How do I craft and use bolas effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using bolas effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial skill for both early-game survival and advanced combat strategies. Bolas are simple yet powerful tools that can immobilize small to medium-sized creatures and even players, making them invaluable for taming, defense, and PvP encounters. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use bolas effectively, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To craft bolas, you need to unlock the engram at level 9. The recipe requires 5 fiber, 1 hide, and 1 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is found by picking up rocks from the ground or mining larger boulders. Once you have the materials, open your inventory or a crafting station and craft the bolas. They do not require a specific crafting station, so you can make them on the go.
The primary function of a bola is to immobilize targets. When thrown, the bola wraps around the legs of the target, preventing movement for 30 seconds. This effect works on small to medium creatures, such as raptors, sabertooths, and even players. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are unaffected. Bolas are particularly useful for taming fast or aggressive creatures, as they allow you to safely approach and knock them out without being chased or attacked.
To use a bola effectively, equip it in your hotbar and aim at your target. The bola has a short range, so you need to get relatively close to your target. Aim for the legs or lower body to ensure a successful hit. Once the target is immobilized, you can quickly switch to a weapon or tool to knock them out or deal damage. For taming, this is the perfect opportunity to use tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot to render the creature unconscious.
One important tip is to always carry multiple bolas. They are single-use items, meaning they break after being thrown, so having extras ensures you can handle multiple threats or retry if you miss your target. Additionally, bolas are lightweight and do not take up much inventory space, making them easy to stockpile.
A common mistake is relying too heavily on bolas without a backup plan. While bolas are effective, they have limitations. For example, they do not work on larger creatures, and some creatures, like therizinos, can break free quickly. Always have an escape route or secondary weapon ready in case the bola fails or the target is too strong.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use bolas to immobilize a raptor, then quickly place a wooden cage around it to trap it permanently. This is especially useful for taming or containing aggressive creatures near your base. In PvP, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving you time to attack or retreat. Pairing bolas with ranged weapons like bows or crossbows can make you a formidable opponent in combat.
Resource management is key when using bolas. Since they require hide, which can be scarce early in the game, prioritize hunting small creatures to stockpile this resource. Fiber and stone are abundant, so focus on gathering hide to ensure you can craft bolas consistently. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to share resources and craft bolas in bulk. Solo players should always keep a stash of bolas in their inventory or storage for emergencies.
In specific scenarios, bolas can be a game-changer. For example, if you are being chased by a pack of raptors, throwing a bola at the lead raptor can buy you time to escape or fight the others. When taming a pteranodon, using a bola to immobilize it allows you to safely knock it out without it flying away. In PvP, bolas can be used to disable enemy players during raids, giving your tribe the upper hand.
In conclusion, bolas are a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, crafting them efficiently, and using them strategically, you can greatly improve your chances of survival and success in the game. Whether you are taming dinosaurs, defending your base, or engaging in PvP, mastering the use of bolas will give you a significant advantage. Always be prepared, carry extras, and use them wisely to maximize their effectiveness.
To craft bolas, you need to unlock the engram at level 9. The recipe requires 5 fiber, 1 hide, and 1 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is found by picking up rocks from the ground or mining larger boulders. Once you have the materials, open your inventory or a crafting station and craft the bolas. They do not require a specific crafting station, so you can make them on the go.
The primary function of a bola is to immobilize targets. When thrown, the bola wraps around the legs of the target, preventing movement for 30 seconds. This effect works on small to medium creatures, such as raptors, sabertooths, and even players. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are unaffected. Bolas are particularly useful for taming fast or aggressive creatures, as they allow you to safely approach and knock them out without being chased or attacked.
To use a bola effectively, equip it in your hotbar and aim at your target. The bola has a short range, so you need to get relatively close to your target. Aim for the legs or lower body to ensure a successful hit. Once the target is immobilized, you can quickly switch to a weapon or tool to knock them out or deal damage. For taming, this is the perfect opportunity to use tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot to render the creature unconscious.
One important tip is to always carry multiple bolas. They are single-use items, meaning they break after being thrown, so having extras ensures you can handle multiple threats or retry if you miss your target. Additionally, bolas are lightweight and do not take up much inventory space, making them easy to stockpile.
A common mistake is relying too heavily on bolas without a backup plan. While bolas are effective, they have limitations. For example, they do not work on larger creatures, and some creatures, like therizinos, can break free quickly. Always have an escape route or secondary weapon ready in case the bola fails or the target is too strong.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use bolas to immobilize a raptor, then quickly place a wooden cage around it to trap it permanently. This is especially useful for taming or containing aggressive creatures near your base. In PvP, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving you time to attack or retreat. Pairing bolas with ranged weapons like bows or crossbows can make you a formidable opponent in combat.
Resource management is key when using bolas. Since they require hide, which can be scarce early in the game, prioritize hunting small creatures to stockpile this resource. Fiber and stone are abundant, so focus on gathering hide to ensure you can craft bolas consistently. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to share resources and craft bolas in bulk. Solo players should always keep a stash of bolas in their inventory or storage for emergencies.
In specific scenarios, bolas can be a game-changer. For example, if you are being chased by a pack of raptors, throwing a bola at the lead raptor can buy you time to escape or fight the others. When taming a pteranodon, using a bola to immobilize it allows you to safely knock it out without it flying away. In PvP, bolas can be used to disable enemy players during raids, giving your tribe the upper hand.
In conclusion, bolas are a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, crafting them efficiently, and using them strategically, you can greatly improve your chances of survival and success in the game. Whether you are taming dinosaurs, defending your base, or engaging in PvP, mastering the use of bolas will give you a significant advantage. Always be prepared, carry extras, and use them wisely to maximize their effectiveness.