Version: 2.3.1.6
Server Management
- Importing an Existing Config
- Using Beacon with Ark Single Player
- Updating Your Nitrado Server
- Updating Your Server With FTP
- Updating Your Server Manually
- Ark Config File Reference
- The Difference Between Deploy and Export
Core Features
- Using Config Sets
- Using Presets to Automate Item Set Creation
- Adding Unsupported Engrams, Creatures, Loot Drops, or Spawn Points to Beacon
- Preset Selectors Guide
Config Editors
- Breeding Multipliers
- Crafting Costs
- Creature Adjustments
- Creature Spawns
- Custom Config
- Day and Night Cycle
- Decay and Spoil
- Engram Control
- Harvest Rates
- Item Stat Limits
- Levels and XP
- Loot Drops
- Stack Sizes
- Stat Multipliers
User Accounts
- Create or Recover Your Account
- Sign Into Beacon
- Activating Beacon Omni
- Sharing Beacon Documents with Other Users
- About User Privacy
Troubleshooting
- Item Quality Is Different Than Expected
- Loot Drops Are Not Working As Intended
- How to Stop Using the Custom Config Editor
- Solving Connection Problems to Beacon or Nitrado
- Beacon System Status
For Developers
Decay and Spoil
Decay is a behavior built into Ark to control abandoned structures on public servers. While there are lots of settings to allow a great deal of control, they can be overwhelming, so this guide will attempt to break down exactly what each one does.
Decay Settings
Starting at the top left, four switches control decay for structures and creatures in both PvE and PvP mode. PvE decay must be enabled if PvP decay is enabled.
The next two fields, Structure Decay Multiplier and Creature Decay Multiplier, control the rate at which structures and creatures decay. Greater numbers will take longer to decay. Refer to the chart in the Times group for the effects of changing the multipliers. Crop Decay Speed Multiplier works exactly the same as the previous two multipliers, but controls the speed at which crops die if not watered.
Unsnapped and Core Structures
The next couple settings require understanding what is an unsnapped structure and what is a core structure. An unsnapped structure is any that doesn't have another structure snapped to it. A core structure is a foundation, pillar, platform, or other structure that could be built on.
So Only Decay Unsnapped Core Structures means that although decay is turned on, only foundations and pillars that have nothing attached to them will be decayed. This allows bases to remain intact, but pillar/foundation spam is controlled.
Fast Decay Unsnapped Core Structures is another potential solution to the pillar spam problem. With this option turned on, unsnapped core structures will decay at their own rate, as defined with the Fast Decay Period setting. Turning this on with Only Decay Unsnapped Core Structures turned off allows the regular decay times for most structures while still fighting pillar spam.
Auto Destroy
With Auto Destroy Structures turned on, structures will be destroyed after a certain amount time since a tribe member has been nearby. By default, the destroy time will match the unmultiplied decay time, so that structures will be destroyed as soon as they decay, when using official settings. Auto Destroy Structures Multiplier can be used to adjust the destroy time.
Warning: Setting Auto Destroy Structures Multiplier lower than Structure Decay Multiplier will cause structures to be destroyed before they finish decaying.
Only Auto Destroy Core Structures can be turned on to destroy only core structures. This means structures placed directly on the ground will not be automatically destroyed. Technically a structure placed on a foundation would not be destroyed, but would still collapse when the foundation is destroyed.
Auto Destroy Creatures works the same way, but there is no way to control the destroy time. It is always equal to the decay time.
Spoil Settings
Spoil settings are much easier to understand.
Spoil Time Multiplier is used to control the speed at which items spoil. Larger numbers will take longer to spoil. Use the chart to see the effects of the multiplier.
Corpse Decomposition Time Multiplier defines the amount of time that a body will remain on the map. The field to the right of the multiplier will show decompose time, but can also be edited. Use a simple format, such as "X days Y hours Z minutes" or "XdYhZm" and Beacon will compute the desired multiplier automatically. Item Decomposition Time Multiplier works exactly the same way, but for dropped items and bags instead.
Clamp Item Spoil Times, when turned on, will prevent spoil times from ever reaching Ark's maximum.
