Seahorse (Discontinued)
If you spent any time exploring the ocean depths in ARK: Survival Ascended, you know that the underwater world is both beautiful and brutal. While the base game offers creatures like the Anglerfish and Manta, modders have often stepped in to fill the gaps with unique tames. One such creation was the Seahorse (Discontinued) add-on, a charming and functional creature that gave survivors a new way to traverse the sea. Although it is no longer updated, many players still search for this mod due to its unique mechanics and the nostalgia it brings to their single-player worlds.
This article serves as a comprehensive archive and guide for those looking to experience this creature. We will cover everything from its spawning behavior to its saddle, and we will provide clear instructions on how to install the mod files if you have them saved locally. Let’s dive into the details of this unique aquatic addition.
Understanding the Seahorse Creature Mechanics
The core appeal of the Seahorse (Discontinued) was its simplicity and its shared habitat with a familiar foe. Unlike many modded creatures that require complex taming methods, this seahorse was refreshingly straightforward.
Spawning and Taming
According to the original mod description, the Seahorse shares the same spawn points as the Anglerfish. This means you would typically find them in the deeper, darker parts of the ocean, often near the seafloor or within the bioluminescent zones. This shared spawn table made them relatively easy to locate if you were already hunting for Anglerfish for their keratin or biotoxin.
When it comes to taming, the process was a knockout (KO) method. You could not passive-feed this creature. Instead, you had to knock it unconscious using tranquilizer darts, arrows, or even a strong melee weapon if you were brave enough. Once unconscious, you would feed it its preferred food to complete the taming process. The description explicitly states "Seahorse has KO tamming," confirming that this was the only viable route.
Breeding and Utility
One of the most requested features for any creature mod is breeding support. Fortunately, the Seahorse (Discontinued) could be bred. This allowed players to raise generations of seahorses, potentially mutating their stats for faster swimming or higher health, making them a viable long-term project for underwater bases.
To ride this creature, you needed a specific saddle that unlocked at level 13. This relatively low level requirement made it an excellent early-to-mid-game water mount. While it likely wasn't the fastest or strongest swimmer in the game, its unique appearance and ease of access made it a favorite for coastal exploration and gathering resources in shallow reefs.
Technical Details and Spawn Commands
For those who have the mod installed in a legacy version or are running a private server with the files, you might need the specific commands to spawn the creature or its saddle. These are essential for testing or if you lose your tames.
To summon a tamed Seahorse, you would use the following console command:
- Tamed Spawn: Cheat GMSummon "Seahorse_Character_BP_C" 120
- Wild Spawn: Cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/SeaHorse/Creature/SeaHorse/Seahorse_Character_BP.Seahorse_Character_BP'" 500 0 0 120
- Saddle Give: Cheat GiveItem "Blueprint'/SeaHorse/Creature/SeaHorse/Saddle/PrimalItemArmor_SeaHorseSaddle.PrimalItemArmor_SeaHorseSaddle'" 1 1 0
These commands are case-sensitive, so be sure to copy them exactly as shown. The "120" at the end of the spawn commands typically refers to the creature's level.
Mod Compatibility and Versions
It is crucial to understand that this mod is discontinued. This means it was designed for specific versions of ARK: Survival Ascended. While the mod was initially released during the early access phase of ASA, subsequent major game updates from Studio Wildcard often break mods that rely on core game files. If you attempt to load this mod on the latest version of the game, you will likely encounter errors, missing assets, or a failure to load the save file.
For players who have the mod files, it is recommended to check the mod's original upload date and compare it to the game version you are running. The mod is not compatible with the current version of ASA without significant unofficial patching. If you are looking for a similar experience, you may need to roll back your game version or look for alternative, actively maintained seahorse mods.
How to Install for Legacy Versions
If you have managed to archive the mod files, installing them is similar to any other mod. You would place the mod folder into the "Mods" directory of your ARK: Survival Ascended installation folder. After that, you must enable the mod in the game's mod manager or add the mod ID to your server launch parameters. Remember that how to install is only half the battle; ensuring the game version matches the mod's requirements is the other half.
For those looking to download Seahorse (Discontinued), you will not find it on the official CurseForge or mod.io pages anymore, as it has been removed. You will need to rely on community archives or friends who saved the file before it was taken down. Always scan downloaded files with antivirus software before adding them to your game directory.
If you are struggling to manage multiple mods or need a reliable way to handle version compatibility for older add-ons, you might consider using a third-party launcher. The foxygame.net launcher offers a curated catalog of add-ons and simplifies the installation process. While it may not host this specific discontinued file, its auto-update features and version tracking tools are excellent for managing other mods alongside your legacy Seahorse (Discontinued) files, ensuring that your game client doesn't accidentally update and break your saved world.
The Legacy of the Seahorse
While the Seahorse (Discontinued) is no longer actively supported, it represents a creative period in the ARK: Survival Ascended modding community. It filled a niche for a peaceful, breedable aquatic mount that was accessible early in the game. The fact that it shared spawns with the Anglerfish made it a risky but rewarding tame to acquire.
For players who experienced it, the seahorse was more than just a means of transport; it was a status symbol and a testament to the creativity of the modding scene. Even though you can no longer officially download it, its legacy lives on in the memories of the survivors who rode its saddle across the sunken seas. If you manage to get it working on a legacy server, you are in for a unique and relaxing underwater experience.