Ark Ragnarok: Your Ultimate Survival Guide
What's up, fellow survivors! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most epic maps in Ark: Survival Evolved – Ragnarok. If you're new to the game or just looking to conquer this beast of a map, you've come to the right place, guys. Ragnarok is massive, packed with secrets, and honestly, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. But don't sweat it! We're going to break down everything you need to know to not just survive, but thrive on this legendary Viking-inspired landscape. From the best starting locations to taming the most formidable creatures and finding those hidden treasures, this guide is your ticket to becoming a Ragnarok legend. So grab your pickaxe, sharpen your spear, and let's get ready for an unforgettable Ark playthrough on Ragnarok!
Getting Started on Ragnarok: Where to Set Up Shop
Alright, so you've spawned into Ragnarok, and the first thing you're probably thinking is, "Whoa, this place is HUGE!" And you're not wrong, guys. Choosing your starting location on Ragnarok is super critical because it sets the tone for your entire early game. You want a spot that offers a good balance of resources, safety from those pesky low-level predators, and access to important features like water and potential taming spots. Let's talk about a few prime candidates. Firstly, the Green Obelisk area is a popular choice for a reason. It's relatively flat, has abundant wood, stone, and berries nearby, and it's a central hub for accessing other parts of the map via the obelisk later on. The downside? It can get a bit crowded with other players and, well, dinosaurs. Another solid option is Southlands, particularly closer to the coast. You'll find plenty of water, access to obsidian and metal on the nearby mountains, and it's generally less hectic than the Green Obelisk spawn. However, be prepared for occasional wyvern attacks if you venture too far inland too quickly. For those who like a bit of a challenge but want immediate access to good resources, consider the Archaic Castle area. It offers excellent defensive positions, good metal and stone deposits, and a nice river for water. Just be mindful of the tougher creatures that roam the surrounding lands. Little Shard is another excellent starting point, offering a more secluded feel with decent resources and easy access to the ocean for fishing and pearl hunting. No matter where you decide to build your first base, remember the golden rule: start small and build outwards. A simple thatch or wood hut with a campfire and a few storage boxes is all you need initially. Focus on gathering essential resources like wood, stone, fiber, and thatch. Crafting basic tools – a pickaxe and an axe – should be your top priority. Don't forget to craft a bed so you can respawn nearby if things go south. And always keep an eye on your surroundings; Ragnarok is beautiful, but it's also full of dangers lurking just beyond the bushes. Choosing the right spawn point is like picking your first dinosaur – it makes a big difference! So, scout around, see what feels right for your playstyle, and get ready to lay down some serious foundations. Remember, survival is key, and a good start on Ragnarok is half the battle won, my friends!
Taming the Beasts of Ragnarok: Your Dino Wishlist
Okay, so you've got a shelter, you're not starving, and you've maybe even punched a few dodos. Now it's time for the really fun part, guys: taming dinosaurs on Ragnarok! This map is home to some of the coolest and most powerful creatures in Ark, and having a solid dino army is essential for progressing. Let's talk about your essential early to mid-game tames. First up, the Raptor. These guys are relatively easy to tame, super fast, and great for early-game exploration and combat. Find a few of them, knock 'em out with tranq arrows or a bola, and you'll have a decent pack in no time. Next, you absolutely need a Dilo or two. They're weak, but their torpor-inducing spit is invaluable for setting up tames later on. Seriously, don't underestimate the utility of dilos! For resource gathering, the Ankylo (Ankylosaurus) is your best friend. Its tail spin harvests massive amounts of metal and stone. You'll want to find one near a good metal spawn, like the mountains around the Viking Bay or the area near the Lava Golem cave. The Doedicurus is another must-have for stone gathering, making base building a breeze. For mobility and travel, a Pteranodon or Argentavis is non-negotiable. The Argentavis, in particular, is a workhorse – it can carry multiple creatures and has a saddle that functions as a smithy! Taming these flyers requires patience and good aim with tranq arrows while you're airborne or using traps. Now, let's talk about the real stars of Ragnarok: the Wyverns. Oh man, the Wyverns! Ragnarok is famous for its Wyvern Trench, a dangerous but rewarding area where you can find Poison, Fire, and Lightning Wyverns. Taming these majestic beasts is different; you need to steal their eggs from nests and raise them in incubators. It's a high-risk, high-reward endeavor, so prepare for battle! You'll need good armor, fast mounts, and a solid strategy to get those eggs. Once you have a Wyvern, your world changes. They're incredibly fast, powerful, and their breath attacks can devastate enemies. Don't forget about the Griffin! These majestic creatures are exclusive to Ragnarok and are amazing flyers. They can be tamed using a rare flower and kibble, and their aerial agility is second to none. They also have a cool mechanic where they can grab other players or creatures. Taming strategies are key, guys. Use traps like the classic 3x3 foundation with pillars and a door, or the more advanced behemoth gate traps for larger dinos. Always bring plenty of narcotics or stimulants, and food for the tame. Pay attention to the taming bar and the creature's torpor level. Choosing the right kibble can also drastically speed up the taming process, so prioritize making the kibble needed for your target dino. Building a dedicated taming pen near your base is also a smart move. Ragnarok's dino roster is insane, and getting the right crew together will make your survival journey exponentially easier and way more fun. So go forth and tame, you magnificent beast tamers!
Exploring Ragnarok's Secrets: Dungeons, Caves, and Bosses
Beyond the everyday survival grind, exploring Ragnarok's secrets is where the real adventure lies, guys. This map is absolutely littered with hidden gems, challenging dungeons, and epic boss arenas that will test your mettle and reward you handsomely. One of the most iconic features of Ragnarok is its numerous caves. Each cave presents unique challenges, creatures, and loot. For instance, the Ice Cave is packed with dangerous creatures like Yetis and Frost Giants, but it holds valuable artifacts and resources. The Lava Golem Cave is another treacherous but rewarding spot, offering access to powerful golems and rare ores. Don't forget the Cave of the Behemoth, which houses a mini-boss that drops significant loot. Dungeons on Ragnarok are also a major draw. You'll find various dungeons scattered across the map, often requiring specific items or creatures to enter. These dungeons are typically linear paths filled with challenging enemies, environmental hazards, and ultimately, a boss or a treasure room. The Lava Island Dungeon is a particularly notorious one, requiring careful planning and a strong team to conquer. The Artifacts are crucial for progression, especially if you're aiming to summon the map bosses. You'll find artifact locations hidden in caves, underwater, and sometimes guarded by formidable creatures. Make sure you have a reliable underwater tame like a Plesiosaur or Dunkleosteus to reach the underwater artifact caves. Speaking of bosses, Ragnarok has its own set of unique challenges. The Ice Queen and the Lava Golem are mini-bosses you can encounter and challenge, often found within specific dungeons or caves. Defeating them yields powerful items and unlocks further progression. The ultimate goal for many on Ragnarok is to defeat the Dragon boss. This epic encounter takes place in a dedicated arena and requires a well-prepared army of high-level dinosaurs, specialized gear, and a solid strategy. The Dragon is notoriously difficult, so gathering the best possible tames like high-level reapers, gigas, or even multiple high-level wyverns is essential. Gathering the required artifacts and exploring the dungeons thoroughly will prepare you for this monumental fight. Exploration itself is a reward on Ragnarok. The map is breathtakingly beautiful, with diverse biomes ranging from lush forests and snowy mountains to arid deserts and volcanic regions. Discovering hidden waterfalls, ancient ruins, and unique geological formations is part of the fun. Use your flying mounts to get a bird's-eye view and uncover secrets you might miss on foot. Always be prepared for anything. Bring plenty of healing items, stimulants, and ammo. Consider bringing a creature with high carry weight, like an Argentavis, to haul loot back. Ragnarok's secrets are vast and deep, offering countless hours of challenging gameplay and immense rewards for those brave enough to seek them out. So strap in, gear up, and get ready to uncover the mysteries of this incredible Ark map!
Advanced Tips and Tricks for Ragnarok Mastery
Alright, survivors, you've made it this far! You've tamed some awesome dinos, explored some caves, and maybe even faced a Wyvern or two. But to truly master Ragnarok, you need to go beyond the basics. Let's dive into some advanced tips and tricks that will give you the edge, guys. First off, resource management is key, especially on a map as vast as Ragnarok. Instead of relying solely on your immediate surroundings, establish dedicated outpost bases near high-yield resource nodes. Think a dedicated metal outpost near the volcanic region or a crystal/obsidian outpost in the north. Use specialized tames like the Dung Beetle for fertilizer production – it’s gross, but essential for farming! And don't forget the Moloch for chitin and keratin. Tek tier is a game-changer, and Ragnarok offers multiple ways to acquire Tek engrams. Defeating the Iceworm Queen in the northern ice caves is a major source of Tek. You'll need a strong team and specialized gear for this. Also, completing the various Element Veins scattered across the map can yield Tek loot and significant amounts of element. Breeding your dinosaurs is where you truly unlock their potential. Focus on breeding high-level creatures with desirable stats – damage, health, and speed. Aim for mutations to further enhance your dinos. A mutated Giga or Rex can make boss fights significantly easier. Tek structures offer incredible defense and utility, so prioritizing the acquisition of Tek engrams through boss fights and difficult content is a wise long-term goal. Farming Element efficiently is crucial for Tek. Beyond Element Veins and bosses, you can also farm it from Reapers and Dragonflies (Titano-Mek can harvest these effectively). Consider setting up an Element farm in the Space-time Anomaly on Ragnarok if you're playing on a server with that feature. Server hopping or trading with other players can also be a quick way to acquire rare resources or dinos if you’re playing on official servers. Building defenses for your base becomes increasingly important as you progress. Consider using auto-turrets, plant species X, and Tek defenses if available. Traps aren't just for taming; a well-placed trap can defend your base from aggressive dinos or even other players. Understanding aggro mechanics for different creatures is vital for both taming and combat. Learn which creatures aggro from a distance and which require you to be up close. Utilizing the environment is another crucial aspect. Ragnarok's varied terrain offers opportunities for ambushes, escapes, and strategic positioning. Use cliffs, rivers, and dense foliage to your advantage. Finally, joining a tribe if you're playing on a multiplayer server can significantly enhance your experience. Coordinating with tribe members for base building, resource gathering, taming, and boss fights makes everything more manageable and much more enjoyable. Mastering Ragnarok isn't just about surviving; it's about thriving, conquering its challenges, and leaving your mark on this incredible world. So keep pushing, keep learning, and keep surviving, you legends!
The Verdict: Is Ragnarok Worth Playing?
So, after all this talk about surviving, taming, and exploring, the big question remains: Is Ragnarok worth playing? And the answer, my friends, is a resounding YES! Absolutely, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt. Ragnarok is, in my humble opinion, one of the best maps Ark: Survival Evolved has to offer, and here's why. Firstly, variety is the spice of life, and Ragnarok delivers in spades. You've got lush forests, icy tundras, volcanic regions, deserts, and even lava biomes. This diverse landscape isn't just for show; it means a huge variety of resources, creatures, and challenges. You'll never get bored of the scenery, and you'll constantly discover new areas to explore. Secondly, the sheer amount of content packed into this map is astounding. From numerous caves and dungeons to hidden artifact locations and unique boss encounters like the Ice Queen and Lava Golem, there's always something to do. The inclusion of Wyverns and Griffins as native spawns adds a whole new level of excitement and progression that many other maps lack. It truly feels like a 'greatest hits' compilation of Ark's best features. Thirdly, Ragnarok is incredibly well-designed for progression. It offers a natural learning curve, with easier starting areas and progressively more challenging zones and creatures as you venture further. This makes it an ideal map for both new players learning the ropes and veteran players looking for a fresh challenge. The community loves Ragnarok, and for good reason. It's a map that encourages exploration, rewards strategic thinking, and provides epic moments that you'll be talking about for ages. Whether you're building a massive fortress in Viking Bay, hunting Wyverns in the trench, or delving into a treacherous ice cave, Ragnarok offers an unforgettable Ark experience. Of course, like any Ark map, it has its challenges. Some areas can be quite dangerous, and resource gathering can still be a grind. But the rewards – the awesome creatures you tame, the powerful gear you craft, the bosses you defeat – far outweigh the difficulties. If you're looking for a map with breathtaking visuals, endless exploration, challenging content, and the opportunity to tame some of the most iconic dinosaurs in Ark, then Ragnarok is the map for you. It's a truly epic adventure waiting to unfold. So grab your friends, boot up Ark, and get ready to forge your legend on Ragnarok. You won't regret it, guys!
