Valguero Ascended – The Return of a Legend

The Valguero Map

With the launch of Valguero Ascended, one of the most beloved community maps from ARK: Survival Evolved returns—rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5.

The remaster introduces redesigned landscapes, new biomes, ancient ruins, improved boss battles, and several new creatures. Valguero Ascended stays true to the original while expanding it with more atmosphere, richer details, and a denser world.

Valguero - ARK Official Community Wiki

A World Between Medieval and Myth

The map spans roughly 63 square kilometers of land and water, featuring ten diverse biomes and numerous caves. What once felt rough and empty is now alive: dense fog, dynamic lighting, volumetric clouds, and vibrant vegetation.

The White Cliffs region remains a landmark—bright chalk cliffs, deep gorges, and new Deinonychus nesting areas. In the far north, tundra with crimson forests, abandoned castles, and shimmering frostlight draws attention.

Beneath the surface lies the Aberration Trench, now with real Rock Drake nests, glowing fungi, and deadly radiation. Even the once unfinished underwater zone has been turned into a dark, fully realized region with lava fissures, ruins, and artifact caves.

New Landmarks and Ruins

Across the map are remnants of lost civilizations—half-sunken castles, collapsed bridges, and ancient cave cities. Some are scenery only, others can be transformed into bases.

Several caves have been redesigned or completely rebuilt. For example, the ice cave near the blue obelisk, once empty, is now inhabited by dangerous creatures like Yutyrannus, Direwolves, and Purlovia. Other caves—such as those in the jungle and along the White Cliffs—feature new passages, traps, and boss artifacts that demand deeper exploration and better preparation.

A unique feature is the Valguero Memorial, an interactive monument that can display names from the game.ini—a silent tribute to fallen players.

The Guardian of Valguero: Grendel

At the center of the map awaits Grendel—an ancient, dragon-like guardian who replaces the Broodmother Lysrix in the traditional trio of bosses (Broodmother, Megapithecus, Dragon). His arrival marks a new era for Valguero Ascended: instead of three separate arena bosses, Grendel combines their trials into a single, multi-phase encounter.

His battle is more ritual than fight—only when certain cauldrons are lit does he emerge from the fog. Those who hesitate face an unseen force. Grendel regenerates quickly and is aided by packs of wild Deinonychus and vultures. He blends fire, ice, and melee attacks into a chaotic rhythm that rarely allows time to breathe.

Only survivors who combine healing, bleed resistance, and stamina—using creatures like Therizinosaur or Deinosuchus—can endure the encounter. After his defeat, Grendel drops 520 Element and leaves a haunting emptiness above the battlefield—the new single boss of Valguero, created to embody all three former ones.

YouTube: VALGUERO Alpha Grendel Boss EASY and SOLO fight in ARK Survival Ascended - YouTube

The Elderclaw – Spirit of the Forest

The Elderclaw, also known as the Spirit Bear, is one of the most fascinating new creatures. Half beast, half plant, it serves as an ancient guardian of the forests, wielding nature itself as a weapon.

It cannot be tamed in the usual way—its trust must be earned. Defeating an Elderclaw grants access to its offspring or a seed from which new life can grow. The seed requires careful tending with rare materials—a task demanding patience and dedication.

A mature Elderclaw is a force of nature. It summons totems, strengthens allies, roots enemies, and coats itself in bark armor. The longer it fights, the thicker its shield grows—until it seems nearly indestructible.
As it walks, flowers and plants sprout in its wake, as if the forest itself follows it. No other creature in ASA feels as alive, as organic, and as threatening.

YouTube: Elderclaw - FULL GUIDE Spawn, Tame & Abilities - EVERYTHING You Need To Know | Ark Survival Ascended

The Mega Raptor – Hunter of the Mist

The Mega Raptor is a born loner. Larger than a Carno, more agile than an Allo, it moves silently through Valguero’s cliffs. Taming it is a trial of courage: only those who approach the mist altar at night with a torch may encounter it.

It bursts from the fog—a shadow with eyes of embers. Only a well-timed strike of fire can weaken it. Miss the moment, and it vanishes again, attacking from the dark.

Once tamed, the Mega Raptor becomes a master of ambush. It can leap, sprint, briefly vanish, and inflict bleeding damage. With every kill, its instincts sharpen, and its resilience grows. It hunts alone—but in skilled hands, it is a silent assassin.

YouTube: Megaraptor, FULL GUIDE Spawn, Tame & Abilities - EVERYTHING You Need To Know | Ark Survival Ascended

The Return of the Deinonychus

The Deinonychus remain what they have always been—deadly fast and untamable in the wild. Their eggs can be found deep within the White Cliffs, heavily guarded. Only the brave or reckless will dare to steal one and raise these predators.

Once hatched, they are loyal companions with devastating attacks. Their bleeding effect wears down even stronger foes. In caves and boss fights, they serve as tactical tools combining speed and precision—striking swiftly when danger looms.

YouTube: Deinonychus - GUIDE Spawn, Tame & Abilities - EVERYTHING You Need To Know | Ark Survival Ascended

Additional Improvements and Features

Valguero Ascended introduces numerous technical and gameplay enhancements:

• Wild creatures can now appear with offspring, making the world feel more alive.
• Structure skins extend further; plants no longer count as enemy foundations.
• Bola and buff effects are displayed more clearly.
• Healing abilities such as those of the Spring Drakeling respond dynamically to combat and no longer activate at all times.
• The Deinosuchus bleed effect no longer applies to bosses for better balance.
• Shoulder pet behavior and double-key control mechanics have been refined.