How do I craft and use a bow for hunting and combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a bow for hunting and combat in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial skill for early to mid-game survival. The bow is a versatile weapon that allows you to engage enemies from a distance, making it safer than melee combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to craft and use a bow effectively.

To craft a bow, you first need to unlock its engram. The bow engram becomes available at level 10 and costs 9 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a crafting station or directly in your inventory if you have the required resources. The materials needed to craft a bow are 15 fiber, 20 wood, and 10 hide. Fiber can be gathered from bushes, wood from trees, and hide from killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs. Early on, prioritize gathering these resources by hand or using basic tools like a stone pickaxe or hatchet.

Once you have the materials, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Select the bow and craft it. The bow is a durable weapon, but it will degrade over time, so always carry extra materials to repair it. To use the bow, equip it in your hotbar and select it. You will also need arrows, which are crafted separately. Stone arrows are the basic type and require 2 stone, 1 wood, and 1 fiber per 5 arrows. Craft a stack of arrows to ensure you have enough for hunting and combat.

Using the bow effectively requires practice. To fire, hold the right mouse button (or equivalent on consoles) to draw the bowstring, then release to shoot. The longer you hold, the farther and more accurately the arrow will travel. However, holding too long will drain your stamina, so time your shots carefully. Aim slightly above your target for long-range shots to account for arrow drop. The bow is particularly useful for hunting small to medium-sized creatures like raptors, parasaurs, and even carnotaurus if you maintain distance.

One common mistake is engaging large or aggressive creatures like rexes or spinos with a bow early in the game. These creatures have high health and can close the distance quickly, making the bow ineffective. Instead, use the bow to hunt smaller creatures for resources or to weaken larger ones from a safe position, such as on a cliff or behind obstacles. Another mistake is not carrying enough arrows. Always have at least 50 arrows in your inventory to avoid running out during critical moments.

Advanced techniques include using the bow while mounted on a tamed dinosaur. Some dinosaurs, like the raptor or sabertooth, allow you to shoot from their backs, giving you mobility while attacking. This is especially useful in PvP scenarios or when hunting fast-moving creatures. Additionally, crafting tranq arrows allows you to knock out creatures for taming. Tranq arrows require 1 stone arrow, 1 narcotic, and 1 spoiled meat. Narcotic is crafted from 5 narcoberries and 1 spoiled meat in a mortar and pestle. Tranq arrows are essential for taming larger or more dangerous dinosaurs.

Resource management is key when using a bow. Always gather extra wood, stone, and fiber to craft arrows on the go. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to members to ensure a steady supply of materials. For solo players, prioritize building a small base with storage containers to stockpile resources. Base building near resource-rich areas like forests or rivers can save time.

In terms of progression, the bow is a stepping stone to more advanced ranged weapons like the crossbow or firearms. However, it remains useful even in late game for its versatility and low resource cost. For example, using fire arrows can deal damage over time to enemies, while grappling hooks can be fired from a bow to traverse difficult terrain.

In specific scenarios, the bow shines. For instance, when exploring caves, the bow allows you to deal with threats like bats and spiders from a distance, reducing the risk of close-quarters combat. In PvP, the bow can be used to harass enemies from a hidden position, forcing them to waste resources or retreat.

In summary, mastering the bow in ARK: Survival Evolved involves understanding its mechanics, crafting it efficiently, and using it strategically. Avoid common mistakes like engaging overly powerful creatures or running out of arrows. Use advanced techniques like mounted combat and tranq arrows to maximize its potential. Proper resource management and base building will ensure you always have the materials needed to craft and repair your bow. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, the bow is an essential tool for survival and progression in the game.