Crafting system - materials, workbenches, blueprints in ARK: Survival Ascended
The crafting system is the core of ARK: Survival Ascended. Players collect resources, build stations and unlock engrams.
Materials
Crafting requires raw materials that are collected, harvested or mined in the game world. Some are readily available, others are rare and biome-specific.
- Wood & Straw - The basis for primitive tools, weapons and simple buildings.
- Stone & Flint - The basis for tools (e.g. axes, spears) and ammunition.
- Metal - Obtained from ore, processed into ingots in the smelting furnace; required for advanced weapons and equipment.
- Crystal, Oil & Obsidian - Rare resources for high-tech blueprints.
- Fibers, Hides, Chitin & Keratin - Organic materials for clothing, armor, saddles and chemical products.
- Element - Endgame material, necessary for tek structures and futuristic equipment.
Tip: Raw materials spawn in certain biomes. Example: Oil can be found in the sea or in oil deposits, crystals in mountains and elements often only via boss battles or endgame content.
Workbenches & crafting stations
Not all items can be crafted directly in the inventory. As the game progresses, players have to build special workbenches and stations to be able to use more complex recipes.
Comparison table of crafting stations
| Station | Function | Typical items | Progression level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Basic Crafting | Torches, Primitive Clothing, Basic Weapons | Early Game |
| Workbench (Smithy) | Crafting Metal Items | Metal Tools, Armor, Weapons | Stone → Metal |
| Smithy | processing of ores | metal ingots, charcoal | early to midgame |
| Chemical Table | Production of Chemical & Medical Products | Narcotics, Medicine, Fuel | Midgame |
| Fabricator | High-Tech Crafting | High-End Weapons, Armor, Electronics | Late Game |
| Replicator (Tek) | Endgame crafting with element | Tek armor, Tek weapons, Tek structures | Endgame (boss battles) |
Blueprints
Blueprints are special recipes that can be found via loot drops, dungeons, treasure chests or missions. They allow you to craft items independently of the engrams you have unlocked.
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Quality levels
- Primitive, Ramshackle, Apprentice, Journeyman, Mastercraft, Ascendant.
- The higher the level, the better the values of the items.
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Advantages
- Enables items without investing engram points.
- Better values (damage, durability, armor).
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Disadvantages
- Higher resource requirements with better quality levels.
- Blueprints must be stored and will be lost if lost.
Engrams & level system
The level system determines which blueprints are available.
- Level advancement: Players receive engram points.
- Investment: Points are invested in construction plans (e.g. weapons, tools, structures).
- Specialization: Since not all engrams can be unlocked at the same time, specialization is useful.
- Tribes: Division of labor within a tribe makes it possible to cover more construction plans and work more efficiently.
Resource management
Crafting requires planning:
- Organize collection routes for resources.
- Stockpiling rare resources (e.g. oil, crystals, elements).
- Combination of professions within a tribe (e.g. gatherer + crafter).
Conclusion
The crafting system in ARK: Survival Ascended combines gathering, specialization and teamwork. From the first campfire to Tek armor, it's a steady path of progression. Those who collect materials efficiently, use blueprints and distribute engrams wisely have a decisive advantage in the fight for survival.
