How do I craft a tek sword for underwater melee combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a Tek Sword in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game endeavor that requires significant preparation, resources, and progression. The Tek Sword is a powerful melee weapon, especially effective underwater due to its high damage output and durability. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Sword, including mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

To craft a Tek Sword, you must first unlock its engram. The Tek Sword engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, you cannot unlock it immediately upon reaching level 100. You must defeat certain bosses to gain access to Tekgrams, which are special engrams tied to Tek-tier items. Specifically, you need to defeat the Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, or Dragon boss to unlock the Tek Sword engram. These bosses are found in the game's boss arenas, and defeating them requires a well-prepared team or a strong army of tamed dinosaurs.

Once you have unlocked the Tek Sword engram, you will need to gather the necessary resources to craft it. The Tek Sword requires the following materials: 250 Metal Ingots, 75 Polymer, 50 Crystal, 25 Element, and 100 Black Pearls. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge or Industrial Forge. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku, Mantis, or by crafting it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste in a Fabricator. Crystal is mined from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or completing certain endgame activities. Black Pearls are harvested from Deathworms, Eurypterids, or by taming and harvesting from certain creatures like the Ammonite or Tusoteuthis.

Crafting the Tek Sword requires a Tek Replicator, which is a high-tier crafting station. To build a Tek Replicator, you need to unlock its engram by defeating the Overseer boss. The Tek Replicator itself requires 200 Metal Ingots, 100 Polymer, 100 Crystal, 50 Element, and 50 Black Pearls to craft. Once you have the Tek Replicator, place it in a secure location, as it is expensive to replace if destroyed.

When crafting the Tek Sword, ensure you have a reliable power source. The Tek Replicator requires Element to function, so you will need to have Element Shards or Element in your inventory to power it. Place the required materials into the Tek Replicator and initiate the crafting process. The Tek Sword will take some time to craft, so be patient.

Once crafted, the Tek Sword is a formidable weapon, especially underwater. It deals high melee damage and has a wide attack range, making it ideal for combating underwater creatures like Megalodons, Tusoteuthis, or even Alpha Mosasaurs. The Tek Sword also has a secondary attack that creates a shockwave, which can stun or knock back enemies. This is particularly useful in underwater combat, where mobility can be limited.

When using the Tek Sword underwater, consider the following tips. First, ensure you have a reliable oxygen source, such as a SCUBA Tank or a tamed Basilosaurus, which provides oxygen to nearby players. Second, be mindful of your stamina, as melee combat can drain it quickly. Third, use the Tek Sword's secondary attack strategically to create distance or stun aggressive creatures. Finally, always be aware of your surroundings, as underwater environments can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the resource requirements for crafting the Tek Sword. Gathering Element and Black Pearls can be time-consuming and dangerous, so plan accordingly. Additionally, avoid using the Tek Sword in shallow water or near the surface, as its shockwave attack can damage or destroy nearby structures or tamed creatures.

For advanced players, consider pairing the Tek Sword with other Tek-tier items, such as the Tek Armor or Tek Rifle, to maximize your combat effectiveness. Tek Armor provides enhanced protection and mobility, while the Tek Rifle offers ranged firepower. Combining these items can make you a formidable force in both underwater and land-based combat.

In terms of tribe or solo considerations, crafting a Tek Sword is more manageable in a tribe setting. Tribes can pool resources and coordinate boss fights to unlock Tekgrams more efficiently. Solo players will need to invest significant time and effort into gathering resources and preparing for boss fights. However, with careful planning and preparation, solo players can also achieve this goal.

In summary, crafting a Tek Sword in ARK: Survival Evolved is a challenging but rewarding process. It requires defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and using advanced crafting stations. Once crafted, the Tek Sword is a powerful weapon, especially effective in underwater combat. By following the steps and tips outlined above, you can successfully craft and wield a Tek Sword to dominate the dangerous world of ARK.