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Survival Games

ARK Survival Evolved: mods and clusters

Configure an ARK server with mods via Steam Workshop IDs, then connect multiple maps into a cluster for cross-server transfers.

ARK servers are big, RAM-hungry and mod-rich. A well-tuned single map runs on 8 GB; full clusters with 5 maps need dedicated infrastructure.

Installing mods

In Startup, add Steam Workshop IDs to ActiveMods:

ActiveMods=731604991,731604991,821530042

Server auto-downloads mods on start. Clients must subscribe to each mod in the Steam Workshop.

Popular mods

  • Structures Plus (S+) — improved building with snap points.
  • Awesome TekGrams — skip grind to unlock Tek-tier engrams.
  • Death Recovery Mod — recover gear on death.
  • Super Structures — community S+ successor.

Setting up a cluster

A cluster lets players transfer characters, items and dinos between maps.

  1. All servers must share the same ?ClusterId=, -ClusterDirOverride= path.
  2. On WingNode, the cluster folder lives in a shared mount configured by support — open a ticket with the server IDs.
  3. Each map (Island, Ragnarok, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis) runs on its own server instance.

Performance tips

  • Set bUseCorpseLocator=True to reduce "I lost my body" tickets.
  • Reduce DinoCountMultiplier slightly to lower entity load.
  • Schedule weekly restarts — ARK memory leaks after days of uptime.