How do I craft a shield and use it for blocking attacks in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential skill for both early-game survival and late-game combat. Shields provide a significant defensive advantage, allowing you to block incoming attacks from creatures, players, and even environmental hazards. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to craft and use a shield effectively.
To craft a shield, you first need to unlock the appropriate engram. The simplest shield, the Wooden Shield, is unlocked at level 15. You will need to spend engram points to learn the recipe. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or your inventory if you have the required resources. The Wooden Shield requires 15 wood, 10 fiber, and 5 hide. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Wood can be obtained by chopping trees with a hatchet or pickaxe, fiber is collected from bushes, and hide is acquired by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs.
Once crafted, equip the shield in your off-hand slot. On PC, this is done by dragging the shield to the off-hand slot in your inventory. On consoles, you can equip it by selecting it in your inventory and pressing the appropriate button. With the shield equipped, you can block attacks by holding the right mouse button on PC or the left trigger on consoles. Blocking reduces the damage you take from melee attacks and projectiles, but it consumes stamina. If your stamina runs out, you will no longer be able to block, so managing stamina is crucial.
When using a shield, timing is key. Blocking at the right moment can negate damage entirely, but holding the shield up constantly will drain your stamina quickly. Against aggressive creatures like raptors or carnotaurus, wait for them to attack, block the hit, and then counterattack with a weapon like a spear or sword. In PvP scenarios, shields can be used to block arrows or bullets, but be aware that some weapons, like the Longneck Rifle or Compound Bow, can penetrate shields with high enough damage.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on the shield without considering your surroundings. For example, blocking attacks from a pack of raptors might save you from immediate damage, but if you are backed into a corner, you could still be overwhelmed. Always have an escape plan, such as a nearby tamed dinosaur or a safe structure to retreat to. Another mistake is neglecting to repair your shield. Shields have durability and will break after taking too much damage. Keep an eye on its condition and repair it using the required materials when necessary.
Advanced techniques involve combining shields with other tools and strategies. For example, using a shield in combination with a pike allows you to block and attack simultaneously, making you more versatile in combat. You can also use shields to protect yourself while taming dinosaurs. For instance, when taming a high-level carnivore like a Rex, a shield can help you survive its attacks while you tranquilize it. Additionally, shields can be used to block environmental hazards like falling rocks in caves or the fire breath of a Wyvern.
Resource management is important when using shields. Always carry extra materials to craft or repair shields, especially during long expeditions or raids. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has access to shields and the necessary resources. In solo play, prioritize gathering materials for shields early on, as they can significantly increase your survivability.
In specific scenarios, shields can be a game-changer. For example, when exploring caves, a shield can protect you from the attacks of creatures like arthropluera or onyc. In boss fights, shields can help mitigate damage from the bossÔÇÖs attacks, giving you more time to deal damage or heal. However, be cautious when using shields against bosses with area-of-effect attacks, as these can still damage you even if you block.
In summary, crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. By mastering the mechanics of blocking, timing your defenses, and combining shields with other strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of survival in the gameÔÇÖs dangerous world. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, shields are a valuable tool that should not be overlooked.
To craft a shield, you first need to unlock the appropriate engram. The simplest shield, the Wooden Shield, is unlocked at level 15. You will need to spend engram points to learn the recipe. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or your inventory if you have the required resources. The Wooden Shield requires 15 wood, 10 fiber, and 5 hide. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Wood can be obtained by chopping trees with a hatchet or pickaxe, fiber is collected from bushes, and hide is acquired by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs.
Once crafted, equip the shield in your off-hand slot. On PC, this is done by dragging the shield to the off-hand slot in your inventory. On consoles, you can equip it by selecting it in your inventory and pressing the appropriate button. With the shield equipped, you can block attacks by holding the right mouse button on PC or the left trigger on consoles. Blocking reduces the damage you take from melee attacks and projectiles, but it consumes stamina. If your stamina runs out, you will no longer be able to block, so managing stamina is crucial.
When using a shield, timing is key. Blocking at the right moment can negate damage entirely, but holding the shield up constantly will drain your stamina quickly. Against aggressive creatures like raptors or carnotaurus, wait for them to attack, block the hit, and then counterattack with a weapon like a spear or sword. In PvP scenarios, shields can be used to block arrows or bullets, but be aware that some weapons, like the Longneck Rifle or Compound Bow, can penetrate shields with high enough damage.
One common mistake is relying too heavily on the shield without considering your surroundings. For example, blocking attacks from a pack of raptors might save you from immediate damage, but if you are backed into a corner, you could still be overwhelmed. Always have an escape plan, such as a nearby tamed dinosaur or a safe structure to retreat to. Another mistake is neglecting to repair your shield. Shields have durability and will break after taking too much damage. Keep an eye on its condition and repair it using the required materials when necessary.
Advanced techniques involve combining shields with other tools and strategies. For example, using a shield in combination with a pike allows you to block and attack simultaneously, making you more versatile in combat. You can also use shields to protect yourself while taming dinosaurs. For instance, when taming a high-level carnivore like a Rex, a shield can help you survive its attacks while you tranquilize it. Additionally, shields can be used to block environmental hazards like falling rocks in caves or the fire breath of a Wyvern.
Resource management is important when using shields. Always carry extra materials to craft or repair shields, especially during long expeditions or raids. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to ensure everyone has access to shields and the necessary resources. In solo play, prioritize gathering materials for shields early on, as they can significantly increase your survivability.
In specific scenarios, shields can be a game-changer. For example, when exploring caves, a shield can protect you from the attacks of creatures like arthropluera or onyc. In boss fights, shields can help mitigate damage from the bossÔÇÖs attacks, giving you more time to deal damage or heal. However, be cautious when using shields against bosses with area-of-effect attacks, as these can still damage you even if you block.
In summary, crafting and using a shield in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. By mastering the mechanics of blocking, timing your defenses, and combining shields with other strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of survival in the gameÔÇÖs dangerous world. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, shields are a valuable tool that should not be overlooked.