How do I craft and use a parachute for safe falls in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a parachute in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial skill for surviving falls from great heights, whether you're exploring cliffs, flying on a tamed creature, or escaping dangerous situations. The parachute is a simple yet effective tool that can save your life when used correctly. Here's a detailed guide on how to craft and use a parachute, along with tips and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.

To craft a parachute, you need to unlock its engram first. The parachute engram becomes available at level 14 and costs 6 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or your inventory if you have the required resources. The materials needed to craft a parachute are 15 fiber, 20 hide, and 5 wood. These resources are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected from bushes, hide is obtained by killing creatures, and wood is gathered from trees using a pickaxe or hatchet.

Once you have the parachute, it is automatically added to your inventory's consumable slot. To use it, simply equip it in your hotbar and activate it while falling. The parachute will deploy, slowing your descent and allowing you to glide safely to the ground. It is important to note that the parachute has durability and will degrade over time, especially if you use it repeatedly or for extended periods. Always keep an eye on its durability and craft additional parachutes as needed.

One of the most common mistakes players make is waiting too long to deploy the parachute. If you activate it too late, you may still take significant fall damage or even die. To avoid this, deploy the parachute as soon as you start falling from a dangerous height. This gives you more control over your descent and ensures a safe landing. Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings. If you deploy the parachute near trees, cliffs, or other obstacles, you might get stuck or take damage upon landing. Aim for open, flat areas whenever possible.

Advanced techniques for using the parachute include combining it with other tools and strategies. For example, if you are flying on a tamed creature like an Argentavis or Pteranodon and run out of stamina mid-air, you can dismount and deploy the parachute to avoid falling to your death. This is especially useful when exploring high-altitude areas or crossing large gaps. Another advanced technique is using the parachute to escape dangerous situations. If you are being chased by aggressive creatures or players, jumping off a cliff and deploying the parachute can give you a quick escape route.

Resource management is key when using parachutes. Since they are consumable items, it is a good idea to carry multiple parachutes in your inventory, especially when exploring dangerous areas or traveling long distances. Always gather extra fiber, hide, and wood to craft additional parachutes as needed. If you are part of a tribe, consider assigning a member to focus on gathering these resources to ensure everyone has access to parachutes.

In solo play, the parachute is even more critical since you won't have tribe members to revive you if you fall to your death. Always prioritize crafting and carrying parachutes when venturing into high-risk areas. For tribes, parachutes can be a shared resource, but it is still a good idea for each member to carry their own to avoid running out during critical moments.

Specific scenarios where parachutes are invaluable include exploring caves, climbing mountains, or traveling across the map on flying creatures. For example, when exploring the volcano on The Island map, a parachute can save you from a fatal fall if you accidentally slip off the edge. Similarly, when taming creatures like Quetzals or Wyverns, which often require you to dismount at high altitudes, a parachute ensures a safe descent.

In conclusion, the parachute is a simple yet essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved that can save your life in many situations. By understanding how to craft and use it effectively, you can avoid unnecessary deaths and explore the world with confidence. Always carry multiple parachutes, deploy them early, and be mindful of your surroundings to maximize their effectiveness. Whether you're playing solo or as part of a tribe, mastering the use of the parachute is a key step toward thriving in the dangerous world of ARK.