QoL+
Surviving the harsh landscapes of ARK: Survival Ascended is a full-time job. Between taming, gathering, and defending your base, the quality-of-life features you rely on can make or break your experience. Enter QoL+, the spiritual successor to the legendary Structure Plus (S+) mod from ARK: Survival Evolved. This open-source project, forked from orionsun's masterpiece, brings a massive suite of tools and structures to ASA, designed to eliminate the tedious micromanagement that often bogs down late-game play. If you are looking to streamline your server or single-player world, this is the mod you have been waiting for.
What is QoL+ for ARK: Survival Ascended?
QoL+ is a comprehensive overhaul mod that focuses on convenience without breaking the game's balance. It is compatible with the major Unreal Engine 5.5 update, ensuring that your current saves and mod lists remain stable. Unlike some ports that simply copy-paste old content, the developers behind QoL+ have carefully curated the features. They have left behind the structures that are now redundant in ASA and focused on the tools that truly matter. The result is a leaner, more efficient mod that respects the vanilla progression while removing the "busywork."
Compatibility and Mod Support
One of the biggest concerns for ASA players is mod conflicts. QoL+ is built with a modular framework, allowing it to play nicely with popular additions like Dino Depot, Cyber Structures, and various stack mods. The mod supports the latest version of the game, and the team actively patches it to keep up with official updates. When you download QoL+, you are getting a mod that is tested against the current build, ensuring that you do not have to worry about crashes or broken UI elements. It is designed to be the backbone of your mod list, not a source of instability.
The Multi-Tool: Your Swiss Army Knife
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Multi-Tool. This single item replaces a dozen different gadgets. It features five distinct modes: Info, Structure, Dino, Remote, and Repair. You can cycle through these modes by holding the reload button to bring up a radial menu. Each mode has its own sub-modes, accessible via the alt-fire button.
- Info Mode: Displays the tool's inputs and how to use them.
- Structure Mode: Allows for instant pick-up or destruction of structures.
- Dino Mode: Features nine sub-modes including Kill, Spay, Chibify, Mating, Whistles, Following, Wandering, Creeping, and Turret.
- Remote Mode: Activate or deactivate structures and doors from a distance.
- Repair Mode: Fix structures without needing to be right next to them.
This tool alone saves you hours of running around your base. Instead of manually opening each inventory to pull resources, you can simply point, click, and transfer. For server admins, the ability to manage dinos remotely is a game-changer, especially when dealing with breeding lines or cleaning up wild spawns.
Omni-Tool and Inventory Management
If the Multi-Tool is the hammer, the Omni-Tool is the scalpel. This device focuses entirely on item management. It has four modes: Info, Basic Transfer, Advanced Transfer, and Inventory Assistant. The Basic Transfer mode lets you select a source and a target, moving all items with a single click. The Advanced Transfer mode opens a UI where you can set up specific rules, sources, and targets, and even save these as presets for future use. The Inventory Assistant is a lifesaver for hoarders. You can set rules to automatically drop or destroy specific items, like spoiled meat or thatch, at a set frequency. This keeps your inventory clean without you having to think about it.
Essential Structures for a Modern Base
QoL+ introduces a variety of new structures that fill gaps in the vanilla game. These are not just re-skins; they offer unique functionality that changes how you build.
Storage and Logistics
The mod adds Small, Large, and Metal Storage containers that are more compact and have configurable item slots. The Dedicated Storage system is a standout feature. You can place an Intake that, when touched, automatically uploads your entire inventory into nearby storage units. This makes dumping resources after a farming run take seconds, not minutes. The Ammo Box is another essential for base defense, automatically distributing ammunition to nearby turrets, ensuring your defenses never run dry.
Breeding and Taming
The Hitching Post is a breeder's best friend. It leashes creatures to a specific spot, preventing them from wandering off. Hitched creatures do not enter stasis, meaning they continue to produce eggs and resources even when you are offline. They also receive a 25% reduction in mating and gestation times. The Nanny automates the most tedious part of breeding: feeding and imprinting babies. Just load it with food and power, and it will handle the rest. The Propagator takes breeding to the next level, allowing you to breed creatures directly from cryopods. You can even spend Element to change genders, force mutations, or make non-breedable creatures breedable.
Production and Automation
The Farmer and Gardener structures automate crop management. The Farmer collects fertilizer from Compost Bins and Dung Beetles, while the Gardener harvests crops from nearby plots. Both can be powered by Tek or specific consumables. The Blueprint Maker allows you to convert structures into blueprints, making it easier to replicate complex builds. The Mutator is a high-end tool that uses Element to apply buffs, swap genders, or force breeding on nearby creatures, with a cooldown that can be mitigated by building multiple units.
How to Install QoL+
Installing the mod is straightforward. You can find it on the CurseForge website or through the in-game mod browser. Simply search for "QoL+" and subscribe to it. If you are running a dedicated server, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list. For those who prefer a more streamlined approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for QoL+, automatically handling version compatibility and updates so you can get back to the game faster. The launcher's add-on catalog makes it easy to manage your entire mod list, ensuring that QoL+ is always up to date with the latest ASA patches.
Configuration and Customization
One of the best aspects of QoL+ is its deep configuration options. Server admins can tweak almost every aspect of the mod via the GameUserSettings.ini file. You can adjust the range of the Hitching Post, the cost of the Mutator's pulses, the crafting speed of the Fabricator, and even blacklist specific dinos from being affected by certain tools. This level of control ensures that the mod fits your server's specific ruleset, whether you are running a casual PvE server or a hardcore PvP environment.
Conclusion
QoL+ for ARK: Survival Ascended is more than just a mod; it is a necessity for anyone who values their time. It takes the best elements of the beloved S+ mod and modernizes them for the new engine. From the incredible Multi-Tool to the automated Nanny and Propagator, every feature is designed to reduce friction. The mod is actively maintained, open-source, and compatible with the latest UE 5.5 update. If you are tired of spending more time managing your base than actually exploring the island, it is time to download QoL+ and experience the difference. Your future self will thank you.