Ragnarok

World

151 Creatures
25 Resources
56 Spawn Points
10 Artifacts
61 Caves
3 Terminals
79 Loot Crates
49 Loot Tables

Field guide

Ragnarok - Detailed Guide

Ragnarok is a free, official, non-canonical DLC expansion map for ARK: Survival Ascended. Rebuilt entirely in Unreal Engine 5.5, this massive 144 km² map features volcanic peaks, frozen highlands, windswept deserts, and Norse-themed ruins. It is widely regarded as one of the best maps for base building and resource gathering in ARK.

Biomes & Regions

Ragnarok spans 144 km² with diverse environments ranging from tropical coastlines to frozen peaks:

The Highlands

Sweeping grassy plateaus in the northeast with abundant sheep, metal, crystal, and obsidian. The nearby Wyvern Trench makes this a strategic late-game hub. The Lighthouse area offers a safe starting point with a huge hidden cave underneath.

Desert & Canyon

A Scorched Earth-inspired biome with localized sandstorms that drain stamina and limit vision. Features heat stroke effects, hidden waterfalls, canyon caves, and sulfur deposits. The canyon edges offer defensible cliff-side building spots.

Redwood Forests

Vast stands of towering redwood trees with lush undergrowth. One of the most visually impressive biomes in Ragnarok Ascended, providing abundant wood, cover for tree-platform bases, and opportunities for high-elevation building.

Frozen Peaks & Snowfields

High-altitude zones with blizzards, white-out storms, and rare creatures like Dire Wolves and Mammoths. Rich in metal deposits and Organic Polymer from Kairuku. Ice Wyvern eggs can be found in the snow biome surface trench.

Active Volcano

Mount Gunners sits at the map's center and periodically erupts, spewing lava flows and meteor showers. Rivers of lava flow across the landscape while molten rock rains from above. Extremely rich in metal and obsidian.

Coasts & Viking Bay

Tropical beaches line Ragnarok's coasts, with Basilosaurus whale skeletons and supply crates washed ashore. Viking Bay is a popular starting area with sheltered waters and Norse-themed architecture.

Caves & Dungeons

Massive cave systems with colorful Aberration-style lighting, multiple entrances, and aggressive Aberrant Megalania and Carno spawns. Features Fafnir's Cavern, ice caves, sunken Viking boats, and hidden castles.

Underwater Ruins

A mysterious underwater city-themed ruin has been added with clusters of Silica Pearls for advanced resource farming. Deep sea loot crates and unique aquatic creatures await in the depths.

Unique Features

What makes Ragnarok special compared to other maps:

• Active Volcano: Mount Gunners erupts periodically with lava flows and meteor showers

• Wyvern Trench (Dragonmalte Trench): Wider than Scorched Earth's World Scar with more nests

• Ice Wyvern Nests: Surface trench in the snow biome for Ice Wyvern eggs

• Norse-Themed Ruins: Viking boats, hidden castles, and Norse architecture scattered throughout

• Breedable Griffins: Hatch from eggs with a 30% imprint bonus, retaining dive-bomb attacks

• Bison: New knockout tame with pack buff (+30% damage/resistance) and Wyvern milk from bred females

• Aberration-Style Caves: Colorful bioluminescent lighting in the cave systems

• Organic Polymer Plants: Found in multiple caves and select biomes for easy farming

• Ice Wyvern Queen Boss: Unique boss encounter rewarding Tek-tier equipment including a Tek Sword

Survival Strategies

Essential knowledge for thriving on Ragnarok:

• Start at Viking Bay or the southern coasts for a safe early game experience

• Establish a base in the Highlands for access to metal, crystal, and the Wyvern Trench

• Tame Griffins near the Green Obelisk - they are now breedable in Ascended

• Prepare heat-resistant gear before exploring the desert biome and its sandstorms

• Farm Organic Polymer from Kairuku in the snow biome or from plants in caves

• Avoid the volcano during eruptions - lava flows and meteors can destroy tames and structures

• Use the desert canyon's defensible cliff edges for PvP base building

• Tame a Bison in the Highlands for its powerful pack buff in boss fights

Resource Guide

Where to find essential resources across Ragnarok's diverse biomes:

Metal

Highlands ravines, volcano slopes, and snow mountains (449+ nodes)

Crystal

Mountain peaks and cave systems (336+ nodes)

Obsidian

Volcano region and mountainous areas (295+ nodes)

Oil

Ocean floor, desert, and snow biome (418+ nodes)

Pearls

Underwater ruins and coastal shallows (355+ Silica Pearl nodes)

Sulfur

Desert biome and near the Wyvern Trench (81+ nodes)

Polymer

Organic Polymer plants in caves and from Kairuku in the snow

Silk

Desert biome bushes (214+ nodes)

Notable Creatures

Distinctive creatures found on Ragnarok:

• Griffins: Breedable flyers with dive-bomb attacks, commonly found near the Green Obelisk

• Bison: Highland tame with powerful pack buff and Wyvern milk production from bred females

• Fire/Poison/Lightning Wyverns: Found in the Dragonmalte Trench

• Ice Wyverns: Exclusive to the snow biome surface trench

• Ceratosaurus: ARK Additions creature fully integrated into the ecosystem

• Fasolasuchus: ARK Additions creature roaming Ragnarok's diverse biomes

• Veilwyn & Drakelings: Lost Colony Expansion creatures now roaming Ragnarok

• Ice Wyvern Queen: Boss encounter in the frosty regions

Strategic Base Locations

Recommended areas to establish your presence on Ragnarok:

• Highlands Lighthouse (17,79): Safe area with hidden cave, near Wyvern Trench and metal

• Viking Bay (20,32): Sheltered cove with Norse ruins, perfect for beginners

• Hidana Region (west): Massive grassy plains near redwoods, stone, and canyon metal

• Herbivore Island (8,96): Peaceful island with only passive herbivore spawns

• Desert Canyon Cliffs (83,56): Defensible cliff positions reachable only by flyers

• Snowy Mountain Lake (31,73): Serene elevated lake bordering the Redwoods biome

Boss Encounters

Ragnarok features the Ice Wyvern Queen boss arena encounter, found deep within the map's frosty regions. Defeating her rewards players with unique Tek-tier equipment, including a Tek Sword with armor-piercing effects. The Bison's powerful pack buff makes it an excellent addition to any boss fight lineup.

Ragnarok remains one of the most beloved ARK maps, offering an unparalleled combination of diverse biomes, abundant resources, and creative building opportunities across its massive 144 km² landscape. From the volcanic eruptions of Mount Gunners to the frozen Ice Wyvern trenches, Ragnarok Ascended delivers a richly reimagined world that rewards both exploration and strategic base placement.

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