Randi's Animal Traps
Taming in ARK: Survival Ascended often means long tranq darts, risky chases, and wasted resources. Randi's Animal Traps changes that by giving you a complete, craftable trap system that works across land, sea, and sky. This mod, approved for cross-platform play, replaces the chaotic knockout routine with a smarter, more satisfying approach. You build a trap, lure a creature inside, and lock it in safely. No more kiting a Rex through a forest while praying nothing else aggroes.
Whether you are a solo player on a small server or running a massive tribe, the mod scales beautifully. It introduces a dedicated crafting bench, multiple trap sizes, and even a floating balloon trap for catching Quetzals. If you want to streamline your taming process, this add-on is a must-have. You can download Randi's Animal Traps from the Steam Workshop or through the foxygame.net launcher, which offers a one-click install and keeps the mod updated automatically for ARK: Survival Ascended.
What Makes Randi's Animal Traps Different?
The core idea is simple: you build a structure, activate it, and the doors open. You then aggro a wild creature, lead it through the entrance, and run out the exit. The exit has a trigger plate that slams the door shut, trapping the animal inside. From there, you can tame it at your leisure, feed it, or simply keep it contained. This method is especially useful for high-level creatures that would otherwise require hundreds of narcotics.
All traps require the Animal Trap Crafting Bench, which unlocks at level 21 for zero engram points. This bench is essential because the mod author moved crafting away from the fabricator and smithy to avoid conflicts with other mods. You will build the bench first, then craft every trap at it. The mod is fully compatible with the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended and works alongside most popular quality-of-life mods without issue.
The Trap Lineup
Randi's Animal Traps offers a variety of sizes to match your target. Each one has a specific purpose and engram unlock level. Here is the full breakdown:
- Small Wooden Trap: Unlocks at level 21 and is built at the smithy. Perfect for early-game trapping of dodos, dilos, and other small creatures.
- Small Metal Trap: Unlocks at level 49. Designed for raptors, terror birds, and similarly sized predators.
- Medium Metal Trap: Unlocks at level 49. Fits Argentavis and Rex-sized animals. The exit opening is large enough for smaller fliers like a pteranodon to slip through.
- Large Metal Trap: Unlocks at level 49. Built for the giants: Brontos and Gigas. The exit is wide enough for Argents to pass, making it versatile.
- Underwater Trap: Unlocks at level 49. Large enough for Megalodons and Dunkleosteus, but can also trap Angler Fish. The exit opening fits Angler Fish, Dolphins, and Mantas, and you can close it to keep smaller fish inside.
- Sky Animal Trap: Unlocks at level 50 for 8 points. This is a hot air balloon trap that floats midair. It is the same size as the medium trap but built for catching flying dinos like the Quetzal.
Balloon Honey Bait
Trapping is only half the battle. You need a way to lure creatures in, and the Balloon Honey Bait does exactly that. This item works like standard honey bait, but you consume the honey to drop it, and a balloon keeps it from falling to the ground. The bait stacks up to 50 and has a two-hour spoil timer in your inventory. Once dropped, it lasts for one minute and can attract up to five dinos at a time, just like regular honey. The engram unlocks at level 50 for 2 points.
This bait is particularly useful for the Sky Animal Trap. You can place the trap, drop the balloon honey below it, and wait for a Quetzal to investigate. The floating bait keeps the creature in the zone, making it easier to lead it into the trap.
How to Install Randi's Animal Traps
Installing this mod is straightforward. For single-player or dedicated servers, you can download Randi's Animal Traps from the Steam Workshop. Once subscribed, launch ARK: Survival Ascended and enable the mod in your mod list. For server administrators, add the mod ID 948945 to your server's mod configuration file. The foxygame.net launcher simplifies the process further by offering a curated add-on catalog where you can find Randi's Animal Traps for ARK: Survival Ascended, check version compatibility, and install it with a single click. The launcher also handles updates, so you never have to worry about a broken mod after a game patch.
Spawn Commands and Engrams
If you prefer to test the mod in creative mode or on a private server, you can use spawn commands. For example, to get the crafting bench, use the command: cheat giveitem "/RandisAnimalTraps/AnimalTrapCraftingTable/PrimalItemStructure_AnimalTrapsCraftingTable.PrimalItemStructure_AnimalTrapsCraftingTable" 1 0 0 false. Similar commands exist for each trap and the balloon honey. To unlock engrams directly, use the cheat UnlockEngram command with the appropriate blueprint path. This is handy for quickly testing trap sizes before committing to a build in survival mode.
Pro Tips for Using the Traps
Timing is everything. When you activate a trap, the doors open and the trigger at the exit arms itself. You need to aggro the wild creature and run through the trap, making sure it follows you. Once you hit the exit trigger, the door slams shut. If you are on a flying mount, be careful with the Sky Animal Trap. The pickup option has a ten-second countdown, which gives you time to dismount and collect the trap without falling to your death. Always select the countdown timer version if you need that extra safety window.
For underwater taming, the trap works best in open water. Lead a Megalodon inside, exit through the opening, and the door closes behind you. The trap is spacious enough for the creature to turn around, so you can easily access its inventory for feeding.
Final Thoughts
Randi's Animal Traps is a game-changer for ARK: Survival Ascended. It adds a layer of strategy to taming that feels rewarding and fair. The variety of traps covers every biome and creature size, from the smallest dodo to the mightiest Giga. The balloon honey bait is a clever addition that makes aerial taming viable without a complex trap setup. Whether you are a veteran survivor or a newcomer, this mod will save you time, resources, and frustration. Download it today and see how much smoother taming can be when you have the right tools.