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

Crafting and using a Tek Grenade in ARK: Survival Evolved is a powerful way to control areas, especially in PvP scenarios. Tek Grenades are advanced explosives that deal significant damage and can be used for area denial, base raiding, or defending your territory. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use Tek Grenades effectively, along with tips and considerations for maximizing their potential.

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. However, you also need to defeat certain bosses to gain access to Tek-tier items. Specifically, you must defeat the Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, or Dragon boss to unlock the Tek Replicator, which is required to craft Tek Grenades. Once you have the engram, you can craft Tek Grenades in the Tek Replicator.

The resource requirements for crafting a single Tek Grenade are as follows: 50 Metal Ingots, 20 Polymer, 10 Element, and 5 Black Pearls. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge or Industrial Forge. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it from Obsidian and Cementing Paste in a Fabricator. Element is a rare resource obtained from defeating bosses or harvesting it from certain Tek creatures. Black Pearls are found in the ocean, often dropped by Trilobites, Ammonites, or Alpha Mosasaurs. Gathering these resources can be time-consuming, so itÔÇÖs important to plan ahead and stockpile materials.

Once you have crafted Tek Grenades, you can use them for area denial by throwing them into strategic locations. Tek Grenades explode on impact, dealing massive damage to structures, creatures, and players within their blast radius. They are particularly effective for clearing out enemy bases or defending your own. When using Tek Grenades, aim for high-traffic areas or chokepoints where enemies are likely to gather. For example, throwing a Tek Grenade into a narrow cave entrance can prevent enemies from advancing, giving you time to regroup or set up defenses.

One important tip when using Tek Grenades is to be mindful of their blast radius. Tek Grenades can damage your own structures and tamed creatures if you are not careful. Always ensure that your allies and tames are out of range before throwing a Tek Grenade. Additionally, Tek Grenades have a short fuse time, so timing is crucial. Practice throwing them in a safe environment to get a feel for their trajectory and explosion timing.

A common mistake players make is underestimating the resource cost of Tek Grenades. Since they require Element, which is a limited resource, itÔÇÖs important to use them sparingly and only when necessary. Wasting Tek Grenades on minor skirmishes can leave you unprepared for more critical battles. Another mistake is failing to account for the weight of Tek Grenades. Each grenade weighs 2 units, so carrying too many can quickly encumber you. Consider using a high-weight dinosaur like a Rex or Argentavis to transport large quantities of Tek Grenades.

For advanced techniques, consider combining Tek Grenades with other strategies. For example, you can use a Tek Grenade to breach an enemy base, then follow up with a well-coordinated attack using tamed dinosaurs or firearms. Alternatively, you can use Tek Grenades to create diversions, drawing enemies away from your main objective. In PvP scenarios, Tek Grenades can be used to destroy enemy turrets or other defensive structures, making it easier for your tribe to raid their base.

Tribe considerations are also important when using Tek Grenades. In a tribe, you can assign specific roles to members, such as a dedicated crafter who focuses on producing Tek Grenades while others gather resources. Communication is key to ensure that Tek Grenades are used effectively and not wasted. Solo players, on the other hand, will need to manage all aspects of crafting and using Tek Grenades themselves, so efficiency is crucial.

In specific scenarios, Tek Grenades can be a game-changer. For example, if you are defending your base from a large enemy tribe, throwing Tek Grenades at their tames or siege equipment can turn the tide in your favor. Similarly, if you are raiding a heavily fortified base, Tek Grenades can quickly dismantle walls and turrets, allowing your tribe to push through. Always assess the situation and use Tek Grenades strategically to maximize their impact.

In conclusion, 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, you can craft and deploy Tek Grenades to dominate in both PvP and PvE scenarios. Remember to practice caution, communicate with your tribe, and use Tek Grenades sparingly to ensure they are available when you need them most.