First Dino Mod
ARK: Survival Ascended players are always on the lookout for creatures that blend utility with a fresh twist. The First Dino Mod delivers exactly that by introducing the Elliesaurus, a brand-new creature born from a redesigned Ankylo. This mod takes the beloved gathering mechanics of the Ankylosaurus and supercharges them with a shard-focused gameplay loop. If you have ever wished your harvesting runs could yield more than just metal and stone, this add-on is about to become your new best friend in the wilds of the Ark.
What Is the Elliesaurus in First Dino Mod?
The Elliesaurus is the star of this mod. Created collaboratively by TLCcreations18 and SlayerXtremeTV, it started as a personal dino project and evolved into a fully polished creature for the community. At its core, the Elliesaurus is based on the Ankylo, meaning it retains that iconic tank-like body and powerful tail swipe. However, the twist comes with its unique ability to harvest shards—a resource that opens up new crafting and taming opportunities. The result is a dino that feels familiar yet excitingly different.
Key Features of the Elliesaurus
- High-efficiency shard gathering from rocks and crystal nodes.
- Retains the Ankylo's natural weight reduction for metal and stone.
- Unique visual redesign with a more pronounced armored shell and glowing accents.
- Balanced stats that make it viable for both early-game resource runs and late-game raids.
- Full saddle support for riders, with a custom animation set.
Whether you are a solo survivor or part of a large tribe, the Elliesaurus fits seamlessly into your roster. It is not just a reskin; the mod adjusts the creature's AI and gathering rates to make shard farming feel rewarding without breaking the game's economy.
Compatibility and Supported Versions
One of the most common questions about any mod is whether it works with the latest game build. The First Dino Mod for ARK: Survival Ascended is designed to be compatible with the current major releases of the game, including the recent updates to the base map and Scorched Earth. The mod does not rely on any deprecated code, so you can expect stable performance across both single-player and dedicated server environments. It also plays nicely with popular QoL mods like stacking mods and enhanced HUDs, as long as you load it in the correct order.
If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you will appreciate how it handles mod compatibility checks. The launcher automatically verifies that First Dino Mod matches your installed version of ARK: Survival Ascended, preventing the dreaded "mod mismatch" errors that can crash your session. This makes the whole experience much smoother, especially when the game receives a major patch.
How to Install First Dino Mod
Getting the Elliesaurus into your game is a straightforward process. The mod is available through the in-game mod browser, but many players prefer to download First Dino Mod directly from trusted community repositories for faster speeds. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install it:
- Navigate to the Steam Workshop or the mod page on your preferred platform.
- Click the subscribe or download button to add it to your ARK: Survival Ascended mod list.
- Launch the game and open the mod manager from the main menu.
- Ensure First Dino Mod is enabled and moved to the top of your load order.
- Start a new save or load an existing one; the mod will inject the creature spawns automatically.
For those using the foxygame.net launcher, the process is even easier. The launcher's add-on catalog lets you search for First Dino Mod and install it with a single click, bypassing manual file management entirely. It also tracks updates, so you never have to worry about missing a hotfix that improves the Elliesaurus's behavior.
Tips for Using the Elliesaurus Effectively
Once you have the mod installed, you will want to tame an Elliesaurus as soon as possible. It spawns in the same biomes as the Ankylo, so look for it near mountains and rocky outcrops. Use a bola to immobilize it and then knock it out with tranquilizer arrows. After taming, prioritize leveling up its melee damage and weight capacity. This will maximize shard output per swing and allow you to haul more resources back to base.
Another tip: the Elliesaurus has a unique secondary attack when you hold the alternate fire button. This triggers a spinning tail slam that gathers shards from multiple nodes in a small radius. It costs a bit of stamina, but it is incredibly efficient for clearing a mining spot quickly.
Community Feedback and Future Updates
The creators have actively encouraged feedback on the mod, and the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Players praise the balance of the shard gathering rate, noting that it is powerful without making other resource dinos obsolete. The mod is also open to future iterations, so you can expect tweaks based on player suggestions.
In conclusion, First Dino Mod is a must-have for any ARK: Survival Ascended player who values efficiency and creativity. The Elliesaurus is a testament to what community modders can achieve, and its shard-gathering mechanic adds a new layer to resource management. Whether you are a veteran survivor or a newcomer, this mod will quickly become a staple in your gameplay. Download it today and experience the thrill of the shard harvest.