Prehistoric canines have been a favorite topic of mine for years now, and I’ve always hoped for any of the different species to be added to ARK as a competitor against the direwolf. Their history is incredible and their different structures and anatomy are even more impressive; with the Xenocyon lycanoides having caught my eye the most as it looks like some sort of mix between a borophagus, a gray wolf, and an African wild dog. There are loads of opportunities with this creature, and I hope to explore all of them in-depth in this creature submission.
NATURAL HISTORY
Xenocyon lycanoides was a hypercarnivore that lived in Africa and Eurasia throughout the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene. It’s the ancestor of the modern dhole and the African wild dog, though Xenocyon itself was much larger than its descendants. It was once even a competitor against the direwolf, with larger size, bulkier strength, and being even more hypercarnivorous— though its small numbers couldn’t win over Pleistocene North America, and the North American population dwindled and eventually died out.
DOSSIER
WILD
“A dangerous pack hunter, Xenocyon lycanoides is known to use its sharp teeth to inflict intense bleeding in its prey. With high stamina and long legs, this canine can run and run for miles. Its howl alone is enough to terrify smaller critters, and their packs have incredible familial loyalty.”
DOMESTICATED
”The adults are far too aggressive to tame, so in order to get your own Xenocyon, you must passively care for the pups. However, once tamed and raised to adulthood, your canine companion will assist you in caves, hunting, and even taming other creatures with its unique abilities.”
UTILITY
The Xenocyon is an efficient and incredibly useful utility mount through and through. Its abilities consist of:
- BONE-BREAKER: Right-click attack causes a bleed/bone breaking effect, which slows down the opponent and causes them to lose health over time. This effect stacks.
- PACK BONUS: In groups of 3 or more, the Xenocyon gains a damage and defense buff. It is also able to locate other tamed Xenocyon in its pack by pressing X and highlighting their outlines with a resounding cackle.
- FEAR HOWL: By pressing C, the Xenocyon can let loose an intimidating howl that scares away most smaller creatures, such as raptors, pegomastax, icthyornis, and even humans.
- “SADDLEBAG”: Though it can be ridden, the Xenocyon does not have a saddle; instead, it has a “saddlebag,” a pack that acts similarly to a preserving bin while reducing resource weight and still providing armor.
- INSULATION: The Xenocyon provides a small insulation buff to protect its rider against the elements. This works particularly well in heat, while not particularly functioning as well in colder environments.
- SNEAK: “Sneak mode” can be toggled by pressing R, allowing both the Xenocyon and its rider to gain increased stealth. The stealth equivalent is of ghillie, and can prove to be useful for taming skittish creatures or skirting around dangerous animals without risk of being noticed.
- LAY DOWN: Tamed Xenocyon can be toggled to lay down, which allows their health gain to be slightly boosted. However, while laying down, it cannot be toggled to attack and is vulnerable to getting killed by aggressive creatures and players with no means to defend itself.
- STAMINA: Long legs and an affinity for long-winded hunts gives this creature immense stamina, allowing it to pursue prey for miles.
- TRACKER: With left control, the Xenocyon can sniff and lead you in the direction of whatever animal you’re searching for. However, this ability can be risky to use, as the Xenocyon will get excited and run towards the smell whether it has a rider or not, although it stops outside the selected creature’s aggro range. Using this with the Sneak ability provides an excellent method for finding and taming creatures.
- RIVALRY: When around direwolves, the Xenocyon gains the rivalry buff, granting it extra damage and defense.
SPAWN LOCATIONS AND TAMING
The Xenocyon is known to spawn in warmer, more open climates, such as vast plains, deserts, and oases. They spawn in packs of 3 - 5, with pups tagging along with them. In order to tame a Xenocyon, you must imprint on one of the pups, but be warned: adult Xenocyon are very protective of their young and won’t hesitate to eliminate any other threats.
EXTRA NOTES
- Its eyes glow similarly to a Troodon in the dark, as they’re highly reflective.
- It has three idle animations: a basic one where it stands and breathes like any other creature, a slightly more complex one that consists of it pawing at its face, and one that can only be toggled by being near other tamed Xenocyon. This animation is where the tamed Xenocyon checks up on its packmembers, sniffing them to ensure that they’re okay.
- It growls when around a direwolf (whether tamed or wild), and will only stop when away from the wolf.
Suggestion
Starfruit
INTRODUCTION
Prehistoric canines have been a favorite topic of mine for years now, and I’ve always hoped for any of the different species to be added to ARK as a competitor against the direwolf. Their history is incredible and their different structures and anatomy are even more impressive; with the Xenocyon lycanoides having caught my eye the most as it looks like some sort of mix between a borophagus, a gray wolf, and an African wild dog. There are loads of opportunities with this creature, and I hope to explore all of them in-depth in this creature submission.
NATURAL HISTORY
Xenocyon lycanoides was a hypercarnivore that lived in Africa and Eurasia throughout the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene. It’s the ancestor of the modern dhole and the African wild dog, though Xenocyon itself was much larger than its descendants. It was once even a competitor against the direwolf, with larger size, bulkier strength, and being even more hypercarnivorous— though its small numbers couldn’t win over Pleistocene North America, and the North American population dwindled and eventually died out.
DOSSIER
WILD
“A dangerous pack hunter, Xenocyon lycanoides is known to use its sharp teeth to inflict intense bleeding in its prey. With high stamina and long legs, this canine can run and run for miles. Its howl alone is enough to terrify smaller critters, and their packs have incredible familial loyalty.”
DOMESTICATED
”The adults are far too aggressive to tame, so in order to get your own Xenocyon, you must passively care for the pups. However, once tamed and raised to adulthood, your canine companion will assist you in caves, hunting, and even taming other creatures with its unique abilities.”
UTILITY
The Xenocyon is an efficient and incredibly useful utility mount through and through. Its abilities consist of:
- BONE-BREAKER: Right-click attack causes a bleed/bone breaking effect, which slows down the opponent and causes them to lose health over time. This effect stacks.
- PACK BONUS: In groups of 3 or more, the Xenocyon gains a damage and defense buff. It is also able to locate other tamed Xenocyon in its pack by pressing X and highlighting their outlines with a resounding cackle.
- FEAR HOWL: By pressing C, the Xenocyon can let loose an intimidating howl that scares away most smaller creatures, such as raptors, pegomastax, icthyornis, and even humans.
- “SADDLEBAG”: Though it can be ridden, the Xenocyon does not have a saddle; instead, it has a “saddlebag,” a pack that acts similarly to a preserving bin while reducing resource weight and still providing armor.
- INSULATION: The Xenocyon provides a small insulation buff to protect its rider against the elements. This works particularly well in heat, while not particularly functioning as well in colder environments.
- SNEAK: “Sneak mode” can be toggled by pressing R, allowing both the Xenocyon and its rider to gain increased stealth. The stealth equivalent is of ghillie, and can prove to be useful for taming skittish creatures or skirting around dangerous animals without risk of being noticed.
- LAY DOWN: Tamed Xenocyon can be toggled to lay down, which allows their health gain to be slightly boosted. However, while laying down, it cannot be toggled to attack and is vulnerable to getting killed by aggressive creatures and players with no means to defend itself.
- STAMINA: Long legs and an affinity for long-winded hunts gives this creature immense stamina, allowing it to pursue prey for miles.
- TRACKER: With left control, the Xenocyon can sniff and lead you in the direction of whatever animal you’re searching for. However, this ability can be risky to use, as the Xenocyon will get excited and run towards the smell whether it has a rider or not, although it stops outside the selected creature’s aggro range. Using this with the Sneak ability provides an excellent method for finding and taming creatures.
- RIVALRY: When around direwolves, the Xenocyon gains the rivalry buff, granting it extra damage and defense.
SPAWN LOCATIONS AND TAMING
The Xenocyon is known to spawn in warmer, more open climates, such as vast plains, deserts, and oases. They spawn in packs of 3 - 5, with pups tagging along with them. In order to tame a Xenocyon, you must imprint on one of the pups, but be warned: adult Xenocyon are very protective of their young and won’t hesitate to eliminate any other threats.
EXTRA NOTES
- Its eyes glow similarly to a Troodon in the dark, as they’re highly reflective.
- It has three idle animations: a basic one where it stands and breathes like any other creature, a slightly more complex one that consists of it pawing at its face, and one that can only be toggled by being near other tamed Xenocyon. This animation is where the tamed Xenocyon checks up on its packmembers, sniffing them to ensure that they’re okay.
- It growls when around a direwolf (whether tamed or wild), and will only stop when away from the wolf.
SOURCES/REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenocyon
https://prehistoric-fauna.com/Xenocyon-lycaonoides
BONUS CONTENT
Speedpaint:
*Art made by me (ikrannn on YouTube & DA) in Procreate.
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