Ark: Survival Evolved, a primeval survival game developed by Studio Wildcard, has captivated players with its dynamic ecosystem and challenging gameplay. One of the aspects that make the game even more engaging is the availability of mods. These mods enhance various elements of the game, from building structures to taming creatures. In this article, we will explore the top mods for Ark: Survival Evolved that every player should consider.
Key Takeaways
- Structures Plus enhances building mechanics, making construction easier and more flexible.
- StackMeMore increases the stack size of items, reducing inventory clutter and making resource management more efficient.
- Awesome Teleporters allows for quick travel across the map, saving time and enhancing gameplay convenience.
1. Structures Plus
One of the most popular mods for ARK is Structures Plus. This mod adds structures, features, items, and other practical things for the game that help you build and are equally helpful in other situations. S+ makes building in Ark a lot easier. One of the things it allows you to do that you can’t do in the base game is to pick up things (like walls, foundations, ceilings, etc.) that you’ve placed.
2. StackMeMore
Another essential mod for Ark is StackMeMore. This mod reduces the weight of everything and increases their stack sizes. So, you can easily carry a huge load of materials without having to run around back and forth to store things that normally weigh a lot and have very limited stack sizes. I’ve gotten so used to this mod that I can hardly remember playing without it.
3. Ark Advance
Ark Advance, also known as Ark Advance 10, is a versatile mod that brings a lot to the table. One of its standout features is its unique crafting station, which allows you to create a variety of interesting items. This mod is particularly useful for taming, as it offers tranq arrows and darts that are extremely effective. Additionally, you can craft tranq arrows that slow down your target, making the taming process much easier.
4. TameXL
TameXL is a game-changer when it comes to taming creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved. Normally, taming involves knocking out a creature and waiting for it to get hungry enough to eat the food you provide. This can be a tedious process, requiring constant monitoring of the creature’s torpor levels to ensure it doesn’t wake up. TameXL simplifies this process significantly.
Key Features
- Version: 1.5.1 (June 2023)
- Created by: MrMangoHead
- Compatibility: Single Player, Non-dedicated, and Private Servers
- Mechanics: Alters taming and interaction timers for a more realistic experience
- Trust Mechanic: Introduces a new trust mechanic that changes the behavior of both tamed and untamed creatures
- Non-violent Taming: Replaces violent taming methods with relationship-building activities
- Customization: Provides optional configurations for personalized gameplay
Benefits
- Realistic Experience: The mod alters taming and interaction timers to make the process feel more natural and less mechanical.
- Trust Mechanic: This new feature changes how creatures behave, making the game more immersive.
- Non-violent Taming: Instead of knocking out creatures, you build a relationship with them, which can be more rewarding.
- Customization: You can tweak the settings to fit your gameplay style, making it versatile for different types of players.
TameXL is perfect for players who want a more engaging and less tedious taming experience. With its trust mechanic and non-violent taming methods, it offers a fresh take on one of the core aspects of Ark: Survival Evolved.
5. Taming Gun
The Taming Gun is a game-changer for anyone who has grown tired of the traditional taming process in Ark: Survival Evolved. This mod introduces a pistol that uses tranq arrows to instantly tame creatures at their max level. No more waiting for torpor to drop or feeding creatures repeatedly. Just aim, shoot, and the creature is yours, whether on land or underwater.
Key Features
- Instantly tames creatures at max level
- Works both on land and underwater
- Eliminates the need for feeding and waiting for torpor to drop
Version and Compatibility
- Version: 1.5.1 (June 2023)
- Created by: MrMangoHead
- Compatibility: Fully supports Single Player, Non-dedicated, and Private Servers
Optional Configurations
The Taming Gun mod provides optional configurations for personalized gameplay. You can adjust settings to fit your playstyle, making it a versatile addition to any Ark server.
If you’ve ever used console commands to force tame creatures, you’ll find the Taming Gun to be a far more effective and user-friendly solution. No more struggling to aim at a moving creature; just point and shoot.
Trust Mechanic
This mod also introduces a Trust mechanic, altering taming and interaction timers for a more realistic experience. This feature changes the behavior of both tamed and untamed creatures, making the game more immersive.
Realistic Taming
The Taming Gun replaces violent taming methods with relationship-building activities. This not only makes the game more engaging but also provides a humane way to tame your favorite creatures.
Personalized Gameplay
With optional configurations, you can tailor the Taming Gun mod to suit your specific needs. Whether you prefer a more challenging experience or a relaxed gameplay style, this mod has you covered.
6. Egg N Poop Collector/Incubator
The Egg N Poop Collector/Incubator mod is a game-changer for anyone serious about farming and breeding in Ark: Survival Evolved. As the name suggests, this mod adds a collector that gathers both eggs and poop from your creatures. This makes farming automatic and significantly reduces the time you spend hunting for these resources.
Automatic Collection
The collector can transfer poop and thatch to another station within the mod, which then turns it into fertilizer. This fertilizer can be automatically sent to your crop plots, making your farming process seamless. There’s even a chance that instead of dropping poop, a creature will drop an egg, and this collector picks up both, so you don’t have to go hunting around for either resource.
Incubation Made Easy
The Incubator requires power but simplifies the hatching process. You simply drop a fertilized egg on it, and it hatches quickly. Normally, to hatch an egg, you need to put it in a place with the right temperature, which varies for each egg. This mod removes the need to worry about temperature and hatch time, making the breeding process much more efficient.
If you like breeding a ton of different dinos, this mod is a must-have. It automates the tedious parts of farming and breeding, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the game.
7. Kibble Vending Machine
The Kibble Vending Machine mod is a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their dino-taming process in Ark: Survival Evolved. This mod allows you to craft a vending machine that dispenses various types of kibble, making it easier to tame creatures without the hassle of gathering specific resources. This mod is particularly useful for players who want to save time and focus on other aspects of the game.
8. Awesome Teleporters
Awesome Teleporters is exactly as it sounds. You can craft teleporters and place them almost anywhere. Then, craft the remote control for it and you can teleport back and forth. This is incredibly handy! You could live in one place, but teleport to another area for gathering metal and teleport back.
The lack of fast travel can make exploration tedious. With the Gaia: Teleporter, players can teleport to various locations in the game world with a single command. Starting Level 2, players can first make trips to both land and underwater caves on foot to make discovery and exploration more convenient. The mod was then expanded to accommodate various locations such as biomes, ruins, artifacts, and even obelisks – all locations fitting the player’s ideal destinations for their current session.
Part of the survival appeal of ARK: Survival Ascended is the immersion players experience in the game’s do-or-die game world, where the lack of multiple transportation forces gamers to think on their feet and figure out the best ways of navigating their immediate surroundings. However, when players start discovering caves and other landmarks, things can get rather confusing to keep track of. Thankfully, the Gaia: Teleporter mod can provide a much-needed open-world feature: fast travel.
9. Awesome Spyglass
The Awesome Spyglass mod is a game-changer for any ARK: Survival Evolved player. This mod enhances the basic spyglass by adding a plethora of new features. It can zoom in and out, display the levels of creatures, and show what it takes to tame them. Additionally, it outlines wild creatures, helping you identify which are aggressive and which are passive or unaware of your presence.
10. Builder’s Helmet
The Builder’s Helmet is an essential mod for any Ark player who loves to build and customize their structures. This mod allows you to pick up any structure, making it incredibly useful for rearranging your base without wasting resources. You can craft the helmet out of cheap materials, which is a huge plus if you’re just starting out or if resources are scarce.
Key Features
- Pick Up Structures: Easily pick up and move any structure, even if it’s not part of Structures Plus.
- Craftable: Made from inexpensive materials, making it accessible early in the game.
- Skin Version: You can create a skin version of the helmet that can be applied to your existing helmet, so you don’t lose any armor.
Crafting Requirements
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fiber | 50 |
| Thatch | 20 |
| Wood | 10 |
Usage Tips
- Equip the Builder’s Helmet to enable the structure pick-up feature.
- Use the skin version to maintain your armor’s protection while enjoying the mod’s benefits.
- Ideal for players who frequently redesign their bases or make mistakes during construction.
The Builder’s Helmet introduces a minor risk factor: not all upgrades will necessarily work and may fail, costing you valuable resources. However, this is a minor downside to an otherwise brilliant mod.
Feel free to share your favorite mods in the comment section!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of Ark: Survival Evolved is greatly enhanced by the diverse and creative mods available to players. These mods not only add new dimensions to gameplay but also allow for a more personalized and enriched experience. From improving game mechanics to introducing entirely new creatures and environments, the top mods for Ark: Survival Evolved offer something for every player. By integrating these mods, players can explore new possibilities and keep the game fresh and exciting. Whether you are a seasoned survivor or a newcomer to the Ark, these mods are sure to elevate your gaming experience.
