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(big rideable glow pet) Introducing Kosmoceratops, the Starlight Ceratopsian! Tags: herbivore, ceratopsian, flashbang, support, healer, soaker, seeker allies, armor reduction Credit to Nix Illustration for Design Common Name: Kosmoceratops Species: Kosmoceratops lumitaurus Time: Late Cretaceous Diet: Herbivore Temperament: Territorial Wild: “It’s astonishing how well adapted some of the creatures in these caverns are. Kosmoceratops lumitaurus is the largest creature I’ve discovered thus far that produces that intense bioluminescent charge that keeps Nameless at bay… and attracts a private army of Chimaeram. Great… Whether it be dominance, ego, or just plain fun, these ceratopsians challenge not only other Kosmoceratops, but other threatening species as well, including survivors! They bow down in respect to those who can best them in a one-on-one spar. Any lunatics out there might be able to use this to their advantage.” Domesticated: “After gaining the respect of this starlight behemoth, survivors may find a variety of uses for them. They have a notable amount of durability thanks to their head armor, and they possess a glowing, corrosive saliva that melts through armor thanks to the plants it consumes. I think I’ll not have what they’re having, thank you. A large dinosaur that emits charge that repels Nameless and is immune to high concentrations of radiation makes it an excellent mount to traverse the lower reaches of these caverns. Introduction: Greetings, survivors! I introduce to you the flashbang bastion; the Kosmoceratops! The foundational ideas and selling points for this dinosaur include: Role as a mid-game support that can be used in endgame PvP Rideable glow pet Radiation and plant z immunity Ability to heal allies and blind enemies Ability to corrode and highlight enemies with bite attacks I personally think Kosmoceratops, or at the very least this concept, should be added to the game due to an oversaturation of apex predators in the PvP metagame as well as expanding upon one of the most unique (and one of my personal favorite) maps in the game. Ceratopsians in general need a little more love than just Triceratops and Pachyrhinosaurus. Adding this behemoth would help spice the meta up and give people more reason to play on ARK: Aberration. Wild: Kosmoceratops live in the malfunctioning ARK’s bio-luminescent marshlands and molten element canyons, being the only large herbivore found in the latter zone. They can spawn on their own or in herds of up to three members. They are naturally territorial, and will tend to gang up on large carnivores that pose a threat to them. Kosmoceratops tend to be more aggressive in these herds, so it is highly advised to avoid them whenever possible. While on their own they are still a force to be reckoned with, they behave in a slightly different manner… Like glow pets, Kosmoceratops produce a constant aura of charge which can repel Nameless and attract Seekers. Seekers aren’t naturally hostile towards these dinosaurs, respecting them as a source of food, and will typically assist them in combat. When low on health, the ceratopsian can emit a blinding light from its frill and horns to disorient threats before speeding away. Taming Process: To be tamed, this dinosaur must be separate from any herd or any Seekers. Having aggroed the herd prior won’t trigger the process. Once isolated, the process will begin when the Kosmoceratops performs an animation, blinking its frill lights and kicking up the dirt. The dinosaur is challenging you to a one-on-one spar. The frill constantly pulsating light faintly is a sign the Kosmo is undergoing the taming process. If any other creature or survivor interferes, regardless of friend or foe, the taming bar will return to 0. After dealing 75% of the dinosaur’s total health in the battle, it will bow down in exhaustion. Step forward and claim your reward. Tamed: Congratulations! You’ve successfully tamed a Kosmoceratops! Now with this bioluminescent barbarian in your hands, life in the caverns of the aberrant ARK should be much more convenient. Actions: Primary Attack (, , ): Click: A sweeping head attack with noticeable knockback. The Kosmoceratops can turn 180-degrees if looking backward. Hold: A charged bite attack that increases in damage the longer it is held. This bite leaves a unique status induced by the dinosaur’s saliva, which corrodes its way through health, armor, and even metal structures. The saliva itself is also bioluminescent, highlighting bitten enemies with a bright light that friends and foes can see. The duration of this status also scales with the attack’s wind up time. Secondary Attack (, , ): The range of this move scales with Charge Range / Melee Damage. Click: A violent flash of light erupts from the dinosaur’s frill, inducing the same effect as plant z fruit. This requires a large amount of charge to use. Hold: The ceratopsian’s light creates an aura of healing in front of itself, acting like the animal equivalent of a plant z. It heals at around the same rate, though drains charge fast. Taunting Roar (Click C, , ): The Kosmoceratops’s roar taunts wild and tamed creatures like a Magmasaur. However, its own defenses and damage are increased. Crouch (Press Space, , ): The Kosmoceratops hunkers down into a defensive state, taking significantly reduced damage at the cost of not being able to attack or move much at all. Passive Abilities: Charge Light: Kosmoceratops essentially operates like a giant, rideable glow pet! Much like the Bulbdog and its peers, Kosmoceratops’ stats also upgrade its charge light capabilities. Stamina correlates with Charge Capacity, Oxygen with Charge Regeneration, and Melee Damage with Charge Range. You can activate the charge light while mounted in the same way lifesteal can be enabled while riding a Desmodus. Batteries can also be charged within the dino’s inventory like a charge station, though at a slower rate. Seeker Symbiosis: Seekers will gather around Kosmoceratops, but won’t attack them or their rider. They instead become allies, attacking threats that get too close to their food source. Damage-to-Head Reduction: Like the Triceratops, the Kosmoceratops possesses damage reduction on its head, though not as effective. Gathering: Kosmoceratops can gather berries and minerals fairly well with its bite. However, it is most proficient at gathering element ore, and one of the best tools to mine the resource. Immunities: Kosmoceratops are immune to the effects of radiation and plant z fruits. Turn in Place: While not moving, a Kosmoceratops can turn to the direction the rider is facing similarly to Spinosaurus. Utility & Scenarios: PvE: Kosmoceratops are great for traversing the caverns of the aberrant ARK, though lacking a solid turn while sprinting. Riders can wander on Kosmo back to farm for rare materials in the lower reaches of the blue and red zones with their radiation immunity and charge light. Reapers and Nameless are repelled by their light, and Seekers are attracted to it, though becoming temporary allies with the dinosaur and their rider. Kosmoceratops are one of the best ways to retrieve Rock Drake eggs early on before getting replaced by Rock Drakes themselves for that niche. PvP: This ceratopsian is designed as a support class along with the likes of Daeodons, Yutyrannus, and Snow Owls. They aren’t very good at dealing a lot of damage, and they are far from the tankiest creature in the game. By blinding, highlighting, and taunting enemies and healing allies, the Kosmoceratops provides essential aid that could bring favor to a matchup, even if the dinosaur itself isn’t directly fighting. It also acts as a good soaker with the damage reduction it gets from its taunt, crouch, and head armor. Chargelight invalidates the presence of Reapers, removing more danger from potential confrontations. The lack of damage output is their greatest weakness, not being nearly as strong as other creatures of its size class. It lacks the tools to completely defend its blindspots, especially from faster tames like Deinonychus, Thylacoleos, and fliers. Conclusion: Outside of the obvious Triceratops comparisons, Kosmoceratops lacks much overlap in terms of utility and niche in a tribe’s roster. A very complex and strong creature, but balanced out by notable weaknesses that ensure it doesn’t usurp other dinos. It has been a while since we’ve gotten a creature designed to be a support in PvP, so I hope this works out for that niche! Have fun, survivors! References (Accurate & Inaccurate):