ARK: Survival Evolved, with its vast landscapes and challenging nights, necessitates the use of a reliable light source. While building fires offers warmth and illumination at a base, navigating the treacherous wilds at night requires a more portable solution: the flashlight. This guide will walk you through how to turn on your flashlight in ARK, covering different aspects and troubleshooting common issues.
Locating Your Flashlight in ARK
Before you can turn on your flashlight, you need to acquire one. Flashlights aren't readily available at the start; you'll need to craft them. This involves gathering the necessary resources and utilizing a crafting station.
Crafting a Flashlight
The specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the game version and any installed mods, but generally, you'll need these resources:
- Fiber: Obtained from harvesting plants.
- Metal Ingots: Smelted from metal ore found in various locations.
- Batteries: Crafted using electronic components and other materials.
You'll need to locate a crafting station (like a smithy or fabricator) to actually construct the flashlight. Open the crafting menu, search for "flashlight," and follow the recipe.
Activating Your Flashlight
Once you've crafted your flashlight, equipping and activating it is straightforward.
Equipping the Flashlight
- Open your inventory: Access your inventory screen using the designated key (usually "I" or "E").
- Locate the flashlight: Find the flashlight icon in your inventory.
- Equip the item: Drag and drop the flashlight into one of your hotbar slots or directly equip it.
Turning the Flashlight On and Off
With the flashlight equipped, the method for turning it on and off varies slightly depending on your platform (PC, console) and controller:
- PC: Typically, the default keybind for toggling the flashlight is the "L" key. Consult your keybindings in the settings menu if this doesn't work.
- Consoles: Check your controller's button mapping. It might be assigned to one of the directional buttons, a shoulder button, or a combination of buttons. Refer to the game's in-game controls settings for confirmation.
Troubleshooting Flashlight Issues
If your flashlight isn't working, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Battery Level: Ensure your flashlight has sufficient battery power. Depleted batteries will render the flashlight useless. You'll need to craft more or replace the existing ones.
- Verify Equipment: Double-check that you've correctly equipped the flashlight. It won't work if it's just in your inventory.
- Game Settings: Make sure there aren't any settings interfering with the flashlight's functionality. Check your graphics settings and keybinds.
- Mods: If you've installed any mods, conflicts might be causing the issue. Try disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the problem.
- Restart the Game: A simple game restart can often resolve minor glitches.
Beyond the Basics: Using Flashlights Effectively
Remember that while flashlights are helpful, they have limitations. Their light beam has a finite range, and their batteries eventually drain. Consider these tips:
- Conserve Battery: Avoid keeping your flashlight on unnecessarily. Turn it off when not needed to prolong battery life.
- Combine with Other Light Sources: For extended nighttime exploration, combine your flashlight with other light sources, such as torches or strategically placed fires.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you'll be well-equipped to illuminate the darkest corners of ARK and survive the night. Remember to adapt your strategies to your environment and available resources. Happy surviving!
