Is the Tek Rifle Good in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Comprehensive Guide
The Tek Rifle in Ark: Survival Evolved is a powerful, end-game weapon that can significantly enhance your gameplay. The short answer is: yes, the Tek Rifle is good, but it’s essential to understand its strengths and weaknesses to make the most of it. This weapon isn’t a simple upgrade; it’s a strategic tool that, when used correctly, can dominate both PvE and PvP scenarios. It has unique capabilities, such as explosive damage and the ability to damage structures, making it stand out from standard firearms in Ark. However, it’s not without its limitations. In this article, we will explore its features in detail, compare it to other weapons, and address common questions you might have.
The Power of the Tek Rifle: A Detailed Look
The Tek Rifle is no ordinary weapon. It fires explosive bolts, making it effective against multiple targets simultaneously. It does piercing damage and has an impressive range. Its unique features make it a valuable asset for any survivor, especially during end-game activities.
Damage Output
The Tek Rifle boasts a significant damage potential. The article states that a 296.6% Tek Rifle deals 711 damage per bolt to unarmored targets. With 40 bolts in a clip, it can theoretically do a whopping 28,440 damage, making it a formidable choice against both creatures and structures. However, this damage is not consistent. It varies depending on target armor.
Explosive Damage
One of the Tek Rifle’s key features is its explosive damage. This allows it to damage multiple enemies within a small radius of the impact point, giving it an advantage in crowd control situations. Also, the explosive capability gives the rifle an edge over other conventional ranged weapons in damaging structures. This is extremely valuable for base raiding or destroying enemy defenses.
Structure Damage
Unlike most ranged weapons in the game, the Tek Rifle can damage both Stone and Metal structures. This makes it a versatile choice for both offensive and defensive situations. It can be used to breach enemy bases or create escape routes when necessary. However, it is essential to note that the article specifically mentions that it cannot damage Auto Turrets. This is a significant limitation that players should be aware of.
Limitations
While the Tek Rifle has many advantages, it also has some drawbacks. Firstly, it cannot be reloaded, as mentioned in the article’s warning – this means when the 40 rounds are depleted, the weapon is useless. Secondly, like all Tek items, it cannot be used in Boss Arenas. This confines its usefulness in scenarios where these high level bosses need to be defeated. Lastly, acquiring the rifle can be a significant investment in time and resources.
Tek Rifle vs. Longneck Rifle: Which is Superior?
The article mentions the Longneck Rifle as the “best weapon in the game” due to its range, damage, and affordability. However, this statement is slightly misleading. While the Longneck Rifle is indeed excellent in early and mid-game scenarios, it does not have the same power and versatility as the Tek Rifle.
Range and Damage
The Longneck Rifle is known for its excellent range and ability to take down creatures from a distance. However, the Tek Rifle can do far higher damage due to its piercing and explosive capabilities.
Affordability and Accessibility
The Longneck Rifle is much easier to obtain and cheaper to maintain, whereas the Tek Rifle is a late-game weapon that needs significant resources to craft. Also, the Tek Rifle requires Element for ammunition, which also adds to its high-cost.
Versatility
The Tek Rifle is more versatile due to its ability to damage structures and cause splash damage. In contrast, the Longneck Rifle is a single target weapon with good range but no splash.
The Verdict
While the Longneck Rifle is a great early-game option, the Tek Rifle is far superior in terms of damage and strategic advantage. They serve different roles and therefore, it is not possible to state that one is “better” than the other, as it depends on the player’s needs and stage in the game.
Tek Rifle vs. Tek Railgun: Comparing End-Game Options
The Tek Railgun is another powerful Tek weapon in Ark. The article notes its piercing ability and its capability to shoot through 5 metal behemoth gates. However, it also states that it’s not suitable for all-around usage due to its long cooldown time.
Damage Type
The Railgun is designed for piercing damage, while the rifle does explosive damage. This means that the Railgun is better at hitting a single target, and the Tek Rifle excels in damaging multiple targets.
Cooldown
The long cooldown time of the Tek Railgun makes it unsuitable for fast-paced battles. The Tek Rifle on the other hand, fires at a consistent rate as long as ammunition is in the clip.
Strategic Use
The Tek Railgun is ideal for sniping and base breaching because of its piercing capability. The Tek Rifle is better suited for both combat and structure demolition due to its explosive damage.
The Verdict
Both weapons are powerful, but they serve different purposes. The Tek Rifle is more versatile for combat, while the Tek Railgun is a highly specialized sniper weapon that can pierce through multiple defenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Tek Rifle
1. Can the Tek Rifle Damage Turrets?
No, as specified in the article, the Tek Rifle cannot damage Auto Turrets. This is likely for game balance reasons, due to the Tek Rifle’s range and projectile capabilities.
2. What kind of damage does the Tek Rifle do?
The Tek Rifle deals explosive damage, and also has piercing capabilities, making it effective against both creatures and structures.
3. Can the Tek Rifle be used in Boss Arenas?
No, like all Tek technology, the Tek Rifle cannot be used in Boss Arenas.
4. How do I obtain the Tek Rifle?
The Tek Rifle is a late-game item. You typically need to defeat certain bosses to unlock the Engram and then craft it with various rare resources, including Element.
5. What are the advantages of using the Tek Rifle?
The main advantages are its explosive damage, ability to damage structures, and piercing capabilities.
6. Is the Tek Rifle better than the Longneck Rifle?
While the Longneck Rifle is great for early game, the Tek Rifle is far superior in damage output, and strategic advantages due to its damage output. They serve different purposes, making a comparison tricky.
7. Can the Tek Rifle be reloaded?
No, the Tek Rifle cannot be reloaded. Once you fire all 40 bolts, the weapon is useless.
8. How does the Tek Rifle compare to the Tek Railgun?
The Tek Rifle deals explosive damage and is suited for multiple targets, while the Tek Railgun is better for piercing and single targets. The Tek Railgun also has a significant cooldown.
9. Does Tek armor increase Tek Rifle damage?
No. Tek Armor increases armor rating, heat, and cold protection but has no impact on damage from the Tek Rifle.
10. How much damage does a standard Tek Rifle do?
As mentioned in the article, a 296.6% Tek Rifle deals 711 damage per bolt to targets with no armor, which equates to 28,440 total damage in one clip.
11. Can the Tek Rifle damage Metal Behemoth Gates?
Yes, the Tek Rifle can damage Metal Behemoth Gates, but the Tek Railgun can pierce through multiple gates.
12. Is the Tek Rifle worth the effort to obtain?
Yes, if you need a high-damage, structure-damaging, and versatile weapon, the Tek Rifle is highly worth the effort.
13. Can you repair the Tek Rifle?
No, the Tek Rifle cannot be repaired. Once the ammunition has been depleted, the rifle is unusable.
14. Does a higher quality Tek Rifle do more damage?
Yes, the damage output varies based on the item’s quality, which is the case with all crafted items in Ark.
15. Does the Tek Rifle have any recoil?
The Tek Rifle has no significant recoil, making it very easy to use when compared to the Tek Railgun.
Conclusion: Is the Tek Rifle the Best Choice for You?
The Tek Rifle is a powerful, versatile, and essential weapon for the late game in Ark: Survival Evolved. Its explosive damage, ability to damage structures, and excellent range make it a formidable tool in the right hands. While it has its limitations, the advantages it offers outweigh the drawbacks for players at that stage in the game. Understanding its capabilities and limitations will enable you to strategize and make the best use of this powerful weapon. If you are looking for an edge, the Tek Rifle is a must-have addition to your arsenal.