Atozpinax

**Atozpinax** is a Sauridian which, unlike many other Sauridians, is carnivorous.

## Physiology

Atozpinax is a Sauridian with a body structure which resembles that of *Astrodon*. This means it's quite a tall Sauridian with its rather long neck pointing upwards. Its head is however shaped like that of an *Acrocanthosaurus*, being long, low and narrow, with small spikes at the back of its head. It has a heightened spine sail running from the back of its head to just past the base of its tail. It has very small holes in its sail which enlarge when it's enraged, allowing spikes to come through them which release a constant aura of heat. Its front legs are long like the front legs of *Astrodon*, but it instead has claws like an *Acrocanthosaurus* and walks on its knuckles in a fashion akin to the quadruped *Spinosaurus* with its claws pointing inwards to its body. Its rear legs are also long like those of *Astrodon* and its tail is quite long to balance itself. Atozpinax's body is primarily Persian red in terms of color with a rust brown underbelly. The spikes at the back of its head and that will come out of its spine whenever enraged are amaranth red in terms of color. Its spine is primarily orange in terms of color and has flame orange stripes running down from its spine down to the side of its body. Atozpinax's claws are dark grey in color and it has electric blue eyes.

## Behavior

Atozpinax are quite aggressive even when not threatened, unlike many other Sauridians, and are also rather territorial. They are known to rather quickly attack other monsters that wander into its territory with its powerful abilities. They're known to feed on flammable and explosive materials to power these abilities.

## Ecological Information

### Placement in Food Chain

Atozpinax are large carnivorous Sauridians which occupy a position high in the food chain due to their size, physical strength and powerful abilities. They're easily capable of preying upon small monsters and some large monsters can also become potential prey for the Sauridian. Atozpinax still has to compete with many capable competitors and faces predation from powerful monsters and Elder Dragons. However, the Atozpinax will make sure to not go down without a fight.

### Behavior towards Other Monsters

Atozpinax are rather aggressive and will attack small monsters if they wander too close to the Sauridian or provoke it, but it will not always immediately attack. Large monsters are more likely to get attacked by the Sauridian if they wander too close or provoke it. Atozpinax will flee from powerful monsters and Elder Dragons whenever necessary.

### Tracks

Atozpinax can leave behind a variety of tracks for hunters to utilize in tracking it down. These tracks include **"Paired Knuckle and Round Prints"**, which can be found on the ground, **"Hot Red Scales"**, which can be found on the ground, **"Sparkling Scorch Marks"**, which can be found on the ground or on walls, and **"Large Claw Marks"**, which can be found on the ground or on walls.

### Specific Locale Interactions

Whenever Atozpinax is within an area with an abundance of vegetation, it can cause patches of the vegetation to be set ablaze when it's enraged due to its heat aura. These patches will be on fire for as long as the Atozpinax is near to them and will be put out shortly after the Atozpinax goes too far away from them at which point they won't be put on fire as easily anymore.

### Special Behaviors

Atozpinax doesn't have any special behaviors.

## Cutscene

### Hunt Cutscene

* Location: Jurassic Frontier
* Synopsis: As the hunter enters Area 4 of the Jurassic Frontier, they notice large scorch marks in the area. They walk up to some patches of vegetation which seem to have been put on fire not too long ago. As the hunter goes to inspect a scorch mark and interact with it, they notice small sparks coming from it, making them pull back their arm. Suddenly, the hunter feels like they're being watched so they turn to the right which makes them see a large monster which is watching them. The monster suddenly shoots out a fiery blast which makes the hunter dive away in panic. The blast impacts with the ground, causing a large explosion after which the hunter tries to grab their weapon, but the blast's area of impact suddenly explodes rapidly, knocking the hunter back. They quickly get back on their feet, however, allowing them to get a good look at the monster which is revealed to be the Atozpinax they have to hunt. The Atozpinax roars at the hunter, marking the start of the hunt.

### Ecology Cutscene

* Location: Drenched Thicket
* Synopsis: The cutscene begins by showing an area with a bunch of Rajirija feeding on the vegetation in the area when they suddenly notice the area becoming hotter. They can start feeling the effects from this heat and notice black smoke coming from further away in the direction of the other side of the area. Suddenly, they feel the ground shaking and the vegetation on the other side of the area starting to catch on fire. They then see a large monster walk into the area and it's revealed to be an enraged Atozpinax. The Atozpinax roars which causes the Rajirija to flee into the trees as the Atozpinax walks below them. The Atozpinax looks around as suddenly a Malfestio swoops in towards the Sauridian, seemingly angry at the heat produced by it. But as the Malfestio gets close, it can feel itself get scorched and recoils back. The Atozpinax roars at the Malfestio and is about to chomp the Malfestio, but the Bird Wyvern manages to get away. The Atozpinax leaves its enraged state, causing all the fire close-by to be put out alongside all the other fire that has stopped by now. The Atozpinax continues its way as the Rajirija watch it walk away as the cutscene starts to end.

## Abilities

Atozpinax are smaller than other Sauridians, but that doesn't seem to take away from their large amount of physical strength which they can use together with their clawed front limbs to deliver powerful strikes to foes or throw rocks ripped from the ground at them. Its smaller size does mean that Atozpinax is quite agile, being capable of moving around at impressive speeds. Atozpinax are capable of producing the dangerous Falling Star element by feeding on flammable and explosive materials which allows them to shoot out blasts or streams of fire which can cause several explosions in the area or on the hunter hit after a short while. This diet causes Atozpinax to constantly produce a large amount of heat which it pulsates through its sail, but when it becomes enraged, the Atozpinax will reveal a hidden layer of spikes through its sail which will cause the pulsating heat to become much more intense. These spikes will constantly release a fiery aura which can deplete a hunter's health and even cause Fireblight and eventually Severe Fireblight if hunters stay in the aura for too long.

## Rage and Tired States

* Rage State: When Atozpinax becomes enraged, it will start huffing out black smoke. The holes in its spines will also enlarge and will reveal a hidden layer of spikes that fill up the enlarged spikes. These spikes will constantly release a fiery aura due to the heat pulsating from the Atozpinax's sail. This heat aura slowly causes the hunter's health to be depleted like the heat aura of Teostra. If hunters stay in this aura for a short while, they can get Fireblight and eventually Severe Fireblight if they stay close long enough.
* Tired State: When Atozpinax becomes tired, it will start drooling. It will also sometimes fail doing its elemental attacks and it might fall over after some physical attacks.

## Frenzy, Apex, Hyper and Tempered

Atozpinax can become affected by the Frenzy Virus and thus turn Frenzied and they're also known to be capable of attaining the Apex State. Atozpinax have also been found in the Hyper and Tempered States.

Frenzied Atozpinax have the usual changes of a Frenzied monster, but they also have a chance of causing Frenzy with its Falling Star-element attacks.

Tempered Atozpinax are considered Threat Lv2 Tempered Monsters and have the usual changes of a Tempered monster.

Hyper Atozpinax have the usual changes of a Hyper monster.

Apex Atozpinax have the usual changes of an Apex monster.

## Mounts

Atozpinax can be mounted on its head, its body and its tail.

Whenever Atozpinax is mounted on its head, the hunter will be located on either side of the Atozpinax's head and will be located at the back of the head where the neck starts. The Atozpinax will try to get hunters off by violently shaking its head around, by running around and by slamming the side of its head into walls or the ground.

Whenever Atozpinax is mounted on its body, the hunter will be located on either side of the Atozpinax's body. The Atozpinax will try to get hunters off by shaking its body, by running around and by slamming the side of its body into walls.

Whenever Atozpinax is mounted on its tail, the hunter will be located somewhere from the base of the tail to the middle of the tail and will be located either on top of the tail or on either side of the tail. The Atozpinax will try to get hunters off by violently shaking its tail around, by running around and by slamming its tail into walls or the ground.

## Ecology

### Taxonomy

* **Kingdom:** Animalia
* **Phylum:** Chordata
* **Clade:** Dinosauria
* **Clade:** Saurischia
* **Suborder:** Sauropodomorpha
* **Clade:** Plateosauria
* **Family:** Acrospinodae
* **Genus:** *Acrospinus*
* **Species:** *A. ardens*

**Name Meaning:** Burning Tall Spine

Atozpinax are large carnivorous monsters which are a part of the Sauridian class which also includes the likes of Ventugarul, Amarganix and Namekavar.

### Habitat Range

Atozpinax have been found to inhabit a wide range of island regions which include the likes of the Tide Island, Jurassic Frontier, Island Of The King, Lonely Island and Olivine Archipelago. They've also been found to inhabit the Flower Field.

### Ecological Niche

Atozpinax are carnivorous Sauridians which occupy a position high in the food chain due to their size, physical strength and abilities. They're easily capable of feeding on small monsters like Velociprey, Conga, Gargwa, Bullfango and Kelbi. Larger monsters like Bulldrome, Congalala, Great Jagras, Great Varukamaq and Royal Ludroth are also known to fall prey to this Sauridian's wrath. It's thought that on occasion the carnivorous Sauridian might even take down the likes of Anjanath, Gobul, Malfestio and Rathian if necessary.

Atozpinax have to compete with many capable competitors which could injure an Atozpinax in a fight. These competitors include the likes of Agharyvos, Heoleoth, Rathalos, Yian Garuga, Rugotaratua, Voluron and Forokururu. However, these monsters would rather avoid a fight with the Sauridian if possible.

Despite all the Atozpinax's strengths, it still has to worry about predation from Elder Dragon-level monsters, like Tsunami Voluron, Deviljho and Solmaron, strong Deviants, like Thunderlord Zinogre, Deadeye Yian Garuga and Dreadking Rathalos, and the occasional Elder Dragon. But, the Atozpinax will make sure to never go down without putting up a fight.

### Biological Adaptations

Atozpinax are smaller than other Sauridians due to their carnivorous diet, but this doesn't take way from its impressive physical strength and helps it be more agile than most other Sauridians. The front limbs of an Atozpinax have developed large claws which allows them to effectively use them as weapons for physical strikes or to rip rocks out of the ground that it can toss towards threats. Atozpinax are known to feed on explosive and flammable materials which allows them to create explosive fire in the form of the Falling Star element. This can also cause explosions after the initial attack if threats have been hit. This part of the Atozpinax's diet means that Atozpinax generate a lot of heat which they in turn pulsate out of their body through their sail. Whenever the Atozpinax is angered enough, a hidden spike layer will be revealed through this sail. These spikes will cause the heat pulsating from the sail to be so intense that they constantly create a fiery aura which can be dangerous for foes that stay too close for too long, but can also cause vegetation near the Sauridian to start burning up until the Atozpinax moves far enough away.

### Behavior

Atozpinax are aggressive and territorial Sauridians which are quick to attack threats to its territory with surprising ferocity for a Sauridian. The Guild often monitors these Sauridians in case driving one off is necessary as they can become surprisingly destructive for the environment whenever angered enough.

## Attacks

### Low Rank

#### Calm

* **Roar:** Atozpinax will release a roar that sounds similar to the *Acrocanthosaurus* from *The Isle*, but deeper. It might also do this roar when its reared up on its hindlegs.
* **Claw Swipe:** Atozpinax will swipe either of its front claws at hunters which can knock them down.
* **Bite:** Atozpinax will try to bite a hunter which can knock them down.
* **Stomp:** Atozpinax will try to stomp on a hunter with one of its rear legs which can knock them down.
* **Rear Kick:** Atozpinax will try to kick a hunter with one of its rear legs which can knock them down.
* **Headbutt:** Atozpinax will try to hit a hunter by hitting its head into them which can knock them down.
* **Neck Swipe:** Atozpinax will swipe its neck at a hunter which can knock them down.
* **Tail Swipe:** Atozpinax will swipe its tail at a hunter which can knock them down.
* **Rock Throw:** Atozpinax will rip a small rock out of the ground with either of its claws and throw it towards a hunter which can knock them down and might cause Stun.
* **Lunge:** Atozpinax will lunge towards a hunter which can knock them away. This attack can also lead into a pin.
* **Charge:** Atozpinax will charge towards a hunter and slam itself into them which can knock them away.
* **Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will slam either of its front claws down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Body Slam:** Atozpinax will try to slam the side of its body into a hunter which can knock them away.
* **Heat Wave:** Atozpinax will rear down and release a wave of heat from its sail which will travel a small distance outwards. This attack can knock hunters away and cause Fireblight.
* **Explosive Fire Blast:** Atozpinax will shoot a sparking blast of fire towards a hunter which will explode with a small AoE upon impact followed by shortly afterwards having small explosions happen if it didn't hit a hunter. If hunters are hit directly by the blast, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, if hunters are hit by the explosion upon impact, they can be knocked down, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked back.
* **Trio Explosive Fire Blast:** Atozpinax will shoot three sparking blasts of fire towards hunters like Rathalos, shooting one to the left then one to the right and finally one forwards. If hunters are hit directly by the blasts, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, if hunters are hit by the explosion upon impact, they can be knocked down, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked back.

#### Enraged

* **Heat Aura:** When Atozpinax becomes enraged, a hidden spike layer under its sail will be revealed which will constantly pulsate intense heat. This will cause Atozpinax to become surrounded by a fiery aura like Teostra which will slowly deplete the hunter's health if they stay close. If hunters stay close for a short while, they can be afflicted with Fireblight and if they stay close for an extended period of time, they can be afflicted with Severe Fireblight.
* **Twin Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will try to slam both of its front claws down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Rearing Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will rear up slightly and lift either of its front legs up and back after which it will try to slam that front leg down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Repeated Claw Slamming:** Atozpinax will first quickly slam down its left claw and then its right claw and finally it will slam down both of its claws. This attack can knock hunters away and will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Rearing Twin Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will rear up slightly and lift both of its front legs up and back after which it will try to slam both front legs down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Intense Heat Wave:** Atozpinax will rear down towards the ground after which it will release a large wave of heat which will travel quite a bit outwards. This attack can knock hunters away and cause Severe Fireblight.
* **Explosive Fire Breath:** Atozpinax will shoot a stream of sparking fire towards a hunter which will also leave a large scorch mark in the spot it hit which will explode with small explosions shortly afterwards. If hunters are hit directly by the stream of fire, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.

### High Rank

* Note: Atozpinax can now use its Low Rank Enraged attacks, except for the Heat Aura and Intense Heat Wave, without being enraged.

#### Calm

* **Head Upswing:** Atozpinax will swing its head upwards at a hunter which can knock them upwards.
* **Tail Slam:** Atozpinax will try to slam its tail down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Charging Upswing:** Atozpinax will charge towards a hunter and once it has reached them, it will swing its head upwards at them which can knock them into the air.
* **Charging Neck Swing:** Atozpinax will charge towards a hunter and once it has reached them, it will swing its neck at them which can knock them away.
* **Slam and Sweep:** Atozpinax will first try to slam its tail down onto a hunter after which it will do an 180-degree tail sweep towards them. This attack can knock hunters away and will cause Tremors with the slam which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Explosive Fire Bombardment:** Atozpinax will shoot out a large cluster of sparking blasts of fire into the air which will then fall back to the ground around the Atozpinax and explode once they hit the ground. If hunters are hit directly by the blasts, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the explosions upon impact, they can be knocked down.
* **Triple Explosive Fire Blast:** Atozpinax will shoot out three sparking blasts of fire towards hunters in a trident shape. If hunters are hit directly by the blasts, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, if hunters are hit by the explosions upon impact, they can be knocked down, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked back.
* **Low Explosive Fire Breath:** Atozpinax will rear itself down towards the ground and then shoot a stream of sparking fire towards a hunter which will also leave a large scorch trail across the ground which will explode with small explosions shortly afterwards. If hunters are hit directly by the stream of fire, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.

#### Enraged

* **Lunging Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will first quickly pull either of its front legs up and back followed by it lunging towards a hunter and slamming that front leg down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Twin Lunging Claw Slam:** Atozpinax will first quickly pull either of its front legs up and back followed by it lunging towards a hunter and slamming both front legs down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Mobile Rearing Twin Slam:** Atozpinax will rear up on its hindlegs and pull its front legs up and back after which it will slightly turn and move to then slam both of its front legs down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
* **Sweeping Explosive Fire Breath:** Atozpinax will start shooting a stream of sparking fire towards hunters from the right and then turn its head to the left while shooting out the stream, leaving a large scorch trail across the ground which will explode with small explosions shortly afterwards. If hunters are hit directly by the stream of fire, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.
* **Low Sweeping Explosive Fire Breath:** Atozpinax will rear itself down towards the ground and then start shooting a stream of sparking fire towards hunters from the right and then turn its head to the left while shooting out the stream, leaving a large scorched area in front of it which will explode small explosions shortly afterwards. If hunters are hit directly by the stream of fire, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.

### G-Rank

#### Calm

* **Large Rock Throw:** Atozpinax will rip a large rock out of the ground with both of its claws which it will then throw towards hunters and break apart upon impact, sending out small pieces in a small area around it. If hunters are hit by the large rock, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Stun, and if hunters are hit by the smaller pieces, they can be knocked down.
* **Rock Explosion:** Atozpinax will rip a large rock out of the ground with both of its claws which it will then throw towards hunters, but before it can hit hunters directly, it will shoot an sparking blast of fire at the rock which will cause the rock to explode and send out flaming shards in an area around it. If hunters are hit directly by the explosion, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the pieces flying out, they can be knocked down and afflicted with Fireblight.

#### Enraged

* **Combo Assault:** Atozpinax will first do a quick headbutt towards a hunter after which it will do a neck swipe followed by it suddenly rearing up and shooting a sweeping stream of sparking fire towards hunters which will leave a large scorch trail on the ground that'll explode with small explosions shortly afterwards. If hunters are hit by the quick headbutt, they can be knocked down, if hunters are hit by the neck swipe, they can be knocked down, if hunters are hit directly by the stream of fire, they can be knocked away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, and if hunters are hit by the small explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.
* **Intense Heat Explosion:** Atozpinax will first rear down towards the ground after which it will release a large wave of heat followed by it quickly moving forwards and then slamming its tail down in the center of the wave, causing the wave to suddenly explode with a massive AoE. This attack can send hunters flying away and cause them to be afflicted with Severe Fireblight.
* **Massive Explosive Fire Blast:** Atozpinax will rear up on its hindlegs as sparks of fire start coming from its mouth. It will then slowly go back towards the ground when it suddenly shoots out a massive blast of sparking fire which will explode with a massive AoE upon impact followed by having explosions happen shortly afterwards in the spot it impacted if it didn't hit hunters. If hunters are hit directly by the blast, they can be send flying away and afflicted with Falling Starblight, if hunters are hit by the explosion upon impact, they can be knocked away, and if hunters are hit by the explosions shortly afterwards, they can be knocked down.

## Breakable Parts and Shiny Drops

### Breakable Parts

* **Head(1):** Atozpinax's head will have scars on it and some of its teeth will be broken off.
* **Head(2):** Atozpinax's head will have more scars on it and the spikes on the back of the Atozpinax's head will be broken.
* **Front Legs:** Either of Atozpinax's front legs will be scarred and its claws will be damaged or broken off.
* **Back:** Atozpinax's sail will be scarred and damaged with several parts missing. This will also cause the Atozpinax's heat aura to take longer to cause Fireblight and Severe Fireblight.
* **Rear Legs:** Either of Atozpinax's rear legs will be scarred and its claws will be damaged.
* **Tail:** Part of the Atozpinax's tail will be severed off.

### Shiny Item Drops

#### Material Items

* Atozpinax can drop an Atozpinax Scale/Scale+/Flameshard with both breaks on its head, the breaks on its front legs, the breaks on its rear legs and the break on its tail.
* Atozpinax can drop an Atozpinax Fang/Fang+/Hardfang with both breaks on its head.
* Atozpinax can drop an Atozpinax Spike/Spike+/Heatspine with the second break on its head and the break on its back.
* Atozpinax can drop an Atozpinax Claw/Claw+/Hardclaw with the breaks on its front legs.
* Atozpinax can drop an Atozpinax Sailscale/Sailscale+/Sailshard with the break on its back.
* Atozpinax can drop a Wyvern Tear/Lrg Wyvern Tear with all of its breaks.

#### Slinger Ammo

When Atozpinax receives a high damage impact, it can drop Thorn Pods for the hunter's slinger.

## Equipment

### **Armor**

#### Blademaster

***Skills:*** Bombardier, Meat Lover, **Demonic Blessing**

#### Gunner

***Skills:*** Bombardier, Meat Lover, **Demonic Blessing**

## Notes

* Atozpinax's roar requires HG Earplugs to block.
* Atozpinax can be staggered for a short while through the usage of Sonic Bombs or Screamer Pods, but this doesn't work when it is enraged.
* Whenever Atozpinax is tired, it will try to find a corpse and eat from it to regain Stamina.

## Trivia

* Atozpinax is based on *Astrodon*, *Acrocanthosaurus* and the (false) quadrupedal interpretation of *Spinosaurus*.

## Credits

* **Rathalosaurus:** For the name and final weapon names.
* **YukiHerz:** For the icon.
* **TheBrilliantLance:** For the artwork.
* **FrostSpino:** For the taxonomy.