tek powered space lizard Atopodentatus - Sea Strider to Space Savior

[ShaydeofArcana]

Atopodentatus

(Pronunciation: AT-OH-POH-DEN-TAT-US)

(Art by Riskybiscuits, Mihael, Lapis Lazuli, and Ham & Co.)

If you want to support Atopo, please vote for it in the Creature Vote, see the Community Crunch for details. 

First discovered in 2014, Atopodentatus dates back to the Early to Mid Triassic period. It shared the waves with animals like Ichthyosaurus, Shastasaurus, Coelacanth, Ammonite, Nothosaurus, and more. Meanwhile, on land, it was well-adapted to contend with a variety of early theropods, sauropods, and pterosaurs. 

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Dossier

• Species: Atopodentatus Unicus 
• Time: Early to Mid Triassic 
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Temperament: Food Motivated

Wild

Atopodentatus Unicus has the most variable diet of any herbivore I have ever observed. They will brave anything from frigid cliffs to lava flows to Megalodon-infested waters in search of food. 

While native to the reefs, sightings suggest these creatures have escaped the marine habitat and proliferated into the other zones of the Genesis Simulation. Their affinity for snacking seems to drive them to wherever the best snacks are; if those snacks are in the hands of survivors, they're quite content to follow wherever they lead.

Domesticated

Atopodentatus can release a salty mineral-rich fluid from its nostrils, similar to the salt glands found in modern-day marine iguanas. The chemistry of this fluid is a magnet for beneficial microbial organisms, which promote rapid healing, as well as neutralizing the scent of blood, making those affected harder for predators to detect. Various tribes have mentioned a myriad of other benefits based on the Biome. Further observations may be required. Regardless, this ability makes them highly coveted mounts by tribes across the simulation.

 

Attacks & Abilities

Tail Whip - Normal Attack - can contend with Megs, Xiphs, Mantas, etc, with directional knockback based on where the camera is facing enemies. When tamed, this attack can be used like a whip against allied tames.

(L Click / RT / R2 Attack)

Hammerhead Charge - Charged Attack - consumes a chunk of stamina to charge forward and stun targets on hit. Longer hold time = faster charge, longer distance, longer stun, allowing you to zip and zoom around the oceans at high speed.

(Hold L Click / RT / R2 Attack)

Burst Strafe - Dodge - Consumes a smaller chunk of stamina to surge to your left or right, allowing for excellent side-to-side dodging capabilities.

(Tap L/R Ctrl / LB/RB / L1/R1)

Biome Sanctuary AoE - Special Ability 

(R Click / LT / L2 Ability)

Biome Sanctuary causes Atopo to consume Food in exchange for regeneration and removing debuffs on creatures inside the AoE.

If all debuffs are successfully cleansed from a creature, the regen becomes more rapid, and that creature receives the Hydrated Buff until a new debuff is sustained.

On Land - Atopo's AoE functions a percentage of foodnis consumed to create a ranged AoE splash projectile, which lingers over the area where it lands. Hold to charge ability, to increase radius and potency, consuming up to 75% of Atopo's total food bar.

Underwater - Atopo gradually consumes food over time, causing the AoE to diffuse into the water to create a pulsating bioluminescent AOE centered on the Atopo (more like Daeodon since many projectiles don't work very well underwater)

Atopo's Biome Sanctuary ability is actually based on a little science. The goo Atopo produces comes from salt glands in its nostrils (something based in marine iguanas), which extract the excess salt from the plants it eats. The salty nature of the goo makes it very versatile for addressing a wide array of problems. In real life, salt can smother flames, melt ice, and is non-conductive, allowing it to stop the flow of electricity. Meanwhile, even a small amount of salt can kill leeches as well as bacteria with ease, and help clean and sanitize wounds. In some cases, saline fluids are even used to gently flush the eyes and nose of irritants. 

(Fan-made image by WolfTek7)

Passive Abilities

• Aquatic Affinity - Atopo is immune to Cnidaria, and Electrophorus stuns.
• Saline Shroud - Atopo passively produces Saline Goo in its inventory. This goo, by itself, can be used like Preserving Salt to extend the spoil timer on perishable items. However, it can be fed to unconscious creatures to temporarily conceal them from wild predators.

Behavior

Wild Atopo can be found across the entire Genesis Simulation, from the volatile volcano and murky swamp to the crushing depths of the ocean and the freezing void of space. However, they prefer to avoid prolonged conflicts; if attacked, they will give their attacker a solid tail slap and flee.

(Possible bioluminescent X Variant for Ocean & Tek Variant for Lunar Biome)

Taming

I PROTECT, YOU ATTACK, MOST IMPORT- MUST EAT A SNACK.

To tame Atopo, place any of its taming foods in the taming slot of the hotbar and feed them. Atopo will perform a sniff animation to indicate you have the correct type of food on your hotbar. Once fed, the atopo will sleep until hungry again. During this time, players must prevent disruptions. 

When they wake up, they will crave a certain flavor of food. Players will have a short time to fulfill their craving. Done successfully, Atopo gains a large amount of taming progress, rinse & repeat.

If the Atopo goes unsatisfied, it will find the nearest plant node (bush, kelp, cactus, etc) and begin to eat it, which may disrupt the inhabitants thereof. Ensuring the Atopo remains unharmed earns taming progress. After sating their hunger, the Atopo will once again fall asleep. Rinse & Repeat.

Failing to satisfy the Atopo does not lower the taming effectiveness; it's just a riskier process. This provides less advanced players a different avenue to progress the tame, should they not have everything on hand. 

Feeding Atopo the completely wrong food, like meat, or damaging it will lower taming effectiveness.

Sleeping between feeds is mainly to make Atopo easier to tame, so players won't need to chase it around or worry it will mindlessly stumble into danger while taming. Unlike Moscops or Rhynio, Atopodentatus don't crave specific foods but rather anything from a given category; the image below provides some examples. 

Saddles & Movement

Regular saddle - Craftable at the Smithy @ lvl 45 for hide, fiber, and cementing paste. Allows riders to use weapons while mounted, seats 1 extra passenger, and features a built-in Mortar & Pestle (there are no Ocean dino saddles with built-in crafting stations).

Tek Saddle - This saddle could potentially drop from boss fights like Moeder or the Corrupted Master Controller and could feature a Shield Bubble mode.

Bubble Mode - creates an AoE Shield Bubble spacious enough for players and tames centered on the Atopo, keeps out wild dinos, protects from projectiles, and negative weather effects. However, this effect would be stationary amd consume elememt to remain powered. Rudimentary weapons and creature attacks can damage the bubble as they would normally any structure, yet Tek Weapons do increased damage.

On the ocean floor, the bubble can be optionally drained, similar to tek vacuum compartments (provided no water tames are present). Allowing players and land tames to walk around on the seafloor like it was dry land, allowing players to build, battle, and traverse the oceans like never before. 

Atopo would also feature a nice  range of movement options to help survivors traverse the entirety of the Genesis Simulation:

• ✅️✅️ Effective traversal for land and water.
• ✅️✅️✅️ Climb cliffs, walls, and anchor itself to submerged aquatic terrain features.
• ✅️✅️✅️ Extremely sharp, fast turns both on land and underwater.
• ✅️ Able to jump dodge via Burst Strafe.
• ✅️✅️✅️ Sprinting from land to water causes Atopo to run across the water surface.

Why Vote for Atopo?

Atopo aims to be more than just an ocean lizard; it aspires to be a unique creature for all survivors and biomes in Genesis Simulation. It has been carefully crafted to offer something distinctive to survivors during every step of their journey on Genesis Part 1. Whether you are scaling bog trees and ocean cliffs, rescuing a dying friend, conquering Moeder, or fending off more dangerous foes.

Atopo always has your back! Just remember to pack some snacks! 😉 

Thank you for reading!

If you made it to the end of this, thank you!

If you want to see Atopodentatus added to Ark, you can vote for it on the Community Crunch page!

Remember to check back often for changes and updates!

(Fan-made pixel art by ARKExtreme)

Special Thanks to the Following Individuals:

**Artists & Contributors:**

Riskybiscuits 

Mihael

Ham & Co.

Lapis Lazuli

Bleakdawn

ArcherBlackBelt

Bees4Knees

Ilvan

WolfTek7

ARKExtreme

*Note: All winning creature vote entries may be changed or altered by the developers. So what you see here may be subject to change if Atopo wins.*

Edited November 1, 2025 by ShaydeofArcana
Minor editing

[IIvan]

an aquatic healer can be pretty handy for the moeder

[Nedrysdeadry]

Dope 

[RebelKevin94]

Great Submission!

[DILONG]

I adore this goofy vacuum cleaner so much:)

[ShaydeofArcana]

I love this lizard too

[ShaydeofArcana]

Atopo aims to offer a variety of features to the entire community of Ark regardless of their progression state in game. 

Early Game - Atopo mainly offers cery powerful abilities and utilities to save on perishable, as well as stay alive. Once you have a saddle, Atopo grants massive range of movement, allowing for maximum freedom to explore as well as confront or avoid predators.

Mid Game - Atopo maintains its previous uses, but starts taking a support role and heading off into combat with packs of com at tames both aquatic and land based, as you level those creatures in preparation for end game content.

End Game - Atopo gains a Tek saddle that further enhances it abilities, and grants it new abilities keeping fresh and fun. Meanwhile its previous uses all support it in end game content like bosses, like Moeder as you mentioned as well as the Corrupted Alpha Controller, mini bosses, Alpha Hunts, simulation missions, etc... And could easily make a fine addition alongside creature like Daeodon and Yuty.

Atopo also seeks to address the minor stigma of being "stuck playing the healer" by providing a massive variety of movement options to keep things fresh and fun. The potency of its special ability combined with its movement potential allows it to act a fast and flashy first responder and strong defensive support unit. From bosses to raids, Atopo will be beloved by your tribe and envied of your enemies.

Edited October 13, 2025 by ShaydeofArcana

[ShaydeofArcana]

Thank you 😊  I'm glad you like it 

[ShaydeofArcana]

Thank you, I think so too. So many people have helped bring Atopo to this point, and we want to see it go all the way.

[Speikobrarote]

Ok yes please take my vote. I love everything about this little fella

[ShaydeofArcana]

10 hours ago, DILONG said:

I adore this goofy vacuum cleaner so much:)

 

12 hours ago, IIvan said:

an aquatic healer can be pretty handy for the moeder

 

12 hours ago, Nedrysdeadry said:

Dope 

 

12 hours ago, RebelKevin94 said:

Great Submission!

Thank you, I am glad you like it. Atopo is actually a returning creature from the Valguero Vote, it didn't garner much attention then, but it's come along way from its first submission, and it's got people's attention now 😉 

[ShaydeofArcana]

29 minutes ago, Speikobrarote said:

Ok yes please take my vote. I love everything about this little fella

Thank you so much! I am glad you like it!

[ladyteruki]

11 hours ago, DILONG said:

I adore this goofy vacuum cleaner so much:)

It's such a good boi.

[ShaydeofArcana]

6 minutes ago, ladyteruki said:

It's such a good boi.

Who's a good Atopo? HE IS YES HE IS! ❤️ 

[MatyasHrajeCZ]

good

[ShaydeofArcana]

8 minutes ago, MatyasHrajeCZ said:

good

Thank you!

[Xenorachnoide]

I think that this submission is a bit weird, maybe too versatile to be really balanced, the AOE buff/debuff coupled with high traversal abilities is a lot. The idea to give diferent abilities depending of the biomes is clever since we are in genesis1 but either you have to focus on this support aspect OR you make it a really good traveling tame.

[ShaydeofArcana]

14 minutes ago, Xenorachnoide said:

I think that this submission is a bit weird, maybe too versatile to be really balanced, the AOE buff/debuff coupled with high traversal abilities is a lot. The idea to give diferent abilities depending of the biomes is clever since we are in genesis1 but either you have to focus on this support aspect OR you make it a really good traveling tame.

A fair assessment, but I agree to disagree. Ark has had plenty of tames that offer good support as well as traversal options. At the same time, all creatures vote winners are subject to massive changes at the developer's discretion. Even if Atopo were to win the vote, there is no guarantee that the final creature would be identical to what I have written here, nor would I expect it to be. 

[Xenorachnoide]

Indeed but then, for what do i vote? because here i see 2 core for Wildcard to work on and i don't think that both will be implemented

[skwirrelle]

this looks awesome!

[RebelKevin94]

On 10/11/2025 at 10:15 AM, ShaydeofArcana said:

 

 

 

Thank you, I am glad you like it. Atopo is actually a returning creature from the Valguero Vote, it didn't garner much attention then, but it's come along way from its first submission, and it's got people's attention now 😉 

Definitely fits the maps and different biomes too, I know that’s easier said than done tho. Well Done!

[ShaydeofArcana]

3 hours ago, Xenorachnoide said:

Indeed but then, for what do i vote? because here i see 2 core for Wildcard to work on and i don't think that both will be implemented

I can't speak for what Wild Card would do, and I would say don't stress yourself out trying to imagine that either. Easier to focus on the now than what will be. Atopo was written to be versatile healing mount across all biomes of the Genesis Simulation. What you make of this entry is up to you.

However, that said, this is just the entry period not the final elimination vote. Currently you can upvote as many or as few creature concepts as you want. So there's no harm in upvoting any concept you like right now. I hopes this helps!

Edited October 12, 2025 by ShaydeofArcana

[ShaydeofArcana]

2 hours ago, skwirrelle said:

this looks awesome!

Thank you!

[ShaydeofArcana]

6 hours ago, MatyasHrajeCZ said:

good

Thank you!

[NobelmenWill]

fire