Ragnarok is the map most veterans call their favorite, and ASA brought it back bigger: 144 km² of highlands, volcanoes, snow, and ocean. The reason it tops “which map” searches: it has every biome in one place and the Ice Wyvern Queen boss that replaced the old Manticore.
The conclusion up front: Ragnarok is where you raid Wyvern trenches. It is also where you tame a Bison for boss-fight buffs and fight the Ice Wyvern Queen. The active volcano, Mount Gunners, is the one hazard that can wipe a careless base.
Why play Ragnarok
- Every biome, one map. Highlands, jungle, desert, snow, and ocean — you rarely need to transfer.
- The Ice Wyvern. A snow-biome flyer you raise from eggs, distinct from the trench Wyverns.
- The Bison. A new knockout tame with a pack buff and Wyvern-milk production.
The unique creatures
| Creature | Where | Why you want it |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Wyvern | Snow biome surface trench | A cold-damage flyer from stolen eggs |
| Fire / Poison / Lightning Wyvern | Dragonmalte Trench | The classic trench Wyverns |
| Bison | Highlands | Pack buff (+damage/resistance) and Wyvern milk |
| Griffin | Near the Green Obelisk | Now breedable, with dive-bomb attacks |
| Ceratosaurus / Fasolasuchus | Roaming biomes | ARK Additions creatures |
| Drakelings | Across the map | Lost Colony creatures with aura buffs |
Best base locations
Coordinates below are community-reported and may vary slightly by map version; treat them as approximate starting points.
- Highlands Lighthouse (17,79). Safe, near metal and the Wyvern Trench.
- Viking Bay (20,32). Sheltered cove with Norse ruins — good for beginners.
- Hidana grasslands (west). Open plains near redwoods and canyon metal.
- Herbivore Island (8,96). Peaceful, passive-only spawns.
- Desert Canyon cliffs (83,56). Defensible flyer-only PvP spots.
What to tame first
- A flyer to reach the snow and trench safely.
- A Bison in the Highlands for the boss-fight pack buff.
- A Griffin near the Green Obelisk once you have a pair to breed.
The three mistakes that waste a start
- Building near Mount Gunners. Eruptions drop lava and meteors on tames and bases.
- Free-fighting a Wyvern adult at the trench. Kite the egg out instead.
- Skipping the Bison. Its pack buff is what makes the Ice Wyvern Queen easier.
A quick checklist
- Flyer first, then a Bison.
- Raid the Dragonmalte Trench for elemental Wyvern eggs.
- Pick a Highlands or Viking Bay base.
- Farm the Ice Wyvern Queen for Tek gear.
For the tame methods, see the creature taming pages. For the boss, see the boss guide. For the settings that shape a solo run, see single player settings.