Cryptid Hollow Base Protection
Routine server purges are a fact of life on many ARK: Survival Ascended clusters, especially those with heavy structure limits. One moment your meticulously crafted base is standing tall, and the next, a server reboot wipes out everything that hasn't been explicitly marked as protected. For players on the Cryptid Hollow Cluster, this constant threat was a major pain point. That's exactly why the Cryptid Hollow Base Protection add-on was commissioned. This isn't just another structure mod; it's a dedicated purge-management system that puts the safety of your builds squarely in your hands.
Instead of relying on a global "auto-protect" rule, this mod introduces a set of placeable, physical flags. You decide what gets spared and what is left to the purge. This level of control is a game-changer for tribes that want to maintain a small footprint while ensuring their main bases and key outposts remain untouched during routine maintenance cycles. It shifts the power dynamic from server admin discretion to player strategy.
Understanding the Flag System
The core mechanic revolves around four distinct flag sizes, each designed for different base layouts. You have Tiny, Small, Large, and an Admin variant. Each flag projects a field of protection, and the size of that field scales with the flag type. For example, a Tiny flag offers a 3000-unit radius, while a Large flag covers a 9000-unit radius. The Admin flag, which is typically reserved for server admins, can cover up to 30,000 units and can be configured to take no damage, making it perfect for protected community hubs or arena structures.
What makes this system so robust is the configuration. Server owners can set specific limits on how many flags a single tribe can place. The default configs allow for one flag per size category per tribe, but these values are fully adjustable. You can set MaxTinyFlagsPerTribe=1, MaxSmallFlagsPerTribe=1, and MaxLargeFlagsPerTribe=1, or you can open the floodgates with MaxTotalFlagsPerTribe=-1 for an infinite number of flags. This ensures that the mod scales perfectly for small PvE servers or massive PvP clusters.
Key Config Options for Server Owners
If you are running a server, the [CryptidHollowBaseProtection] config section is your command center. One of the most critical settings is ItemsIgnoreDestruction. This is a comma-delimited list of item paths that will be completely immune to the purge, regardless of their position or age. This is perfect for protecting vital infrastructure like Tek Replicators or dedicated storage boxes that might otherwise be caught in the blast radius of a flag's edge.
Another powerful feature is the TimeOutsideFlagsBeforeDestroySeconds setting. Set to 604800 seconds (one week) by default, this gives players a grace period. If they build something outside a flag's protection zone, they have a full week to either move it or place a new flag before the purge claims it. This prevents accidental destruction from a quick base expansion right before a server restart. The DisableFlags option is a simple kill switch; set it to true to temporarily disable all purges without deleting the mod.
Protection vs. Prevention: A Critical Distinction
It's essential to understand that the flag's primary job is to protect your structures from the purge. By default, the field does not prevent enemy players from building inside your protected zone. This is a deliberate design choice to avoid interfering with other mods, particularly Vacuum Chambers. However, the config options FlagTinyDisableStructurePrevention, FlagSmallDisableStructurePrevention, and FlagLargeDisableStructurePrevention exist for server admins who want to create a truly impenetrable bubble.
When enabled, these settings prevent enemies from placing foundations or walls within your flag's radius. While this sounds fantastic on paper, it has unintended consequences. Specifically, it can block the placement of Vac Chambers and other essential utility structures. If you run a modded server with those items, it's often safer to leave this feature disabled and rely on the purge cycle to clear out any enemy structures that get too close. Remember, even if an enemy builds inside your flag's radius, their structures are not protected by your flag and will be destroyed on the next purge cycle.
Installation and Compatibility
Getting started is straightforward. To download Cryptid Hollow Base Protection, simply subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop. For those using a mod manager, the process is just as simple. Once downloaded, you'll need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart the server. If you are looking for a more streamlined approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Cryptid Hollow Base Protection, ensuring that the correct version is always deployed without manual file management. This launcher is particularly handy for cluster admins who need to push updates across multiple servers simultaneously.
This mod is built specifically for ARK: Survival Ascended and is fully compatible with the current version of the game. It does not rely on any external dependencies, so it works seamlessly alongside other popular mods like structure packs, QoL improvements, or Dino overhauls. The mod is lightweight and does not add any significant server load, making it safe to run on both dedicated hardware and rented server providers. For players, the spawn codes are included in the mod description, allowing you to cheat the items in for single-player testing. The engrams are also available to unlock in the Tek tier, ensuring survival progression is respected.
How to Install and Spawn the Flags
If you are wondering how to install this on a single-player game, the process is identical to any other mod. After subscribing, you must enable it in the mod list before loading your save. Once in-game, you can use the admin command cheat giveitem followed by the specific blueprint path for the flag you want. For example, to spawn the Tiny flag, you would use the path /CryptidHollowBaseProtection/Structures/Tiny/PrimalItemStructure_CryptidHollowBaseProtectionProtection_Tiny.PrimalItemStructure_CryptidHollowBaseProtectionProtection_Tiny. The same pattern applies for the Small, Large, and Admin variants.
Beyond the flags themselves, the mod also provides a Discord webhook integration. By setting the DiscordWebhookUrl config, you can have the mod automatically post purge details to your Discord server. This is an excellent quality-of-life feature for community managers who want to keep players informed about upcoming wipes or report on which structures were cleaned up. It adds a layer of transparency that is often missing from server administration.
In conclusion, Cryptid Hollow Base Protection for ARK: Survival Ascended is an essential tool for any cluster that runs routine purges. It offers a perfect balance of safety and risk, giving players the agency to protect their hard work while still allowing server admins to manage structure limits effectively. Whether you are a solo player safeguarding a hidden shack or a large tribe protecting a sprawling megabase, this mod provides the granular control you need to survive the reboot.