How do I craft and use a tek helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved?
To craft and use a Tek Helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved, you need to progress through the game's advanced stages, as the Tek Helmet is part of the Tek Tier, the highest level of technology available. The Tek Helmet provides night vision, thermal vision, and other advanced features, making it an invaluable tool for survival, exploration, and combat, especially in dark or low-visibility environments. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Helmet, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
Mechanics of the Tek Helmet
The Tek Helmet is a piece of Tek Armor that requires Element, a rare and advanced resource, to craft and power. It is unlocked by defeating certain bosses in the game, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, which drop Tekgrams (blueprints) for Tek items. Once unlocked, you can craft the Tek Helmet at a Tek Replicator, a high-tier crafting station that also requires Element to operate. The helmet provides night vision, thermal vision, and a HUD display that shows health, stamina, and other stats. It also has durability and requires Element to recharge its energy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Unlock the Tek Helmet Engram: To unlock the Tek Helmet, you must defeat one of the bosses in the game. Each boss drops specific Tekgrams, so check which boss drops the Tek Helmet blueprint. For example, the Broodmother Lysrix on The Island map drops the Tek Helmet engram. You will need to gather artifacts, tributes, and a strong team of tamed dinosaurs to defeat the boss.
2. Gather Resources: Crafting the Tek Helmet requires advanced resources. You will need 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer (or Organic Polymer), 20 Electronics, and 10 Element. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it is only dropped by bosses or found in specific locations like the Tek Cave. You can also craft Element in a Tek Replicator using Element Shards, which are obtained from Extinction map nodes or by harvesting certain creatures.
3. Craft the Tek Replicator: The Tek Helmet can only be crafted in a Tek Replicator. To build a Tek Replicator, you need 1200 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 150 Polymer, 100 Electronics, and 80 Element. Place the Tek Replicator in a secure location, as it is expensive to replace.
4. Craft the Tek Helmet: Once you have the Tek Replicator and the required resources, access the Tek Replicator's inventory and select the Tek Helmet from the crafting menu. Crafting will consume the resources and produce the helmet.
5. Power the Tek Helmet: The Tek Helmet requires Element to function. Insert Element into the helmet's inventory to power it. Each Element provides 10,000 energy units, which deplete as you use the helmet's features.
6. Activate Night Vision: To use the night vision feature, equip the Tek Helmet and press the appropriate key (default is N on PC). This will toggle night vision, allowing you to see clearly in the dark. You can also toggle thermal vision by pressing the same key again.
Important Tips and Considerations
- Boss Preparation: Defeating bosses requires strong tamed dinosaurs, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Spinos, with high health and damage stats. Breed and imprint your dinosaurs for better stats and bonuses.
- Resource Management: Element is a limited resource, so use it wisely. Consider farming Element Shards on the Extinction map or defeating bosses multiple times to stockpile Element.
- Tek Replicator Placement: Place your Tek Replicator in a secure base with turrets and defenses to protect it from raids or wild creatures.
- Helmet Durability: The Tek Helmet has durability and will break if it runs out of energy or takes too much damage. Always carry spare Element to recharge it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating Bosses: Bosses are extremely powerful and require careful preparation. Do not attempt a boss fight without a strong team and proper gear.
- Wasting Element: Avoid using the Tek Helmet's features unnecessarily, as Element is hard to obtain. Turn off night vision when not needed to conserve energy.
- Poor Base Defense: The Tek Replicator and Tek Helmet are valuable assets. Failing to protect them can result in significant losses.
Advanced Techniques and Optimizations
- Breeding for Boss Fights: Breed and imprint high-level dinosaurs with mutations to maximize their stats for boss fights. This will make the fights easier and faster.
- Element Farming: On the Extinction map, use a Gacha to passively produce Element Shards. You can also farm Element from the Tek Cave or by defeating Titans.
- Tek Helmet Mods: Some mods or custom servers allow you to modify the Tek Helmet's features, such as increasing its energy efficiency or adding new vision modes.
Resource Requirements and Preparation
- Element: The most critical resource for the Tek Helmet. Farm bosses, Extinction nodes, or the Tek Cave to obtain it.
- Polymer: Harvest Organic Polymer from Kairuku, Mantis, or Hesperornis, or craft it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste.
- Crystal and Metal: Mine crystal nodes in mountains and metal nodes in caves or mountains. Use an Ankylosaurus for efficient gathering.
Tribe and Solo Considerations
- Tribe Play: In a tribe, divide tasks among members. Some can focus on gathering resources, while others prepare dinosaurs for boss fights. Sharing Element and resources can speed up progression.
- Solo Play: Solo players will need to invest more time in gathering resources and preparing for boss fights. Focus on taming high-level dinosaurs and building a secure base to protect your Tek equipment.
Specific Examples and Scenarios
- Boss Fight Example: To defeat the Broodmother for the Tek Helmet engram, bring 10-15 high-level Rexes with 20,000+ health and 500%+ melee damage. Use a Yutyrannus for courage buffs and a Daedon for healing.
- Night Vision Use: When exploring caves or hunting at night, activate the Tek Helmet's night vision to spot enemies and resources easily. This is especially useful in the Snow Cave or Swamp Cave, where visibility is low.
By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully craft and use a Tek Helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved. This advanced piece of equipment will greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities, making it a worthwhile investment for any player.
Mechanics of the Tek Helmet
The Tek Helmet is a piece of Tek Armor that requires Element, a rare and advanced resource, to craft and power. It is unlocked by defeating certain bosses in the game, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, which drop Tekgrams (blueprints) for Tek items. Once unlocked, you can craft the Tek Helmet at a Tek Replicator, a high-tier crafting station that also requires Element to operate. The helmet provides night vision, thermal vision, and a HUD display that shows health, stamina, and other stats. It also has durability and requires Element to recharge its energy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Unlock the Tek Helmet Engram: To unlock the Tek Helmet, you must defeat one of the bosses in the game. Each boss drops specific Tekgrams, so check which boss drops the Tek Helmet blueprint. For example, the Broodmother Lysrix on The Island map drops the Tek Helmet engram. You will need to gather artifacts, tributes, and a strong team of tamed dinosaurs to defeat the boss.
2. Gather Resources: Crafting the Tek Helmet requires advanced resources. You will need 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer (or Organic Polymer), 20 Electronics, and 10 Element. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it is only dropped by bosses or found in specific locations like the Tek Cave. You can also craft Element in a Tek Replicator using Element Shards, which are obtained from Extinction map nodes or by harvesting certain creatures.
3. Craft the Tek Replicator: The Tek Helmet can only be crafted in a Tek Replicator. To build a Tek Replicator, you need 1200 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 150 Polymer, 100 Electronics, and 80 Element. Place the Tek Replicator in a secure location, as it is expensive to replace.
4. Craft the Tek Helmet: Once you have the Tek Replicator and the required resources, access the Tek Replicator's inventory and select the Tek Helmet from the crafting menu. Crafting will consume the resources and produce the helmet.
5. Power the Tek Helmet: The Tek Helmet requires Element to function. Insert Element into the helmet's inventory to power it. Each Element provides 10,000 energy units, which deplete as you use the helmet's features.
6. Activate Night Vision: To use the night vision feature, equip the Tek Helmet and press the appropriate key (default is N on PC). This will toggle night vision, allowing you to see clearly in the dark. You can also toggle thermal vision by pressing the same key again.
Important Tips and Considerations
- Boss Preparation: Defeating bosses requires strong tamed dinosaurs, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Spinos, with high health and damage stats. Breed and imprint your dinosaurs for better stats and bonuses.
- Resource Management: Element is a limited resource, so use it wisely. Consider farming Element Shards on the Extinction map or defeating bosses multiple times to stockpile Element.
- Tek Replicator Placement: Place your Tek Replicator in a secure base with turrets and defenses to protect it from raids or wild creatures.
- Helmet Durability: The Tek Helmet has durability and will break if it runs out of energy or takes too much damage. Always carry spare Element to recharge it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating Bosses: Bosses are extremely powerful and require careful preparation. Do not attempt a boss fight without a strong team and proper gear.
- Wasting Element: Avoid using the Tek Helmet's features unnecessarily, as Element is hard to obtain. Turn off night vision when not needed to conserve energy.
- Poor Base Defense: The Tek Replicator and Tek Helmet are valuable assets. Failing to protect them can result in significant losses.
Advanced Techniques and Optimizations
- Breeding for Boss Fights: Breed and imprint high-level dinosaurs with mutations to maximize their stats for boss fights. This will make the fights easier and faster.
- Element Farming: On the Extinction map, use a Gacha to passively produce Element Shards. You can also farm Element from the Tek Cave or by defeating Titans.
- Tek Helmet Mods: Some mods or custom servers allow you to modify the Tek Helmet's features, such as increasing its energy efficiency or adding new vision modes.
Resource Requirements and Preparation
- Element: The most critical resource for the Tek Helmet. Farm bosses, Extinction nodes, or the Tek Cave to obtain it.
- Polymer: Harvest Organic Polymer from Kairuku, Mantis, or Hesperornis, or craft it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste.
- Crystal and Metal: Mine crystal nodes in mountains and metal nodes in caves or mountains. Use an Ankylosaurus for efficient gathering.
Tribe and Solo Considerations
- Tribe Play: In a tribe, divide tasks among members. Some can focus on gathering resources, while others prepare dinosaurs for boss fights. Sharing Element and resources can speed up progression.
- Solo Play: Solo players will need to invest more time in gathering resources and preparing for boss fights. Focus on taming high-level dinosaurs and building a secure base to protect your Tek equipment.
Specific Examples and Scenarios
- Boss Fight Example: To defeat the Broodmother for the Tek Helmet engram, bring 10-15 high-level Rexes with 20,000+ health and 500%+ melee damage. Use a Yutyrannus for courage buffs and a Daedon for healing.
- Night Vision Use: When exploring caves or hunting at night, activate the Tek Helmet's night vision to spot enemies and resources easily. This is especially useful in the Snow Cave or Swamp Cave, where visibility is low.
By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully craft and use a Tek Helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved. This advanced piece of equipment will greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities, making it a worthwhile investment for any player.