Ark PS4: Mastering Summoning - Your Ultimate Guide
Hey there, fellow Ark survivors! So, you're diving into the wild and wonderful world of ARK: Survival Evolved on your PlayStation 4, and you've heard whispers of powerful creatures and epic boss battles. Naturally, your next question is likely, "How do I summon these beasts?" Well, you've come to the right place, guys! This guide is going to break down everything you need to know about summoning in Ark on PS4. It’s not as straightforward as just pressing a button, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be unleashing some serious dino power. We’ll cover the different types of summons, the items you’ll need, and the locations where these epic events take place. Get ready to level up your Ark game, because summoning is a crucial step towards conquering this challenging survival experience.
Understanding the Summoning Mechanic in Ark PS4
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of how to summon in Ark PS4. In Ark, summoning isn't just about bringing a dino back to life; it's primarily about confronting the game's most challenging bosses. These aren't your average wild creatures; these are massive, formidable beings that guard powerful artifacts and grant significant experience and powerful loot. Think of them as the ultimate tests of your survival skills, your base-building prowess, and your tamed creature army. To summon these bosses, you'll need to gather specific items, which vary depending on the boss you're trying to face. These items are typically found in dangerous locations like caves, obtained from defeating other creatures, or crafted using rare resources. The summoning process itself usually takes place at specific obelisks scattered across the various maps in Ark. These obelisks, often glowing structures visible from a distance, serve as the main hubs for summoning and interacting with the game's advanced mechanics. When you approach an obelisk, you'll find an interface that allows you to upload your character, download your character, transfer items, and, crucially, summon the boss. It’s a high-stakes affair, so make sure you're prepared before you initiate the summoning sequence. The game doesn't hold your hand here; it expects you to have done your homework, gathered the necessary components, and perhaps even brought along some of your strongest tamed dinosaurs to assist in the ensuing battle. This mechanic adds a significant layer of strategic depth to Ark, forcing players to explore, scavenge, and plan meticulously. It's not just about survival anymore; it's about progression, conquest, and proving your dominance over the island's most dangerous inhabitants. The journey to each boss is often an adventure in itself, involving overcoming environmental hazards, other players (if you're on a PvP server), and the natural predators that roam the lands. So, gather your courage, your best gear, and your most loyal dinos, because a boss summoning awaits!
Gathering the Necessary Reagents for Summoning
Now, let's talk about the stuff you need to actually pull off a summon. Because, let's be real, you can't just wish a giant Spino-God into existence. For how to summon in Ark PS4, the key lies in gathering specific items. These items are essentially the 'keys' to unlocking boss fights. The exact items required depend entirely on which boss you're aiming to summon. For the easier bosses, like the Megapithecus or the Broodmother Lysrix, you’ll primarily need Artifacts and Tributes. Artifacts are rare items found deep within the various caves scattered across Ark's maps. Each cave is a mini-dungeon, often filled with dangerous creatures, environmental hazards like poisonous gas or extreme cold, and sometimes tricky platforming sections. You’ll need to venture into these dark, perilous places armed with your best gear and maybe a trusty companion or two. Tributes, on the other hand, are usually dropped by specific, more powerful creatures or can be obtained through other challenging in-game activities. For instance, you might need to defeat a certain number of Alpha predators, harvest specific items from unique dinosaurs, or even complete special server events. As you progress to the harder bosses, like the Dragon or the Rockwells, the requirements become significantly more demanding. You’ll be looking at summoning the Overseer, the ultimate final boss on The Island map, requires a massive amount of experience points, an impressive collection of artifacts from all major caves, and several powerful trophies obtained from defeating the lesser bosses. These are not items you stumble upon; they are the culmination of hours, even hundreds of hours, of dedicated gameplay, exploration, and successful combat. Think of it as earning your right to face these ultimate challenges. The resources needed can include items like Rex Claws, Spino Sails, Megalo Therizino Claws, or even valuable electronic components like the Tek Trophies. Each boss has its own unique set of 'tribute' items, so your preparation must be tailored to your target. Don't forget that you'll also need tons of Narcotic or Stimberries to keep your character from passing out from exertion and hunger during the long journeys to collect these items, and plenty of high-tier weapons and armor to survive the encounters. So, strategize, explore, and prepare meticulously, because the path to summoning is paved with challenge and reward!
Locating and Using Obelisks for Summoning
Alright, so you've managed to collect all the wacky and wonderful items needed for your summon. Awesome! But where do you go to actually use them? This is where the majestic, often glowing, Obelisks come into play. These towering structures are your gateway to summoning in Ark on PS4, and they are strategically placed across every official map. You'll usually spot them from a mile away due to their distinctive shape and radiant glow, making them relatively easy to find once you know what you're looking for. There are typically three main obelisks on each map: one in the snowy north, one in the swampy or desert region, and one in a more central, temperate area. On maps like The Island, you'll find them at the North, South-East, and West coasts, respectively. Each obelisk functions identically, so it doesn't matter which one you choose to visit. When you get close to an obelisk, you'll see a prompt to interact with it. Once you do, a special interface will pop up. This is where the magic happens, or rather, where the summoning happens. You'll see options to upload your character data, download character data (useful for moving between servers or when you die and want to respawn with your progress), transfer items, and, of course, the 'Summon' option. To initiate a boss summon, you'll need to select the 'Summon' tab. Here, you’ll see the specific boss(es) you have the prerequisites for summoning. If you have all the required artifacts and tributes in your inventory, the option to summon that particular boss will become available. Simply select the boss, confirm that you're ready for the ultimate challenge, and poof! The boss will spawn right there at the obelisk. It’s important to note that some bosses, especially the harder ones, might require you to summon them in a specific sequence or within a special arena accessible via the obelisk. For example, summoning the Overseer on The Island involves a multi-stage process accessible through the red obelisk. Also, be aware that summoning a boss is a one-way ticket to a fight. You can't back out once it's initiated, and the resources you use are consumed. Make sure your tribe is ready, your best dinos are geared up, and you've saved your game beforehand if you're on a single-player world. The obelisks are not just summoning points; they are also critical for inter-server travel and transferring your character and items between different maps, which is a whole other adventure in itself! So, find those obelisks, learn their interface, and prepare to face the titans of Ark.
Preparing for the Boss Fight: What to Expect
So, you’ve successfully used an obelisk to summon a boss. Congratulations! But hold up, the real challenge is just beginning. This is where how to summon in Ark PS4 truly tests your mettle. Expect a brutal fight. These bosses are not pushovers. They have massive health pools, devastating attacks, and often unique mechanics that can wipe out your entire tribe in seconds if you're not prepared. Let's talk preparation, guys. First off, your dinosaur army is paramount. You'll want a solid roster of high-level, well-bred dinosaurs with good stats. For early bosses like the Broodmother, high-level Vultures or Direwolves can be effective, especially with a Yutyrannus to buff them. For tougher encounters, like the Megapithecus, Rexes or Therizinos are your go-to. And for the absolute toughest, like the Dragon or the Overseer, you’ll need a specialized army, often including powerful Giganotosaurus, high-damage attacking Therizinos, or even a collection of powerful Tek-tier creatures. Don't forget to put some serious thought into their saddles. High-level, crafted saddles (Ascendant, Mastercraft, or Ascendant) provide crucial armor ratings, turning your dinos into tanks. Investing resources in crafting the best saddles you can is non-negotiable. Next up: your gear. You and your tribe members should be decked out in the best armor available. This means Tek armor for late-game bosses, or at least high-tier metal, chitin, or primitive plus saddles and armor sets with high armor values. Weapons are also critical. High-quality rocket launchers, machine guns, and especially Tek rifles are essential for dealing significant damage from a safe distance. Don't forget plenty of ammunition! Healing is another vital component. Bring stacks of Medical Brews, Enduro Stews, and Fria Calories to keep your health and stamina up during the fight. You might also need specific items depending on the boss. For the Dragon, for example, you'll want plenty of fire-resistant gear and perhaps aim to defeat it in the air with ranged attacks. For the Overseer, expect a boss rush scenario with multiple waves of creatures. Communication within your tribe is absolutely key. Assign roles: who's healing, who's tanking, who's dealing damage, who's managing the dino army. Many players find success by summoning bosses in specific arenas or using terrain to their advantage, but be careful, as the boss AI can be unpredictable. Finally, practice makes perfect. If you’re on single-player, consider using the debug commands to spawn in boss arenas and practice the fight without consequence. It’s a great way to learn attack patterns and test your strategy. Remember, summoning a boss is a significant undertaking, and the fight itself is the true test of your preparation. Good luck, survivors! You're going to need it!
Advanced Summoning: Tek Creatures and the Overseer
As you delve deeper into Ark and master the basics of how to summon in Ark PS4, you’ll eventually encounter the pinnacle of the game’s challenges: Tek creatures and the ultimate final boss, the Overseer. These aren't your typical spawns; they represent the highest tier of difficulty and reward. Tek creatures, imbued with advanced technology, often boast superior stats and devastating attacks compared to their primitive counterparts. To summon them, you’ll typically need specific Tek-related items, often obtained from defeating other Tek-tier enemies or found in challenging Tek caves and structures. For instance, summoning a Tek Rex might require not just the standard boss summoning items but also specific Tekgrams or components harvested from formidable Tek dinosaurs. The process often mirrors that of standard boss summoning, involving specific artifacts and tributes, but with the added layer of requiring rare, high-tech components. The Overseer, however, is a league of its own. It’s the final boss on the original 'The Island' map and requires a monumental effort to even get the chance to summon. To face the Overseer, you must have successfully defeated all the previous major bosses on The Island (Broodmother, Megapithecus, Dragon) and collected a vast array of artifacts from all the major caves. The Overseer summon itself is initiated through the Red Obelisk and is less about physical tributes and more about proving your overall mastery of the game. It involves a unique, multi-stage boss arena where you'll face waves of challenging creatures, culminating in the Overseer itself. The preparation for the Overseer is extreme, requiring not just a well-bred army of the strongest dinosaurs but also advanced gear like full Tek armor, high-damage weapons, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. Many players opt to use Tek creatures themselves in the Overseer fight due to their superior stats and abilities. Understanding Tekgrams is crucial here; these are essentially blueprints for crafting Tek gear and items, which you unlock by defeating bosses and completing missions. You’ll need to unlock and craft specific Tek structures and weapons to stand a chance. The summoning process for these advanced entities emphasizes the game's progression system. It’s not just about survival anymore; it’s about technological advancement, strategic planning, and pushing the boundaries of what you thought was possible in Ark. The rewards for defeating these ultimate challenges are equally grand, often including powerful Tek gear, unique skins, and the satisfaction of conquering the game's most formidable adversaries. So, if you're looking to truly test your limits, start working towards unlocking and summoning the Tek creatures and the legendary Overseer.
Tips and Tricks for Successful Summoning
Guys, let's be honest: how to summon in Ark PS4 can be a rollercoaster. You might have the items, you might know the location, but things can still go sideways faster than a Raptor chasing a Dodo. So, here are some pro tips to help you nail those summons and survive the boss fights. First, tribal coordination is king. If you’re playing with others, make sure everyone is on the same page. Assign roles before you go to the obelisk: who’s bringing the main dino army, who’s on support healing, who’s bringing the ranged attackers, who’s carrying the backup gear. Clear communication via voice chat is essential. Second, gear up and backup your gear. Always bring more ammo, more medical brews, and more Stimberries than you think you'll need. If you can, have a tribe member or even a dedicated dino (like a Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus) with a backup supply of essential items near the obelisk, just in case your primary stash gets wiped out during the fight. Third, know your boss's weaknesses. Research the specific boss you're fighting. Does it have a specific elemental weakness? Is it particularly vulnerable to ranged attacks? Does it have a predictable attack pattern? Tailor your dino selection and strategy accordingly. For example, many players use Yutyrannus to buff their main army for increased damage and fear effects, which is crucial for many boss encounters. Fourth, manage your dino stamina and health. During a boss fight, your dinosaurs can quickly get exhausted or depleted of health. Use commands to tell them to regenerate stamina (if they aren't actively attacking) and keep an eye on their health bars. Having dedicated healer dinosaurs, like Argentavis or Snow Owls with healing abilities, can be a game-changer. Fifth, consider the environment. Summoning at an obelisk might put you in a vulnerable position. If possible, scout the area around the obelisk beforehand to identify good defensive positions or escape routes. Some players even build temporary defensive structures near obelisks for extra protection. Sixth, save frequently (for single-player). If you're playing solo, make sure to save your game before initiating a summon. This way, if the worst happens, you can reload your save and try again without losing all your hard-earned progress and resources. Seventh, don't underestimate the smaller creatures. Sometimes, smaller, faster dinosaurs can be incredibly useful for flanking or distracting certain boss mechanics, especially in multi-stage fights. Finally, take breaks. Seriously, Ark can be incredibly grindy and stressful. If you’re feeling burnt out or frustrated, step away for a bit. Coming back with a fresh mind often leads to better strategies and fewer mistakes. Summoning is one of the most rewarding aspects of Ark, but it requires careful planning and execution. Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to victory, survivors!
