How do I craft and use a bola to immobilize small creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a bola in ARK: Survival Evolved is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities, especially in the early game. A bola is a simple yet effective tool used to immobilize small to medium-sized creatures, making them easier to tame or defeat. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a bola, along with tips and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.
To craft a bola, you will need to unlock its engram first. The bola engram becomes available at level 9 and costs 9 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it using the following resources: 5 fiber, 5 hide, and 10 stone. These materials are relatively easy to obtain early in the game. Fiber can be gathered by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone can be collected by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station, navigate to the bola in the crafting menu, and craft it. Each bola is a single-use item, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several at once to have them ready when needed.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires good timing and aim. Equip the bola from your hotbar and aim at the target creature. When you throw it, the bola will spin through the air and, if it hits, wrap around the creatureÔÇÖs legs, immobilizing it for 30 seconds. This immobilization effect works on small to medium-sized creatures, such as raptors, dilophosaurs, and even humans in PvP scenarios. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are unaffected by bolas, so itÔÇÖs important to know which creatures can be immobilized.
One of the most common uses for a bola is taming. For example, if you encounter a raptor, which is a fast and aggressive predator, you can throw a bola to immobilize it. Once itÔÇÖs immobilized, you can safely knock it out with a slingshot, club, or tranquilizer arrows without worrying about it attacking you or running away. This strategy is particularly useful for solo players who may not have tamed dinosaurs to assist in combat yet. Another scenario is using a bola to immobilize a dilophosaur, which can spit blinding venom, giving you a chance to take it down without being blinded.
When using a bola, there are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, always carry multiple bolas in your inventory, as missing a throw or encountering multiple enemies can leave you vulnerable. Second, practice your aim, as the bola has a short range and requires precision to hit fast-moving targets like raptors. Third, be aware of the bolaÔÇÖs cooldown time. After throwing a bola, there is a brief delay before you can throw another, so make sure your first throw counts. Fourth, remember that bolas only immobilize creatures for 30 seconds, so you need to act quickly to knock out or kill the target before it breaks free.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the bolaÔÇÖs limitations. While it is effective against small and medium creatures, it wonÔÇÖt work on larger or flying creatures like argents or pteranodons. Additionally, some creatures, like therizinosaurus, are immune to bolas, so attempting to use one on them is a waste of resources. Another mistake is not preparing adequately before engaging in combat. Always ensure you have enough bolas, weapons, and healing items before attempting to immobilize and tame a creature.
For advanced techniques, consider combining bolas with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a raptor, then use a taming pen to trap it for easier taming. Taming pens are structures built to contain wild creatures, making the taming process safer and more efficient. Additionally, in PvP scenarios, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving you an advantage in combat. However, be cautious, as experienced players may carry bolas of their own and use them against you.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas. Since they are single-use, youÔÇÖll need to gather materials regularly to craft more. Prioritize gathering fiber, hide, and stone whenever possible, and consider taming creatures like the trike or parasaur to help with resource collection. These dinosaurs can gather large amounts of fiber and berries, making it easier to craft bolas and other essential items.
In tribe settings, bolas can be a valuable tool for coordinated taming efforts. For example, one tribe member can throw a bola to immobilize a creature while another knocks it out or builds a taming pen. Communication and teamwork are key to maximizing the bolaÔÇÖs effectiveness in group scenarios.
In summary, the bola is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved, particularly in the early game. By understanding its mechanics, practicing your aim, and preparing adequately, you can use bolas to immobilize and tame creatures, defend yourself in combat, and gain an edge in PvP encounters. Always carry multiple bolas, be aware of their limitations, and combine them with other strategies for the best results. With proper use, bolas can significantly enhance your survival and progression in the game.
To craft a bola, you will need to unlock its engram first. The bola engram becomes available at level 9 and costs 9 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it using the following resources: 5 fiber, 5 hide, and 10 stone. These materials are relatively easy to obtain early in the game. Fiber can be gathered by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone can be collected by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station, navigate to the bola in the crafting menu, and craft it. Each bola is a single-use item, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several at once to have them ready when needed.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires good timing and aim. Equip the bola from your hotbar and aim at the target creature. When you throw it, the bola will spin through the air and, if it hits, wrap around the creatureÔÇÖs legs, immobilizing it for 30 seconds. This immobilization effect works on small to medium-sized creatures, such as raptors, dilophosaurs, and even humans in PvP scenarios. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are unaffected by bolas, so itÔÇÖs important to know which creatures can be immobilized.
One of the most common uses for a bola is taming. For example, if you encounter a raptor, which is a fast and aggressive predator, you can throw a bola to immobilize it. Once itÔÇÖs immobilized, you can safely knock it out with a slingshot, club, or tranquilizer arrows without worrying about it attacking you or running away. This strategy is particularly useful for solo players who may not have tamed dinosaurs to assist in combat yet. Another scenario is using a bola to immobilize a dilophosaur, which can spit blinding venom, giving you a chance to take it down without being blinded.
When using a bola, there are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, always carry multiple bolas in your inventory, as missing a throw or encountering multiple enemies can leave you vulnerable. Second, practice your aim, as the bola has a short range and requires precision to hit fast-moving targets like raptors. Third, be aware of the bolaÔÇÖs cooldown time. After throwing a bola, there is a brief delay before you can throw another, so make sure your first throw counts. Fourth, remember that bolas only immobilize creatures for 30 seconds, so you need to act quickly to knock out or kill the target before it breaks free.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the bolaÔÇÖs limitations. While it is effective against small and medium creatures, it wonÔÇÖt work on larger or flying creatures like argents or pteranodons. Additionally, some creatures, like therizinosaurus, are immune to bolas, so attempting to use one on them is a waste of resources. Another mistake is not preparing adequately before engaging in combat. Always ensure you have enough bolas, weapons, and healing items before attempting to immobilize and tame a creature.
For advanced techniques, consider combining bolas with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a raptor, then use a taming pen to trap it for easier taming. Taming pens are structures built to contain wild creatures, making the taming process safer and more efficient. Additionally, in PvP scenarios, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving you an advantage in combat. However, be cautious, as experienced players may carry bolas of their own and use them against you.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas. Since they are single-use, youÔÇÖll need to gather materials regularly to craft more. Prioritize gathering fiber, hide, and stone whenever possible, and consider taming creatures like the trike or parasaur to help with resource collection. These dinosaurs can gather large amounts of fiber and berries, making it easier to craft bolas and other essential items.
In tribe settings, bolas can be a valuable tool for coordinated taming efforts. For example, one tribe member can throw a bola to immobilize a creature while another knocks it out or builds a taming pen. Communication and teamwork are key to maximizing the bolaÔÇÖs effectiveness in group scenarios.
In summary, the bola is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved, particularly in the early game. By understanding its mechanics, practicing your aim, and preparing adequately, you can use bolas to immobilize and tame creatures, defend yourself in combat, and gain an edge in PvP encounters. Always carry multiple bolas, be aware of their limitations, and combine them with other strategies for the best results. With proper use, bolas can significantly enhance your survival and progression in the game.