Scorched Earth
ARK: Survival Ascended
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Scorched Earth - Detailed Guide
Scorched Earth presents a harsh desert environment that challenges even experienced survivors. This arid landscape introduces unique resources, creatures, and weather events that require specialized survival strategies.
Harsh Climate & Weather Events
Scorched Earth's defining feature is its extreme climate, which introduces several unique weather events:
Heat Wave
Dramatically increases temperature, causing rapid dehydration and heat stroke. Take shelter in shade or water, and wear desert cloth armor to mitigate effects.
Sandstorm
Reduces visibility to near zero and slows movement. Provides concealment from predators and other players, but makes navigation difficult. Desert goggles help maintain visibility.
Electrical Storm
Disables all electrical equipment and weapons. Tek gear becomes unusable, and creatures cannot be ridden. Lightning strikes can damage structures and kill exposed creatures.
Drought
Water sources dry up, making water scarce. Prepare by storing water in canteens, water jars, or water reservoirs.
Regions & Landmarks
Despite being a desert, Scorched Earth features diverse areas with unique characteristics:
Sand Dunes
Vast sandy areas with limited resources but good visibility. Home to Deathworms that ambush from beneath the sand. Few places to hide but easy to build on.
Mountains
Rocky elevations with metal, crystal, and obsidian. More temperate than other regions but home to dangerous creatures like Rock Elementals and Wyverns.
Badlands
Red rock formations with moderate resources. Contains oil veins and is home to Thorny Dragons and Mantis. Offers some protection from extreme heat.
Oasis
Rare water-rich areas with abundant plant life. Essential for early survival and taming. Often contested by other survivors and predators.
Canyons
Narrow passages with shade and water sources. Good for protection from heat and storms but can be death traps if predators corner you.
High Desert
Elevated areas with more moderate temperatures. Contains unique resources like silk from Joshua trees and offers good building locations.
Unique Features & Challenges
Scorched Earth introduces several mechanics not found on other maps:
- Water Scarcity: Water is a constant concern, requiring active management
- Extreme Heat: Daytime temperatures can be lethal without proper gear
- Unique Resources: Silk, cactus sap, sand, and sulfur are exclusive to this map
- Wyvern Trench: Home to Fire, Lightning, and Poison Wyverns and their eggs
- Surface Oil and Water Veins: Tappable resource nodes that provide continuous supplies
- Desert Caves: Unique cave systems with artifacts and challenges
- Manticore Boss: Exclusive end-game boss with valuable loot
Desert Survival Guide
Essential strategies for surviving the harsh desert:
- Establish your first base near water until you can build water reservoirs
- Craft desert cloth armor as soon as possible for heat protection
- Tame a Morellatops or Thorny Dragon early for water storage and mobile shade
- Build adobe structures for the best insulation against heat
- Harvest cactus for water in emergencies
- Use preserving salt (harvested from salt deposits) to extend food freshness
- Always carry a tent or portable shelter for unexpected heat waves
- Tame a Jerboa as an early warning system for weather events
Essential Resource Guide
Where to find critical resources unique to Scorched Earth:
Harvested from Joshua Trees in the highlands using a sickle
Abundant throughout the map, provides cactus sap and water
Surface oil veins or from Death Worms
Oases, water veins, or from certain creatures like Morellatops
Gathered from desert ground with a shovel
Yellow crystals found near volcanic areas
White crystal formations found in dried lake beds
Harvested from riverbeds and dried lake beds
Unique Creatures
Scorched Earth introduces several exclusive creatures with special abilities:
- Wyvern (Fire, Lightning, Poison): Powerful flying mount with elemental breath attacks
- Rock Elemental: Camouflaged as boulders, extremely tanky and excellent for harvesting stone
- Thorny Dragon: Mobile smithy with weight reduction for resources
- Jerboa: Small companion that predicts weather changes
- Morellatops: Living water reservoir that can store and provide water
- Mantis: Versatile creature that can use weapons and tools
- Death Worm: Massive sand-dwelling predator that drops valuable resources
- Phoenix: Rare fire bird that appears during heat waves
Strategic Base Locations
Recommended places to establish your presence:
- Green Obelisk Area (25,25): Near water with relatively flat terrain
- Mountain Plateau (80,45): Elevated area with access to metal and relative safety
- Central Oasis (40,45): Abundant water but potentially contested
- Southern Canyons (70,70): Natural protection and moderate temperatures
- Western Highlands (20,60): Access to silk and more moderate climate
Scorched Earth represents ARK at its most challenging, rewarding survivors who can adapt to its harsh conditions with unique tames, resources, and experiences not found on any other map. The strategies and skills developed here will make you a more resourceful survivor across all ARK environments.