The ARK: Survival Evolved Longneck Rifle: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Imagine you’re stranded on the mysterious and dangerous ARK, surrounded by dinosaurs and hostile survivors. Your survival hinges on your ability to adapt, craft, and conquer. One of the most versatile and essential tools in your arsenal is the ARK Longneck Rifle. Whether you’re aiming to tame a majestic Quetzal, defend your base from invaders, or simply hunt for resources, mastering the ARK Longneck Rifle is crucial.

This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the ARK Longneck Rifle, covering everything from crafting and ammunition types to advanced strategies and tips for maximizing its potential. Prepare to become a true marksman and dominate the ARK with this iconic firearm.

Crafting and Acquisition

Before you can begin your sharpshooting journey, you’ll need to acquire the ARK Longneck Rifle. This starts with learning its Engram. To unlock this powerful weapon, you’ll need to reach a certain level. Then, you can access the Engram in your crafting menu and purchase it using Engram Points. Once you have the Engram, you can begin gathering the necessary resources.

The recipe for the ARK Longneck Rifle requires a combination of metal, wood, and polymer. Specifically, you will need Metal Ingots, Wood, and Polymer. Gathering these materials can be challenging, particularly in the early game, so focus on establishing a secure base and upgrading your gathering tools. Metal Ingots are obtained by smelting Metal Ore in a Refining Forge or Industrial Forge. Wood is harvested from trees using axes or dinosaurs like the Castoroides (Beaver). Polymer, which is essential for many advanced items, can be crafted from Organic Polymer or by refining Polymer in an Industrial Grinder.

Once you’ve collected all the materials, you’ll need a suitable crafting station. The ARK Longneck Rifle can be crafted in either a Smithy or a Fabricator. The Smithy is the more basic option, accessible earlier in the game. The Fabricator, on the other hand, requires electricity and is more advanced, but allows for faster and more efficient crafting. Place the required materials into the crafting station, select the ARK Longneck Rifle recipe, and initiate the crafting process.

While crafting is the most reliable way to obtain the ARK Longneck Rifle, you can sometimes find it in Supply Drops or Loot Crates. Supply Drops, which fall from the sky at random intervals, have a chance to contain various weapons and equipment. The color of the Supply Drop indicates its rarity and the quality of the loot it contains. Keep an eye out for higher-tier Supply Drops, as they are more likely to contain the ARK Longneck Rifle. Loot Crates can also be found in underwater locations, caves, and other hazardous areas. These crates often contain valuable resources and items, including the ARK Longneck Rifle. However, be prepared to face dangerous creatures and challenging environments when searching for them.

Ammunition Types and Their Uses

The ARK Longneck Rifle is only as effective as the ammunition you load into it. There are several types of ammunition available, each designed for a specific purpose. Understanding the different ammunition types and their uses is critical for maximizing the ARK Longneck Rifle’s potential.

The most basic type of ammunition is Simple Rifle Ammo. This ammo provides decent damage and is useful for early-game combat against smaller creatures and hostile players. The crafting recipe for Simple Rifle Ammo is relatively simple, requiring Gunpowder and Stone Arrows. While Simple Rifle Ammo is not as powerful as other options, it’s a readily available and cost-effective choice for general-purpose use.

For taming creatures, Tranquilizer Darts are the ammunition of choice. These darts inflict torpor, a state of unconsciousness that allows you to tame wild creatures. The effect of Tranquilizer Darts is not immediate; instead, they apply torpor over time. The crafting recipe for Tranquilizer Darts requires Narcotic and Simple Rifle Ammo. When using Tranquilizer Darts, it’s important to space your shots appropriately to allow the torpor to build up without killing the creature. Headshots inflict more torpor than body shots, but also have a higher risk of killing the target. Consider the creature’s torpor resistance and health when deciding where to aim.

For taming more resistant creatures or when you need to quickly knock out a target, Shocking Tranquilizer Darts are the best option. These darts inflict significantly more torpor than regular Tranquilizer Darts, making them ideal for taming high-level creatures or those with high torpor resistance. The crafting recipe for Shocking Tranquilizer Darts is more complex, requiring Tranquilizer Darts, Shocking Tranq Darts, and Electronics. While Shocking Tranquilizer Darts are more expensive to craft, their increased efficiency can save you time and resources in the long run.

For dealing high damage to enemy players and stronger creatures, Advanced Sniper Bullets are the perfect choice. These bullets offer the highest damage output of all ARK Longneck Rifle ammunition types. The crafting recipe for Advanced Sniper Bullets requires Gunpowder, Metal Ingots, and Polymer. Given their cost, Advanced Sniper Bullets are best reserved for PvP combat and taking down challenging creatures.

Using the Longneck Rifle Effectively

Mastering the ARK Longneck Rifle requires more than just crafting and loading ammunition. It’s essential to understand aiming mechanics, ballistics, and strategic positioning to use the weapon effectively. The ARK Longneck Rifle features a scope with multiple zoom levels, allowing you to engage targets at various distances. Bullet drop is a significant factor to consider when aiming. The further the target, the more the bullet will drop due to gravity. Experiment with different distances and practice leading your targets to compensate for bullet drop.

When taming creatures, choose the right ammunition based on the creature’s torpor resistance and health. Use Dododex or a similar tool to calculate the number of darts needed to knock out the target. Position yourself safely to avoid being attacked while administering the darts.

In combat situations, long-range engagement is key to maximizing the ARK Longneck Rifle’s advantages. Stay out of reach of melee attackers and use cover to protect yourself from incoming fire. Aim for headshots to inflict maximum damage. Coordinate with your teammates to provide support and cover fire.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The ARK Longneck Rifle is a powerful weapon, but it’s not without its limitations. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for using it effectively in various situations.

The ARK Longneck Rifle’s greatest strength is its versatility. It can be used for taming creatures, engaging in long-range combat, and even performing utility tasks like lighting torches from a distance. Its long range allows you to engage targets from a safe distance, reducing your risk of being attacked. Its high damage potential, especially with Advanced Sniper Bullets, makes it a formidable weapon in PvP and against powerful creatures.

However, the ARK Longneck Rifle also has some notable weaknesses. Its slow rate of fire makes it vulnerable in close combat situations. It relies on specific ammo types for different tasks, requiring you to carry multiple types of ammunition. The crafting requirements can be expensive, particularly for Advanced Sniper Bullets and Shocking Tranquilizer Darts.

Tips and Tricks

To truly master the ARK Longneck Rifle, consider these advanced tips and tricks.

Practice zeroing the scope to adjust for different distances. This will significantly improve your accuracy and reduce wasted shots. Wearing a Ghillie Suit can improve your stealth and reduce the chances of being detected by enemies. Combine the ARK Longneck Rifle with buffs like Focal Chili or soups to improve your crafting skills and aiming accuracy. Consider building sniper nests on towers or platforms to gain a strategic advantage. Use the ARK Longneck Rifle for utility tasks like lighting torches from a distance or triggering traps.

Longneck Rifle vs. Other Weapons

The ARK Longneck Rifle is just one of many weapons available in ARK: Survival Evolved. Here’s a comparison to other popular options:

Compared to bows and crossbows, the ARK Longneck Rifle offers superior range and damage potential. However, bows and crossbows are often easier to craft and use in the early game. The choice between the two depends on your playstyle and the resources available.

Compared to other firearms like the Assault Rifle or Fabricated Sniper Rifle, the ARK Longneck Rifle offers a balance of range, damage, and crafting complexity. The Assault Rifle has a higher rate of fire, making it better for close-quarters combat, while the Fabricated Sniper Rifle offers even greater range and damage at a higher crafting cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ARK Longneck Rifle is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. Its ability to tame creatures, engage in long-range combat, and perform utility tasks makes it an invaluable asset for any survivor. While it has its weaknesses, mastering its strengths and utilizing the tips and tricks outlined in this guide will help you dominate the ARK.

Experiment with different strategies, find what works best for you, and share your own experiences with the ARK Longneck Rifle in the comments below. Your knowledge and insights can help fellow survivors thrive in this challenging world. The ARK Longneck Rifle is waiting to be mastered, are you ready to answer its call?