Is Fjordur the best map in ARK?

In short – Fjordur is definitely one of the greatest ARK maps ever added, but it may not suit all playstyles to be crowned the singular best map. As an avid ARK survivor and content creator myself, I think Fjordur brings an awe-inspiring landscape that hits the perfect balance between beauty, challenge, and meaningful exploration. But for some players, maps like Ragnarok, The Island or even Lost Island may fit their priorities better.

Firstly, at over 140 square kilometers in size, Fjordur dwarfs most other ARK maps for sheer land mass – it‘s 3.5x bigger than the original Island map! This makes for an epic canvas to get lost in, especially when sailing its namesake snaking fjords. From frigid mountain peaks to lush primordial forests and fiery volcanic zones, you‘ll constantly uncover new biomes and build spots. Ferrying around supply-laden Andrewsarchus or scouting ahead with trusty Fjordhawks just adds to the sense of scale. I‘ve logged over 500 hours in Fjordur and still find new sights daily!

And how about those base locations? Between coastal cliffs, frozen ice sheets, and misty meadows in Vanaheim, Fjordur must offer over 100 ideal main or outpost building areas. Some of my tribe‘s favorites include the white sandy beaches near Asgard Peak, the mossy bogs surrounding Ginnungagap crevice, and of course, our main industrial fortress inside Vigridr Plains!

Awesome Creatures…and Where to Find Them

Beyond gorgeous locales, Fjordur also introduces special new mounts that earn their place amongst ARK‘s best creatures.

My tribe always keeps trained Fjordhawks at our main base and key resource outposts. Having a hawk swoop in to grab your gear after an untimely mauling or lava bath literally saves hours of time trudging across Fjordur! Plus, Andrewsarchus make the perfect caravan creatures on our long mining, harvesting and scouting runs.

And while Fjordur only has one unique tame, it makes up for it with over a dozen mini-bosses roaming regions like Asgard, Jotunheim and Muspelheim! From hulking Frost Giants to spectral Souls of Hel, these minibosses act like even more dangerous alpha predators. Killing them nets special loot however – it‘s how I got the materials to craft my full Norse-themed armor and weapons!

Speaking of bosses, surviving Fjordur‘s true endgame bosses like Jormungandr the World Serpent and monstrous wolf Fenrisulfr should definitely be on any ARK survivor‘s bucket list. The heightened challenge vs. Island or Ragnarok bosses is so rewarding. Plus Fenris even unlocks rideable armored wolves for your tribemates!

How Does Fjordur Compare to Other Top ARK Maps?

Now obviously on paper Fjordur sounds incredible (and it is!). But depending on your experience and priorities, a case could still be made for maps like Ragnarok, The Island or Lost Island still holding the title of "best" ARK map. Let‘s compare them across some key criteria:

As we can see, Fjordur tends to lead the pack in terms of pure map substance like size and content quantity. You‘ll never run our of new terrain to uncover. However Lost Island and Ragnarok may still outclass Fjordur in a few areas:

• Ease for Beginners: Fjordur‘s harsher environments and deadly creatures pose more challenge for fresh survivors vs. starter zones on The Island or Lost Island.
• TEK Cave: Ragnarok and The Island contain the endgame TEK cave and final boss arena lacking in Fjordur.
• Story Focus: Lost Island and Genesis have clearer ongoing narrative threads than Fjordur‘s more freeform adventure feel.

So weighing all factors, while I firmly believe Fjordur stands confidently among ARK‘s peak map achievements, players should pick based on their specific needs and style rather than crowning any one map the singular "best."

The Verdict: Fjordur is a Must-Play ARK Map!

In closing, Fjordur earns its reputation as an absolute must-visit destination for all ARK survivors. Both veterans and even newcomers can find challenge, beauty and adventure across its vast tracts for 1000+ hours. Its omission of TEK cave and confined story ultimately hold Fjordur back from definitively topping all other maps – but it still captures the core ARK fantasy better than almost any other expansion.

So while every player‘s "best ARK map" comes down to taste, anyone who loves stunning vistas, imposing creatures and memorable journeys should absolutely add Fjordur to their playlist! Just sailing through those iconic fjords or summiting Asgard Peak alone makes this a masterwork ARK map that deserves mention among the game‘s finest additions.

Let me know if you have any other Fjordur tips or what your favorite map is in the comments! Happy surviving!