Can You Skip Scorched Earth in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Yes, you can absolutely skip Scorched Earth in ARK: Survival Evolved. While it’s a popular DLC with unique creatures and items, it’s not required to experience the core gameplay of ARK or to enjoy other maps. The base game of ARK provides access to The Island, The Center, and Ragnarok without needing any additional purchases. The primary story progression of ARK (Ascension) excludes Scorched Earth; focusing instead on The Island, Aberration, and Extinction. Therefore, if you’re hesitant about purchasing the DLC or simply want to explore other content first, you are free to do so without missing crucial elements of the base game.
The Allure of Scorched Earth and Why Players Consider It
Scorched Earth stands out from the other ARK maps due to its drastically different environment. It features a harsh desert landscape, extreme temperatures, and unique weather events like sandstorms and electrical storms. It introduces 12 new creatures with 5 variations, including the Manticore boss, and 60 new engrams. These additions offer a different kind of survival challenge compared to the lush, more familiar environments of The Island.
However, this novelty doesn’t make it essential. The creatures, materials, and engrams from Scorched Earth can often be found (or their equivalents) on other maps. Furthermore, the DLC items and creatures can even be spawned manually on non-DLC servers even if you don’t own the pack, diminishing the necessity for buying the DLC just for the gear. So, while unique and engaging, the Scorched Earth experience is more of a side adventure than a fundamental requirement for playing ARK.
Why You Might Choose to Skip Scorched Earth
There are several reasons why players might opt to skip Scorched Earth:
- Cost: Scorched Earth is a paid DLC, and not everyone is willing to invest in it. If you are on a budget or want to explore other free maps first, this is perfectly acceptable.
- Difficulty: The desert environment of Scorched Earth is notoriously harsh. The extreme weather conditions and the abundance of dangerous creatures can make survival incredibly challenging, even for experienced ARK players. Some might find the survival curve of this map too steep early on.
- Alternative Content: Maps like Ragnarok and Valguero, which are free, offer a massive amount of content with a variety of biomes, creatures, and challenges, rivaling what the DLC provides. Players can achieve hundreds or thousands of hours of gameplay without feeling the need to purchase Scorched Earth.
- Focus on Story: For players primarily interested in the main story of ARK, it’s important to note that the Ascension process focuses on other ARKs and their bosses (excluding Scorched Earth). Focusing on the core story arc might be more satisfying before investing in DLCs like Scorched Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Scorched Earth
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about skipping Scorched Earth, designed to provide clarity and additional information:
1. Do I need to buy Scorched Earth to play ARK?
No, you do not need to purchase Scorched Earth to play ARK: Survival Evolved. The base game gives access to The Island, The Center, and Ragnarok. These maps offer plenty of gameplay without requiring any DLC.
2. Can I access Scorched Earth content on other maps if I don’t own the DLC?
Yes, certain creatures, items, and resources from Scorched Earth can be found or spawned on other maps, particularly on free ones like Ragnarok. This gives players some access to Scorched Earth features without buying the expansion.
3. What unique creatures are on Scorched Earth?
Scorched Earth introduces unique creatures like the Wyverns, the Rock Elemental, the Golem, and the Mantis, as well as the Manticore boss. It’s these unique tames which entice some players to buy the DLC.
4. Does skipping Scorched Earth affect my ability to progress in the main ARK story?
No, skipping Scorched Earth does not hinder your progression in the main story. The primary narrative focuses on the ARKs associated with The Island, Aberration, and Extinction. Ascension does not require any achievements to be completed on Scorched Earth.
5. Is it true that Scorched Earth is a difficult map?
Yes, Scorched Earth is known for its harsh environment, extreme temperatures, and dangerous creatures, which can make survival significantly more challenging than on other maps.
6. Can I transfer my character from other maps to Scorched Earth and back?
Yes, if you own the DLC, you can transfer your character, dinos, and items between servers, including those running Scorched Earth, through the game’s obelisk and supply drop system.
7. Are there any Scorched Earth engrams that are essential for the base game?
While some engrams are useful, none are essential. Most items from Scorched Earth have alternatives or equivalents obtainable on other maps. Therefore, the unique Scorched Earth engrams can be skipped without limiting your core gameplay experience.
8. Is Scorched Earth the best map in ARK?
That’s subjective. While it has a unique feel and challenges that many players enjoy, many also favour maps like Ragnarok, Lost Island, Fjordur and The Island for their variety or overall gameplay experience. “Best” is determined by personal preference.
9. Can you experience Scorched Earth without buying the DLC?
You can interact with creatures and items from the DLC on community servers or manually spawned if the server allows it, but you won’t have access to the full Scorched Earth map without purchasing it.
10. What is the unique boss on Scorched Earth?
The unique boss on Scorched Earth is the Manticore. It’s a challenging fight that is completely different than the other bosses in the base game.
11. Does Scorched Earth have a similar level of exploration and discovery as other maps?
While smaller, Scorched Earth does feature unique landscapes and structures to explore. However, its focus is less on exploration and more on harsh survival.
12. How does the weather impact gameplay on Scorched Earth?
Scorched Earth’s weather can significantly impact gameplay. You’ll face sandstorms, heatwaves, and electrical storms, all of which can make survival more dangerous and require specific preparation and equipment.
13. Is the Scorched Earth environment very different from other ARK maps?
Yes, the desert landscape of Scorched Earth provides a drastically different environment from the forests, jungles, and snowy regions found on other maps. This difference is one of the main reasons players like it, or dislike it.
14. Are there other DLC maps that would be better to get if I can’t get all of them?
If you’re looking for a DLC offering a completely different experience, Aberration is a good choice. If you want to follow the story, Extinction would be the natural next step. However, you can have a complete experience without buying either of these.
15. Can I still enjoy the core gameplay of ARK without ever purchasing Scorched Earth?
Absolutely. The core gameplay loop of taming dinosaurs, building bases, and fighting bosses can be thoroughly enjoyed on the base maps, as well as many of the free maps available. Scorched Earth is not essential for a great ARK experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Scorched Earth offers a distinct and challenging experience within ARK: Survival Evolved, it is not mandatory for enjoying the game or completing the main story. Players can thoroughly enjoy ARK using the base game maps, and can even experience some of the DLC’s content on free maps. Whether you choose to explore the desert landscape of Scorched Earth or opt to experience other adventures, ARK: Survival Evolved provides a vast and engaging world that doesn’t require the purchase of every single piece of additional content to enjoy.