I’ve bought an actual delicate spot for Astraeos, the Ark Survival Ascended DLC impressed by Greek mythology. One in every of a number of creations from prolific Ark modder ‘Nekatus,’ who initially constructed the enlargement as a free mod for Survival Developed, it got here throughout to ASA as a DLC in collaboration with Studio Wildcard. First launched again in February 2025 in an early kind, it is continued to develop ever since, with one in every of its largest updates touchdown on its one-year anniversary. Now, nevertheless, the developer proclaims that August will see the ultimate replace for Astraeos, with yet one more creature “charging headfirst into the fray.”
Whereas there’s loads to like in regards to the jungles and dinosaurs of Ark Survival Ascended, the gorgeous environments of Astraeos and its mystical spin on proceedings make it my private favourite of the Ark locales. This newest replace is ready to be the final main improve to what it affords, nevertheless it does include a somewhat magnificent beastly companion. The newest addition to the survival sport is Boaratos, ‘the burning hog’ – described as “a fiery bruiser that is happiest when issues rise up shut, and ideally slightly singed.”
The Boaratos is definitely the creation of one other acquainted identify from the Ark mods scene. Modder ‘Dragonheart’ is greatest recognized for making Arkology: New Encounters, an expansive overhaul that provides variants to virtually each creature within the sport, tameable or in any other case. He says his newest mission was constructed “with the assistance of some gifted individuals within the modding group,” earlier than being despatched over to Studio Wildcard “for the ultimate touches and balancing.”
“I can not say an excessive amount of about the whole lot he’ll do,” Dragonheart teases, “however as soon as the replace is out, I will present the whole lot you have to know.” Studio Wildcard clues us in slightly extra: “This hot-headed hog combines uncooked bodily energy with fiery assaults and a knack for leaving its enemies bleeding.” It mentions that the Boaratos is able to standing “tusk-to-toe with a number of the hardest creatures” Ark has to supply.
Its skills can after all be used outdoors of battle as effectively, and Studio Wildcard notes that “bushes have a curious tendency to finish up slightly extra… charred earlier than the Boaratos brings them crashing down.” That actually sounds to me like a fast strategy to top off on charcoal with out going by way of the same old course of. Alternatively, must you select to combat a Boaratos your self, you may count on to get your arms on some wild bacon: “Let’s simply say the spoils is likely to be greatest loved across the breakfast desk with a facet of eggs.”
Dragonheart additionally claims that “one crucial side of him will make him a necessary tame for everybody, and I imply that fairly actually.” Might that be this char capability, or is there one thing we aren’t being instructed but? Whereas I am all the time slightly cautious of any tame being described as ‘actually important’, nothing we have heard thus far strikes me as an absolute must-have. The excellent news is that there is not lengthy to attend earlier than we discover out.
The ultimate replace for Ark Astraeos releases on Wednesday August 26. You should purchase the complete enlargement for $14.99 / £12.79, though you may want a base copy of Ark Survival Developed as effectively. I will be unhappy to see it wrap up, however glad that it makes now the perfect time to lastly dive again in and see the whole lot that the paranormal hills, seashores, caverns, and ruins of Astraeos have to supply.
