The ARK: Survival Ascended odyssey concludes with the launch of Astraeos 1.0. This final expansion, titled Heaven and the Abyss, introduces a 264-square-kilometer map inspired by Greek mythology, featuring new biomes, creatures, and expanded naval mechanics.

New Map Regions and Gameplay

The update adds two distinct regions to the Astraeos map:

  • Helianthos: A lush island environment featuring mountain ridges, flower-filled plains, and floating islands.
  • Abyssanthos: A deep-sea, fog-shrouded region that includes underwater air pockets, allowing players to establish bases beneath the surface.

Players can now engage with dynamic ocean wave physics and weather systems. These mechanics support the new Trireme warship, which is available to Astraeos owners. For those who own the Tides of Fortune expansion, the update also adds the Galleon, a larger naval vessel designed for fortress-style base building and heavy cannon combat.

Creatures and Boss Encounters

The expansion introduces the Boaratos, a scorching and aggressive boar found exclusively on Astraeos. Additionally, the Concavenator has been added to multiple maps, including Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, Extinction, and Astraeos, with specific variants appearing on Genesis and Aberration.

The endgame features two Kraken ascension boss fights—Abyssalus the Void Beneath and Shallocis the Void Above—which reward players with maximum level increases upon completion. New minibosses, the Colossus and Kroaratos, have also been added to the world.

General Changes and Fixes

The update includes several quality-of-life adjustments and bug fixes for the base game and Genesis expansion:

  • Genesis Updates: Three new Ocean Outposts and 20 pirate camp layouts have been added to the Genesis Ocean Biome.
  • Shipyard Adjustments: The shipyard can now be configured into “Galleon Mode” and shares placement limits with Ocean Platforms.
  • Bug Fixes: The patch addresses various mesh holes, performance issues in Lost Colony caves, and exploits related to structure placement and creature behavior.

Owners of Astraeos can now access the new Boss Terminal on the western side of the map to begin the final challenges. Cosmetic rewards, including the Agamemnon Helmet and Divine equipment set, are now available for unlock.