So you've just acquired Ark: Survival Evolved for your PlayStation 4. I can tell, because you're just now reading this article. This is a beginner's guide to crafting in the dino-filled world. If you're looking for advanced tips, we'll work on that, but today, let's learn the basics of how crafting works.
How Does Crafting Work?
Crafting in Ark: Survival Evolved is much like in other games such as Minecraft. You learn the recipe for what you want to create, you get the materials and you make it using the necessary tools. It is crucial to your survival as later on you will move on from making campfires to establishing a base for your tribe.
The weapons you need to defend yourself from Ark: Survival Evolved predators are crafted. The thatch house you will live in is crafted. The saddles you need to ride on your raptor are crafted. Almost everything crucial to your survival can be had by crafting.
You can craft tools such as picks and hatchets, weapons such as spears and wooden club, survival necessities such as campfire and waterskin, and even clothing. The possibilities are wide and you can create stronger items depending on your level and Engrams.
What Are Engrams?
In Ark: Survival Evolved, crafting makes use of Engram Points that you earn every time you level up. You will spend these on Engrams, which are basically crafting recipes. If you still haven't learned the Engram for, say, a Thatch Door, you will not be able to make it.
An Engram may factor in three things before you can "buy" it: your level, the Engram Points and previous Engrams. At level 1, you can only craft a Stone Pick and a Torch. At level 2, you get more access to more recipes like a Stone Hatchet and Thatch Foundation. The higher your level, the more you can make.
Then you need to know how much Engram points you have. A Stone Hatchet, for example, requires three points. More complicated crafts require more points. And sometimes, an Engram would require you to have a specific Engram first before you can "buy" it. A Thatch Door requires that you have the Thatch Doorframe Engram first.
Other Ways To Craft
Buying Engrams is not the only way of obtaining craft recipes in Ark: Survival Evolved. You can also get Blueprints that are available through beacons. These are pillars of light that signals the arrival of cargo crates, which may contain other useful items other than a Blueprint.
Unlike Engrams, you lose Blueprints when you die, but you can use it as long as you have it without having to spend any point on it. The only things you should have are the materials that the Blueprint calls for and the tools. You can get Blueprints for non-Engrams, Engrams or improved Engrams.
Long story short, you need three elements when crafting: the recipe (Engram/Blueprint), the materials and the tools/work area. With the right recipes, tools and level, you can create structures, vehicles, saddles, weapons, tools and more in Ark: Survival Evolved. Meanwhile, check out our How To Tame Dinosaurs and Comprehensive Taming guides.
