How do I craft a grappling hook for traversal and combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting a grappling hook in ARK: Survival Evolved is a valuable step in your progression, as it provides a versatile tool for traversal and combat. The grappling hook allows you to scale cliffs, escape dangerous situations, or even pull enemies closer in combat. To craft it, you need to unlock the engram, gather the required resources, and use a fabricator or smithy. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
First, you need to unlock the grappling hook engram. This requires reaching level 35 and spending 18 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft the grappling hook using a fabricator or smithy. The resources needed are 12 metal ingots, 8 fiber, 6 hide, and 2 cementing paste. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, fiber is gathered from plants, hide is collected from killing animals, and cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained from beaver dams.
To gather these resources efficiently, you should tame dinosaurs that specialize in resource collection. For example, a Doedicurus is excellent for gathering stone, which is needed for cementing paste. A Therizinosaurus can gather fiber and hide effectively, while an Ankylosaurus is ideal for mining metal ore. Using these dinosaurs will save you time and effort compared to gathering resources manually.
Once you have the required materials, place them in a fabricator or smithy and craft the grappling hook. The fabricator is the preferred option if you have access to one, as it is faster and more efficient. However, if you are in the early to mid-game and do not yet have a fabricator, the smithy will work just as well.
Using the grappling hook effectively requires practice. To use it, equip it in your hotbar and aim at a surface or creature. When you fire, the hook will attach to the target, and you can reel yourself in by holding the appropriate button. This is useful for scaling cliffs, escaping predators, or pulling yourself up to high places. In combat, you can use the grappling hook to pull smaller enemies closer or immobilize them temporarily.
One important tip is to always carry multiple grappling hooks, as they have limited durability and can break after several uses. Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings when using the grappling hook. If you attach it to a moving creature or object, you may be dragged along, which can be dangerous if you are not prepared. Always have a backup plan, such as a parachute or a fast mount, in case the grappling hook fails or breaks.
A common mistake is using the grappling hook in situations where it is not necessary, wasting its durability. For example, if you are near a cliff and have a climbing pick or a mount that can scale it, it may be better to use those instead of the grappling hook. Another mistake is not carrying enough resources to craft additional grappling hooks on the go. Always keep extra materials in your inventory or on a tamed dinosaur to avoid being stranded without this essential tool.
Advanced techniques include using the grappling hook in combination with other tools and dinosaurs. For example, you can use it to quickly ascend a cliff and then deploy a parachute to glide to a safe location. In PvP scenarios, the grappling hook can be used to dismount enemy players or pull them into traps. Additionally, you can use it to traverse difficult terrain while riding a fast mount, allowing you to escape or chase enemies more effectively.
In terms of tribe and solo considerations, the grappling hook is equally useful for both playstyles. In a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to use the grappling hook for strategic advantages, such as scaling enemy bases or rescuing allies. Solo players can use it to navigate the map more efficiently and escape dangerous situations without relying on others.
Specific examples of scenarios where the grappling hook shines include escaping a pack of raptors by scaling a nearby cliff, pulling a Carnotaurus into a trap, or quickly ascending a tower during a raid. It is also invaluable for exploring caves, as it allows you to bypass obstacles and reach hidden areas.
In conclusion, crafting and using a grappling hook in ARK: Survival Evolved is a game-changing skill that enhances your traversal and combat capabilities. By following the steps outlined above, gathering the necessary resources, and practicing its use, you can master this tool and gain a significant advantage in the game. Always be prepared with extra materials, use it strategically, and combine it with other tools and dinosaurs for maximum effectiveness.
First, you need to unlock the grappling hook engram. This requires reaching level 35 and spending 18 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft the grappling hook using a fabricator or smithy. The resources needed are 12 metal ingots, 8 fiber, 6 hide, and 2 cementing paste. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, fiber is gathered from plants, hide is collected from killing animals, and cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained from beaver dams.
To gather these resources efficiently, you should tame dinosaurs that specialize in resource collection. For example, a Doedicurus is excellent for gathering stone, which is needed for cementing paste. A Therizinosaurus can gather fiber and hide effectively, while an Ankylosaurus is ideal for mining metal ore. Using these dinosaurs will save you time and effort compared to gathering resources manually.
Once you have the required materials, place them in a fabricator or smithy and craft the grappling hook. The fabricator is the preferred option if you have access to one, as it is faster and more efficient. However, if you are in the early to mid-game and do not yet have a fabricator, the smithy will work just as well.
Using the grappling hook effectively requires practice. To use it, equip it in your hotbar and aim at a surface or creature. When you fire, the hook will attach to the target, and you can reel yourself in by holding the appropriate button. This is useful for scaling cliffs, escaping predators, or pulling yourself up to high places. In combat, you can use the grappling hook to pull smaller enemies closer or immobilize them temporarily.
One important tip is to always carry multiple grappling hooks, as they have limited durability and can break after several uses. Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings when using the grappling hook. If you attach it to a moving creature or object, you may be dragged along, which can be dangerous if you are not prepared. Always have a backup plan, such as a parachute or a fast mount, in case the grappling hook fails or breaks.
A common mistake is using the grappling hook in situations where it is not necessary, wasting its durability. For example, if you are near a cliff and have a climbing pick or a mount that can scale it, it may be better to use those instead of the grappling hook. Another mistake is not carrying enough resources to craft additional grappling hooks on the go. Always keep extra materials in your inventory or on a tamed dinosaur to avoid being stranded without this essential tool.
Advanced techniques include using the grappling hook in combination with other tools and dinosaurs. For example, you can use it to quickly ascend a cliff and then deploy a parachute to glide to a safe location. In PvP scenarios, the grappling hook can be used to dismount enemy players or pull them into traps. Additionally, you can use it to traverse difficult terrain while riding a fast mount, allowing you to escape or chase enemies more effectively.
In terms of tribe and solo considerations, the grappling hook is equally useful for both playstyles. In a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to use the grappling hook for strategic advantages, such as scaling enemy bases or rescuing allies. Solo players can use it to navigate the map more efficiently and escape dangerous situations without relying on others.
Specific examples of scenarios where the grappling hook shines include escaping a pack of raptors by scaling a nearby cliff, pulling a Carnotaurus into a trap, or quickly ascending a tower during a raid. It is also invaluable for exploring caves, as it allows you to bypass obstacles and reach hidden areas.
In conclusion, crafting and using a grappling hook in ARK: Survival Evolved is a game-changing skill that enhances your traversal and combat capabilities. By following the steps outlined above, gathering the necessary resources, and practicing its use, you can master this tool and gain a significant advantage in the game. Always be prepared with extra materials, use it strategically, and combine it with other tools and dinosaurs for maximum effectiveness.