Ark Survival Ascended Guide | Genesis 1 Map Explained

Genesis Part 1 does not work like any normal map in ARK: Survival Ascended. It is a simulation split into five sealed biomes, so it is easy to spawn in the Bog with no idea how to reach the rest. This guide covers how the map is built and what to expect in each region.

The five regions are the Bog, Ocean, Arctic, Volcanic Biome, and Lunar Biome. The whole thing is a no-fly map. You can tame most flyers but never ride them, and the Tek Chestpiece jetpack is disabled in the air and underwater. Tek Leggings super speed is also off, though moving while over-encumbered still works.

How to Travel Between Biomes

Each biome is sealed behind a barrier, so teleporting with your personal assistant, HLN-A, is the only way in or out. The map has two levels. The Bog, Arctic, Volcanic, and Lunar regions sit on the lower level, and the Ocean stretches across the whole map above them. Open your map and use the new tab to switch between the two.

The Bog

The Bog is where you will most likely start, and it has the gentlest spawns despite the Sarcos and X-Raptors. Insect Swarms are the real threat and cannot be killed normally. Drop into water where they cannot reach you, or hit the swarm with a torch. Keep an eye on the treetops for Bloodstalkers, which pull you off your mount, so carry a parachute and a few Blood Packs.

The Ocean

The Ocean changed the most, with over 14 new islands, many of them strong base spots. Some are held by pirates and act as outposts you raid or defend. Build your own ships there and sail out for treasure chests and loot. The Megalodon, Dunkleosteus, Plesiosaur, Mosasaurus, and Tusoteuthis all appear as X-Creatures and hit much harder than normal, and whirlpools drag you under. The Megachelon is the tame to aim for.

The Volcanic Biome

Difficulty jumps here, with Araneos, Onycs, Rock Elementals, Basilisks, Rexes, and the Magmasaur. The volcano erupts regularly, and being inside it or struck by flying rock kills you instantly unless you are riding a Magmasaur. To get one, steal a Magmasaur Egg and hatch it, then run, because everything nearby turns on you. This is also your first easy source of Element Shards, mined from the purple crystals with a pickaxe or Mining Drill.

The Arctic

The Arctic holds Direwolves, Yutyrannus, Ovis, and the Ferox, plus snowstorms and avalanches that can kill you, so bring fur. To tame a Ferox, feed the small one Element, run while it is in its large form, then wait for it to calm down and feed it again.

The Lunar Biome

The Lunar Biome is the strangest, mixing Karkinos and Aberration creatures with Tek Raptors, Tek Rexes, and the Astrocetus. Radiation is constant, and the green gas kills almost instantly, but low gravity gives you a far bigger jump. Once you accept that HLN-A is the only way between biomes, the whole map opens up, and you can pick whichever region fits your progress.

FAQ

Q. Can you use flyers on the Genesis Part 1 map?

A. You can tame most flyers, but you cannot ride them anywhere, and the Tek Chestpiece jetpack is disabled too.

Q. Where do you find Element Shards first?

A. The Volcanic Biome is the earliest reliable source. Mine the purple crystals with a pickaxe or Mining Drill.

Q. How do you deal with Insect Swarms in the Bog?

A. Normal weapons do not work. Get into water so they cannot reach you, or strike the swarm with a lit torch.