How do I craft a pike and use it for combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a pike in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early and mid-game survival. The pike is a versatile melee weapon that offers better range and damage compared to the spear, making it a reliable tool for defending yourself against hostile creatures and players. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and effectively use a pike, along with tips and strategies to maximize its potential.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike becomes available at level 25, and it costs 12 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 30 metal ingots, 15 wood, and 20 hide. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees, and hide is collected from killing animals like dodos, raptors, or other small to medium-sized creatures. Ensure you have a reliable source of these materials before attempting to craft the pike, as running out of resources mid-crafting can be frustrating.
Once you have the necessary resources, place them in the Smithy or Fabricator and craft the pike. The pike has a durability of 40, meaning it can break after extended use, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to craft multiple pikes or carry repair materials like metal ingots and hide. The pike deals 50 base damage per hit, which is higher than the spearÔÇÖs 35 damage, making it more effective in combat. Its longer reach also allows you to keep a safer distance from enemies, which is particularly useful when fighting aggressive creatures like raptors or carnos.
When using the pike in combat, timing and positioning are key. The pike has a slower attack speed compared to other melee weapons, so you need to be deliberate with your strikes. Aim for the head or weak spots of creatures to maximize damage. For example, when fighting a raptor, try to keep it at a distance and strike when it lunges at you. This will help you avoid taking unnecessary damage. Against larger creatures like a carno or rex, the pike is less effective due to their high health pools and damage output, so itÔÇÖs better to rely on ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs in those situations.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to melee combat with the pike. While the pike is a strong weapon, itÔÇÖs not invincible, and engaging multiple enemies at once can quickly lead to your demise. Always assess the situation before engaging in combat. If youÔÇÖre outnumbered or facing a stronger opponent, consider retreating or using a tamed dinosaur for support. Additionally, avoid using the pike in water, as its attack animation can be slow and leave you vulnerable to aquatic predators like megalodons or sarcos.
For advanced techniques, consider combining the pike with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize smaller creatures like raptors or dilophosaurs, giving you time to land multiple hits with the pike. You can also use the pike in conjunction with a shield to block incoming attacks while countering with precise strikes. This is especially useful in PvP scenarios where players may try to overwhelm you with ranged attacks or melee weapons.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Taming a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency, as it can harvest large amounts of metal ore from rocks. Similarly, a Therizinosaur or a Mammoth can help you gather wood and hide more efficiently, ensuring you always have the materials needed to craft and repair your pike.
In a tribe setting, the pike can be a valuable tool for defending your base or hunting small to medium-sized creatures. Coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to pikes and the necessary resources to craft them. In solo play, the pike is even more critical, as youÔÇÖll need to rely on your own skills and equipment to survive. Always carry a backup weapon like a bow or crossbow in case your pike breaks during combat.
Specific scenarios where the pike shines include defending your base from small predators, hunting for food, and engaging in early-game PvP. For example, if a pack of dilophosaurs attacks your base, the pikeÔÇÖs range and damage make it an excellent choice for quickly dispatching them. Similarly, when hunting for hide or meat, the pike allows you to take down creatures like parasaur or phiomia with minimal risk.
In summary, the pike is a powerful and versatile weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved that can greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and optimal use cases, you can effectively wield the pike to defend yourself, hunt for resources, and thrive in the gameÔÇÖs dangerous world. Always be prepared with backup weapons and repair materials, and consider using tamed dinosaurs to gather resources more efficiently. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to handle the challenges of ARK.
To craft a pike, you first need to unlock its engram. The pike becomes available at level 25, and it costs 12 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or a Fabricator. The resource requirements for crafting a pike are 30 metal ingots, 15 wood, and 20 hide. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, wood is gathered by chopping trees, and hide is collected from killing animals like dodos, raptors, or other small to medium-sized creatures. Ensure you have a reliable source of these materials before attempting to craft the pike, as running out of resources mid-crafting can be frustrating.
Once you have the necessary resources, place them in the Smithy or Fabricator and craft the pike. The pike has a durability of 40, meaning it can break after extended use, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to craft multiple pikes or carry repair materials like metal ingots and hide. The pike deals 50 base damage per hit, which is higher than the spearÔÇÖs 35 damage, making it more effective in combat. Its longer reach also allows you to keep a safer distance from enemies, which is particularly useful when fighting aggressive creatures like raptors or carnos.
When using the pike in combat, timing and positioning are key. The pike has a slower attack speed compared to other melee weapons, so you need to be deliberate with your strikes. Aim for the head or weak spots of creatures to maximize damage. For example, when fighting a raptor, try to keep it at a distance and strike when it lunges at you. This will help you avoid taking unnecessary damage. Against larger creatures like a carno or rex, the pike is less effective due to their high health pools and damage output, so itÔÇÖs better to rely on ranged weapons or tamed dinosaurs in those situations.
One common mistake players make is overcommitting to melee combat with the pike. While the pike is a strong weapon, itÔÇÖs not invincible, and engaging multiple enemies at once can quickly lead to your demise. Always assess the situation before engaging in combat. If youÔÇÖre outnumbered or facing a stronger opponent, consider retreating or using a tamed dinosaur for support. Additionally, avoid using the pike in water, as its attack animation can be slow and leave you vulnerable to aquatic predators like megalodons or sarcos.
For advanced techniques, consider combining the pike with other tools and strategies. For example, you can use a bola to immobilize smaller creatures like raptors or dilophosaurs, giving you time to land multiple hits with the pike. You can also use the pike in conjunction with a shield to block incoming attacks while countering with precise strikes. This is especially useful in PvP scenarios where players may try to overwhelm you with ranged attacks or melee weapons.
Resource management is crucial when using the pike. Since it requires metal ingots to craft and repair, ensure you have a steady supply of metal ore. Taming a dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly improve your metal-gathering efficiency, as it can harvest large amounts of metal ore from rocks. Similarly, a Therizinosaur or a Mammoth can help you gather wood and hide more efficiently, ensuring you always have the materials needed to craft and repair your pike.
In a tribe setting, the pike can be a valuable tool for defending your base or hunting small to medium-sized creatures. Coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to pikes and the necessary resources to craft them. In solo play, the pike is even more critical, as youÔÇÖll need to rely on your own skills and equipment to survive. Always carry a backup weapon like a bow or crossbow in case your pike breaks during combat.
Specific scenarios where the pike shines include defending your base from small predators, hunting for food, and engaging in early-game PvP. For example, if a pack of dilophosaurs attacks your base, the pikeÔÇÖs range and damage make it an excellent choice for quickly dispatching them. Similarly, when hunting for hide or meat, the pike allows you to take down creatures like parasaur or phiomia with minimal risk.
In summary, the pike is a powerful and versatile weapon in ARK: Survival Evolved that can greatly enhance your survival and combat capabilities. By understanding its mechanics, crafting requirements, and optimal use cases, you can effectively wield the pike to defend yourself, hunt for resources, and thrive in the gameÔÇÖs dangerous world. Always be prepared with backup weapons and repair materials, and consider using tamed dinosaurs to gather resources more efficiently. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to handle the challenges of ARK.