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Common Name: Allodesmus Species: Allodesmus demerei (or turgidus, meaning “blubber”) Time: Miocene Diet: Piscivore Temperament: Friendly Wild I’ve seen my fair share of pinnipeds off the coast of my lovely home in Australia, but these guys are something else. If you imagine a cross between a sea lion and an elephant seal, the Allodesmus turgidus is probably the one creature you might have in mind. These blubbery sea-fairing mammals can be found all around the coasts of the ARK, though their favorite spots are where Kairuku like to hunt, their favorite prey. The males are significantly larger than the females and have an inflatable snout that signifies their leader status. And with these snouts they can vocalize loudly to rally other members of their species. They are well adapted to the chilling waters of the north and deep below the sea, as their bodies are full of insulating blubber. If harvested properly, it can be used as a fuel source or can even be padded into your armor for extra insulation, for a brief period. And the blubber can be added to an inflatable device to help you ascend to the surface quickly in dire situations. Though they have ravenous appetites, they are quite playful around Survivors, and will sometimes pick up dropped items that anyone might have dropped in the sea and bounce it back at them. I’ve also heard reports of Allodesmus saving lost souls at sea from drowning or being attacked by underwater predators and will bring them back to the shoreline or boat. Talk about being a natural lifeguard! Though one should be aware of trying to escape the land predators as the Allodesmus may bring you right back to them unknowingly. Domesticated Taming an Allodesmus is an interesting task, as you must take advantage of their playful behavior. You’ll need to pass a feeder ball between you and the Allodesmus over and over to tame it successfully, almost like a game of hot potato. As arduous as it seems, it’s the only way I’ve seen it done. Though it’s truly worth the effort as the Allodesmus is a great insulator for freezing temperatures as you dive down into the depths of the ocean, and they are incredibly fast for their size. They can make tight turns underwater with such grace one would think they were dancing! They also possess a sonar that can detect lost items left behind in the ocean and can even pick up the bags for you, so you don’t have to dismount. From what I’ve seen tribes use them for, you could say these mammals are the wolves of the sea. Details PVE Males are considerably larger than females, with a more pronounced inflatable “trunk” and furrier collar! Males lead a pack of lower-level females and rarely males! Males can rally other creatures with its roar that includes a pack buff! Blubber can be used as fuel or attachable insulation for armor (used as an ammo slot, wears down over time). Recommended for ice caverns or deep ocean exploration! Blubber can also be used to craft inflatable vests that can help you ascend quickly to the surface! Will save Survivors that are drowning or lost at sea and bring them to shore or closest raft (drawback is that they will do this even if you are fleeing from predators on shore) Tamed Allodesmus can grab Survivors and small underwater creatures with its mouth, like Mantas and fish! Much slower on land, but very fast in the water, can do tight turns and barrel-rolls! Can receive a speed boost if following the wake of another creature! Riding an Allodesmus provides insulation to Survivors! Can harvest Silica Pearls and Black Pearls and more Organic Polymer from creatures. Also has weight reduction for said resources. Can detect and pick up lost bags in the ocean with sonar! PVP Males are usually tougher for undersea battles! Males can rally other creatures with its roar that includes a pack buff! Females are excellent scouts! Provides a pack bonus when in groups! Great for hit-and-run tactics! Taming Craft a Feeder Ball. Insert food item (Raw meat or fish meat, kibble, organic polymer?) Find an Allodesmus. Drop the Feeder Ball and it will pick it up and bounce it back to you. Play a game of hot potato until it is fully tamed! Males provide a more challenging game, so be sure to practice with the females! Feeder Ball can also be used for certain passive tames such as Mesopithicus, Gigantopithicus, Diploducus, etc. Allodesmus will be similar to how wolves hunt, but in the ocean. The males, being sexually dimorphic in size and with inflatable snouts, can have an alpha status with a group of Allodesmus and give an attack/defense buff with a bellow. Only higher level males can be the leader of a group of lower level Allodesmus and are more difficult to tame. Once killed and harvested for their blubber, the resource can be used for either fuel or attachable insulation for armor (this won’t take over the skin slot but be similar to an ammo slot). The blubber has a spoil timer though, and is only recommended for long excursions in the deep ocean or ice caves. The blubber can also be used for crafting an inflatable vest that will allow you to ascend to the surface quickly if the need arises! Wild Allodesmus won’t attack Survivors unless provoked, though if they see a Survivor actively drowning or being attacked by sea life, they will drag them to the surface and then to the closest shore or boat. As good as this may be, they will still do this even if a Survivor is trying to escape from a land predator into the water. Tamed ones however can grab Survivors and smaller creatures in the water, especially Mantas and other fish! They are semi-aquatic, but are mainly found in the water unless they are hunting Kairuku on land, to which they are somewhat slower, but fast enough to catch the flightless birds. Allodesmus are passively tamed, and you’ll need a new craftable item called the feeder ball to tame them. This item is equipped with a food item inside and can be tossed at Dinos for them to play with. In the case of Allodesmus, you’ll either need to insert raw fish or kibble into the ball and play a mini game of hot potato with it. Males are more competitive and will put up more of a challenge for Survivors. Once tamed however, they can be given a saddle and can be used as extra insulation for diving into the depths. They also have a weight reduction for silica pearls, black pearls, and organic polymer, and will have decent carry weight. They can also pick up dropped items that Survivors have left behind while riding so they don’t have to be dismounted. What’s more is that the males can provide a pack buff to nearby allies with its roar/bellow! And they can receive a speed buff from following the wake of another creature! If anyone has any other thoughts, feel free to comment below! Credits LittleSpicyOreos (for the tight turns idea) pauliwog87 (for the grab mechanic, wake speed buff) Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allodesmus