Customizable C4
Explosives in ARK: Survival Ascended are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they are essential for breaching enemy fortifications and clearing resource nodes. On the other, their default damage output can feel either underwhelming or utterly overpowering, depending on your server's settings and playstyle. The Customizable C4 mod solves this dilemma by putting the power directly into your hands, allowing for precise, ini-driven control over C4 damage. This isn't just a simple stat tweak; it's a fundamental shift in how you approach raiding, base defense, and resource management.
What Does Customizable C4 Do?
At its core, this mod rebalances the standard C4 charge. It moves the crafting recipe from the player's inventory to the Smithy, increasing its cost and making it a more deliberate, strategic investment. More importantly, it introduces a global damage multiplier that applies to every structure in the game that C4 can harm. This means you are not just changing damage against stone or metal; you are altering the explosive's effectiveness across the board, from thatch huts to Tek-tier bases.
Key Features and Mechanics
- Smithy Crafting: C4 is now crafted exclusively at the Smithy, adding a layer of preparation and resource logistics.
- Increased Cost: The recipe is more expensive, ensuring that explosives are a significant resource sink and not spammed carelessly.
- Global Damage Scaling: A single ini setting adjusts C4 damage against all damageable structures.
- Full Ini Control: Server administrators and single-player users can fine-tune the explosion damage to match their desired balance.
How to Configure Explosion Damage
Getting the perfect balance is straightforward. After installing the mod, you need to edit your GameUserSettings.ini file. This file is typically found in your ARK: Survival Ascended save directory. The configuration uses a simple percentage system based on the vanilla C4 damage values.
To begin, add the following lines to your GameUserSettings.ini file under a new section:
[CustomizableC4]
ExplosionDamagePercentage=100The number you set for ExplosionDamagePercentage is the percentage of the default damage that will be applied. For example, setting it to 100 means the C4 deals its normal, unmodified damage. Setting it to 50 halves the damage, and setting it to 200 doubles it.
Practical Examples and Damage Values
To help visualize the impact, consider that a standard C4 charge deals 3516 damage to metal structures. Here is how different settings will affect that number:
- ExplosionDamagePercentage=200: Damage to metal is 7032, allowing you to break through heavily fortified walls with fewer charges.
- ExplosionDamagePercentage=50: Damage to metal is 1758, making structures significantly more resilient and requiring more C4 to breach.
- ExplosionDamagePercentage=33: Damage is roughly 1160, effectively tripling the amount of C4 required to break through a wall, ideal for high-defense PvE servers or RP communities.
This system works universally. Because the mod changes the base value for C4, it affects every structure type in the game that can be damaged by explosives, from wood and adobe to Tek. This ensures consistency and prevents players from finding "weak spots" in your balance changes.
Mod Compatibility and Supported Versions
This mod is designed to be lightweight and compatible with a wide range of server setups. It works seamlessly with the current stable builds of ARK: Survival Ascended, and it does not conflict with other popular QoL or building mods. Because it only modifies the C4's crafting location and damage calculation, it sits neatly alongside mods that alter stack sizes, engrams, or building pieces. For the best experience, ensure your server and all clients are running the latest supported version of ARK: Survival Ascended to avoid any ini parsing issues.
Installation and Download Guide
Getting started with Customizable C4 for ARK: Survival Ascended is a simple process. For those wondering how to install, you can typically subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop or use a mod manager. Once subscribed, you just need to activate it in your server's mod list. If you are using a dedicated server, you will also need to add the ini settings to your GameUserSettings.ini file. For a streamlined experience, many players choose to download Customizable C4 directly through the foxygame.net launcher, which offers a one-click install for the add-on and automatically manages version compatibility for ARK: Survival Ascended, ensuring your ini settings are applied correctly without manual file hunting. The launcher's integrated add-on catalog makes it easy to find and deploy this mod alongside your other favorites, with auto-updates that keep the mod fresh and compatible with the latest game patches.
Strategies for Using Customizable C4
This mod is not just for server admins; it opens up new strategic possibilities for players. On a PvP server with ExplosionDamagePercentage=50, you might need to coordinate a larger raid party or bring more resources to breach a vault. Conversely, on a PvE server, setting it to 150 can help you clear away abandoned structures or resource nodes more efficiently. The increased crafting cost also adds a meaningful economic layer, making C4 a high-value trade commodity.
Ultimately, Customizable C4 is about giving you the freedom to tailor the explosive experience to your exact preference. Whether you are looking for a more challenging raiding scene or a quicker path to demolition, this mod provides the tools you need. It is a must-have for any server owner who wants to fine-tune the combat meta and for players who want a more balanced and engaging explosive gameplay loop in ARK: Survival Ascended. With its simple ini configuration and universal application, it is one of the most effective ways to take control of your server's explosive power.