megacerops Megacerops aka Brontotherium - Aggressive Herd Based Mammal!

[FenderFTW]

Common Name: Megacerops

Species: Brontotheridae

Time: Late Eocene

Diet: Herbivore

Temperament: Aggressive 

Wild - Megacerops also commonly referred to as  “Brontotherium” or even “Brontops” are an extremely aggressive herbivore.  They can commonly be found among the plains and on mesa’s  around the desert. There are a few rumors coming from survivors  native to other arks that their tribes may of encountered them  as well.

Despite their touchy nature, Tribes are commonly taming these beasts for their protective instincts and innate ability to protect its home in herds.  They are even more popular amongst less advanced tribes. Regardless tribes can be found all over the Desert growing their own herds of Megacerops.

 

 

DOMESTICATED - It's been found that the Megacerops is far more effective in larger groups. Males are much better suited when it comes to an all out assault. However Megacerops true power comes from the females in the herd. With more females amongst the herd it has been found incoming attacks are resisted more effectively. It has also been observed that if more than 2 males are introduced to a herd the resistance effectively starts to decrease. In addition to it's capabilities in a fight, a Megacerops is also known as a moderately dependable beast of burden. perfect for any long expeditions into the wild! Herds of Megacerops are sought out for their ability to establish temporary territories, protecting a tribes camps or settlements even amongst the dunes!

 

 

 

GENERAL ABILITIES

HERD BUFF - Megacerops will gain a scaling Herd Buff with more females amongst its herd. Similar to a (pack Boost)

this Buff will make them much stronger in groups.

HERD IMMUNITY - Females Megacerops can provide a bellow the gives a damage resistance boost for a limited time called HERD IMMUNITY. Both the duration and effectiveness of this boost is influenced by How strong the herd buff is. 

If the right conditions are met the Megacerops females can produce a milk item used for giving 25% imprint effectiveness to any baby creature!

BLEED - The Alpha Male Megacerops Can do more damage and can even inflict a slight bleed effect with its jaged horns.

HOME TURF - All Megacerops Have a built In Dino Leash ability that lets them wander around the base and protect everything inside of it (their Territory). Perfect for small tribes seeking refuge. Great protection for settlements and campsites. Called (Home Turf)

 

 

 

WEAKNESS

SPEED- Megacerops isn't the fastest creature in the Desert having speeds similar to a trike.

POPULATION - Megacerops will not tolerate other males very well. As a result if more than 2 males are in a herd, It will decrease the effectivity of the herd buff by a significant margin. So adding more attacking power to your herds will come at the cost of making them more vulnerable, as the Megacerops derives most of its strength from the rest of the herd. 

TAMING - In order to tame a Megacerops You must lure it out of its territory before knocking it out. So you may have to pick off some the the weaker members in order to get a shot at the one you want.

 

 

MY THOUGHTS - Ive honestly felt that arks herbivores have been needing more love. Having a creature that has legit herd abilities as been something ive been wanting to see in  Ark for many years. these options give players the option to have a dependable creature at all levels of the game. I'm not sure how well they will perform in boss fights but given the proper set up I believe the more advanced survivors could take on bosses with these things!

 

 

Sincerely FenderFTW - ThatWatsonGuy

 

 

Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacerops

https://prehistoric-fauna.com/Megacerops

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brontotheriidae

https://www.dmr.nd.gov/dmr/sites/www/files/documents/paleontology/pdfs/prehistoric-life-map/Brontops.pdf

https://dinopedia.fandom.com/wiki/Megacerops

 

[Ironmanmark6468]

I AGREE

They should add this

 

[Johnako109]

Brontotherium ardea, or the Scorched (Earth) Brontotherium is a massive species of the Megacerops family. However, despite brontotherium's size and physical characteristics, this "rhino-acting" mammal is more closely related to horses. 

This ark species of Brontotherium is MUCH larger than its modern-day counterpart, with the males of the species being bigger,, and standing slightly more than 2 survivors tall (roughly 12+ feet or 4+ meters) at it massive shoulder hump, and the males sporting very large and powerful "Y-Shaped Nose Horns" made of Hardened Bone (rather than Keratin like normal rhino horns). The females on the other hand are a bit shorter, (about 9 feet or 3 meters at the shoulder hump), and the females having much smaller "Boney Nose Horns" that don't make the distinct "Y-Shape" as well. The brontotherium's folded-looking skin also looks and functions like armor, with the head especially resistant to damage, similar to the Ark's Triceratops. 

Despite being a herbivore, Brontotherium is an aggressive creature, much like Ark's Therizinosaurus. However, unlike the Theri, brontotherium roam around in small herds - normally no more than half a dozen individuals per herd. Each herd normally consists of 1 or 2 males and their females, with the strongest (AKA: Highest Level) male being the Alpha (and having the alpha buff). 

To tame a brontotherium, is fairly simple, as it would just be a simple knock out tame...except due to its armored skin, it is not only resistant to damage, but also resistant to tranqs, so using tranq arrows or darts won't work. Instead, a suvivor will have to use "heavier duty" ammunition, like catapults or canons to bring this beast down. 

Once the Brontotherium is knocked out, you need to feed it one of its preferred taming foods, starting with kibble (type TBD, but most likely at Minimum being Superior Kibble), followed by Cactus Sap as its 2nd Favorite, then Thatch, and the least effective taming food actually being Fiber. 

The Brontotherium may be a dangerous and very difficult to tame creature, but it's worth it in the end, as this beast is a GREAT Seige beast. Similar to the Rock Elemental, the brontotherium can destroy up to Stone Structures. However, unlike the Rock Elemental, the brontotherium has a Platform Saddle, allowing a survivor to add other Siege Equipment, such as catapults, canons, or turrets, to this already great siege beast. And due to its resistances, the brontotherium must take A LOT more damage or tranqs to stop its rampage against someone's base.

However, there is one "downside" you could say to the brontotherium. Despite it being able to break Stone or stonelike materials, it cannot harvest these materials when it breaks them. Meaning survivors will still have a reason to tame and use their Rock Elementals and Doedicerus. 

[diplodopus97]

The Brontotherium is an imposing and resilient creature that has adapted perfectly to life in the desert. When in a pack, its resistance to damage increases, making it even harder to defeat in combat. However, among the members of the pack, females are especially notable for their ability to withstand enemy blows, making them excellent tanks.

The Brontotherium's thick armor protects it from harsh sandstorms, providing a damage reduction bonus during these extreme weather conditions. Additionally, when near crops, the Brontotherium pack can be a great asset, as its size and diet make it produce a large amount of dung, which accelerates the growth of nearby crops.

In heat wave situations, the Brontotherium can be especially useful, as it provides several fortitude points and reduces the user's need for water. For all these reasons, the Brontotherium is a valuable and versatile creature that can be of great help to anyone trying to survive in a hostile environment like the desert.