Expansion Map · Free Update

THE CENTER

The Floating Island

A massive, visually stunning map defined by its iconic floating island, deep sea trenches, and colossal underworld. Prepare for the ultimate challenge: facing two Guardians simultaneously.

Points of Interest & Base Locations

The Center is roughly double the size of The Island, featuring extreme verticality and massive oceans. Choosing a good base location is critical.

Top Base Spots

  • The Floating Island Located in the very center of the map. It offers safety from ground-based predators (they cannot walk up to it) and has an abundance of metal, obsidian, and crystal. However, you will need a flyer (Pteranodon/Argentavis) to access it.
  • Tropical Islands (South & North) Excellent starting locations. Plentiful resources, flat building areas, and shallow waters perfect for taming your first Megalodon or Ichthyosaurus.
  • The Redwood Forest / Half-Burnt Island For advanced players. The Redwoods offer tree-platform building, while the Lava Island to the north is teeming with high-level predators (Rexes, Gigas) and extreme metal deposits.

The Underworld

Hidden beneath the map is a massive subterranean cavern containing its own miniature sun, oceans, and jungle.

How to Access: There are multiple entrances, but the safest for flyers is the massive hole near the edge of the world on the eastern side, or the hidden tunnel systems under the central lakes. The Underworld is one of the best places in the game for PvP hidden bases due to its limited chokepoint entrances.

Deep Sea Trenches

The Center features oceans that are significantly deeper and darker than The Island. At the very bottom, you will find massive trenches.

  • The Dangers: The trenches are swarming with Mosasaurs, Plesiosaurs, and Tusoteuthis (Giant Squids). Do not venture down without a high-level Basilosaurus, as they are immune to jellyfish stings and squid grabs.
  • The Rewards: You will find massive clusters of Black Pearls (harvested from Eurypterids) and deep-sea loot crates containing ascendant blueprints.

The Dual Boss Arena

Unlike The Island where you fight Guardians one by one, The Center forces you to fight both the Broodmother Lysrix and the Megapithecus at the exact same time.

Arena Strategy

  • The Army: Because you are fighting two bosses, the "Megatherium strategy" is risky as Megatheriums might get focused by the Ape. The universal meta here is an army of 19 highly mutated Rexes and 1 Yutyrannus.
  • The Pull: Do NOT rush into the middle. Inch forward until the Megapithecus aggros onto you (he has a larger aggro radius). Pull him back to the starting pad and kill him first while the Broodmother stays away.
  • The Clean Up: Once the Ape is dead, push forward and swarm the Broodmother.
  • Rewards: Defeating this dual arena yields a massive amount of Element and unlocks the Tek Engrams from both bosses simultaneously.

Deep Sea Loot & Artifacts

Trench Drops (Red Loot Crates)

The Center has massive ocean trenches. Red loot crates spawn in the dark depths alongside giant squids and mosasaurs. The primary trench loop:

  • Eastern Trench: Runs from (93, 60) up to (10, 60). Stay close to the seabed walls to spot the red glow.

Artifact Locations

You need these to summon the Broodmother + Megapithecus duo:

  • Clever & Devourer: North Ice Cave (Entrance at 18.5, 29.7)
  • Massive & Strong: Southeast Lava Cave (Entrance at 11.2, 67.4)
  • Devious & Hunter: Pearl Cave (Underwater entrance at 66.0, 53.4)
  • Pack: Floating Island Cave (Entrance at 55.4, 62.9)

Admin Commands

For server admins or single-player testing on The Center:

Action Command
Spawn Dual Boss (Alpha) The Center uses a single terminal for both. You cannot spawn the "Dual Boss" logic via command easily, but you can spawn them separately:
cheat summon SpiderL_Character_BP_Hard_C
cheat summon Gorilla_Character_BP_Hard_C
Teleport to Underworld cheat setplayerpos 171000 -66000 -26000
Teleport to Floating Island cheat setplayerpos -65000 65000 35000
Back to ARK: Survival Ascended Guide
Support the Guide

Did This Guide Help You?

Maintained through hundreds of hours of gameplay and research. If it saved you from dying 47 times against a boss, consider supporting the project.

🅿️

Donate via PayPal

Any amount — no minimum. Every donation helps keep the guide updated with every new patch.

💙 Donate with PayPal

One-time · No subscription required

🔴

Subscribe on Patreon

Every donation helps keep the guide updated with every new patch.

❤️ Join on Patreon

Cancel anytime

💬 Community Strategies & Discussion

Did you find a hidden chest? Struggling with a boss? Share your tips and questions with other mercenaries below!