What is the best way to gather alpha mosasaur teeth in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Gathering alpha mosasaur teeth in ARK: Survival Evolved is a challenging but rewarding task, as these teeth are essential for crafting certain high-tier items like the Tek Replicator. Alpha mosasaurs are large, aggressive aquatic creatures found in the ocean, and their teeth can only be obtained by killing them. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather alpha mosasaur teeth, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of alpha mosasaurs. These creatures are among the strongest predators in the ocean, with high health, damage, and resistance to torpor. They are typically found in deep ocean biomes, often near underwater caves or trenches. Alpha mosasaurs are aggressive and will attack anything in their vicinity, including players and tamed creatures. When killed, they drop valuable loot, including alpha mosasaur teeth, which are guaranteed drops.

The first step in gathering alpha mosasaur teeth is preparation. You will need a strong aquatic mount to take on an alpha mosasaur. The best options are high-level tamed basilosaurus, tusoteuthis, or a well-bred mosasaur. Basilosaurus are particularly useful because they are immune to the jellyfish and eel stuns, which are common threats in the ocean. Ensure your mount has high health and damage stats, as alpha mosasaurs deal significant damage. Additionally, equip your mount with a good saddle to reduce incoming damage.

Before heading into the ocean, gather the necessary resources. Bring medical brews or cooked meat to heal your mount during the fight. If you are using a ranged weapon, stock up on ammunition. It is also wise to bring scuba gear or Lazarus chowder to manage oxygen levels while underwater. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to bring multiple mounts or support creatures like a pack of megalodons to assist in the fight.

Once prepared, head to the deep ocean to locate an alpha mosasaur. They are rare spawns, so you may need to search for a while. Use a high-speed mount like an ichthyosaur to scout the area quickly. When you find an alpha mosasaur, assess the situation. If there are other hostile creatures nearby, such as alpha megalodons or tusoteuthis, clear them out first to avoid being overwhelmed during the fight.

Engage the alpha mosasaur carefully. If you are using a basilosaurus, use its high health pool and damage output to tank and deal damage. Keep an eye on your mount's health and use medical brews or cooked meat to heal as needed. If you are using a tusoteuthis, use its grab ability to immobilize the alpha mosasaur and deal consistent damage. For a mosasaur, focus on hit-and-run tactics to avoid taking too much damage.

During the fight, avoid getting too close to the alpha mosasaur's head, as its bite deals the most damage. Instead, position yourself to attack from the sides or behind. If you are using ranged weapons, maintain a safe distance and aim for the head to maximize damage. Be mindful of your oxygen levels and surface for air if necessary, but try to stay close to the fight to prevent the alpha mosasaur from regenerating health.

After defeating the alpha mosasaur, collect the loot, which will include alpha mosasaur teeth. These teeth are heavy, so ensure you have enough carry weight or a mount with high weight capacity to transport them. If you are playing solo, consider making multiple trips or using a storage crate to temporarily hold the teeth while you transport them.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the alpha mosasaur's strength, engaging without proper preparation, and ignoring other threats in the area. Always scout the area and clear out additional predators before engaging. Additionally, avoid fighting in tight spaces where your mount's mobility is restricted, as this can make it difficult to dodge attacks.

Advanced techniques include using a team of coordinated players with specialized roles, such as one player tanking with a basilosaurus while others deal damage with ranged weapons or support mounts. Another optimization is to use a tamed plesiosaur with a platform saddle equipped with turrets or ballistae to deal ranged damage safely.

In summary, gathering alpha mosasaur teeth requires careful preparation, a strong aquatic mount, and strategic combat. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently collect alpha mosasaur teeth and use them to craft advanced Tek items. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, coordination and resource management are key to success in this challenging task.