Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack
Starting fresh on a new ARK: Survival Ascended server often means grinding for basic resources before you can actually enjoy the game. Server admins constantly look for ways to give new players a helpful boost without unbalancing the experience or requiring manual item drops. The Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack add-on solves this elegantly by automating the entire process. It is a commissioned mod that delivers a one-time item grant to every character the moment they connect, based on a loot set you define. This guide covers everything from what the mod does to how to configure it, including installation steps and compatibility notes for ARK: Survival Ascended.
What Does the Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack Do?
At its core, this mod acts as a simple welcome pack system. Instead of manually spawning items for each new survivor, the mod checks for a specific loot set upon a player's first connection. If the loot set is detected, the player instantly receives the items within it. This grant happens only once per character, so returning players do not get repeated rewards. The system is designed to be lightweight and admin-friendly, requiring minimal setup to get running.
The mod uses a predefined loot set name: LootItemSet_SeaOfSoulsWelcomePack. This is the identifier the server looks for when a player joins. You can populate this loot set using standard ARK beacon or loot set configuration tools, giving you full control over the contents. Whether you want to hand out basic tools, armor, or a tamed creature, the choice is entirely yours.
Key Features of the Welcome Pack System
- One-time grant per character, preventing repeat farming.
- Uses a simple loot set name for easy configuration.
- Admin-only override option via a special in-game chest.
- Lightweight code that does not interfere with other mods.
How to Install and Configure the Mod
Before diving into the configuration, you need to know how to install the mod on your server. The process is straightforward, but it requires access to your server files. If you are using a hosting provider, you can typically install mods through their control panel. For those running a dedicated server, you will manually add the mod ID to your mod list. To download Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack, search for it in the ARK: Survival Ascended mod manager or on the official mod repository. Once downloaded, ensure it is enabled in your server's active mods list.
For players asking how to install this on a single-player game, the process is similar. Subscribe to the mod in the game's mod menu, then activate it when loading your world. The mod will automatically load with your save. Remember that the welcome pack only triggers on the first connect, so if you install it on an existing save, current characters will not receive the pack retroactively.
Configuration via Loot Set
The default method uses a loot set, which you can set up through the game's beacon or loot drop configuration. Create a loot set with the exact name LootItemSet_SeaOfSoulsWelcomePack and populate it with the items you want new players to receive. When a new character connects, the server checks for this loot set and grants the contents. This method is ideal for server admins who want a purely data-driven approach without extra files.
Admin Chest Override Method
For more dynamic control, the mod includes an admin-only chest. You can spawn it using the command: admin cheat giveitem "/SeaOfSoulsWelcomePack/AdminChest/PrimalItem_SOSWP_WelcomeBack.PrimalItem_SOSWP_WelcomeBack" 1 0 0. This chest allows you to manually add items, save the contents via the radial menu, and then distribute them to players. Once you use the admin chest, it creates a savegame file that supersedes the loot set version. This means the chest's contents become the new welcome pack. To revert to the loot set method, you must delete the .sav file stored in the Saved\SaveGames directory on your server. This override is perfect for temporary events or special promotions.
Compatibility and Mod Support
The Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack for ARK: Survival Ascended is designed to work with the current official version of the game. Since it is a commissioned mod, it is built to avoid conflicts with popular mods like structure packs or creature additions. However, it is always recommended to test mod compatibility on a separate test server before deploying it to your main player base. The mod does not require additional dependencies, making it a plug-and-play solution for most setups. If you use a launcher like the one available on foxygame.net, you will find that managing this add-on is even easier. The launcher's add-on catalog allows you to browse and install Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack with a single click, and it handles version compatibility checks automatically, ensuring your server runs smoothly without manual file edits. This is particularly useful for admins who manage multiple servers or frequently update their mod lists.
Practical Tips for Server Admins
When setting up your welcome pack, consider the early game progression. A pack that is too powerful can trivialize the first few hours, while a weak pack might feel pointless. A balanced approach includes basic tools, a simple weapon, and some food or water containers. You can also include a starter creature, like a Parasaur, to help with transportation and resource gathering. The loot set system makes it easy to tweak the contents based on player feedback.
Another tip is to use the admin chest for special events. For example, you can create a temporary welcome pack for a weekend event that gives players a unique cosmetic item. Once the event ends, delete the .sav file to revert to the standard loot set. This flexibility is one of the mod's strongest features, allowing you to adapt the welcome experience without changing the core mod code.
Conclusion
The Sea of Souls - Welcome Pack is an essential tool for any ARK: Survival Ascended server admin looking to improve the new player experience. Its simple design, combined with the powerful admin chest override, gives you complete control over how survivors start their journey. Whether you prefer the automated loot set method or the hands-on chest approach, this mod delivers a seamless and repeatable process. Download the mod today, configure your loot set, and watch your server's population grow as new players get the boost they need to thrive. With easy installation and robust compatibility, this welcome pack system is a must-have addition to your mod collection.