How do I craft a charge lantern and use it for light in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Charge Lantern in ARK: Survival Evolved is a useful way to provide light in dark areas, especially in caves or during nighttime. The Charge Lantern is a mid-to-late-game item that requires specific resources and crafting stations to create. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Charge Lantern, along with tips and considerations to help you succeed.

To craft a Charge Lantern, you first need to unlock its engram. The Charge Lantern engram becomes available at level 55 and costs 18 engram points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Fabricator, which is a high-tier crafting station. The Fabricator itself requires level 50 to unlock and costs 35 engram points. To build a Fabricator, you will need 80 metal ingots, 40 cementing paste, 40 oil, 50 polymer, and 50 electronics. These resources can be gathered through mining, hunting, and crafting.

The materials required to craft a Charge Lantern are 10 metal ingots, 5 crystal, 10 polymer, and 5 electronics. Metal ingots are made by smelting metal ore in a forge. Crystal can be found in mountainous regions or caves and is gathered using a pickaxe. Polymer can be obtained by harvesting organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or by crafting it using obsidian and cementing paste. Electronics are crafted in a Fabricator using 5 metal ingots, 2 silica pearls, and 1 wire. Silica pearls are found in underwater locations or in certain rivers, and wire is crafted from metal ingots.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, place them in the Fabricator and craft the Charge Lantern. The Charge Lantern requires a Charge Battery to function, which is also crafted in the Fabricator. A Charge Battery costs 10 metal ingots, 5 crystal, and 5 electronics to make. Each Charge Battery provides 30 minutes of light when used in the Charge Lantern. You can carry multiple Charge Batteries to ensure you have enough power for extended use.

To use the Charge Lantern, equip it in your hotbar and place it in your hand. Activate it by pressing the corresponding key or button, and it will emit a bright light in a wide radius. The Charge Lantern is particularly useful in caves, where natural light is scarce, or during nighttime when visibility is low. It can also be placed on the ground or on a structure to provide stationary light, making it a versatile tool for base lighting or exploration.

One important tip is to always carry extra Charge Batteries when exploring caves or dark areas. Running out of power in the middle of a dangerous cave can leave you vulnerable to predators. Additionally, the Charge Lantern can attract hostile creatures, so be cautious when using it in areas with aggressive wildlife. If you are playing in a tribe, consider assigning one member to carry the Charge Lantern while others focus on combat or resource gathering. This division of roles can improve efficiency and safety during expeditions.

A common mistake is underestimating the resource requirements for crafting the Charge Lantern and its batteries. Gathering enough crystal, polymer, and electronics can be time-consuming, especially in the early to mid-game. To optimize resource gathering, use tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus for metal and crystal, the Doedicurus for stone (to make cementing paste), and the Beaver or Therizinosaurus for wood and thatch. These dinosaurs can significantly speed up the process of collecting materials.

Advanced techniques include using the Charge Lantern in combination with other light sources, such as standing torches or campfires, to create a well-lit base or pathway. This can deter nocturnal predators and make it easier to navigate your surroundings. Additionally, you can use the Charge Lantern to mark specific locations in caves, such as artifact spawn points or resource-rich areas, making it easier to return to them later.

In summary, crafting and using a Charge Lantern in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation and resource management. By unlocking the necessary engrams, gathering the required materials, and crafting the lantern and its batteries, you can create a reliable source of light for exploration and base building. Always carry extra batteries, use tamed dinosaurs to optimize resource gathering, and be cautious when using the lantern in dangerous areas. With these strategies, you can effectively use the Charge Lantern to enhance your survival and exploration in the game.