Mod Manager (CurseForge Integration)
ARK: Survival Ascended utilizes CurseForge for mod management. The Mod Manager simplifies the discovery, installation, and updating of these mods directly within the dashboard.
Searching and Installing Mods
The manager features a built-in search engine that queries the CurseForge API in real-time.
- Search by Name or ID: Enter keywords or the specific Mod ID from the CurseForge website.
- Filters: Sort results by category (New, Popular, Total Downloads).
- Mod Details: View descriptions, version history, and dependencies before installing.
Managing Installed Mods
Once a mod is added to a server, it appears in the "Installed Mods" list.
Mod Load Order
Load order is critical for compatibility.
- Use the Drag-and-Drop interface to reorder mods.
- High-priority mods (like total conversions or core overhauls) should generally be at the top of the list.
Enabling/Disabling Mods
You can toggle mods on or off without uninstalling them. The manager automatically updates the -mods= startup argument when you save your changes.
Updates & Integrity
Automated Updates
The Mod Manager can be configured to check for mod updates automatically. If a new version is detected:
- The server will perform a graceful shutdown (if configured).
- The mod files will be patched via the CurseForge client.
- The server will restart.
Integrity Scanning
If a mod is causing crashes or failing to load, use the "Verify Integrity" tool. This will re-download the mod files and ensure they match the latest version on the CDN.
Advanced Configuration
- CurseForge API Key: To use the search and auto-update features, you must provide a CurseForge API key in the application settings.
- Mod Storage: Customize where downloaded mod assets are stored to optimize disk usage across multiple server instances.
Tip: Large mods (over 1GB) may significantly increase server startup time. Monitor the "Startup Progress" bar on the dashboard.