Pine Cone
If you have spent any time taming creatures in the harsh deserts of ARK: Survival Ascended, you know that the ThornyDragon is a reliable, if somewhat modest, companion. It gathers berries, holds its own in a fight, and looks like a walking cactus. But what if you could take that dependable lizard and turn it into an absolute powerhouse? That is exactly what the pine cone mod delivers. This isn't just a simple reskin; it is a complete overhaul of the ThornyDragon's stats, abilities, and combat potential, turning a mid-tier survival tool into a desert-destroying war machine.
Created by a server admin who wanted a more formidable creature for their players, the pine cone replaces the standard ThornyDragon spawn with a new, enhanced variant. The original creature doesn't vanish entirely, but once you run the admin command to wipe wild dinos, the new PineCone takes over its spawn points. This means you are getting a fresh, more dangerous, and infinitely more useful creature roaming the dunes. For players looking to change up their early and mid-game experience, this is a fantastic addition.
What Makes the Pine Cone Different?
The core philosophy behind the pine cone mod is simple: bigger, faster, stronger. The base stats have been increased to match that of a Megalosaurus, which is a massive jump in health, melee damage, and stamina. You are no longer riding a fragile berry picker; you are riding a predator. The movement speed is significantly faster than the standard ThornyDragon, allowing you to traverse the Scorched Earth and other desert biomes with surprising agility. Perhaps the most quality-of-life improvement is the complete removal of fall damage, meaning you can leap off cliffs and rocky outcrops without a care in the world, a huge boon for exploration.
Combat and Utility Abilities
The pine cone doesn't just rely on raw stats; it comes with a brand-new moveset that makes combat engaging and tactical. Here is a breakdown of the controls you need to master:
- LMB – Bleeding Attack: Your standard bite attack now inflicts a severe bleed effect. This is fantastic for taking down larger prey or enemies, as the damage over time stacks and can whittle down even the toughest opponents.
- RMB – Shotgun Tail: This is the showstopper. The tail attack fires a spread of projectiles that acts like a shotgun blast. It is devastating at close range and can stagger enemies, giving you the upper hand in brawls.
- SPACE – Jump: A standard jump, but combined with the no fall damage passive, it becomes an incredible mobility tool for scaling terrain.
- C – Gatherer: Retains the ThornyDragon's utility by allowing you to efficiently collect berries and wood from the environment.
With this kit, you have a creature that can bleed out a Rex, blast a pack of Raptors into paste, and still gather your daily fiber. The description even notes that with a good tail attack, you should be able to take down a cave golem, which is no small feat. It turns the pine cone into a viable boss-fighting mount and a fantastic guard for your base.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod is designed to work seamlessly with the current builds of ARK: Survival Ascended. It is a client-side and server-side mod, meaning it works for single-player worlds and dedicated servers alike. The mod is lightweight and doesn't require any other dependencies, making it a simple drop-in addition to your mod list. It is also compatible with most QoL and building mods, though as with any creature mod, you should ensure your server load order is correct to avoid conflicts.
Getting this beast into your game is straightforward. To get started, you need to download pine cone from your preferred mod repository. Once you have the mod file, the installation process is standard. You can find many guides on how to install mods for ASA, but generally, it involves placing the mod folder into your ARK installation directory or using the in-game mod manager. After a quick restart, you are ready to spawn your new companion.
For players who prefer a more streamlined approach, using a launcher that supports mod management can simplify the process significantly. The foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for mods, which handles the file placement and version checks for you, ensuring that your pine cone mod is always up to date and compatible with the latest game patch. This removes the guesswork from manual installation, letting you focus on taming your new Kawaii Lizard.
Spawning and Saddles
Once the mod is active, you have two ways to get your hands on a pine cone. The first is to simply find them in the wild. After wiping wild dinos with the "DestroyWildDinos" cheat, they will spawn in the same locations the ThornyDragon used to inhabit. The second method is to use the admin spawn command: gmsummon NewThornyDragon_Character_BP_C 150. This will spawn a level 150 version directly in front of you, ready to tame.
One of the best parts of this mod is that it respects your existing progress. The saddle used for the pine cone is the same one used for the ThornyDragon. This means you don't have to grind for a new engram or find a rare blueprint. If you already know how to craft the ThornyDragon saddle, you are ready to ride the PineCone immediately. This makes the transition to the new creature smooth and cost-effective.
Should You Add It?
If you are looking for a new mount that offers a perfect blend of utility, speed, and raw combat power, the pine cone is a must-have. It fills a niche that the base game lacks, providing a mid-tier creature that can punch well above its weight class. Whether you are exploring the desert, gathering resources, or defending your territory, this enhanced lizard will not let you down. It is a fun, well-balanced, and visually distinct addition that breathes new life into a familiar creature.
So, if you are tired of the same old tames and want to add a bit of spice to your desert journeys, look into the pine cone mod for ARK: Survival Ascended. It is a simple install that offers a massive payoff in gameplay. Go ahead and give your tribe the edge it needs with this fantastic creature overhaul.