ARK Survival Ascended Lost Colony Update v87.4 Review
As a streamer who has spent a huge amount of time in ARK: Survival Ascended, I’ve learned to expect chaos with every major patch. Some updates break the game, some barely change anything, and very rarely you get one that actually reshapes the experience.
The Lost Colony v87.4 / v87.11 update is one of those rare cases where the game finally feels like it’s moving in the right direction.
After multiple long streaming sessions in Arat Prime, I can say this update doesn’t just fix bugs—it changes how the entire expansion plays.
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Lost Colony Finally Feels Like a Finished Expansion
When Lost Colony first launched, it had ambition but not stability. The world of Arat Prime, with its frozen Necrocene wastelands, Red Element-powered cities, and the Lost King’s rule, was visually impressive but mechanically inconsistent.
From a gameplay perspective, early versions felt unstable:
- Boss fights were unreliable and often bugged mid-run
- PvP cave balance was heavily skewed toward exploit strategies
- Performance drops were common during large fights or raids
- Server desync made high-level encounters frustrating
This update finally brings structure to that chaos.
PvP Map Overhaul Changes Everything
One of the most impactful parts of the patch is the redesign of key cave systems. These changes directly affect how PvP tribes fight, defend, and raid.
Reworked Cavern Entrances
Several major locations were adjusted:
- Ruins of the Ascendant Cavern
- Cavern of the Whispering Needle
- Cavern of the Sapphire Cascades
Previously, these caves were extremely wide and allowed almost unrestricted raiding access. Large tames could push through with minimal resistance. Now, the entrances are tighter and designed around actual defensive gameplay.
In practice, this means:
- Defensive structures finally matter again
- Raids require planning instead of brute force
- Chokepoint control becomes a real strategy
Some tribes lost bases due to structural rework overlap, which is controversial, but the long-term balance improvement is noticeable.
Spawn System Improvements
The spawn system has also been redesigned to reduce overcrowding. The previous “city spawn dominance” created constant spawn camping issues.
Now, spawn points are distributed more evenly across the map, which improves early-game survival and reduces instant death loops for new players.
Lost Queen Boss Fight Is Finally Fixed
The Lost Queen encounter was one of the most problematic parts of the expansion at launch. It looked like a cinematic endgame fight, but in reality it was unstable and often unfair.
This update fixes the core issues that were breaking progression.
Boss Fight Stability Improvements
- Infinite shield bug has been removed
- Orb hit detection is now consistent
- Thrall companions properly teleport into the arena
- Server crash loops during ascension sequences are fixed
New Phase-Based Timer System
Instead of a single rigid 60-minute timer, the fight now uses segmented phase timers. Each stage of the encounter has its own limit, which resets expectations and makes progression feel more structured.
This doesn’t make the fight easier—it makes it fairer. Execution matters more than luck.
Resource Caches Are Actually Worth Doing Now
Resource Caches used to feel like filler content. Too many waves, too little reward, and not enough reason to engage with them regularly.
The update completely changes that loop.
Gameplay Changes
- Wave count reduced from 5 to 3
- Low-value enemy types removed
- XP rewards significantly increased
- Health regeneration between waves added
- Improved loot table quality
From a gameplay standpoint, these are now high-intensity mini-events rather than tedious grinds.
Balance Changes That Shift the Meta
Several smaller adjustments have a surprisingly large impact on gameplay, especially in PvP and high-end PvE content.
Fabricated Crossbow Buff
The Fabricated Crossbow now deals significantly more damage in sniper mode and has improved durability. This makes ranged combat more viable in both PvP and boss encounters.
Holo-Decoy Cost Reduction
Crafting costs for the Holo-Decoy were reduced, removing gunpowder from requirements entirely. This encourages more tactical usage in raids and deception plays.
Ossidon Taming Fixes
The Ossidon creature received several fixes that remove frustrating taming failures caused by environmental damage and scaling issues. It now behaves consistently with server multipliers, making it far more reliable to tame.
Performance and Stability Improvements
This is one of the most important parts of the update for anyone who streams or plays long sessions.
After testing, the game feels noticeably more stable in high-load situations.
- Reduced random client and server crashes
- Improved GPU stability during lighting-heavy areas
- Fixed cross-server transfer bugs
- Smoother performance during large PvP fights
On stream, the difference is obvious—sessions last longer without interruptions.
Burrowbuck: A Surprisingly Creative Addition
The new seasonal creature, the Burrowbuck, is one of the most interesting additions in this update.
It is not just another tame—it introduces new mobility and tactical systems into the game.
Key Abilities
- Creates hidden underground dens
- Builds temporary tunnel networks
- Enables fast squad repositioning
This creature changes how players approach raids and escapes. On stream, it creates unexpected moments where entire groups disappear underground and reappear elsewhere for counterattacks.
Before vs After Update Overview
| System | Before Update | After Update |
|---|---|---|
| PvP Caves | Overpowered and easily exploited | Tactical choke-point design |
| Boss Fights | Buggy and inconsistent | Structured and stable |
| Resource Caches | Grindy filler content | High-reward combat events |
| Performance | Frequent crashes | Improved stability |
| Spawn System | Overcrowded spawn zones | Balanced distribution |
Final Thoughts From a Streamer Perspective
From someone actively playing and streaming this game, this update feels like a turning point for Lost Colony. It doesn’t just fix technical issues—it actually improves gameplay flow, balance, and long-term engagement.
PvP feels more strategic, PvE feels more structured, and boss fights finally behave like intended endgame content instead of unpredictable chaos.
It’s still ARK, so it’s not perfect. But this is the first time I can confidently say Lost Colony is worth returning to if you left after launch.
If earlier versions felt like frustration disguised as content, this update finally makes it feel like a real expansion worth investing time into.
