How do I craft and use a tek grenade for 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 in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use Tek Grenades effectively.

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 Polymer, 50 Metal Ingots, and 50 Crystal. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from specific nodes in the Genesis and Extinction maps. Polymer can be crafted from Organic Polymer (harvested from creatures like Kairuku or Mantis) or from Obsidian and Cementing Paste. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge, and Crystal is mined from crystal nodes found in caves or mountainous areas.

Once you have 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 carrying capacity or a tamed creature to help transport them.

Using Tek Grenades effectively requires careful planning. When thrown, Tek Grenades explode on impact, dealing significant damage in a large radius. They are particularly effective against structures, making them a valuable tool for raiding enemy bases in PvP. In PvE, they can be used to quickly eliminate large groups of hostile creatures or to deal massive damage to bosses.

One important tip is to always aim carefully when throwing Tek Grenades. Their explosion radius is large, and you can easily damage yourself or your tamed creatures if you are too close. It is recommended to use Tek Grenades from a safe distance, preferably while mounted on a fast or flying creature like a Pteranodon or Argentavis. This allows you to quickly retreat after throwing the grenade.

Another consideration is the cost of crafting Tek Grenades. Due to the high resource requirements, especially Element, it is important to use them sparingly and only when necessary. In PvP, for example, you might want to save Tek Grenades for high-value targets like heavily fortified bases or enemy Tek structures. In PvE, they are best used against tough enemies like Alpha creatures or during boss fights.

Common mistakes to avoid include using Tek Grenades in close quarters without a clear escape route, as the explosion can easily kill you or your tamed creatures. Additionally, avoid wasting Tek Grenades on low-value targets or weak structures, as this depletes your valuable resources unnecessarily.

Advanced techniques involve combining Tek Grenades with other strategies. For example, in PvP, you can use a Tek Grenade to breach an enemy base's outer walls, then follow up with a raid using tamed creatures or firearms. In PvE, you can use Tek Grenades to weaken a boss before finishing it off with ranged weapons or tamed creatures.

Resource management is crucial when using Tek Grenades. Since Element is a rare and valuable resource, it is important to prioritize its use. Consider farming bosses regularly to stockpile Element, and use alternative explosives like C4 or Rocket Launchers for less critical tasks.

For tribes, Tek Grenades can be a game-changer in coordinated raids. Assign specific roles to tribe members, such as one player throwing the grenades while others provide cover or handle logistics. Solo players should use Tek Grenades more cautiously, as the high resource cost and risk of self-damage make them less forgiving.

In specific scenarios, Tek Grenades shine. For example, during a raid on a heavily fortified base, a well-placed Tek Grenade can destroy multiple layers of walls, allowing your tribe to quickly penetrate the defenses. In PvE, using Tek Grenades against the Dragon boss can significantly reduce its health, making the fight easier.

In conclusion, Tek Grenades are a powerful tool in ARK: Survival Evolved, but they require careful planning and resource management to use effectively. By following the steps outlined above, you can craft and use Tek Grenades to dominate in both PvP and PvE scenarios. Always aim carefully, prioritize high-value targets, and avoid wasting resources to maximize their impact.