Fjordur is the map that plays differently from the rest, because it is several maps stitched together through portals. If the Desmodus or the Fjordhawk is on your list, this is where they live.
ASA status: Fjordur is a free map on ARK: Survival Evolved. On Survival Ascended it was on the 2026 roadmap but had no confirmed release date as of October 2026. Content here comes from ASE; expect the same creatures and realm system when it arrives on ASA.
The conclusion up front: Fjordur’s realm system means you are really playing multiple maps at once. The Fjordhawk alone changes how you handle death. That combination is why it ranks high in “which map” searches even though it is free.
Why play Fjordur
- Three signature creatures. The Andrewsarchus, Desmodus and Fjordhawk are Fjordur originals.
- The realm system. Portals link separate worlds, so resource variety is built in.
- Death is cheaper. The Fjordhawk retrieves your items on death, which lowers the cost of learning the map.
The unique creatures
| Creature | What it is | Why you want it |
|---|---|---|
| Andrewsarchus | A large predatory mammal | A strong, fast mount with a charge attack |
| Desmodus | A rideable vampire bat | Cave travel and a lifesteal mount |
| Fjordhawk | A scout bird | Recovers your dropped items on death |
Best base locations
- The starting meadow. Safe, central, and close to the first obelisk for a beginner base.
- The volcanic region. Metal and obsidian, with the heat as the only real threat.
- Cliff edges above the rivers. Defensible and close to water travel.
What to tame first
- A Fjordhawk almost immediately — it saves your gear after a death.
- A Desmodus for the caves and realm travel.
- An Andrewsarchus or Rex for the boss fights.
The realm system
Fjordur connects several worlds through portals, and each realm has its own resources and dangers. Learn the portal locations early, because they are how you reach the map’s unique materials and the boss arenas.
The three mistakes that waste a start
- Ignoring the Fjordhawk. Without it, every death means a gear run back through danger.
- Building in the open meadow long-term. It is a start, not a fortress.
- Rushing portals without a flyer. The realms assume you can traverse them.
A quick checklist
- Tame a Fjordhawk first.
- Use the realms to gather what the surface lacks.
- Pick a cliff or volcanic base.
- Prepare a combat mount for the bosses.
For the tame methods, see the creature taming pages. For the boss fights, see the boss guide. For the settings that shape a solo run, see single player settings.