Single Player

Backup your save directory: '..\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArksLocal'

Subscribe to the mod.

When creating a game select the "Improved Dinos - Rare Spawns" from the mod list and click the double right arrow to move it over so it loads.

The mod should now load.

Dedicated Server - Manual

Subscribe to the mod.

Launch the game.

Go to your games mod folder, '..\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Content\Mods' and copy the folder named '479929837' AND the file named '479929837.mod' to your servers mod folder, '..\ShooterGame\Content\Mods'. If you don't see these files go to the single player option in-game and click 'refresh mods' and make sure the mod shows up in the list.

Add the mod ID to your command line launch.

It should look something like this: start ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?ModId=479929837?listen

Connect to your server and test that it is working by running 'cheat summon Raptor_Character_BP_AllColors_C'. If you spawn a raptor then the mod is installed. Make sure you enabled cheats and enter the server password correctly if set.

Dedicated Servers - 3rd Party Host
If the above process does not work contact your server host and ask them to setup it up. I do not run the mod on 3rd party hosts and most likely will not be able to help you with 3rd hosting specific problems.

Dedicated Servers - Ark Server Manager
Load the mod via the UI. It should handle the rest.

Server Settings
The latest update adds new config values you can use to control the number of rare spawns on your server. The actual number of allowed spawns is 1 less then the value. So a value of 5 allows a maximum of 4 rares alive at a time. A value of -1 disables the rare spawn. Not setting the value or using 0 will use the mods default.

[ServerSettings]
SpawnRareRaptors=5
SpawnRareDilos=5
SpawnRareCarnos=2

Vanilla alphas are controller by a setting in the map file. When maps and mods were split some people started having problems with vanilla alphas not spawning. I've figured out a work around and they are now controlled by the mod. Using server settings you can control the spawn chance. It is a percentage value and works by replace what would have been a regular spawn with an alpha spawn, just like the normal game. Not setting the value or putting it to 0 will use the mods default, which is 2%. Setting a value of -1 will disable that vanilla alpha spawn.

[ServerSettings]
VanillaAlphaRexChance=2
VanillaAlphaRaptorChance=2
VanillaAlphaCarnoChance=2

Due to the nature of early access things can break between game updates. In order to avoid losing all your tamed dinos follow these steps when a new version of the game is released.

Shut down the server.

Backup the most recent saved ark data, found in your servers '..\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks' folder.

Update the server.

Delete the old mod folder and .mod file from the server.

Grab the lastest version of the mod following the 'Dedicated Server - Manual' directions assuming you are running a dedicated server.

Start the server. Wait till it has loaded.

Go to the '..\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks' folder and copy the file named 'TheIsland_AntiCorruptionBackup.bak'. Keep this file safe, it will save you from losing all your dinos if something broke in the new game update.

Connect to your server and confirm that all tamed dinos still exist, if they do then everything is working fine and you can carry on as normal. If not follow the steps below.

If all dinos are gone the something broke between version, wait for a new mod update, a new game update or information from me. As long as you keep the 'TheIsland_AntiCorruptionBackup.bak' file you will be able to recover all lost dinos when the problem is fixed.

Always keep a safe copy of 'TheIsland_AntiCorruptionBackup.bak' if you lost your dinos in an update. When a new mod version or game version comes out rename a copy of 'TheIsland_AntiCorruptionBackup.bak' to 'TheIsland.ark' and move it into your servers '..\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks' folder. This will overwrite anything thats happened on the server since you saved the file originally so be careful. If the mod/game has had the problems resolved your server should start and you should have all your dinos back.

If you can't get the mod working make sure everything has been updated to the lastest version. Check the forums to see if other mods are having problems too. The game is constantly being updated and problems may arise. If a new game/mod version has broken the mod for you and none of the other steps work the best coarse of action is to keep your backups safe, post your problem and wait for an update from me or the devs.

Works with existing saved games, dedicated and singleplayer. Does not change existing dinos that have been tamed or that are alive in the world. You may need to wait for new dinos to spawn.

Works between most game versions, new items and dinos added by the devs will be available without updating the mod.

Removing the mod will remove all dinos tamed while the mod was installed, it will not remove the drops collected from rare spawns.

Currently this mod does not add any new items and should work fine with mods that do. If a mod modifies dinos you will most likly need to load this mod first if you want this mods custom dinos.

Newly tamed dinos do not get mate boosted with previously tamed partners. Newly tamed dinos still get mate boosted by other newly tamed dinos. This is a limitation in the way mate boosting is setup and I have not been able to find a fix yet. In the meantime, tame a male/female pair after first installing the mod for mate boost!

The new dinos follow a common format for naming:
summon Raptor_Character_BP_AllColors_C
summon Dilo_Character_BP_AllColors_C

summon Raptor_Character_BP_Rare_C
summon Dilo_Character_BP_Rare_C

Add cheat before summon for dedicated servers. Be aware that if the rare is limited to a certain number of spawns alive at a time then the summon command will not summon a new one. You can kill all existing spawns by using the command 'destroyall' instead of summon. I believe this also removes tamed dinos so be careful.


Q: My server will not start, the mod will not load, I can't get anything working, etc.
A: Make sure you follow the steps provided, these are know to work. If they stop working I will provide an update as soon as possible, however I am a real person and do not have an unlimited amount of free time. If the newest version of the game is having issues they are most likely not fixable by me and we just have to wait. The game is in early access and I am doing my best to keep the mod updated and working with each new version.

Q: All the tamed/wild dinos have lost the new colors and are the default colors again. What happened?
A: The game is failing to load the mods file. It still sees the mod but it isn't picking up the data for whatever reason. Don't panic when the game is fixed and properly loads the mod your dinos will get the custom colors back.

Q: Why can't I find any rares?
A: Rare spawns are meant to be rare, most dinos in this mod will be limited to a few alive at a time and some despawn after a set time not fighting anything.

Q: Can I have your mod files so I can combine them into another mod/package/do something with them?
A: Based on the current state of modding and the game I will be keeping the mod private for now. Expanding it into other projects or packages is just going to make keeping it updated more work. If you think the mod can be improved in some way suggestions are more then welcome.

If you have a question or a problem related to the mod post in the discussion area and I will do my best to help you. If you run a large server and rely on having the mod running for your members and I haven't answered your question feel free to send me a friend request and let me know on steam chat. I'll do my best to respond when I am free.