The Zana is a dino that can help you tame other dinos. It looks similar to a Deinonychus but isn't rideable.
It can be utilized as a combat and taming companion to:
Pinsmall and medium dinos, including low to the ground flyers with the Zanas impressive jump, similar to a bolo or bear trap, or, with a pack of Zanas, to even Pin large dinos:
Retrievesmall dinos and place them where you want them or kill them while the Zana holds them, which is perfect for snatching the Pegomastax that just robbed you:
Distractdinos by drawing their aggro. With a large damage mitigation while using this ability, the Zana can draw the attention of larger dinos so you can knock them out or keep them away from things you want to keep safe. There is a pack bonus for this ability that even further decreases damage taken while Distracting.
and Care for current unconscious dinos that you're trying to tame by defending them or drawing the attention of predators:
The Zana can be equipped with a small Utility Pouch that can hold food to feed unconscious dinos at certain intervals or narcoberries to keep them unconscious. Equipping narcoberries also makes the Zana's claw attacks deal torpor damage. You tame it by getting one's attention and trapping other dinos. As it watches you, it learns and will attempt to trap dinos on its own and you give it treats throughout the process. Once it has learned how to trap, it is your companion.
Brief Real Life Description:
Zanabazar (scientifically named "Zanabazar Jr."), or as I'll be referring to it from this point forward, Zana, is thought to be a derived member of the troodontid family from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, roaming the Gobi Desert along with the likes of the Velociraptor, Ankylosaurus, and Oviraptor. Zana, like many other troodontids had a large brain for its size in comparison to other dinos, and with it being the 2nd largest of the troodontid family, it may have been one of the smartest of them all! It stood about 4 feet (1.2 meters) at the shoulder and was about 7 feet (2.1 meters) long from head to tail. Not much else is known about Zana though, as few fossils have been found. To read about it, here is the Wikipedia entry for the Zana. This contains just about all of the information that other websites do, so I feel that one article is probably enough.
If you'd like to read about Zana in more detail, I've expanded on the gameplay mechanics below.
Showcase Abilities:
Zana's abilities would be able to employ and show off the new pathfinding capabilities of the creatures of Ark in the new update, both in its tamed form, such as Retrieving and Distracting targets, as well as the new, unique taming method!
Special Abilities:
As the title might suggest, Zana would be a useful companion for training. Similar to how some herding dogs are now, such as the notoriously intelligent border collie, Zana would aid its master in the taming process by trapping potential prey. Zana can be sent to Pin a dino that is small or medium. This will immobilize the target dino similar to how a bola or bear trap would. Low flying birds may even be options as Zana has quite the jump! Potential dinos Zana could Pin may include, Parasaur, Raptor, Triceratops, Direbear, Pteranodon, and perhaps even Thylacoleo. Zana could also be able to pin players that are on foot or even knock them off of a land dino!
Zana can also be sent to Retrieve. This may include only small dinos such as Otters, Jerboa, Pegomastax, and even low-flying Ichthyornis! When set to do so, Zana will chase after the targeted dino, and pick it up to be returned to the player. Zana will hold the dino for its master until told to Release it. This would allow players to collect stolen items from a Pegomastax or just aid in moving smaller dinos into a taming pen.
Another ability Zana might have is the ability to Care for other dinos. When given the proper food, Zana can be sent to deliver that food to unconscious creatures and even Protect them from potential threats by killing, Pinning, or Distracting potential threats.
Lastly, Zana can be sent to Distract certain dinos. This can be done to larger dinos that a player would like to target for tranquilization. Zana will draw the aggression of the target and use evasive maneuvers to avoid attack while keeping the dino in the same place and not attacking its master. One potential idea is that putting Narcoberries in the Zana's inventory will cause its attacks to deal very minor torpor damage. This might be negligible to larger dinos but could be mildly useful on smaller prey. The real point of this ability is not necessarily to be a torpor dealing machine, but rather serve as a kind of "trap" for the target dino. It could also be effective if you want aggressive dinos to be deterred from attacking other tames you are working on in the area.
Interestingly, having multiple Zanas could maybe increase its potential for certain abilities. Though, one Zana certainly couldn't Pin a Carnotaurus, maybe 2 or 3 Zanas could. And maybe 5 or 6 of them could Pin a Rex! Don't worry if you don't quite have enough Zanas to take on a certain dino though, as working as a group can increase their effectiveness at avoiding damage while Distracting. Unfortunately, I'm not sure they're quite coordinated enough to team-lift big dinos, so the Retrieve ability is probably not affected by pack numbers haha!
Taming:
Zana has a unique taming method that mimics the art of training. As a highly intelligent creature, Zana enjoys to learn. So to tame one, place raw prime meat or kibble in your last quick slot. This will prevent Zana from Aggro-ing to you. Once you have the attention of a Zana, it will keep its distance but watch you. Now you must train it to trap dinos! Use bolos, bear traps, or other officially created trap items on other dinos. After a few examples, the Zana will approach you and you'll feed the Zana a piece of raw prime meat or kibble. After being fed it will run back and create distance again but continue watching you. Keep using traps until Zana approaches to be fed again. Repeat this process. Once taming is almost complete, the final time that Zana approaches you to be fed, it will eat and then run away (to the nearest Pin-able dino). Follow it and you'll find that it is trying to show you what it has learned. Watch Zana Pin another dino and feed it once more. This will complete the taming process!
Appearance:
The in game appearance of Zana would likely be similar in size and shape to Deinonychus. It would be a bit more slender and would have less pronounced feathering, though the colors could still be just as beautiful and vibrant as those of the Deinonychus. It would not have a saddle but it could have a small inventory pouch that can hold food or narcoberries for the aforementioned torpor attack. With it's small size, Zana may not be a rideable mount at all, but would be far more useful when used as a companion and teammate anyway.
Conclusion:
Adding a creature that can intelligently assist with the taming process could add a unique and interesting aspect to gameplay. From the unique taming method, that pays homage to the creatures high intellect, to the assistive abilities that showcase the improved gameplay mechanics and the Zana's troodontid lineage, I believe Zanabazar would be the perfect dino to add to the sands of Scorched Earth!
Suggestion
Raizeph
Brief Gameplay Description:
The Zana is a dino that can help you tame other dinos. It looks similar to a Deinonychus but isn't rideable.
It can be utilized as a combat and taming companion to:
Pin small and medium dinos, including low to the ground flyers with the Zanas impressive jump, similar to a bolo or bear trap, or, with a pack of Zanas, to even Pin large dinos:
Retrieve small dinos and place them where you want them or kill them while the Zana holds them, which is perfect for snatching the Pegomastax that just robbed you:
Distract dinos by drawing their aggro. With a large damage mitigation while using this ability, the Zana can draw the attention of larger dinos so you can knock them out or keep them away from things you want to keep safe. There is a pack bonus for this ability that even further decreases damage taken while Distracting.
and Care for current unconscious dinos that you're trying to tame by defending them or drawing the attention of predators:
The Zana can be equipped with a small Utility Pouch that can hold food to feed unconscious dinos at certain intervals or narcoberries to keep them unconscious. Equipping narcoberries also makes the Zana's claw attacks deal torpor damage. You tame it by getting one's attention and trapping other dinos. As it watches you, it learns and will attempt to trap dinos on its own and you give it treats throughout the process. Once it has learned how to trap, it is your companion.
Brief Real Life Description:
Zanabazar (scientifically named "Zanabazar Jr."), or as I'll be referring to it from this point forward, Zana, is thought to be a derived member of the troodontid family from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, roaming the Gobi Desert along with the likes of the Velociraptor, Ankylosaurus, and Oviraptor. Zana, like many other troodontids had a large brain for its size in comparison to other dinos, and with it being the 2nd largest of the troodontid family, it may have been one of the smartest of them all! It stood about 4 feet (1.2 meters) at the shoulder and was about 7 feet (2.1 meters) long from head to tail. Not much else is known about Zana though, as few fossils have been found. To read about it, here is the Wikipedia entry for the Zana. This contains just about all of the information that other websites do, so I feel that one article is probably enough.
Wikipedia: Zanabazar_junior
If you'd like to read about Zana in more detail, I've expanded on the gameplay mechanics below.
Showcase Abilities:
Zana's abilities would be able to employ and show off the new pathfinding capabilities of the creatures of Ark in the new update, both in its tamed form, such as Retrieving and Distracting targets, as well as the new, unique taming method!
Special Abilities:
As the title might suggest, Zana would be a useful companion for training. Similar to how some herding dogs are now, such as the notoriously intelligent border collie, Zana would aid its master in the taming process by trapping potential prey. Zana can be sent to Pin a dino that is small or medium. This will immobilize the target dino similar to how a bola or bear trap would. Low flying birds may even be options as Zana has quite the jump! Potential dinos Zana could Pin may include, Parasaur, Raptor, Triceratops, Direbear, Pteranodon, and perhaps even Thylacoleo. Zana could also be able to pin players that are on foot or even knock them off of a land dino!
Zana can also be sent to Retrieve. This may include only small dinos such as Otters, Jerboa, Pegomastax, and even low-flying Ichthyornis! When set to do so, Zana will chase after the targeted dino, and pick it up to be returned to the player. Zana will hold the dino for its master until told to Release it. This would allow players to collect stolen items from a Pegomastax or just aid in moving smaller dinos into a taming pen.
Another ability Zana might have is the ability to Care for other dinos. When given the proper food, Zana can be sent to deliver that food to unconscious creatures and even Protect them from potential threats by killing, Pinning, or Distracting potential threats.
Lastly, Zana can be sent to Distract certain dinos. This can be done to larger dinos that a player would like to target for tranquilization. Zana will draw the aggression of the target and use evasive maneuvers to avoid attack while keeping the dino in the same place and not attacking its master. One potential idea is that putting Narcoberries in the Zana's inventory will cause its attacks to deal very minor torpor damage. This might be negligible to larger dinos but could be mildly useful on smaller prey. The real point of this ability is not necessarily to be a torpor dealing machine, but rather serve as a kind of "trap" for the target dino. It could also be effective if you want aggressive dinos to be deterred from attacking other tames you are working on in the area.
Interestingly, having multiple Zanas could maybe increase its potential for certain abilities. Though, one Zana certainly couldn't Pin a Carnotaurus, maybe 2 or 3 Zanas could. And maybe 5 or 6 of them could Pin a Rex! Don't worry if you don't quite have enough Zanas to take on a certain dino though, as working as a group can increase their effectiveness at avoiding damage while Distracting. Unfortunately, I'm not sure they're quite coordinated enough to team-lift big dinos, so the Retrieve ability is probably not affected by pack numbers haha!
Taming:
Zana has a unique taming method that mimics the art of training. As a highly intelligent creature, Zana enjoys to learn. So to tame one, place raw prime meat or kibble in your last quick slot. This will prevent Zana from Aggro-ing to you. Once you have the attention of a Zana, it will keep its distance but watch you. Now you must train it to trap dinos! Use bolos, bear traps, or other officially created trap items on other dinos. After a few examples, the Zana will approach you and you'll feed the Zana a piece of raw prime meat or kibble. After being fed it will run back and create distance again but continue watching you. Keep using traps until Zana approaches to be fed again. Repeat this process. Once taming is almost complete, the final time that Zana approaches you to be fed, it will eat and then run away (to the nearest Pin-able dino). Follow it and you'll find that it is trying to show you what it has learned. Watch Zana Pin another dino and feed it once more. This will complete the taming process!
Appearance:
The in game appearance of Zana would likely be similar in size and shape to Deinonychus. It would be a bit more slender and would have less pronounced feathering, though the colors could still be just as beautiful and vibrant as those of the Deinonychus. It would not have a saddle but it could have a small inventory pouch that can hold food or narcoberries for the aforementioned torpor attack. With it's small size, Zana may not be a rideable mount at all, but would be far more useful when used as a companion and teammate anyway.
Conclusion:
Adding a creature that can intelligently assist with the taming process could add a unique and interesting aspect to gameplay. From the unique taming method, that pays homage to the creatures high intellect, to the assistive abilities that showcase the improved gameplay mechanics and the Zana's troodontid lineage, I believe Zanabazar would be the perfect dino to add to the sands of Scorched Earth!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
0 replies to this server topic
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.