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. 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 through normal leveling alone. 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 any difficulty. 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 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 2000 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 1000 Polymer, 200 Element, and 100 Black Pearls. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from specific nodes in the Extinction map. Black Pearls can be found in the ocean or by killing certain creatures like Trilobites, Ammonites, or Tusoteuthis.

Once you have the Tek Replicator, you can craft the Tek Helmet. The resource requirements for the Tek Helmet are 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer, 10 Element, and 5 Black Pearls. These materials are relatively easy to gather if you have tamed dinosaurs for resource collection. For example, an Ankylosaurus is excellent for gathering Metal and Crystal, while a Doedicurus is great for Stone, which can be converted into Metal Ingots in a Forge. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it from Obsidian and Cementing Paste.

After crafting the Tek Helmet, you can equip it in the head slot of your inventory. The helmet provides several advanced features, including night vision, thermal vision, and a heads-up display (HUD) that shows your health, stamina, oxygen, food, and water levels. To activate night vision, simply press the designated key (default is N on PC). Night vision enhances visibility in dark environments, making it easier to navigate caves or explore at night. Thermal vision, activated by pressing the same key, highlights living creatures in bright colors, making it useful for tracking enemies or locating hidden threats.

When using the Tek Helmet, it is important to manage its energy consumption. The helmet requires Element to function, and each piece of Element provides 10,000 energy units. You can insert Element into the helmet by dragging it into the helmet's inventory slot. Keep an eye on the energy level, as the helmet will stop functioning when it runs out of power. Always carry extra Element to avoid being caught without night vision or thermal vision in critical situations.

One common mistake players make is underestimating the resource requirements for Tek items. Gathering the necessary materials can be time-consuming, especially if you are playing solo. To optimize resource collection, focus on taming dinosaurs that specialize in gathering specific resources. For example, a Beaver or Castoroides is excellent for gathering Wood, while a Megatherium is ideal for collecting Chitin and Organic Polymer. Additionally, consider setting up resource outposts near rich resource nodes to minimize travel time.

In a tribe setting, coordination is key to efficiently gathering resources and crafting Tek items. Assign roles to tribe members based on their strengths and preferences. For example, one player can focus on taming and gathering, while another handles crafting and base defense. Sharing resources and responsibilities can significantly speed up the process of obtaining Tek gear.

Advanced techniques for using the Tek Helmet include combining it with other Tek items for maximum effectiveness. For example, the Tek Chestpiece provides a jetpack function, allowing you to fly short distances. Pairing the Tek Helmet with the Tek Chestpiece can give you a significant advantage in both exploration and combat. Additionally, using the Tek Helmet's thermal vision in PvP scenarios can help you spot hidden enemies or traps.

In summary, crafting and using a Tek Helmet in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and preparation. By following the steps outlined above, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful tool and enhance your survival and combat capabilities. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, the Tek Helmet is a valuable asset that can give you a significant edge in the dangerous world of ARK.