COSMETICTHRALL NPC

CosmeticThrall is a customizable companion Thrall mod for ARK: Survival Ascended, based on the Thrall NPC introduced in the Lost Colony DLC.

The mod originally began as a Thrall capable of using cosmetic skins, but it has since grown into a companion-style Thrall system featuring cosmetic support, multiple behavior modes, patrol and action systems, dino-related interactions, appearance customization, and various quality-of-life features.

This mod is still in active development. Features may change over time, and occasional issues may occur as new systems are added.

================================================== HOW TO SUMMON

Craft and use the CosmeticThrall Summon Item.

Before using the item, check its description. The item automatically scans nearby tribe-owned dinos and displays the base stats of the highest-level dino found.

The summoned Thrall will mirror those base stats.

Player level has no effect on the result.

================================================== COSMETIC AND EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

Cosmetic skin items can be applied to the Thrall.

Armor and shields can be equipped directly through the Thrall's inventory.

Weapons must be equipped separately while possessing the Thrall.

IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT NOTE

Weapons, armor, and shields equipped on Cosmetic Thralls are primarily used for:

• Appearance
• Weapon type selection
• Cosmetic skin display

Item quality does not affect the Thrall's actual stats.

Weapon damage, armor rating, durability bonuses, and other item-quality effects are not transferred to the Thrall.

================================================== COSTHRALLCONFIG WHEEL MENU

CosmeticThrall has a dedicated wheel icon menu called CosThrallConfig.

This menu provides access to:

• Behavior settings
• Feature toggles
• Appearance-related options
• CosmeticThrall-specific controls

================================================== APPEARANCE CUSTOMIZATION

A dedicated customization UI allows you to change the Thrall's:

• Hairstyle
• Hair length
• Hair color
• Facial hair
• Body type
• Skin color

Female Thralls can also use hairstyles that occupy the facial hair slot, including bangs and similar modded hairstyles.

Skin color adjustment is currently an experimental feature.

Results may vary depending on the selected skin, materials, cosmetics, and lighting.

================================================== COMPANION BEHAVIOR FEATURES

GUARD MODE

Guard Mode replaces the previous Turret Mode behavior.

When Guard Mode is enabled, the Thrall will fight wild dinos or hostile targets and then return to its original position and facing direction after combat.

Guard Mode also works while the Thrall is mounted on a dino.

PATROL MODE

Use Add Patrol WayPoint to register patrol points.

The Thrall will move through the saved waypoints in order and continuously repeat the route.

Use Clear Patrol WayPoints to remove all saved patrol points.

Waypoints can also be placed while possessing the Thrall. During possession, the same patrol controls are available through the player's wheel icon menu.

Patrol Mode also works while the Thrall is mounted on a dino.

ACTION MODE

Action Mode is an advanced behavior system that expands upon Patrol Mode.

It allows you to create a sequence of movements and actions for the Thrall to perform at recorded locations.

To create a sequence:

1. Move the Thrall to the desired location.
2. Face the direction in which the action should be performed.
3. Open the Action Mode Settings UI.
4. Select an action and a post-action delay.
5. Add the sequence.

For each recorded sequence, the Thrall will:

• Move to the recorded location
• Face the recorded direction
• Perform the selected action
• Wait for the configured delay
• Continue to the next sequence

Selecting None as the action creates a movement-only sequence without playing an animation.

ACTION MODE SIGNALS

Action Mode includes a signal system for coordinating multiple Thralls.

Set Flag A-D temporarily activates the selected flag.

Wait Flag A-D pauses the sequence until a matching flag is detected from another Thrall within approximately 2,000 units.

This system can be used to create:

• Synchronized performances
• Coordinated reactions
• Staged scenes
• Group animations
• Custom behavior sequences

AUTO-TELEPORT FOLLOW

If the Thrall loses its path or falls too far behind its follow target, it will automatically teleport nearby to catch up.

The teleport sound and visual effect can be enabled or disabled through the CosThrallConfig menu.

WEAPON EQUIP TOGGLE

This option determines whether the Thrall remains armed at all times.

When enabled, the Thrall will remain armed in:

• Standby Mode
• Guard Mode
• Patrol Mode

Harvest Mode and Hauling Mode are excluded.

WANDERING

Cosmetic Thralls can use the standard Wandering behavior.

================================================== DINO INTERACTION FEATURES

DINO RIDING

The Thrall can ride compatible dinos while continuing to use its AI behavior.

Mounted Thralls can follow targets, fight enemies, patrol routes, and use Guard Mode.

PASSENGER SEATS

The Thrall can be assigned to a dino's passenger seat.

Select the desired passenger seat through the Thrall's wheel menu.

DINO CONTROL

When a Thrall is riding a dino, that dino gains a dedicated wheel menu option for controlling the mounted Thrall.

This allows Thrall-related settings to be accessed directly through the wheel menu of the dino currently carrying the Thrall.

This feature is designed to work together with the Passenger Seat system.

MOUNTED AI BEHAVIOR

The Thrall continues to use its AI behavior while mounted on a dino.

Mounted behavior includes:

• Following
• Combat
• Guard Mode
• Patrol Mode
• Behavior synchronization

RIDE DINO BEHAVIOR SHARING

When a Thrall is mounted on a dino, supported behavior settings are automatically synchronized between the Thrall and the mounted dino.

Synchronized settings include:

• Follow target
• Follow distance
• Aggression level
• AI targeting range
• Ignore whistles
• Ignore ally look
• Guard Mode settings

================================================== ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

The CosThrallConfig menu includes several optional settings:

• Thrall mode icon toggle
• Auto-teleport sound and effect toggle
• Gender swap
• Weapon equip toggle
• Ignore whistle settings

================================================== ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

• Hauling Mode works correctly when crafting inventories overflow, including campfires and similar structures.
• Cosmetic Thralls can properly use Wandering behavior.
• When the player performs an emote near a CosmeticThrall, the Thrall will attempt to mimic that emote.
• Thralls can use cosmetic accessories such as goggles, capes, gliders, and wingsuits.

Accessory items are visual only.

Functional effects such as gliding or zipline movement are not transferred to the Thrall.

================================================== HOW TO CHANGE WEAPONS

1. Possess the Thrall.
2. Place a supported weapon item in Quickslot 9.
3. Unpossess the Thrall.

The Thrall will change to the matching weapon class while keeping its:

• Name
• Stats
• Inventory
• Cosmetic settings

================================================== SUPPORTED WEAPONS

• Crossbow - Base type
• Compound Bow
• Bow
• Machined Pistol
• Simple Pistol
• Assault Rifle
• Shotgun
• Pump-Action Shotgun
• Sniper Rifle
• Longneck Rifle
• Rocket Launcher
• Flamethrower
• Stone Hatchet
• Stone Pick
• Iron Hatchet
• Iron Pick
• Sword
• Spear
• Pike
• Torch - Unarmed type

UNARMED THRALL

To change the Thrall to the Unarmed type, equip a Torch in Quickslot 9 before unpossessing.

The Torch is used only as a trigger item for changing the Thrall's class.

The Thrall will not actually hold the Torch, and Torch light functionality is not supported.

================================================== COMMANDS

SUMMON ITEM COMMAND

cheat gfi PrimalItem_Spawner_SummonCosmeticThrallCrossBow 1 0 0

DIRECT SPAWN COMMAND

cheat GMSummon "Thrall_Character_BP_CosWithCrossbow_C" 1