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 gather the necessary resources. The recipe for a bola requires 5 fiber, 9 hide, and 15 stone. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing creatures like dodos, dilos, or raptors, and stone can be gathered by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have these materials, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Search for the bola in the list of available engrams and craft it. The bola is unlocked at level 9, so ensure you have reached this level and spent the required engram points to learn the recipe.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires precision. Equip the bola in your hotbar and select it. When you encounter a small or medium-sized creature, such as a raptor, dilophosaur, or even a human player, aim the bola at their feet and throw it by pressing the attack button. If successful, the bola will wrap around the target's legs, immobilizing them for 30 seconds. This gives you a window of opportunity to either tame the creature, attack it, or escape.
One important tip is to aim carefully. The bola has a short range, so you need to be relatively close to your target. Missing a throw can leave you vulnerable, especially if the creature is aggressive. Always ensure you have a clear shot and are not too far away. Additionally, bolas are single-use items, so carry multiple bolas with you to handle multiple targets or in case you miss a throw.
Common mistakes to avoid include using a bola on creatures that are too large. Bolas only work on small to medium-sized creatures. For example, they are ineffective against larger dinosaurs like carnotaurus or rexes. Another mistake is not having a backup plan. If you miss a throw or the bola fails to immobilize the target, you should be ready to either fight or flee. Always have a weapon or a tamed dinosaur nearby for protection.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a raptor, then quickly switch to a slingshot or tranquilizer arrows to knock it out for taming. Bolas are also useful in PvP scenarios. If you encounter another player, a well-timed bola can immobilize them, giving you the upper hand in combat. However, be cautious, as experienced players may have countermeasures or armor that reduces the bola's effectiveness.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you should always carry enough materials to craft more on the go. Keep a stockpile of fiber, hide, and stone in your inventory or on a tamed dinosaur that follows you. This ensures you can replenish your supply as needed. Additionally, consider setting up a small base or storage box near areas where you frequently hunt or tame, so you can restock quickly.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other members to use bolas more effectively. For example, one player can bola a target while another prepares to tranquilize or attack it. In solo play, you need to be more self-reliant and quick on your feet. Always have an escape route planned in case things go wrong.
Specific examples of using bolas include taming a raptor. Raptors are fast and aggressive, making them difficult to tame without a bola. By immobilizing a raptor, you can safely knock it out with tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot. Another example is defending your base from a dilophosaur attack. Bolas can quickly neutralize these small predators, giving you time to deal with them without taking damage.
In conclusion, the bola is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By mastering its use, you can improve your chances of survival, tame valuable creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always prepare adequately, aim carefully, and have a backup plan to make the most of this simple yet powerful tool.
To craft a bola, you will need to gather the necessary resources. The recipe for a bola requires 5 fiber, 9 hide, and 15 stone. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing creatures like dodos, dilos, or raptors, and stone can be gathered by hitting rocks with a pickaxe or by hand. Once you have these materials, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Search for the bola in the list of available engrams and craft it. The bola is unlocked at level 9, so ensure you have reached this level and spent the required engram points to learn the recipe.
Using a bola is straightforward but requires precision. Equip the bola in your hotbar and select it. When you encounter a small or medium-sized creature, such as a raptor, dilophosaur, or even a human player, aim the bola at their feet and throw it by pressing the attack button. If successful, the bola will wrap around the target's legs, immobilizing them for 30 seconds. This gives you a window of opportunity to either tame the creature, attack it, or escape.
One important tip is to aim carefully. The bola has a short range, so you need to be relatively close to your target. Missing a throw can leave you vulnerable, especially if the creature is aggressive. Always ensure you have a clear shot and are not too far away. Additionally, bolas are single-use items, so carry multiple bolas with you to handle multiple targets or in case you miss a throw.
Common mistakes to avoid include using a bola on creatures that are too large. Bolas only work on small to medium-sized creatures. For example, they are ineffective against larger dinosaurs like carnotaurus or rexes. Another mistake is not having a backup plan. If you miss a throw or the bola fails to immobilize the target, you should be ready to either fight or flee. Always have a weapon or a tamed dinosaur nearby for protection.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize a raptor, then quickly switch to a slingshot or tranquilizer arrows to knock it out for taming. Bolas are also useful in PvP scenarios. If you encounter another player, a well-timed bola can immobilize them, giving you the upper hand in combat. However, be cautious, as experienced players may have countermeasures or armor that reduces the bola's effectiveness.
Resource management is crucial when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you should always carry enough materials to craft more on the go. Keep a stockpile of fiber, hide, and stone in your inventory or on a tamed dinosaur that follows you. This ensures you can replenish your supply as needed. Additionally, consider setting up a small base or storage box near areas where you frequently hunt or tame, so you can restock quickly.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other members to use bolas more effectively. For example, one player can bola a target while another prepares to tranquilize or attack it. In solo play, you need to be more self-reliant and quick on your feet. Always have an escape route planned in case things go wrong.
Specific examples of using bolas include taming a raptor. Raptors are fast and aggressive, making them difficult to tame without a bola. By immobilizing a raptor, you can safely knock it out with tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot. Another example is defending your base from a dilophosaur attack. Bolas can quickly neutralize these small predators, giving you time to deal with them without taking damage.
In conclusion, the bola is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By mastering its use, you can improve your chances of survival, tame valuable creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always prepare adequately, aim carefully, and have a backup plan to make the most of this simple yet powerful tool.