How do I set up a tribe-wide tek gauntlets system in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Setting up a tribe-wide tek gauntlets system in ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex but rewarding process that requires careful planning, resource management, and coordination among tribe members. Tek gauntlets are advanced pieces of equipment that provide significant advantages, such as increased melee damage, the ability to punch through structures, and the power to knock back enemies. To implement a tribe-wide system, you need to focus on unlocking the tek gauntlets engram, gathering the necessary resources, crafting the gauntlets, and distributing them effectively within your tribe. Below is a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to unlock the tek gauntlets engram. This requires defeating one of the game's bosses, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, or Dragon, to obtain the necessary tekgrams. Each boss drops specific tekgrams, so you must choose the boss that unlocks the tek gauntlets. For example, the Dragon boss on The Island map drops the tek gauntlets engram. To prepare for a boss fight, your tribe will need strong tamed creatures, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Megatheriums, depending on the boss. Ensure your creatures are well-leveled, have high health and damage stats, and are equipped with good saddles. You will also need to gather artifacts from caves and tributes, such as trophies from alpha creatures, to summon the boss. Coordinate with your tribe to assign roles, such as who will ride which creature, who will handle healing, and who will manage the fight strategy.

Once you have defeated the boss and unlocked the tek gauntlets engram, the next step is gathering the required resources. Crafting tek gauntlets requires a significant amount of resources, including metal ingots, polymer, crystal, and element. Metal ingots can be obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge or industrial forge. Polymer can be harvested from organic sources, such as killing Kairuku or harvesting organic polymer from penguins, or crafted using obsidian and cementing paste. Crystal is found in mountainous regions or caves, and element is obtained by defeating bosses or harvesting it from tek creatures. Assign tribe members to specific resource-gathering tasks to streamline the process. For example, one group can focus on mining metal and crystal, while another hunts for organic polymer or obsidian.

After gathering the resources, you will need a tek replicator to craft the tek gauntlets. The tek replicator is a high-tier crafting station that requires element to power. If your tribe does not already have a tek replicator, you will need to unlock its engram by defeating a boss and gather the necessary resources to build it. Once the replicator is set up, place the required resources inside and craft the tek gauntlets. Depending on the size of your tribe, you may need to craft multiple sets of gauntlets, so plan accordingly.

Distributing the tek gauntlets within your tribe requires careful consideration of roles and responsibilities. Assign the gauntlets to members who will benefit the most from their abilities, such as melee fighters or raiders. Ensure that each member understands how to use the gauntlets effectively, including their special abilities like the power punch. It is also important to establish rules for using the gauntlets, such as not wasting element on unnecessary actions, as the gauntlets consume element for their special abilities.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting to secure your tek replicator and element supply. Tek replicators and element are valuable targets for rival tribes in PvP, so ensure they are well-protected. Build your tek replicator in a secure location, such as a heavily fortified base or a hidden underwater cave. Use turrets, plant species X, and strong tamed creatures to defend your base. Additionally, avoid overextending your resources by crafting too many tek gauntlets at once. Focus on equipping key members first and gradually expand as you gather more resources.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your tribe-wide tek gauntlets system include setting up a dedicated element farm. This can be done by breeding and raising tek creatures, such as tek rexes or tek stegosauruses, which drop element when harvested. Another strategy is to establish alliances with other tribes to share resources and coordinate boss fights, making it easier to unlock tekgrams and gather element. In PvP scenarios, use the tek gauntlets' power punch ability to break through enemy structures during raids, but be cautious of counterattacks.

In solo play, setting up a tek gauntlets system is significantly more challenging due to the resource and time requirements. Focus on taming strong creatures and leveling them up to solo boss fights. Use resource-gathering tames, such as Ankylosaurus for metal and Doedicurus for stone, to streamline resource collection. Prioritize building a secure base to protect your tek replicator and element supply.

In conclusion, setting up a tribe-wide tek gauntlets system in ARK: Survival Evolved involves defeating bosses, gathering resources, crafting the gauntlets, and distributing them effectively. Coordination, resource management, and strategic planning are key to success. By following this guide, your tribe can harness the power of tek gauntlets to gain a significant advantage in both PvE and PvP scenarios.