How do I craft and use a tek grenade for explosive combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Tek Grenade in ARK: Survival Evolved is a powerful way to engage in explosive combat, especially in late-game scenarios. Tek Grenades are advanced explosives that deal significant damage to structures, creatures, and players, making them a valuable tool for both PvE and PvP situations. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use Tek Grenades effectively, along with important tips and considerations.

To craft a Tek Grenade, you must first unlock the Tek Grenade engram. This engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. Once unlocked, you will need access to a Tek Replicator, as Tek Grenades cannot be crafted in a regular Fabricator or Smithy. The Tek Replicator itself requires a significant amount of resources, including Element, Metal Ingots, Crystal, and Polymer, so ensure you have the necessary materials and a reliable source of Element before attempting to craft Tek Grenades.

The resource requirements for crafting a single Tek Grenade are as follows: 10 Element, 10 Metal Ingots, 10 Polymer, and 10 Crystal. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it is primarily acquired by defeating bosses or completing certain end-game activities. Metal Ingots, Polymer, and Crystal can be gathered through mining and harvesting, but you will need a good supply of these materials to craft multiple Tek Grenades. It is advisable to use tamed creatures like Ankylosaurus for efficient metal and crystal gathering, and a Beaver or Mammoth for wood and thatch, which can be converted into Polymer using a Chemistry Bench.

Once you have the required resources, place them into the Tek Replicator and select the Tek Grenade engram to begin crafting. The process is relatively quick, but you will need to ensure you have enough Element to power the Tek Replicator. Each Tek Grenade has a weight of 1.0, so consider your inventory capacity when crafting multiple grenades.

Using a Tek Grenade is straightforward but requires careful planning. To throw a Tek Grenade, equip it from your inventory and press the attack button. The grenade will be thrown in an arc, and after a short delay, it will explode, dealing massive damage in a wide radius. The explosion can destroy structures, kill or severely injure creatures, and eliminate players, making it a versatile tool for both offensive and defensive purposes.

One important tip when using Tek Grenades is to be mindful of their blast radius. The explosion can harm you and your tamed creatures if you are too close, so always maintain a safe distance when throwing a grenade. Additionally, Tek Grenades are most effective when used against clustered enemies or structures, as the wide blast radius can maximize damage output. For example, in PvP scenarios, throwing a Tek Grenade into an enemy base can destroy multiple walls and turrets, creating an opening for your tribe to attack.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the grenade's blast radius and failing to account for the delay before detonation. Always aim carefully and consider the trajectory of your throw to ensure the grenade lands where you intend. Another mistake is using Tek Grenades too early in the game. Since they require Element and advanced crafting stations, they are best reserved for late-game situations where their high cost is justified by their effectiveness.

Advanced techniques for using Tek Grenades include combining them with other explosives or tamed creatures for maximum impact. For example, you can use a Tek Grenade to weaken a heavily fortified base, then follow up with C4 charges or a tamed Giganotosaurus to finish the job. In PvE, Tek Grenades can be used to quickly eliminate large groups of hostile creatures, such as during a cave run or when defending your base from a raid.

Resource management is crucial when using Tek Grenades, as they are expensive to craft. Always prioritize gathering Element and other materials efficiently, and consider setting up a dedicated resource-gathering team within your tribe to ensure a steady supply. Solo players may find it more challenging to gather the necessary resources, so focus on taming creatures that can help with resource collection and storage.

In summary, Tek Grenades are a powerful tool in ARK: Survival Evolved, but they require careful planning and resource management to use effectively. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and strategies provided, you can master the art of explosive combat and gain a significant advantage in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Whether you are defending your base, raiding an enemy stronghold, or clearing out a dangerous cave, Tek Grenades are a valuable addition to your arsenal.