JWA Patch Notes 3.4: Creature Adjustments!

Explorers!

As the patch notes of update 3.4 have arrived, it has brought us some unexpected surprises on a few of the existing creatures. Therefore this article will be focusing on some creature adjustments as well as some teasers on new Apex enhancements as well.
Please be noted that the patch notes didn’t include most of the features on what most of the new abilities actually do, so these notes may not be up to date and some of them are through pure speculation in that players could use them as a reference.

Anyways, let’s jump right into it!

• Group Cleansing Strike becomes Protect The Herd
• Greater Emergency Heal becomes Sheltering Impact
• Health increased from 4350 to 4950
• Attack increased from 1150 to 1200

Let’s be honest, no one really thought Iguanodon would get buffed just then. Even I was simply joking about it being buffed a while ago, but now this hadrosaur had really turned from zero to hero within an update.

Now you better pray yourselves on whether you’re gonna hit it with Protect The Herd or not. I genuinely believe this hadrosaur may have just risen to become one of the best Commons in the game, cause now even Allosaurus requires RNG to kill it. Besides, not even bleed can be a possible way to solve this problem, cause Sheltering Impact still could cleanse it properly. Luckily, it can still be pinned and stunned, and Omegas with priority, like Yutyrannus would still be a reliable creature to beat it.

Either way, if there’s a Common tourney coming soon, be prepared to see more of Aladar around. 

• Group Ferocity Strike becomes Group Resilient Impact
• Group Taunting Shield Strike becomes Dig In Taunt
• Emergency Heal Becomes Fierce Rampage
• Added Swap In Ferocious Strike
• Health increased from 3600 to 4500
• Attack increased from 1000 to 1200
• Speed increased from 109 to 116
• Critical Change from 5% to 15%
• Critical Damage from 125% to 150%
• 0% distraction resistance becomes distraction immunity

Megalosuchus has never really been a very good Legendary ever since release. However, from what the patch notes show us, it seems that it would be gaining some new upgrades. Would they change Megalosuchus’ performance? We’ll take a quick look at it. 

Right from the start, Group Resilient Impact is a good choice when paired up with the attack increase mechanism, usually to combat more flocks like Tarbognathus or Dreadactylus. Besides, having Fierce Rampage now allows Megalosuchus to deal more damage while finally keeping up its position in the Legendary meta.

The best part of this crocodilian hybrid is the increased critical chance and damage output, as well as being armed with distraction immunity. Like Nomingia, if it were to get a critical hit, the damage output would be immense. Also, it seems pretty beefy with now 4500 health. Paired with Dig In Taunt where it can heal and shield itself, it may even be able to beat Panthera Blytheae with this combination.

Overall, Megalosuchus really deserves the buff it got, and I can feel the potential in it.

• Minor Swoop becomes Cleansing Swoop
• Health increased form 3750 to 4000
• Attack increased from 1000 to 1150
• Stun resistance increased from 0% to 50%
• Speed reduction resistance increased from 0% to 50%
• Vulnerable resistance increased from 0% to 25%

Like Megalosuchus before, Spinotasuchus isn't really a very good creature even in the Legendary meta, and Minor Swoop into Cleansing Swoop isn’t really that much of a buff for now.

This, especially when Spinotasuchus already has swap prevention immunity, and the only difference between the 2 abilities is that Minor Swoop deals 20% bleed damage for 3 turns, while Cleansing Swoop deals 25% bleed damage for 2 turns. Yes you can pair it with Lethal Wound for even better Damage Over Time, but when you realise that nowadays that the Legendary meta, as well as most Omegas have so much on cleansing bleeds, it isn’t really that great.

The resistances on the other hand, other than stun resistance isn’t really that much of an improvement as well.

So unfortunately, for starters? It might be a good option to get, but for most of the time you're still gonna avoid it, especially when its hybrid can be obtained from a raid through a strategy.

• Distracting Impact becomes Instant Group Distraction Impact
• Defense Shattering Strike becomes Fierce Strike
• Nullifying Impact becomes Magna Impact
• Health increased from 3900 to 4800

An early Unique that has been power-crept to dust, but with this new buff on Unicorn Wizard, it may see some new features more on its kit.

This, especially with the new addition of Instant Group Distraction Impact allows it to hit flocks more frequently with the priority treatment. This is essential to what I think Magnapyritor should get when it’s lacking a group attack and when paired with its awesome resistances. Now, those who’re running the likes of Allodrigues or Thylos would now have to be worried about this pelycosaur hybrid having to distract you and perhaps even a nullification update with the new Magna Impact. We aren’t exactly sure how Magna Impact would work against them, but the chances are it has become an even greater choice for a Cunning Fierce creature, and the 900 health increase looks just the right thing to get onto it.

For me, this buff wouldn’t bother much in the current meta, but in lower arenas? This guy would now be a resurgent choice compared with what it was before, especially when it has a priority impact that could really dish out some damage.

Overall speaking, with 2 new impacts that could further benefit it and the health increase, Magnapyritor can now be a potential candidate to adapt as both a tank, plus damage dealer to its foes. Another well-appreciated buff.

• Delayed Rampage And Run becomes Devastate And Run
• Health increased from 4200 to 4500
• Attack increased from 1200 to 1500

Similar to the case of Magnapyritor had before, but Smilonemys at least has thick armour to begin with as a Cunning Resilient.

This turtle-cat WAS good 4 to 5 years ago, especially back in the time it was a huge menace to society. However, with more and more offensive Uniques, as well as Omegas joining the fray; Pantherator being the top cat in the meta now and flocks too, it has been reduced to nothing but only as a solid ingredient for fusing Indonemys.

Despite all that, Devastate And Run can still be said as an upgrade to Delayed Rampage And Run, because along with its attack buff, it would now allow it to deal 4500 damage in turn. Still, this buff here ain’t gonna do much on flocks, especially when it’s Thylos.

The current kit it has still isn’t gonna help it from being destroyed by Atrocimoloch, Concatosaurus or Giganyx, so it’s rather another disappointing buff, especially when a 60% swap prevention resistance may still backfire on you when you try to swap. 

• Group Heal becomes Group Resilient Impact
• Group Acceleration now deals 1.5X damage instead of 1X
• Greater Emergency Heal becomes Shielded Double Heal
• Reactive now does “If speed is increased, heals the team by 15% of their maximum health.”
• Health increased from 4200 to 4380
• Attack increased from 1500 to 1600
• Armour increased from 0% to 5%

As if getting Concatoloch wasn’t enough, for Tuoramoloch, it seems to be getting a massive buff as well.

As to manage it’s position as the ‘raid king’ in different raid strats, the healing pattern seems to be much of an improvement with Shielded Double Heal. Especially when the amount of health regenerated along with shields this time, is just icing on the cake.

Group Resilient Impact in place for Group Heal seems to be a loss/upgrade depending on how you observe it, but the increased damage stat for Group Acceleration seems like the better opinion to go for.

The reactive seems to be what any raider would want overnight, now not only you benefit the team when Group Acceleration is active, but every time a turn ends; if the speed increase mechanism is still going on, the whole team gets a heal right off the bat by 15% of their maximum health respectively. This ain’t gonna help much on flocks on your team, but for anything that’s with Tuoramoloch at that time, would surely find it beneficial.

• Ferocious Defense is now a priority move and now deals bleed damage on 34% of the opponent’s max health for 2 turns
• Added Swap In Invincibility 
• Immobilize now attacks 1.5X on the opponent
• Added No Escape Strike
• Health increased from 4200 to 4380
• Attack increased from 1250 to 1400
• DOT resistance increased from 0% to 33%
• 75% stun resistance becomes stun immunity
• Rend resistance increased from 0% to 75%

Like Tuoramoloch, Grypolyth has been one of the worst Uniques, to the point of even being worse than some Epics and Legendaries. However, now it may see a resurgence from these updated abilities.

Ferocious Defense has never been a very good move to be honest, but now paired with some bleed for 2 turns really retains the potential for a crocodilian. This, while being paired up with Immobilize and No Escape Strike, from its big brother Imperatosuchus would now help it even further from lockdowns.

Speaking of Immobilize, it’s now also an attack option for Grypolyth as well! We aren’t sure whether this move also applies to other creatures that use Immobilize, but if it does, then many would be benefitted for sure.

Swap In Invincibility is also niche for any Pantherator users coming in for a huge hit with a double stacked hunt, especially when this croc now has an increased bleed and rend resistance! Stun immunity is also very good to have, especially in a meta where half of the creatures have stun abilities.

Overall, Grypolyth in my opinion, now is if not at least way better than it was before. Despite all that, the flip side of the coin that may prevent it from entering meta teams is that it still lacks group attacks. At least it isn’t too reliant on rend now.

• Defense Shattering Rampage becomes Group Shattering Rampage
• Added Distracting Team Heal
• Health increased from 4500 to 4750
• Speed increased from 109 to 117
• Armour increased from 0% to 15%
• DOT resistance increased from 0% to 50%
• Damage reduction resistance increased from 0% to 50%

Once again back with Tenontorex, as this update seems to be a minor one, or at least a little more improvement to what it was before.

Immediately you’ve received Group Shattering Rampage along with your already humongous damage stat, chances are that it’ll probably wreck flocks without dodge. Yep, probably to Dsungascorpios in Unique tournaments. Distraction ain’t gonna work too much on that hit, cause it’s gained more resistance from before.

Again inherited from Diloracherius is Distracting Team Heal. With this enormous 2X heal on this Wildcard hadrosaur, it would surely come in handy in raids. This, especially with an increased speed stat that looks to be chasing on a priority level of buff.

Like the above buffs before, it has also gained bleed resistance. Makes me wonder whether this was JamCity’s mission to have this guy to counter Dsungascoprios in the most possible way.

Overall, pretty niche for a creature that has seen better days in the meta, but could still make the most out of its kit. Aviary players will be in shivers once this thing makes a comeback, especially with it’s already high, previously mentioned damage stat.

• Revenge Nullifying Rampage now has a delay of 0 when revenge isn’t active, and a cool-down of 1 when revenge is active
• Group Instant Distraction becomes Group Disabling Impact
• Added Distracting Counter
• Health increased from 4500 to 4800
• Armour increased from 0% to 5%

This cunning dealer is perhaps back from the dead.

Despite having a raid so hard and mighty, Gorgotrebax isn’t really the same as its raid counterpart. **Inserts the boss when you fight them and when you unlock them meme**

But with Revenge Nullifying Rampage getting a delay of 0 when there’s no revenge coming up, this thing could now deal a turn 1 Nullifying Rampage immediately. When revenge is active, be prepared for a calm before the storm, as Gorgotrebax could really do some huge damage.

Group Disabling Impact seems like a major upgrade to Group Instant Distraction, but let’s hope it doesn’t backfire like Mortem Rex’s Afflicting Lockdown Impact.

Just like Mortem Rex, it has a slight increase of health and armour. For that, I don’t think it'll come in handy for the moment, but hey, 5% is better than nothing, right?

So overall speaking, Gorgotrebax can now be a more viable choice for Apex starters for sure. 

• Resilient Strike becomes Group Resilient Strike

Ah, Ceramagnus, here we meet again. As if the buff earlier on wasn’t enough to make it back to the meta, this one surely wouldn’t.

This very minor buff for me, might be better than what Resilient Strike was to Cunnings, but isn’t really gonna be very useful against flocks that focus on fierce moves. In the main meta, Thylos is the quicker creature to begin with, and I genuinely believe even Dsungascoprios could do some damage already when Shattering Antidote does a full cleanse.

So, will it claim its rightful place back in the meta? It’ll probably still be a no-go.

• Decelerating Impact becomes Shielded Decelerating Impact
• Rampage becomes Resilient Rampage
• Resilient Strike becomes Protective Advance
• Attack increased from 1350 to 1450
• Armour increased from 0% to 10%

Initially the worst of them all, but now Hadros Lux seems to have a major upgrade to its current abilities.

Sure this buff is similar to Ceramagnus’ earlier buff a few updates ago, but Hadros Lux now has a priority move that increases its armour and gains a shield to begin with. At least better than being a punching bag always, because it now has a chance to stick around for more damage with shields.

Still, I believe Resilient Rampage as a buff isn’t the best choice here. Why not Resilient Group Rampage?

An increase in armour ain’t really the clearest choice here, cause you know, the meta is still practically filled with a variety of fierces with rend and huge damage stats to begin with, so Hadros Lux ain’t gonna help much in the current meta.

However, whether it’s worth getting or not, is the question on whether you think it’s a worthwhile choice to spend on?

• Swap In Ferocious Strike’s damage increase component has been reduced from 50% to 34%
• Attack decreased from 1550 to 1450

Top players be dropping Pteranokyrie in the meta in favour for Skoonametrodon, this slight nerf on this northern pterosaur might further make its place in the meta as if it’s skating on thin ice.

Swap In Ferocious Strike has been a gimmick for setups for this aerial terror, but now, a decreased attack on the swap in isn’t the main problem, as the attack damage output has also been decreased to 1450.

From what we observe on Kyrie’s position in the meta now, Thylos, Pyrorixis, Atrocimoloch and Skoonemetrodon can all beat it.

So, with this slight nerf, we think that it may further have its usage dropped even further. But will it see a return? We may have to see whether its enhancement can make a change.

Besides buffs and nerfs from 12 different creatures, we’re glad to see the rest of the Apex roster recieving new enhancements as well! For now we have no idea what enhancements are featured for these creatures, but serms that the patch notes have gave us some information on which Apexes are getting new enhancements. Stay tuned for more updates on their enhancements list and how they would behave.

Creature List: 

• Alacranix
• Gorgotrebax
• Ceramagnus
• Geminideus
• Refrenantem
• Imperatosuchus
• Indonemys
• Hadros Lux
• Hydra Boa
• Pteranokyrie

Those are all the new creature adjustments of update 3.4.

To conclude this, I’m relatively glad that some of the earlier and underused Unique hybrids, as well as some outdated Apex hybrids are getting some love as some of them received well-deserved buffs.

For instance, I’m most excited to see Megalosuchus getting some widespread usage in Legendary tournaments, Magnapyritor with its brand new impact named after itself; perhaps seeing the return of Gorgotrebax in PvPs and Tuoramoloch in raid strats. Let’s hope to see these fresh new faces being reintroduced again to be used properly.

What’s your favourite creature adjustment in this update? Join the GamePress Discord server and let us know in the comments!

Thanks for reading and have fun playing!