How do I craft and use a tek helmet for thermal vision in ARK: Survival Evolved?

To craft and use a Tek Helmet for thermal 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. This process involves defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and unlocking the necessary engrams. Below is a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you must unlock the Tek Helmet engram. This is done by defeating one of the game's bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, on Gamma, Beta, or Alpha difficulty. Each boss drops Element and Tekgrams, which are required to unlock Tek Tier items. The Tek Helmet engram is unlocked by defeating the Dragon boss. Once you have the Tekgram, you can craft the Tek Helmet at a Tek Replicator, which is also a Tek Tier item.

To craft the Tek Helmet, you need the following resources: 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer, 50 Cementing Paste, and 10 Element. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge or Industrial Forge. Crystal is gathered from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it from Obsidian and Cementing Paste in a Fabricator. Cementing Paste is crafted from Chitin/Keratin and Stone or harvested from Beelzebufo (frog) or by farming Cementing Paste from Gacha. Element is a rare resource obtained from defeating bosses or by harvesting it from Element Nodes in the Extinction map.

Once you have gathered all the required resources, you can craft the Tek Helmet at a Tek Replicator. The Tek Replicator itself requires Element to power, so ensure you have enough Element to both craft and power the Replicator. Place the resources in the Replicator, select the Tek Helmet from the crafting menu, and wait for it to complete.

Using the Tek Helmet involves equipping it in your helmet slot. Once equipped, you can activate its thermal vision mode by pressing the appropriate key (default is N on PC). This mode highlights living creatures in bright colors, making it easier to spot enemies or wildlife in dark or obscured environments. The thermal vision is particularly useful in caves, during nighttime, or in dense forests where visibility is low.

Important tips and considerations include ensuring you have a steady supply of Element, as the Tek Helmet consumes Element to function. Always carry extra Element in your inventory or on a tamed creature to avoid running out of power at critical moments. Additionally, the Tek Helmet's thermal vision can be disorienting at first, so practice using it in safe environments before relying on it in combat or dangerous areas.

Common mistakes to avoid include attempting to craft the Tek Helmet without first unlocking the engram or without sufficient resources. Ensure you have defeated the necessary boss and gathered all required materials before attempting to craft. Another mistake is neglecting to power the Tek Replicator, which will prevent you from crafting the helmet.

Advanced techniques involve using the Tek Helmet in combination with other Tek Tier items, such as the Tek Rifle or Tek Armor, to maximize your combat effectiveness. For example, the Tek Helmet's thermal vision can help you spot enemies from a distance, allowing you to engage them with the Tek Rifle's long-range capabilities. Additionally, using the Tek Helmet in PvP scenarios can give you a significant advantage by revealing hidden players or traps.

Resource requirements and preparation are crucial for crafting the Tek Helmet. Plan your resource gathering trips carefully, focusing on areas rich in Metal, Crystal, and Obsidian. Tame creatures like Ankylosaurus for efficient Metal and Crystal gathering, and Doedicurus for Stone. For Polymer, consider taming a Kairuku or farming Gacha for Cementing Paste.

Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can divide the tasks of gathering resources and defeating bosses among members, making the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to manage all aspects themselves, so prioritize taming creatures that aid in resource gathering and combat.

Specific examples and scenarios include using the Tek Helmet in the Snow Cave on The Island map, where visibility is low, and enemies are abundant. The thermal vision will help you navigate the cave and spot dangerous creatures like Yetis and Purlovia. Another scenario is during a raid in PvP, where the Tek Helmet can reveal hidden players or traps, giving you a tactical advantage.

In conclusion, crafting and using a Tek Helmet for thermal vision in ARK: Survival Evolved requires advanced preparation, resource gathering, and boss fights. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully craft the Tek Helmet and utilize its thermal vision to enhance your survival and combat capabilities in the game.