How do I craft and use a tek light for underwater illumination in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Tek Light for underwater illumination in ARK: Survival Evolved involves several steps, from gathering the necessary resources to understanding how to deploy and power the light effectively. The Tek Light is a high-tech item that provides bright illumination, making it ideal for underwater bases or areas where traditional lighting is insufficient. Below is a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

To begin, you must first unlock the Tek Light engram. This requires defeating certain bosses in the game, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, to obtain Tekgrams. Once you have the engram, you can craft the Tek Light at a Tek Replicator. The Tek Replicator itself requires a significant amount of resources, including Element, Metal Ingots, Crystal, and Polymer. Ensure you have a well-established base with access to these materials before attempting to craft the Tek Light.

The resource requirements for crafting a Tek Light include 50 Element, 100 Metal Ingots, 50 Crystal, and 50 Polymer. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from specific nodes in certain maps. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge, Crystal is gathered from crystal nodes often found in caves or mountains, and Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku, Mantis, or by crafting it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste. Preparing these resources in advance will save you time and effort.

Once you have crafted the Tek Light, the next step is to deploy it underwater. The Tek Light can be placed on any flat surface, including the ocean floor or the walls of an underwater cave. To place it, simply equip the Tek Light from your inventory and look for a suitable location. The light will automatically adjust to the surface it is placed on, ensuring it stays in position. However, be mindful of the placement, as the Tek Light requires a stable surface to function correctly.

Powering the Tek Light is crucial for its operation. The Tek Light requires Element to function, and it consumes Element over time. You can insert Element directly into the Tek LightÔÇÖs inventory to power it. Each piece of Element provides a certain amount of power, so ensure you have a steady supply of Element to keep the light running. If you are running a tribe, consider assigning a member to manage the Element supply to avoid running out of power unexpectedly.

One common mistake players make is underestimating the amount of Element required to keep the Tek Light operational. Always keep a surplus of Element in your base or on your person to avoid being left in the dark. Additionally, placing the Tek Light in areas with high traffic or where it is most needed will maximize its utility. For example, placing it near underwater resource nodes or in the entrance of an underwater cave can help you navigate and gather resources more efficiently.

Advanced techniques for using the Tek Light include integrating it into a larger Tek base setup. If you have access to Tek Generators, you can connect multiple Tek Lights to a single generator, reducing the need to manually insert Element into each light. This setup is particularly useful for large underwater bases or expansive cave systems. Additionally, using the Tek Light in combination with other Tek structures, such as Tek Turrets or Tek Forcefields, can enhance your baseÔÇÖs defense and functionality.

When playing solo, managing the resources for the Tek Light can be more challenging. Prioritize gathering Element and other materials before attempting to craft the light. Consider taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus for efficient metal gathering or the Doedicurus for stone, which can be converted into Cementing Paste for Polymer. Solo players should also focus on building a secure underwater base to protect their Tek Light and other valuable assets from hostile creatures or other players in PvP scenarios.

In summary, crafting and using a Tek Light for underwater illumination in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. Unlock the Tek Light engram by defeating bosses, gather the necessary resources, and craft the light at a Tek Replicator. Deploy the light in strategic locations underwater, ensure it is powered with Element, and consider advanced setups like connecting it to a Tek Generator for efficiency. Avoid common mistakes such as underestimating Element consumption and prioritize resource gathering, especially when playing solo. By following these steps and tips, you can effectively illuminate your underwater bases and navigate the depths with ease.