PIGs WeightReduction

Carrying a mountain of metal back to your base only to crawl at a snail's pace is one of the most frustrating experiences in ARK: Survival Ascended. While stacking mods have long been the go-to solution, they often come with the risk of item loss or complex remapping. PIGs WeightReduction offers a smarter, safer alternative. This mod gives you granular control over item weight for both players and dinos, letting you tailor the experience to your exact preferences without ever worrying about your inventory vanishing.

Why Choose PIGs WeightReduction Over Stacking Mods?

The core philosophy behind this mod is simplicity and safety. Unlike traditional stacking mods that alter item IDs and stack limits, PIGs WeightReduction works purely by applying weight multipliers. Because it does not remap any items, it is completely safe to add or remove from your server at any time. You will never lose a single item due to mod installation or removal. Combined with the vanilla ini settings for stack size multipliers, you can achieve the same benefits as a stacking mod, but with significantly more control over both stack sizes and weight.

How the Multiplier System Works

The mod introduces a straightforward yet powerful system. You set weight multipliers in your GUS.ini file under the [PIGsWeightReduction] section. These global settings apply to all players and dinos by default. For example, setting ItemWeightMultiplier_Group_Resource=0.5 will halve the weight of all resources like metal, stone, and wood for everyone.

The real magic happens when you combine global settings with dino-specific overrides. Let's say you set a global resource multiplier of 0.5 and then create a section for an Ankylosaurus with a specific metal multiplier of 0.5. The mod multiplies these together (0.5 x 0.5), resulting in a 0.25 multiplier. That is a 75% weight reduction for metal on your Anky, making resource runs incredibly efficient.

Item Groups and Specific Item Overrides

PIGs WeightReduction categorizes items into logical groups, making it easy to apply broad changes. Available groups include Ammo, Apex, Artifact, Attachment, Consumable, Egg, Farming, Resource, Saddle, Seed, Structure, Tool, Trophy, and Weapon. Each group variable defaults to 1.0 (vanilla weight), so you only need to configure what you want to change.

For even finer control, you can override the weight of any specific vanilla item using its class name. For instance, to make metal weigh 10% of its original value, you would add PrimalItemResource_Metal_C=0.1. These specific item settings always override the group multiplier in the same section, giving you ultimate flexibility.

Dino-Specific Configurations

Dinos can either inherit the global settings or have their own dedicated sections. To customize a specific dino, create a new ini section using the format [PIGsWeightReduction_CLASS_NAME]. For example, [PIGsWeightReduction_Ankylo_Character_BP_C]. This works for modded dinos too, as long as you know their class name. Any settings in this dino-specific section are multiplied against the global settings, allowing for layered reductions. This system is perfect for creating specialized gatherers or pack mules.

Performance and Structure Support

Version 12 introduced a key performance optimization. The setting RebuildWeightItemMultipliers=True compiles your settings into a game file when the server boots. You should set this to "True" whenever you make changes to your ini, then switch it back to "False" after the reboot for optimal performance. This ensures your server runs smoothly even with complex configurations.

Additionally, the EnableStructureContainers=True setting applies your global item weight multipliers to storage containers like vaults and fridges. The mod scans the map every 60 seconds to update any newly placed containers, ensuring your storage solutions are just as efficient as your dinos.

Installation and Compatibility

Getting started is simple. To download PIGs WeightReduction, head to the mod page on CurseForge and subscribe to it via the Steam Workshop. The mod is designed for ARK: Survival Ascended and supports the latest versions of the game. For server administrators, the installation process is straightforward. After adding the mod to your server, you will need to configure the GUS.ini file with your desired multipliers. The mod is compatible with most other mods since it does not alter item IDs or core game files.

If you are looking for a hassle-free setup, the foxygame.net launcher streamlines the entire process. It offers a one-click install for PIGs WeightReduction for ARK: Survival Ascended, automatically handling version compatibility and mod dependencies. The launcher's integrated add-on catalog makes it easy to discover and deploy this mod alongside your other favorites, and its auto-update feature ensures you always have the latest version without manual checks.

How to Install and Configure

For those who prefer manual setup, here is a quick guide on how to install:

Download the mod from the CurseForge page and add it to your server's mod list.
Locate your GUS.ini file in the server configuration directory.
Add the [PIGsWeightReduction] section and define your global multipliers.
Create dino-specific sections as needed for specialized weight reductions.
Set RebuildWeightItemMultipliers=True and restart your server.
After the reboot, set it back to False for performance.

Limitations and Future Plans

Currently, the mod does not support weight multipliers for modded items. This is a known limitation, but support for modded item classes is actively planned for a future update. The developer is also working on Single Player support and an in-game UI for configuration, which will make the mod even more accessible. If you encounter any bugs or find items that do not respond to weight reduction, the mod's Discord community is the best place to report issues and get help.

PIGs WeightReduction is an essential tool for any ARK: Survival Ascended server admin who wants to fine-tune the gameplay experience. It eliminates the tedium of weight management without the risks associated with stacking mods. With its powerful ini configuration, dino-specific overrides, and safe installation, it offers a level of control that vanilla settings simply cannot match. Whether you are running a casual server or a hardcore PvP environment, this mod will transform how you and your players manage resources.

PIGs WeightReduction – Ultimate Weight Control for ASA