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ARK Survival Ascended

ARK: Survival Ascended - Valguero Reborn: Miracynonyx & Map Guide

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

The Valguero map reborn in ARK: Survival Ascended, featuring lush landscapes and the Miracynonyx.

Survivors, the wait is over. The breathtaking and diverse landscapes of Valguero have been reborn in Unreal Engine 5, arriving as a free map for all owners of ARK: Survival Ascended. Launched on June 4, 2024, this fan-favorite map has captivated the community once again, pairing its classic design with stunning new visuals, enhanced performance, and a formidable new creature chosen by the players themselves: the swift and deadly Miracynonyx.

Valguero Ascended is more than just a visual upgrade; it's a complete reimagining of the expansive 63-square-kilometer world that players first fell in love with. From the iconic chalk-white cliffs and lush forests to treacherous underground oceans and frigid tundra, every biome has been meticulously crafted to offer a deeper, more immersive survival experience. This release continues Studio Wildcard’s commitment to refreshing the entire library of ARK maps, providing both veterans and newcomers a definitive way to explore these prehistoric worlds.

A Reimagined Journey Through Valguero's Biomes

The enthusiastic reception for Valguero Ascended highlights the map's enduring appeal. Its unique combination of varied environments on a single landmass makes it a premier destination for survivors. Players can establish their bases in the temperate plains, brave the dangers of the Aberration Trench to find rare resources, tame unique creatures in the Redwood forests, or challenge the formidable Broodmother, Megapithecus, and Dragon in its triple-threat boss arena.

With the power of Unreal Engine 5, every corner of the map feels more alive. Enhanced lighting transforms the deep caves into truly menacing depths, while dynamic water and updated foliage make the surface world a vibrant, living ecosystem. This graphical overhaul, combined with the quality-of-life improvements inherent to Survival Ascended, makes exploring Valguero's secrets a fresh and compelling adventure.

Meet the New Apex Predator: The Miracynonyx

Making its thunderous debut on Valguero is the Miracynonyx, the winner of the official community creature vote. This prehistoric feline, resembling a powerful cheetah, introduces a new dynamic of speed and stealth to the ARK. Far from the speculative creatures once rumored for the map, the Miracynonyx is a reality, and it has already changed the game for many tribes.

Key abilities and features of the Miracynonyx include:

  • Incredible Speed: As one of the fastest land mounts in the game, the Miracynonyx is an exceptional scout and transport creature, capable of traversing Valguero's vast distances with ease.
  • Stealth Pounce: It possesses a unique stalking ability, allowing it to turn nearly invisible before launching a devastating pounce attack that can pin smaller creatures and players.
  • Specialized Saddle: Its saddle can accommodate a second rider, who is able to use weapons from the passenger seat, making it a formidable tool for coordinated attacks and taming expeditions.

Taming a Miracynonyx is a true test of a survivor's skill, requiring a mix of stealth and strategy to subdue this agile predator. Once tamed, however, it becomes an invaluable asset for exploration, hunting, and tribal warfare.

Shaping the Future: The Power of the Community Vote

The introduction of the Miracynonyx is a direct result of one of the most beloved traditions in the ARK community: the creature submission and voting process. This system empowers players to directly influence the game's evolution by designing and voting for the new creatures that will inhabit upcoming maps.

This democratic approach ensures that the game world grows in ways that directly reflect the desires of its most dedicated players. The success of the Miracynonyx on Valguero is a testament to this collaborative spirit. Looking ahead, Studio Wildcard has already completed the vote for the next Ascended map, Aberration, with the community choosing the colossal, submarine-like Shastasaurus as its next official creature. This ongoing program demonstrates a powerful commitment to community-driven content, ensuring that players will always have a hand in shaping the future of the ARK.

LiveOps and Continuous Improvement

As with any major content launch, the LiveOps team at Studio Wildcard remains dedicated to refining the ARK: Survival Ascended experience. Following the release of Valguero, the team has been actively monitoring player feedback, deploying patches to address bugs, and implementing adjustments to ensure server stability and gameplay balance. This ongoing commitment is crucial for the health of the game, as it evolves in response to both developer vision and direct community engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Valguero Ascended and when was it released?
A: Valguero Ascended is a free, fully remastered version of the classic Valguero map for ARK: Survival Ascended. It was released for all players on June 4, 2024.

Q: What is the new creature exclusive to Valguero Ascended?
A: The new official creature introduced with Valguero Ascended is the Miracynonyx, a fast, cheetah-like feline with stealth and pouncing abilities.

Q: How was the Miracynonyx chosen for the game?
A: The Miracynonyx was the winner of the community creature vote for Valguero, where players submitted their own concepts and voted on a finalist chosen by Studio Wildcard.

Q: How can I participate in future creature votes?
A: Studio Wildcard announces creature submission contests and votes on its official channels, including its website, forums, and social media, typically in the months leading up to a new map release.

Q: What is the next community-voted creature coming to ARK: Survival Ascended?
A: The Shastasaurus was officially voted by the community to be the new creature that will be added to the game with the upcoming release of the Aberration Ascended map.