Introduction
We are back for part 5. Last time we covered some creatures with a good quality or 2, but these creatures are starting to make worthwhile stuff. So strap yourselves in because this is another long one.
'Things Are Heating Up' Tier
Parasaurolophus lux is one of two legendaries that are considered nonhybrids, and the first and only wild legendary. Despite looking cool and coming from Camp Cretaceous, this glowing hadrosaur doesn't shine in any legendary format. First of all, it's only legal in an ALL format, which means Rexy is legal. So now you wasted a slot on something that could be Fukuimimus or Tragodistis for a healer that falls flat. The real reason to gather this DNA is for the unique Parasauthops. This unique is a pain to deal with as not only do you have good attack, but a swap in fierce strike and 2 big healing moves. If you don't have something to eat away at it or with armor like Ankylos Lux, this thing is going to win a war or attrition and eat away at your team.
Ailuractodus is kicking off epics today. The panda was the highlight creature of April 1st and boy does it pack a punch. You have a basic move that heals half your attack, puts up a shield, and boosts your attack by 50% BEFORE you heal, so you're really healing up to 75% of your attack. Panda also has solid attack and bulk, which pairs well with its healing abilities. It's moveset is also scary with alert decel impact and fierce rampage paired with that ferocity. Finally, this bear has swap in heal and counter power heal. In the last format it was apart of, this bear was a top tier threat that could either kill you or stall you out. It can also swap in on many threats like Antarctopelta, keep healing to get to full hp, then kill it. The reason why it's not higher is, like Ghost, Ailurarctodus has no hybrid, limiting its value. But when it gets one, odds are it'll be a monster and this panda will charge ahead in the rankings.
Blue runs into this tier thanks to her strength in battle. She's fast, has solid matchups with many of the fierce and cunnings falling to her, including Compsognathus. While her daughter is probably better overall, Blue is still pretty good. But her hybrid, Indoraptor gen 2, is still kind of relevant. You have solid attack, bulk, and a very defensive moveset. You have a good shot at flocks and can also take down many powerful fierce.
Brachiosaurus wanders into this tier thanks to its sheer bulk and abilities. First up, you have the highest hp stat in the game paired with some armor. On top of that, you have solid resistances. The moveset also helps Brachiosaurus out as you may not have speed control, but your lower damage is increased thanks to the buff to resilient moves a bit back. Brachiosaurus has a hybrid that was at 2 differnt points in time the best creature in the game. Ardentismaxima has really fallen on hard times thanks to it competing with both Geminititan and Skoonasaurus for a spot at the top. It can't deal with distraction, has a bad shattering move in pvp, and is just outclassed by creatures like Skoonasaurus or Troodaboa. However, Brachiosaurus is still good enough to warrant it a spot up here.
Speaking of Compsognathus, let's talk about that flock. Compsognathus is probably the second most annoying epic in JWA history behind Argenteryx. You got multiple forms of rally healing, solid resistances, good stats, and no escape when secure. These guys are near the top of the epic ladder and can eat away at so many creatures. And in fact, they can even be annoying in the powercrept legendary formats too. Compsocaulus however is a disappointment. It's slower, loses some stun and distraction resistance for decel immunity (which isn't a great trade these days), loses its on escape, has a worse swap in, and completely loses its on escape. Compared to something like Allodrigues, Compsoraptor, or Ardontognathus, it's terrible. Heck there are far better epic and legendary flocks to pick from like Argenteryx, Ankylodactylus, Dreaddactylus, Lystrosuchus, or, arguably, Compsognathus itself. So while Compsognathus is a solid epic, its hybrid holds it back.
Dakotaraptor, or Ninjaraptor as I like to call it, finds itself up here. It has 2 hybrids, with one being good and the other being pretty bad. The bad one is Dakotanops, which is honestly worse than it's parent. It's got poor stats and abilities that just don't flow. Dakotaraptor on the other hand works quite well. It's got 2 rampages that both distract, and sidestep. You have a decent attack stat, high speed, and enough hp to keep you out of the 3000 range. Now you may be thinking "well what about turn 4?" Well my friend, it's a raptor. If it lives to turn 4, that's a miracle. It'll deal a lot in 3 turns, but it'll go down with that low hp stat. Finally you have Sinokotaraptor. It's a solid legendary that can be a nuisance with its distraction immunity and solid output. It's not the best legendary, but it's a threatening one. However this allows Ninjaraptor to sneak its way into this tier
Not far behind is a hadrosaur that went from hero to almost zero. Miasaura is a lover, not a fighter. With poor hp, a mediocre kit, and no resistances, it doesn't see the light of day in pvp. However, it does have access to one of the best priority moves in instant rampage. The hybrids are the real fighters. Phoruasaura was once a top tier threat thanks to instant rampage and high speed. However with flocks and the addition of delayed rampage and run to its kit, it's fallen off. However, it's still got a niche as one of the best revenge killers in the format. It's unique hybrid was once arguably the best creature in the game. It's been nerfed, but it's still deadly with cautious cunning rampage and lethal rampage and run. So while these 3 have fallen off, they're still good enough to place this mother up here.
Microraptor zooms into this tier. This epic is the fastest creature in JWA history at a whopping 136 base speed! However, it is incredibly frail with only 1650 attack. That's an easy KO for Diplodocus. However, with this high speed and low hp, it has some great output with its double and triple strikes to deal big damage. The issue with Microraptor comes with that low hp stat as well as poor resistances. It also lacks an on escape move as well as a form of rally healing. Its hybrid, Segnoraptor, is the second fastest creature in the game and the fastest hybrid at 134 base speed. However, this legendary is also quite frail. However, it makes up for that with massive output. It can set up with cunning ferocious strike, and then unleash a triple distracting strike to wipe the floor with anything unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end. It also has solid resistances as well as team synergy with rampage and run. Unfortunately, it is also quite frail, so timing with this legendary is key.
Ouranosaurus was another hadrosaur killed by 2.0 and now holds the title as the worst epic in the game. It's got low speed, low hp, and a moveset that doesn't work in pvp or raids really. It's hybrid isn't that bad however. Diloranosaurus is a solid legendary raid creature with cunning moves and solid healing with good stats. However again, in pvp, it doesn't do that well. But Diloracheirus is a different story. It was reduced to mediocrity even after a few buffs due to 2.0. But now it's an absolute top tier. A kit like Fukuimimus, darting counter, and solid immunities makes this unique a major powerhouse. And because of Diloracheirus, Ouranosaurus manages to find a place here.
Rajasaurus closes out the epics for the day, and it has always stood in the back behind other epics like Concavenator, which normally outclasses it in almost every way. The same hold true for its hybrid Rajakylosaurus. While it does have solid stats, it has no immunities and that meta is again so powercrept that it can't get going. I know I sound like a broken record, but when you look at everything, the difference is incredibly vast. However, when you read about Tuojiangosaurus, you'll understand why this epic jumps from mediocrity to this tier.
Cervalces prances into this tier thanks to Arctovasilis. However, one may ask why it's a tier above Arctodus. Well, Cervalces is a pretty solid rare. You have good tools and solid resistances along with some decent stats. It's able to do quite well with the many flocks and even some resilients. It's getting pushed out thanks to a few new rares, but for now it can rest a tier above the sleeping bear.
Erlikosaurus gen 2 isn't that far behind. With decent stats and a decent moveset, it's OK, but not amazing compared to something like Preondactylus or Rodrigues Solitare. It does however have two solid hybrids. First up is Erlikogamma. This fluffy epic has solid output, good stats, and good immunities. It isn't the best epic around, but it can rip through a team if they aren't prepared for it. The other hybrid this colorful herbivore creates is Erlikospyx. This powerful cunning has a good kit that can deal massive damage and it also has a good revenge move in revenge distracting impact. Also, this move has a cooldown of one, so you can spam its rampages over and over. It is outclassed by Diloracheirus, but it still is decent enough to give Erlikosaurus gen 2 a spot far above its gen 1 counterpart.
Fukuisaurus is up next, and while it makes Fukuimimus with Struthiomimus, it does have a big pro over that epic: it's actually good. Fukuisaurus is a solid rare that not only matches up well into many different flocks, but also some big threats like Suchotator. It has shelter for speed control, group resilient impact for flocks, and its counter to boost its attack. And with solid stats, it deserves a spot above Struthiomimus.
Gorgosaurus comes in next, and this rare defines how much boosts can make a difference. While unboosted it stinks, boosted this rare becomes a major threat with its immunities and 142 speed as well as high attack and ferocious strike. Flocks have hurt it, but Gorgosaurus should still be handled with care. It's hybrid line with Kaprosuchus I have discussed before, and it does kinda suck. Scorpios Rex gen 3 doesn't suck however. Yes, it has fallen off in recent times, but it is still a solid creature with one of the best moves in the game with toxic quills. It also has the swap as well as good resistances and stats to back it up. All of this nets Gorgosaurus a spot up here.
Postosuchus is next. This rare was once an absolute monster before 2.0 thanks to ferocious impact granting it the highest turn 1 damage in the game. That was a long time ago however. Now, Postosuchus is reduced to a shadow of its former self with low base stats, mediocre resistances, and poor output. It's hybrids are better, but only one stands out. Postimetrodon is alright and did see success in the 1.1 format, but those circumstances were a perfect storm for it, and even then there were other epics out there that could compete with it. Outside of that, it is just mediocre at best, but still above Gorgosuchus. Tryostronix is next, and this is slightly better, but with all the flocks and other creatures like Rexy or Thylaconyx doing a better job, it is mediocre as well. Giganyx now is the saving grace for this rare. Amazing stats combined with good resistances and a scary moveset makes this uniques one of the best creatures in the game. You have big devour healing, some trapping tools, 2 solid ways of healing, and speed control create this monster. Without it, Postosuchus would've been covered a while ago.
Purrusaurus lurks not too far behind. This rare is decent, but due to its low attack and speed, it can't really get its double ferocious impact combo to work all that well. This ancient caiman has a few hybrids to its name. Purutaurus is first, and like other epics it has seen better days. It lost its greater rending counter, but gained a bit more hp, which was a poor trade in the end. It can do well against a few top tiers, but many of those come down to prediction or it is just not useful after a matchup. Purutaurus then has 2 hybrids. First up is Carnotarkus. This fierce stegosaur kept the counter, as well as gaining a group rampage and keeping its long protection. It also has access to instant distraction and superiority strike. Overall, this creature is a good example of a jack of all trades that works, but because the legendary meta is so powercrept, it has fallen off recently. Scorpios Rex is the other hybrid, and it has also seen better days. Yes it matches up well into Rexy, but it flops vs almost everything else that is big up there, especially Fukuimimus. While both of these legendaries need some love, they are still good enough to give Purrusaurus a spot up here.
In my opinion, the Giganotosaurus wasn't the best dinosaur of Jurassic World Dominion. Therezinosaurus stole the show for myself as well as many other fans alike. Unfortunately, Jurassic World Alive wasn't as kind to it as Universal was. It has decent stats and resistances, but the kit doesn't really work all that well. However, it still has seen some decent success, but it isn't a staple or will be anytime soon with that delayed rampage. Segnoraptor I also covered as well. Good kit and amazing speed, but that meta will not be kind to it.
Tuojiangosaurus closes the rares for this tier. Tuojiangosaurusis an OK rare with some decent tools, but it definitely isn't able to compete with the likes of Dreadnaughtus or Doedicurus. It can however make some good hybrids. Tuoramoloch is a solid unique raid creature that is good for helping players unlock bigger and badder apexes. While it has been outclassed by some other healers, it is still very versatile with group acceleration. the other hybrid is Diorajasaur, which has seen better days, but due to its speed and lack of resistances, it can be played around and has just fallen off. It does have a solid apex hybrid in Ankylos Lux. This big bad was once the best creature in the game, but has since fallen a bit. But due to its incredible shielding abilities, it is still a meta threat. You can swap in and shut so much down with this creature. And those immunities make it a solid team player as well. And if you need a flock killer, this is your best friend. So this apex allows Tuojiangosaurus a spot up here.
Charging in to kick off the commons we have Brontotherium. This common has solid stats and abilities that make it an absolute top tier in the common rarity. It can do well vs the resilients, cunnings, and even some of the fierce. Stunners do hinder it a bit, but when it came to the 4 common 4 rare format, Brontotherium is a common I used to take first in that format due to its strength. Its hybrid, Brontolasmus, also looks very solid on paper, but in practice there are many things that hold it back. First up, the other creatures in the format rain on its parade as well as its low hp and just one immunity. It is still a good epic, but not good enough. So, Brontotherium falls here. (edited)
Deinocheirus runs in not far behind. It does have one hybrid, but Diloracheirus is strong enough to carry enough to carry it up this high. And with Deinocheirus's decent revenge abilities as well as its high speed and good attack, it is able to run up with Ouranosaurus.
Eremotherium is a common that can kill an apex. With a very defensive kit and decent stats, it can hold its own in the common rarity. However, due to creatures like Glyptodon and Brontotherium being able to swap on it turn 1, it has fallen a bit. However, it is still a very powerful common that can sweep you if you lack the creatures necessary to take it out. Its hybrid, Eremoceros, is a legendary similar to Brontolasmus in the sense that it should be good, but due to the plethora of new creatures, it has fallen off in recent times. But it is still a very powerful legendary that can put in a lot of work thanks to its solid stats and moveset. So, the sloth can peacefully relay in this tier.
Sarcosuchus is another common that is really strong. Like Brontotherium, I used it in the and 4 format to take first due to its power as a trapper and bleeder. In fact, in the common rarity, you can swap it in on many resilients and bleed them out. It was also able to do that in the 4 and 4 format. Its hybrid, Sarcorixis, is a powerful epic with a solid turn 1 and the ability to stunlock opponents into submission. It can match up decently into many top tiers like Megalotops as well as Argenteryx. It has fallen off in recent times and isn't as good in its rarity as Sarcosuchus is in the common format, but it is still a major threat in the epic format. So, Sarcosuchus falls here.
Suchomimus is a worse Sarcosuchus. It has a bit more hp and a better basic attack, but it is slower and lacks the bulk to warrant using it over Sarcosuchus. However, it is still solid and works the same way. It then has 2 hybrids. First up is Suchotator, a creature I think is in contention for the best in the game. While it isn't on par with Rexy or Imperatosuchus, it is so useful in so many different formats. It was a top tier in the rare format, it is a top tier in an epic/rare format, and can even be useful in a legendary hybrid format. It is so versatile thanks to its kit that allows it to bleed, slow, nullify and distract. Its hybrid Thylacotator was only a bit more useful in the epic/rare format than Suchotator. It has a similar kit, but lacks the ability to handle flocks its rare parent has. However, this epic has a deadly bleeding move and rending takedown to make short work of anything slower than it that cannot resist either. And some creatures that resist bleed or rend still fall to it. Overall, this puts Suchomimus far up here.
Triceratops gen 2 also charges in with its strength in the common rarity. With its good stats and swap in and that rampage hiding behind the swap, it is a deadly common that can cause some creatures like Tanycolagreus to go from solid to bad if its legal. It also, like 2 other commons here, made the team in the 4 and 4 format due to these attributes. Its hybrids do not live up to its name however. Dracoceratops is decent, but why use it when Thylaconyx exists with all these flocks. And Rexy doesn't help either. Dracoceratosaurus is even worse because, while slightly better, it is only allowed in unique formats, which contain Albertocevia and Parasauthops. So really, Triceratops gen 2 makes it up this high by carrying its own weight and doesn't rely on its hybrids.
We finally end on the original speed demon. Velociraptor was always a common that had a niche as the fastest creature around, until Haast Eagle stole the crown, who was later kicked out by Preondactylus, until finally Microraptor stole the title. It does have some good qualities still. It is decent in a common format with distraction immunity and the highest turn 1 in the format, but it still struggles. It then has 3 hybrids. Indominus Rex is probably the most useful of the bunch, but it still struggles to make a real impact thanks to all the flocks, but being one of the only Rexy counters is a perk. Indoraptor and Erlidominus are not so lucky as while Indoraptor got buffed, it isn't enough to warrant using either of them. And so, Velociraptor isn't able to keep up.
Conclusion
Thank you all for reading. The next tier is the largest tier of the list, but it is also the last of the big tiers, so worry not. I hope you all have a lovely week and don't forget to get those rares (seeing as none of them have been covered, it may be a good idea to get up and go out to get them). Happy Playing!
