ShadowArk Admin Tools
Running a dedicated server in ARK: Survival Ascended is a labor of love, but it often comes with tedious maintenance tasks. Between policing item transfers and babysitting structure timers, your time as an admin can quickly vanish. ShadowArk Admin Tools is a powerful mod designed to eliminate these headaches, giving you granular control over your server's economy and structure persistence without requiring constant manual intervention.
What Does ShadowArk Admin Tools Actually Do?
This add-on tackles two of the most common pain points for server owners: the unauthorized transfer of specific items and the frustrating decay of player bases. The mod is split into two core features that work independently but complement each other perfectly.
1. Item Transfer Blacklist
Do you have a custom item, a resource, or a specific weapon that you don't want players uploading to your cluster or bringing into your world? The ShadowArk Item Transfer Blacklist function allows you to create a comma-delimited list of item blueprint paths. Once configured, players will be physically prevented from uploading those items via the standard transfer system. This is perfect for servers with custom crafting recipes or those that want to restrict end-game gear from other maps.
The configuration is straightforward. In your Game.ini, you simply add a line like Blacklist=/Game/PrimalEarth/CoreBlueprints/Weapons/PrimalItem_WeaponStonePick.PrimalItem_WeaponStonePick. You can list as many item paths as you need, ensuring your server's balance remains intact.
2. The Decay Refresher Structure
One of the most annoying aspects of ASA is watching bases crumble because players are offline for a few days. ShadowArk Admin Tools introduces a new, admin-only structure called the Decay Refresher. This device automatically refreshes the decay timers on all structures within a configurable range every time the server reboots. It also works on demand via the radial menu, allowing you to instantly protect a specific area during a raid or a building competition.
The range is highly customizable. You can set a maximum range in the INI, but the mod also provides radial menu entries that let you adjust the current range by plus or minus 1000 units at a time, up to your configured maximum. This gives you real-time flexibility without needing to restart the server to tweak values.
Installation and Configuration Guide
Getting started is simple. To download ShadowArk Admin Tools, you can find it on the official mod repository for ARK: Survival Ascended. The mod is designed to work with the current live version of the game, and the developer actively maintains it to ensure compatibility with the latest Unreal Engine 5 updates and official patches. Always check the mod page for the most recent version notes to ensure it matches your server build.
For those using the foxygame.net launcher, the process is even smoother. The launcher features an integrated add-on catalog that lets you search for and install ShadowArk Admin Tools with a single click, automatically handling version matching for your server. This eliminates the guesswork of manual downloads and ensures your mod files are always aligned with the game client.
Step-by-Step Setup
Here is how to install and activate the mod on your server:
- Download the mod files from the Steam Workshop or your preferred source.
- Add the mod ID to your server's
GameUserSettings.iniunder the[ServerSettings]section, specifically in theActiveModsline. - Restart your server to load the mod.
- In your
Game.ini, add the[ShadowArkItemTransferBlacklist]and[ShadowArkAdminTools]sections to define your blacklist and range values.
Once loaded, you can spawn the structures using the admin command: cheat giveitem "/ShadowArkItemTransferBlacklist/Structures/DecayRefresh/PrimalItem_DecayRefresher.PrimalItem_DecayRefresher" 1 0 0. There is also an Antidecay structure available for a more permanent solution, which can be set to self-destruct after a specific number of hours, giving you even more control over temporary builds.
Key Configuration Options Explained
Understanding the INI settings is crucial for tailoring the mod to your server's needs. The primary settings include:
- MaxRefreshRange: The maximum radius (in units) that the Decay Refresher can affect. Default is 3000, but you can set it up to 30000.
- AntidecayMaxRefreshRange: The maximum range for the Antidecay structure.
- AntidecaySelfDestructTimeHours: The time in hours before the Antidecay structure destroys itself.
- PreventInventoryAccessTimeSeconds: A security feature that locks player inventory access for a set time after a transfer attempt is blocked.
- ServerTransferPreventInventoryMessage: A custom message to display to players when they try to transfer a blacklisted item.
Why Your Server Needs This
In conclusion, ShadowArk Admin Tools for ARK: Survival Ascended is an essential utility for any serious server admin. It saves you from the constant grind of manually resetting timers and policing transfers. By automating decay prevention and enforcing your item rules, you can focus on building a better community and creating engaging events. The mod is lightweight, performs well, and integrates seamlessly with the game's existing systems. Whether you run a small private server or a large public cluster, this tool provides the stability and control you need to keep your world thriving.