Welcome to Scorched Earth Ark where the sun and dehydration want you dead, and the wyverns want to eat you. In this Ark Scorched Earth guide, we’re going to take a detailed look at the Scorched Earth DLC for Ark: Survival Ascended. We are also going to show you how to do more than survive, and that is to thrive! Alright so let’s put the pedal to the metal and get started!
📝 What is Ark Survival Scorched Earth?
What is Scorched Earth Ark? It is the first paid for Ark DLC, and by paid, I mean YOU MUST PAY TO PLAY. It includes a wholly new desert-themed map with many exclusive creatures, harsh weather conditions, and unique resources. Scorched Earth Ark is available on Steam, Epic, and consoles and is also available as part of the upgrade path to Ark: Survival Ascended.
🌍 Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark: Survival Evolved Scorched Earth
Ark: Survival Evolved and Ark: Survival Ascended both have Scorched Earth as DLC, though there are differences, for example graphics & performance, quality of life improvements, as well as modding and server tools. The gameplay loop of Scorched Earth is the same, and the Survival Ascended version of Scorched Earth is similar. With a polished version, the performance is improved as well as overall graphics.
👁️ Similarities and Differences of Scorched Earth on Ark Series
Similarities of Scorched Earth on Ark Series:
- Harsh desert biome
- Unique resources (e.g., cactus sap, silk)
- Exclusive creatures (Wyverns, Thorny Dragons)
- Core survival threats: dehydration, heatstroke, sandstorms
Differences of Scorched Earth on Ark Series:
- Ascended: Improved weather effects, lighting, and revamped UI/control
- Evolved: Larger modding community (currently)
📋 What is Special about Scorched Earth Ark?
Scorched Earth is not another map, it’s a survival gauntlet! This DLC is meant to completely change your normal Ark habits and have you thinking like a true survivor.
What’s different?
- The Desert Map
The entire map is a vast desert biome with very little vegetation, harsh heat and a wide open space with almost no cover. Water is scarce and the hardest terrain available.
- Environmental Effects
Extreme weather events such as sandstorms, heat waves, and electrical storms make survival unpredictable, and you must adjust and adapt to your surroundings as you change.
- Essential Resources and Items
Many new resources are present in Scorched Earth including cactus sap, silk, clay, and sand. Players must collect important items such as the water jar and desert armor early on, as they can mean the difference between living or dying.
- New Creatures and Taming
There are a variety of new creatures which can only be found in Scorched Earth, including Wyverns, Thorny Dragons, and Morellatops. Not only are they exotic but essential for survival.
- Crafting and Structures
In order to survive the heat of Scorched Earth you must use adobe structures built from clay. As well as offer new gear that plays into survival like tents, water wells, and desert armor.
How to Play Scorched Earth Ark: Survival Ascended
Scorched Earth has now received a visual upgrade in Ark: Survival Ascended, while the brutality is still very much intact. To get a start, go into the expansions menu and load the Scorched Earth map. It is a paid expansion, but often included with the Ascended upgrades.
🌵Scorched Earth: Starter Guide for Ark: Survival Ascended
| 🔹 Category | 🔹Quick Tips |
| Best Starting Zone | South 3 near Oasis – water access & safer spawns. |
| Early Goals | 1. Find water 2. Make cloth armor 3. Build adobe shelter 4. Tame Morellatops. |
| Key Hazards | – Sandstorms drain stamina – Heatwaves boost thirst – Electrical storms disable tech |
| Best Early Tames | – Morellatops (carry water & supplies) – Jerboa (weather warnings) – Thorny Dragon (defense + wood) |
| Water Strategy | Build near oases or water veins. Use water wells + jars early. |
| Building Tips | Use Adobe for heat resistance. Snap previews = smoother construction. |
| Important Gear | Whip (fast harvesting), Tent (storm shelter), Water Jar. |
| Level-Up Focus | Weight, Stamina, Fortitude (for heat survival). |
Ark Scorched Earth: All Creatures
Scorched Earth features a lot of creatures that are unique, but all creatures help contribute to the loot flow in Scorched Earth from heat mitigation and movement to PvP supremacy and base protection.
Here are the creatures categorized by their prime utility:
🥷 Survival & Utility
- Morellatops: Mobile water tank and hauler—essential early tame.
- Jerboa: Weather alerts—small but vital.
- Lymantria: Silk producer and glider—good for travel, not combat.
⚔️ Combat & Defense
- Thorny Dragon: Ranged attacks + solid weight—great mid-tier mount.
- Mantis: Wields weapons—powerful in both PvP and PvE.
- Vulture: Eats corpses, adds insulation—great for cleanup and cold zones.
🔥 Late-Game Power
- Wyvern: Top flyer—must steal eggs to tame.
- Rock Elemental: High defense tank—requires cannonballs to tame.
- Phoenix: Rare heatwave spawn—smelts metal and breathes fire.
👹 Major Threat
- Deathworm: Burrowing boss, very dangerous but drops rare loot.
Conclusion
Scorched Earth Ark is where true survivors shine. Brutal conditions, limited resources, and ferocious creatures are a true test of your skill. If you plan ahead, set up a solid base, and have great tames, it really doesn’t take long to go from sunburnt noob to desert warlord.
🚀 Ready to dominate the desert?
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