ARK Valguero: Map, Deinonychus, Aberration Valley & Base Building

On 18 June 2019, Valguero launched as a new, free expansion for ARK: Survival Evolved. After the technology-laden ruins of Extinction, this map took the game back to its roots – to nature, discovery and adventure. Valguero is a homage to the classic ARK feeling: the thrill of stepping into an unknown world where every landscape, every creature and every sunrise holds a promise.

While Extinction was dark, monumental and apocalyptic, Valguero is bright, expansive and alive. It’s a return to the wild – a world that recalls the beauty of The Island, but one that is more refined and organic in every detail. With Valguero, Studio Wildcard proved that ARK could return to its origins after years of experimentation without losing depth.

The map was originally developed by a team of talented modders before being officially integrated into the game. As with The Center and Ragnarok, it was a community project – and that is exactly what gives it its unmistakable character.

ARK Valguero map: biomes, contrasts and Aberration Valley

Valguero is a map of contrasts. Across roughly 63 km², you’ll find green plains, rugged mountains, dense forests, salty flats, deep caves and icy snowfields. At its centre lies what makes it unique: the vast Aberration Valley, a gigantic subterranean world glowing with bioluminescence, reminiscent of the underground regions from the DLC of the same name.

This combination of surface and underworld makes Valguero one of the most varied maps in the game. While you peacefully tame dinosaurs or tend fields on the surface, a second, dangerous world lurks below.

Transitions between these layers are seamless. A crack in the ground can lead into an endless cave network, and a tranquil lake can suddenly plunge into depths inhabited by strange creatures. Valguero begs to be explored – not because it must, but because it wants to.

Valguero biomes in detail: White Cliffs, snow region and the south

Every area on Valguero has its own character. The wide plains in the centre are ideal for large bases and taming projects. To the west you’ll find the White Cliffs, a bright, open plateau with dramatic rock formations and waterfalls. This region is visually spectacular and equally dangerous, roamed by aerial predators and aggressive herds.

In the north, snow-capped mountains rise where blizzards, Mammoths and Direwolves set the tone. The south, by contrast, is fertile, green and peaceful – a haven for new players.

But the true heart of the map beats underground. The Aberration Valley is a labyrinth of caves, mushroom forests and glowing rock formations. It isn’t as deadly as the original Aberration, but it’s just as captivating. Expect rare resources, dangerous creatures and an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly.

Valguero plays on the sense of discovery. Every hill, every ravine and every cave hides a secret – and that’s exactly what has always defined ARK.

ARK Valguero creatures: Deinonychus, Wyvern, Rock Drake & Reaper

Valguero doesn’t introduce entirely new animals; instead, it brings together fan-favourite creatures from earlier DLCs on a single map. The result is a kind of “best of ARK” feeling. You’ll encounter Raptors, Rex, Argentavis and Spinosaurus alongside Wyverns, Rock Drakes and Reaper Queens.

A particular highlight is the Deinonychus, introduced exclusively on this map. These feathered predators are smaller than Raptors but faster and deadlier. They can climb walls, pounce on prey and even pin enemies with their claws. The Deinonychus quickly became a community favourite, perfectly blending agility and aggression.

The boss arenas also revisit classic foes. Valguero’s final confrontation combines the Broodmother, the Megapithecus and the Dragon into one massive encounter – a finale that unites the strengths of earlier maps.

Base building and resources in ARK Valguero: spots & farm routes

Valguero offers countless locations for base building. Whether on the cliffs of the White Cliffs, in the valleys of the mountain regions or deep within the Aberration caves – every area has different pros and cons.

The map is designed so that key resources are evenly distributed. Metal, Crystal, Oil and Obsidian can be found at various elevations. The caves and valleys in the north are particularly rich, though often guarded by dangerous creatures.

Water also plays a major role. Numerous rivers, lakes and underground waters make Valguero one of the most water-rich maps in ARK. It’s ideal for players who want to build aquariums or underwater bases.

Pro tips:

• Build elevated in the White Cliffs to control sightlines and flight paths.
• Use caves as protected industrial hubs, but secure entrances with traps and turrets.
• Combine resource routes: surface metal + Aberration mushroom biomes for rare materials.

Combined with its calm atmosphere and stable climate zones, Valguero is one of the most pleasant maps for long-term projects.

Valguero cave guide: dungeons, boss access and Aberration

Valguero is criss-crossed with caves, tunnels and secret passages. The developers placed particular emphasis on making sure these aren’t just set dressing, but functional gameplay spaces.

Some caves are natural dungeons with boss entrances, others are perfect hideouts for clans. The variety ranges from expansive sandstone caverns and crystal grottos to mushroom forests.

A notable example is the “Cave of the Hidden Valley”, a vast cavern with open shafts of light, waterfalls and floating platforms. It unites beauty and danger in one space and symbolises what defines Valguero – balance between challenge and tranquillity.

Atmosphere and ecology of the Valguero map: immersion & danger

Unlike the apocalyptic world of Extinction or the hostile zones of Scorched Earth, Valguero feels like a respite. It’s a world back in balance – a place where nature and survival exist side by side in harmony.

The lighting is softer, the colours more natural and the transitions smoother. Mist drifts over meadows, sunbeams break through the treetops, and the wind in the mountains conveys a sense of peace.

But that calm is deceptive. Let your guard down and you’ll be surprised by Raptors or aerial predators. Valguero reminds you that survival remains dangerous, even in beauty.

The soundscape underlines the sense of openness. Bird calls, flowing water and the occasional distant thunder create an acoustic depth that makes exploration even more immersive.

ARK Valguero performance & servers: stability and PvP/PvE

Valguero is still considered one of ARK’s most stable maps. Thanks to the community’s commitment and Studio Wildcard’s subsequent rework, it offers excellent performance, short loading times and high stability on servers.

The map is ideal for dedicated servers and large multiplayer groups, offering both compact building zones and expansive PvP areas. Its balance of resources, space and accessibility makes it a perfect platform for long-term server projects.

Many players describe Valguero as the “perfect all-round map” – accessible for newcomers, exciting for veterans and stable for server owners.

Valguero in the ARK community: popularity and server meta

Valguero quickly became a community favourite. It symbolises how well community ideas and developer craftsmanship can come together.

Many servers run exclusively on this map because it blends classic survival gameplay with modern features. Players praise the atmosphere, the variety and the feeling of exploring a true world again – not just a level, but a living habitat.

For many, Valguero is the map where they made their best ARK memories – from their first tamed Deinonychus to epic battles in the boss arenas.

Conclusion on ARK Valguero: rebirth of adventure

With Valguero, Studio Wildcard returned to the roots of ARK: Survival Evolved. It’s a place that unites everything that made the game great – exploration, freedom, community and the fascination of the unknown.

Valguero isn’t a world of destruction or madness, but of rediscovery. It reminds us why players fell in love with ARK in the first place: the unpredictable beauty of a world bigger than oneself.

On your own ARK server from 4Netplayers, Valguero unfolds its full potential. Build bases along the slopes of the White Cliffs, launch expeditions into the Aberration Valley or roam forests and snowstorms with friends. With stable performance, flexible management and limitless room for adventure, Valguero becomes the ideal stage for new stories in the world of ARK.

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