Former Giganotosaurus
Longtime survivors remember a time when the Giganotosaurus was an unstoppable force of nature, a creature so powerful that it demanded respect and fear in equal measure. Over the years, official patches and balance changes chipped away at its dominance, leaving many veterans nostalgic for the original beast. The Former Giganotosaurus mod for ARK: Survival Ascended answers that call, bringing back the raw, unbridled power of the initial release version of this iconic dinosaur.
This mod is not just a simple stat tweak; it is a comprehensive restoration project designed to recapture the essence of what made the Giganotosaurus the ultimate endgame threat. While it cannot be a perfect 1:1 recreation of the original code, it comes incredibly close, delivering a terrifying and rewarding experience for those who dare to tame it.
What Does the Former Giganotosaurus Change?
The mod fundamentally alters the Giganotosaurus to match its original, pre-nerf state. These changes are significant and will completely change how you approach this creature. The most striking differences are in its core stats and behaviors, making it a true glass cannon that hits harder than anything else in the game.
Core Stat Overhaul
The most dramatic changes are to the creature's health and damage output. Prepare for numbers that dwarf the current official stats.
- Base Health: Restored to a massive 300,000. However, be prepared for a significant investment, as taming deducts 185,000 health points.
- Base Damage: Increased to a devastating 1,200. The post-tame melee damage reduction is also less punishing, lowered from 80% to just 25%, meaning your tamed Giga will retain far more of its bite.
Behavioral and Utility Adjustments
Beyond raw stats, the mod tweaks several other mechanics to align with the original vision of the creature. These changes affect its mobility, survivability, and upkeep costs.
- Rage Mechanic: Taking fall damage will now also increase the creature's rage value, adding a new layer of risk when traversing rough terrain.
- Mobility: Swimming speed is halved, but its land speed is increased by 40%, making it a swift and terrifying predator on solid ground.
- Stamina: Base stamina is reduced by 25%, requiring more careful management during extended fights or travel.
- Upkeep: The food consumption rate is doubled, making it an expensive creature to maintain. Additionally, the time required for a baby Giga to reach adulthood is significantly increased.
Because the original version of the Giganotosaurus was exceptionally powerful, this mod is inherently unbalanced. It is a power fantasy for PvE players, but for those looking for a fair fight, it is a game-changer. Exercise extreme caution when adding this mod to PvP servers, as it can easily dominate and disrupt the established meta. The sheer stat difference will make it nearly impossible for other players to counter without using the same mod.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod is specifically designed for ARK: Survival Ascended, the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the classic survival game. It is not a port of the old ARK: Survival Evolved version, but a fresh implementation for the new engine. This ensures that the mod works seamlessly with the game's current framework. For those using a curated mod collection, you might find that download Former Giganotosaurus is a simple process. The foxygame.net launcher simplifies this further, allowing you to manage your add-ons with a one-click install for Former Giganotosaurus, ensuring you always have the latest version without manual updates.
When you install the mod, the Former Giganotosaurus for ARK: Survival Ascended will replace the standard official Giganotosaurus spawns with a 25% probability. This means you will still encounter the standard version, but there is a good chance you will stumble upon this ancient, more powerful variant. The mod is compatible with other creature and gameplay mods, but you should always check for potential conflicts, especially with mods that alter spawn rates or creature stats.
How to Install the Mod
Getting this mod into your game is straightforward, but knowing how to install it correctly is key to avoiding issues. The process is the same as for most other mods on the platform.
- Find the Mod: Search for "Former Giganotosaurus" in the in-game mod browser or on the Steam Workshop for ARK: Survival Ascended.
- Subscribe/Add: Click to subscribe or add the mod to your account. The mod ID is 1417566.
- Update Your Server: If you are playing on a dedicated server, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart it.
- Activate in Game: When launching your single-player world or joining your server, ensure the mod is enabled in the mod settings menu.
- Load and Play: Once the mod is active, you can spawn it using the command:
Cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Giga2015/Giga2015/Gigant_Character_BP_Former.Gigant_Character_BP_Former'" 500 0 0 150
For players who prefer a more streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers an integrated add-on catalog. This feature lets you browse and install mods like Former Giganotosaurus directly from the launcher, bypassing the need to manually manage files or workshop subscriptions. It also handles version compatibility checks, reducing the risk of crashes from outdated mod files.
Is It Worth It?
If you are a veteran player who misses the sheer terror and power of the original Giganotosaurus, this mod is an absolute must-have. It delivers exactly what it promises: a return to the former glory of one of the game's most iconic creatures. The increased land speed combined with the massive damage output makes it an incredible boss-killer and base-breaker for PvE. The higher upkeep costs and longer maturation times are a fair trade-off for the immense power you gain.
In conclusion, the Former Giganotosaurus mod is a fantastic tribute to a bygone era of ARK. It is a well-crafted, faithful recreation that brings a smile to the face of any long-time survivor. While it is not balanced for competitive play, it is an exceptional addition to any PvE server or single-player world looking for a new, overwhelming challenge. Tame one, and you will understand why this creature was once the undisputed king of the island.