JWA Opinion: Creature Suggestions & How to Combat Power Ceep

We welcome guest writer, Agent Allosaurus, back to bring you some creature suggestions, including how to combat power creep. Take it away double A....

To start off, a question to everyone, Do you think it’s been a while since we’ve seen Ludia release new hybrids? I bet everyone should have a clear answer right now, as the newest hybrids we’ve had were back in November 2022, almost 8 months ago! Although in 2023 we saw the release of plenty of new creatures, like non-hybrid Uniques and Omegas, it just doesn’t feel right for these creatures to have insane moves that could potentially cause power-creep. Ranging from Clever Girl’s Cautious Double Impact, Diabloceratops’ Instant Crush, Dracovenator’s Cloaked Rampage Alert, and more to come in the future? I mean, new creatures are always fun, but potentially power-creep is no fun to anyone. Therefore in this community article, I’ll be making new creature suggestions that could combat this factor, ranging from exotic prehistoric life to a community voted dinosaur from the Jurassic franchise. Hopefully these new creature suggestions and their moves could be a way to help combat power-creep in the game. Before I continue, this community article is partly inspired by the Creature Ideas and Reworks and Creature Silhouettes channels in our Discord server, and it is all thanks to the community’s support. Before we dive into my selection of different creature suggestions, here are a few instructions:

1: The following suggestions are used to combat power-creep against certain creatures that are last updated since the 3.0.30 update. And with the constantly updating meta, the information may soon be outdated. (Hopefully not!)

2: The stats of Omega creatures are set to preset levels.

3: The creature silhouettes are all created by me. In order to prevent plagiarism, please remember to get my permission before using them.

4: The creature suggestion profiles are made possible with the JWA toolbox system on Paleo.GG.

5: These notes are for reference on creature suggestions made by me and how they could potentially combat power-creep, and are NOT intended to ask Ludia to put these creatures in the game.

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

To be honest, creating and thinking of 10 creature suggestions is not easy, and it is thanks to the combined efforts of the community that this article can be made possible. With that being said, I will be introducing to y'all: 1 Common, 2 Rares, 1 Epic, 2 Legendaries, 1 Unique, 2 Omegas and 1 Apex rarity creatures! Without further ado, let’s begin the following list with our first Common creature:

1. SKORPIOVENATOR:

“Discovered in Argentina, this medium sized abelisaurid is known to be a nest raider, snatching any unsuspecting newborn hatchlings from an unguarded nest.” Skorpiovenator is a Fierce and Resilient Counter-Attacker.

Starting off is our first and only Common in this list. Remember Ludia promised us that 2023 would be a nice year for Commons and Rares? Well, I'm not sure if they remember saying so, but I do remember what they say. Although there's only space for one Common creature in this article, it's better than nothing, right?

The Common meta hasn't been changed much over the past year, and with the fact that Common creatures are falling behind in terms of new entries, I've decided to place an abelisaurid into the list. Introducing Skorpiovenator, a fierce and resilient counter-attacker. What makes it different from Majungasaurus and Lythronax you may ask? This Scorpion Hunter has a different basic attack, which is Group Defense Shattering Strike, and a counter along with the shield abilities that still does resilient the way these abelisaurids do in the game. This makes Skorpiovenator a neat choice to be introduced and could act as the new alternative to play abelisaurids the other way round in the game.

Rares:

2. TAPEJARA:

“Although it may seem to resemble the larger Tupandactylus in appearance, the most iconic feature of this Brazilian pterosaur is its unique head crest, which can potentially grow up to 3 feet in length!” Tapejara is a Resilient Anti-Dodge Counter-Attacker.

Then, it’s the Rare creature's time to shine. Let’s ask ourselves, doesn’t it feel weird for Tapejara, an iconic pterosaur, to not be added in JWA but instead only in both JWTG and JWE2? Well pterosaur fans, here’s your quench of thirst. As Rare formats in tournaments usually consist of a Cunning family, here’s this Brazilian pterosaur coming to save your day by helping you take on those pesky flocks.

As mentioned above, Tapejara is a Resilient, anti-dodge counter-attacker. At first glance, you can clearly see it is a counter against flocks like Compsognathus Gen 2, Rodrigues Solitaire and Preondactylus. With the group attack as its main kit along with shields that grant it further protection, it’s a fair trade for low health and damage output for group resilient attacks.

Although it can defeat flocks, you’ll always have to find a way for it to be defeated to make it fair against other creatures. Its main advantages are against flocks, but as tested, it’s weak against chompers (yes, I’m looking at you Albertosaurus) and large tanks like Dreadnoughtus. Although it lacks the energy to withstand creatures with high health, it finds its main strength to beat the Cunning creatures that currently dominate the Rare tournament formats.

3. MICROCERATUS:

“Although being a ceratopsian like its relatives Triceratops and Nasutoceratops, it walked on two legs instead of all fours. This is because a bipedal stance for this herbivore could increase the mobility for its balancing position and movements.” Microceratus is a Resilient Hit and Runner.

One look at this cute treasure immediately makes you think of the Epic Lystrosaurus, doesn’t it? But instead, Microceratus takes the place of a pure Resilient flock for the first time! As one of the smallest ceratopsians and Charlotte Lockwood’s adorable companion in Jurassic World Dominion, it’s no surprise that I gave it Resilient Strike with an extra 10% armor. Evasive Restore was taken from the Lystrosaurus and its hybrid linkage as to both being similar in size and move quality, which I gave Microceratus Precise Impact and Run, an upgrade to the original move itself. Giving it a chance to hit the opponent in a better way to deal damage with its low damage output.

Lastly, its swap in move, which I gave it the same as with all of its ceratopsian relatives, Swap In Stunning Strike, may not be the best swap in move compared to others, but it gives it a better shot against fierce chompers as being a flock that doesn’t have much health per member. What Microceratus really is in this article, is to introduce how a resilient flock would work in the game. Hopefully if Ludia employees are reading this article, it would be great if you could introduce pure resilient flocks to the game as well.

Epics:

4. DROMAEOSAURUS:

“Despite having widespread attention in a variety of prehistoric media, this dinosaur is poorly known from actual fossils. Most of the knowledge from it comes from the fossils of other dromaeosaurids like Dakotaraptor.” Dromaeosaurus is a Cunning and Nullification Cannon.

Our Epic creature is also our first Cunning creature on our list. As of the latest news on the Epic meta right now, Cunning and Wildcard creatures are running strong. For instance, the times of fighting Megalotops, Argenteryx and Panthera all in one go can be the most painful thing you can see in an Epic tournament. (Not counting even Fierce creatures like Pulmonoscorpius and Giganotosaurus.) It just makes you feel blue and outraged when a ceratopsian-sloth hybrid just spams Camouflage while some Angry Birds from Argentina uses its 2 rampages and just for a vengeful Panthera to move in for the final blow. Therefore, it makes for the perfect time for me to create Dromaeosaurus — another cunning raptor you may say, but it plays differently. Distracting Double Strike allows it to deal damage on flocks easily with the speed advantage, while Nullifying Impact, well you know the rest. You will also notice that Dromaeosaurus doesn’t have much ridiculous resistances, making it on par with the other Epic creatures within the same meta: Obviously Resilients and creatures with speed reduction abilities beat it with shields and armor, and being one of the lesser health creatures in the game, you could compare it with a Microraptor that’s not a flock that could be chosen for better usage on defending the Epic meta.

Legendaries:

5. PYROQUETZAL: (Hybrid Of: Pyroraptor Gen 2 + Quetzalcoatlus Gen 2)

“The combined fusion of both raptor and pterosaur DNA has resulted in this fiery titan. It is speculated in their habitats that Pyroquetzal may have used its bright red feathers to attract mates, or to use it in order to travel across different landscapes in search for prey and shelter.” Pyroquetzal is a Wildcard Jack of All Trades.

One of my favorite creations out of all ten creatures in this article, the Legendary Pyroquetzal lives up to its name for a Wildcard Jack of All Trades, no matter the abilities of the titanic pterosaur or the blazing red raptor it fuses from.

As to retain the Resilient, Fierce, and Cunning elements, Pyroquetzal has the ability to break shields, cleanse itself and even distract its opponents while letting itself gain some health back from time to time through devour heal on a pattern. The special part of playing this Legendary creature is through its last move, Instant Ferocious Invincibility. It incorporates the effects of Ferocious Shielded Heal (the healing factor is moved to the on escape ability), as well to give it a chance to set up moves on defeating its opponents while it’s temporarily invincible.

While testing this creature, the victory outcome depends on how you play this creature like playing a deck of cards. You can win against Panthera Blytheae with Resilient Rampage and Run with Instant Ferocious Invincibility, as well as flocks with its counter strike and cleansing ability. But if you play it wrongly or if the opponent tricks you into thinking you’re on the right track, this could be a risky factor to play with. Overall, it’s not the best Wildcard creature, but it is safe to say it is a potential choice to combat power-creep with its dispersed type of moves.

6. SCAPHOBUFO: (Hybrid Of: Beelzebufo + Scaphotator)

“A common nickname for the Scaphobufo is the 'Hunger Demon', since it is observed that these aggressive hybrids are always on the hunt, no matter day or night. Being both a carnivore and an insectivore, it can go everywhere by just catching whatever it gets without the risk of starving.” Scaphobufo is a Cunning and Fierce Afflicting Bleeder.

After that, we have Scaphotator’s long-awaited hybrid: Scaphobufo. Incorporating elements from the demon frog and the obscure looking Scaphotator, it gave me a hard time to find a better moveset for it to work in the Legendary meta, especially when this meta is ruled by a female Tyrannosaurus Rex and a snow leopard that no one asked for. But through various attempts, here’s how it could work:

Scaphobufo, hence its name, is a Cunning and Fierce attacker with decent attack and speed. Alert Lethal Impact incorporates the abilities Distracting Impact and Minor Swoop from Scaphotator. Although it lost the ability to swap out during this move, I still manage to save it with Feast, Beelzebufo’s 2nd signature move that rally heals this unusual flock from danger with an impact that gives it extra attack. As with Affliction moves, it needs an upgrade to take on the Legendary meta, therefore I gave it Instant Afflicting Distraction as a combo of the Distracting elements from both of its hybrid components.

Combating power-creep with this ‘Hunger Demon’ mainly relies on Affliction and Bleed, as it doesn’t have much health compared with most of the Legendary creatures, a 50% affliction on the 1st turn could take something powerful like Panthera Blytheae, which has distraction immunity, and later use Alert Lethal Impact to play tricks on the feline as well. Lastly, it isn’t really so-called as the best creature in this format, as resilient hybrids like Lystrosuchus and armored tanks like Stegodeus could beat it with ease without causing more harm to the meta.

Uniques:

7. ANKYLORAPTOR: (Hybrid Of: Tiger + Ankylomoloch)

“Unlike other Atrociraptor hybrids, the Ankyloraptor is an omnivore. Although its main diet consists of smaller herbivores, it occasionally takes its diet on ferns and berries as well. Additional research reveals the reason behind this unusual diet is because the structure in its digestive system is built similarly to its previous hybrid components instead of the Atrociraptor.” Ankyloraptor is a Fierce and Resilient Deceleration Defensive Attacker.

With Ghost having Pyrorixis, Red having Atrocodistis and Panthera having Constrictoraptor, it just feels odd that Tiger is the one left out of the bunch. It was the 3rd Atrociraptor to be added, and yet the 3rd hybrid priority was given to Panthera. But in this article, Tiger gets her time to shine as I also got her the hybrid treatment along with Ankylomoloch. In fact, I created Ankyloraptor so she would act like an advantage cycle within the Unique meta. As everyone should know by now both Pyrorixis and Atrocodistis are doing amazing in arena, and with Constrictoraptor being a Unique Panthera which makes matters even worse, it does make the three of them overwhelming (despite Pyro and Atroco both receiving the nerf hammer treatment earlier). So how would this Atrociraptor hybrid combat power-creep?

The main characteristic of Ankyloraptor is its play style. It plays like Ankylomoloch at first glance, but with the atrocious style of sensibility when it comes to the attributes of moves. As the Unique meta now being fierce-relevant, resilient creatures may not be the best shot against them, but the atrocious play style of this raptor does make a difference against certain powerhouses like Pyrorixis and Tyrannometrodon. Although it loses to Atrocodistis, it could maintain the balance of the Unique meta without causing any further mayhem, so you could call this fierce-resilient raptor, a not so overwhelming keystone of balance of its own meta.

Omegas:

8. ASSET 87:

"The creation of this Spinosaurus has been a mystery for its cryptic appearance in Isla Sorna. With its ruthless nature and unusually large size, not only does it compete with the Tyrannosaurus Rex for dominance, it is also responsible for the sudden imbalance of the food chain on the island." Asset 87 is a Fierce Obstructing Bleeder.

Unlocks Ability Shattering Swap In Wound at Level 6.

Unlocks Ability Merciless Revenge at Level 11.

Unlocks Ability Obstructing Skirmish at Level 16.

Unlocks Ability Afflicting Counter at Level 21.

Remember a voting poll being hosted earlier? It was a community vote for you to help me pick a fan-favorite creature from the franchise as a whole to a new Omega. Well since most of you picked the most obvious champion, here is Asset 87. For those who aren’t familiar with this titan, this is the particular antagonistic Spinosaurus from Jurassic Park 3 and later Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous.

As it is a Spinosaurus, I incorporated elements from its Rare and Epic counterparts, and their hybrids as well. Its signature move in the Legendary formats, Obstructing Skirmish, is Thylaconyx’s Skirmish but designed alongside a lockdown to keep the No Escape element of the spinosaur family. Merciless Revenge may seem overwhelming, but it is actually designed to be suitable for an Epic format for bleeders, since it comes with a priority at its Revenge state, it could be considered to be a counter against hit and runners like swapped Panthera. Lastly, I placed the Afflicting Counter at level 21, which can be considered the most powerful tool of Asset 87. As this is a counter used only in Unique formats, in which a lot of creatures have resistance or immunity to a particular threat, this counter, along with Asset 87’s decent speed, could really handle those tremendous high damage dealers and tanks with its bleed and obstructing tools. How can it combat power creep? Well, Asset 87 could handle the flow of a battle well, since its moves and counter could stop others from being too powerful with their kit while without letting itself be the alpha of the battlefield in the process. Completely the opposite of its movie canon appearances though right? Jokes aside, this is the perfect time for this big guy to reform as well.

9. HOMALOCEPHALE:

“The smallest member of the Pachycephalosaur family, Homalocephale lived in small colonies. Due to its size disadvantage compared to other herbivores, it relies on its large eyes to detect any signs of predators before running at high speed with its long legs.” Homalocephale is a Resilient Group Supporter.

Unlocks Ability Group Decelerating Counter at Level 6.

Unlocks Ability Group Fortifying Restore at Level 11.

Unlocks Ability Invincibility On Escape at Level 16.

Unlocks Ability Alert Stunning Rampage at Level 21.

This Jurassic World Evolution fan favorite pachycephalosaurid is our second Omega creature on this list. In contrast, all Omega creatures right now are edible in tournament levels, and I have yet to see their usages in raids. So here’s Homalocephale, a Resilient group supporter. Two of its moves, Accommodating Impact and Group Fortifying Restore unlocked at default levels and level 11 respectively, are group supporting moves, which grants different tools to your teammates whenever they need help, like the situation Franklin “Mouse” Finbar could grant Dr. Bravestone different items whether he needs help in the Jumanji series. So, with a combination of cleanse, speed increase, imposing vulnerability, increasing armor and healing in two different moves could really help a lot during troublesome raids.

But Homalocephale is not just a creature that gets beaten up in PvPs and tournaments as well. Unlike how it gets mistreated in both JWE and JWE2 as prey of the week for the carnivores, it has itself defended. Although you would have it unlocked at late game, Invincibility On Escape has been proven useful for any swap in attack users (excluding fierce swap in users) to take an uneasy time. While its last move, Alert Stunning Rampage in Unique formats, is a great addition to this herbivore, not only it hits and runs in the alert state, but you get a guaranteed stun on whatever tries to pin you down again. This makes it not only a raid exclusive Omega but also has its Unique usage in the battlefield as well.

Apex:

10. ANTARTOSCORPIOS

“This petrified hybrid lives in dark forests where it can be tracked through the dead bodies of its fallen victims to the venom on its quills, which are more spiked than those of the Scorpios Rex. Therefore, passing through the dreaded wreckages of the trees which it scrapes its quills can be considered as a warning to prevent any trespassers from further entering the area.” Antartoscorpios is a Wildcard Bleeding and Piercing Decimator.

Our last creature on this list is the Apex Antartoscorpios. Combined with 2 underrated Unique and Legendary hybrids with different potentials on the meta, this Apex hybrid is what in my imagination that I could think of:

To most of you, this Scorpios Rex hybrid may come on par with fellow competitors Indonemys and Indolycan, but it plays differently compared with those Indominus Rex and Indoraptor hybrids. One thing it has that these two don’t, is the ability to attack flocks with a strike. Along with combinations of moves from Antarctovenator and Scorpios Rex through Instant Ferocious Ambush, it takes this set up to another level, while it’s up to your chance on taking the choice of Maiming Quill Shot and Revenge Definite Rampage when facing certain opponents. For example, you can use RDR on tanks, especially Geminideus in the current meta, and perhaps MQS on anything you come across that doesn’t have bleed resistance or immunity. The variety of usages of this hybrid could carefully deal with the power-creep you see the current meta: Spiked scorpions, hybridized Atrociraptors, a Northern pterosaur and a rabid wolf. Lastly, the resistances on Antartoscorpios mainly came from upgraded versions of its hybrid components, but are slightly changed for it to adapt and to prevent itself from power-creeping the others.

Although Antartoscorpios can be menacing Apex from your point of view, you should be fortunate that this is just a fan made creation by me and nothing else. It is encouraged though to try to make different creatures of your choice, no matter the rarity, for the community to take a view and opinions on it.

That's all for the ten different creature suggestions by me. It is thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to create this community article that it can be made possible. It’s not easy to think which creatures are the best to be added, but after all, I find this community very helpful and supportive on these topics, and I really appreciate it. In the meantime, I hope you can get to know how to create your own creations and gain yourself some creative inspirations. Lastly, if there’s anything you would like to discuss with us, feel free to comment on the server, whether it’s about this community article, article requests, or anything related to JWA. Good luck and have fun playing!