JWA Opinion: Which Atrociraptor Is The Best?

When speaking of my favourite moment in Jurassic World Dominion, I would say it’s the Malta sequence of the film. Not only because this is where the most action-packed scenes were played, it also introduced us to quite a number of creatures like the predatory Allosaurus and the vicious Carnotaurus with some new additions like the adorable Lystrosaurus and the crafty Oviraptor as well. Although these creatures are fascinating in both the movie and JWA, the topic we’re discussing today is neither about these creatures since we’re jumping into some more atrocious things that lurk in the streets of Malta. Meet the Atrociraptors, namely Ghost, Red, Tiger and Panthera. Even though the 4 of them are the same species, they are unique in many ways, as they are the first ever non-hybrid raptors to receive different classes other than just being pure Cunning. But with 4 choices to pick, which one of them is truly the best to invest on and use? Before we dive into the stats of these mysterious and devious raptors, here are some notes:

1: The information of these Atrociraptors are last updated since the 2.22 update, and with the constantly updating meta, their information may soon be outdated. (Hopefully not!)

2: The list of Atrociraptors shown are in their release order, from update 2.17 to 2.20.

3: These notes are for reference on suggestions for how to build your team with these Atrociraptors. Although I’m writing this to let you know which Atrociraptor is the best to invest on and to use, I'm NOT encouraging you to only invest on and use that specific Atrociraptor as they all have their strengths and flaws.

4: Please note that don't take complaints too seriously.

A common misconception about Berserk abilities is that many players thought this mechanic was introduced alongside the Atrociraptors. In fact, this special ability was introduced back earlier when the Dodos were released.(The name wasn’t named ‘Berserk’ at that time but has the same idea of it.) Although the two creatures have the same mechanic, they act differently but still have both a positive and negative effect on the creature. For the Dodo’s case, it would grant them a rampage with a critical hit and a guaranteed swap out, but with the cost of losing a flock member. Just like that one quote Lord Farquaad once said, “Some of you may die, but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.” For the Atrociraptors, it would allow them to deal immense damage to the opponents, but they would end up losing 33% of their health and the ability to swap for a turn. Berserk abilities could be useful in some scenarios, especially when you have the upper hand when battling. Now with that being explained, let’s move onto the stats of the Atrociraptors.

To start off with our list, we have the most iconic and also the possible leader of the pack, Ghost. She is a savage Atrociraptor who lives up to her name in the movie and JWA not only through her pale and white skin and red, devilish eyes, but her stats and moves as well. Even though Cautious Strike is her only actual ‘Cunning’ move, she can use it handy with the right creatures. Cautious Strike puts her in an evasive position like an actual specter for a turn, increasing her speed by 10% and distracting the opponent for the next attack, therefore making it useful against fierce creatures like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Giganotosaurus when she could use it again and again, that is until she can unleash a big hit with Berserk Decimation. This move could let Ghost deal 2.5X damage to the opponent, which deals approximately 3375 damage to the opponent. Shields and armor don’t work against this wild specter as she breaks and bypasses them as well. This makes Ghost a good counter to some Resilient creatures that rely on armor and shields too. Additionally, Ghost has speed reduction and vulnerability immunity, making her easily deal with creatures focusing on deceleration when her speed is at 130, which is unironically the fastest of her pack unboosted.

Although Ghost is superior against many creatures within her format in Epic tournaments, she does struggle against cunning creatures and flocks as well. Her health isn’t really that much compared to the rest of her pack when she only has 3000. Another flaw of her’s is that she lacks armor and distraction resistance.

Since the rest of her pack have armor to protect themselves from huge attacks to survive and prepare to deal another hit to them, Ghost lacks these features and can be easily overpowered with bad matchups. But even with these disadvantages you say, Ghost DNA is still valuable nowadays. Why? It is because she has received the hybrid treatment in update 2.20 in the name of Pyrorixis, a giga-hybrid which is currently doing amazing in arena battles due to its incredibly viable and practical moves. Since Ghost DNA is currently at a high demand for hybrid fusion and her moves are still a threat towards the right creatures she faces up against, she is overall still a neat pick. But would the leader always be the best of her pack? We’ll wait and check out the next one first.

Named after her unique coppery-red scales, Red is up next on our list. Although she has received arguably the least screen time than any of her packmates in the movie, she is nevertheless well represented in JWA. In fact, Red is the first ever raptor to have the word ‘Resilient’ in her class division. This special feature from this Atrociraptor makes it the perfect counter towards pesky flocks in the Epic meta. While using Berserk Resilient Rampage, flocks like Argenteryx and Compsognathus just cannot survive for another turn. Since this move of Red attacks everything in her sight, flocks aren’t a problem for her at all. Not only does she cleanse distraction and impose vulnerability with this move, it also helps her remove any dodging abilities as well. Yep, good luck to you Megalotops. Have you ever heard of a raptor with a shield? I bet you haven’t. Another special move of hers is Accelerating Shielded Distraction. Red would put up a shield, increasing her speed by 50% (Which by the way, is up to 184 speed.) and distracting the opponent at the same time. This is actually a good setup for any quick creatures that cannot cleanse themselves, as you can out speed them while applying distraction. Moreover, Red has the most resistances out of her packmates, up to 5 of them! Which includes stun immunity, bleed, distraction, speed reduction and vulnerability resistances as a whole. When this has already made her durability longer on the battlefield, introducing 15% armor to your cunning opponents from this Atrociraptor would just let you feel bad for them not having the ability to bypass armor while you wreck them. So with that being said, with a comprehensive play style with her stats, moves and resistances, Red is truly a resilient combatant that would make flocks flee the arena as soon as possible.

Like Ghost, Red has also received the hybrid treatment in update 2.20. Atrocodistis is currently an outstanding Unique hybrid that not only functions similar to Red, but along with Sheltering Impact, which not only heals you and cleanses everything, including your own lockdown from a Berserk Resilient Rampage, but the fact of it being a priority move could really help in defending yourself from bigger threats. Atrocodistis is also listed as one of the best Unique hybrids alongside Dsungascorpios, Aenocyonyx, Pyrorixis and Compsoraptor. With a formidable moveset and hybrid, Red is one astounding raptor to be invested on. Now if you think that Berserk Resilient Rampage and Accelerating Shielded Distraction are already special enough, the next big moves on the next Atrociraptors would make you think things are getting more berserk.

After that, we have Tiger. Surely her aggression does make her seem like a tiger, her pouncing abilities are just on another level as she could pursue her targets even through densely-packed environments in the movie. But will her tactics in JWA make her a good and viable choice in PvPs and tournaments?

When speaking of their moves, Tiger has the most diversified moves of her pack. Not only does she have a defense-shattering counter-attack that breaks any shield and bypassing armor when being attacked and a shield when swapping in, she has one of the most unique moves out of every Atrociraptor: Berserk Rampaging Cloak. You didn’t hear me wrong but yes, a cloaking ability. You may have thought Cloak only applies to the Indominus Rex hybrid linage, but you thought wrong. Even I have no idea why Ludia invested a cloak on her. Perhaps her ability to camouflage with caution in densely-packed environments had earned her this move? But anyways, let’s talk about this move first. Berserk Rampaging Cloak as it name suggests, grants Tiger a cloak and gains a 75% chance on dodging the next attack while giving herself an attack with extra 2X damage on the next turn. Since Tiger only cloaks after she deals a rampaging move with this attack, she sacrifices 33% of her health to make sure everything’s secure before she unleashes a Decelerating Impact that deals more damage than before, while slowing the opponent as well. This move is particularly useful on her since she is the slowest Atrociraptor coming at speeds of 119. Combined with a vulnerability immunity like Ghost does, it makes it hard for other creatures to take it down again once they’re the ones being slowed. Additionally, Tiger has Resilient Strike, which provides her a convenient way for her to cleanse distraction and impose vulnerability to the opponent. Cleansing distraction has always been a rare occasion for a fierce creature to do so, but Tiger’s different, therefore it could be useful for her to deal more damage from the vulnerability she imposed, while cleansing distraction at the same time, especially when she has a counter-attack that deals decent damage.

Similar to Red, Tiger also has a high amount of high health at 3600, which is the highest of her pack and has an extra 15% armor to make her survival longer compared to most raptors. These stats do help her in dealing with creatures with high damage output even if you fail to dodge with your cloak, as they could still save her from being taken out. Since it is possible that Tiger may get a hybrid in the future, and with her being able to be found throughout the map, it’s best to activate that creature tracker to stack up DNA of her earlier as possible.

Last but not least, we have the vengeful wildcard, Panthera. Just take one look at her moves, and I believe you would just go and yell out, “Oh My God!”. Yes, this final Atrociraptor would blow up your mind. Not only 3 of its moves are totally original and exclusive to her, but they have totally changed the Epic meta. Let’s talk about her 2 unusual Berserk moves first, Berserk Biting Revenge and Berserk Clawed Revenge. Both moves deal horrendous attacks and have different usages against the creatures in the Epic format. Berserk Biting Revenge would let Panthera break any shields and bypass any armor, as well as dealing 2.5X damage to the opponent. While Berserk Clawed Revenge does even better. Not only does it attack everything, but it’s a precise attack that pesky flocks would always get hit by 2.5X damage from it. But hold up, these attack conditions are only in part of her non-revenge status. Because when Panthera reaches her revenge status, all of these moves become priority, and she could easily deal approximately 3250 damage to the opponent in just merely 1 turn. Even if they try to escape from her wrath, she still has a No Escape mechanic to prevent them from swapping out. What makes her more unique than the others, is that she is the only Atrociraptor without a basic move. In fact, her only opinion other than her crazily berserk moves is Retreat. This move cleanses every negative impact Panthera currently has, and allows this Atrociraptor to get a guaranteed swap out. At the same time, she has immunity to swap prevention even if the opponent has obstructions to prevent her to do so. Just behaving similarly to the Joestar family’s secret technique, “Nigerundayo!”

Panthera’s stats are almost as amazing as her moves were, like I just mentioned before, Panthera has immunity to swap prevention, speed reduction and distraction resistance. Not to mention that she is also the 2nd fastest Atrociraptor at 126 speed. All of these tools make her useful against a variety of creatures. As a Wildcard, she does make good use of her viable moves in the Epic meta as a relatively common creature to be encountered in epic tournaments. Like Tiger, Panthera currently doesn’t have a hybrid, but it is possible that she may get one in the future. Also, since she can be found throughout the map, activating the creature tracker to stack up her DNA to prepare for both tournaments or a possible hybrid in the future could let you make good use of this Atrociraptor.

After knowing all 4 of these Atrociraptors, I will be listing out their usages in both PvPs and tournaments. As I mentioned in their stats, all 4 of them have different purposes, but how could they face off in PvPs and tournaments?

Ghost: Being Cunning Fierce, she is best to counter fierce creatures that focus on attacks that deal immense damage, and resilient creatures that use armor and shields to repel attacks. Examples include: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Giganotosaurus, Ankylodicurus, Scutosaurus and Brontolasmus. Ghost is best to invest at least level 20, where she could deal higher damage output to creatures at the same level as her in PvPs and tournaments, and to fuse her DNA for Pyrorixis.

Red: Being Cunning Resilient, she is best to counter any cunning flocks that focus on distraction and dodge, as well as fierce creatures without the ability to cleanse distraction. Examples include: Argenteryx, Compsognathus, Megalotops, Moros Intrepidus and Pulmonoscorpius. (Although it’s 50/50 against Pulmonoscorpius.) Red is best to invest at least level 20 or even 25, where she could have enough health to tank heavy damage from cunning creatures and to deal enough damage output to take them out in PvPs and tournaments, and to fuse her DNA for Atrocodistis.

Tiger: Being Fierce Resilient, she is best to counter any creature with a considerable amount of health, (Usually somewhere between 3500 to 4500 health and not being a flock.) but with not such great attacks that could easily take her out. Tiger is best to invest at least level 20, where she could have enough health to tank heavy damage from any creature she encounters and to deal enough damage from the cloak to take them out in PvPs and tournaments, and to stack her DNA for a future hybrid.

Panthera: Being a Wildcard and filled with revenge moves, she is best to be a revenge and run hitter unlike the rest of her pack. Since in revenge state she doesn’t sacrifice any of her health, therefore she could go for either Berserk Biting Revenge or Berserk Clawed Revenge depending on the opponent’s status, and retreat and repeat once your next creature is taken out. Panthera is best to invest at least level 20 or even 30, where her stats could easily overpower other creatures within the Epic meta, as she could take all of them out in a single revenge move in PvPs and tournaments, and to stack up her DNA for a future hybrid.

After talking about their usages, now we’re down to the most exciting part of this article, because it’s the comparison time to these formidable raptors! To start off with the comparison, here are a few instructions:

1: In this comparison, I will be ranking all of their stats, resistances, moves, viability in PvPs and tournaments and DNA demand.

2: The comparing order is arranged from best to worst.

3: The scoring of their ranking will be listed as 4 > 3 > 2 > 1. The Atrociraptor with the most scores will be titled as the best.

4: Additionally, creatures with the same stats will have a difference in ranking: If creature A has the same health stats with creature B, and both being the best of the selections in the comparison, then both will be given the same point. The next creature with a different health stat will instead be ranked 2 numbers after that. Same goes to other number scores except 1.

Final Score:

Ghost: 16 points
Red: 24 points
Tiger: 20 points
Panthera: 23 points

As the results have been finalized and listed on the comparison above, I can gladly announce that, coming in at 24 points, Red is the best Atrociraptor. I know some of you may say that Panthera should be the best, but when it comes to tanking hits, defending and fighting against resistances and versatile moves to deal with opponents, Red could be seen as superior to any of her packmates. Not to mention that Red has Atrocodistis as her hybrid, which is currently one of the best Unique hybrids this time around, making her DNA demand higher than her packmates as well. Actually, with Panthera coming with a close score, if she gets a viable hybrid in the future, I would think this list would be outdated and I would instead rank her as the best due to her DNA demand. But as I mentioned before, this information is last updated since the 2.22 update, so Red is easily titled as the best Atrociraptor.

Sorry to Ghost fans, but the leader of the pack is actually titled as the worst Atrociraptor. Because in my opinion, as she is the first Atrociraptor to be released, and therefore she acts as the guinea pig of the pack and to let players test out her, before releasing the others with their own uniquenesses. But I guess the other 3 members of her pack have been finding their way to the meta through their uniqueness, and leaving Ghost alone to struggle and find her way in the meta. In order to increase the viability of Ghost, I would think at least giving her a reasonable buff like giving her a 5% armor like Panthera or distraction resistance could do the job, more maybe even Dispersed Cautious Strike could help her deal with flocks as well.

That’s all for the 4 Atrociraptors. And thanks for reading this article and I hope you can get to know the answer on which Atrociraptor is the best for your team and to invest on. Lastly, if there’s anything you would like to discuss with us, feel free to comment on the servers and tell your thoughts on the current Epic meta and these 4 Atrociraptors, like how do you think of their inclusion means to the game and which one of them is your favourite? And of course you can feel free to request any similar articles on creature comparisons or about the current meta throughout different rarities. Good luck and have fun playing!