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Scorched Earth

World

76 Creatures
11 Resources
235 Spawn Points
178 Explorer Notes
3 Artifacts
14 Caves
3 Terminals
30 Loot Crates
20 Loot Tables

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On this map

Caves: 14 locations · Artifacts: 3 locations

Named locations: Grave of the Tyrants, Oasis Cave, Old Tunnels, Ruins of Nosti, Ruins of Nosti - Old City, Trench Cave, Artifact of the Crag, Artifact of the Destroyer, and Artifact of the Gatekeeper

Caves and artifacts

14 cave locations and three artifact locations are mapped on Scorched Earth.

Caves with mapped artifacts

Caves with mapped artifacts
Cave	Artifact
Grave of the Tyrants	Artifact of the Crag
Old Tunnels	Artifact of the Gatekeeper
Ruins of Nosti	Artifact of the Destroyer

Trench Cave is also mapped as a cave location.

Resource layers

Metal, Crystal, Obsidian, Silk, and Sulfur have mapped locations.

Creature spawn pools

These creatures appear in Scorched Earth spawn pools.

Fire Wyvern, Lightning Wyvern, Poison Wyvern, Rock Elemental, Thorny Dragon, Jerboa, Morellatops, Mantis, Deathworm, and Phoenix.

Scorched Earth map questions

Which caves have mapped artifacts on Scorched Earth?

Grave of the Tyrants has the Artifact of the Crag; Old Tunnels has the Artifact of the Gatekeeper; Ruins of Nosti has the Artifact of the Destroyer.

Are Silk and Sulfur locations mapped on Scorched Earth?

Yes. Both Silk and Sulfur have mapped resource locations.

Which Wyvern types appear in Scorched Earth spawn pools?

Fire Wyvern, Lightning Wyvern, and Poison Wyvern.

Field guide

Scorched Earth - Detailed Guide

Scorched Earth presents a harsh desert environment that challenges even experienced survivors. This arid landscape introduces unique resources, creatures, and weather events that require specialized survival strategies.

Harsh Climate & Weather Events

Scorched Earth's defining feature is its extreme climate, which introduces several unique weather events:

Heat Wave

Dramatically increases temperature, causing rapid dehydration and heat stroke. Take shelter in shade or water, and wear desert cloth armor to mitigate effects.

Sandstorm

Reduces visibility to near zero and slows movement. Provides concealment from predators and other players, but makes navigation difficult. Desert goggles help maintain visibility.

Electrical Storm

Disables all electrical equipment and weapons. Tek gear becomes unusable, and creatures cannot be ridden. Lightning strikes can damage structures and kill exposed creatures.

Drought

Water sources dry up, making water scarce. Prepare by storing water in canteens, water jars, or water reservoirs.

Regions & Landmarks

Despite being a desert, Scorched Earth features diverse areas with unique characteristics:

Sand Dunes

Vast sandy areas with limited resources but good visibility. Home to Deathworms that ambush from beneath the sand. Few places to hide but easy to build on.

Mountains

Rocky elevations with metal, crystal, and obsidian. More temperate than other regions but home to dangerous creatures like Rock Elementals and Wyverns.

Badlands

Red rock formations with moderate resources. Contains oil veins and is home to Thorny Dragons and Mantis. Offers some protection from extreme heat.

Oasis

Rare water-rich areas with abundant plant life. Essential for early survival and taming. Often contested by other survivors and predators.

Canyons

Narrow passages with shade and water sources. Good for protection from heat and storms but can be death traps if predators corner you.

High Desert

Elevated areas with more moderate temperatures. Contains unique resources like silk from Joshua trees and offers good building locations.

Unique Features & Challenges

Scorched Earth introduces several mechanics not found on other maps:

• Water Scarcity: Water is a constant concern, requiring active management

• Extreme Heat: Daytime temperatures can be lethal without proper gear

• Unique Resources: Silk, cactus sap, sand, and sulfur are exclusive to this map

• Wyvern Trench: Home to Fire, Lightning, and Poison Wyverns and their eggs

• Surface Oil and Water Veins: Tappable resource nodes that provide continuous supplies

• Desert Caves: Unique cave systems with artifacts and challenges

• Manticore Boss: Exclusive end-game boss with valuable loot

Desert Survival Guide

Essential strategies for surviving the harsh desert:

• Establish your first base near water until you can build water reservoirs

• Craft desert cloth armor as soon as possible for heat protection

• Tame a Morellatops or Thorny Dragon early for water storage and mobile shade

• Build adobe structures for the best insulation against heat

• Harvest cactus for water in emergencies

• Use preserving salt (harvested from salt deposits) to extend food freshness

• Always carry a tent or portable shelter for unexpected heat waves

• Tame a Jerboa as an early warning system for weather events

Essential Resource Guide

Where to find critical resources unique to Scorched Earth:

Silk

Harvested from Joshua Trees in the highlands using a sickle

Cactus

Abundant throughout the map, provides cactus sap and water

Oil

Surface oil veins or from Death Worms

Water

Oases, water veins, or from certain creatures like Morellatops

Sand

Gathered from desert ground with a shovel

Sulfur

Yellow crystals found near volcanic areas

Salt

White crystal formations found in dried lake beds

Clay

Harvested from riverbeds and dried lake beds

Unique Creatures

Scorched Earth introduces several exclusive creatures with special abilities:

• Wyvern (Fire, Lightning, Poison): Powerful flying mount with elemental breath attacks

• Rock Elemental: Camouflaged as boulders, extremely tanky and excellent for harvesting stone

• Thorny Dragon: Mobile smithy with weight reduction for resources

• Jerboa: Small companion that predicts weather changes

• Morellatops: Living water reservoir that can store and provide water

• Mantis: Versatile creature that can use weapons and tools

• Death Worm: Massive sand-dwelling predator that drops valuable resources

• Phoenix: Rare fire bird that appears during heat waves

Strategic Base Locations

Recommended places to establish your presence:

• Green Obelisk Area (25,25): Near water with relatively flat terrain

• Mountain Plateau (80,45): Elevated area with access to metal and relative safety

• Central Oasis (40,45): Abundant water but potentially contested

• Southern Canyons (70,70): Natural protection and moderate temperatures

• Western Highlands (20,60): Access to silk and more moderate climate

Scorched Earth represents ARK at its most challenging, rewarding survivors who can adapt to its harsh conditions with unique tames, resources, and experiences not found on any other map. The strategies and skills developed here will make you a more resourceful survivor across all ARK environments.

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