Better Bob's Tall Tales
If you have spent any time with the Steampunk Automaton Sir-5RM8 or the massive Zeppelin in ARK: Survival Ascended, you know that while these Bob's Tall Tales additions are visually stunning, they can feel a bit underwhelming in practical terms. The vanilla weight limits are restrictive, the spoil timers are punishing, and the lack of radiation immunity in the endgame zones is a constant headache. That is where Better Bob's Tall Tales steps in. This mod is a comprehensive overhaul that transforms these late-game structures into the powerhouse tools they were always meant to be, without completely breaking the game's balance.
What Does Better Bob's Tall Tales Change?
This mod is not a total conversion; it is a surgical strike against the most annoying limitations of the Bob's Tall Tales content. It focuses on making the automaton and the airship viable for serious base operations and exploration. The changes are substantial but feel natural, as if the developers intended the stats to be this way from the start. For players who rely on these structures for resource runs or as mobile bases, the difference is night and day.
Sir-5RM8 Automaton Enhancements
The most immediate change you will notice is the carrying capacity. The vanilla Sir-5RM8 has a weight limit of 500, which is laughably small for a giant robot. Better Bob's Tall Tales boosts this to a massive 2000. This is paired with a 25% reduction in the weight of all items stored within its inventory, effectively giving you an even larger effective carry weight. Furthermore, the mod increases the item spoil time by a factor of six, meaning your prime meat and organic polymer will last significantly longer during long expeditions. It also hides the "level 1" tag from creature names, cleaning up your UI, and grants the automaton radiation immunity, making him a safe companion in the radioactive zones of the Island or Scorched Earth.
Zeppelin Overhaul and Utility
The Zeppelin receives a similar treatment. Its weight capacity is increased from 1800 to a staggering 6000, turning it into a true cargo hauler. The sprint speed is also tweaked from a sluggish 1.2 to a much more respectable 3.3, allowing you to reposition your airbase quickly. Like the automaton, the Zeppelin gains radiation immunity, though the mod notes that this buff may take 10-25 seconds to register after building it outside a radiation zone. This makes it the perfect platform for setting up forward operating bases in dangerous areas.
New Structures and Stations
Beyond stat tweaks, Better Bob's Tall Tales introduces new buildable structures that expand your genetic and defensive capabilities. These are not simple reskins; they offer distinct mechanical advantages over their vanilla counterparts.
Genetic Infuser Station and Embryo Incubator
The Genetic Infuser Station is a reworked version of the Gene Storage structure. To craft it, you must first unlock the original engram, and it is built at a vanilla fabricator under the "BBTT" folder. This station can hold far more traits than the original, making it essential for breeders looking to consolidate powerful mutations. Additionally, the Embryo Incubator now displays ALL stats in the item description of embryos inside its inventory, giving you precise information without needing to hatch them first. This is a game-changer for anyone serious about stat breeding.
The BBTT Tesla Coil
This is not your standard Tesla Coil. The BBTT variant adds a "Concussive Mode" that you can switch to when placing the vanilla BTT structure. This mode uses a hefty crystal cost (default 40 per shot) to deal increasing torpor damage. Crucially, it works on Yi Lings and Karkinos, but it does not bounce to multiple targets. You can also toggle the coil to only target awake creatures, preventing wasted shots on sleeping ones. This provides a powerful, if expensive, defensive option for your base perimeter.
Installation and Configuration
If you are ready to upgrade your game, you will need to know how to install this mod. The process is straightforward. You can easily download Better Bob's Tall Tales from the Steam Workshop. For those using a server, the mod is highly configurable via .ini settings. You can disable specific features like the Genetic Infuser Station or tweak the Tesla Coil's ammo costs and torpor multipliers. There are also console commands available to adjust the weight of your Helper Bot or Zeppelin on the fly, such as cheat scriptcommand BetterBobs HelperBot Weight 20000.
When managing your mod list, the launcher's add-on catalog simplifies the process. If you are using a third-party launcher like the one available on foxygame.net, you can often find Better Bob's Tall Tales for ARK: Survival Ascended listed directly in their catalog. This launcher offers one-click install functionality, which bypasses the manual file dragging and ensures that the mod version matches your game client. It also handles auto-updates, so you do not have to worry about the mod breaking after a patch. This is particularly useful for a mod that is still being actively tweaked, as the developer is constantly adjusting values and fixing tooltips.
Compatibility and Final Thoughts
It is important to note that this mod does not replace Sir-5RM8 or the Zeppelin. Instead, it applies buffs to them. This means that if you remove the mod, the buffs will simply disappear, and your structures will revert to their vanilla stats. You may need to pick up and resummon Sir-5RM8 to ensure the proper buff is applied. The mod is designed to work with the current versions of ARK: Survival Ascended and is generally compatible with other mods that do not alter the same structures. However, if you use a mod that heavily edits the Gene Storage or Tesla Coil engrams, you may encounter conflicts. Always check the mod page for the latest compatibility notes.
Ultimately, Better Bob's Tall Tales is a quality-of-life mod that respects your time. It removes the tedium of managing inventory space and spoilage, allowing you to focus on the adventure. The new defensive and breeding tools add depth without bloating the gameplay. If you have invested in the Bob's Tall Tales DLC, this mod is a no-brainer addition to your load order.