Goblin Extractors
Survival in ARK: Survival Ascended demands constant resource management. Whether you are building a massive fortress or crafting advanced gear, gathering raw materials often eats up hours of gameplay. The Goblin Extractors add-on changes that dynamic completely. Designed as a quality-of-life companion for the Ark Medieval: Guilds and Goblins Premium Mod, this add-on introduces automated structures that work while you explore, fight, or build. Instead of grinding for resources, you can place an extractor, feed it a basic material, and return to a full inventory of valuable output. It is a straightforward concept that delivers enormous convenience.
This mod is not affiliated with Blitzfire Games. It is an independent add-on created for players who want a "set it and forget it" experience. The first release focuses on two extractors: the Clay Extractor and the Cotton Extractor. Both are designed to be placed directly on the ground, requiring no complex piping or power systems. Just fill them with the appropriate input, and they handle the rest. For those using the foxygame.net launcher, adding this mod is a one-click process, and the launcher automatically checks version compatibility for Goblin Extractors for ARK: Survival Ascended.
What Are Goblin Extractors?
The core idea behind Goblin Extractors is automation. Each structure acts as a mini-factory that converts common resources into rarer or more specialized ones. The mod currently includes two working extractors, with plans for more in the future. The developer intends to expand the line with additional machines, but the current versions are polished and fully functional.
Clay Extractor
The Clay Extractor is the flagship structure and serves as a test run to iron out any issues before more extractors are added. To use it, place the extractor anywhere on flat ground and fill it with Thatch. The machine then processes the Thatch automatically, generating Clay at a steady rate. For every 100 Thatch, you receive 50 Clay every 15 seconds. That means a single stack of Thatch can yield hundreds of Clay in minutes, making it trivial to construct a massive clay base. If you are not running the Ark Medieval mod, the extractor instead produces Cementing Paste at the same conversion rate, ensuring the item remains useful for all players.
The Clay Extractor unlocks at level 10 and costs 0 Engram Points. You can craft it directly from your inventory, which makes it accessible early in a playthrough. Spawn commands are also available for server administrators who want to distribute the structure without leveling requirements.
Cotton Extractor
Following the same design philosophy, the Cotton Extractor converts Fiber into Cotton. Place it on the ground, stuff it with as much Fiber as you can gather, and let the machine work. For every 100 Fiber, the extractor produces 10 Cotton every 30 seconds. This is ideal for players who need large quantities of Cotton for clothing, sails, or other medieval-themed crafts. Just like the Clay Extractor, it falls back to producing Cementing Paste if the Ark Medieval mod is not installed. It also unlocks at level 10, costs 0 Engram Points, and is crafted from the player's inventory.
How to Install and Configure
Learning how to install this mod is simple. First, ensure you have ARK: Survival Ascended updated to a compatible version. The mod works with the latest stable builds and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Ark Medieval: Guilds and Goblins Premium Mod. However, it does not strictly require that mod to function. If you use the foxygame.net launcher, you can browse the add-on catalog, find Goblin Extractors, and install it directly. The launcher handles mod updates automatically, so you always run the latest version without manual downloads.
For manual installation, subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop or download the files from a trusted repository. Place the mod folder in the appropriate ARK directory and enable it in the mod list before launching your server or single-player session. Once active, the new engrams will appear in your crafting menu.
Configuration Options
Server administrators have full control over the extractor behavior through config commands. The default settings are balanced, but you can adjust them to fit your server's economy. The [GoblinExtractors] section in the Game.ini file allows you to change output amounts, input items, and production times. For example, you can increase the ClayOutputAmount from the default 50 to a higher number, or shorten the ClayProductionTime to speed up the process. The CottonExtractorInputItem can be changed to accept a different resource if you want to customize the mod further.
All values shown are the default ones, and they are easy to modify with a text editor. You can also find item IDs from external databases to swap out the input materials. This flexibility ensures that Goblin Extractors can fit into any server's progression curve, whether you prefer a grind-heavy experience or a more relaxed sandbox.
Why Use Goblin Extractors?
The primary benefit is time savings. Instead of manually gathering Thatch or Fiber and then crafting Clay or Cotton by hand, you can automate the entire pipeline. This is especially valuable for players building large bases or running a medieval-themed server where Clay and Cotton are in high demand. The extractors are also cheap to craft, requiring no advanced materials, so you can place multiple units to scale production.
Another advantage is the mod's compatibility. Since it works both with and without the Ark Medieval mod, it appeals to a broad audience. The fallback to Cementing Paste ensures that even vanilla players find value in the structures. The developer also maintains an active Discord server for bug reports and questions, which is a good sign for long-term support.
Final Thoughts
Goblin Extractors for ARK: Survival Ascended is a smart, focused add-on that solves a real problem. It is easy to use, configurable, and works well with popular medieval mods. The "set it and forget it" philosophy means you can focus on the fun parts of ARK while the extractors handle the busywork. If you want to streamline your resource gathering, this mod is worth adding to your loadout. To get started, simply download Goblin Extractors from your preferred mod source, enable it in your game, and place your first extractor. Within minutes, you will see the benefits of automated production.