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Suggestion

My submission for the next creature vote is the haast eagle, also known as the harpagornis. It went extinct in the 1400's, was the largest eagle that has ever existed with talons the size of tigers claws, and has been credited of being the inspiration behind the legends of giant man eating birds in New Zealand. It was the apex predator of it's environment, and was capable of killing creatures multiple times it's size. It is believed to have killed very large prey by divebombing vulnerable areas, and wrestling it to the ground while slashing with it's massive talons. Given this, I think it could function well as a powerful apex predator of the skies of ark. Ark barely has any birds, and only of a handful of them are actually very useful. Having the haast eagle soaring the skies of the arks mountains and jungles would provide a new powerful flyer that would not only provide a fun way to travel around the map, but also be a useful tame full of utility's depending on what you need. 

Abilities

-Dive bomb attack that can stun flyers mid air for about ten seconds(works on creatures up to the size of a quetzal)

-Wing attack, after soaring/diving for a short amount of time the it will gain the ability to perform a new attack. When landed, a built up wing beat will result in gust of wind that pushes attackers back. Works up to creatures the size of a carno/baryonyx. The resulting hit has the potential to keep several attackers back for several seconds. The wing beat will also collect nearby resources if not being used to attack anything.

-Enhanced agility, able to turn on a dime at high speeds through the trees

-Prime meat collector, can collect prime meat from smaller creatures with it's talons

-Extremely fast speed and damage, counter to it's average stamina/weight 

-Insulation, provides warmth from it's feathers when flying through the colder regions of the map

-Does decent damage to armor with it's talons

-A screech that boosts other flyers. Similar to the yuty on land, and it would make sense as large predatory birds like eagles and hawks screech

-Pest Control + Eagle Eye, when set on wander it targets small creatures in a large vicinity like troodons, pegos, dilos, and ichthyornis(this factors into the whole prime meat collector thing)

-The pest control ability would also target non tribemates on foot trying to sneak into your base, so having some of these soaring around base would be very beneficial from getting raided

Taming Method: Either standard tranq and feed, or by collecting eggs from nests in large trees and cliffsides. 

Appearance: Appearance loosely based off the largest living forest eagles like harpy, crowned, and philippine eagles, but with obvious differences to give it a distinct, different look. To some extant, it would make sense for it to have some slight resemblance to the little eagle(ironically it's closest living relative). Having a crown of feathers like some other large raptors that could be a color region would also add to it's look. A small detail that should be mentioned was that in real life it had a fairly long beak. (Credit to artist Ben Garrod for the nest art of eagles, it's very accurate in showing the longer hooked beak. He's an amazing paleo artist so credit to him.)

Other Notes: Rideable, can go with or without saddle, although like with almost any creature a saddle is preferred. Smaller then the argent but bulkier/taller then the pelagornis. It would have a slightly shorter wingspan, but more broad and robust wings in general. Posture wise it would stand similar to living eagles, and have a tall upright stance when grounded. Regarding the wing attack, think of the build up being something similar to the woolly rhinos charge. During it's boosting shriek, it's crown of feathers could flare up like a dilo's frill. Spawns with nests in the redwoods, near cliffs, and in the colder areas of the map at higher elevation. Drops feathers(pelt) and talons that can be used for crafting when killed. Most large eagle nests today are full of fur and bones from previous meals, so even if the eggs are the main focus one could collect some pelt or additional resources from nests/empty nests. Extra ideas in the comments are welcome. Also, not ability related but if someone could make a dossier for this it would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Scale model of Haast Eagle, that was hunted to extinction 600 years agoCryptids & Oddities — Recently Extinct MegafaunaTerror of the forest | New Zealand GeographicHaast's eagle was the largest eagle ever known to exist. They lived in New  Zealand as recently as 600 years ago, meaning they would've interacted with  the native Maori. There are legendshaast eagles - Reddit post and comment search - SocialGrepArtStation - Pouakai - Haast's eagle, Raph Herrera Lomotan

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10 hours ago, TheRook said:

With Fjorder being a norse/viking inspired map, this really does fit so well. In the poetic edda there's a jotuun called Hraesveglur who takes the form of a giant eagle and is also called "the corpse swallower". It's said that his wings are the origin of all winds.

I think it would be interesting to work in some kind of attack or ability based on that, to blend real and myth a bit. A blast of wind caused by a hard wingbeat, something that could throw attackers back long enough to get out of their reach. It could come in clutch when being swarmed by dire wolves, or troodons. Or even larger creatures, like carnos, depending on the size of the bird.

I feel like the suggestion to make it 3x the size of an Argy is just a little bit too big, but making it the same size, or just slightly larger than a Snow Owl could work. Especially if it has a tighter turning radius in flight.

It really would be nice to have more birds in Ark.

Thanks for the feedback, I really like the wind attack idea, I hadn't even thought of that. I'll think of an ability idea based on that, thanks for the suggestion. Feel free to expand on the idea if you want to add more. 

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With Fjorder being a norse/viking inspired map, this really does fit so well. In the poetic edda there's a jotuun called Hraesveglur who takes the form of a giant eagle and is also called "the corpse swallower". It's said that his wings are the origin of all winds.

I think it would be interesting to work in some kind of attack or ability based on that, to blend real and myth a bit. A blast of wind caused by a hard wingbeat, something that could throw attackers back long enough to get out of their reach. It could come in clutch when being swarmed by dire wolves, or troodons. Or even larger creatures, like carnos, depending on the size of the bird.

I feel like the suggestion to make it 3x the size of an Argy is just a little bit too big, but making it the same size, or just slightly larger than a Snow Owl could work. Especially if it has a tighter turning radius in flight.

It really would be nice to have more birds in Ark.

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On 11/7/2021 at 1:08 PM, StrandedAndStoopid said:

Sort of a reskinned griffin but… it’s the eagles from Lord of the Rings. And the argy is a culture so rea we do need another bird. My only problem is it’s a reskinned Griffin and the griffin is all around larger and bigger so… what would be an advantage this has that makes it, maybe not better, but unique

This is the biggest mistake people seem to be making with their votes. They keep voting for the suggested abilities, but ultimately you should vote for looks/the creature itself.

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On 11/10/2021 at 4:24 AM, Guodestroyer said:

I personally love the idea of having to steal its eggs! I think they would fit in perfectly with a redwood spawn and I like the prime meat idea. I also think it would be cool if they dive bombed players and caring them up into the sky to be dropped when they are whistled on attack this target or aggressive.

Thanks for the feedback and idea, the other day I made an edit to the abilities under the pest control thing inspired by your suggestion(keep in mind it's a little different, I'm trying to make it work with the way Ark plays). Also just wanted to say a personal thanks to everyone who liked the idea and commented some nice feedback, appreciate it everyone. 

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5 hours ago, roy3100 said:

Thanks for the feedback, I really like the wind attack idea, I hadn't even thought of that. I'll think of an ability idea based on that, thanks for the suggestion. Feel free to expand on the idea if you want to add more. 

The ability you came up with sounds really good. If the wing attack works like a buff that you can charge up and hold on to until it's used, it could make it more viable in pvp. And for pve it would definitely be great for resource gathering expeditions. 

Soaring on the way to where you're going to charge it up, and then having it ready to go in case of emergency, basically. 

Having the tame method being egg stealing only, like with wyverns, could also justify the eagle having slightly more op abilities too. That could be a balancing factor.

I also had a thought about it's appearance. The paleo art reminds me of the Phillipine eagle, in the beak shape and posture. It's the largest living eagle currently as well, and would be a good reference model. Though I worry that they would look too similar to the Argy. They have a crown of feathers that I could see flaring up like a dilo fan when the eagle screeches or uses a wing attack.

175196_800x.jpg

9d479349ec56043f87ce28fad199cd10--visit-philippines-philippines-travel.jpg

20211218_205208.jpg

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On 11/10/2021 at 7:24 AM, Guodestroyer said:

I personally love the idea of having to steal its eggs! I think they would fit in perfectly with a redwood spawn and I like the prime meat idea. I also think it would be cool if they dive bombed players and caring them up into the sky to be dropped when they are whistled on attack this target or aggressive.

Ya...*walks 10ft, gets jumped by purlovia, walks 10ft, gets pounced by thyla, walks 10ft, gets heat seeking missiled(that needs redesigned so it can actually miss) by a micro, walks 10ft, gets pounced by an eagle, walks 10ft...Stops and takes everything out on Cedric lol*

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I personally love the idea of having to steal its eggs! I think they would fit in perfectly with a redwood spawn and I like the prime meat idea. I also think it would be cool if they dive bombed players and caring them up into the sky to be dropped when they are whistled on attack this target or aggressive.

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10 minutes ago, TheRook said:

The ability you came up with sounds really good. If the wing attack works like a buff that you can charge up and hold on to until it's used, it could make it more viable in pvp. And for pve it would definitely be great for resource gathering expeditions. 

Soaring on the way to where you're going to charge it up, and then having it ready to go in case of emergency, basically. 

Having the tame method being egg stealing only, like with wyverns, could also justify the eagle having slightly more op abilities too. That could be a balancing factor.

I also had a thought about it's appearance. The paleo art reminds me of the Phillipine eagle, in the beak shape and posture. It's the largest living eagle currently as well, and would be a good reference model. Though I worry that they would look too similar to the Argy. They have a crown of feathers that I could see flaring up like a dilo fan when the eagle screeches or uses a wing attack.

175196_800x.jpg

9d479349ec56043f87ce28fad199cd10--visit-philippines-philippines-travel.jpg

20211218_205208.jpg

I'll take your suggestions into consideration when making edits, I like the pve ability and crown of feathers flaring up like a dilo. Thanks for the ideas.

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As a kiwi I am obliged to love this idea. That said, I do have to point out that the latest research points to the Haast's eagle as being potentially bald like a vulture!

On the one hand, shame to lose the glorious headfeathers you propose, but on the other, having a distinct visual difference from the argy might be an advantage?

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Sort of a reskinned griffin but… it’s the eagles from Lord of the Rings. And the argy is a culture so rea we do need another bird. My only problem is it’s a reskinned Griffin and the griffin is all around larger and bigger so… what would be an advantage this has that makes it, maybe not better, but unique

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