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WILD When I first discovered this ginormous jellyfish deep in one of the countless underwater caves, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Surrounded by smaller jellyfish this majestic creature shined with such brightness and beauty I almost fell in a trance. Once you take a closer look however, you can discover the metal ore, black pearls and even element crystals growing inside of it. If you are in the position to take one of these giants out, you will be rewarded with plenty resources, outstanding gear and some of the best blue prints to ever be discovered. However, this mission tends to be a lot harder than one could even imagine. Dealing with the electrifying cnidaria and the poisonous medusae is not an easy task but that is not where the battle ends since you are deep in the ocean and must defend your new found loot from anything that may would also like a split. TAMED Once tamed you can use your new found friend as a tool for long ocean discoveries. With unlimited oxygen, a handy boost, a radar for all surrounding threats and poison missiles, nobody should be able to challenge you. If anyone or anything does land a hit from up close, your poison will instantly come into play and help you get out of any sticky situation. The interior can be used a place to build any necessities for a long underwater trip or as a place to enjoy the deep ocean lights. Details When creating this concept the main idea was to help make the deep ocean world on the center feel more lively. We soon realized a new broken mosa killer wouldn’t really change much so we went and looked for different ways. Our favorite thought was to create raid like encounters with huge loot drops as an incentive to discover the deep depths since there is sadly no real reason to visit the beautiful water caves at the moment. However we also want you to enjoy the creature once you tamed it so we went back to the drawing board. Finally we decided to go with a huge jellyfish. So lets start with the wild one. I know nobody really likes the current jellyfish in the game but let me convince you that this one is different. First of all this much bigger cousin of the Cnidaria is not aggressive. But how can this thing be like a raid then? Easy. We can use the already existing ones to create a swarm like mechanic with the medusae in the middle as the queen. Once killed you can harvest the resources inside the jellyfish. However the big boi isn’t completely defenseless on his own. If you attack him in melee range you will get poisoned. The quantity and quality of loot depend on the level of the creature ranging from metal and flak armor to element and top of the notch blueprints. We hope this could be like a hot spot for amazing underwater fights in pvp while the players try to defend their new found loot. But how does the tamed ones affect the ocean life? Well, we tried really hard to create an amazing experience for pvp and pve players. Obviously for pvp players this will act as a mobile war machine with range attacks, a radar like the para offers, a lot of health and just generally it can act like an underwater station to prepare for raids since you build a small base inside your tame. For pve players the base aspect will probably be even more important. The “head” of the jellyfish is translucent so you can enjoy the beauty of underwater lights while not running the risk of drowning or getting attacked by vicious plesios. Every player can just build their nice little base and go on underwater adventures. Obviously it can spawn in different colors that all have their own amazing glow. We also thought about a tek saddle with new advanced features for both base building for pve and new Weapon options for pvp but this is a topic for another day Taming We would be happy to hear what you think about how to create the best possible taming experience. We thought baout the taming part a lot but we couldn't find something we liked so we would like to hear what you think about this. Building Inside the Essexella: The "floor" of the inner build space of the giant Jellyfish is relatively flat & can be built on without the need of foundations altough you theoraticly can place foundations & pillars and every other structure that fits the inner space of the Essexella the base floor of the Build space counts as a nfoudation and can be used to palce things like beds, Generators, smithys and nearly all other structures directly on the floor. The Size of the inner build space will be about 5x5 underwater Tek Compartments. Tek Saddle concept in the comments due to max file size! Bonus Concept Art: *This Post includes AI Generated Footage

Abyssomedon - The Abyssal Guardian (Dossier Included) Research: The Abyssomedon or Guardian of the Abyss was the oldest and first discovered of its species and has very little known of its physiology or size as the remnants that were found consist of fragmented skull and body pieces. I was able to create a creature from the ground up utilizing the name and the creatures reptilian nature. Additionally, I took the liberty to also add in some fantastical elements to bring it into the world as a creature adapted to the failing Ark that is Aberration. Abyssomedon (Deep Pit Guardian or Guardian of the Abyss) Mid-Game Tame Dossier Common Name: Abyssomadon Species: Abyssomedon Williamis Time: Early Permian Diet: Geophagy (eats minerals) Temperament: Protective Wild A potentially much larger cousin to the Microluminus Psykhe, the Abyssomedon, or Abyssal Guardian lives in small caves; climbing, dashing, and gliding from perch to perch. Once suspected to be a herbivore, the Abyssal Guardian appears to survive entirely off the crystalline formations found near it’s nests. Although relatively weak in stature, this creature gets its name, Abyssal Guardian, for having some of the strongest defensive abilities seen on the Ark. The Abyssomedon specializes in quick escapes and enemy repulsion, utilizing great mobility paired with condensed air chambers throughout its neck and torso. Arthropods, serpents, and all other manner of cave dwelling horrors are rendered passive thanks to the air flow within these chambers. Additionally, by condensing and expelling all its oxygen, it can release a screech, slowing even the largest of predators. Domesticated The Abyssal Guardian is far too skittish to tame in the usual manner as even when knocked unconscious, it would rather starve to death than accept food from an unfamiliar source. However, if a survivor can manage an escape from the caves with a fertilized egg in tow, a raised baby could be one of the most loyal travel companions anyone could have. Another useful, albeit unusual physiological development of this species are the gas vapours that release from within its air chambers as it exhales. these vapours have been observed to provide a passive resistance to the radiation found in the deep depths of the red zone. Mount Type Mobility Inspired by the Rock Drake and Managarmr Designed as a halfway point on your way to the larger and more powerful Rock Drake. Stats Health: Low Stamina: Moderate Stamina Regeneration: Moderate/High Oxygen: High Weight: Moderate/Low Melee Damage: Moderate Speed: High Abilities High Jump and Coast It can jump to great heights by holding and releasing the jump button and falls slowly while being able to maneuver well during the descent. Dash and Glide Tapping the Alternate attack button in mid air will propel the Abyssomedon forward in a burst of speed, similar to the managarmrs dash ability, although less powerful and more costly. The dash would then turn into a glide equaling in speed to the rock drakes. Ground Slam Holding the primary attack button while in mid air will cause the Abyssomedon to dive vertically to the ground causing damage in a small area. Wall Climb The Abyssomedon can cling to walls after jumping, dashing, or gliding and climb them as well as propel off them to gain additional height. Tapping the jump button as opposed to hold and releasing it will see the Abyssomedon release it’s grip and coast to the ground. Repelling Pulse It’s alternate attack on the ground is a pulse that pushes back creatures within a small radius of itself. This pulse would also come into affect when in the air and would emanate from its initial dash location. Piercing Screech By pressing C or R3 the Abyssomedon will preform a screech that debuffs nearby hostile creatures and survivors, decreasing their movement speed; this ability will expend all oxygen within the Abyssomedon and will require at least half its oxygen to return in order to use this ability again. A nearby wild Abyssomedon will screech when a survivor steals its egg, slowing the movement speed of the survivor and its tames. Evasive Nature The Abyssomedon gains a slight speed boost when near hostile carnivores. Reptilian Nature The Abyssomedon is a reptile and requires oxygen in the water. However while submerged it remains nimble with full omnidirectional turning similar to the Megalodon, can attack using its bite, and use its repelling pulse to dash forward while pushing back hostiles. Additionally it can use its piercing screech ability to escape swarms of hostile sea dwellers, which will only consume 1/3rd its total oxygen when submerged. Oxygen Mechanic The Abyssomedon will use its oxygen stat to fuel its air flow abilities: Air Dash, Repelling Pulse, and Piercing Screech; the oxygen stat could drain a set amount for each time you blast enemies away or dash into a glide. Stamina would be used for sprinting, jumping (if the jump button is held and released, it uses oxygen as well), gliding, and biting; forcing equal management between stamina and oxygen. Utility Radiation Resistance The Abyssomedon is immune to radiation and provides it’s rider with radiation resistance that scales with its oxygen stat. Mineral Harvester Can harvest, flint, crystal, green gems, blue gems, red gem, and obsidian well; they weigh 1/4 their weight in its inventory. Gas Conversion Can toggle on/off converting green gems into congealed gas balls in its inventory at the cost of consuming food rapidly. Combat The Abyssomedon’s primary attack is a fast bite that does moderate damage. Weapons can be used from it’s back. The Abyssomedon emanates a constant high pitched hum from vents in it’s neck as it breathes. The hum repels insects and other cave dwelling creatures including onycs and seekers, so long as they are not attacked. This effect applies to tribe mates and tamed creatures within a small radius of the Abyssomedon. The size of the radius scales with it’s oxygen stat. Wild creatures cannot forcefully dismount it’s rider. The Abyssomedon would be affected normally by Eels and Cnidaria but can push them back with its pulse ability while being stunned. It is also immune to hostile roar attacks due to the consistent hum from its air chambers. Diet The Abyssomedon’s diet consists of Flint, Crystal, Congealed Gas Balls, Blue Gems, and Red Gems being it’s preferred food. A tamed Abyssomedon will prioritize eating flint in its inventory. Taming Abyssomedon will need to be Raised from an egg collected from one of the nests within a cave in the blue zone. Upon picking up an egg, nearby wild Abyssomedon will become very hostile and will use their piercing screech ability to slow and attack survivors and their tames. The babies will want red gems for imprinting and will only eat Congealed Gas Balls until they reach juvenile age. They will then eat blue gems, red gems, and crystal until fully grown; at which point they will also consume flint. Saddle It’s saddle will require blue gems, hide, and refined metal. Its saddle will be unlocked between level 40 and 60. Creative Process Initial Concept: I started with the idea of a highly maneuverable creature with the ability to dash and glide without having the ice beam of the managarmr or the stealth and tankiness of the Rock Drake. I’m not into OP anything but I love me some great mobility. Weakness: this creature should be squishy and should not have long ranged attacks. Attacks that are made while riding an Abyssomedon should be used in hit and run tactics if attacking multiple targets. Location: my favourite DLC map, Aberration, was where I wanted my focus to be when I set to work on my pre-historic creature. I felt the creature to be a mid game tame as it’s traversal and defensive options would set it out among the early game tames. Placing it in a cave within the blue zone seemed natural as it’s preferred food, blue gems would be plentiful but it’s favourite, red gems would be just out of reach. It also makes sense as they develop radiation resistance to protect their young and themselves from the harsh environments as they delve down into the red zone for red gems. Cave Delver: once I put the creature in a cave and gave it some abilities, I understood that it would make an excellent caving mount and so added it’s ability to ward off cave dwelling creatures. As a result most carnivores would still be hostile toward it, but you could explore caves with it in relative safety. To get to some caves you must first travel through water, and considering its reptilian nature, maintaining mobility while underwater wouldn’t be a far stretch. Taming: I find egg runs incredibly satisfying and considering the speed and mobility of the Abyssomedon, I concluded a skittish and untrusting nature to be a good reason for the inability to tame them normally as well as giving the creature some personality. From here I came up with the piercing screech ability to add another level of suspense and to keep unprepared survivors from snagging an easy egg. Additionally, the ability would be an excellent ace in the hole for when you get in over your head. Diet and Gathering: there aren’t a lot of mobile mineral (flint, gems, and crystal) gatherers so I figured it would add more to make the creature unique and more useful rather than just a travel mount. Thematically, the obsidian may be a bit much but the benefits would be an excellent bonus. Additionally, eating gems and crystal as a primary and preferred food source adds a distinct diet for babies while also being a relatively affordable resource to dish out. Radiation: From my understanding there are no creatures that provide a passive radiation resistance which is something much needed in aberration to avoid burning through multiple rad suits every time you want to collect a Rock Drake egg. You’d have to be riding the creature to keep the ability from being too OP, and the resistance amount wouldn’t be substantial without a massive stat investment. Gas Conversion: The green gem gas conversion could be left out if deemed too over the top for what this tame can already do. It’s not something that is necessary but I thought it could be another unique stand out feature and additional use for green gems. Abilities: jumping straight high up into the air is something I wished for the rock Drake on many occasions. Gliding is awesome but the tedious climb got to me at times. Managarmr’s jump ability is one of my favourites in game but it’s air dash was short lived compared to the Drakes glide (not that it isn’t a blast to use.) Mixing the two elements up would be a travel experience everyone would enjoy. The repelling pulse, piercing screech, and air dash are all in theme for the creatures ability to intake and exhale air flow in controlled bursts. I love the imagery and would be really excited to see it put into play within the game. Final Thoughts: Designing this beast of a mount has been a joy as much as playing Ark. Running through the mechanics in my head, explaining it all and rewording bits that didn’t make a lot of sense or felt out of place. I’d love to see this Abyssal Guardian make it’s way into the top 10 finalists for Aberration.