How to find the missing Arks in Mass Effect: Andromeda

One of the greatest mysteries which pervades Mass Effect: Andromeda’s story is what happened to the three missing Arks which were supposed to arrive at the Nexus alongside the human colony ship. These are the Asari Ark, the Turian Ark, and the Salarian Ark, and it's up to Ryder to figure out what happened to these ships, carrying thousands of slumbering travellers.

You’ll discover leads on the whereabouts of each Ark as you progress throughout the story, but you’ll need to actively pursue these threads in order to find answers. This guide runs through the most effective means of completing the three Ark missions, and what you can expect within each of the ships themselves.

Looking for more help? We also have a Mass Effect: Andromeda Romance guide, Mass Effect: Andromeda Remnant Decryption glyph solutions guide, Mass Effect: Andromeda tips, and a Mass Effect: Andromeda Loyalty Missions guide.

The Asari Ark

The hunt for the Asari Ark begins with Cora, who brings news via email to you after you’ve completed the main story mission A Better Beginning on Eos. Acknowledge the email and go talk to Harper, which will initiate the prerequisite mission Cora Harper: Asari Ark.

You’ll need to venture back to Eos and speak to an Asari refugee named Hydartia, who is situated in a building at the Prodromos outpost.

She will mention the existence of a ship called the Periphona, located somewhere on the ice planet Voeld, which is the second planet accessible to you after Eos. 

Head to Voeld and go towards where the Periphona’s signal is coming from. At this point, SAM will mention that there could be several locations from which the signal originates, but it’ll be the one situated at the north part of the map.

Scan the wreckage to finish this mission, which is then put on hold until you complete the story mission called A Trail of Hope. Once you’ve done this, Cora will email you again with news of the Ark’s location - speak to her to begin the final mission Cora Harper: At Duty’s Edge, which is also her loyalty mission. 

The mission waypoint will then guide you to the location of the Ark itself, which happens to be shut down and riddled with a Kett infestation.

The mission involves you taking out the Kett and restoring the Ark for use again, so be sure you’re appropriately equipped to deal with a large amount of enemies. After you’ve achieved this, finish up your conversations with the rest of the Asari crew, and the mystery of the Ark has been solved!

Next: The Turian Ark

Alex Avard

I'm GamesRadar's Features Writer, which makes me responsible for gracing the internet with as many of my words as possible, including reviews, previews, interviews, and more. Lucky internet! 

Latest in Mass Effect
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Mass Effect 3
BioWare lead proves he's onto us while celebrating Mass Effect 3's birthday, clarifying that's all he's doing so that "nobody can say I purposefully teased them"
Mass Effect
"EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself": BioWare co-founder says working for a big game company just ain't it, even if "it was actually a pretty successful run" for Mass Effect
BioWare
Mass Effect 5 is "still in pre-production" says director as BioWare shifts full focus to the sci-fi RPG amid dev reshuffles and reported layoffs
Mass Effect 5
Mass Effect 5 is BioWare's only big project after Dragon Age: The Veilguard, studio veteran predicts, but "isn't ready to suddenly have a team of 250, 300 people"
Mass Effect 5 poster
As Dragon Age: The Veilguard director leaves and studio closure rumors surface, Mass Effect 5 director appears to hint the RPG is just fine: "Every week is a good week at work for me"
Latest in Guides
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe wearing black kosode
How to acquire a kosode in Assassin's Creed Shadows and should you choose red or black?
A character's face in horror game REPO.
Best REPO mods to improve your matches with more players and new monsters
Assassin's Creed Shadows Mitsumune and Naoe
How to find Mitsumune in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows engravings
Best Assassin’s Creed Shadows Engravings for all weapons and armor
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe facing off against samurai warrior on red bridge
Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows have New Game Plus?
FC 25
FC 25 Dreamchasers tracker and full UEFA promo guide