ArKasa Cluster
If you play on a busy ARK: Survival Ascended server, you know the dread of logging in after a reboot only to find your carefully built base reduced to rubble. Many community servers run routine structure purges to keep the map clean and performance high, but that system can wipe out hours of work in an instant. The ArKasa Cluster add-on is a commissioned mod built specifically to solve this problem. It adds a placeable structure that flags your territory as protected, ensuring that any structure within its radius survives the next purge cycle. Instead of crossing your fingers before every restart, you can secure your builds with a clear, configurable system that works with the server's existing cleanup mechanics.
This mod is not about making your base invincible in combat. It is about surviving the administrative side of the game. Server purges are designed to remove abandoned or glitched structures, but they often catch active players in the crossfire. With ArKasa Cluster, you place a flag, set its size, and the purge system will ignore everything under its protection. It is a clean, fair solution that gives you peace of mind without unbalancing PvP or PvE gameplay.
How the Purge Protection Works
The core mechanic is simple. The mod introduces four flag tiers: Tiny, Small, Large, and Admin. Each flag covers a different radius, and you can place them around your base to create a protected zone. When the server runs its purge cycle, any structure inside a flag's area is skipped. Structures outside the flags are still subject to normal deletion rules. This means you can protect your main base, your resource outposts, or even a hidden stash without affecting the server's overall cleanup efforts.
The mod uses a .ini configuration file that server admins can tweak to match their needs. Key settings include:
- ItemsIgnoreDestruction: A comma-delimited list of item IDs that will never be purged, regardless of their position or age.
- TimeOutsideFlagsBeforeDestroySeconds: The grace period (default 604800 seconds, or 7 days) before an unprotected structure is removed.
- DisableFlags: A master switch. If set to true, no purge occurs at all.
- MaxTinyFlagsPerTribe, MaxSmallFlagsPerTribe, MaxLargeFlagsPerTribe: Limits on how many of each flag type a single tribe can place.
- MaxTotalFlagsPerTribe: The total cap across all flag sizes. Set to -1 for unlimited.
- FlagSizeTiny, FlagSizeSmall, FlagSizeLarge: The radius in units for each tier.
- DiscordWebhookUrl: A webhook URL to receive detailed purge logs. Wrap the URL in quotes in the config file.
There are also damage control options like NoDamageOnAdminFlags and SafeBaseAdminFlags, which let admins create invulnerable zones for events or official builds. The DisableStructurePrevention settings are particularly interesting. By default, the flag does not stop enemies from building inside your protected field, but it also does not protect their structures. If you enable this feature, enemies cannot place structures in the field at all, which is great for defense but can interfere with Vacuum Compartments and other underwater building pieces. Admins should test this setting carefully before enabling it on a live server.
Installation and Configuration
Getting the mod running is straightforward. To download ArKasa Cluster, head to the mod page on the official ARK: Survival Ascended mod database or use a compatible mod manager. The mod is a client-side and server-side install, so both the host and the players need to subscribe to it. Once it is active, you will see the new engrams in your crafting menu: EngramEntry_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Large_C, EngramEntry_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Small_C, and EngramEntry_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Tiny_C. The Admin version is typically spawned directly by server admins.
For players, how to install is as simple as adding the mod to your server's mod list and restarting. After that, you can craft the flags using the standard structure requirements. For server owners, the configuration file is named ArkAsaBaseProtection.ini and sits in your server's Saved/Config/WindowsServer folder. You will need to edit it to set your desired flag limits and purge timers. The mod supports the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended, and it is compatible with most other structure mods since it does not alter core building mechanics. It works alongside popular QoL mods, though you should always test new combinations on a private test server first to avoid conflicts.
If you are looking for a hassle-free way to manage your mods, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for ArKasa Cluster for ARK: Survival Ascended. The launcher's integrated add-on catalog lets you browse, install, and update the mod without leaving the app, and it automatically checks version compatibility so you never run into a mismatch after a game update.
Spawn Codes and Practical Use
For testing or admin purposes, you can spawn the flags directly using console commands. The spawn codes are as follows:
- Admin Flag:
cheat giveitem "/ArkAsaBaseProtection/Structures/Admin/PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Admin.PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Admin" 1 0 0 - Large Flag:
cheat giveitem "/ArkAsaBaseProtection/Structures/Large/PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Large.PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Large" 1 0 0 - Small Flag:
cheat giveitem "/ArkAsaBaseProtection/Structures/Small/PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Small.PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Small" 1 0 0 - Tiny Flag:
cheat giveitem "/ArkAsaBaseProtection/Structures/Tiny/PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Tiny.PrimalItemStructure_ArkAsaBaseProtection_Tiny" 1 0 0
When placing flags, remember that the MaxTotalFlagsPerTribe setting applies to the sum of all sizes. A tribe with a limit of 2 cannot place one Tiny and one Large flag; they must choose which combination fits their needs. The MinimumDistanceOverride setting allows you to control how close flags can be to each other, which is useful for preventing overlapping protection fields that could cause performance issues.
In practice, most tribes use a single Large flag to cover their main compound and a Tiny flag for a remote resource shack. The flags are visible in the world, so other players can see that an area is protected. This transparency helps reduce disputes on PvE servers, as everyone knows which structures are exempt from the purge cycle. On PvP servers, the flags themselves can be destroyed, but the protection remains active until the flag is gone, so you still need to defend your territory from raiders.
The ArKasa Cluster mod is a must-have for any serious ARK: Survival Ascended community server that runs regular purges. It shifts the focus from frantic rebuilding to strategic planning, letting you decide exactly what gets saved and what gets cleaned up. Whether you are a solo player protecting a single hut or a large tribe managing multiple outposts, the flexible flag system gives you control over your digital footprint on the island.
Finally, remember that the mod's default configuration has DisableFlags set to true, which means no purge will occur at all until an admin changes it. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental wipes during the initial setup. Once you have configured your flags and tested the timers, flip that setting to false and let the system run. With a little tuning, you will have a server that stays clean and performant without sacrificing the hard work of your active player base.
In conclusion, ArKasa Cluster bridges the gap between server maintenance and player retention. It is a simple, elegant tool that respects the need for cleanup while protecting the investments of dedicated survivors. Download it today, configure your flags, and never lose a base to a routine reboot again.