How do I craft a tek ceiling for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a Tek Ceiling in ARK: Survival Evolved is a significant milestone in the game, as it represents advanced technology and requires substantial preparation. Tek structures, including the Tek Ceiling, are part of the endgame content and are designed to provide superior durability and functionality compared to standard building materials. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a Tek Ceiling, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

To craft a Tek Ceiling, you must first unlock the necessary engram. The Tek Ceiling engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, reaching level 100 is not enough. You must also defeat one of the game's bosses to gain access to Tekgrams, which are special engrams tied to Tek technology. The specific boss you defeat determines which Tekgrams you unlock. For example, defeating the Broodmother Lysrix unlocks the Tek Replicator and Tek Transmitter, while defeating the Dragon unlocks the Tek Rifle and Tek Leggings. To unlock the Tek Ceiling, you will need to defeat a boss that grants the Tekgram for Tek Structures.

Once you have unlocked the Tek Ceiling engram, you will need to gather the required resources to craft it. The resources needed for one Tek Ceiling are 80 Metal Ingots, 40 Crystal, 35 Polymer, and 10 Element. Metal Ingots are crafted from Metal Ore in a Refining Forge or Industrial Forge. Crystal is gathered from crystal nodes found in caves or mountainous regions. Polymer can be obtained from killing creatures like Kairuku or Mantis, or by crafting it from Obsidian and Cementing Paste in a Fabricator. Element is a rare resource obtained by defeating bosses or completing certain endgame activities like Extinction's Orbital Supply Drops or Genesis missions.

Crafting the Tek Ceiling requires a Tek Replicator, which is a high-tech crafting station. To build a Tek Replicator, you will need 250 Metal Ingots, 120 Crystal, 150 Polymer, and 55 Element. The Tek Replicator also requires a significant amount of power to operate, so you will need to set up a reliable power source, such as Tek Generators or Electrical Generators connected to a network of Electrical Cables and Outlets.

Once you have all the resources and the Tek Replicator set up, you can craft the Tek Ceiling. Place the Tek Replicator in a secure location within your base, as it is a valuable and expensive piece of equipment. Access the Tek Replicator's inventory and transfer the required resources into it. Then, navigate to the Tek Ceiling engram in the crafting menu and initiate the crafting process. The Tek Ceiling will take some time to craft, so be patient.

When placing the Tek Ceiling, ensure that your base's foundation and walls are strong enough to support it. Tek structures are heavier than standard structures, so you may need to reinforce your base with additional pillars or foundations. The Tek Ceiling provides excellent protection against environmental hazards and enemy attacks, making it ideal for high-security areas or critical parts of your base.

One common mistake players make is underestimating the resource requirements for Tek structures. Gathering enough Metal Ingots, Crystal, Polymer, and Element can be time-consuming, especially if you are playing solo. To optimize resource gathering, consider taming dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus for Metal and Crystal, the Doedicurus for Stone (used in Cementing Paste), and the Beaver or Mammoth for Wood. These creatures can significantly speed up the gathering process.

For tribes, coordinating resource gathering and crafting efforts can make the process more efficient. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering Metal, another gathering Crystal, and another focusing on Polymer and Element. This division of labor ensures that all necessary resources are collected quickly and efficiently.

In advanced gameplay, Tek Ceilings can be used creatively to design high-tech bases with unique features. For example, you can combine Tek Ceilings with Tek Forcefields to create impenetrable fortresses. Additionally, Tek Ceilings can be used in conjunction with Tek Teleporters to create fast travel points within your base, allowing for quick movement between different sections.

In summary, crafting a Tek Ceiling in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and boss preparation. By following the steps outlined above and leveraging the strengths of your tribe or tamed dinosaurs, you can successfully incorporate Tek Ceilings into your base, enhancing its durability and functionality. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating resource requirements, and consider advanced techniques to maximize the potential of Tek structures in your gameplay.