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How to choose your ARK: Survival Ascended server

There are thousands of ARK: Survival Ascended servers. Here are the criteria that really matter, and how to spot them in seconds in the ranking.

1. Game mode

• PvE: no fighting between players. Perfect for building, breeding and exploring in peace.
• PvP: raids and tribe wars. More intense, often with raid rules (time windows, tribe size).
• PvPvE: a mix, for example protected zones and others open to combat.
• RP (roleplay): you play a character, with jobs, villages and a story.

2. Platform

Check that the server accepts your platform: Crossplay (PC and consoles together), PC only, PS5 or Xbox.

3. Rates and mods

“Rates” set the speed of gathering, taming and breeding: x1 is close to official, x10 or more is much faster. Mods add creatures, structures or comfort: type a mod’s name in the ranking search to find the servers that use it.

4. Community

A good server has an active Discord, admins who are around and clear rules. Read the server’s presentation, check its reviews and its number of online players.

5. The ranking

Servers are ranked by their players’ votes this month: a well-placed server has an involved community. Use the filters (mode, platform) and the search, then open the server’s page before you jump in.