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, use, and optimize bolas in the game.
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 commonly found on the ground or mined from rocks. Once you have the materials, open your inventory or a crafting station and craft the bolas. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several at a time, 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, bolas do not work on larger creatures like rexes or brontos. Understanding which creatures can be immobilized is key to using bolas effectively. For example, if you encounter a raptor in the wild, throwing a bola at it will stop it in its tracks, giving you time to either tame it or escape.
When using bolas, aim carefully. The projectile has a short range, so you need to be relatively close to your target. Practice your aim in safe environments, such as near passive creatures, to get a feel for the timing and distance. If you miss, the bola will be lost, so always carry extras. In combat scenarios, bolas are particularly useful against fast-moving enemies like raptors or players on foot. Immobilizing them gives you a significant advantage, allowing you to land critical hits or retreat to safety.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on bolas without a backup plan. While bolas are effective, they are not foolproof. If you miss or if the target breaks free, you need to be ready to switch to another weapon or escape. Always carry a melee weapon like a spear or a ranged weapon like a bow as a secondary option. Additionally, bolas have a cooldown period after use, so you cannot spam them in quick succession. Plan your throws carefully to maximize their effectiveness.
Advanced techniques involve combining bolas with other tools and strategies. For example, when taming a raptor, you can bola it, then use tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot to knock it out. This method is safer and more efficient than trying to knock it out while itÔÇÖs moving. In PvP, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving your tribe time to coordinate an attack or capture them. Pairing bolas with traps, such as bear traps or spike walls, can create deadly combinations for both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Resource management is important when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you need to ensure you have enough materials to craft them regularly. Stockpile fiber, hide, and stone in your base to avoid running out during critical moments. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize crafting bolas early in the game, as they can save your life in dangerous situations. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has a supply of bolas, especially during raids or taming expeditions.
Specific examples of bola usage include taming a pack of raptors or defending your base from a player raid. For taming, bola the raptors one by one, then knock them out and feed them meat. For base defense, use bolas to immobilize enemy players who get too close, giving your tribe time to counterattack. Bolas are also useful in cave exploration, where fast-moving creatures like arthropluera or onyc can be immobilized to make the journey safer.
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 dangerous creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always carry extras, aim carefully, and combine bolas with other strategies for maximum effectiveness. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, bolas are a must-have item in your arsenal.
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 commonly found on the ground or mined from rocks. Once you have the materials, open your inventory or a crafting station and craft the bolas. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to craft several at a time, 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, bolas do not work on larger creatures like rexes or brontos. Understanding which creatures can be immobilized is key to using bolas effectively. For example, if you encounter a raptor in the wild, throwing a bola at it will stop it in its tracks, giving you time to either tame it or escape.
When using bolas, aim carefully. The projectile has a short range, so you need to be relatively close to your target. Practice your aim in safe environments, such as near passive creatures, to get a feel for the timing and distance. If you miss, the bola will be lost, so always carry extras. In combat scenarios, bolas are particularly useful against fast-moving enemies like raptors or players on foot. Immobilizing them gives you a significant advantage, allowing you to land critical hits or retreat to safety.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on bolas without a backup plan. While bolas are effective, they are not foolproof. If you miss or if the target breaks free, you need to be ready to switch to another weapon or escape. Always carry a melee weapon like a spear or a ranged weapon like a bow as a secondary option. Additionally, bolas have a cooldown period after use, so you cannot spam them in quick succession. Plan your throws carefully to maximize their effectiveness.
Advanced techniques involve combining bolas with other tools and strategies. For example, when taming a raptor, you can bola it, then use tranquilizer arrows or a slingshot to knock it out. This method is safer and more efficient than trying to knock it out while itÔÇÖs moving. In PvP, bolas can be used to immobilize enemy players, giving your tribe time to coordinate an attack or capture them. Pairing bolas with traps, such as bear traps or spike walls, can create deadly combinations for both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Resource management is important when using bolas. Since they are single-use, you need to ensure you have enough materials to craft them regularly. Stockpile fiber, hide, and stone in your base to avoid running out during critical moments. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize crafting bolas early in the game, as they can save your life in dangerous situations. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has a supply of bolas, especially during raids or taming expeditions.
Specific examples of bola usage include taming a pack of raptors or defending your base from a player raid. For taming, bola the raptors one by one, then knock them out and feed them meat. For base defense, use bolas to immobilize enemy players who get too close, giving your tribe time to counterattack. Bolas are also useful in cave exploration, where fast-moving creatures like arthropluera or onyc can be immobilized to make the journey safer.
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 dangerous creatures, and gain an edge in combat. Always carry extras, aim carefully, and combine bolas with other strategies for maximum effectiveness. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, bolas are a must-have item in your arsenal.