Pliosaurus

The Pliosaurus is a larger-sized aquatic creature found in The Forsaken ARKs.

## **Appearance**

The Pliosaurus is a large Liopleurodon-like reptile. It has four flippers, a short tail, and massive jaws, all attached to a crocodile-like frame. It displays bizarre patterns across its body and very sharp teeth. It is otherwise simply a larger Liopleurodon.

## **Behavior**

Pliosaurus are aggressive to non-mounted survivors but will leave well enough alone if nearby mounted survivors. They are generally passive to wildlife, but will aggravate if provoked. They will willingly attack Tusoteuthis, Baculites and Ammonite however. This puts it in direct competition with Hyneria.

**Ecology and Lore**

### **Dossier**

**Important: These dossiers are written by ARK-hopping zoologist Zoe Mathews, a survivor of the Arrival storyline, and NOT Helena Walker or DinoGamer13.**

#### **Wild**

“Pliosaurus Caeli are a remarkable species here in the archipelago. Their colors are reminiscent of Orcas back home, and they even have similar eating habits, feeding commonly off sharks and cephalopods. They are close relatives of the elusive Liopleurodon, enough so that they even share the latter’s odd whiskers. Pliosaurus are passive beasts, often not bothering with wild or mounted creatures.”

#### **Domesticated**

“Pliosaurus are useful aquatic tames in the rugged depths of the archipelago. Saddle-crafters have managed to equip it with a unique saddle. This saddle is for all intents and purposes a submarine, with its glass hull and oxygen tanks. This unique saddle is amazing for prolonged underwater exploration. Their bites are also incredibly effective on cephalopods, making them excellent hunters of Ammonite or Tusoteuthis.”

### **Habitat Range**

Pliosaurus are found in the ARKepelago, deep underwater on Atlantis and in the deepest crevices of Forsaken. Their X variant is found deep under the waves of the Genesis Part 1 ocean biome and their R variants in the S.U.M.P of Genesis Part 2.

### **Sociality**

Pliosaurus are solitary creatures in lore, but have no special behaviors in-game and hence can be alone or in groups of up to three.

### **Diet**

Pliosaurus strictly eat meat, particularly fish meat. They will stomach normal meat, but it is far less effective than fish meat.

### **Defense Mechanisms**

Pliosaurus jaws are filled with sharp teeth and are able to clamp down onto prey with a very large bite force. They are also fairly speedy for their size, allowing them to potentially escape from any foes.

### **Genetic Alterations**

The Pliosaurus found in the ARK systems is seemingly infused with Killer Whale DNA, as they share color palette and eating habits, as well as their tendency to headbutt foes.

## **Attacks**

Right Click/trigger: Bite. The Pliosaurus will bite in front of it, doing damage. This does increased damage to Tusetheuthis, Baculites and Ammonites,

Left Click/trigger: Clamp. The Pliosaurus will be animated similarly to the bite animation, however, this can be charged and stored. When used on an enemy creature, it will constantly damage the target and immobilize them.

C/right stick: Headbutt. The Pliosaurus will headbutt in front of itself. This does some torpor, but not very much.

## **Combat**

### **Strategy**

Never engage a wild Plio while mounted. It is simply not worth the risk and makes them passive to you anyways. If tribute hunting, it is advised to use a Plesiosaurus as they (with their *Forsaken TLC*) are the only aquatic creatures able to strafe around it. If possible, try and use a Leedsichthys to fight them. The Leedsichthys will deal massive damage and cannot be grabbed by the Pliosaurus’ clamp attack.

### **Dangers**

Pliosaurus jaws can clamp down, snaring prey in their jaws for a short amount of time. This and their increased damage to cephalopods can make fighting one with a Tuso very difficult.

### **Weaknesses**

Pliosaurus turning radius’ are very wide and, when tamed, they can’t be instantly mounted like all other creatures, putting them at a disadvantage when ambushed.

## **Taming**

### **Taming Process**

Taming a Pliosaurus is a fairly easy process as it is a normal KO tame. They will eat fish meat, prime fish meat, Ammonite Bile and Tuso Tentacles in increasing effectiveness.

**Use**

* Tuso Hunting: Due to their increased damage against cephalopods and their relative speed, Pliosaurus are great at hunting Tusoteuthis.
* Underwater Exploration: Due to the Pliosaurus’ speed and special saddle, they are an excellent choice for prolonged underwater exploration. Their only real downside when doing this task is their turning radius severely limiting their abilities.
* Aquatic cave running: Due to their saddle and protection of their rider, Pliosaurus make impressively useful aquatic cave runners, given the cave is large enough to fit it.
* Ammonite bile gathering: Via their speed and increased damage to cephalopods, Pliosaurus can be used to effectively and quickly collect ammonite bile and escape from the creatures it aggroes.

### **Notes/Trivia**

* Pliosaurus’ color regions are:
	+ Region 0: Body
	+ Region 1: N/A
	+ Region 2: Patterning
	+ Region 3: N/A
	+ Region 4: Fins
	+ Region 5: N/A
* The Pliosaurus’ behavior and colors was largely taken from Orcas, or Killer Whales.