How do I craft a tek grenade and use it for explosive combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Tek Grenade in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game activity that requires significant preparation and resources. Tek Grenades are advanced explosives that deal massive damage to structures, creatures, and players, making them a powerful tool for both PvE and PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use Tek Grenades effectively, along with tips and considerations for maximizing their potential.

To craft a Tek Grenade, you must first unlock the Tek Grenade engram. This engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, you also need to defeat certain bosses to gain access to Tek-tier items. Specifically, you must defeat the Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, or Dragon boss to unlock the Tek Replicator, which is required to craft Tek Grenades. Once you have the engram, you can craft Tek Grenades in a Tek Replicator.

The resource requirements for crafting a single Tek Grenade are as follows: 100 Element, 50 Metal Ingots, 20 Polymer, and 10 Crystal. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or mining it from specific nodes in the Genesis and Extinction maps. 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 mountainous regions.

Once you have gathered the necessary resources, place them in the Tek Replicator and craft the Tek Grenades. Each Tek Grenade has a weight of 1.0, so ensure you have enough inventory space or a tamed creature with high weight capacity to carry them.

Using Tek Grenades effectively requires careful planning. They have a blast radius of approximately 10 foundations, making them ideal for destroying large structures or groups of enemies. To throw a Tek Grenade, equip it from your inventory and press the attack button. There is a short delay before the grenade explodes, so timing and positioning are crucial. Aim to throw the grenade where it will cause the most damage, such as near the center of a base or in the middle of a group of hostile creatures.

One important tip is to use Tek Grenades in combination with other explosives or tamed creatures for maximum impact. For example, you can use a Tek Grenade to weaken a base's defenses, then follow up with C4 charges or a tamed Giganotosaurus to finish the job. In PvP scenarios, Tek Grenades can be used to breach enemy bases or disrupt their defenses, giving your tribe an advantage in raids.

Common mistakes to avoid include using Tek Grenades in close quarters, as the blast radius can damage you or your tamed creatures. Always maintain a safe distance when throwing Tek Grenades. Additionally, avoid wasting Tek Grenades on small targets or weak structures, as they are expensive to craft and should be reserved for high-value targets.

Advanced techniques involve using Tek Grenades in combination with other Tek-tier items. For example, you can use a Tek Shield to protect yourself while throwing Tek Grenades, or a Tek Rifle to pick off enemies weakened by the explosion. In PvE, Tek Grenades can be used to quickly clear out large groups of hostile creatures, such as during a cave run or boss fight.

Resource management is critical when using Tek Grenades. Since Element is a rare and valuable resource, ensure you have a steady supply before committing to crafting large quantities of Tek Grenades. Consider farming bosses or using Element Shards from Extinction to supplement your Element supply. Additionally, always carry a backup weapon or tool in case you run out of Tek Grenades during a critical moment.

For solo players, Tek Grenades can be a game-changer, allowing you to take on larger threats or raid enemy bases with greater efficiency. However, crafting and using Tek Grenades solo requires significant preparation and resource gathering. For tribes, Tek Grenades can be a powerful tool in coordinated raids or base defenses. Assign roles within your tribe, such as a designated grenadier, to maximize the effectiveness of Tek Grenades in combat.

In specific scenarios, Tek Grenades can be used to destroy enemy turrets or Tek Shields, clearing the way for your tribe to advance. They can also be used to quickly eliminate high-threat creatures, such as Alpha predators or boss minions, during boss fights. Always assess the situation and use Tek Grenades strategically to achieve your objectives.

In conclusion, Tek Grenades are a powerful and versatile tool in ARK: Survival Evolved, but they require significant preparation and careful use. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and strategies provided, you can effectively craft and use Tek Grenades to dominate in both PvE and PvP scenarios.