How do I craft and use a slingshot for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Crafting and using a slingshot for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved is a fundamental skill for early-game survival and progression. The slingshot is one of the first ranged weapons you can craft, and it is particularly useful for taming smaller creatures or knocking out dinosaurs from a safe distance. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a slingshot effectively, along with tips and strategies to maximize its utility.
To craft a slingshot, you need to unlock its engram first. The slingshot engram becomes available at level 5 and costs 3 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it using the following resources: 20 fiber, 5 hide, and 5 wood. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and wood is gathered by punching trees or using a stone pickaxe. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station, navigate to the slingshot engram, and craft it.
The slingshot uses stones as ammunition, which are abundant and can be collected from the ground or by mining rocks with a pickaxe. Each shot consumes one stone, so it is a good idea to carry a stack of stones when using the slingshot. The slingshot is primarily used for taming smaller creatures like dodos, dilophosaurs, or even pteranodons. It deals torpor damage, which gradually knocks out the target, making it easier to tame them with the appropriate food.
When using the slingshot, aim carefully and maintain a safe distance from the target. The slingshot has a short range, so you need to be close enough to hit your target but far enough to avoid being attacked. For example, when taming a dilophosaur, approach it slowly and start shooting from a distance. Each hit will increase its torpor, but the torpor will also decrease over time, so you need to keep shooting until the creature is knocked out. Be patient and avoid rushing, as missing shots can waste time and resources.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the slingshot's limitations. While it is effective against small creatures, it is not suitable for taming larger or more aggressive dinosaurs like raptors or carnotaurus. Attempting to use a slingshot against these creatures can result in your death or the creature escaping. Instead, focus on using the slingshot for early-game taming and transition to more advanced tools like the bow or tranquilizer arrows as you progress.
Advanced techniques for using the slingshot include kiting and positioning. Kiting involves luring a creature into a trap or a confined space where it cannot escape or attack you. For example, you can build a simple trap using wooden structures to trap a dilophosaur, then use the slingshot to knock it out safely. Positioning is also crucial when using the slingshot. Always try to position yourself on higher ground or behind obstacles to avoid being hit by the creature's attacks.
Resource management is important when using the slingshot. Since it consumes stones, make sure to gather a sufficient amount before engaging in taming. Additionally, carry extra hide and fiber to repair the slingshot if it breaks during use. Repairing the slingshot is cheaper than crafting a new one, so always keep an eye on its durability.
For solo players, the slingshot is a reliable tool for early-game taming, but it requires patience and careful planning. For tribes, the slingshot can be used by multiple members to quickly knock out a target, but coordination is key to avoid wasting resources or accidentally killing the creature. In PvP scenarios, the slingshot is not very effective against other players, so it is best used for taming and PvE encounters.
In summary, the slingshot is a versatile and essential tool for early-game taming in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, gathering the necessary resources, and using it strategically, you can tame small creatures efficiently and progress in the game. Avoid common mistakes like using it against large dinosaurs, and always prepare adequately before engaging in taming. With practice and careful planning, the slingshot can be a valuable asset in your survival journey.
To craft a slingshot, you need to unlock its engram first. The slingshot engram becomes available at level 5 and costs 3 engram points. Once unlocked, you can craft it using the following resources: 20 fiber, 5 hide, and 5 wood. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Fiber can be collected by hand from bushes, hide is obtained by killing small creatures like dodos or dilophosaurs, and wood is gathered by punching trees or using a stone pickaxe. Once you have the required materials, open your inventory or a crafting station, navigate to the slingshot engram, and craft it.
The slingshot uses stones as ammunition, which are abundant and can be collected from the ground or by mining rocks with a pickaxe. Each shot consumes one stone, so it is a good idea to carry a stack of stones when using the slingshot. The slingshot is primarily used for taming smaller creatures like dodos, dilophosaurs, or even pteranodons. It deals torpor damage, which gradually knocks out the target, making it easier to tame them with the appropriate food.
When using the slingshot, aim carefully and maintain a safe distance from the target. The slingshot has a short range, so you need to be close enough to hit your target but far enough to avoid being attacked. For example, when taming a dilophosaur, approach it slowly and start shooting from a distance. Each hit will increase its torpor, but the torpor will also decrease over time, so you need to keep shooting until the creature is knocked out. Be patient and avoid rushing, as missing shots can waste time and resources.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the slingshot's limitations. While it is effective against small creatures, it is not suitable for taming larger or more aggressive dinosaurs like raptors or carnotaurus. Attempting to use a slingshot against these creatures can result in your death or the creature escaping. Instead, focus on using the slingshot for early-game taming and transition to more advanced tools like the bow or tranquilizer arrows as you progress.
Advanced techniques for using the slingshot include kiting and positioning. Kiting involves luring a creature into a trap or a confined space where it cannot escape or attack you. For example, you can build a simple trap using wooden structures to trap a dilophosaur, then use the slingshot to knock it out safely. Positioning is also crucial when using the slingshot. Always try to position yourself on higher ground or behind obstacles to avoid being hit by the creature's attacks.
Resource management is important when using the slingshot. Since it consumes stones, make sure to gather a sufficient amount before engaging in taming. Additionally, carry extra hide and fiber to repair the slingshot if it breaks during use. Repairing the slingshot is cheaper than crafting a new one, so always keep an eye on its durability.
For solo players, the slingshot is a reliable tool for early-game taming, but it requires patience and careful planning. For tribes, the slingshot can be used by multiple members to quickly knock out a target, but coordination is key to avoid wasting resources or accidentally killing the creature. In PvP scenarios, the slingshot is not very effective against other players, so it is best used for taming and PvE encounters.
In summary, the slingshot is a versatile and essential tool for early-game taming in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, gathering the necessary resources, and using it strategically, you can tame small creatures efficiently and progress in the game. Avoid common mistakes like using it against large dinosaurs, and always prepare adequately before engaging in taming. With practice and careful planning, the slingshot can be a valuable asset in your survival journey.