Moth Man and Friends!
If you have been scouring the ARK: Survival Ascended mod database for something that breaks the monotony of taming the same old Rexes and Raptors, look no further. Moth Man and Friends! is a content-rich add-on that injects a dose of cryptid weirdness and strategic depth into your island survival. This isn't just a simple reskin; it introduces a fully-fledged creature with unique taming mechanics, a new consumable, and even buildable automated defenses. Whether you are a solo player looking for a new mount or a server admin wanting to spice up PvP, this mod has something to offer.
For those wondering about compatibility, the mod is designed for the current generation of the game. You will want to ensure your game client is updated to the latest version to avoid any conflicts. The mod works seamlessly with the CrossPlay framework, meaning both Steam and Windows Store versions of ARK: Survival Ascended can enjoy the content together. Most other popular mods, such as stack mods or QoL improvements, typically work without issue, but as always, it is wise to check the mod's description for any specific conflicts. The developer has been diligent about pushing updates, so you can expect a stable experience.
Meet the Moth Man: Stats and Abilities
The star of the show is, of course, the Moth Man itself. This creature is not just a pet; it is a powerhouse. With stats that are comparable to the mighty Rex, it can hold its own in a fight. However, its true value lies in its unique moveset and utility. It spawns at a 50% rate on Rhynios, so you will need to travel to the swampy biome to find one. Its base stats are similar to the Rhynio, making it a formidable tank and fighter.
The Moth Man comes equipped with three distinct attacks that make it versatile in both PvE and PvP scenarios:
- Primary Melee Attack: A standard claw swipe that applies a nasty Bleed effect, whittling down even the toughest opponents.
- Secondary Spore Bombs: Only usable while flying, these projectiles are perfect for area denial and damaging groups of enemies from above.
- Tertiary Cloaking Spores: This is a game-changer. The Moth Man releases a cloud of spores that cloaks itself, removing its aggro and preventing it from being targeted. Additionally, any enemy player that gets too close will have their HUD darkened, disorienting them in the heat of battle.
To ride this majestic beast, you will need to craft the Glider/Diver Saddle, which unlocks at Level 36. The saddle is required to ride, so make sure you have the engram points saved up. Once saddled, the Moth Man can glide and dive with incredible agility, making it an excellent travel mount for crossing the map quickly.
Taming the Moth Man with Moth Stew
Taming this creature is a unique process. Unlike standard knockout tames, the Moth Man requires a special consumable: Moth Stew. This stew is similar in function to the "Broth of Enlightenment" but is specifically designed for taming. It can be crafted in either a Vanilla Cooking Pot or a Vanilla Indy Cooker, making it accessible early on. The mod confirms that five "Moth Stew" soups are enough to tame a Moth Man, regardless of its level. This makes the taming process quick and efficient once you have the ingredients gathered. Interestingly, the Moth Man is an omnivore, meaning it gains food from both Meat and Berries, simplifying its upkeep after the tame.
Once tamed, you can also produce Custom Cocoon Eggs, allowing you to breed these creatures and raise your own army. This adds a long-term goal for players who want to build a stable of these powerful cryptids.
Giant Moths and Defense Units
The "and Friends!" part of the title is not just for show. This update brings two other significant additions. First, the Giant Moth (also known as the Improved Moth) is a non-combat, passive creature that focuses on beauty and resource collection. It features a new fur material and colorization, making it a stunning addition to any base. Currently, Giant Moths do not have a spawn mapped, but they can be summoned via console commands. The mod also includes NPC Remapping tools, allowing server admins to add Giant Moths to their maps manually.
Second, the mod introduces a Build-able Defense Unit. This is a turret-like structure that can be crafted and placed to defend your base. You can craft the Armor and Unassembled Defense Unit at the Replicator. The level of the Defense Unit scales with the item quality of the armor used, rewarding players who invest in high-tier blueprints. Its stats are comparable to a Rex, meaning it is not a flimsy structure but a serious deterrent. There is even a "c" toggle that allows you to switch the unit into a roll mode, which likely changes its behavior or projectile type.
If you are looking to streamline your modding experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for this add-on. Instead of manually downloading files and placing them in your mod folder, the launcher handles everything, ensuring you have the correct version of Moth Man and Friends! for ARK: Survival Ascended. It also keeps track of updates, so you never miss a patch. This is especially handy for CrossPlay servers where version mismatches can cause connectivity issues.
How to Install and Get Started
Getting started with this mod is straightforward. If you are on Steam, you can subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop. For those using other platforms, the process is just as simple. To understand how to install, follow these general steps:
- Navigate to the mod page for Moth Man and Friends! for ARK: Survival Ascended.
- Click the "Subscribe" or "Install" button, depending on your platform.
- Launch ARK: Survival Ascended and ensure the mod is enabled in your mod list for your single-player world or server.
- For server admins, add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart.
Once installed, you can use console commands to spawn the creatures for testing. For example, using cheat GMSummon "Moth_Character_BP_MOTHMAN" 1 will summon a regular tamed Giant Moth, while cheat GMSummon "MothMan_Character_BP" 1 will summon a tamed level 1 Moth Man. If you want to test the defense unit, use cheat GMSummon "DefUnit_Character_BP_Child" 1.
In conclusion, Moth Man and Friends! is a high-quality, feature-rich mod that offers a fresh gameplay loop. From the tactical depth of the Moth Man's cloaking and bleed attacks to the base defense potential of the turret, there is a lot to love. The unique taming method via Moth Stew adds a layer of preparation that is rewarding to execute. If you want to diversify your creature roster and add some serious firepower to your tribe, this is a must-have. The developer has clearly put a lot of thought into balancing and functionality, ensuring that it feels like a natural extension of the ARK universe rather than a janky add-on. Give it a try, and you will likely find your new favorite mount.