Player Stat Limiter
Every ARK: Survival Ascended server admin knows the struggle: a few players grind to absurd levels, stacking health and melee damage until they become unstoppable gods. The game's natural progression curve bends, PvP becomes a one-shot festival, and PvE loses its challenge. The Player Stat Limiter add-on solves this problem elegantly by putting the power back in your hands. Instead of relying on global multipliers that mess with everything else, this mod gives you surgical control over exactly how high each player statistic can climb.
What Does Player Stat Limiter Actually Do?
At its core, the mod does one thing: it sets a hard ceiling on player stats. You define the maximum values, and the game enforces them. No more worrying about a tribe member with 2000 health tanking a Giga bite. No more speed demons outrunning every dino on the map. The mod reads your configuration and clamps any stat that exceeds your chosen limit.
What makes this tool stand out is its simplicity. You do not need to edit complex blueprint files or mess with DevKit. Everything runs through a single, clean configuration file: GameUserSettings.ini. Under the [PlayerStatLimiter] header, you simply list the stats you want to cap and their float values. For example, MaxPlayerHealth=800.0 or MaxPlayerSpeed=150.5. If you leave a stat out, it remains uncapped, giving you total flexibility to tailor the experience to your server's needs.
Key Features and Configurable Options
The mod covers all the core player statistics that typically spiral out of control. Here is the full list of editable parameters:
- MaxPlayerHealth – Caps the total health pool.
- MaxPlayerStamina – Limits stamina for sprinting and resource gathering.
- MaxPlayerOxygen – Controls underwater survival time.
- MaxPlayerFood – Prevents absurdly long hunger timers.
- MaxPlayerWater – Keeps hydration mechanics relevant.
- MaxPlayerWeight – Stops players from becoming walking warehouses.
- MaxPlayerDamage – The critical one for PvP balance, capping melee damage output.
- MaxPlayerSpeed – Prevents speed-hacking-like movement.
- MaxPlayerCraftingSkill – Limits crafting efficiency bonuses.
- MaxPlayerFortitude – Caps resistance to torpor and temperature effects.
All values are float-based, meaning you can use precise numbers like 810.5 for granular control. This level of detail is perfect for servers that want a specific power curve without banning high-level characters outright.
Why Use a Stat Cap on Your Server?
There are several compelling reasons to implement stat limits, whether you run a small private cluster or a large public community. First, it extends the game's lifespan. When players hit a hard cap, they must diversify their builds and rely on tames, gear, and strategy rather than raw stat stacking. Second, it levels the playing field for new players. A fresh spawn has a fighting chance against a veteran if the veteran cannot run at mach speed with 5000 health. Third, it reduces server lag caused by players carrying excessive weight and constantly triggering physics calculations.
Compatibility with ARK: Survival Ascended Versions
This add-on is built for the current generation of the game, specifically designed to work with the latest ARK: Survival Ascended updates. The mod hooks into the player character's stat system in a non-invasive way, meaning it does not conflict with other popular mods that alter dinos, items, or structures. You can safely run it alongside QoL mods, stack mods, and even total conversion mods, as long as they do not attempt to modify the same player stat functions. For the best experience, always keep your game client and server updated to the most recent patch to ensure the mod's ini parsing works flawlessly.
How to Install and Configure
Getting started is straightforward. First, you need to download Player Stat Limiter from a trusted mod repository. Once the mod files are in your Mods folder, activate it in your server's mod list. After the server restarts, navigate to your GameUserSettings.ini file. Add the [PlayerStatLimiter] section at the bottom, input your desired caps, and save the file. A quick server restart applies the changes. For single-player use, the process is identical, just edit the ini in your save folder.
For those who prefer a more streamlined approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Player Stat Limiter, automatically handling version compatibility and placing the files in the correct directories. This is especially handy for server admins who manage multiple mods and want to avoid manual file placement errors. The launcher also tracks updates, so you never miss a critical fix.
Tips for Setting Balanced Limits
Choosing the right numbers depends on your server's difficulty settings and player progression speed. A good starting point for a standard server is to cap health around 600-800, stamina at 300-400, and weight at 1500-2000. For PvP, you might want to lower damage caps to 200-300% to prevent instant kills. Remember, you can always adjust these values later. The beauty of the ini system is that you can tweak and test without rebuilding the mod. Start conservative and loosen the limits if players feel too weak.
Final Thoughts on Server Balance
The Player Stat Limiter is an essential tool for any admin who values fairness and long-term engagement. It does not punish players; it simply redirects their progression toward more diverse and interesting builds. By capping the raw power creep, you encourage teamwork, taming, and base building, which are the heart of the ARK experience. Whether you are running a hardcore survival server or a casual PvE community, this mod gives you the control you need to craft the perfect ruleset. Download it today, tweak the numbers, and watch your server's dynamics transform for the better.