The Frontier Wilderness in Dino Hunters is divided into five major biomes, each with its own dinosaur distribution, weather patterns, terrain features, and recommended hunting strategies. New hunters often treat the map as a single open area, but the biomes are distinct enough that a hunter who knows one biome well can fail repeatedly in another. This guide gives you a tour of every biome currently in the game and explains how to adapt your hunting strategy to each one.
The biomes are roughly divided as follows: Desert covers the south and southwest, Plateau covers the central highlands, Forest covers the northwest, Coast covers the east, and Mountain covers the northeast. Each biome is connected to its neighbors by gradual transitions rather than hard borders, which means you can hunt across two biomes in a single expedition if you plan your route carefully.
If you have not yet accepted your first contract, our Dino Hunters beginner guide covers the basics of the contract system. Once you understand the contract basics, the biome guide below will help you pick the right biome for your skill level.
Desert Biome
The Desert biome is the driest and most open area in the Frontier Wilderness. Terrain is mostly flat with occasional mesa formations and dry riverbeds. Visibility is excellent during the day but limited by dust storms during the afternoon. Dinosaur distribution in the Desert is sparse, with mostly small to medium herbivores and a few Velociraptor packs.
The Desert biome rewards long-range hunters. The flat terrain and excellent visibility make it the ideal place to use the .700 Nitro Express or the .308 Bolt-Action at distances of 200-300 meters. Stealth is less effective here because the open terrain makes it hard to close the distance without being detected.
Desert Biome Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Flat, mesa formations, dry riverbeds |
| Visibility | Excellent (day), limited by dust storms |
| Common Dinosaurs | Velociraptor, Gallimimus, juvenile Allosaurus |
| Recommended Caliber | .308 Bolt-Action or .500 S&W Magnum |
| Best Hunting Time | Dawn or dusk (cooler, less wind) |
| Bonus Suitability | Long-range Bonus (excellent visibility) |
Plateau Biome
The Plateau biome is the central highland of the Frontier Wilderness. Terrain is rolling with occasional cliff faces and shallow valleys. Visibility is medium. The Plateau is the most biodiverse biome in the game, hosting everything from small raptors to Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus packs.
The Plateau rewards mid-range hunters who can adapt to changing visibility. The rolling terrain creates natural stalking opportunities, but the cliffs can also hide dinosaurs until you are too close. The Plateau is the best biome to learn combat basics because it offers a mix of all hunting scenarios.
Plateau Biome Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Rolling hills, cliff faces, shallow valleys |
| Visibility | Medium |
| Common Dinosaurs | Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Triceratops, mixed packs |
| Recommended Caliber | .308 Bolt-Action or .500 S&W Magnum |
| Best Hunting Time | Midday (best visibility) |
| Bonus Suitability | Balanced, suitable for all bonuses |
Forest Biome
The Forest biome is the densest and most diverse area in the Frontier Wilderness. Terrain is heavily vegetated with dense canopy, thick undergrowth, and frequent water sources. Visibility is severely limited, especially during midday when the canopy blocks most sunlight. The Forest hosts the widest variety of dinosaurs, including apex predators like the Spinosaurus.
The Forest rewards patient, slow stalkers who know how to read trails. Visibility is too poor for long-range bonuses in most cases, but the density of clues makes tracking relatively easy. The Forest is also the most dangerous biome because dinosaurs can be 10 meters away before you spot them.
Forest Biome Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Dense canopy, thick undergrowth, water sources |
| Visibility | Poor (worst of any biome) |
| Common Dinosaurs | Spinosaurus, Allosaurus, Velociraptor, Ankylosaurus |
| Recommended Caliber | .500 S&W Magnum or .700 Nitro Express |
| Best Hunting Time | Dawn (best light through canopy) |
| Bonus Suitability | Spinal Shot bonus (close-range shots common) |
Coastal Biome
The Coastal biome is the eastern strip of the Frontier Wilderness where the land meets a shallow sea. Terrain is a mix of dunes, beaches, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats. Visibility is excellent along the beach but poor in the mangrove sections. The Coastal biome is unique in that some dinosaurs (Spinosaurus) are equally comfortable on land and in water, which changes the hunting strategy significantly.
The Coastal biome rewards hunters who are willing to use bait and to fight in the water. Spinosaurus hunts are 90% land-based and 10% water-based, because the dinosaur retreats into the shallows when wounded. Successful Coastal hunters plan their shots to drive the dinosaur away from the water, then take the killing shot on dry land.
Coastal Biome Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Dunes, beaches, mangrove swamps, tidal flats |
| Visibility | Excellent (beach), poor (mangroves) |
| Common Dinosaurs | Spinosaurus, Velociraptor, Parasaurolophus |
| Recommended Caliber | .700 Nitro Express (Spinosaurus) |
| Best Hunting Time | Low tide (more land exposed) |
| Bonus Suitability | Multi-kill Bonus (packs on the beach) |
Mountain Biome
The Mountain biome is the northeastern high country of the Frontier Wilderness. Terrain is steep with frequent cliff faces, narrow passes, and high plateaus. Visibility is generally good but the elevation changes make bullet drop calculation more difficult. The Mountain biome is the most common location for apex predator contracts because T-Rex territory is concentrated here.
The Mountain rewards experienced hunters who can manage elevation changes and steep slopes. The biome is also home to the rarest dinosaurs in the game, including several that are exclusive to the high country. Mountain contracts pay the highest base rates in the game because of the difficulty.
Mountain Biome Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Steep, cliff faces, narrow passes, high plateaus |
| Visibility | Good but elevation-dependent |
| Common Dinosaurs | T-Rex, Carnotaurus, Stegosaurus |
| Recommended Caliber | .700 Nitro Express (mandatory for apex predators) |
| Best Hunting Time | Morning (less wind at altitude) |
| Bonus Suitability | Long-range Bonus (excellent sightlines) |
Choosing the Right Biome for Your Skill Level
New hunters should start in the Desert biome, where visibility is excellent and dinosaurs are smaller. As your skill improves, move to the Plateau biome for a mix of challenges, then to the Forest biome where stalking is essential, and finally to the Mountain and Coastal biomes for apex predator contracts.
| Hunter Skill Level | Recommended Biomes | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Desert | Excellent visibility, smaller dinosaurs |
| Intermediate | Desert, Plateau | Mid-range combat practice |
| Advanced | Plateau, Forest | Stalking and adaptation |
| Expert | All biomes | Including apex predators in Mountain and Coastal |
For more information on how to hunt specific dinosaurs in each biome, see our Dino Hunters dinosaur guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hunt across multiple biomes in a single expedition?
Yes, biomes transition gradually and there are no hard borders. Plan your route to follow a transition zone if you want to maximize the variety of dinosaurs encountered in a single trip.
Does weather affect each biome differently?
Yes. The Desert has dust storms that limit visibility during afternoons. The Forest has rain that makes trails harder to read but quiets your footsteps. The Mountain has high winds that affect bullet drop at long range. Always check the weather forecast on the map screen before accepting a contract.
Which biome has the highest payout contracts?
The Mountain biome, because that is where most T-Rex and Carnotaurus contracts appear. Coastal biome Spinosaurus contracts are similarly well-paid. Plateau contracts are mid-range, and Forest and Desert contracts are typically lower tier.
What is the best all-around biome for a co-op squad?
The Plateau, because the mix of visibility and terrain accommodates different hunting styles. One player can take long-range shots while another closes the distance for close-range bonuses. For more on coordinating co-op play, see our Dino Hunters co-op multiplayer setup.