Additional Building Pieces
If you have ever spent hours in ARK: Survival Ascended trying to make a base feel like a real home rather than a collection of boxes, you know the struggle. The vanilla structure tiers are functional, but they often lack the granularity needed for detailed architectural work. This is where the Additional Building Pieces mod steps in. It does not overhaul the game or add overpowered new tiers; instead, it smartly fills the gaps in the existing building system, giving you more options without breaking the game's balance.
What Does This Mod Actually Add?
The core philosophy behind Additional Building Pieces for ARK: Survival Ascended is simple: enhance what is already there. You will not find futuristic materials or alien tech here. Instead, the mod focuses on creating new pieces that belong in the same visual and functional family as the base game structures. This means your builds will look cohesive, but with far more versatility.
New Door Options
One of the most requested additions in any survival builder's toolkit is a proper cellar door. This mod delivers with two distinct options:
- Medium Cellar Doors (2x2): Perfect for creating underground entrances, hidden storage rooms, or simply a grander entryway that does not require a massive gateway.
- Sloped Cellar Doors (1x1 Variants): Ideal for hillside bases or creating smooth transitions between different elevation levels of your compound.
These are not just cosmetic either. They function as proper doors, providing the same level of security as their vanilla counterparts.
Building Kits: A New Way to Construct
Perhaps the most innovative feature is the introduction of Building Kits. This system changes how you approach large-scale construction. Instead of placing dozens of individual walls and ceilings, you can now place a single kit that represents a larger section of a structure.
The trade-off is simple: bigger sizes require and consume more items when placing the structure. However, you are not penalized for experimentation. When you pick up or demolish a structure built from a kit, the additional items and resources are returned to you. This makes it much easier to plan out large projects without wasting materials on trial and error.
Variable-Sized Tree Platforms
Tree platforms are a staple for players who want to live above the dangers of the ground. However, the vanilla versions are often too large or too small for the specific tree you have in mind. This mod adds Building kits for wood, stone, and metal tree platforms in four distinct sizes:
- Small (50%): For tight clusters of trees or a minimalist treehouse.
- Medium (75%): A good middle ground for most situations.
- Large (100%): Matches the size of the vanilla platforms.
- Massive (125%): For those who want to build a sprawling sky-city.
These engrams are available at the same level as their vanilla counterparts, ensuring you do not have to grind extra levels just to use them.
Compatibility with Bob's Tall Tales
If you own the Bob's Tall Tales DLC, you will be pleased to know that this mod includes custom versions of the three structure skins from that expansion. This ensures that the new building pieces are compatible with those visual styles. Please note that you still need to own Bob's Tall Tales to craft these skins; the mod simply makes them work with the new pieces.
Understanding Mod Skin Limitations
It is important to have realistic expectations regarding structure skins from other mods. Because the pieces added by this mod are essentially new "categories" of structures, other mods' structure skins may not recognize them as valid targets. This is a technical limitation of how the game engine handles skin application, not a flaw in this mod's design. If you rely heavily on specific skin mods, you may want to test compatibility before committing to a large build.
For those looking to get started, the process is straightforward. You can download Additional Building Pieces from the usual mod repositories. To ensure you get the correct version, always check that the mod is listed as compatible with your current game build. The mod page provides clear instructions on how to install, but the general rule is to subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop and ensure it is enabled in your server's mod list.
When you are ready to expand your arsenal, a convenient way to manage your mods is through the foxygame.net launcher. This launcher simplifies the entire process, allowing you to download and install Additional Building Pieces with a single click, and its integrated add-on catalog makes it easy to find and manage other essential mods for your server.
Installation and Version Support
Keeping your mods updated is crucial for stability. The mod is designed to work with the current live version of ARK: Survival Ascended. As the game receives patches, the mod author is diligent about updating the mod to prevent conflicts. The foxygame.net launcher also offers auto-update features, ensuring that your copy of Additional Building Pieces for ARK: Survival Ascended remains compatible with the latest game version without requiring manual intervention.
Planned Content and Community Feedback
The mod is actively developed, with more pieces planned for the future. The author has mentioned working on additions such as 1/3 height walls, which are the same height as railings. This will allow for even finer detail in your builds. However, there is no ETA for these features due to work on other projects. If you want to stay up to date or report a bug, joining the mod's official Discord is the best way to get involved.
Final Thoughts
Additional Building Pieces is a must-have for any serious architect in ARK: Survival Ascended. It respects the game's balance while providing the tools needed to elevate your builds from functional to spectacular. Whether you are creating a hidden cellar, a massive treehouse, or a sprawling fortress, this mod gives you the flexibility to do it with style. Download it today and see what a difference the right pieces can make.