Update: The patch is now live. You may need to restart Steam to begin downloading it. Original story: Ark's delayed 254 patch is due to arrive today, bringing with it the Tek Tier, which introduces science-fiction themed weapons, armor, and structures to the dino survival game. The new tech items can be acquired by besting boss monsters and learning Tek-based engrams, which will allow players to craft a number of new items using a futuristic (and massive) replicator workbench. Check out the trailer above. The update is due at 8 pm EST/5 pm PST today. Ark's new power armor promises a number of features and abilities, some of which can be used in conjunction with one other. The helmet comes with a couple of different view modes: night-vision and sonar (the latter of which allows you to detect both nearby friends and enemies even if they're obstructed by walls). Both modes can be activated at the same time, useful for midnight raids. The jetpack—as you might suspect—lets you fly, and works underwater as well. Power leggings will let you sprint at high speed, even across the surface of water, and it also turns you into a bit of a juggernaut: you can plow right through boulders and structures while sprinting. Power boots protect you from fall damage, and gauntlets let you charge up your fist for a devastating, targeted power-punch, capable of killing players and dinos with one blow (and can also be used for harvesting resources if you've forgotten you bring an axe). The new tech isn't just for players: dinosaurs can be upgraded as well. Initially it's only available for the T-Rex, but the new Tek saddle provides extra armor and head-mounted lasers for your loyal, chompy pet. There are some new dinos to tame as well. There's the Basilosaurus, a large-water based creature (if you harvest it instead of taming it, they apparently contain a lot of oil). There's also the Baryonyx—they look like upright alligators, they're are strong swimmers, and they have a stun attack. Also arriving is the Purlovia, a furry badger-like creature that can be buried underground to serve as a living land-mine: when your enemies walk near, the Purlovia will pop up and attack. And of course, the Ovis Aries, the adorable yet controversial sheep that caused a bit of a stir when Studio Wildcard initially stated they would only come to the game if Ark won Steam's 'Best Use of a Farm Animal' prize. After some backlash, Studio Wildcard decided to release the sheep regardless, and here it is: tamable via one dose of sweet vegetable cake, and useful in that they provide wool (via shearing) and mutton (via violence). You'll also be able to craft lances for dino-based jousting fun, and the update includes hair and beards that slowly grow on your character while you play. You can cut your hair with scissors as well as dye it, and the devs plan to add additional hair-and-beard styles in the future, unlockable when you find explorer notes. Full patch notes can be perused here. Below, you can watch developer Jesse Rapczak demonstrating some of the update's new features on Gamespot's YouTube channel. And check out a few more screenshots below. We'll update the post when the patch is live.