Complete Cosmo Guide: Ark Survival Ascended

Welcome, Survivor, to your ultimate Ark Cosmo guide—your key to mastering one of Aberration’s most captivating creatures: the Cosmo. Introduced in the Bob’s Tall Tales: Steampunk Ascent expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended, this luminous, web-slinging invertebrate brings a whole new level of mobility and tactical support to the depths of Aberration.

Small but powerful, the Cosmo is far more than a shoulder pet. From swinging through fungal forests to fending off Reapers with charge-infused webs, it’s a dynamic companion that redefines survival underground. Let’s explore everything you need to know in this comprehensive Ark Cosmo guide.

Quick Glance Info: Cosmo

Behavior of the Cosmo

In the wild, the Cosmo is a skittish yet surprisingly resilient invertebrate. Although it appears timid at first glance, it is not to be underestimated. When threatened, it becomes highly aggressive and can overwhelm unprepared survivors in seconds. A natural carnivore, it survives by feasting on meat, but in its tamed form, its dietary preferences shift entirely.

Cosmos tend to wander slowly across the terrain or hang from cave ceilings, gently swaying on glimmering strands of silk. They are most commonly found in the lush Green and glowing Blue zones of Aberration—especially in the Mushroom Forest and Luminous Marshlands. They do not appear in the hostile Red zone, and though they are often plentiful, their small size and tendency to spawn inside the mesh of floors and walls can make locating them a challenge.

If you spot one stuck within the terrain, simply approaching with chitin in your inventory may lure it free. Alternatively, use a tamed Parasaur’s scan ability to detect hostile entities nearby—Cosmos included. Despite their elusive nature, they are abundant if you know where and how to look.

Details About the Cosmo

First up in this Cosmo guide, let’s discuss the basic details to know: available variations, colors (and regions), temperament, and drops. The Cosmo is the unique creature introduced with the Bob’s Tall Tales DLC during the Aberration map release on June 18, 2025.

Cosmos are a unique DLC-exclusive species, tameable, breedable, and overflowing with steampunk charm. Once tamed, they cannot be ridden, but they will lay eggs and become a powerful utility ally. Interestingly, they drop nothing when killed—so slaying one offers no material reward.

Tamed Cosmos no longer eat chitin. Instead, their diet shifts to include Plant Species Z Seeds (their favorite), raw meat (which also heals them), ascerbic mushrooms, and a variety of seeds. They won’t touch spoiled meat or kibble, distinguishing them from similar light pets like the Araneo.

While there are currently no variants of the Cosmo, it does utilize all 6 color regions, those regions being listed in order below:

1. Region 0: Main body
2. Region 1: Leg Patterns
3. Region 2: Back Inner
4. Region 3: Light
5. Region 4: Fur Main
6. Region 5: Fur Accents

Like standard light pets, Cosmos are immune to radiation and cannot drown, making them excellent companions for navigating hazardous subterranean biomes. They can also wear helmets for added protection, a trait that enhances their survivability during encounters with aggressive wildlife.

A crucial stat for tamed Cosmos is their web ammo, which does not scale with individual stats but instead with overall creature level. Even the lowest-level tame will boast at least 20 charges, while a perfect level 150 tame holds a maximum of 61 web ammo shots on official settings. On the Wolfe’s Den Ark servers, we offer 500 max ammo shots and 10 charges each reload.

Abilities, Utilities, & Combat of the Cosmo

The Cosmo truly shines—both literally and figuratively—once tamed and equipped as a wrist-mounted tool. Upon taming, survivors receive the Cosmo Wrist-Shooter, a device that allows toggling the creature between shoulder-mounted and wrist-mounted modes. While carried on your shoulder, the Cosmo behaves similarly to other utility pets, providing a 50% weight reduction for any items stored in its personal inventory.

However, equipping it on your wrist unlocks the Cosmo’s most defining features: Swing Mode and Shooter Mode, toggled via the ‘R’ key. Both consume a special web-based ammunition that automatically regenerates over time when not actively used. With this, the Cosmo transforms from a simple companion into a versatile tool that seamlessly bridges traversal and combat.

Swing Mode: Bio-Grappling Across Aberration

In Swing Mode, the Cosmo acts like a biological grappling hook, enabling fluid, Spider-Man–like movement through Aberration’s vertical landscapes. A blue reticle indicates where your web can attach. By holding the left mouse button, you fire a web line toward the target, then release to launch yourself forward with accumulated momentum.

Once airborne, climbing and descending are managed using Left Control and Left Shift, while jumping with the spacebar adds vertical propulsion. Additionally, a single web dash can be triggered midair by pressing the right mouse button, allowing for precise, last-minute direction changes. It’s worth noting that swinging has a few limitations—aiming directly downward isn’t supported, web lines break when you enter water, and opening your inventory mid-swing results in an immediate drop. Proper timing and spatial awareness are key.

Shooter Mode: Web-Based Offense & Control

When switched to Shooter Mode, the Cosmo shifts into an offensive stance. Pressing the left mouse button launches web projectiles that deal damage and apply a slowing effect to enemies. Holding the button activates autofire, making it particularly effective against groups of fast-moving or aggressive creatures.

For close encounters, the Cosmo offers the Web Whip via Left Control, a sweeping melee attack that also slows targets—but crucially, does not consume web ammo. This move can also function like a traditional whip, allowing you to snatch items off the ground during combat or while exploring.

Tactical Tools via Radial Menu

The Cosmo comes equipped with two specialized abilities, accessed through its radial menu, which expand its strategic utility—especially in the hostile depths of Aberration.

Charge-Infused Webs

This feature enhances the Cosmo’s offensive capabilities by infusing its web attacks with charge light, a powerful resource in Aberration. While active, this infusion consumes the Cosmo’s Charge Capacity and Regeneration, but the benefits are substantial. Against creatures like Nameless and Reapers, these charged webs weaken, debuff, and strip away their natural armor.

Additionally, if a charged web is fired at a surface, it generates a temporary charge-light bubble. This field offers a protective charge aura to nearby allies, making it a valuable support tool in group encounters or tight cave systems.

Threat Sense: Passive Auto-Defense

The Cosmo’s Threat Sense is a passive detection system that scans for nearby threats. If a Nameless or Reaper is detected, the Cosmo will emit a glowing visual warning and automatically activate its Charge-Infused Webs for defense. Once the threat subsides, the system deactivates without further input, ensuring the survivor is always prepared—even during surprise ambushes.

Combat Scaling & Strategic Use

Whether you’re web-slinging through narrow cave systems or locking down entire enemy groups with sticky projectiles, the Cosmo is an invaluable ally in both transport and tactical combat. Its web shot damage scales with its Melee stat, making it a flexible choice for players who want to invest in an offense-oriented build without sacrificing mobility or utility.

Few creatures in ARK offer this level of multi-role functionality. The Cosmo excels in crowd control, support, and exploration—solidifying its place as one of the most unique and creatively designed shoulder pets in ARK: Survival Ascended.

How to Tame the Cosmo

Taming a Cosmo involves a distinctive and engaging minigame unlike anything else in ARK. It’s a passive tame, but it demands attention and timing. It is unique like the Oasisaur and many other newer creatures introduced in recent years of Ark game development.

Step 1: Attracting the Cosmo

To initiate taming, enter the Green or Blue zones with chitin in your inventory. Even a single piece will do. Upon approaching a wild Cosmo, it will light up, wiggle excitedly, and begin moving toward you—only if you carry chitin. This behavior signals it’s ready to engage.

Step 2: First Feeding

While the Cosmo draws near, place its preferred taming food in the final slot of your hotbar. The best choice is Plant Species Z Seeds, followed by ascerbic mushrooms or chitin itself (though less effective). Meat and kibble do not work.

Once the Cosmo is glowing white and close enough, press ‘E’ to feed. On boosted servers or low-level spawns, this may instantly tame the creature. Calculate the amount needed with Dododex.

Step 3: The Minigame – Red Light, Green Light

If the first feed doesn’t complete the tame, the Cosmo will skitter away and dig into the ground, forming a small burrow. From this moment on, the taming becomes a Red Light, Green Light sequence.

The Cosmo will pop in and out of the ground. When it is glowing white and above ground, approach it carefully. Move slowly and only while it’s glowing. If you approach while it’s not glowing—or move too fast—it will bury itself again and reset the process. When you’re close enough while it’s glowing, you’ll get another opportunity to feed it.

Repeat this pattern until taming is complete. Patience and precision are key.

Fun Facts About the Cosmo

• Name Meaning: Cosmophasis luxtextor translates to “Light Weaver”, likely referencing both its glowing silk and its genus.
• Community Roots: The Cosmo’s concept may have been influenced by the Maevia Eureka, a popular fan-made spider creature from the Aberration vote. Though never officially confirmed, the Cosmo seems to embody many of the same glowing, stylized traits.
• Jumping Spider Lineage: The in-game dossier places the Cosmo in the Cosmophasis genus—real-life jumping spiders known for ant mimicry. Notably, C. bitaeniata uses chemical mimicry to blend in with aggressive weaver ants it hunts.
• Peacock Spider Aesthetic: Its iridescent colors and visual flair are reminiscent of Maratus, or peacock spiders. These tiny arachnids are known for their vibrant abdominal fans and complex mating dances.
• Superhero Inspiration: From swinging through terrain to wrist-fired webs, the Cosmo’s abilities strongly parallel those of Spider-Man, the Marvel superhero famous for acrobatic, web-based traversal.
• Combat Cues: Cosmo’s web shots produce a high-pitched whistle. Experienced players can use this sound to time cooldowns and track firing intervals in battle.
• A Web-Slinger’s Successor: Its swinging mechanics evoke memories of the Bloodstalker from Genesis Part 1, but with smoother handling and broader accessibility.
• Not an Araneo Cousin: Despite its spider-like appearance, the Cosmo isn’t related to the Araneo and doesn’t share its diet or behavior—no spoiled meat here.
• Playful Taming: Taming the Cosmo involves a Red Light, Green Light–style mini-game, offering one of the most interactive taming experiences in ARK.

Join Wolfe’s Den Servers

The Cosmo is far more than just a stylish addition to your creature roster. It’s a utility marvel, an agile scout, and a light-wielding guardian wrapped into a single compact frame. From web-swinging across the bioluminescent cliffs of Aberration to repelling deadly Nameless ambushes, this creature adds a whole new dimension to your gameplay.

With the insights from this Ark Cosmo guide, you’re now ready to tame, master, and unleash the full potential of this whimsical web-slinger. So grab some chitin, pack your Plant Species Z seeds, and swing your way to survival greatness—Cosmo-style.

If you’re eager to explore more about the Cosmo or get involved in the ARK community, come join the Wolfe’s Den public servers! Whether you’re looking to team up with other survivors or learn advanced taming techniques, our Discord community and servers are the perfect place for you.