Antewise

ARK Valguero Map Guide

Updated 24 Oct 2026 Source Valguero map content (free ARK: Survival Ascended map) from the official map description and community base-location guides. By Antewise Editorial
Data status: This page explains mechanics and decision rules. Where a precise number matters we say so and mark it, rather than guessing.

Valguero is the map players recommend for one creature above all others, and it happens to be free. If the Deinonychus is on your list, this is the map that has it without paid content.

The conclusion up front: Valguero is where the Deinonychus lives. Its Aberration trench is the cheapest way to meet mutated cave creatures. That pairing keeps it near the top of “which map” searches.

Why play Valguero

  • The Deinonychus. A fast, pack-based raptor that pounces; it is a signature mount and Valguero is its home.
  • The Aberration trench. A cave system with Aberrant variants, so you get a taste of Aberration content on a free map.
  • Open, readable terrain. The map is built for long sightlines, which makes it friendlier than the cramped cave maps.

The unique creatures

CreatureWhereWhy you want it
DeinonychusNest clustersA pouncing pack raptor; one of the best mid-game combat mounts
Aberrant variantsThe trenchGlowing cave creatures without owning the Aberration DLC

Best base locations

  1. The White Cliffs (north). Open, defensible, and close to multiple biomes.
  2. The volcano outer ring. Metal and obsidian nearby, with high ground for raids.
  3. Around the Green Obelisk. Central, safe, and a natural hub for the map.

What to tame first

  • A flyer to reach the nest clusters and the trench safely.
  • A strong combat mount (Rex or Spino) before you clear a Deinonychus nest — the packs hit hard.
  • A gatherer (Ankylo, Doedicurus) once your base is up.

The Deinonychus trap

The Deinonychus nests are packed with the creatures themselves. The standard approach is to trap one with a flyer-kite or a enclosed pen, because a whole nest will overwhelm a fresh character. Tame a few and the pack bonus is what makes them worth the risk.

The three mistakes that waste a start

  1. Free-taming a Deinonychus nest. The packs shred unprepared players.
  2. Building on flat open ground far from a cliff. Valguero’s raids come from the air and the ground; height helps.
  3. Skipping the trench. The Aberrant creatures are free content most players miss.

A quick checklist

  • Flyer first, then a combat mount.
  • Trap, do not free-tame, the Deinonychus nest.
  • Pick a cliff or obelisk base.
  • Explore the Aberration trench for free variants.

For the tame methods, see the creature taming pages. For the boss of the map, see the boss guide. For the settings that shape a solo run, see single player settings.

Frequently asked questions

What is special about the Valguero map in ARK?

Valguero is a free map known for the Deinonychus — its best-known home, though it also appears on Genesis Part 2 and Fjordur — and for an Aberration trench that brings mutated, glowing creatures into a surface map.

What are the unique creatures on Valguero?

The headline unique is the Deinonychus, whose nests are scattered across the map; it also spawns on Genesis Part 2 and Fjordur. The Aberration trench adds Aberrant variants of cave creatures you would otherwise need the Aberration DLC for.

Where is the best base location on Valguero?

The White Cliffs in the north, the volcano’s outer ring, and the area around the Green Obelisk are the most-recommended spots for safety and resource access.

Where do you find Deinonychus on Valguero?

In and around the nest clusters scattered across the map. They are pack creatures, so a lone tame is a bad idea — clear the nest with a strong mount first.

More ARK guides

Sources

Figures and item data on this site are read from the game’s own reference wiki before publishing. Where a value could not be confirmed there, the page says so instead of filling the gap.