Simple Equipment Display
In ARK: Survival Ascended, base decoration often takes a backseat to survival mechanics, yet the most memorable tribes know that a well-adorned hall tells a story of conquest and craftsmanship. The Simple Equipment Display add-on bridges the gap between functional storage and aesthetic pride, allowing you to turn your hard-earned gear into museum-quality exhibits. Instead of leaving your best armor sets rotting in a vault, this mod transforms ordinary survivor dermis into dynamic mannequins that showcase your favorite outfits, weapons, and even trophy mounts.
What Does Simple Equipment Display Add to Your Game?
This custom cosmetic mod introduces a suite of display furniture designed specifically for survivor dermis. The core mechanic is straightforward: you apply a custom skin to a dermis placed on a Taxidermy Base, then equip the dermis with armor or weapons to create a visual showcase. The mod currently includes four distinct furniture variants plus a wall-mounted option, giving you flexibility in how you present your collection.
Available Display Furniture
- Armor Display Black (Survivor Dermis): A sleek, dark frame that makes metal and dark-colored armor pop.
- Armor Display Metal (Survivor Dermis): A polished metallic stand for a more industrial or tek-themed base.
- Weapon Display Black (Survivor Dermis): Perfect for showing off rifles, swords, or spears with a dramatic backdrop.
- Weapon Display White (Survivor Dermis): A clean, bright option that contrasts well with darker weapons.
- Simple Trophy Display (Trophy Wall-Mount): A wall-mounted solution for heads or other trophies, saving floor space.
How to Install and Use the Mod
Learning how to install the mod is simple. First, navigate to the ARK: Survival Ascended mod browser in the main menu and search for "Simple Equipment Display." Subscribe to the mod and ensure it is enabled in your server or single-player session. For those managing a dedicated server, add the mod ID to your mod list and restart the server. Once loaded, the crafting recipes for the display furniture will appear in your engram list, typically under the "Structures" or "Furniture" tab. You can also download Simple Equipment Display directly from popular mod repositories, but always verify the source to avoid corrupted files.
After installation, the process of creating a display is methodical but rewarding. You must first obtain a survivor dermis, which you can get by using the Taxidermy Tool on yourself (yes, that means a temporary death) or from another player. Note that the displayed armor model will differ depending on the survivor's gender, so for best results, use a dermis from a default survivor without custom body shape edits. Place the dermis onto a Taxidermy Base, then open the ring menu on the base and select "Hide Base" to make the foundation invisible for a cleaner look. Finally, open the inventory of the dermis, apply the Simple Equipment Display cosmetic skin, and equip the desired armor or weapon into the slots.
Tips for Flawless Displays
- Helmets are tricky: Helmets cannot be displayed directly. To show one, apply a helmet skin to an equipped armor piece first, then display that piece.
- Skin application order: If you want to apply a skin to an item being displayed, remove the equipment from the display, apply the skin in your inventory, and then place it back. Applying a skin directly to an item while it is on display may crash your game.
- Gender consistency: Mixing male and female dermis in the same room can look inconsistent; stick to one gender for a uniform armory.
For players who prefer a streamlined setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Simple Equipment Display for ARK: Survival Ascended, bypassing manual mod folder management. The launcher also maintains version compatibility checks, so you won't face broken assets after a game update.
Compatibility and Version Support
As of the latest updates, Simple Equipment Display for ARK: Survival Ascended supports the current stable version of the game, including the recent map expansions and core gameplay patches. The mod is lightweight and does not conflict with most popular building or QoL mods, though it is always wise to test it alongside heavy overhaul mods in a single-player session first. The developer actively maintains the mod, and the foxygame.net launcher's auto-update feature ensures you always have the latest build without manually checking for patches. This is particularly useful after major ARK updates, which sometimes break older mods.
Creative Uses Beyond the Armory
While the primary use is displaying combat gear, creative players have found unique applications. You can create a "Hall of Legends" featuring the armor of fallen tribe members, or set up a weapon museum for trading posts. The Simple Trophy Display is excellent for hunting lodges, and the black or white variants allow you to match your base's color scheme. Some players even use the displays to plan outfit combinations before crafting final versions, effectively using the dermis as a dress-up mannequin.
If you encounter any issues or have feature requests, the mod's community is active on Discord, and the developer is responsive to feedback. The project also pairs well with other cosmetic mods, such as the Modern Glass Manor Structure Skins, for a cohesive architectural style.
Final Thoughts on Simple Equipment Display
The Simple Equipment Display mod fills a niche that vanilla ARK: Survival Ascended lacks: a clean, customizable way to showcase your gear without cluttering your base with storage boxes. Whether you are a solo builder looking to add flair to your thatch hut or a tribe leader designing a grand trophy hall, this add-on delivers on both form and function. The setup takes a few minutes, but the result is a professional-looking display that makes your hard-earned loot feel truly celebrated. Download it today and turn your survivor dermis into the centerpiece of your base.