How do I craft a tek rex saddle and use it for mounted combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a Tek Rex Saddle in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game goal that requires significant preparation, resources, and knowledge of the game's mechanics. The Tek Rex Saddle is a high-tier item that allows you to ride and control a Rex equipped with advanced technology, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Rex Saddle effectively.

To craft a Tek Rex Saddle, you must first unlock its engram. This requires defeating certain bosses in the game, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, depending on the map you are playing on. Once you have defeated the required boss and earned the necessary Tekgrams, you can unlock the Tek Rex Saddle engram at level 100. The saddle requires a Tek Replicator to craft, which itself is a late-game item that needs to be unlocked and built using Element, a rare resource obtained from boss fights or specific nodes in Extinction.

The crafting recipe for the Tek Rex Saddle includes 350 Polymer, 250 Metal Ingots, 100 Crystal, 100 Cementing Paste, and 75 Element. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku, harvesting Obsidian, or crafting it using Organic Polymer and Obsidian. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge or Industrial Forge. Crystal is gathered from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains. Cementing Paste is crafted from Chitin/Keratin and Stone in a Mortar and Pestle or Chem Bench. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it requires defeating bosses or harvesting it in Extinction.

Once you have gathered all the necessary resources, place them in a Tek Replicator and craft the Tek Rex Saddle. The saddle provides significant armor to your Rex, making it more durable in combat. Additionally, it grants the Rex a Tek Pulse ability, which can be activated to deal area-of-effect damage to nearby enemies. This ability consumes Element, so ensure you have a steady supply if you plan to use it frequently.

Using the Tek Rex Saddle in mounted combat requires a well-trained Rex with high health, melee damage, and stamina. Before engaging in combat, ensure your Rex is leveled appropriately and has a good saddle. The Tek Pulse ability is particularly useful against groups of enemies or during boss fights, as it can quickly clear smaller creatures or deal significant damage to larger foes. However, be mindful of the Element consumption, as running out mid-fight can leave you vulnerable.

Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing enough Element for extended battles, underestimating the resource requirements for crafting the saddle, and not leveling your Rex properly. A poorly leveled Rex, even with a Tek Saddle, will struggle in high-level combat scenarios. Additionally, avoid using the Tek Pulse ability indiscriminately, as it can drain your Element reserves quickly.

Advanced techniques include breeding Rexes for optimal stats, such as high health and melee damage, and imprinting them for additional bonuses. Imprinting increases the Rex's damage and resistance, making it even more effective in combat. You can also use a Yutyrannus to buff your Rex with its Courage Roar, increasing its damage output and resistance further.

Resource management is crucial when preparing for Tek-tier equipment. Focus on gathering and stockpiling resources like Metal, Crystal, and Polymer early on. Use tamed creatures like Ankylosaurus for Metal and Crystal, and Doedicurus for Stone to make Cementing Paste. For Element, prioritize boss fights or explore Extinction if you have access to that map.

Tribe considerations are important, as crafting a Tek Rex Saddle and maintaining a Rex army can be resource-intensive. In a tribe,ÕêåÕÀÑÕÉêõ¢£ can make the process more efficient, with some members focusing on resource gathering while others handle taming and breeding. Solo players will need to plan carefully and may need to rely on tamed creatures for resource gathering and transportation.

In specific scenarios, such as boss fights, a Tek Rex with a Tek Saddle can be a game-changer. For example, during the Dragon fight, the Tek Pulse ability can help clear the Dragon's minions while your Rex focuses on the boss. In PvP, a Tek Rex can be a formidable opponent, especially when supported by other tribe members or tamed creatures.

In conclusion, crafting and using a Tek Rex Saddle in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process. It requires careful preparation, resource management, and strategic planning. By following the steps outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively use a Tek Rex Saddle to dominate in both PvE and PvP scenarios.