Stellic Basilisk
The Basilisk has always been one of ARK's most mysterious and intimidating creatures—a massive, burrowing serpent that can swallow enemies whole. But for many survivors, its clunky movement and frustrating turn radius made it more of a novelty than a reliable mount. The Stellic Basilisk add-on for ARK: Survival Ascended changes that. This TLC (Total Conversion Lite) mod breathes new life into the serpent, offering a suite of quality-of-life improvements that make it a genuinely viable companion for cave exploration and underground travel.
Currently in its first phase, the mod focuses on refining the existing Basilisk experience rather than overhauling it completely. The developer, Eclipse Modding, has stated that phase two will introduce new attacks and a model update, but even now, the changes are substantial enough to warrant a fresh look at this often-overlooked creature.
What Does the Stellic Basilisk Mod Change?
This isn't a complete rework; it's a targeted set of tweaks designed to address the Basilisk's most glaring weaknesses. The result is a creature that feels more responsive, more durable, and far less frustrating to use in tight spaces.
Stat Adjustments and Combat Viability
The most immediate change you'll notice is the higher melee damage. The Basilisk already hits hard, but this mod pushes it further, making it a more credible threat in both PvE and PvP scenarios. This is complemented by a slightly higher sprint and swim speed, which helps the serpent close distances quickly or make a hasty retreat when things go wrong.
Movement and Handling Overhaul
Perhaps the most impactful change is the much tighter turn radius. In vanilla ARK, the Basilisk turns like a freight train, making it nearly impossible to navigate narrow cave passages or circle enemies effectively. The Stellic Basilisk mod fixes this, giving you precise control that makes it feel like a true apex predator of the underground. This alone transforms the creature from a liability into a joy to ride.
Spawning and Ecosystem Integration
To make the modded Basilisk easier to find and integrate into your gameplay, it now spawns on the Lost Colony map in caves. This gives you a reliable location to tame one without relying on random world spawns. Additionally, the modded Basilisk can eat Aureliax eggs, providing a new, efficient taming food source that fits naturally into the game's ecosystem.
Quality of Life Improvements
Beyond the core stat changes, the mod includes several thoughtful tweaks that show a deep understanding of player pain points.
- No longer aggroed on by small dinos: This is a huge relief. In vanilla ARK, you'd constantly be pestered by Compys and other small pests while trying to explore. Now, they ignore you, allowing for uninterrupted travel.
- Improved colourisation on the face: A subtle but welcome visual upgrade that makes the creature look more distinct and menacing.
- Rider immunity: This is a critical safety feature. While buried under the mesh, you're no longer vulnerable to hazards that would previously clip you off your mount. This makes underground travel significantly safer.
Compatibility and Installation
The mod is designed for ARK: Survival Ascended and is compatible with the game's current version. As with any mod, it's always wise to check for updates after a major game patch. The mod is built to work alongside other mods, but if you experience conflicts, the developer recommends checking load order.
To download Stellic Basilisk, you'll need to add it to your mod list. The Stellic Basilisk for ARK: Survival Ascended is available through the in-game mod browser. For those who prefer a more streamlined approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for this add-on, automatically handling version compatibility and ensuring you're always running the latest build without manual file management. This can be a lifesaver if you're juggling multiple mods and want to avoid the hassle of tracking updates across different platforms.
How to Install the Mod
If you're wondering how to install, the process is straightforward. Open the ARK: Survival Ascended main menu, navigate to the Mods section, and search for "Stellic Basilisk." Click subscribe, and the game will handle the rest. Once downloaded, make sure the mod is enabled in your single-player world or server settings before loading your save.
For server administrators, you'll need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart. The spawn command for the modded Basilisk is provided in the mod's description, allowing you to summon it directly if you prefer not to search for it in the wild.
Final Thoughts
The Stellic Basilisk mod is a fantastic example of how a few well-placed tweaks can completely revitalize a creature. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it polishes every rough edge that made the Basilisk frustrating to use. Whether you're a veteran survivor or a newcomer looking for a powerful underground mount, this mod is well worth adding to your loadout. With phase two promising new attacks and a model update on the horizon, the future looks bright for this serpent. Download it today and give the Basilisk the respect it deserves.