How do I craft and use a pike for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pike for melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early and mid-game survival. The pike is a versatile weapon that offers better range and damage compared to the spear, making it a reliable tool for defending against hostile creatures and players. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and effectively use a pike, along with tips and strategies to maximize its potential.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike engram becomes available at level 25 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees with a hatchet or a dinosaur like a Therizinosaurus, and fiber is collected from bushes or using a sickle. Ensure you have these resources ready before attempting to craft the pike.
Once crafted, the pike can be equipped in your hotbar and used as a melee weapon. It has a longer reach than most early-game weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is particularly useful when dealing with aggressive dinosaurs like Raptors or Carnotaurus, as it reduces the risk of taking damage. The pike also deals decent damage, making it effective for both hunting and self-defense. However, it has a slower attack speed compared to weapons like the sword, so timing your strikes is crucial.
When using the pike, positioning is key. Always try to keep a safe distance from your target while attacking. This is especially important when facing larger predators like Rexes or Spinos, as their attacks can deal significant damage. Use the pike's range to your advantage by staying just outside their attack range while landing hits. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from behind obstacles like rocks or trees, allowing you to damage enemies without exposing yourself to danger.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since it has a slower attack speed, spamming the attack button can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on landing precise strikes and retreating to a safe distance after each hit. This hit-and-run strategy is particularly effective against fast-moving enemies like Raptors or Pteranodons. Another mistake is neglecting to repair the pike. Like all weapons in ARK, the pike has durability and will eventually break if not repaired. Keep an eye on its condition and repair it using the required resources when necessary.
For advanced techniques, consider combining the pike with other tools and strategies. For example, using a bola to immobilize smaller enemies like Raptors or Dilophosaurs can make it easier to land hits with the pike. Additionally, taming a dinosaur like a Sabertooth or Direwolf can complement your melee combat by providing additional damage and distraction. In PvP scenarios, the pike can be used to defend against enemy players attempting to raid your base. Its range and damage make it a formidable weapon in close-quarters combat, especially when combined with armor and other defensive measures.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Setting up a mining operation with a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly increase your metal yield. Additionally, always carry extra resources for repairs, especially when venturing into dangerous areas like caves or the Redwood Forest.
In tribe settings, the pike can be a valuable tool for coordinated attacks or base defense. Assigning roles within your tribe, such as having one player focus on melee combat while others provide ranged support, can enhance your overall effectiveness. For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for handling most threats, but always be prepared to retreat if the situation becomes overwhelming.
Specific examples of using the pike include defending against a pack of Raptors or clearing out smaller creatures in caves. In these scenarios, the pike's range and damage output can make the difference between survival and defeat. For instance, when exploring the Lower South Cave, the pike can be used to quickly dispatch Arthropleuras and Meganeuras, reducing the risk of taking damage from their attacks.
In conclusion, the pike is a powerful and versatile weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, mastering its use, and combining it with other strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of survival in the game's dangerous world. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pike is an essential tool for any survivor looking to thrive in ARK.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike engram becomes available at level 25 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 20 metal ingots, 75 wood, and 35 fiber. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees with a hatchet or a dinosaur like a Therizinosaurus, and fiber is collected from bushes or using a sickle. Ensure you have these resources ready before attempting to craft the pike.
Once crafted, the pike can be equipped in your hotbar and used as a melee weapon. It has a longer reach than most early-game weapons, allowing you to attack enemies from a safer distance. This is particularly useful when dealing with aggressive dinosaurs like Raptors or Carnotaurus, as it reduces the risk of taking damage. The pike also deals decent damage, making it effective for both hunting and self-defense. However, it has a slower attack speed compared to weapons like the sword, so timing your strikes is crucial.
When using the pike, positioning is key. Always try to keep a safe distance from your target while attacking. This is especially important when facing larger predators like Rexes or Spinos, as their attacks can deal significant damage. Use the pike's range to your advantage by staying just outside their attack range while landing hits. Additionally, the pike can be used to attack from behind obstacles like rocks or trees, allowing you to damage enemies without exposing yourself to danger.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to attacks with the pike. Since it has a slower attack speed, spamming the attack button can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Instead, focus on landing precise strikes and retreating to a safe distance after each hit. This hit-and-run strategy is particularly effective against fast-moving enemies like Raptors or Pteranodons. Another mistake is neglecting to repair the pike. Like all weapons in ARK, the pike has durability and will eventually break if not repaired. Keep an eye on its condition and repair it using the required resources when necessary.
For advanced techniques, consider combining the pike with other tools and strategies. For example, using a bola to immobilize smaller enemies like Raptors or Dilophosaurs can make it easier to land hits with the pike. Additionally, taming a dinosaur like a Sabertooth or Direwolf can complement your melee combat by providing additional damage and distraction. In PvP scenarios, the pike can be used to defend against enemy players attempting to raid your base. Its range and damage make it a formidable weapon in close-quarters combat, especially when combined with armor and other defensive measures.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Setting up a mining operation with a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly increase your metal yield. Additionally, always carry extra resources for repairs, especially when venturing into dangerous areas like caves or the Redwood Forest.
In tribe settings, the pike can be a valuable tool for coordinated attacks or base defense. Assigning roles within your tribe, such as having one player focus on melee combat while others provide ranged support, can enhance your overall effectiveness. For solo players, the pike is a reliable weapon for handling most threats, but always be prepared to retreat if the situation becomes overwhelming.
Specific examples of using the pike include defending against a pack of Raptors or clearing out smaller creatures in caves. In these scenarios, the pike's range and damage output can make the difference between survival and defeat. For instance, when exploring the Lower South Cave, the pike can be used to quickly dispatch Arthropleuras and Meganeuras, reducing the risk of taking damage from their attacks.
In conclusion, the pike is a powerful and versatile weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, mastering its use, and combining it with other strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of survival in the game's dangerous world. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a tribe, the pike is an essential tool for any survivor looking to thrive in ARK.