StorageMS
Managing inventory in ARK: Survival Ascended can quickly become a full-time job. Between hauling resources from your Dino’s inventory, sorting thousands of items into specific boxes, and ensuring your crafting stations never run dry, the logistics can overshadow the actual survival experience. That is where the StorageMS add-on steps in. This mod, also known as the Storage Management System, transforms your base into a self-organizing network, letting you focus on taming, building, and exploring instead of micromanaging every stack of fiber or metal ingot.
What is StorageMS?
StorageMS is a mid-tier automation mod designed for ARK: Survival Ascended. It provides survivors with a robust framework to automate the sorting and movement of inventory around their base. Instead of manually dragging items between containers, you configure a network of storage devices that communicate with each other to distribute resources based on your specific rules. It is a game-changer for both solo players with sprawling bases and large tribes with complex resource chains.
To get started, you will need to reach Level 49 to craft the core components. The system requires a Generator to power the network, adding a layer of strategic base design. Future updates promise lower-tier options that do not require power and higher-tier Tek versions, ensuring the mod scales with your progression.
Key Components of the Mod
Understanding the core structures is essential for mastering StorageMS for ARK: Survival Ascended. Each piece plays a specific role in the automation ecosystem.
Storage Controller
This is the brain of your operation. The Storage Controller creates a network that handles processing rules to move your inventory around. It also scans for resources within its range. The name you give this structure becomes your network name, so choose something intuitive like "Main Base" or "Resources."
Storage Hub
While the Controller is central, the Storage Hub extends the range of your network. This allows survivors to move inventory over a larger area, making it ideal for sprawling bases where your storage is spread across multiple buildings or floors.
SMS Tool
This handheld tool is your primary interface for configuring the network. It has three modes, accessible by holding the reload button (R) while equipped:
- Configure: Register and manage a container on the network. This is how you tell the system what each box is for.
- Copy: Duplicate the settings of one container to another. Perfect for setting up rows of identical resource boxes.
- Transfer: Manually move inventory from one container or dino to another, giving you direct control when needed.
D1N0-M8
This structure is a unique addition that works in conjunction with your Controller. It allows for the automatic collection of resources from specific resource-generating dinos within an area. Supported creatures include Achatina, Dung Beetles, Gachas, Ovis, and Tusoteuthis, among others. This effectively turns your tames into passive resource generators that feed directly into your storage network.
How to Install StorageMS
If you are wondering how to install this mod, the process is straightforward. The mod is designed to work with vanilla and modded structures, ensuring compatibility with your preferred building style. It also works with the Mod Settings Panel, allowing for fine-tuned configuration. The mod supports the current versions of ARK: Survival Ascended and is regularly updated to maintain compatibility with the game's official patches.
For a seamless experience, consider using the foxygame.net launcher. This launcher simplifies the process of downloading and managing your mods, offering a one-click install for StorageMS. It also provides auto-updates, ensuring you always have the latest version without needing to manually track patches. The launcher's add-on catalog makes it easy to find and deploy StorageMS alongside other essential mods, and it handles version compatibility checks automatically, so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time playing.
Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you download StorageMS, setting up your first network is intuitive. Here is a basic workflow to get your base automated.
Step 1: Configure a Dropbox
Place a Storage Controller central to your storage area and rename it to something like "Resources." Activate it. Then, place a Storage Box (any size) where you will unload resources. Rename this box "Dropbox" and ensure it is within 60 meters (or 20 foundations) of the Controller. Use the SMS Tool in Configure mode and shoot the Dropbox. In the interface, change the Transfer setting to Deposit, set the Output Network to "Resources," and toggle the state from Red to Green. Save your settings.
Step 2: Configure Your First Storage Container
Place a new Storage Container where you want specific items to go. Add a few resources to it that you want to auto-sort. Use the SMS Tool in Configure mode and shoot this container. Under Intake Network, set it to "Resources." Under Output Network, set it to "[None]." Select the resources you want to filter and move them to the Intake Network Rules List. Toggle the state to Green and save. The system will now automatically move matching resources from your Dropbox to this container.
Step 3: Expand Your Network
Repeat Step 2 for other containers and resources. The system will automatically distribute items throughout your base, freeing you from manual sorting. You can add Storage Hubs to extend the range and D1N0-M8 units to automate resource collection from your dinos.
Terminology and Tips
Understanding the mod's terminology is key to using it effectively. Intake refers to resources being added to the inventory by the selected network. Output refers to resources being taken out of the inventory by the selected network. By setting these rules correctly, you create a fully automated supply chain.
StorageMS is a powerful tool that changes how you approach base management in ARK: Survival Ascended. It is designed to work with a wide variety of structures, from simple storage boxes to complex modded containers, making it a versatile addition to any playthrough. Whether you are a solo survivor or part of a large tribe, this mod reduces the tediousness of inventory management, allowing you to enjoy the more exciting aspects of the game. With its planned updates for lower and higher-tier options, StorageMS is set to remain a staple in the ARK modding community for a long time.