How do I craft a tek helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a Tek Helmet for night vision in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game goal that requires significant preparation and progression. The Tek Helmet is part of the advanced Tek Tier, which is unlocked after defeating certain bosses and gaining access to Tek Engrams. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

To craft a Tek Helmet, you must first unlock its engram. This is done by defeating one of the game's bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, depending on the map you are playing on. Each boss drops Element, which is a key resource for crafting Tek items, and unlocks specific Tek Engrams upon defeat. The Tek Helmet engram is unlocked after defeating the Dragon boss on The Island map or equivalent bosses on other maps. Once unlocked, you can craft the Tek Helmet at a Tek Replicator, a high-tech crafting station that requires Element to operate.

The resource requirements for crafting a Tek Helmet are substantial. You will need 200 Metal Ingots, 75 Crystal, 50 Polymer, 25 Black Pearls, and 10 Element. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge, Crystal is gathered from rocks in mountainous areas, Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku (penguins) or by crafting it from Obsidian and Cementing Paste, and Black Pearls are dropped by certain creatures like Trilobites, Ammonites, or Deathworms. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it is only dropped by bosses or can be crafted from Element Shards in Genesis Part 2.

Preparation is key to successfully crafting a Tek Helmet. Before attempting to defeat a boss, ensure you have a strong team of tamed dinosaurs, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Yutyrannus, with high health and damage stats. Breeding and imprinting these creatures can significantly improve their effectiveness in battle. Additionally, stockpile resources like Ammo, Medical Brews, and food for both you and your dinosaurs. Building a secure base near the boss arena can also help streamline the process of preparing for and recovering from boss fights.

When fighting the Dragon boss, focus on using creatures with high melee damage and fire resistance. The Dragon deals heavy fire damage, so creatures like Therizinos with Vegetable Cakes for healing are highly effective. Coordinate with your tribe to ensure everyone is equipped with high-quality weapons and armor, and assign roles such as tanking, healing, and damage dealing to maximize efficiency. After defeating the Dragon, collect the Element and unlock the Tek Helmet engram.

Once you have the engram, you will need to craft a Tek Replicator. This requires 1200 Metal Ingots, 200 Crystal, 100 Polymer, 50 Black Pearls, and 50 Element. Place the Tek Replicator in a secure location within your base, as it is a valuable and expensive piece of equipment. Power the Tek Replicator using Element or a Tek Generator, which requires additional resources and preparation.

Crafting the Tek Helmet itself is straightforward once you have the Tek Replicator and the necessary resources. Simply access the Tek Replicator, select the Tek Helmet engram, and craft it. The Tek Helmet provides night vision, thermal vision, and a headlamp, making it an invaluable tool for exploring dark areas or caves. It also offers significant armor protection, making it useful in combat scenarios.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the difficulty of boss fights, failing to prepare adequately, and not securing your Tek Replicator. Boss fights require careful planning and coordination, especially in solo play, where the challenge is even greater. Ensure your base is well-defended to prevent raids, as Tek equipment is highly sought after by other players in PvP servers.

Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport resources efficiently, breeding high-level dinosaurs with optimized stats, and setting up automated turrets or traps to defend your base. In PvP scenarios, consider using the Tek Helmet's thermal vision to spot hidden enemies or loot.

In summary, crafting a Tek Helmet in ARK: Survival Evolved is a multi-step process that involves defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and building advanced technology. With proper preparation, strategy, and teamwork, you can unlock this powerful tool and gain a significant advantage in survival and combat.