AmmoCooker
If you run a PVP server in ARK: Survival Ascended, you know the pain of managing turret ammo. The grind is real: smelting metal, mixing gunpowder, and babysitting a Fabricator that can barely keep up with your tribe's defense needs. Enter AmmoCooker, a single-structure mod that finally consolidates the entire ammunition production line into one lag-friendly, server-conscious machine. Out of beta and fully functional, this mod is a game-changer for both server admins and large tribes who need bullets at scale without melting their server's CPU.
What Exactly Is AmmoCooker?
AmmoCooker is a standalone mod that adds one structure: the AmmoCooker itself. Craftable in both the Fabricator and the Replicator, this device is a combined Industrial Forge, Chemistry Bench, and Fabricator, but with a laser focus—it only produces bullets for turrets. No more hopping between three different stations to get your ammo line running. The structure is designed to act like a simple cooker in terms of server load, meaning it is incredibly lag friendly, even when running at maximum capacity.
This mod is perfect for PVP servers where ammo demands are constant and high. It respects server resources, making it a top-tier choice for admins who want to keep their tick rate stable while allowing players to defend their bases effectively. The engram for the AmmoCooker unlocks at level 107, and the structure itself requires a solid investment of resources to build, ensuring it remains a late-game reward.
Key Features and Configurable Multipliers
The true power of AmmoCooker lies in its deep configuration options. Server admins can tweak almost every aspect of the crafting process to balance their server's economy and performance. Here are the core adjustable variables found in the mod's .ini settings:
- CraftingSpeedMultiplier: Adjust how fast the cooker produces ammo. Default is set to 4x, but you can crank it up for instant gratification or lower it for a more hardcore experience.
- CraftingRecipeResourcesRequired: This multiplier scales the cost of each recipe. Set it to 10, and recipes become 10 times more expensive, forcing players to gather more raw materials for the same output.
- CraftingRecipeOutputMultiplier: Control the output yield. The default setting gives a 20% bonus output, meaning you get more bullets per craft than a standard Fabricator. Crank this up to 12 to simulate crafting the same recipe 12 times in a single go.
For example, with the recipe size multiplier cranked up to 1000, a single craft will consume 9,000 gunpowder and 1,000 metal ingots to produce 2,000 bullets. This drastically reduces the number of individual crafting actions needed, which in turn reduces server lag significantly. It is a brilliant system for high-volume production.
Installation and Compatibility
Getting AmmoCooker up and running is straightforward. The mod is update-safe and will never interfere with official game patches. It is compatible with any other mod as long as that mod leaves the Fabricator or Replicator in the game, as the AmmoCooker requires these to be crafted initially. It has no dependencies, making it a simple plug-and-play addition to your mod list.
To get started, you need to know how to install the mod properly. Simply subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop for ARK: Survival Ascended and add it to your server's active mod list. Once loaded, the engram will appear, and players can begin crafting their cooker. For players using the foxygame.net launcher, the process is even smoother; the launcher's add-on catalog allows for a one-click install of AmmoCooker for ARK: Survival Ascended, ensuring version compatibility and auto-updates without manual file management.
Known Issues and Stack Mods
While AmmoCooker is robust, there is one known issue: it has trouble with certain stack mods that do not create child classes for resources. If you use a stack mod that modifies gunpowder or sparkpowder directly, you may encounter crafting issues. The developer provides a workaround using ConfigOverrideItemMaxQuantity commands for child items like RES_SparkPowder_Child_C and RES_GunPowder_Child_C. By setting these to 1000 and advanced rifle bullets to 500, you can bypass the conflict and ensure smooth operation.
Why Choose AmmoCooker for Your Server?
In the world of ARK: Survival Ascended, performance is king. A server that lags during a raid is a server that loses players. AmmoCooker addresses this by streamlining the most resource-intensive crafting loop in the game. By combining three machines into one and allowing massive recipe batches, it reduces the number of active crafting entities and the constant inventory polling that causes lag.
Furthermore, the adjustable output multiplier gives admins a powerful economy tool. You can make bullets scarce or abundant with a simple config change. This flexibility makes AmmoCooker a must-have for any serious PVP cluster. Whether you are running a small private server with friends or a large public community, this mod delivers the performance and convenience needed to keep the action going.
Final Thoughts
AmmoCooker is a masterclass in mod design. It solves a specific problem—ammo crafting lag—with an elegant, configurable solution. It is easy to install, safe to update, and works with the vast majority of other mods. If you are tired of the ammo grind and want to get back to the fight, this is the mod for you. The days of juggling forges and chem benches are over. Download AmmoCooker today and transform your PVP base into a bullet factory that runs smoother than ever.