If you’re an Ark server admin who loves adding overhaul mods to make gameplay more immersive, you’ve probably asked: does using naturalism 2 ark mod delist your server? Naturalism 2 completely overhauls the game’s ecosystem, adds 80+ new realistic creatures, dynamic weather systems that actually impact gameplay, and new survival mechanics like realistic hunger and temperature effects that make the game way more challenging than vanilla. I remember when I first considered adding Naturalism 2 to my public server last year, I spent 3 hours scrolling through Reddit threads trying to find a clear answer to this question, because I didn’t want to waste all the time I spent building custom spawn areas for nothing. I’ve run 3 different custom Ark servers over the last 4 years, tested dozens of mods including Naturalism 2 on both private and public servers, so I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you add it to your server, risks to watch for, and how to avoid delisting.
Does Using Naturalism 2 Ark Mod Delist Your Server By Default?
The short answer is no, installing and running Naturalism 2 on your public Ark server will not delist it automatically, as long as you follow official server hosting rules. Wildcard’s official server policy explicitly allows all non-malicious Steam Workshop mods on public servers, as long as they don’t violate their terms of service. Naturalism 2 has been downloaded over 1.2 million times on Steam Workshop, and it’s one of the top 10 most popular Ark mods, so Wildcard is well aware of it and has not flagged it as a problematic mod.
I ran a public Naturalism 2 server for 8 months last year, and it never got delisted once, even with 40+ concurrent players most weekends. I’ve also talked to multiple other Naturalism 2 server admins in the official mod Discord, and none of them have reported automatic delisting solely for running the mod. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get delisted if you make common setup mistakes when adding the mod. Delisting happens when your server no longer shows up in the in-game public server browser, so new players can’t find it without a direct IP link, which can kill your server’s growth fast.
Common Mistakes That Get Modded Ark Servers Delisted
Most delisting issues for Naturalism 2 servers don’t come from the mod itself, but from setup errors or rule violations that admins often overlook. If your server vanishes from the browser, it’s almost always tied to one of these avoidable mistakes:
- Missing required mod dependencies or mismatched mod versions: Naturalism 2 requires several supporting mods to run correctly, including Custom Dino Levels and additional asset packs. If you upload an outdated version of the mod or forget to add a required dependency, the server will flag as corrupted and get removed from the public list automatically.
- Altering official game progression to violate Wildcard's server guidelines: If you tweak Naturalism 2 files to unlock paid DLC content for free, or add pay-to-win mechanics that give players who spend real money unfair advantages, your server will be delisted as soon as it's reported or detected.
- Exceeding the maximum allowed mod file size for public servers: Naturalism 2 is a large mod, clocking in at just under 12GB. If you pair it with 10+ other large overhaul mods, you may exceed the 30GB total mod size limit for public listed servers, triggering automatic delisting.
I’ve seen dozens of Naturalism 2 server admins panic when their server vanishes from the list, and 9 out of 10 times it’s because they skipped updating the mod’s dependency files after a patch. That’s an easy fix, but it can cost you days of lost player traffic if you don’t catch it fast. Another common mistake I see is admins setting their server to allow cheats for all players, or modifying the mod files to add unbalanced creatures that break core gameplay. While that’s allowed on private servers for friends, public servers that have those settings enabled will get delisted if they’re reported by players.
How to Safely Run Naturalism 2 on Your Public Server
A few simple pre-launch checks are all you need to avoid 99% of delisting risks for your Naturalism 2 server. First, Always download the mod and all dependencies directly from the official Steam Workshop. Don’t use reuploaded versions from third-party sites, as these often have altered files that can trigger detection systems. If you’re not sure which dependencies you need, the mod’s official Steam Workshop page has a complete, updated list of required mods pinned at the top of the description. Make sure you subscribe to all of them in the correct load order, as incorrect load order can also cause crashes that lead to delisting.
Next, test your server on private mode first before setting it to public. Join it yourself, check for crashes, missing assets, or error messages in the server console, and make sure all core Naturalism 2 features work as intended. Keep auto-update enabled for all your installed mods. Naturalism 2 gets regular patches to fix bugs and add new content, and running an outdated version for more than 48 hours can lead to your server being flagged as incompatible with the current game build, leading to temporary delisting.
If you’re running other mods alongside Naturalism 2, check for compatibility reports first. Some older combat or building mods conflict with Naturalism 2’s custom asset systems, which can cause server instability that triggers delisting. I recommend running no more than 5 additional small mods with Naturalism 2 to stay under the total file size limit and reduce conflict risks. I also recommend joining the official Naturalism 2 Discord server, where admins share common compatibility issues and update alerts before patches go live, so you can prepare ahead of time and avoid unexpected downtime.
What to Do If Your Naturalism 2 Server Gets Delisted
Don’t panic if your server vanishes from the public list. Most delistings for modded servers are temporary, and you can get your server back in the list within a few hours if you fix the issue quickly. First, Check your server console for error messages. 90% of the time, the error will be clearly listed, whether it’s a missing mod file, outdated version, or configuration error. If you don’t see any obvious errors, check the official Naturalism 2 mod page for recent patch notes. If the mod just got an update, you may need to restart your server to install the latest version. For temporary delisting due to mod updates, you can usually just restart your server to install the latest patch, and it will show back up in the browser within an hour.
If you’ve fixed all technical errors and your server is still not showing up, Submit a support ticket to Wildcard's server team. Include your server ID, list of installed mods, and a note that you’re running the official version of Naturalism 2, and they will usually re-list your server within 24 hours as long as you haven’t violated any guidelines. If your server was delisted for a terms of service violation, like adding pay-to-win features, you’ll need to remove those features first before submitting a support ticket. Wildcard rarely gives second chances for repeated TOS violations, so it’s best to avoid those practices entirely if you want to keep your server listed long term.
It’s also a good idea to Keep a backup of your working mod configuration so you can roll back quickly if a new update causes unexpected issues that lead to delisting. I keep a separate backup folder for my mod configs that I update every time I add or update a mod, and it’s saved me hours of work multiple times.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to worry that does using naturalism 2 ark mod delist your server if you take the time to set it up correctly and follow official guidelines. It’s one of the most well-made overhaul mods for Ark right now, and it can bring tons of new life to your server for both new and veteran players. I’ve seen servers running Naturalism 2 hit 100+ concurrent players regularly, because the mod offers a fresh experience that vanilla Ark just can’t match. Just double check your dependencies, test before going public, and stay on top of updates, and you’ll have a stable, visible server that players will keep coming back to. If you do run into issues, the Naturalism 2 community is extremely helpful, so you won’t be stuck trying to fix problems on your own.