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ARK: Ragnarok Ascended - Complete List of Changes & Improvements
Published on: June 23, 2025
ARK: Survival Ascended’s Ragnarok map has returned with a complete overhaul. Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, the new version introduces fresh terrain, upgraded visuals, improved performance, and modernized systems that make this one of the most ambitious reworks in ASA to date. Below is the full list of improvements, changes, and additions.
1 - Migration to Unreal Engine 5.5
Ragnarok Ascended now runs on UE5.5, bringing the latest engine improvements for smoother performance, better lighting accuracy, faster streaming, and reduced stutter-features older ASA maps built on 5.2 don’t fully benefit from.
2 - Bison
The Bison is a new knockout tame found in the Highlands and nearby islands. Males grant a strong pack buff (up to +30% damage/resistance), while females produce Wyvern milk when bred. It’s fast, has charge-based attacks that change based on head stance, and works well in both PvE and boss fights.
3 - Breedable Griffins
Griffins are now breedable, with babies hatched from eggs and gaining a 30% imprint bonus. This makes them stronger than ever, retaining their dive-bomb attack and offering more late-game potential than Wyverns. They commonly spawn near the Green Obelisk.
4 - Redwoods Expansion
The Redwoods biome has received one of the most visually and functionally impressive upgrades in Ragnarok Ascended. The central feature is now a massive fortified castle structure built directly into the cliffs and trees, giving it a dramatic presence with hostile creatures around it
5 - Scotland Expansion
The Highlands region has been significantly expanded, introducing sweeping prehistoric plains ideal for base-building. You’ll find roaming Bison herds, new clusters of beaver dams for cementing paste, a large freshwater pool in the center, and a redesigned lighthouse offering a scenic overlook and potential structure use.
6 - Wilderness Expansion
A brand-new wild zone near the swamp has been added, filled with Rex and Bison spawns for high-tier taming. A hidden cave tucked behind a waterfall at 47.1/10.5 features metal nodes and a narrow entrance, making it a strong early PvP location or a secure solo hideout.
7 - Remote Mini Islands
Several small and obscure islands have appeared around the map’s outer edges. While lacking major resources, their isolation makes them excellent for hidden bases.
8 - New beach crates
Dozens of new loot crates now spawn along coastal areas, giving players easy access to early-game gear like metal tools, armor, and weapons; no diving or high-level farming needed.
9 - Lost Colony Tames on Map
Creatures from the Lost Colony Expansion Pass, including the Veilwyn and the Drakeling (in all seasonal variants), can now be found roaming Ragnarok, adding passive buffs and tactical support even outside the DLC zones.
10 - Shrunk Grass
Foliage density remains, but grass height is reduced, improving player visibility and targeting.
11 - Carnivorous Caverns Glow-Up
The massive cave system now has colorful Aberration-style lighting, multiple new entrances, and aggressive Aberrant Megalania and Carno spawns throughout.
12 - Volcano Eruption FX
The volcano is now fully active with molten lava visuals and meteor-like eruptions that scatter random loot across nearby terrain.
13 - Ice Wyvern Spawns
Ice Wyverns now have clearer, more frequent nest spawns with improved breath visuals, including new nest locations beyond the Murder Snow.
14 - Puffy Clouds & Better Underwater View
Sky and lighting tweaks bring more realistic clouds, while underwater zones now offer much better visibility for exploration and combat.
15 - Cat Spawn Increase
Cats now spawn more frequently across the map, especially around villages and ruins.
16 - Labyrinth Makeover
The maze cave has been visually revamped with a new entrance, tougher traps, and improved loot placement.
17 - Full-Map Snow Effect
After defeating the new Ragnarok boss, a special post-fight event can blanket the entire map in snow, temporarily transforming every biome into a winter wonderland.
18 - Artifact Brute Removed
The Brute Artifact has been removed from the Redwoods cave system.
19 - Sandstorm Events
Localized sandstorms now appear in the desert biome, draining stamina and limiting vision similar to Scorched Earth.
20 - Additions Creatures
Ragnarok Ascended includes previously released ARK Additions creatures, such as Ceratosaurus and Fasolasuchus, fully integrated into the map’s ecosystem.
21 - Electrical Storms & Wind
Thunderstorms with high wind effects now roll across the map, affecting visibility and immersion.
22 - Carrot Crop Spread
Rockarrots are now scattered throughout the Highlands, making early-game kibble farming easier.
23 - Atlantis Ruins
A mysterious underwater city-themed ruin has been added, complete with clusters of silica pearls for advanced resource farming.
24 - Heat Stroke Return
The desert biome now includes heat stroke effects, bringing back classic survival challenges from Scorched Earth.
25 - Poly Plant Abundance
Organic polymer plants now appear in multiple caves, the underwater cove, and select biomes-greatly improving polymer farming routes.
26 - Swamp Ruins Revamp
Dramatic swamp ruins now feature buildable interiors, cinematic entrances, and better pathing for both PvE and PvP strategies.
27 - Black Pearl Density Shift
Black pearls are now easier to spot and farm in Viking Bay, while the old southwest farming area is denser with foliage and less optimal.
28 - Aberrant Details
Aberrant variants such as Aberrant Megalania and Aberrant Carnos are now more commonly found across Ragnarok.
29 - Wyvern Cave Remodeled
The wyvern cave now has a larger, more accessible entrance, includes poly plants and Aberrant Megalania, and houses the Strong artifact.
30 - Lava Golem Cave Revamp
The Lava Golem cave has received a significant rework. It now includes two separate entrances, offering more PvP strategies and escape routes. The Lava Golem boss itself is tougher, with increased health and improved AI, making the encounter more dangerous.
31 - Ice Queen Cave Update
The Ice Queen’s domain remains loot-rich, now offering four red drops and a streamlined cave layout for smoother exploration.
Conclusion
Ragnarok Ascended brings a wide range of technical upgrades, biome expansions, and gameplay adjustments that reshape how players experience the map. From improved lighting and foliage systems to new creature spawns, weather effects, and cave overhauls, the update aims to modernize the classic experience while introducing fresh content and balance changes. Whether you're focused on PvP, exploration, or base-building, there’s a noticeable difference across nearly every zone.
