Chibi HLNA
If you spent countless hours in ARK: Survival Evolved with the ever-chatty HLNA companion, you know exactly how lonely the Island can feel without her. The good news? She is back, and she has never been more useful. The Chibi HLNA mod for ARK: Survival Ascended brings a familiar face to your singleplayer adventures, but this is not the same HLNA you remember from Genesis. This version has been dramatically altered, stripped of the bloat, and rebuilt around features that actually matter for solo players.
This mod is a love letter to the EVO singleplayer days, where having a companion that reacts to your every move made the world feel alive. Chibi HLNA retains that personality, making witty remarks about everything from your tames to your questionable fertilizer production. But beneath the charm lies a toolkit that changes how you play the game entirely.
What Makes Chibi HLNA Different?
The original HLNA was tied to the Hexagon shop and mission systems, which made her feel more like a menu than a companion. The Chibi HLNA for ARK: Survival Ascended removes all of that. No more Hexagon shop, no more mission tracking, and no more verbose reaction settings. Instead, you get a streamlined, overpowered entity that is late-game only, meaning you have to earn her trust and power.
The mod author has been clear about the philosophy: this is a singleplayer-focused companion. While version 3 introduced more sophisticated actor calls for server functionality, the core experience is designed for solo play or non-dedicated LAN sessions. If you are looking for a multiplayer-focused mod, this might not be your first choice, but for the lone survivor, it is a game-changer.
Core Features That Redefine Gameplay
Chibi HLNA comes packed with a multi-use interaction wheel that gives you access to abilities that feel almost like cheating, in the best possible way. Here is what you get:
- Thermal Vision: A direct copy of the Owl's thermal sight, but better. Activate it with a keypress combo, and you will see heat signatures through walls and foliage. Version 3 added a heat gradient post-process effect and a wheel-based toggle. Note that this will not work in spectator mode or Photo Mode.
- Night Vision (TEK): A customized version of the TEK-tier Night Vision, available at level 107. Toggle it via the interaction wheel or with the Alt+PageDown hotkey. No other prerequisites are needed, making it a fantastic tool for cave exploration.
- Force Tame: This is the headline feature. If you have enough Element in your inventory, you can force tame any knocked-out creature. The Element cost is calculated based on the target's level divided by the ElementDivTame float variable in the .ini file. You need to be within 1000 units of the target for the dialogue to appear. All Element in your inventory is consumed on success, so plan accordingly.
- Maximize Level: Once a creature is tamed, you can maximize its level if Chibi HLNA has Element in her inventory. This is perfect for breeding lines or just making your favorite dino an absolute monster.
- Target Scan: The extended info scan works in "classical" mode and includes a Target Tooltip, giving you the same quick info as a Magnifying Glass. The toggle key defaults to "T" and only works when you have a target in your Spyglass or while aiming.
One of the most interesting additions is that Chibi HLNA is now a proper Chibi pet. This means she provides the standard 5 (or 10) additional levels once you reach level 105, just like any other Chibi. However, unlike normal Chibis, she can be leveled alongside the player. Alpha kills are not required, which is a refreshing change for those who hate grinding for Chibi levels.
Inventory and Customization
Chibi HLNA has her own custom inventory, but there is a catch. The mod author was unable to replicate inventory persistence for non-actor or structure-based objects in the DevKit. This means any items you place in her inventory will be gone when you load a savegame. It is a hardcoded limitation, so do not store your precious resources there. Instead, use it for temporary buffs or skins that you plan to apply immediately.
The default carry weight is 1000.0, and the spoil timer is set to 0.5, meaning items spoil faster due to her "radiation effect." This is a balancing mechanic that prevents you from using her as a storage box. Future versions will likely add more .ini settings once the mod leaves BETA, so keep an eye on updates.
INI Configuration and Version Compatibility
For those who love tweaking their game, Chibi HLNA offers several .ini settings. The ElementDivTame variable is the most important one, as it directly affects the Element cost for force taming. The default value is -1, which means infinite, but any value of 0 or less is treated the same. If you want a challenge, set it to something like 10 or 20. The mod also includes a customizable key for the Target Tooltip, which defaults to "T".
Please note that for Rev24, the way the .ini is set up has slightly changed. If you are updating from an older version, you might want to check if your .ini specifics are not messed up. This is a common issue with active mods, and the author has flagged it clearly. The mod supports the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended, but as with any mod, you should always verify compatibility after major game updates.
If you are looking for a hassle-free way to manage your mods, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Chibi HLNA. The launcher maintains an add-on catalog that tracks version compatibility, so you will know immediately if a game update breaks something. It also handles auto-updates, ensuring you always have the latest revision of Chibi HLNA without manually downloading files. This is particularly useful for a mod that sees frequent updates, as the author is actively patching issues and adding new features.
Known Quirks and Limitations
No mod is perfect, and Chibi HLNA has a few quirks you should be aware of. First, when you set a Point of Interest (POI) or add a manual map marker, Chibi HLNA will stop responding to your inquiries. This is not a bug; it is intended behavior. The POI component is deeply entangled with the root HLNA behavior, and the author has decided not to fix it because it would likely break other things. Just remember to clear your map markers if you want her attention back.
Second, some creatures cannot be force tamed on the first try. Creatures with special taming customizations, like the Pegomastax, may require a second attempt. The mod reroutes the force taming process to "bake" properly, and the engine handles this so efficiently that you will not even notice it happening twice. However, custom third-party mod dinos might be affected. If you find a creature that does not work, leave a comment on the mod page to help the author patch it.
Third, the Thermal Vision toggle will not work in spectator mode or Photo Mode. This is a minor inconvenience, but it is worth knowing if you like taking screenshots with your thermal vision active.
Is Chibi HLNA Worth It?
Absolutely. If you play singleplayer or on a private server with friends, Chibi HLNA is one of the most impactful companion mods available for ARK: Survival Ascended. The force tame feature alone saves you hours of tedious knockout and feeding routines, especially for high-level creatures. The thermal and night vision abilities make cave exploration and night-time travel significantly safer. And having a Chibi that levels with you is a nice bonus that makes her feel like a true partner rather than a cosmetic accessory.
The mod is also TOS-compliant. The author has explicitly contacted Studio Wildcard support and confirmed that importing assets from the ASE DevKit is permitted for ASA mods, with the only exception being official DLC maps. So you can download Chibi HLNA with confidence, knowing it will not get you banned.
In conclusion, Chibi HLNA for ARK: Survival Ascended is a must-have for solo survivors who want a companion that is both charming and genuinely useful. She is not the same HLNA you remember, but that is exactly what makes her so good. The mod strips away the unnecessary systems and replaces them with tools that respect your time and enhance your adventures. Whether you are force taming a Giga or just enjoying her snarky commentary, Chibi HLNA is a welcome addition to any singleplayer world.