How do I craft and use a tek gauntlets for advanced combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using Tek Gauntlets in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game activity that requires significant preparation and resources. Tek Gauntlets are part of the Tek Tier, which is the most advanced technology in the game. They provide powerful combat abilities, including a punch attack that deals high damage and can knock back enemies. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use Tek Gauntlets effectively.

To craft Tek Gauntlets, you must first unlock the Tek Gauntlets Engram. This engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, simply unlocking the engram is not enough. You also need to defeat certain bosses to obtain the necessary Tekgrams, which are blueprints for Tek Tier items. Specifically, you need to defeat the Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, or Dragon boss to unlock the Tek Gauntlets Tekgram. These bosses are found in the game's various boss arenas, and defeating them requires a well-prepared team and strong tamed dinosaurs.

Once you have the Tekgram, you can craft Tek Gauntlets at a Tek Replicator. The Tek Replicator is a high-tech crafting station that requires Element to operate. To build a Tek Replicator, you need 1200 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 150 Polymer, and 80 Element. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from specific nodes in the game's later stages. Crafting the Tek Gauntlets themselves requires 200 Metal Ingots, 75 Polymer, 50 Crystal, and 20 Element. These resources are not easy to gather, so you will need to plan ahead and ensure you have a steady supply of materials.

Before attempting to craft Tek Gauntlets, it is essential to have a well-established base with advanced resource-gathering capabilities. Tamed dinosaurs like Ankylosaurus for metal, Doedicurus for stone, and Beaver for wood can significantly speed up the resource-gathering process. Additionally, having a Fabricator and Chem Bench will help you produce Polymer and other advanced materials more efficiently. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinating with your tribe members to gather resources and defeat bosses will make the process much smoother.

Once you have crafted the Tek Gauntlets, you can equip them in your character's armor slot. The gauntlets provide a significant boost to your melee damage and have a unique punch attack that can knock back enemies. This attack is particularly useful in close-quarters combat, as it can create distance between you and aggressive creatures or players. The gauntlets also have a secondary function that allows you to pick up and throw small creatures, which can be useful for crowd control or taming.

When using Tek Gauntlets in combat, it is important to manage your stamina. The punch attack consumes stamina, and if you run out, you will be unable to use the ability until your stamina regenerates. To optimize your combat effectiveness, consider investing in stamina and melee damage stats when leveling up. Additionally, wearing a full set of Tek Armor will provide additional benefits, such as increased damage resistance and the ability to perform a super jump, which can be useful for evading attacks or closing the distance to your target.

One common mistake players make when using Tek Gauntlets is relying too heavily on the punch attack. While it is powerful, it is not always the best option in every situation. For example, against fast-moving enemies or ranged attackers, using a ranged weapon like a Tek Rifle or Assault Rifle may be more effective. Additionally, the punch attack has a short range, so you need to be close to your target to use it effectively. This can put you at risk of taking damage, so always be mindful of your positioning and health.

Advanced techniques for using Tek Gauntlets include combining them with other Tek Tier items for maximum effectiveness. For example, using a Tek Shield to block incoming attacks while closing the distance to your target can create opportunities for a devastating punch attack. Additionally, using a Tek Rifle or Tek Sword in combination with the gauntlets can give you a versatile combat loadout that is effective at both close and medium range.

In terms of tribe and solo considerations, Tek Gauntlets are more accessible to tribes due to the resource and boss fight requirements. However, solo players can still achieve this by focusing on efficient resource gathering and taming strong dinosaurs for boss fights. If you are playing solo, consider taming high-level Rexes or Therizinosaurus for boss battles, as they are some of the best creatures for taking down bosses.

In conclusion, crafting and using Tek Gauntlets in ARK: Survival Evolved is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires significant preparation, resource gathering, and boss fights, but the powerful combat abilities they provide make them worth the effort. By following the steps outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can master the use of Tek Gauntlets and dominate in both PvE and PvP scenarios.