EJ Essentials (Tranqs +)
Knocking out a high-level Rex or a pesky Giga can be one of the most stressful parts of ARK: Survival Ascended. You spend hours crafting narcotics, only to watch your target wake up mid-tame and turn your taming raft into kindling. That is where EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) steps in. This compact but powerful add-on delivers a small collection of tranquilizers, configurable potions, and other handy items designed to make the knockout phase of taming smoother, faster, and far less frustrating.
Originally created as a personal project, the mod was made public so that the broader ASA community could benefit from its straightforward design. The creator has stated that aside from potential bug fixes, development is complete, meaning what you see is a polished, stable tool built for players who want a reliable tranq solution without bloat. It is specifically crafted for use with overhaul mods, though the INI settings give you full control to tune it for regular play.
What Does EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) Add to Your Game?
This mod is not about adding fifty new weapons or flashy armor. It focuses on one core gameplay loop: putting creatures to sleep efficiently. The add-on introduces a set of arrows and darts that all share a common trait—they are fully configurable. Whether you prefer a gentle tap for a Dodo or a massive torpor spike for a Titanosaur, the INI options let you dial in exactly the values you need.
Arrows and Darts Breakdown
- All arrows are usable in the Bow, Compound Bow, and Crossbow. This flexibility means you are never locked into a single weapon type.
- All darts are designed for the Longneck Rifle, giving you a long-range option for sniping high-value targets from a safe distance.
- Each projectile type can have its own torpor, damage, and range values configured via the mod's INI file.
The beauty of this system is that it works seamlessly with your existing arsenal. If you have a favorite high-damage bow, you can still use these tranq arrows with it. No need to swap out your entire loadout just to get a decent knockout.
Configurable Potions and Other Items
Beyond the projectiles, EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) includes a handful of potions and utility items. These are not overpowered god-mode consumables; they are practical tools that fill gaps in the vanilla game. For example, you might find a potion that provides a temporary torpor resistance for yourself, or a consumable that boosts your own movement speed while carrying a sleeping dino. The exact list is best explored in-game, but the theme remains consistent: everything is adjustable to fit your server's difficulty curve.
The mod's description warns that it is "highly suggested to remove anything above 10x for regular play." This is a key balancing tip. The default settings are tuned for overhaul mods that inflate creature stats and taming times. If you are playing on a standard server, you will want to lower the multipliers to avoid one-shotting a level 5 Paracer with a single arrow. The INI file is your friend here.
How to Install EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) for ARK: Survival Ascended
Installing this mod is a straightforward process, but it helps to know exactly where to put the files. The mod is distributed via the Steam Workshop, so you can subscribe to it directly from the ARK: Survival Ascended workshop page. Once subscribed, the mod will download automatically to your client. For dedicated servers, you will 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, you might consider using the foxygame.net launcher. This third-party launcher offers a one-click install for EJ Essentials (Tranqs +), pulling the correct version directly from its catalog and placing it in the right directory without manual file wrangling. It also handles auto-updates, so you will never miss a bug fix or compatibility patch. This is a great option for players who want to spend more time taming and less time managing mod folders.
Version Compatibility and Mod Conflicts
As with any mod for a live-service game like ARK: Survival Ascended, version compatibility is a moving target. EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) is built to work with the current stable build of ASA, but major game updates can occasionally break mods. The good news is that this mod is lightweight and does not rely on complex core hooks, making it more resilient to patches than larger total conversions.
In terms of compatibility with other mods, this add-on plays nicely with most overhaul packs. Since it only adds new items and projectiles rather than overwriting vanilla ones, conflicts are rare. However, if you are running another mod that also adds custom tranq arrows or darts, you may see duplicate engrams or recipes. The mod's INI file allows you to disable specific engrams, so you can hide the ones you do not need and keep your crafting menu clean.
Getting the Most Out of Your Tranq Setup
To truly master this mod, you need to understand the INI settings. The mod page on the official wiki (linked via the creator's site) provides a full breakdown of every variable. Spend a few minutes tweaking the values before you launch your next taming expedition. A good starting point is to set torpor values to match the health pool of your target. If you are taming a Bronto, you want a high torpor arrow that does not kill it. If you are taming a Dodo, you want a low torpor dart that does not send it flying across the beach.
For those who prefer a more guided experience, the foxygame.net launcher also includes a curated add-on catalog. When you use this launcher to install EJ Essentials (Tranqs +), it can suggest compatible INI presets based on your server's difficulty settings, removing the guesswork from the configuration process. This is a handy feature for server admins who manage multiple mods and want a consistent taming experience for their players.
Final Thoughts on EJ Essentials (Tranqs +)
If you are tired of the vanilla tranq system's limitations, EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) is a no-nonsense solution. It delivers exactly what it promises: a small, focused collection of tranquilizers and support items that are fully configurable and compatible with your existing weapons. The mod's creator has stated that development is complete, so you are getting a finished product rather than an early-access experiment.
Remember to adjust the INI values for your playstyle, especially if you are not running an overhaul mod. And if you want to skip the manual installation steps, the foxygame.net launcher provides a convenient, auto-updating way to get EJ Essentials (Tranqs +) running on your client or server. Whether you are a solo survivor or a server admin, this add-on deserves a spot in your mod list. Download it, tweak the settings, and enjoy a smoother taming experience in ARK: Survival Ascended.