# tl;dr;
My co-op survival crew decided to finally try OG Ark Survival Evolved for the first time in mid 2025 right after the whole Aquatica DLC update debacle breaking many popular mods. Everything seems to be working okay for us running with this mods in order on a non-dedicated multiplayer game (I use the same machine to host and play). We are playing currently fine on patch 360.20 on September 18th 2025. No additional DLCs just the base game for all three of us.

## Updates
Still working on v360.20 patch!

## Config Files
https://github.com/ubergarm/ArkSurvivalPostAquaticaN00bModPack

## Features
This modpack adds a number of *must have* Quality of Life features missing from vanilla. The config files are designed for a small local server that is mostly PVE but we keep it in PVP otherwise you *cannot* pickup neutral dinos with your Arge (that config is a lie and the server silently sets it false no matter what to much confusion and consternation lol). So it is PVP but with friendly-fire for tribesmembers and dinos disabled.

Because some modded items are designed for using various DLC map resources, we've added some extra drops and ways to access those resources even on The Island without any DLCs (basically all the DLC content is in the game even if you don't buy it, then they use feature flags to enable it on or off, which is why aquatica caused such a stink with old players having to download gigs and gigs of updates and patches lol).

Also added a few "sane" spawns of interesting useful creatures without overtaking the native populations.

The game mechanics are very non-intuitive (to me) in many ways, so check out the wiki links below and there are still some ASE streamers on youtube so check out their content for instructive videos and mod showcases which mostly still apply.

Have fun and enjoy you some oldschool ARK Survival Evolved even if you're a still an ARK n00b in 2025 like me!

## References
* ASE Resource Map: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Resource_Map/The_Island#ARK:_Survival_Evolved-0
* ASE Spawn Map: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Spawn_Map/The_Island (click Content -> Creatures -> Search for Creature)