How do I craft a GPS to track my location in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a GPS in ARK: Survival Evolved is a significant milestone in your progression, as it allows you to track your exact coordinates on the map, making navigation and exploration much easier. The GPS is a late-game item, so you will need to have advanced through several stages of the game to unlock and craft it. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft a GPS, including the mechanics, strategies, and considerations to keep in mind.

To craft a GPS, you first need to unlock its engram. The GPS engram becomes available at level 65 and costs 21 engram points. Once unlocked, you will need to gather the necessary resources to craft it. The GPS requires 100 metal ingots, 50 crystal, 20 electronics, and 10 polymer. These resources are not easy to come by, especially in the early to mid-game, so you will need to prepare accordingly.

Metal ingots are crafted by smelting metal ore in a forge. Metal ore can be found in large quantities on mountains and in certain caves. Using a metal pickaxe or a tamed Ankylosaurus will significantly increase your metal ore yield. Crystal is another resource that is often found in mountainous regions or caves. It can be harvested using a pickaxe or a tamed Ankylosaurus. Electronics are crafted using 5 silica pearls and 2 metal ingots in a fabricator. Silica pearls can be found in underwater locations or in certain rivers and lakes. Polymer can be obtained by harvesting organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or by crafting it using obsidian and cementing paste in a fabricator.

Once you have gathered all the necessary resources, you will need to use a fabricator to craft the GPS. The fabricator is a late-game crafting station that requires electricity to operate. To power the fabricator, you will need to have a reliable source of electricity, such as a generator. Generators require gasoline, which is crafted in a refinery using oil and hide. Oil can be harvested from oil nodes in the ocean or by killing creatures like Trilobites and Basilosaurus.

When crafting the GPS, it is important to ensure that you have enough resources to craft all the components. For example, if you are crafting electronics, make sure you have enough silica pearls and metal ingots. It is also a good idea to have a tamed dinosaur that can help you gather resources more efficiently. For example, an Ankylosaurus is excellent for gathering metal and crystal, while a Beaver or a Therizinosaurus can help you gather wood and thatch.

One common mistake players make is not having a reliable source of electricity to power the fabricator. Without electricity, you will not be able to craft the GPS or any other advanced items. Make sure you have a generator and enough gasoline to keep it running. Another mistake is not having enough storage space for all the resources you need to gather. It is a good idea to have multiple storage boxes or a large storage dinosaur like a Paraceratherium to store all your materials.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize your resource gathering by using tamed dinosaurs with high gathering stats. For example, an Ankylosaurus with high melee damage will gather more metal and crystal per hit. You can also use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport your Ankylosaurus to resource-rich areas, allowing you to gather large quantities of metal and crystal quickly.

If you are playing in a tribe, you can divide the tasks among tribe members to make the process more efficient. For example, one tribe member can focus on gathering metal and crystal, while another can focus on gathering silica pearls and oil. This will allow you to gather all the necessary resources more quickly and efficiently.

In solo play, you will need to manage all the tasks yourself, so it is important to plan your resource gathering trips carefully. Make sure you have enough food, water, and weapons to defend yourself against hostile creatures. It is also a good idea to have a tamed dinosaur that can help you carry resources and defend you in case of an attack.

In conclusion, crafting a GPS in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. You will need to gather a variety of resources, including metal ingots, crystal, electronics, and polymer, and use a fabricator to craft the GPS. Make sure you have a reliable source of electricity and enough storage space for all your materials. Using tamed dinosaurs to gather resources more efficiently and dividing tasks among tribe members can make the process easier. With the right preparation and strategy, you will be able to craft a GPS and navigate the world of ARK with ease.