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 late-game activity that requires significant preparation and resources. The Tek Helmet is part of the Tek Tier, which is the most advanced technology in the game. It provides night vision, thermal vision, and other useful features, making it a powerful tool for survival and combat, especially in dark or challenging environments. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Helmet effectively.

To craft a Tek Helmet, you must first unlock its engram. The Tek Helmet engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, you cannot unlock Tek engrams simply by leveling up. Instead, you must defeat certain bosses to gain access to Tekgrams, which are special engrams tied to the Tek Tier. For the Tek Helmet, you need to defeat the Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, or Dragon boss on Gamma difficulty or higher. Once you have the Tekgram, you can craft the helmet at a Tek Replicator.

The Tek Replicator is a high-tech crafting station required for all Tek Tier items. To build a Tek Replicator, you need to unlock its engram at level 100 and gather the necessary resources. Crafting a Tek Replicator requires 1200 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 150 Polymer, 100 Cementing Paste, and 80 Element. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or completing certain endgame activities. Once you have the Tek Replicator, place it in your base and power it using Element or a Tek Generator.

To craft the Tek Helmet, you will need the following resources: 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer, 20 Cementing Paste, and 10 Element. These materials are relatively easy to gather if you have access to high-level tames like Ankylosaurus for metal, Doedicurus for stone (to make Cementing Paste), and Beavers or Mammoths for wood. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by harvesting Obsidian and crafting it with Cementing Paste. Crystal is found in mountainous regions or caves.

Once you have crafted the Tek Helmet, equip it in your helmet slot. The helmet provides several vision modes, including night vision, which is particularly useful in dark environments like caves or during nighttime. To activate night vision, press the designated key (default is N on PC). The night vision mode illuminates your surroundings, making it easier to navigate and spot enemies. The Tek Helmet also has thermal vision, which highlights living creatures in red and structures in blue, making it invaluable for tracking enemies or locating hidden threats.

When using the Tek Helmet, keep in mind that it 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. Additionally, the Tek Helmet does not provide armor, so you are still vulnerable to damage. Pair it with high-quality armor to maximize your survivability.

For solo players, crafting a Tek Helmet can be challenging due to the resource requirements and the need to defeat bosses. Consider taming strong creatures like Rexes or Therizinosaurus to help you in boss fights. For tribes, coordinate with your teammates to gather resources and prepare for boss battles. Assign roles, such as gathering, taming, and combat, to streamline the process.

A common mistake is underestimating the difficulty of boss fights. Always prepare thoroughly by breeding and imprinting high-level creatures, crafting strong saddles, and bringing plenty of healing items. Another mistake is neglecting to stockpile Element, as running out of fuel for your Tek Helmet can leave you vulnerable in dangerous situations.

Advanced techniques include using the Tek Helmet in combination with other Tek items, such as the Tek Rifle or Tek Armor, to maximize your combat effectiveness. For example, the thermal vision mode can help you spot enemies from a distance, allowing you to plan your attacks strategically. Additionally, use the Tek Helmet to explore caves safely, as its night vision mode can reveal hidden dangers like traps or aggressive creatures.

In summary, crafting and using a Tek Helmet in ARK: Survival Evolved requires significant preparation, including defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and building a Tek Replicator. Once crafted, the Tek Helmet provides powerful vision modes that enhance your survival and combat capabilities. Always carry extra Element, pair the helmet with strong armor, and use it strategically to gain an edge in challenging situations. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and resource management are key to mastering the Tek Tier and thriving in the world of ARK.