What are the best early-game weapons for surviving combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
In ARK: Survival Evolved, early-game survival and combat are critical to establishing a foothold in the dangerous world. The right weapons can make the difference between life and death, especially when facing aggressive creatures or other players in PvP. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on the best early-game weapons, how to use them effectively, and strategies to survive combat.
The first weapon you should craft is the Stone Pickaxe, which is essential for gathering resources like stone, flint, and thatch. While not a combat weapon, it can be used in emergencies to defend yourself. The next step is crafting a Stone Hatchet, which is better for gathering wood and can deal slightly more damage than the pickaxe. These tools are your first line of defense, but they are not ideal for prolonged combat.
The Spear is one of the most important early-game weapons. It is relatively easy to craft, requiring only wood, fiber, and flint. The Spear is a versatile weapon that can be used for both melee and ranged combat. You can throw it at enemies, but be cautious, as it can break after a few uses. Always carry multiple spears to ensure youÔÇÖre not left defenseless. The Spear is particularly effective against smaller creatures like Dilos and Compys, but it struggles against larger predators like Raptors or Carnotaurus.
The Slingshot is another early-game weapon that is useful for taming and combat. It requires hide, fiber, and wood to craft. While it deals minimal damage, it can be used to knock out small creatures for taming or to distract larger predators. The Slingshot is especially helpful when dealing with aggressive creatures that you canÔÇÖt handle in melee combat. Aim for the head to maximize damage and torpor.
The Bow is a significant upgrade from the Slingshot and becomes available once you unlock the engram at level 10. It requires wood, fiber, and hide to craft, along with arrows made from flint, wood, and feathers. The Bow is a powerful ranged weapon that can deal substantial damage to both creatures and players. It is particularly effective when paired with Tranq Arrows, which can knock out creatures for taming. Always aim for weak spots like the head to maximize damage and torpor. The Bow is also useful for hunting from a distance, allowing you to avoid direct confrontation with dangerous predators.
The Pike is a melee weapon that becomes available at level 20. It requires metal ingots, wood, and fiber to craft. The Pike has a longer reach than the Spear and deals more damage, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. It is particularly effective against larger creatures like Raptors or Carnotaurus. The PikeÔÇÖs extended reach allows you to keep enemies at a distance, reducing the risk of taking damage. However, it is slower to swing than the Spear, so timing your attacks is crucial.
When using early-game weapons, positioning and timing are key. Always try to fight from higher ground or behind obstacles to minimize the risk of being overwhelmed. Use terrain to your advantage, such as luring predators into narrow spaces where they canÔÇÖt surround you. If youÔÇÖre facing multiple enemies, focus on taking out the weakest ones first to reduce the number of threats.
Resource management is critical in the early game. Always gather extra materials to craft backup weapons, as they can break during combat. Prioritize gathering flint, wood, and fiber, as these are essential for crafting most early-game weapons. Taming a Parasaur or Trike can help you gather resources more efficiently, freeing up time to focus on combat preparation.
Common mistakes to avoid include engaging in combat without proper preparation, such as running out of weapons or ammunition. Always carry extra spears, arrows, and healing items like Narcotics or Stimulants. Avoid fighting large predators like Rexes or Spinos until you have better gear and tamed dinosaurs. Another mistake is neglecting to craft armor, which can significantly reduce the damage you take in combat. Even basic Hide Armor can make a big difference in survivability.
Advanced techniques include using tamed dinosaurs to assist in combat. A tamed Raptor or Carnotaurus can be a powerful ally, especially when paired with your weapons. Use your dinosaur to tank damage while you attack from a distance with your Bow or Spear. Another advanced strategy is setting traps, such as using Wooden Spike Walls to funnel enemies into a kill zone.
In solo play, focus on hit-and-run tactics to avoid being overwhelmed. Use ranged weapons like the Bow to pick off enemies from a distance, and always have an escape plan. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to divide roles, such as having one player focus on melee combat while another provides ranged support.
Specific examples include using the Spear to fend off a pack of Dilos or using the Bow to knock out a Parasaur for taming. In PvP scenarios, the Bow is particularly effective for ambushing other players, especially when paired with Tranq Arrows to incapacitate them.
In summary, the best early-game weapons in ARK: Survival Evolved are the Spear, Slingshot, Bow, and Pike. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and mastering their use is key to surviving combat. Always prepare extra resources, use terrain to your advantage, and consider taming dinosaurs to assist in combat. Avoid common mistakes like engaging in fights unprepared, and use advanced techniques like traps and coordinated attacks to gain the upper hand. With the right strategies and preparation, you can survive and thrive in the early game.
The first weapon you should craft is the Stone Pickaxe, which is essential for gathering resources like stone, flint, and thatch. While not a combat weapon, it can be used in emergencies to defend yourself. The next step is crafting a Stone Hatchet, which is better for gathering wood and can deal slightly more damage than the pickaxe. These tools are your first line of defense, but they are not ideal for prolonged combat.
The Spear is one of the most important early-game weapons. It is relatively easy to craft, requiring only wood, fiber, and flint. The Spear is a versatile weapon that can be used for both melee and ranged combat. You can throw it at enemies, but be cautious, as it can break after a few uses. Always carry multiple spears to ensure youÔÇÖre not left defenseless. The Spear is particularly effective against smaller creatures like Dilos and Compys, but it struggles against larger predators like Raptors or Carnotaurus.
The Slingshot is another early-game weapon that is useful for taming and combat. It requires hide, fiber, and wood to craft. While it deals minimal damage, it can be used to knock out small creatures for taming or to distract larger predators. The Slingshot is especially helpful when dealing with aggressive creatures that you canÔÇÖt handle in melee combat. Aim for the head to maximize damage and torpor.
The Bow is a significant upgrade from the Slingshot and becomes available once you unlock the engram at level 10. It requires wood, fiber, and hide to craft, along with arrows made from flint, wood, and feathers. The Bow is a powerful ranged weapon that can deal substantial damage to both creatures and players. It is particularly effective when paired with Tranq Arrows, which can knock out creatures for taming. Always aim for weak spots like the head to maximize damage and torpor. The Bow is also useful for hunting from a distance, allowing you to avoid direct confrontation with dangerous predators.
The Pike is a melee weapon that becomes available at level 20. It requires metal ingots, wood, and fiber to craft. The Pike has a longer reach than the Spear and deals more damage, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. It is particularly effective against larger creatures like Raptors or Carnotaurus. The PikeÔÇÖs extended reach allows you to keep enemies at a distance, reducing the risk of taking damage. However, it is slower to swing than the Spear, so timing your attacks is crucial.
When using early-game weapons, positioning and timing are key. Always try to fight from higher ground or behind obstacles to minimize the risk of being overwhelmed. Use terrain to your advantage, such as luring predators into narrow spaces where they canÔÇÖt surround you. If youÔÇÖre facing multiple enemies, focus on taking out the weakest ones first to reduce the number of threats.
Resource management is critical in the early game. Always gather extra materials to craft backup weapons, as they can break during combat. Prioritize gathering flint, wood, and fiber, as these are essential for crafting most early-game weapons. Taming a Parasaur or Trike can help you gather resources more efficiently, freeing up time to focus on combat preparation.
Common mistakes to avoid include engaging in combat without proper preparation, such as running out of weapons or ammunition. Always carry extra spears, arrows, and healing items like Narcotics or Stimulants. Avoid fighting large predators like Rexes or Spinos until you have better gear and tamed dinosaurs. Another mistake is neglecting to craft armor, which can significantly reduce the damage you take in combat. Even basic Hide Armor can make a big difference in survivability.
Advanced techniques include using tamed dinosaurs to assist in combat. A tamed Raptor or Carnotaurus can be a powerful ally, especially when paired with your weapons. Use your dinosaur to tank damage while you attack from a distance with your Bow or Spear. Another advanced strategy is setting traps, such as using Wooden Spike Walls to funnel enemies into a kill zone.
In solo play, focus on hit-and-run tactics to avoid being overwhelmed. Use ranged weapons like the Bow to pick off enemies from a distance, and always have an escape plan. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to divide roles, such as having one player focus on melee combat while another provides ranged support.
Specific examples include using the Spear to fend off a pack of Dilos or using the Bow to knock out a Parasaur for taming. In PvP scenarios, the Bow is particularly effective for ambushing other players, especially when paired with Tranq Arrows to incapacitate them.
In summary, the best early-game weapons in ARK: Survival Evolved are the Spear, Slingshot, Bow, and Pike. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and mastering their use is key to surviving combat. Always prepare extra resources, use terrain to your advantage, and consider taming dinosaurs to assist in combat. Avoid common mistakes like engaging in fights unprepared, and use advanced techniques like traps and coordinated attacks to gain the upper hand. With the right strategies and preparation, you can survive and thrive in the early game.