Introduction
The harsh landscapes of Ark: Survival Evolved demand quick thinking, resourcefulness, and a whole lot of strategy. The game throws you into a prehistoric world teeming with dinosaurs, mythical creatures, and the constant threat of survival. From the moment you spawn, your primary focus is to stay alive, and in this fight for survival, every tool and trick matters. One of the earliest and most crucial tools you’ll discover is a seemingly simple item – the bola. This humble projectile, often overlooked by newcomers, is a game-changer, offering a vital edge in the early game and beyond. The bola allows you to interact with the dangerous world and its prehistoric inhabitants safely and efficiently, making it an indispensable part of any survivor’s arsenal.
This guide is dedicated to the Ark: Survival Evolved bola. We’ll explore what it is, how to craft it, how to use it effectively, and how it can drastically improve your chances of thriving in the Ark. Whether you’re a fresh-faced survivor just starting out or a seasoned player looking to refine your strategies, the bola remains a fundamental tool that can provide a solid foundation for your survival.
What is the Bola?
The bola in Ark: Survival Evolved is a rudimentary weapon, a primitive yet powerful device, that quickly establishes a significant advantage early on. At its core, the bola is a simple rope projectile made from common, easily accessible resources. Think of it as a bola weapon designed to quickly entangle and immobilize a target. When thrown, the bola wraps around the legs of a creature, effectively tethering them to the ground, preventing them from moving for a short duration.
The primary purpose of the bola is to incapacitate smaller and medium-sized creatures, giving you a window of opportunity to do something you might not be able to do when the creatures are roaming freely. Whether you’re looking to knock out a potential mount with a slingshot, escape a dangerous encounter, or gather precious resources from a creature, the bola is a foundational component for success.
For newer players especially, the bola is a lifeline. The initial days in Ark are brutal. The game throws many threats in your path, and you start with basic weapons and limited resources. The bola offers a means of control, transforming a potentially dangerous situation into a manageable one, allowing you to assess a situation and act appropriately. It’s a critical item that acts as a stepping stone toward a larger ecosystem of survival within the game.
Crafting the Bola
Crafting the bola is straightforward, which is one of the reasons it’s so valuable early in the game. It’s readily accessible and doesn’t require advanced crafting stations. You will always be crafting the bola in your inventory or in the inventory of any creature.
The recipe for the bola is as follows:
- Fiber
- Stone
- Hide or Thatch
The exact quantity of each resource required may vary depending on game updates, but generally you will have:
- A handful of Fiber: This common resource is gathered from bushes and plants.
- A few pieces of Stone: Found on the ground, from rocks, and by mining the ground.
- Hide or Thatch: Obtainable from killing creatures or chopping down thatch.
To craft the bola:
- Access your inventory. You can do this by pressing the inventory button while you’re in the game.
- Locate the bola recipe. You may have to unlock it first if you haven’t yet.
- Gather the necessary resources if you haven’t already.
- Select the bola and choose how many you want to craft. Crafting multiple at once is often useful.
- Press the craft button and the bola will begin to craft.
Once crafted, the bolas will appear in your inventory, ready for use. Given the resources required are easily available, you can quickly stockpile a supply of bolas and be ready for almost anything.
How to Use the Bola Effectively
Simply crafting the bola is just the first step. To truly utilize its power, you must understand how to use it effectively. This comes down to careful targeting, knowing your limitations, and understanding the best strategies to employ.
- **Targeting:** When aiming the bola, try to be precise. Aim just ahead of the creature’s feet to ensure the projectile wraps around their legs. The bola can also be used to slow down any creature that is running away from you.
- **Distance:** The throwing distance of the bola is limited. Make sure you’re within a reasonable range before throwing. Practice with aiming will come in handy to know the right distance.
- **Creatures it Works On:** The bola is effective against a wide range of creatures, particularly those of a smaller or medium size. Common targets include Dodos, Lystrosaurus, Raptors, Carbonemys, Dilophosaurus, and many more. Any creatures whose legs are visible and are not too large are generally going to be affected by the bola.
- **Creatures it Doesn’t Work On:** Larger creatures like Rexes, Spinosaurus, Brontosaurus, and other apex predators are immune to the bola. The bola is also ineffective against creatures in water and flying creatures that aren’t touching the ground.
- **Duration:** The immobilization time is not infinite, and it varies based on the level and size of the creature. The Bola does not last forever. Be prepared to have a follow-up bola ready if you need to prolong the immobilization.
- **Strategy:** The bola is most effective when combined with other strategies. Once a creature is immobilized, you can use a club or slingshot to knock it unconscious (for taming purposes) or move in for the kill. Use the bola to get in the right position for the next attack.
Benefits of Using the Bola
The advantages of using the Ark: Survival Evolved bola extend far beyond simple immobilization. It opens up a world of tactical possibilities, making your life on the island significantly easier.
- **Taming Advantage:** The bola is indispensable for taming many creatures. Once a creature is immobilized, you can safely approach and feed it the appropriate food. Bolas give you the time to prepare for taming. Creatures like the raptor become easy to tame with the bola, even at a very low level. Without the bola, the process can be quite tricky.
- **Defense:** The bola provides a crucial defensive tool. If you are attacked by a smaller creature or even a player, a well-aimed bola can give you a much-needed moment to escape, to switch to a weapon, or to retreat to safety.
- **Resource Gathering:** The bola simplifies the process of gathering resources from creatures. Immobilizing them provides easier access to hide, meat, and other valuable items. This can also come in handy if you are just trying to explore a new area.
Advanced Bola Techniques
As you become more experienced with the bola, you can start to experiment with more advanced techniques that enhance your tactical capabilities.
- **Bola vs Bola:** Multiple bolas can be deployed onto the same target. A second bola can extend the immobilization time, giving you more time to prepare for taming or finish off a target.
- **Trap Building:** Consider using the bola to create simple traps. If you are in a narrow passage, you can throw down bolas as a tripwire. Use the bola as part of a trap, especially in close quarters.
- **Team Play:** In a multiplayer environment, a coordinated team can make the bola even more effective. One player can bola a target while another prepares for the next attack.
Limitations and Considerations
While the bola is a powerful tool, it does have limitations. Understanding these drawbacks will help you to use it responsibly and effectively.
- **Durability:** Bolas have a limited durability, meaning they will break after a certain number of throws. Make sure you craft and carry more bolas for extended use.
- **Immunity:** As mentioned earlier, the bola doesn’t affect all creatures. Knowing which creatures are immune is crucial to avoid wasting bolas.
- **Alternatives:** While the bola is excellent early on, as you progress, you’ll unlock more advanced tools for taming and defense, such as traps and specialized weapons. Consider incorporating them into your gameplay.
Conclusion
The Ark: Survival Evolved bola, though deceptively simple, is one of the most important tools available to the early game survivor. From taming your first Dodo to surviving attacks from Raptors, the bola lays a foundation for survival that cannot be overlooked. By mastering the art of crafting and employing the bola, you can effectively control your environment.
The importance of the bola will resonate throughout your Ark journey. It’s a constant reminder that smart play and proper preparation can transform any situation into an advantage.
Embrace the bola. Craft more bolas, practice your aim, and integrate it into your play style. With the right amount of skill and patience, you will be able to use the bola to conquer the Ark.
