How do I craft and use bolas effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using bolas effectively in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial skill for both early-game survival and advanced combat strategies. Bolas are simple yet powerful tools that can immobilize small to medium-sized creatures and even players, making them invaluable for taming, defense, and PvP encounters. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use bolas effectively, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To craft bolas, you need to unlock the engram at level 9. The recipe requires 5 fiber, 1 hide, and 1 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is found by picking up rocks or mining larger boulders. Once you have the materials, open your inventory and craft the bola in the crafting menu. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several bolas at once, as they are single-use items and can be lost or broken during combat.
The primary function of a bola is to immobilize targets. When thrown, the bola wraps around the legs of the target, preventing movement for 30 seconds. This effect works on small to medium creatures, such as raptors, sabertooths, and even players. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are immune to bolas. The immobilization effect is temporary, so you must act quickly to capitalize on the opportunity. For example, if you bola a raptor, you can either knock it out for taming or kill it safely without risking retaliation.
To use a bola effectively, equip it in your hotbar and aim at your target. The bola has a short to medium range, so you need to get relatively close to your target. Aim slightly above the target to account for the arc of the throw. Once the bola hits, the target will be immobilized, giving you time to act. If youÔÇÖre taming, use this time to knock the creature out with a slingshot, club, or tranquilizer arrows. If youÔÇÖre defending against an aggressive creature, use the immobilization to create distance or finish it off with a weapon.
One common mistake is underestimating the bolaÔÇÖs range and timing. If you throw the bola too early or too late, you might miss, leaving you vulnerable. Practice your aim on passive creatures like dodos to get a feel for the bolaÔÇÖs trajectory. Another mistake is relying too heavily on bolas in situations where they are ineffective, such as against large creatures or groups of enemies. Always assess the situation and have a backup plan, like a spear or bow, in case the bola fails.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, in PvP, you can bola an enemy player to immobilize them and then use a club to knock them out or a ranged weapon to eliminate them. In taming, you can bola a creature to stop it from fleeing or attacking, then use tranquilizer arrows to knock it out safely. Bolas are also useful for protecting your base. If youÔÇÖre being raided, you can bola enemy players or tames to buy time for your tribe to mount a defense.
Resource management is important when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you should always carry multiple bolas in your inventory. Keep a stockpile of fiber, hide, and stone at your base to craft more as needed. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, bolas are especially valuable for taming and defense, as you wonÔÇÖt have tribe members to back you up. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize the effectiveness of bolas in group fights or taming efforts.
Specific examples of bola usage include taming a raptor. Raptors are fast and aggressive, making them difficult to tame without bolas. By bolaing a raptor, you can stop it from attacking or fleeing, giving you time to knock it out with tranquilizer arrows. Another example is defending against a sabertooth. Sabertooths are dangerous in close combat, but a well-timed bola can immobilize them, allowing you to kill them safely or escape.
In summary, bolas are a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By mastering their use, you can improve your chances of survival, tame powerful creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always carry multiple bolas, practice your aim, and use them strategically to immobilize targets. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, bolas are a valuable asset for any survivor.
To craft bolas, you need to unlock the engram at level 9. The recipe requires 5 fiber, 1 hide, and 1 stone. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and stone is found by picking up rocks or mining larger boulders. Once you have the materials, open your inventory and craft the bola in the crafting menu. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several bolas at once, as they are single-use items and can be lost or broken during combat.
The primary function of a bola is to immobilize targets. When thrown, the bola wraps around the legs of the target, preventing movement for 30 seconds. This effect works on small to medium creatures, such as raptors, sabertooths, and even players. However, larger creatures like rexes or brontos are immune to bolas. The immobilization effect is temporary, so you must act quickly to capitalize on the opportunity. For example, if you bola a raptor, you can either knock it out for taming or kill it safely without risking retaliation.
To use a bola effectively, equip it in your hotbar and aim at your target. The bola has a short to medium range, so you need to get relatively close to your target. Aim slightly above the target to account for the arc of the throw. Once the bola hits, the target will be immobilized, giving you time to act. If youÔÇÖre taming, use this time to knock the creature out with a slingshot, club, or tranquilizer arrows. If youÔÇÖre defending against an aggressive creature, use the immobilization to create distance or finish it off with a weapon.
One common mistake is underestimating the bolaÔÇÖs range and timing. If you throw the bola too early or too late, you might miss, leaving you vulnerable. Practice your aim on passive creatures like dodos to get a feel for the bolaÔÇÖs trajectory. Another mistake is relying too heavily on bolas in situations where they are ineffective, such as against large creatures or groups of enemies. Always assess the situation and have a backup plan, like a spear or bow, in case the bola fails.
Advanced techniques involve using bolas in combination with other tools and strategies. For example, in PvP, you can bola an enemy player to immobilize them and then use a club to knock them out or a ranged weapon to eliminate them. In taming, you can bola a creature to stop it from fleeing or attacking, then use tranquilizer arrows to knock it out safely. Bolas are also useful for protecting your base. If youÔÇÖre being raided, you can bola enemy players or tames to buy time for your tribe to mount a defense.
Resource management is important when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you should always carry multiple bolas in your inventory. Keep a stockpile of fiber, hide, and stone at your base to craft more as needed. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, bolas are especially valuable for taming and defense, as you wonÔÇÖt have tribe members to back you up. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize the effectiveness of bolas in group fights or taming efforts.
Specific examples of bola usage include taming a raptor. Raptors are fast and aggressive, making them difficult to tame without bolas. By bolaing a raptor, you can stop it from attacking or fleeing, giving you time to knock it out with tranquilizer arrows. Another example is defending against a sabertooth. Sabertooths are dangerous in close combat, but a well-timed bola can immobilize them, allowing you to kill them safely or escape.
In summary, bolas are a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By mastering their use, you can improve your chances of survival, tame powerful creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always carry multiple bolas, practice your aim, and use them strategically to immobilize targets. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, bolas are a valuable asset for any survivor.