coordinate with teammates to provide cover and distractions while you focus on sniping high-value targets.
One common mistake is underestimating the Railgun's cooldown and charge time. Firing too early or missing a shot can leave you vulnerable, especially in PvP scenarios where enemies may rush you during the cooldown. To mitigate this, always have a backup weapon like a Tek Rifle or Shotgun for close-range defense. Additionally, avoid using the Railgun in tight spaces or dense forests, as its long-range capabilities are wasted in such environments.
Advanced techniques for using the Tek Railgun include pairing it with a Tek Hoversail or Tek Jetpack for mobility. These Tek items allow you to quickly reposition after firing, making it harder for enemies to counterattack. Another strategy is to use the Railgun in combination with tamed creatures like Wyverns or Managarmrs, which can provide aerial support or distractions while you focus on sniping. In PvP, consider using the Railgun to destroy enemy turrets or Tek structures from a safe distance, giving your tribe an advantage during raids.
Resource management is critical when using the Tek Railgun. Element Shards are expensive to produce, so avoid wasting shots on low-priority targets. Instead, focus on high-value objectives like enemy Tek generators, turrets, or tamed Gigas. In PvE, the Railgun is excellent for taking down Alpha creatures or defending your base from large waves of enemies during events like the Extinction Titan fights.
In summary, the Tek Railgun is a powerful but resource-intensive weapon that requires careful planning and execution to use effectively. By unlocking the necessary Tekgrams, gathering the required resources, and mastering its mechanics, you can dominate long-range combat in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the Tek Railgun is a valuable tool for taking down tough enemies and securing victory in the game's most challenging scenarios.
To craft a Tek Railgun, you must first unlock its engram. This requires defeating certain bosses to obtain the necessary Tekgrams. Specifically, you need to defeat the Dragon boss on Alpha difficulty to unlock the Tek Railgun engram. Once unlocked, you can craft the Tek Railgun at a Tek Replicator, which itself requires defeating the Broodmother boss on Alpha difficulty to unlock. The Tek Replicator is a high-tech crafting station that uses Element as its power source, so ensure you have a steady supply of Element before attempting to craft the Railgun.
The resource requirements for crafting a Tek Railgun are substantial. You will need 200 Element, 500 Metal Ingots, 200 Polymer, 100 Crystal, and 100 Electronics. Gathering these materials can be time-consuming, so it is advisable to use tamed dinosaurs like Ankylosaurus for metal and crystal, and Beavers or Mammoths for wood and thatch. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste. Electronics are crafted from Metal Ingots, Oil, and Silica Pearls, which can be gathered from the ocean or rivers using a tamed Anglerfish.
Once you have crafted the Tek Railgun, you need to power it with Element Shards. Each shot consumes one Element Shard, so ensure you have a sufficient supply before heading into combat. The Railgun has a long charge time and a cooldown period after firing, so timing your shots is crucial. The weapon is most effective against large, slow-moving targets like Titans, Gigas, or enemy bases. Its high damage output can quickly dismantle structures or take down powerful creatures, but its slow firing rate means you must aim carefully to avoid wasting shots.
When using the Tek Railgun, positioning is key. Since it is a long-range weapon, you want to maintain a safe distance from your target while still being able to land accurate shots. High ground is ideal, as it provides a clear line of sight and reduces the risk of being ambushed. If you are playing solo, consider building a small fortified outpost with turrets to protect yourself while using the Railgun. In a tribe, coordinate with teammates to provide cover and distractions while you focus on sniping high-value targets.
One common mistake is underestimating the Railgun's cooldown and charge time. Firing too early or missing a shot can leave you vulnerable, especially in PvP scenarios where enemies may rush you during the cooldown. To mitigate this, always have a backup weapon like a Tek Rifle or Shotgun for close-range defense. Additionally, avoid using the Railgun in tight spaces or dense forests, as its long-range capabilities are wasted in such environments.
Advanced techniques for using the Tek Railgun include pairing it with a Tek Hoversail or Tek Jetpack for mobility. These Tek items allow you to quickly reposition after firing, making it harder for enemies to counterattack. Another strategy is to use the Railgun in combination with tamed creatures like Wyverns or Managarmrs, which can provide aerial support or distractions while you focus on sniping. In PvP, consider using the Railgun to destroy enemy turrets or Tek structures from a safe distance, giving your tribe an advantage during raids.
Resource management is critical when using the Tek Railgun. Element Shards are expensive to produce, so avoid wasting shots on low-priority targets. Instead, focus on high-value objectives like enemy Tek generators, turrets, or tamed Gigas. In PvE, the Railgun is excellent for taking down Alpha creatures or defending your base from large waves of enemies during events like the Extinction Titan fights.
In summary, the Tek Railgun is a powerful but resource-intensive weapon that requires careful planning and execution to use effectively. By unlocking the necessary Tekgrams, gathering the required resources, and mastering its mechanics, you can dominate long-range combat in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the Tek Railgun is a valuable tool for taking down tough enemies and securing victory in the game's most challenging scenarios.