Is the Sword or Pike Better in Ark: An In-Depth Weapon Comparison
As a passionate Ark gamer and content creator, I am often asked – what is the superior melee weapon for beating the game and dominating in PVP battles? After extensive testing and research, I believe the sword is the best option for most playstyles.
Base Weapon Stats and Attributes
Comparing the base stats of each weapon, the sword has a clear edge in damage and speed:
| Weapon | Damage | Attack Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Sword | 50 | Very Fast |
| Pike | 22 | Fast |
The sword‘s damage per second (DPS) is drastically higher thanks to its 50 damage rating (over double the pike‘s) and extremely quick attack speed classification. It is simply more lethal and able to unleash deadly combinations much faster.
While the pike offers greater durability, unlimited weapon life is easy to achieve through standard repairing. And the sword‘s superior DPS and versatility far outweigh this minor advantage alone.
Ease of Use and Tactical Applications
Being one-handed, the sword enables dual-wielding a shield or torch in the other hand. This improves defense and versatility greatly. In contrast, the pike requires both hands, preventing additional gear.
Sword attacks can also be executed while standing still, walking, or jumping. However, pike strikes fail if you are not moving. This gives the sword better tactical flexibility.
Against lesser creatures, the pike does wield a knockback effect. But for formidable enemies, raw damage and DPS are more valuable. And the sword retains the versatile options to stun, cripple, or outmaneuver opponents instead.
Unlocking Progression and Resource Costs
| Weapon | Level Req. | Resources Req. |
|---|---|---|
| Sword | 30 | 320 wood, 270 metal ingot, 10 obsidian |
| Pike | 15 | 260 wood, 50 fiber |
The pike can be obtained earlier at level 15, compared to the sword‘s level 30 requirement. However, 30 levels progress quickly, so this gap is quite negligible.
In terms of base resources, swords demand more higher tier components like metal ingots and obsidian. But relative to their capabilities, swords are still the more cost-efficient weapon. Exceptional weapons always necessitate greater investments to craft.
Overall, neither weapon is locked behind any difficult level or farming barriers. Obtaining metal tools on ARK is more tedious but certainly achievable within a couple sessions of grinding.
Performance Against Bosses and Raid Targets
When facing the notoriously formidable boss creatures or enemy structures, the sword again proves its superiority.
With over twice the DPS, swords shred through epic boss health pools substantially faster. And in PVP base raids, the sword‘s damage quotient best optimizes demolition of walls, demolishing targets quicker.
Top ARK players almost unanimously favor swords for these advanced endgame scenarios. The pike simply lacks the sheer damage throughput to compete.
Verdict – Swords Are The Best ARK Melee Weapon
In summary, from statistical attributes to practical performance, I strongly recommend all serious ARK survivors strive to utilize swords in combat. They are unlocked reasonably early yet scale tremendously into the endgame.
Pikes can serve newer characters effectively for a while. But against formidable foes, their limited damage hampers viability drastically. Even riskier playstyles benefit more from swords‘ greater stopping power.
So upgrade those smithies because a trusty sword should be every explorer‘s favored armament! No other melee option compares with regards to DPS capability, flexibility, progression efficiency, and scaling potential. Just beware of breaking too much stuff in the process!
Let me know your own thoughts in the comments below! And stay tuned for my next guide covering some effective strategies to master the sword. Happy ARKing survivors!
