Anteosaurus - The Permian Brute

[VaporVenator]

(Dossier script by me. Art by YeetTheDinoXDXDXD)

 

Anteosaurus (or Anteosaurus magnificus) is a large carnivorous synapsid in the suborder Dinocephalia. Fitting for the Scorched Earth theme, this giant predator lived in South Africa during the Permian period. It grew to a maximum estimate of about 5m/16ft long and 500-600kg/1100-1300lb, making it the largest terrestrial predator of the Permian period discovered.

While synapsids like Anteosaurus were stem mammals, acting as a somewhat in-between of reptiles and mammals, both groups of which have the largest creature variety in the game excluding fantasy creatures, synapsids themselves have very little representation throughout the game, and the little amount of synapsid representatives we do have are often left ignored and are never seen as having a major role when playing the game. Anteosaurus, given unique abilities to solidify an important niche while playing through Scorched Earth along with desert biomes present on other maps, could help bring some more variety to ARK.

As described in the dossier, Anteosaurus would function as a large, tanky brawler that's quite sluggish, but is very difficult to halt or trap. It would utilize a variety of powerful blows and slam attacks that wouldn't have very consistent DPS, but would deal large damage in single hits with high range, making it a strong crowd controller. Its saddle would also come with a suit of armor, mainly for design but could also add extra resistance or an attached weapon as seen with Andrewsarchus. 

 

 

There isn't really a set idea in mind for this creature as Wildcard is likely to implement this creature with different unique abilities to help give it balance and to have it fit in the game's roster better, so here are a few other possible niches or abilities this creature could possess.

EXTRA ROLE/ABILITY PROPOSALS

Rock Crusher - This idea is centered around a territorial rivalry against the stronger fantasy creatures present in the central rocky area of the map, namely Rock Elementals and Wyverns. Anteosaurus would be capable of detecting hidden Rock Elementals (I know there are players that can usually spot golems before they emerge from their hidden stance, and that sometimes golems will move a bit as they're rendered in, but this seemed like a decent QoL idea, and maybe golems will be more difficult to spot in ARK Ascended), and their bite would be powerful enough to bypass the Rock Elemental's natural resistance, and cripple wyverns by preventing them, along with other flyers, from being able to take off. This would aid Anteosaurus in taking on some of the larger threats on Scorched Earth without downright destroying them. They could also be capable of grabbing chucks of rock and crushing them, perhaps to give you a basic resource or to store the rubble for a different use.

Extreme Heat Specialist - Anteosaurus, being adapted to the harsh climate, could possibly receive benefits during high enough temperatures, such as reduced stamina regeneration for extended travel, or a buff similar to Hydration but with a different activation.

Creature Deterrent - Anteosaurus could have a passive intimidation effect that would keep wandering creatures away from it for a certain radius, keeping any unwanted pests away from your base, tames either in progress or already owned, and allies.

 

Here is more information on the animal itself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anteosaurus

[Katanaguy44]

(Art by poggers man Zci5250)

I believe Anteosaurus would be a perfect fit for scorched earth, it was from the Permian period, and of course parts of the Permian were basically scorching earth.

Anyway, this was also from the last vote but I have changed a couple things.

it’s a grappler now, it’s huge crushing jaws can be used to grapple onto a creature. It can then “death roll” the creature doing heavy damage, twisting its body, despite its bulky appearance it is very flexible. Though it’s bulky appearance isn’t for nothing, it has incredibly tough skin to break through, but grenades and metal arrows get through it, though elemental attacks aren’t great on it, which includes amargasaurus elemental attacks which basically don’t work on it at all. 

it can go into an ambusher mode, it’ll become slower, but for the full effect to kick in it’ll need to be in this mode for 15 seconds, after this, when a creature detects it they will become disgruntled and become slower and take more damage.

It can build up speed, much like a dire bear or rhino, it has great stamina for this. It is also great to just travel on, as it protects its rider from the elements. Additionally it can sniff the air to find creatures low on health, and turn in all directions smoothly.

As for attacks, it can bite, hold down a bite to do more damage and inflict bone break, Headbutt and tail whip to attack creatures behind it. As for its roar, it functions similar to the parasaur fear roar.

Finally, it’s taming method consists of needing for it charge at you with its mouth open and then shooting a bullet, stone or arrow into its mouth to get it choked up, when this is occurring you can mount it like an equus and feed it meats or superior kibble.