How do I craft a compass for navigation in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting a compass in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential step for navigation, especially when exploring the vast and often confusing landscapes of the game. A compass helps you determine your direction, making it easier to find your way back to your base or locate specific points of interest. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to craft a compass, including the mechanics, strategies, and tips to ensure you can navigate effectively.
To craft a compass, you first need to unlock its engram. The compass engram becomes available at level 20 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or Fabricator. The resources required to craft a compass are relatively simple: 15 metal ingots, 8 hide, and 5 fiber. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a refining forge, hide is obtained by harvesting creatures, and fiber is gathered from plants like bushes.
To gather metal ore, you need to locate metal-rich rocks, which are typically found in mountainous areas or near cliffs. Use a pickaxe to harvest these rocks, as it yields more metal ore compared to other tools. Once you have enough metal ore, place it in a refining forge along with fuel, such as wood or thatch, to smelt it into metal ingots. Hide can be obtained by killing creatures like dodos, raptors, or other small to medium-sized animals. Fiber is easily gathered by hand or with a sickle from bushes scattered throughout the map.
Once you have all the required resources, head to a Smithy or Fabricator. Open the crafting menu, locate the compass, and craft it. The compass will then appear in your inventory. Equip it in your hotbar for easy access. When you use the compass, it will display your current orientation, showing you which direction you are facing (north, south, east, or west). This is particularly useful when navigating through dense forests, caves, or unfamiliar terrain.
One important tip is to always carry a compass with you when exploring. ItÔÇÖs easy to get disoriented, especially in areas with similar-looking landmarks. Additionally, consider crafting multiple compasses and placing them in storage at your base or on tamed dinosaurs. This ensures you always have a backup in case you lose one. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to a compass. This is especially important during group expeditions or when defending your base from enemy tribes.
A common mistake players make is not prioritizing the compass early in the game. While it may seem like a low-priority item, having a compass can save you a lot of time and frustration when trying to navigate. Another mistake is not gathering enough metal ore early on. Metal is a valuable resource used in many crafting recipes, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to stockpile it whenever possible. Additionally, players sometimes forget to equip the compass in their hotbar, making it difficult to access quickly when needed.
For advanced players, consider using a GPS instead of a compass. The GPS provides more detailed information, including your exact coordinates, making navigation even easier. However, the GPS requires more advanced resources and a higher level to unlock, so the compass remains a reliable tool for early to mid-game navigation.
In terms of resource management, always plan ahead when gathering materials for crafting. Metal ore can be heavy, so consider using a tamed dinosaur with high weight capacity, such as an Ankylosaurus, to transport large quantities. Hide and fiber are lightweight and easy to gather, but itÔÇÖs still a good idea to keep a stockpile in your base for crafting other essential items.
In solo play, the compass is invaluable for keeping track of your location and ensuring you can find your way back to your base. In tribe play, communication is key. Make sure your tribe members are aware of your location and direction when exploring together. This can prevent unnecessary separation and ensure everyone stays on the same page.
In specific scenarios, such as cave exploration, the compass can be a lifesaver. Caves often have winding paths and multiple entrances, making it easy to get lost. By using the compass, you can keep track of your direction and avoid getting turned around. Additionally, when traveling long distances, the compass helps you maintain a straight path, reducing the risk of wandering off course.
In conclusion, crafting a compass in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward process that requires basic resources and a Smithy or Fabricator. By prioritizing the compass early in the game, you can significantly improve your navigation and exploration efficiency. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the compass is an essential tool that should not be overlooked. With proper resource management and strategic planning, you can ensure you always have a compass on hand to guide you through the dangerous world of ARK.
To craft a compass, you first need to unlock its engram. The compass engram becomes available at level 20 and costs 12 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it at a Smithy or Fabricator. The resources required to craft a compass are relatively simple: 15 metal ingots, 8 hide, and 5 fiber. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a refining forge, hide is obtained by harvesting creatures, and fiber is gathered from plants like bushes.
To gather metal ore, you need to locate metal-rich rocks, which are typically found in mountainous areas or near cliffs. Use a pickaxe to harvest these rocks, as it yields more metal ore compared to other tools. Once you have enough metal ore, place it in a refining forge along with fuel, such as wood or thatch, to smelt it into metal ingots. Hide can be obtained by killing creatures like dodos, raptors, or other small to medium-sized animals. Fiber is easily gathered by hand or with a sickle from bushes scattered throughout the map.
Once you have all the required resources, head to a Smithy or Fabricator. Open the crafting menu, locate the compass, and craft it. The compass will then appear in your inventory. Equip it in your hotbar for easy access. When you use the compass, it will display your current orientation, showing you which direction you are facing (north, south, east, or west). This is particularly useful when navigating through dense forests, caves, or unfamiliar terrain.
One important tip is to always carry a compass with you when exploring. ItÔÇÖs easy to get disoriented, especially in areas with similar-looking landmarks. Additionally, consider crafting multiple compasses and placing them in storage at your base or on tamed dinosaurs. This ensures you always have a backup in case you lose one. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to ensure everyone has access to a compass. This is especially important during group expeditions or when defending your base from enemy tribes.
A common mistake players make is not prioritizing the compass early in the game. While it may seem like a low-priority item, having a compass can save you a lot of time and frustration when trying to navigate. Another mistake is not gathering enough metal ore early on. Metal is a valuable resource used in many crafting recipes, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to stockpile it whenever possible. Additionally, players sometimes forget to equip the compass in their hotbar, making it difficult to access quickly when needed.
For advanced players, consider using a GPS instead of a compass. The GPS provides more detailed information, including your exact coordinates, making navigation even easier. However, the GPS requires more advanced resources and a higher level to unlock, so the compass remains a reliable tool for early to mid-game navigation.
In terms of resource management, always plan ahead when gathering materials for crafting. Metal ore can be heavy, so consider using a tamed dinosaur with high weight capacity, such as an Ankylosaurus, to transport large quantities. Hide and fiber are lightweight and easy to gather, but itÔÇÖs still a good idea to keep a stockpile in your base for crafting other essential items.
In solo play, the compass is invaluable for keeping track of your location and ensuring you can find your way back to your base. In tribe play, communication is key. Make sure your tribe members are aware of your location and direction when exploring together. This can prevent unnecessary separation and ensure everyone stays on the same page.
In specific scenarios, such as cave exploration, the compass can be a lifesaver. Caves often have winding paths and multiple entrances, making it easy to get lost. By using the compass, you can keep track of your direction and avoid getting turned around. Additionally, when traveling long distances, the compass helps you maintain a straight path, reducing the risk of wandering off course.
In conclusion, crafting a compass in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward process that requires basic resources and a Smithy or Fabricator. By prioritizing the compass early in the game, you can significantly improve your navigation and exploration efficiency. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the compass is an essential tool that should not be overlooked. With proper resource management and strategic planning, you can ensure you always have a compass on hand to guide you through the dangerous world of ARK.