How do I craft a tek saddle for a Plesiosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting a Tek Saddle for a Plesiosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex process that requires advanced preparation, resource gathering, and progression through the game's endgame content. The Tek Saddle is a high-tier item that provides significant advantages, such as increased armor and unique abilities, but it is locked behind challenging requirements. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to understand the prerequisites for crafting a Tek Saddle. To unlock the engram for the Tek Plesiosaur Saddle, you must defeat one of the game's bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, and collect their Tekgrams. These bosses are found in the game's boss arenas, which are accessed by summoning them using specific artifacts and tributes. Defeating these bosses will grant you the necessary Tekgrams, including the ability to craft Tek Saddles. Once unlocked, the engram requires a significant amount of resources and a Tek Replicator to craft.

To prepare for boss fights, you will need a strong team of tamed dinosaurs and high-quality equipment. For example, a group of high-level Rexes or Therizinosaurs with good saddles and mutations can be effective against bosses like the Dragon or Broodmother. Make sure to breed and imprint your dinosaurs for maximum stats and bonuses. Additionally, craft high-tier weapons like assault rifles or shotguns, and stock up on medical brews and food to sustain yourself during the fight.

After defeating the boss and unlocking the Tek Saddle engram, you will need to gather the required resources. Crafting a Tek Plesiosaur Saddle requires 200 metal ingots, 200 polymer, 200 crystal, 100 element, and 100 black pearls. These resources are not easy to obtain, so you will need to plan accordingly. Metal ingots can be smelted from metal ore in a forge or industrial forge, while polymer can be crafted from organic polymer or obsidian and cementing paste. Crystal is found in caves or mountainous regions, and black pearls are typically harvested from deathworms in the desert or from certain underwater creatures like trilobites or eurypterids. Element is the most challenging resource to obtain, as it is primarily acquired by defeating bosses or completing certain endgame activities like the Genesis missions.

Once you have gathered all the resources, you will need a Tek Replicator to craft the saddle. The Tek Replicator is a high-tier crafting station that requires element to power. To build a Tek Replicator, you will need 1200 metal ingots, 200 crystal, 150 polymer, and 80 element. Place the Tek Replicator in a secure location, such as your base, and ensure it is powered by element. Once the Tek Replicator is operational, you can craft the Tek Plesiosaur Saddle by accessing its inventory and selecting the engram.

When using the Tek Saddle, keep in mind that it provides significant armor and unique abilities, such as the ability to fire Tek energy blasts. These blasts can be useful in both PvE and PvP scenarios, but they consume element as fuel. Make sure to stock up on element to keep your saddle functional. Additionally, the Tek Saddle is highly durable but can still be damaged in combat, so repair it regularly using the appropriate resources.

For solo players, crafting a Tek Saddle can be a daunting task due to the resource requirements and the difficulty of boss fights. Consider teaming up with other players or joining a tribe to share the workload. In a tribe, you can divide tasks such as resource gathering, boss preparation, and crafting, making the process more manageable. Communication and coordination are key to successfully completing these endgame activities.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the difficulty of boss fights, not preparing enough resources, and neglecting to repair or maintain your Tek Saddle. Always plan ahead and ensure you have a solid strategy before attempting to craft or use high-tier items like the Tek Saddle.

In summary, crafting a Tek Saddle for a Plesiosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved requires defeating bosses, gathering rare resources, and using a Tek Replicator. Prepare thoroughly, coordinate with your tribe if possible, and avoid common pitfalls to successfully craft and utilize this powerful item.