How do I craft a tek rex saddle for high-level combat in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a Tek Rex Saddle in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game goal that requires significant preparation, resources, and progression. The Tek Rex Saddle is a high-tier item that provides advanced protection and utility for your Rex, making it a powerful asset in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use the Tek Rex Saddle effectively.

To begin, you must first unlock the Tek Rex Saddle engram. This engram is available at level 100 and requires 35 Engram Points to unlock. However, you cannot unlock it through normal leveling alone. You must defeat one of the game's bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, to gain access to Tekgrams, which include the Tek Rex Saddle. Each boss drops specific Tekgrams, so ensure you defeat the correct boss to unlock the saddle. For example, the Dragon boss drops the Tek Rex Saddle engram.

Once you have the engram, you need to gather the necessary resources to craft the saddle. The Tek Rex Saddle requires 350 Metal Ingots, 250 Polymer, 200 Crystal, 100 Element, and 150 Black Pearls. These resources are not easy to come by, so preparation is key. Metal Ingots are smelted from Metal Ore in a Forge or Industrial Forge. Polymer can be obtained from killing Kairuku, Mantis, or by crafting it using Obsidian and Cementing Paste in a Fabricator. Crystal is found in mountainous regions or caves. Element is a rare resource obtained from defeating bosses or by harvesting it from Tek creatures in the late game. Black Pearls are typically found in the ocean, dropped by Trilobites, or harvested from Deathworms in the desert.

Crafting the Tek Rex Saddle requires a Tek Replicator, which is a high-tier crafting station. To build a Tek Replicator, you need 100 Element, 350 Metal Ingots, 350 Polymer, and 200 Crystal. The Tek Replicator itself is a significant investment, so ensure you have a secure base to protect it. Once you have the Tek Replicator, place it in your base and power it using Element. Insert the required resources into the Tek Replicator and craft the Tek Rex Saddle.

When using the Tek Rex Saddle, it provides your Rex with a significant armor boost, making it more durable in combat. Additionally, the saddle has a built-in Tek helmet that allows you to see the health and level of nearby creatures, which is invaluable in both PvE and PvP. The saddle also provides a small amount of radiation protection, which is useful in certain areas of the map.

One common mistake players make is attempting to craft the Tek Rex Saddle without proper preparation. Gathering the required resources can take a significant amount of time, especially if you are playing solo. It is essential to have a well-organized base with tamed dinosaurs that can help you gather resources efficiently. For example, an Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining Metal and Crystal, while a Doedicurus is ideal for gathering Stone, which can be converted into Cementing Paste for Polymer.

Advanced techniques include optimizing your resource gathering routes and using tamed creatures to speed up the process. For example, using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus can significantly increase your Metal and Crystal collection efficiency. Additionally, setting up a base near resource-rich areas, such as mountains or caves, can save time and effort.

Tribe considerations are also important. If you are part of a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to divide tasks. One player can focus on gathering Metal, while another collects Crystal and Polymer. This division of labor can significantly speed up the process. If you are playing solo, prioritize taming creatures that can help you gather resources more efficiently.

In summary, crafting a Tek Rex Saddle in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex process that requires significant preparation and resource management. Unlocking the engram through boss fights, gathering the necessary resources, and crafting the saddle in a Tek Replicator are the key steps. Proper preparation, efficient resource gathering, and coordination with your tribe can make the process smoother. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the resource requirements and ensure you have a secure base to protect your Tek Replicator. With the Tek Rex Saddle, your Rex will become a formidable force in both PvE and PvP scenarios.