Is Scorched Earth Free in ARK: Survival Evolved?
No, ARK‘s Scorched Earth DLC is not free. Released back in 2016 as the first expansion map, it remains a paid DLC priced at $19.99. There is no way around unlocking its exclusive desert-themed content without purchasing on Steam or console stores.
But what exactly does that payment get access too for ARK players? Having sunk over 1000+ hours across all the expansion maps, here is my in-depth perspective on what Scorched Earth adds, how it compares to free DLC options, and why it remains an essential purchase for hardcore ARK survivors in 2024.
An Entirely New Desert World
At its core, Scorched Earth offers an entirely separate and refreshing ARK experience by introducing this hostile, sun-scorched desert landscape filled with dunes, highlands, canyons and oases. Leaving behind the familiar green jungles and snowy peaks, survivors must adapt to new challenges like intense heat waves, electrical sand storms and industrial ruins.
The dried-up wasteland biome pushes players to creatively utilize rare water sources and uncover hidden caverns just for basic survival. But those who manage to establish a thriving stronghold reap unique benefits like abundant oil reservoirs for advanced machinery, wind and solar energy farms and powerful desert dinos.
Some standouts from the 50+ new additions I really enjoyed:
Terrifying Fantasy Creatures
Scorched Earth unleashes fantastical beasts like no other ARK map:
| Creature | Details |
|---|---|
| Wyvern | Ferocious flying dragons blasting elemental attacks, steal their eggs to tame |
| Mantis | Ever wanted giant rideable praying mantises with kung-fu chops? |
| Deathworm | Burrowing sand snakes that crush even veteran survivors |
And who can forget the Lymantria hordes that descend as actual insect plagues on your base? This fantasy edge sets Scorched Earth apart from free primitive start maps focused on real-world extinct species.
Challenging Boss Fight
Defeating the epic Manticore boss battle atop the ARK is a brutal test for even alpha tribes. As wings pepper your dinos with spikes while vicious dragonfire and claw attacks overwhelm on multiple fronts – all with the floor crumbling underneath!
Using a 19 rex army boosted my confidence only to get utterly humiliated on early attempts. Developing advanced strategies to counter aerial attacks and venom is vital for final victory.
Refreshing Desert Architecture
Sustainable desert housing design takes creativity with adobe, clay and reinforced thatch building parts. Rooftop gardens, aqueducts and sunshades help establish surprisingly vibrant player cities despite the harsh conditions and vanishing fertility.
Advanced industrial gear like refining forges, chemistry benches, wind turbines and oil pumps in action was a captivating view from my shared guild base. Nights lighting up under connected electrical grids powered just from harvested sandstorms was incredibly satisfying.
Of course, dedicated water tanks had to be refilled daily and generator fuel needs constant resupply in that dryness. Having to periodically pack up camp and move the city perimeter as mega sandstorms erode buildings sure keeps you on your toes!
How does Scorched Earth compare with free DLC maps?
Since Scorched Earth launched, a number of free official maps like Ragnarok, Valguero and Fjordur have expanded the universe for new players. Do those offer an equally enjoyable alternative?
Having extensively tried all the available DLC maps, here is my perspective:
| Map | Environment | Creatures | Boss Fights | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorched Earth | Unique desert wasteland, dried up but rich in resources | New fantasy beasts like Wyverns and Mantes, plague insects | Epic Manticore battle | 9/10 | Still one of the most refreshingly different challenges |
| Ragnarok | Diverse biomes like jungle, ice, desert, lava all mashed up together | Classic creatures plus new dragon, griffin and amphibians | None | 7/10 | Light fun adventure but content spread too thin |
| Crystal Isles | Stunning tropical paradise map with crystalline structures and ancient ruins | Passive Cherufe golem along with robotic creature | None | 8/10 | Relaxing to reside in those vibrant jungles and caves but wants for more intensity sometimes |
The more chaotic mashup of standard environments and creatures makes Ragnarok and Crystal Isles suitable as home bases for new survivors before facing Scorched Earth‘s brutal gauntlet focused specifically on that unrelenting desert survival experience.
Sure Ragnarok also technically has a desert region but seriously lacks the expansiveness, dynamics and challenging progression you find on this tailored map. Where Scorched Earth essentially forces adaptation to an alien planet through scarcity and evolving planning.
Plus, the Manticore still stands as that pinnacle rite of passage boss battle for the most seasoned ARK veterans. While the recently added Fjordur map may scale up difficulty with levels, the sheer uniqueness of creature abilities and attacks you counter here hasn‘t been matched.
Is Scorched Earth Worth It For ARK Players in 2024?
If the massive 150+ new creatures, 50+ new items/structures or four free maps added since haven‘t already tempted you – Scorched Earth still remains an essential rite of passage for any hardcore ARK survivor in 2024.
Especially with ARK 2 also opting for more extreme environments as seen in initial teasers, now is the perfect time to experience everything the incredibly expansive original game has built up over seven years. Before migrating your character progress at least.
Some players argue Scorched Earth basics are covered by Ragnarok‘s deserts or Extinction‘s corrupted wastelands. But that seriously sells short just how fleshed out and focused this packaged challenge is in leveraging the biome. Forcing creativity in architecture, utility and taming priorities seen nowhere else.
That‘s without even considering the bragging rights of adding vicious Wyverns to your armada or displaying trophy Manticore heads around your main base. Not just the achievement but access to special elemental attacks and gear remains coveted on PVP servers.
Plus the unique desert look and ambience simply can‘t be replicated. Thriving crystal clear oasis pools lined with lavish gardens leading to sprawling sandstone castles and bustling player cities simply has an aesthetic you have to experience first-hand.
Recent Updates & Future Outlook
It‘s incredible Scorched Earth remains richly active six years from launch with constant updates adding more artifacts, explorer notes and balancing changes improving early game progression. Clearly showing the sustained popularity and legacy inspiring even the ARK 2 direction now.
Modders have obviously built custom maps but this OG pic still finds dedicated players every year for its sheer novelty factor – exceeding even Aberration and Extinction player counts at times! Some key 2023 developments so far:
- New Story Explorer Notes: Added continuing the desert lore and tying in boss ascension more tightly. Finally some more juicy hidden narrative for motivated secret hunters like myself!
- Atlas Desert Region: Genesis Part 2 sailing update created a new desert biome with similar creatures clearly inspired by Scorched‘s success
- Tek Cave Access: The mega-hard level cap ascension challenge on Island can now be activated after defeating Manticore for additional bragging rights
And that‘s not counting the ridiculous upcoming fan mods already in progress leveraging ARK 2‘s cutting-edge planetary tech for importing this iconic package. Safe to say Scorched Earth‘s towering status as the pioneer DLC map championing paid expansions for ARK specifically and the survival genre at large will continue building in 2024.
So rally up your heartiest crew of battle-tested survivors before embarking on this grueling yet immensely gratifying crusade into the wastes. Just be sure to kiss those green jungles goodbye for a while once you witness your first packs of Deathworms and Lymantria darkening those azure skies!
