ATJ Resource Extractors
Grinding for resources is a core part of ARK: Survival Ascended, but it can quickly become a time sink that pulls you away from taming, building, and exploring. The ATJ Resource Extractors mod offers a clever solution by introducing custom resource veins and automated extractors that work passively over time. Unlike many other gatherer mods, this one doesn't let you set up a machine in your base. Instead, you must venture out into the world, find the special nodes, and place your extractors directly on them. This design encourages map exploration and adds a strategic layer reminiscent of Age of Empires-style harvesting.
How the Mod Works
To get started with ATJ Resource Extractors for ARK: Survival Ascended, you first need to craft an Extractor Crafting Station. This station becomes available once your survivor reaches level 52. From there, you can build the various drilling extractors that are required to tap into the resource veins scattered across the map. The mod currently supports veins for Metal, Pearl, Stone, and Wood, with more types promised in future updates. Each extractor is placed on a vein and will automatically produce items on a set tick rate, giving you a steady flow of materials without constant manual mining.
Placement and Strategy
One of the key differences in this mod is that extractors cannot be deployed inside your base. You are forced to travel to the veins themselves, which are found in specific locations throughout the island. This means you will need to defend your extractors from wild creatures and rival tribes, adding a risk-reward element to your resource gathering. The placement system encourages you to build small outposts or guard posts near your veins, creating a more dynamic and engaging survival experience.
For players looking to streamline their setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for ATJ Resource Extractors, ensuring that the mod and its dependencies are correctly configured for your server. This is particularly useful when you want to jump straight into testing the mod's features without dealing with manual file placement.
Configuration Options
The mod is fully configurable, allowing server administrators to fine-tune the harvesting experience. All values are set in the GameUserSettings.ini file under the [ATJResource] section. Here are the primary settings you can adjust:
- HarvestRate: The number of items you get per tick. For example, setting
MetalHarvestRate = 1gives one metal ingot per tick. - TickRate: How often a tick occurs, measured in seconds. A
WoodTickRate = 20means wood extractors produce items every 20 seconds. - NumAllowed: The maximum number of extractors of a specific type that a tribe can place. For instance,
PearlNumAllowed = 5allows five pearl extractors. - MaxExtractorsPerTribe: The total number of extractors of all types that a tribe can place. This is a global cap that works alongside the individual type limits.
It is important to note that all values must be whole numbers (integers). Decimal places like 1.05 will not work, so use clean numbers such as 1, 2, or 3. This configuration system gives you full control over the mod's balance, making it suitable for both casual and hardcore servers.
Admin Commands for Spawning Veins
If you want to add extra resource nodes to your map, you can use admin commands to spawn them manually. The available blueprint paths are:
ATJ_MetalVein_Base_BP_cATJ_PearlVein_Base_BP_cATJ_StoneVein_Base_BP_cATJ_WoodVein_Base_BP_c
Simply use the cheat summon command, such as cheat summon ATJ_MetalVein_Base_BP_c, to place a metal vein at your current location. This is a great way to create resource hotspots for your tribe or to test the mod's mechanics.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod is designed for ARK: Survival Ascended and works with the latest game updates. As with any mod, it is recommended to check for compatibility with other mods you are using, especially those that alter resource spawning or map generation. The mod is generally lightweight and should not cause performance issues on dedicated servers.
To download ATJ Resource Extractors, you can find it on the official mod platforms for ARK: Survival Ascended. The installation process is straightforward: subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop or your platform's mod manager, then activate it in your server's mod list. If you are using a third-party launcher, the foxygame.net launcher includes an add-on catalog that lists ATJ Resource Extractors, and it handles version compatibility automatically, so you don't have to worry about mismatched updates.
Final Thoughts
ATJ Resource Extractors offers a refreshing take on resource automation in ARK: Survival Ascended. By forcing you to leave your base and secure external nodes, it adds a new layer of strategy and world interaction. The configurable settings make it easy to tailor the mod to your preferred playstyle, whether you want a passive income of materials or a more challenging extraction process. If you're tired of the endless grind and want a more engaging way to gather resources, this mod is definitely worth trying. With clear admin commands and a simple setup, it's accessible to both new and experienced players alike.