Table Top Crafting
Space management is one of the most persistent challenges in ARK: Survival Ascended. Whether you are building a sprawling base or a tight, efficient outpost, the footprint of your crafting stations and storage containers often dictates how much room you have left for the things that matter. The Table Top Crafting add-on tackles this problem head-on by offering a suite of scaled-down, high-capacity structures that let you pack more functionality into a smaller area. This mod is designed to streamline your base layout without sacrificing the utility you rely on for survival.
What Does Table Top Crafting Add to Your Game?
This mod introduces a series of compact versions of essential structures, each with a significantly reduced size and, in most cases, a substantial boost to their storage capacity and durability. The focus is on creating a more efficient workflow, allowing you to cluster multiple stations together without the visual clutter of full-sized equipment. Below is a breakdown of the key items included in the mod.
High-Capacity Storage Solutions
The cornerstone of this mod is its storage options, which offer a remarkable increase in slot count compared to their vanilla counterparts. This means fewer containers scattered around your base and more organized inventory management.
- Tiny Table Top Storage Box: This small container provides 200 slots and features better health than the standard box, making it a durable and space-saving option for bulk resources.
- Vault with 800 Slots: The most impressive storage addition, this vault is smaller in size than the original but holds a massive 800 slots. Its improved health ensures your most valuable items are well-protected.
- Tiny Table Top Refrigerator: Offering 480 slots and better health, this unit is perfect for preserving perishables. Note that it requires Organic Polymer and Leech Blood to operate, adding a unique upkeep cost to its use.
Compact Crafting Stations
Beyond storage, the mod reimagines several crafting stations to fit on a tabletop, allowing for a more condensed and visually appealing workshop area.
- Tiny Table Top Indy Forge: This forge comes with 800 slots, a smaller size, and better health. It is also lockable, providing an extra layer of security for your smelting operations.
- Tiny Table Top Preserving Bin: With 150 slots, this bin helps extend the life of your food items in a much smaller footprint.
- Tiny Table Top Indy Cooker, Chem Bench, Grinder, and Smithy: Each of these stations has been miniaturized to fit your compact base design while retaining their core crafting functions.
- Tiny Table Top Generator: A smaller power source that helps keep your electrical grid running without taking up excessive floor space.
A Touch of Style
To round out the set, the mod also includes a Viking style Table and Chair. This provides a thematic seating area that fits well with the compact, utilitarian aesthetic of the other items.
Compatibility and Installation
The mod is designed to be compatible with most other mods, making it a safe addition to a heavily modded server. It has been partially tested with both Keyboard and Xbox Controller inputs, ensuring a functional experience across different play styles. For those looking to get started, the process is straightforward. To download Table Top Crafting, you can find it on popular mod repositories. If you are unsure how to install it, the standard procedure involves subscribing to the mod on the Steam Workshop or adding it to your server's mod list, then restarting your game or server. The mod does not currently have any GameUserSetting.ini options, but these are planned for a future update to allow players to customize size and slot counts.
For a streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher simplifies managing your mod collection. It provides a dedicated add-on catalog where you can easily locate Table Top Crafting for ARK: Survival Ascended and install it with a single click, bypassing the manual file management. The launcher also handles version compatibility checks, ensuring that the mod you are adding works seamlessly with your current game build and other installed mods, reducing the risk of conflicts.
Current Status and Known Considerations
It is important to note that this mod is in its early stage of development. As with any early-access content, you might encounter bugs. The mod description explicitly states that users should use it at their own risk, and the owner is not liable for any damage done. The mod is currently compatible with the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended, but as the game receives updates, you should monitor the mod page for patches. If you do find a bug, the creator encourages you to leave a message in the comment section of the mod page, as this feedback is crucial for refining the mod.
Final Thoughts on Table Top Crafting
Table Top Crafting offers a practical and visually distinct solution to base-building inefficiency. By consolidating storage and crafting into smaller, more robust structures, it allows for greater creativity in base design and a more streamlined survival loop. While the early-stage status means you should be prepared for occasional hiccups, the potential for space-saving and the impressive slot counts make it a compelling mod for any survivor looking to optimize their footprint. It is a worthwhile addition to your mod list if you value function and compactness.