Saddle Crafting
For countless survivors, the journey through the ARK has always hit a frustrating snag when it comes to gear: saddles. Why on earth would you need stone to build a saddle for a raptor? It has never made sense, and it has always added unnecessary bulk to your inventory and your dinosaur. The Saddle Crafting mod for ARK: Survival Ascended finally addresses this core design flaw, streamlining the entire process from resource gathering to the final weight of the item you place on your trusty steed. This is not just a reskin; it is a fundamental rework of how you equip your tames.
Why Rethink Saddle Construction?
The vanilla system often forces players to gather rare or heavy resources just to create basic transportation. This mod aims to simplify the entire process, making early-game travel and combat preparation far more accessible. Instead of hoarding chitin, keratin, and stone, you will now rely on a more logical set of materials that actually make sense for the purpose of riding and protection. The philosophy here is simple: if you can carry the components, you can carry the saddle.
The New Crafting Recipe Philosophy
Almost all saddles introduced by Saddle Crafting are made exclusively from three core resources: Hide (Leather) for the main structure, Fiber for stitching and padding, and Metal for buckles and reinforcements. This eliminates the need for those bulky, awkward resources that often clog up your inventory. The weight of the saddle is now directly equal to the weight of its crafting components. For most small to medium dinosaurs, this means a riding saddle will actually weigh less than its vanilla counterpart, allowing you to carry more loot and resources on your expeditions.
Riding vs. Battle Saddles
This mod introduces two distinct types of saddles, each designed for a specific purpose. You can craft these directly in your player inventory, removing the need to run back to a smithy or fabricator every time you tame a new creature.
- Riding Saddles: These are your everyday workhorses. They provide an armor value of 5, which is perfect for exploration and utility. They are cheap to make and light to carry.
- Battle Saddles: When you are heading into a fight, you will want these. They boast a significantly higher armor value of 60 (with a few specific exceptions), ensuring your mount can take a beating while you dish one out.
The learning curve is also smoothed out significantly. All riding saddle engrams can be learned at level 10 for just 2 points each, while all battle saddle engrams unlock at level 56 for the same cost. This allows you to plan your character build more efficiently without spending dozens of points on individual saddle types.
What is Not Included?
It is important to know the boundaries of this mod. Saddle Crafting does not touch Platform Saddles or Tek Saddles, as those operate under a different set of rules and mechanics. Furthermore, these new saddles have not been added to loot drops. This means that when you find a supply crate, you will still find the vanilla saddles and their blueprints, preserving the excitement of a rare loot find while keeping the crafting system clean and predictable.
Specific Dino Durability Adjustments
Not all creatures are created equal, and the mod author has made specific adjustments for unique cases. For instance, the Rollrat saddle has a large durability requirement due to the wear and tear of rolling. Since ARK: Survival Ascended introduced wear on saddles from other actions, it was unclear how to handle this. The durability has been decreased, though potentially too much, and this may need adjustment once the Aberration DLC is released. Similarly, the Basilisk saddle has a very high durability, even though its saddle isn't typically affected like a Rollrat's. These are known quirks that the mod author is monitoring for future patches.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod is designed to work with the current versions of ARK: Survival Ascended. When you are ready to jump in, you can easily download Saddle Crafting from the usual mod repositories. If you are looking for a more integrated experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Saddle Crafting, ensuring that version compatibility is handled automatically so you can get back to the game faster. The launcher's add-on catalog makes managing your mod list a breeze.
To ensure you get the best experience, here is a quick guide on how to install:
- Download the mod file from your chosen source.
- Place the file in your
Modsfolder within your ARK directory. - Launch the game and enable the mod in the mod list before loading your world.
For those who prefer a manual approach, the installation is straightforward. However, using a launcher can simplify the process, especially when dealing with multiple mods. The foxygame.net launcher also provides auto-updates, so when a new patch for Saddle Crafting drops, you won't have to manually hunt for the latest file.
Future Potential and Final Thoughts
The mod author has hinted at potential future updates, including specialized saddles for carrying items or other "buff-like" abilities. This shows a commitment to expanding the mod's utility beyond simple transportation. Whether you are a solo survivor or part of a large tribe, Saddle Crafting for ARK: Survival Ascended is a quality-of-life improvement that you will wonder how you ever lived without. It cuts the fat, simplifies the grind, and gets you back on your dinosaur with less hassle. Give it a try and feel the difference in your next expedition.