How do I craft and use a flamethrower for area control in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a flamethrower in ARK: Survival Evolved is a powerful way to control areas, especially in PvP scenarios or when defending your base from large groups of enemies or aggressive creatures. The flamethrower is a late-game weapon that deals significant damage over time and can create area denial, making it a valuable tool for survival and combat. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the flamethrower effectively.
To craft a flamethrower, you must first unlock its engram. The flamethrower engram becomes available at level 55 and costs 21 engram points. Once unlocked, you will need the following resources to craft it: 150 metal ingots, 50 polymer, 50 cementing paste, 30 electronics, and 20 oil. These materials are relatively advanced, so you will need to have a solid resource-gathering setup. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, polymer can be crafted from organic polymer (found on Kairuku or by harvesting certain creatures) or from obsidian and cementing paste in a fabricator, cementing paste is made from chitin/keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or by harvesting beaver dams, electronics are crafted from metal ingots, silica pearls, and oil in a fabricator, and oil can be harvested from oil nodes in the ocean or from certain creatures like Trilobites.
Once you have gathered the necessary resources, you can craft the flamethrower at a fabricator. The flamethrower uses gasoline as fuel, which is crafted in a refinery by combining oil and hide. Make sure to stockpile a good amount of gasoline before heading into combat, as the flamethrower consumes fuel quickly. Each unit of gasoline provides 100 fuel, and the flamethrower can hold up to 500 fuel at a time.
Using the flamethrower effectively requires careful positioning and timing. The flamethrower has a short range, so you need to get close to your target to deal damage. It is best used in tight spaces or chokepoints where enemies or creatures are forced to group together. The flamethrower deals damage over time, so even a brief burst can set enemies on fire, causing them to take continuous damage. This makes it particularly effective against large groups of weaker enemies or creatures with low health pools.
One important tip is to pair the flamethrower with a strong defensive strategy. Since you need to be close to your target, you are vulnerable to counterattacks. Wearing high-quality armor and having a tamed dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to back you up can help mitigate this risk. Additionally, using the flamethrower from an elevated position or behind a barrier can give you an advantage, as enemies will have a harder time reaching you.
A common mistake when using the flamethrower is overextending. Because of its short range, it is easy to get surrounded or overwhelmed if you are not careful. Always have an escape plan and avoid using the flamethrower in open areas where enemies can easily flank you. Another mistake is running out of fuel mid-combat. Always check your fuel levels before engaging in a fight and carry extra gasoline in your inventory.
For advanced techniques, consider using the flamethrower in combination with other area-control tools like bear traps or plant species X. Placing bear traps in chokepoints can immobilize enemies, giving you time to unleash the flamethrower without fear of retaliation. Plant species X can slow down and damage enemies from a distance, making it easier to close the gap and use the flamethrower effectively.
In tribe scenarios, the flamethrower can be a game-changer for base defense. Assigning one or two tribe members to focus on area denial with flamethrowers while others provide ranged support or handle tamed dinosaurs can create a strong defensive line. For solo players, the flamethrower is still useful but requires more caution. Focus on hit-and-run tactics, using the flamethrower to deal damage quickly and then retreating to safety.
A specific example of using the flamethrower effectively is during a raid defense. If your base is under attack, position yourself at key entry points and use the flamethrower to create a wall of fire. This will force raiders to either take heavy damage or find another way in, buying you time to regroup or counterattack. Another scenario is clearing out a cave filled with aggressive creatures. The flamethrowerÔÇÖs area damage can quickly dispatch groups of smaller creatures, making it easier to navigate the cave and collect resources.
In summary, the flamethrower is a powerful tool for area control in ARK: Survival Evolved, but it requires careful preparation and strategy to use effectively. By gathering the necessary resources, crafting the flamethrower, and using it in the right situations, you can dominate in both PvP and PvE scenarios. Always be mindful of your positioning, fuel levels, and surroundings to maximize the flamethrowerÔÇÖs potential and avoid common pitfalls.
To craft a flamethrower, you must first unlock its engram. The flamethrower engram becomes available at level 55 and costs 21 engram points. Once unlocked, you will need the following resources to craft it: 150 metal ingots, 50 polymer, 50 cementing paste, 30 electronics, and 20 oil. These materials are relatively advanced, so you will need to have a solid resource-gathering setup. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, polymer can be crafted from organic polymer (found on Kairuku or by harvesting certain creatures) or from obsidian and cementing paste in a fabricator, cementing paste is made from chitin/keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or by harvesting beaver dams, electronics are crafted from metal ingots, silica pearls, and oil in a fabricator, and oil can be harvested from oil nodes in the ocean or from certain creatures like Trilobites.
Once you have gathered the necessary resources, you can craft the flamethrower at a fabricator. The flamethrower uses gasoline as fuel, which is crafted in a refinery by combining oil and hide. Make sure to stockpile a good amount of gasoline before heading into combat, as the flamethrower consumes fuel quickly. Each unit of gasoline provides 100 fuel, and the flamethrower can hold up to 500 fuel at a time.
Using the flamethrower effectively requires careful positioning and timing. The flamethrower has a short range, so you need to get close to your target to deal damage. It is best used in tight spaces or chokepoints where enemies or creatures are forced to group together. The flamethrower deals damage over time, so even a brief burst can set enemies on fire, causing them to take continuous damage. This makes it particularly effective against large groups of weaker enemies or creatures with low health pools.
One important tip is to pair the flamethrower with a strong defensive strategy. Since you need to be close to your target, you are vulnerable to counterattacks. Wearing high-quality armor and having a tamed dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to back you up can help mitigate this risk. Additionally, using the flamethrower from an elevated position or behind a barrier can give you an advantage, as enemies will have a harder time reaching you.
A common mistake when using the flamethrower is overextending. Because of its short range, it is easy to get surrounded or overwhelmed if you are not careful. Always have an escape plan and avoid using the flamethrower in open areas where enemies can easily flank you. Another mistake is running out of fuel mid-combat. Always check your fuel levels before engaging in a fight and carry extra gasoline in your inventory.
For advanced techniques, consider using the flamethrower in combination with other area-control tools like bear traps or plant species X. Placing bear traps in chokepoints can immobilize enemies, giving you time to unleash the flamethrower without fear of retaliation. Plant species X can slow down and damage enemies from a distance, making it easier to close the gap and use the flamethrower effectively.
In tribe scenarios, the flamethrower can be a game-changer for base defense. Assigning one or two tribe members to focus on area denial with flamethrowers while others provide ranged support or handle tamed dinosaurs can create a strong defensive line. For solo players, the flamethrower is still useful but requires more caution. Focus on hit-and-run tactics, using the flamethrower to deal damage quickly and then retreating to safety.
A specific example of using the flamethrower effectively is during a raid defense. If your base is under attack, position yourself at key entry points and use the flamethrower to create a wall of fire. This will force raiders to either take heavy damage or find another way in, buying you time to regroup or counterattack. Another scenario is clearing out a cave filled with aggressive creatures. The flamethrowerÔÇÖs area damage can quickly dispatch groups of smaller creatures, making it easier to navigate the cave and collect resources.
In summary, the flamethrower is a powerful tool for area control in ARK: Survival Evolved, but it requires careful preparation and strategy to use effectively. By gathering the necessary resources, crafting the flamethrower, and using it in the right situations, you can dominate in both PvP and PvE scenarios. Always be mindful of your positioning, fuel levels, and surroundings to maximize the flamethrowerÔÇÖs potential and avoid common pitfalls.