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Chitin Armor in ARK: Survival Evolved – A Comprehensive Guide

In the harsh and unforgiving world of ARK: Survival Evolved, survival hinges on resourcefulness and preparedness. Among the many tools and equipment available to players, chitin armor stands out as an early-to-mid-game staple, offering crucial protection against the myriad dangers lurking on the island. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of chitin armor, covering its crafting, stats, advantages, disadvantages, and strategic uses within the game.

What is Chitin Armor?

Chitin armor is a set of protective gear crafted from chitin, a resource primarily harvested from insects and other arthropods found throughout the ARK world. It represents one of the first readily accessible armor sets, offering a significant upgrade over simple cloth or hide armor. While not the strongest armor available, its relatively low crafting requirements and decent protection make it a popular choice for players progressing through the early stages of the game.

Components of Chitin Armor

A full set of chitin armor consists of the following pieces:

Chitin Helmet: Protects the head, offering defense against headshots and environmental hazards.
Chitin Chestpiece: Covers the torso, providing substantial protection against melee attacks and ranged weaponry.
Chitin Gauntlets: Safeguard the arms and hands, mitigating damage from creature attacks and resource gathering.
Chitin Leggings: Shield the legs, reducing damage taken from ground-based threats and falls.
Chitin Boots: Protect the feet, offering improved traction and reducing fall damage.

Crafting Chitin Armor

Crafting chitin armor is a straightforward process, requiring readily available resources and a relatively low crafting level. Here’s a breakdown of the crafting requirements:

Required Level

Players must reach level 15 to unlock the engram for chitin armor.

Engram Points

The engram requires a certain number of engram points to learn. Make sure to allocate your points wisely as you level up.

Resources Needed

Each piece of chitin armor requires the following resources:

Chitin/Keratin: The primary component, harvested from insects like ants, scorpions, and spiders, as well as creatures like turtles and snails. Keratin can be used interchangeably with Chitin.
Hide: Obtained from various animals throughout the ARK world.
Fiber: Gathered from plants and bushes.

The exact amount of each resource varies slightly depending on the specific armor piece. Typically, the chestpiece requires the most chitin, while the other pieces require smaller amounts.

Crafting Station

Chitin armor can be crafted directly in the player’s inventory once the engram is learned. No specialized crafting station is required.

Stats and Protection

Chitin armor provides a significant increase in defense compared to basic clothing. The exact amount of armor it provides depends on the quality of the armor (primitive, ramshackle, apprentice, journeyman, mastercraft, ascendant). Here’s a general overview of the protection offered:

Armor Value: Each piece of chitin armor contributes to the player’s overall armor rating, reducing the amount of damage taken from incoming attacks.
Durability: Chitin armor has a durability rating, which decreases as it takes damage. Once the durability reaches zero, the armor piece breaks and no longer provides protection. Durability can be repaired using the same resources used to craft the armor.
Hyperthermic Insulation: Provides a moderate amount of insulation against heat, helping to regulate the player’s body temperature in hot environments.
Hypothermic Insulation: Offers a small amount of insulation against cold, providing limited protection in colder regions.

Advantages of Chitin Armor

Chitin armor offers several advantages that make it a valuable choice for early-to-mid-game players:

Easy to Obtain: The resources required to craft chitin armor are relatively easy to acquire, making it accessible to players early in their survival journey.
Decent Protection: Provides a significant upgrade in protection compared to cloth or hide armor, reducing damage taken from creature attacks and environmental hazards.
Craftable in Inventory: No specialized crafting station is required, allowing players to craft chitin armor on the go.
Good for Exploration: The moderate insulation provided by chitin armor makes it suitable for exploring a variety of environments, offering some protection against both heat and cold.

Disadvantages of Chitin Armor

Despite its advantages, chitin armor also has some drawbacks:

Lower Armor Value Compared to Higher-Tier Armors: As players progress through the game, they will eventually need to upgrade to stronger armor sets like metal armor or riot armor for better protection.
Durability Concerns: Chitin armor can degrade relatively quickly, especially when facing tougher creatures or engaging in frequent combat. Players need to carry extra resources to repair their armor regularly.
Weight: While not excessively heavy, chitin armor does contribute to the player’s overall weight capacity, which can impact movement speed and carrying capacity.

Strategic Uses of Chitin Armor

Chitin armor is particularly useful in the following situations:

Early Game Progression: As one of the first readily available armor sets, chitin armor is essential for surviving the initial stages of the game.
Cave Exploration: Many caves in ARK contain dangerous creatures that can easily overwhelm unprotected players. Chitin armor provides a necessary layer of defense for exploring these areas.
Resource Gathering: When venturing out to gather resources, chitin armor can protect players from unexpected encounters with aggressive creatures.
Taming Dinosaurs: While taming dinosaurs, chitin armor can help players withstand attacks from the creature being tamed or other hostile wildlife.

Upgrading from Chitin Armor

As players level up and acquire more resources, they should consider upgrading to stronger armor sets. Here are some common upgrade paths:

Hide Armor: A slight upgrade offering better insulation.
Metal Armor: Provides significantly higher armor value and durability, making it suitable for more dangerous environments.
Riot Armor: Offers excellent protection against both physical damage and environmental hazards, ideal for PvP combat and challenging boss fights.
Flak Armor: Another strong armor choice, known for its high durability and resistance to explosives.

Tips for Maintaining Chitin Armor

To maximize the lifespan of your chitin armor, consider the following tips:

Carry Repair Resources: Always carry a supply of chitin, hide, and fiber to repair your armor on the go.
Avoid Unnecessary Damage: Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid engaging in unnecessary combat.
Use Cover: Utilize natural cover and structures to minimize exposure to enemy attacks.
Upgrade When Possible: As soon as you have the resources, upgrade to a stronger armor set.

Conclusion

Chitin armor is an essential piece of equipment for players navigating the early to mid-game stages of ARK: Survival Evolved. Its ease of crafting, decent protection, and versatility make it a valuable asset for exploration, resource gathering, and taming dinosaurs. While eventually outclassed by higher-tier armor sets, chitin armor provides a crucial stepping stone towards surviving and thriving in the ARK world. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses will help players make informed decisions about their gear and strategies, ultimately increasing their chances of survival. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-maintained set of chitin armor when starting your adventure in ARK! [See also: Taming Guide for Beginners] [See also: Best Base Locations in ARK] [See also: Resource Gathering Tips and Tricks]