Barrett's Better Troughs
Feeding a massive army of tames in ARK: Survival Ascended is one of the most tedious chores in the game. Standard troughs have a pitiful range, limited inventory, and often require a constant supply of gasoline or electricity to keep food fresh. If you have ever logged in to find your entire base's carnivores starving because a trough ran dry or spoiled, you know the pain. Barrett's Better Troughs is the definitive solution to this problem, offering a complete rebalance of the vanilla trough system that will save you time, resources, and countless headaches.
Why Your Tribe Needs This Mod
This isn't just a simple stat boost. Barrett's Better Troughs for ARK: Survival Ascended fundamentally changes how you manage food logistics. The mod introduces a single, superior trough that replaces the need for multiple structures scattered around your base. It is designed for players who want to spend less time farming meat and more time actually playing the game, whether that is raiding, building, or breeding.
Massive Range and Capacity
The most immediate benefit is the sheer scale of the upgrade. The modded trough boasts 10 times the range of a standard trough. This means one single unit can cover an entire large base, a sprawling breeding pen, or a massive dino garage. You will no longer need to place a dozen troughs just to ensure every creature in a radius gets fed.
Furthermore, it comes with a staggering 500 inventory slots, with additional dedicated slots for spoiled meat. This allows you to stack it full to the brim with food for your pets. You can load up thousands of berries and raw meat in one go, ensuring your tames are fed for days or even weeks, depending on your consumption rate.
No Power, No Problem
One of the standout features is that the trough refrigerates food without requiring any power. The vanilla Tek Trough requires a constant source of electricity to function, which can be a massive drain on your generators or a hassle to set up with cables. This mod eliminates that dependency entirely. The built-in refrigeration slows spoilage significantly, keeping your meat and berries fresh for much longer, even in the hottest biomes.
Crafting and Unlock Requirements
Getting your hands on this incredible structure is surprisingly easy, especially compared to the Tek Tier. The engram is unlocked for 0 engram points at level 50. This makes it accessible to mid-game players who are starting to build up their herds.
Unlike many mods that require you to gather rare resources, the crafting recipe is balanced to cost the same as a vanilla Tek Trough. Crucially, it can be crafted directly in your inventory, so you do not need to be standing near a Smithy or Fabricator. This makes it incredibly convenient to craft and place on the go, perfect for setting up forward bases or feeding stations.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod is designed to work seamlessly with the current builds of ARK: Survival Ascended. It is generally compatible with most QoL mods and stack mods, though it is always wise to check the mod page for specific load order suggestions. The mod does not alter core game files, making it safe for dedicated servers and single-player worlds alike.
How to Install
If you are wondering how to install this mod, the process is straightforward. You can subscribe to it directly via the Steam Workshop for your game client. Once subscribed, you simply activate it in your mod list when launching the game or setting up your server.
For those managing a server, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list. The process is identical to adding any other mod. If you are using a server provider, you can usually do this through their control panel. Alternatively, if you are looking for a streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a fantastic add-on catalog that lets you manage Barrett's Better Troughs and other essential mods with a simple one-click install, ensuring version compatibility is handled automatically. This is a great way to avoid manual file editing and get straight into the game.
To download Barrett's Better Troughs, simply search for it in the Steam Workshop or your preferred mod manager. Once installed, you will find the new engram available at level 50. It is a game-changer for anyone who breeds dinosaurs or maintains a large menagerie.
Final Thoughts
In the world of ARK: Survival Ascended, efficiency is survival. Barrett's Better Troughs removes one of the most annoying logistical burdens from the game. The combination of massive range, huge storage, and power-free refrigeration makes it an essential addition to any serious player's mod list. It is free to use, easy to craft, and incredibly effective. If you are tired of micromanaging feeding troughs, this is the mod for you. Download it today and give your tames the reliable food source they deserve.