Can You Use Mods on Single Player ARK? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, absolutely! You can enhance your single-player experience in ARK: Survival Evolved with a wide array of mods. The game’s modding community is incredibly active, offering everything from minor tweaks and quality-of-life improvements to massive overhauls that completely transform the gameplay. This article will guide you through how to get started with mods in single-player ARK and answer some frequently asked questions about the process.

How to Add Mods to Your Single Player ARK Game

Adding mods to your single-player game is a straightforward process, leveraging the Steam Workshop. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Subscribing to Mods on Steam Workshop

1. Open Steam: Launch the Steam application.
2. Navigate to ARK Workshop: Go to the ARK: Survival Evolved page in your Steam library. Underneath the game’s title, you’ll find a section called “Community Hub,” click on that, and then you will see “Workshop” at the top of the page; click on that.
3. Browse Mods: You will now see the Steam Workshop page for ARK, you can now browse the available mods. You can filter by popularity, date, or search for specific mods using keywords.
4. Subscribe to Mods: Once you’ve found a mod you’d like to try, click on it to view the mod details. Then, click the green “Subscribe” button. This will automatically download the mod to your game files. The download process is done automatically by Steam.

Activating Mods in ARK

1. Launch ARK: Start the ARK: Survival Evolved game through Steam.
2. Select “Host/Local”: On the main menu, choose the “Host/Local” option, as you would to start a single-player game.
3. Mod Installation Progress: After launching ARK, look in the lower right corner of the screen. You will see messages indicating that mods are being installed. Wait for all subscribed mods to finish installation and ensure each is signed.
4. Activate Mods: Once installation is done, click on “Start Single Player” or “Host Non-Dedicated Session.” In the menu, you will find a list of Available Mods on the left. Select each mod you want to use and click the arrow button pointing to the right to add them to Active Mods column.
5. Start Your Game: Once you have added all the mods you want to use, start your game. Your mods should now be active in your single-player session.

Important Considerations

• Mod Compatibility: Not all mods are compatible with each other. Sometimes mods can cause conflicts, leading to crashes or unexpected behavior. It is recommended to only enable a small amount of mods at first and slowly add more as you go. If any issues happen when you enable new mods, disable the new mods and you can find the issue.
• Mod Updates: Ensure your mods are up-to-date. Developers of mods frequently release updates and patches to fix bugs and add features. Check the mod’s Steam Workshop page for information. You may need to update mods through steam before opening ARK.
• System Requirements: Certain mods, especially large overhauls that add many new items, creatures, or features, can be very demanding on your system. Always be sure to check the mod’s page to see if there are any known performance issues before trying it out.
• Save File Backup: Before adding or changing mods, it’s a good practice to back up your single-player save files. This is important as there is always a risk of corruption when changing or adding mods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about using mods in single-player ARK:

1. Can I use multiple mods at once in single-player ARK?

Yes, you can use multiple mods in single-player ARK. However, be aware of mod compatibility. Some mods might conflict with each other, leading to bugs or crashes. It is important to test mods in small batches to find the compatibility.

2. Do mods affect my single-player saves?

Yes, mods can affect your single-player saves. Removing or changing mods can lead to save file corruption or issues with existing structures or items. Always backup your save file before making any changes to mods.

3. Do I need to restart my game every time I add a new mod?

While you can sometimes add new mods without restarting your current game session, it is recommended to exit the game and restart it when activating new mods to ensure they are fully loaded and working properly.

4. Can I disable mods after I’ve used them in my single-player game?

Yes, you can disable mods after using them. However, as previously stated, removing a mod can have unintended consequences, such as missing items or broken structures in your save game.

5. Are all ARK mods free?

Yes, all mods available on the Steam Workshop for ARK are free.

6. Do ARK mods require any DLCs?

Most mods work well with just the base game, as the modding framework is released in free patches. However, some mods might require specific DLCs if they use assets or features exclusive to those DLCs. Always check a mod’s page to see if any DLCs are required.

7. What are some beginner-friendly mods for single-player ARK?

Some excellent beginner-friendly mods include:

• Structures Plus (S+): Improves building mechanics and adds new structures.
• Awesome Spyglass: Provides detailed information about creatures.
• Utilities Plus: Adds helpful tools and utilities for ease of use.
• Crafting Skill Potion: Allows you to boost crafting skills
• Dino Storage v2: Allows you to store and retrieve dinos as a portable item.

8. What is the “mod that adds all dinos in ARK”?

There are many mods that add new dinos, but one popular choice for adding many new tiers of dinos and a variety of bosses is Ark Supreme. It’s an overhaul mod that significantly changes the game and adds an abundance of dinos and creatures.

9. Can mods make my game lag?

Yes, mods can cause lag, especially overhaul mods that add a lot of new content or modify existing systems. Also, having multiple mods running at once can increase the lag if there is any incompatibilities between mods.

10. How do I know if mods are conflicting with each other?

If you experience crashes, bugs, or missing items, there may be conflicting mods. To find the mod, you should activate small batches of mods at a time. If one of those batches causes an issue, disable each mod one by one until you find the conflicting mod.

11. Are there mods that make ARK easier or harder?

Yes, there are numerous mods that can either make the game easier or harder. Some mods introduce new dinos that are significantly more challenging. Conversely, other mods add quality of life changes to allow for more ease of gameplay.

12. What is the best way to find mods for ARK?

The best way to find mods is through the Steam Workshop page for ARK. You can filter by popularity, rating, or search for specific terms to find mods that are best suited for you.

13. Can I use mods on a non-dedicated server?

Yes, you can also use mods on a non-dedicated server, as long as the host of the server is using them and has them active. The process for activating them is very similar to activating them in singleplayer.

14. Is ARK better with mods?

Many players find that mods greatly enhance the ARK experience, adding more content, depth, and customization options. If you are looking to customize and add more features, mods are a great place to start.

15. Do all mods receive updates?

Most well supported mods do receive frequent updates and fixes from their developers. However, some older mods may no longer be supported and may cause issues with your game if they are not updated for new versions of the game.