Ragnarok Boss Fight: ARK Survival Ascended Guide
Ragnarok in ARK: Survival Ascended is a massive, diverse map filled with stunning landscapes, challenging creatures, and, of course, formidable bosses. Taking on these bosses is no easy feat, requiring careful preparation, strategic thinking, and a squad of well-trained dinos and skilled survivors. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer the Ragnarok boss arena in ARK: Survival Ascended, from preparing your tribute items and dinos to understanding each boss's unique abilities and attack patterns. So, buckle up, survivors, and let’s dive into the ultimate showdown on Ragnarok!
Preparing for the Boss Fight
Before even thinking about stepping into the arena, meticulous preparation is paramount. This encompasses gathering the necessary tribute items, breeding and training your dinos, and equipping your survivor with the best gear. Let's break down each of these critical aspects.
Gathering Tribute Items
To initiate the boss fight, you'll need specific tribute items. These can be acquired through various means, such as exploring caves, defeating Alphas, and completing missions. The required tributes for the Ragnarok arena are:
- Artifact of the Crag: Found in the Central Cave.
- Artifact of the cunning: Found in the Southern Cave.
- Artifact of the devourer: Found in the Ice Cave.
- Artifact of the Immune: Found in the Lave Cave.
- Artifact of the pack: Found in the Northwest Cave.
- Artifact of the Skylord: Found in the Jungle Cave.
- Dragon Trophy: Dropped by the Dragon boss on any map.
- Megalodon Tooth x10: Obtained by killing Megalodons.
- Basilosaurus Fin x5: Harvested from Basilosaurus.
- Sarcosuchus Skin x5: Harvested from Sarcosuchus.
Acquiring these items can be time-consuming, so start early and coordinate with your tribe to divide the labor. Stockpiling extra tributes is always a good idea in case of unexpected losses.
Dino Breeding and Training
Your dinos are your frontline warriors in the boss arena, so investing time in breeding and training them is crucial. Focus on stats like health, melee damage, and armor. Some of the best dinos for the Ragnarok boss fight include:
- Rexes: Classic powerhouse with high health and damage. Rexes are a solid choice for any boss fight, providing a good balance of survivability and offensive capabilities. Focus on imprinting them for maximum effectiveness.
- Therizinosaurus: Versatile herbivores with powerful attacks. Therizinosaurus can deal significant damage and have decent health, making them a valuable asset in the arena. Their ability to harvest efficiently can also be useful for gathering resources.
- Shadowmanes: Agile and deadly creatures with natural armor. Shadowmanes are a newer addition to ARK, but their unique abilities and stats make them a formidable choice for boss fights. Their stealth and teleportation abilities can provide tactical advantages.
- Yutyrannus: Provides a courage buff to allied dinos, increasing their damage and reducing incoming damage. The Yutyrannus's buff is essential for maximizing your dinos' effectiveness in the arena. Make sure to keep it safe and strategically positioned during the fight.
When breeding, aim for high base stats and then level up health and melee damage. Don't forget to equip your dinos with saddles for added armor. Training involves not only leveling up but also practicing their attack patterns and positioning.
Survivor Gear and Stats
While your dinos will be doing most of the heavy lifting, your survivor's gear and stats are still important. Invest in high-quality armor, weapons, and consumables. Recommended gear includes:
- Flak Armor: Provides excellent protection against physical damage.
- Pump-Action Shotgun: A reliable weapon for dealing burst damage.
- Assault Rifle: Good for sustained damage output.
- Medical Brews: Essential for healing yourself and your dinos.
- Energy Brews: Helps manage stamina during the fight.
As for stats, focus on health, stamina, and weight. A decent amount of health will help you survive unexpected attacks, while stamina is crucial for dodging and maneuvering. Weight is important for carrying extra gear and consumables.
Understanding the Bosses
The Ragnarok arena features two main bosses: the Dragon and the Manticore. Each boss has unique abilities and attack patterns, so understanding their strengths and weaknesses is essential for victory.
The Dragon
The Dragon is a formidable opponent with a variety of fire-based attacks. Its abilities include:
- Fire Breath: Deals continuous fire damage in a cone-shaped area.
- Fireball: Launches explosive fireballs that can damage both dinos and survivors.
- Wing Flap: Creates a powerful gust of wind that can knock back and disorient players.
- Bite Attack: A melee attack that deals significant damage.
To counter the Dragon, use dinos with high health and fire resistance. Therizinosaurus are particularly effective due to their damage output and decent health. Focus your attacks on the Dragon's head for maximum damage. Be mindful of its fire breath and fireball attacks, and try to stay out of their range. The Yutyrannus's courage buff can significantly increase your dinos' damage output against the Dragon.
The Manticore
The Manticore is a hybrid creature with the body of a lion, the wings of a bat, and the tail of a scorpion. Its abilities include:
- Poison Spit: Launches projectiles that inflict torpor and damage over time.
- Wing Gust: Similar to the Dragon's wing flap, it can knock back and disorient players.
- Tail Swipe: A melee attack that can inflict torpor.
- Summoning Creatures: The Manticore can summon creatures like Deathworms to aid in the fight.
To counter the Manticore, use dinos with high damage output and the ability to inflict bleed. Rexes and Shadowmanes are good choices. Focus your attacks on the Manticore's body. Be wary of its poison spit and tail swipe, and try to dodge them whenever possible. Prioritize dealing with any summoned creatures to prevent them from overwhelming your team. Staying mobile and maintaining a safe distance can help you avoid the Manticore's most dangerous attacks.
Arena Strategy and Tactics
Once you're in the arena, it's time to put your preparation to the test. Effective arena strategy and tactics can make the difference between victory and defeat. Here are some key considerations:
Dino Positioning
Proper dino positioning is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness and minimizing casualties. Position your tank dinos, like Rexes, in the front to absorb damage, while keeping your damage dealers, like Therizinosaurus, behind them. Keep your Yutyrannus safe and strategically positioned to provide the courage buff to your dinos. Avoid clustering your dinos too closely together, as this can make them vulnerable to area-of-effect attacks.
Focus Fire
Coordinate your attacks to focus fire on the boss. This will help you bring it down more quickly and reduce the amount of damage your dinos take. Use voice communication or pre-arranged signals to coordinate your attacks. Prioritize dealing with any summoned creatures before focusing on the boss.
Survivor Roles
Assign specific roles to your survivors to maximize their effectiveness. Some survivors can focus on healing dinos with medical brews, while others can focus on dealing damage with ranged weapons. One survivor should be responsible for keeping the Yutyrannus safe and ensuring it continues to provide the courage buff. Clear communication and coordination are essential for successful role execution.
Utilizing the Environment
The Ragnarok arena has some environmental features that you can use to your advantage. Use the terrain to create choke points or provide cover for your dinos. Be aware of any hazards, such as lava or cliffs, and avoid leading the boss near them.
Rewards and Aftermath
Defeating the Ragnarok bosses yields valuable rewards, including:
- Element: Used for crafting advanced items and structures.
- Tek Engrams: Unlocks powerful Tek technology.
- Boss-Specific Items: Unique items that can be used for various purposes.
After the fight, take some time to recover and assess your losses. Repair any damaged gear, heal your dinos, and replenish your supplies. Use the element to craft Tek items and continue your progression in ARK: Survival Ascended.
Conclusion
Conquering the Ragnarok boss arena in ARK: Survival Ascended is a challenging but rewarding experience. By preparing your tribute items, breeding and training your dinos, understanding the bosses' abilities, and implementing effective arena strategies, you can emerge victorious and claim the valuable rewards. So, gather your tribe, gear up, and prepare for the ultimate showdown on Ragnarok! Good luck, survivors!