HLNA Ascended
If you have spent any time in the world of ARK: Survival Ascended, you know that managing resources, traveling across vast maps, and keeping your tribe supplied can be a full-time job. The HLNA Ascended mod steps in to change that dynamic entirely, bringing back one of the most beloved companion AIs from the franchise's lore and equipping her with a suite of practical tools. This isn't just a cosmetic add-on; it is a complete quality-of-life overhaul that puts a powerful marketplace and fast-travel system right at your fingertips.
What is HLNA Ascended?
At its core, HLNA Ascended is a faithful recreation of the HLNA (H.L.N.A.) companion, reimagined for the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the game. She is not just a floating hologram that offers witty commentary. This version is fully functional, acting as your personal quartermaster and travel agent. The mod integrates directly into your survivor's inventory, allowing you to summon her interface anywhere, anytime, without needing to build a dedicated structure. For players who miss the convenience of the Genesis expansion's HLNA, this mod brings that same level of utility to every official and custom map in the game.
Core Features: The Hexagon Store and Beyond
The primary draw of HLNA Ascended for ARK: Survival Ascended is the fully operational Hexagon Store. This in-game marketplace allows you to purchase a wide variety of items, from basic resources to advanced crafting components, using Hexagons. You earn these Hexagons passively over time, but the mod also rewards you for engaging with the game's biggest challenges. Defeating Alpha creatures and Bosses grants substantial Hexagon bonuses, making end-game farming more rewarding. The store is not static either; server administrators can populate it with custom items, making it a dynamic part of the server economy.
Beyond shopping, HLNA offers a robust teleportation system. You can set a last location to return to after death or travel to any Obelisk on the map. The mod includes safety parameters, such as a configurable delay before teleporting and restrictions based on drag weight, preventing players from moving massive creatures or armies across the map in an instant. This keeps the gameplay balanced while still offering immense convenience for moving your character between bases.
Configuration and Customization for Server Admins
For those running a dedicated server, the configuration options are where HLNA Ascended truly shines. The mod uses a simple .ini file to control nearly every aspect of its behavior. You can adjust the passive Hexagon interval and amount, toggle teleportation features, and even remove the default store items to curate a unique experience for your community. The system is designed to be accessible, allowing admins to add new items to the store by simply pasting the blueprint path into the config file, followed by a comma-separated quantity and price.
One of the standout features for server owners is the ability to add custom creatures to the shop. This goes beyond simple items; you can sell tamed dinosaurs directly through HLNA. The configuration allows you to specify a creature's blueprint, its level, and its cost. You can even set a "RandomDino" flag, which will give the buyer a random creature that naturally spawns on the current map. This opens up exciting possibilities for custom events or a unique progression system on your server. The system supports up to 100 item entries and 10 dino entries, providing plenty of room for extensive customization.
Installation and Compatibility
Getting started with this mod is straightforward. To download HLNA Ascended, you simply subscribe to it on the Steam Workshop and add it to your server's mod list. The mod is designed to be compatible with the current major versions of ARK: Survival Ascended, including both the base game and the popular expansion maps. It does not require any additional dependencies, and it works well alongside other popular mods that do not alter the core inventory or spawn systems. If you are using a mod that changes the base game's UI, you may need to check for minor conflicts, but generally, HLNA Ascended functions independently.
For players looking for a more streamlined approach to mod management, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install feature for HLNA Ascended, automatically handling version compatibility checks so you can jump straight into the action without manual file placement. This is particularly useful for those who are new to modding or who run multiple servers with different mod configurations.
How to Install and Configure
If you are wondering how to install the mod on your own server, the process is as follows:
- Navigate to the Steam Workshop page for HLNA Ascended and click the Subscribe button.
- If you are using a server hosting service, locate your mod list in the control panel and add the mod's ID.
- Restart the server to allow the mod to download and initialize.
- Once the server is up, use a text editor to modify the Game.ini file to adjust the mod's settings to your preference.
After installation, you will find the HLNA icon in your inventory screen. Clicking it will bring up her interface, where you can browse the store, check your Hexagon balance, and initiate teleports. The mod is designed to be intuitive, so players familiar with the original HLNA will feel right at home, and new players will quickly learn the ropes through the clean interface.
Planned Features and Future Development
The developer of HLNA Ascended is actively working on expanding the mod's capabilities. Future updates are planned to include an in-game UI for configuration, which will eliminate the need to edit files manually. This will allow admins and single-player users to add items, adjust prices, and tweak settings directly from a graphical interface. There is also work being done to support items with quality options, such as different armor or weapon tiers, which will add another layer of depth to the shop. These planned features show a commitment to keeping the mod fresh and responsive to the community's needs.
In conclusion, HLNA Ascended is more than just a tribute to a fan-favorite character; it is a powerful tool that enhances the core ARK: Survival Ascended experience. Whether you are a solo survivor looking for a way to fast-travel across the island or a server admin seeking to create a unique economy, this mod offers the flexibility and features to make it happen. The combination of a functional store, teleportation, and deep customization makes it an essential addition to any modded setup.