Applez island map extension
Survivors on The Island have long faced a brutal truth: the best cave spots are either impossible to defend or clogged with foliage that hides enemy players and wild creatures. The Applez island map extension changes that dynamic completely. This add-on reworks seven major cave systems and introduces a brand-new Herbivore Island cave, all designed to give you cleaner sightlines, stronger choke points, and a genuine tactical edge. Whether you are a solo player looking for a safe stash or a tribe leader planning a mega-base, this extension delivers meaningful map improvements without overhauling the entire island.
What Does the Applez island map extension Add?
This is not a simple texture pack. The creator, applez, has gone through each cave with a fine-tooth comb, removing obstructive foliage, repositioning rocks, and sealing off alternate entrances. The result is a set of defensive positions that actually work. Below is a breakdown of every cave included in the current release.
Hunter Cave
Using the teleport command setplayerpos 28874 241334 -13284 97.90 -5.10, you will find a cave stripped of all interior foliage. The rocks that once broke line-of-sight are gone, replaced by open corridors that funnel enemies directly into your turret range. This is now one of the most straightforward defensive caves on the map.
Pack Cave
Teleport to setplayerpos 49133 147404 -13837 -63.41 5.21 to see the Pack Cave rework. The developer removed a significant amount of rocks and trees, opening up the interior for larger structures. You can now fit a proper base with multiple layers of walls without fighting the terrain.
Lava Cave
The Lava Cave at setplayerpos 289619 165498 -13872 -134.96 -13.81 has received a major safety and defense pass. Most of the lava pools are closed off, several entrances are sealed, and a bunch of rocks were removed. This makes the cave far less punishing to navigate while turning it into a fortress with only one or two viable entry points.
Clever Cave
At setplayerpos -23869 -67502 489 3.95 -15.45, the Clever Cave now features removed foliage, cleared rocks, and some newly added rocks that create natural cover. It is a balanced mix of open space and defensive hardpoints, ideal for mid-sized tribes.
Ice Cave
The Ice Cave at setplayerpos -143245 -163357 668 -125.90 -12.63 was resized in its exterior 6x area. The small room is cleared of rocks, and the hanging rocks that used to block movement are gone. The front and left side of the main wall are closed off, and several large pillars were removed, giving you a clean, defensible perimeter.
Carno Cave
Teleport to setplayerpos 284343 -282045 -13278 157.11 -2.48 for the Carno Cave. Foliage and some rocks are removed, and a new platform has been added. The 6x outside area is also cleared, making it easier to spot incoming threats from a distance.
Easy and Hard Underwater Caves
The Easy Underwater Cave at setplayerpos -316896 29024 -40741 59.87 5.24 has had its foliage and rocks removed, and the back room entrance is sealed off. The Hard Underwater Cave at setplayerpos 318086 -33748 -30191 173.76 -1.52 features removed foliage and a new plateau right after you enter the big room, giving you an immediate high-ground advantage.
Brand New Herbivore Island Cave
Perhaps the most exciting addition is the new Herbivore Island Cave. This is a drop-down cave with a 3x multiplier that can be adjusted in your GameUserSettings.INI file. It offers a fresh farming and base location that was previously unavailable. The flexibility to change the multiplier makes it useful for both casual and hardcore settings.
How to Install Applez island map extension for ARK: Survival Ascended
Getting this add-on running is straightforward. For single-player, simply download the mod from your preferred mod manager and enable it in your save. For dedicated servers, add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart. If you are unsure how to install, the process is identical to any other ARK: Survival Ascended mod: subscribe, restart, and enable.
For those who want a smoother experience, the foxygame.net launcher provides a one-click install for Applez island map extension for ARK: Survival Ascended, automatically handling version checks so you never run into a mismatch after a game update. It is a handy tool if you manage multiple mods or play on several servers.
Version Compatibility and Mod Support
This add-on is built for the current generation of ARK: Survival Ascended and works with the standard Steam and Windows Store versions. It is free to use on single-player, and the author has included a pop-up message for server players clarifying that the server does not pay for the mod. You can simply close that message and continue playing with no restrictions. The mod does not require any other dependencies, though it works well alongside QoL mods that alter building mechanics or stack sizes.
Final Thoughts on the Map Extension
The Applez island map extension is a practical, no-nonsense upgrade for anyone who values base security. By cleaning up the worst offenders in cave clutter and sealing off surprise entrances, it makes The Island's best locations viable again. The new Herbivore Island cave adds a fresh farming spot, and the adjustable multiplier is a nice touch for server admins. If you are tired of losing bases to sneaky players hiding in bushes, this is the mod you need. Check the official Discord for screenshots of all changes, and get ready to fortify your position.