# ARK: Survival Evolved — Mod Reference

Server mods loaded via `GAME_MOD_IDS` in the compose file.

> **Load order matters.** Mods are loaded in the order their IDs appear in `GAME_MOD_IDS`. Super Structures must go first as other mods may depend on its building framework.

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## Quick Reference Table

| #  | Mod Name                      | Workshop ID | Category      | Notes                                                           |
|----|-------------------------------|-------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1  | Super Structures              | 1999447172  | Building      | Building overhaul + built-in automation (collector, crafter)    |
| 2  | Dino Storage v2               | 1609138312  | Creature Mgmt | Pokéball-style creature storage                                 |
| 3  | Death Recovery Mod            | 751991809   | QoL           | Gravestone on death; recover lost items                         |
| 4  | Awesome Spyglass!             | 1404697612  | QoL           | Shows dino stats, player info, loot, eggs at range              |
| 5  | Lethals Reusables             | 1967741708  | QoL           | Reusable parachutes/tools; removes durability from hazmat/scuba |
| 6  | Upgrade Station v1.8i         | 821530042   | QoL           | Upgrade armor, weapons, and tools beyond base tier              |
| 7  | Improved Dinos                | 479929837   | Content       | Rare dino spawns with better loot and harder fights             |
| 8  | Marniimods: Wildlife          | 1984936918  | Content       | Adds non-dino animals (owls, etc.) with saddles                 |
| 9  | The World Turtle              | 936959483   | Content       | Massive tameable turtle; functions as a mobile base             |
| 10 | Dino Tracker                  | 924933745   | Utility       | GPS device to locate tamed dinos on the map                     |
| 11 | More Turrets and Turret Tools | 771785590   | Defense       | New turret types with auto-refill capability                    |
| 12 | Rideable Dodos                | 502202937   | Fun           | Makes dodos mountable. Important.                               |

---

## Mod Details

### Building & Automation

**Super Structures** `1999447172`
Fork of S+ with a cleaner codebase and fewer bugs. Adds snapping, auto-doors/gates, silent structures, and fuel-free torches. Also includes a built-in automation suite — **this replaces the need for a dedicated automation mod:**
- **SS Item Collector** — periodically sweeps nearby containers and dinos for specified items (eggs, feces, resources) and deposits them
- **SS Item Aggregator** — combines Hatchery, Gardener, Collector, and Farmer roles; less server-intensive than the old per-role structures
- **SS Auto-Crafter** — automates crafting queues with materials pulled from nearby storage
- **Resource pull** — integrated into the inventory UI; works on any container

> Dedicated "automation mods" (Automated Ark, AA3) are both effectively abandoned and broken post-Aquatica. Super Structures' built-in tools cover the same ground and are actively maintained.

---

### Quality of Life

**Dino Storage v2** `1609138312`
Capture tamed creatures into a glass sphere (effectively a Pokéball). No debuffs on release. Fast-capture feature makes it practical for large collections. Reduces server strain from keeping hundreds of dinos loaded in the world.

**Death Recovery Mod** `751991809`
Places a gravestone at your death location. You can retrieve all lost items from it. Eliminates the most frustrating part of ARK for casual servers.

**Awesome Spyglass!** `1404697612`
Replaces the vanilla spyglass. Points at dinos to see HP, torpor, level, and stats. Works on players, structures, eggs, and supply drops too. Essential for evaluating tame candidates.

**Lethals Reusables** `1967741708`
Makes parachutes, grappling hooks, and tools reusable. Removes durability from hazmat suits and scuba gear. Significantly reduces the grind around utility items.

**Upgrade Station v1.8i** `821530042`
Adds an upgrade workbench that lets you push armor, weapons, and tools to higher quality tiers. Gives purpose to otherwise-marginal blueprints.

---

### Content & Creatures

**Improved Dinos** `479929837`
Spawns rare dino variants with increased difficulty and guaranteed high-quality blueprint drops on kill. Makes the world feel more alive and rewards exploration.

**Marniimods: Wildlife** `1984936918`
Adds non-dinosaur animals to the world — owls and others, many with saddles. Fills out the ecosystem beyond the vanilla creature roster.

**The World Turtle** `936959483`
A massive tameable turtle that functions as a mobile base platform. More a novelty than a meta choice, but a strong server centerpiece.

---

### Utility & Defense

**Dino Tracker** `924933745`
A GPS-style device that lets you locate any of your tamed dinos on the map. Useful once your collection grows and dinos wander or get left at outposts.

**More Turrets and Turret Tools** `771785590`
Adds new defensive turret types beyond vanilla and a tool for auto-refilling ammo. Useful even on PvE servers for base defense against wild dinos.

---

### Fun

**Rideable Dodos** `502202937`
Exactly what it says.

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## Suggested Load Order

If using multiple mods, prioritize content mods before QoL mods:

```
GAME_MOD_IDS=1999447172,1609138312,751991809,1404697612,479929837,1984936918,936959483,1967741708,821530042,924933745,771785590,502202937
```

> Super Structures (1999447172) first. Adjust order if mod conflicts arise.