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Studio Wildcard has confirmed that Valguero Ascended launches on October 7, 2025 as a free map for ARK: Survival Ascended. Alongside the remaster, players will meet two major additions: the Elderclaw, a mystical forest guardian raised from seedlings, and the Megaraptor, winner of Valguero’s community creature vote. Elderclaw will be included for Lost Colony Expansion Pass owners at launch, while Megaraptor will be available free for all players.
What’s Confirmed
- Release date: October 7, 2025. (Delayed by 7 days)
- Price: Valguero Ascended is free for all ASA players.
- Elderclaw: New Fantastic Tame, raised from seedlings instead of KO-tamed
- Megaraptor: Community vote winner, launching with Valguero Ascended as a free addition.
- Map Size: Valguero covers about 63 km², making it one of the largest free maps in ARK.
We’ll update this article as Studio Wildcard publishes additional specifics.
New Fantastic Tame - Elderclaw
Identity
- Type: Mystical forest guardian, part beast and part spirit
- Theme: Protector that defends allies with vines, roots, and spiritual energy
Abilities
- Vines and Roots: It can wrap itself in vines for protection and send roots to hold enemies in place.
- Spirit Echo: Creates glowing spirits that make enemies weaker or make allies stronger. These spirits can also burst into spores, which hurt enemies and heal friends.
- In Battle: The Elderclaw is usually calm, but if attacked it becomes a strong defender that controls enemies and slowly wears them down.
Domestication (no knockout taming)
You can’t tame an Elderclaw by knocking it out. Instead, survivors must find its young shrubs (seedlings) and raise them into adults. It takes more time and resources than normal taming, but in the end you’ll have a strong creature that can also gather wood and help protect the environment.
Availability & Price: Paid. Included for Lost Colony Expansion Pass owners at launch; sold separately later as standalone DLC.
New Community Voted Creature - Megaraptor
Identity
- Type: Large theropod carnivore, designed as a solo assassin rather than a pack leader.
- Theme: Stalker that isolates targets and thrives on fear and disruption.
Wild Behavior & Combat Notes
- Stalking & scatter: Described as picking off victims one-by-one, using a menacing presence that can spook nearby allies and break up groups.
- Ambush Attack: The Megaraptor is fast and can jump on prey to pin it down, causing panic in groups.
- Best Used Solo: It fights strongest on its own, hunting targets one by one instead of battling in big groups.
Taming Method (non-traditional)
To tame a Megaraptor, survivors must find its carcass altar and claim it. This will anger the Megaraptor, and it will attack. Use fire to drive it back and survive the fight. If you succeed, the Megaraptor will accept you.
Once tamed, it becomes a deadly hunter that focuses on single targets, using fear and speed to scatter groups and finish off enemies.
Availability & Price: Free for all ASA players with Valguero Ascended. No DLC required.
Quick Reference
| Creature | Free or Paid? | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Elderclaw | Paid - included in Lost Colony Expansion Pass at launch; sold separately later | Raise from seedlings (no KO taming) |
| Megaraptor | Free - available for all ASA players with Valguero Ascended | Defeat and tame via altar event |
| Deinonychus | Free - part of Valguero Ascended | Steal eggs in the White Cliffs |
Valguero Ascended is more than just another map drop. It brings back a familiar landscape with a fresh coat of polish, but the real excitement comes from the new creatures. With the Elderclaw shaking up taming and the Megaraptor changing how players hunt, October 7 looks set to be a big moment for ASA, a reason for veterans to return and for newcomers to finally jump in.
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