ARK: Survival Evolved Xbox Ragnarok Update Live, Dino TLC Phase 2 Detailed

ARK: Survival Evolved has just been updated with its big Ragnarok update on Xbox One, and Studio Wildcard has the official patch notes. In case you missed them when this content previously arrived on PC and PS4, here are the changes you can expect.

Current Version v770

• Ragnarok Map Update (99 percent completion)

Additions

• Sand Dunes
• Coastal Reef
• Mountainous Green Desert
• A new weather system with lighting. Watch out while venturing into the desert.
• Puzzle Labyrinth (four of the artifacts previously found in the world have been moved here).

Misc Changes

• New default player spawn
• Increased Spino spawns
• Added more water spawns to existing areas
• Multiple bugs and map fixes
• Fix for Abberant Megalo eggs

Ragnarok was the poster child for Studio Wildcard’s partnership with prominent ARK modders who wish to make official content. Now that the map is basically complete, it will be interesting to see if and how Wildcard establishes similar bonds in the future. This particular update arrived on PS4 in mid-January and debuted on PC at the end of December. After an extensive Microsoft certification process, Xbox players can finally see what the latest Ragnarok content is all about.

With the Ragnarok update cycle finished, ARK’s next major addition beyond DLC expansions is a multi-phase rework called the Dino TLC update. During this round of patches, a select group of Dinos will receive more detailed physical skins and significant functional upgrades The first phase, which features the Direbear, Procoptodon, Gigantopithecus, Direwolf and Tyrannosaurus Rex, is tentatively salted for a PC release during the week of Feb 18. Wildcard recently posted on its blog to confirm the Dinos to be featured in phase two.

Here’s a quick recap of the upcoming changes.

• Direbear: Players will be immune to bees while riding one, and bees will target the bear. Honey can be gathered from hives without disturbing bees or their hives, and honey output will be doubled.
• Procoptodon: It will have reduced fall damage and increased carry weight. It will also be able to carry baby Dinos and other small Dinos in its pouch. It will gain a kick attack too.
• Gigantopithecus: It will do more damage to armor durability in combat, and it will gain the ability to jump to ziplines. It will be able to throw more accurately and carry small creatures on its shoulder.
• Direwolf: The Pack buff will operate for a limited time, but the wolves it attracts will be stronger. When the alpha howls, others will too. This might even work on wild wolves. Its nose can be used to locate creatures with health below 50 percent, explorer notes and concealed Dinos.
• T-Rex: Movement will be improved to reduce getting stuck. Roar will make the targeted creature poop, but both effects will operate on a cooldown.

Here’s what’s being considered for phase two.

• Argentavis: It gets a new saddle with reduced weight capability for many materials. It will also be able to carry two more passengers via its beak or talons. It will regenerate health quickly when eating corpses.
• Spinosaur: Can operate from a bipedal and quadruped stance. On two legs it will be slow but more suited for combat. It will be faster on four legs. Its movement speed, turning radius, attack damage and health regen will be buffed when fighting in water or shortly thereafter. It will also prefer Prime Fish for taming.

You can see a few of the new skin options above. Most of them add a lot more detail to the existing model.

ARK: Survival Evolved is available now on PC, Xbox One, PS4, OS X and Linux.

What are your thoughts on the new Xbox update? Are you happy to see a few Dinos getting some TLC? Tell us in the comments section!