ARK: Survival Ascended: Ragnarok Map Update

The wait is over, Ragnarok Ascended has officially launched as of June 19, 2025, bringing one of the most beloved maps in ARK: Survival Ascended servers history into the next generation of survival gaming. Rebuilt entirely in Unreal Engine 5.5, this massive update reintroduces a world of volcanic peaks, frozen highlands, and windswept deserts, all redesigned to deliver a richer, deeper survival experience in ARK.

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A Massive Rework, Not Just a Remaster

The new Ragnarok map is 144 km² and has a lot of biomes, landmarks, and challenges. With better terrain modeling, real-time lighting, water simulation, and thick flora, every inch of the world has been changed to make players feel like they are in a living world. For such a demanding, large‑scale map, run your server using gaming vps hosting to secure enough CPU/RAM headroom and keep the tick rate stable.

Notable new regions expand the map’s diversity, including:

• Scotland Highlands – rolling green landscapes with unique fauna,

• The Alpines – steep mountain passes and treacherous weather,

• Redwoods Expansion – deeper, darker woods with evolved predator behavior,

• Desert Expansion – arid zones with rare resources and environmental dangers.

These additions create a more strategic experience, where location, weather, and resources deeply affect gameplay.

New Bison Creature in ARK Ragnarok

A major highlight of Ragnarok Ascended is the debut of the Bison, a powerful new herd animal that enhances both survival mechanics and resource utility.

• Group Behavior: Bisons protect each other when threatened, charging enemies as a unit.

• Tank Abilities: Their knockback and high damage resistance make them effective in defense or PvP scenarios.

• Bison Milk: Exclusive to females, this valuable item aids in raising baby creatures like Wyverns, making Bisons essential for breeders and endgame progression.

Taming a Bison herd is both a challenge and an asset, offering tactical benefits across all game modes.

Ice Wyvern Boss Fight and Tek Rewards

The updated map introduces a new boss arena encounter: the Ice Wyvern Queen. Found deep within Ragnarok’s frosty regions, this powerful boss delivers a visually stunning and mechanically challenging fight.

Defeating her rewards players with unique Tek-tier equipment, including:

• Tek Sword – High-powered melee weapon with armor-piercing effects.

• Tek Shield – An energy-based defense with durability against both ranged and melee damage.

• Tek Light – A deployable source of light for bases and exploration.

These items open up advanced combat strategies and serve as major progression goals.

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Dynamic Environments and Survival Challenges

Ragnarok Ascended isn’t just bigger - it’s more reactive. Players must adapt to dynamic environmental systems that add risk and complexity to survival:

• Erupting Volcano: Periodic lava flows and ash clouds can destroy unprepared bases.

• Geothermal Springs: Provide healing or hazards depending on proximity.

• Advanced Weather Systems: Storms, blizzards, and heatwaves alter vision, temperature, and creature behavior in real time.

These features demand more thoughtful base placement, gear preparation, and exploration timing.

Free Download on PC, Xbox & PS5

Ragnarok Ascended is now live and completely free for all ARK: Survival Ascended players on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It is also fully supported through Xbox Game Pass, ensuring wide accessibility.

Around the same time, Studio Wildcard also launched the Lost Colony Expansion Pass - a bundle that gives players early access to upcoming maps, deeper lore, and exclusive new content, both visual and gameplay-related, rolling out gradually through 2025 and 2026.

Result

Ragnarok Ascended is now available in ARK: Survival Ascended, featuring a fully rebuilt 144 km² map with new biomes, creatures like the Bison, and a powerful Ice Wyvern boss. The update is free for all players on PC, Xbox, and PS5.

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