How do I craft a flak armor set in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a flak armor set in ARK: Survival Evolved is a significant milestone in your survival journey, as it provides excellent protection against both environmental hazards and enemy attacks. Flak armor is one of the best mid-to-late-game armor sets, offering high durability and damage resistance. To craft a full set, you will need to gather specific resources, unlock the necessary engrams, and use a crafting station. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to unlock the flak armor engrams. These are available at level 35 and above, with each piece requiring a different level. The flak helmet unlocks at level 35, the chest piece at level 40, the gauntlets at level 45, the leggings at level 50, and the boots at level 55. Make sure to allocate enough engram points to unlock all the pieces you need. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to ensure that everyone has access to the necessary engrams without duplicating efforts.

Once the engrams are unlocked, youÔÇÖll need to gather the required resources. Crafting a full flak armor set requires a significant amount of materials, including metal ingots, hide, fiber, and oil. For example, a single flak chest piece requires 50 metal ingots, 20 hide, 15 fiber, and 5 oil. Multiply this by the number of pieces you want to craft, and youÔÇÖll need a substantial amount of resources. Metal ingots are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge, hide is gathered from killing animals, fiber is collected from plants, and oil can be harvested from oil nodes or certain creatures like Trilobites and Basilosaurus.

To efficiently gather these resources, consider taming dinosaurs that specialize in resource collection. For example, an Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining metal ore, while a Therizinosaur can gather large amounts of fiber and hide. A Doedicurus is great for collecting stone, which youÔÇÖll need to craft the forge. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize taming these creatures to speed up your resource gathering. In a tribe, assign roles to members to optimize resource collection and crafting.

Next, youÔÇÖll need a crafting station to create the flak armor. A Smithy is the most efficient option, as it allows you to craft all the pieces in one place. To build a Smithy, youÔÇÖll need 5 metal ingots, 20 wood, and 50 fiber. Place the Smithy in a secure location, preferably inside your base, to protect it from potential threats. Once the Smithy is set up, open its inventory and place the required resources inside. Then, select the flak armor pieces you want to craft and start the process.

When crafting flak armor, itÔÇÖs important to consider your characterÔÇÖs weight limit. Metal ingots and flak armor pieces are heavy, so make sure you have enough carry capacity or use a tamed dinosaur to transport the materials. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, you may need to make multiple trips to gather and transport resources. In a tribe, you can divide the workload, with some members gathering resources while others focus on crafting.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the amount of resources needed. Flak armor requires a lot of metal ingots, so make sure you have a steady supply of metal ore and a functioning forge. Another mistake is not protecting your crafting station. If your Smithy is destroyed, youÔÇÖll lose all the resources inside, so always place it in a secure location. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to repair your flak armor when it takes damage. Repairing requires the same materials as crafting, so keep a stockpile of metal ingots, hide, fiber, and oil.

For advanced players, consider optimizing your resource gathering by setting up mining outposts near metal-rich areas. Use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large amounts of metal ore back to your base. You can also use a Fabricator to craft higher-tier armor later in the game, but flak armor is a reliable choice for mid-game progression.

In summary, crafting a flak armor set in ARK: Survival Evolved involves unlocking the necessary engrams, gathering resources like metal ingots, hide, fiber, and oil, and using a Smithy to craft the pieces. Efficient resource gathering, proper base defense, and coordination with your tribe are key to successfully crafting and maintaining your flak armor. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to face the challenges of ARKÔÇÖs dangerous world.