Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf)
If you've been roaming the Ark for a while, you know that the thrill of discovery is what keeps the fire burning. The vanilla world is vast, but sometimes you crave something that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. That's exactly where Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf) steps in. This mod breathes new life into the snowy peaks and dense forests of ARK: Survival Ascended by introducing a pack of enhanced wolves and a charming twist on the Armadoggo. It's not just about adding creatures; it's about enriching your survival story with new sounds, animations, and gameplay mechanics that make you feel like a true apex predator whisperer.
What's New in the Wild?
This mod is a two-for-one deal for creature enthusiasts. First, you get the star of the show: the Wolves. These aren't your standard Direwolves. They come with improved, enhanced animations and a fresh audio profile that makes their presence known before you even see them. There are two distinct models, each with unique sizes, ensuring that no two packs look exactly alike. Their stats are slightly boosted compared to their vanilla counterparts, and they are incredibly fast. If you see one in the wild, it's wise to give it a wide berth unless you're prepared for a chase. The pack bonus is also a game-changer, stacking up to a formidable 12 members.
Second, the mod adds additional variants of the Armadoggo. These new variants spawn right next to their vanilla cousins, so you need to ensure you don't block their spawn points. To tame them, you'll need to own the Bob's Tall Tales DLC, just like the original. Their stats and taming methods are identical to the vanilla Armadoggo, making them a seamless addition to your menagerie. You can equip armor and accessories on them, though the mod author notes they might look a bit off for the moment—a small quirk in an otherwise polished package.
Mastering the Taming Process
Taming these majestic beasts isn't a simple knockout-and-feed affair. To get a wolf of your own, you must kill the wild parents and claim the baby wolves. It's a brutal but rewarding method that fits the survival theme perfectly. Once you have your pups, you'll want to build them a proper home. To get the Wolf Cage, you can either craft it at the WolfCraft Bench (checkable in your inventory) or take down the wild boss variants of Alpha and Sigma Wolves. The WolfCraft Bench is your hub for crafting wolf saddles, wolf sled models, a wolf cart, and even a 2x wolf spawner for a two-wolf sled team. Just remember, the Wolf Sleds and Wolf Cart require the Bob's Tall Tales DLC.
The sled itself offers a small building area, perfect for a chair or a storage box, turning your wolf into a mobile base. Interestingly, the simple sled can also be equipped to other dinos that accept carts, adding another layer of versatility.
Movement, Abilities, and Combat Skills
These wolves are more than just a pretty face. They boast four different movement modes: Default Trot, Full speed Charge, plus Walk and Stealth sneak. Once tamed, they get visibly happy when you're nearby, and you can pet them. While mounted, you can enable Stealth mode by pressing the right button combination twice—first for Walk, second for Stealth. To see your key bindings, press the poop button (Plus on PC, RB+LB on Consoles), just like other vanilla HUD info toggles.
In combat, they are versatile warriors. They have a standard Bite attack, the default Direwolf pack howl ability (with the same cooldown as vanilla, 180 seconds plus multipliers), and the default Sniff ability with a 1-second cooldown. You can also perform single and pack cosmetic howls for pure showmanship. The Scare Howl is particularly useful, making small wild creatures up to Thyla size in the nearby area flee in fear, with a 15-second cooldown. They also have Predator Vision similar to the Snow Owl, perfect for tracking prey. Finally, they can dig stuff with a 90-second cooldown, with a small chance to unearth Truffles, which function similarly to veggie cakes.
Compatibility and Installation
When you're ready to dive into this new experience, the mod is designed for the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended. It's crucial to ensure your game is updated to the supported version to avoid any conflicts. The mod is generally compatible with other creature and QoL mods, but as with any mod, it's best to check for specific patch notes. For a hassle-free setup, many players use the foxygame.net launcher, which features a one-click install for mods like Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf) for ARK: Survival Ascended, ensuring you get the right version every time without manual file management. The launcher's add-on catalog also makes it easy to track updates for Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf), so you never miss a new feature or bug fix.
To get started, simply search for "download Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf)" on your preferred mod platform. The process for "how to install" is straightforward: subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop or your platform's mod browser, and ensure it's enabled in your server's mod list. If you're using a dedicated server, make sure the mod ID is added to your server configuration.
Final Thoughts on the Pack
Roth's Bestiary: Canis Lupus(Wolf) is a fantastic addition for players who want more depth to their taming and combat experiences. The enhanced animations, unique taming methods, and the sheer utility of the wolf sled make it a must-have for adventurers and builders alike. While the Armadoggo variants are a nice touch, the wolves are undoubtedly the main attraction, offering a powerful and loyal companion that changes how you traverse the map. Whether you're hunting for truffles or scaring off predators with a mighty howl, these creatures add a new layer of excitement to your ARK: Survival Ascended journey. It's a well-crafted mod that respects the source material while pushing the boundaries of what's possible.