[Warframe Concept] Zauron, the Primordial Predator (Dinosaur-themed Warframe)

[KaffeRausch]

A warframe that changes its shape more than Equinox would be a real novelty in the game, or even more variety than Titania in its fairy / archwing form


Since the pictures remind me of the Lizardmen from Warhammer and they get along well with the Amazons after the lore, I would have a suggestion for these two forms of mechanics.

The humanoid form is an amazon for long-range combat,
The dino shape is for close combat.


The problem here will probably be that the class / warframe can do too much.


I think the basic idea of turning a warframe into a dino, wolf or other animal is good.

[KaffeRausch]

I have to write it in the Google translator, I hope he translates some of it.

I had long considered how this Warframe could become playable.

 

Possible Relise weapons:
The matching weapons should come to your Dino / Saurus Warframe for the actual Relise, Digital Extremes definitely wants to sell more in a Warframe Platinum Package.
Since in many old films a cliché dominated Stone Age people would have encountered Dinosaurs, I would be for variety and silence for Stone Age weapons.

Possible primary weapon, javelins:
Take a look at [Javlok], [Ferrox] or [Scourge], since it is obvious that you can use throwing weapons next to your bow and crossbow?
You could use the same ammunition, so quiver with javelins.

Possible secondary weapon, slingshot:
We have [Despair], [Hikou], [Kunai] as throwing weapons that do cut and puncture damage, what is missing would be really silent weapons with impact damage.

Possible melee weapon, blade & whip:
I wanted to suggest a machete with impact damage first, but a blade & whip would be a lot cooler.
So a blade & whip that looks like a dinosaur head with a spiked tail, this weapon could cause the most damage and cut through teeth and spikes.

 

Dino shape = a lot of work:
Unfortunately I'm afraid DE does not want to make the effort to make a complete move set of melee attacks, only for this dino (unless they do animals and guards in this form in addition to the dino warframe).
What is worse is that everything that is not in humanoid form and has a long neck or tail, bends and slips through all the walls and doors.


The big question about the lore:
How or why do you make a Warframe with Dino DNA?
The best answer would be "It is made up of bird and reptile DNA to create one of the worst predators on the planet", something that should serve as a pet alongside Kubrow or Kavat has been converted into a warframe.

 

The Warframe must be clearly different from the other:
Ivara, Mesa, Wukong, Valkyre and Exkalibur also have the option of modding their Ulti weapon, with all melee weapons I would almost be a shotgun as Ulti but that doesn't make much sense with your dino.
It will probably do more cut and puncture damage in dino form.

I have long considered what kind of mechanics would have to come so that the Warframe Game-Mechanical can survive and also have a unique right to exist.
I found the answer in Hildryn Schild mechanik, We give the Dino Warframe the ability to get over 100% life!
Because the Waframe has to get extra life, which it can quickly lose, it will be very aggressive to play and modds like [Lebenskraft] and / or [Life Strike] will be more interesting.

 

The possible impact of the extra life mechanics
- [Eat or Eat]: at 101% -200% life = 101% -200% more damage, so the opposite of Garuda.
- [Hunger Satisfied]: Uses extra life as energy for other abilities, something similar to Nidus.
- [Forever Chosen Hunter: At 99% -50% health, he gets a bonus on armor, at 101% -200%, some of his abilities become stronger.
- [Awaken Monster]: Similar to the druid that is supposed to come in Diablo 4, sooner or later you change when you use the skills, the effect then depends on how much extra life you have.


Regarding the possible capabilities that I suggest (includes that we only have an extra raptor and do not become the same size as a T-Rex):

[Cold blood]:
Opponents in ?? Meters get a chance of ?? to get a cold status effect.
This should ensure that you have more chances of survival.

[Flankenengriff]
Should be similar to the ATLAS / landslide or Excalibur / sword thrust, only you become invisible and jump from enemy to enemy.

[Compy calls]
Summons phantoms of little dinosaurs to disarm opponents, I find Mesa's whip so funny that I would like a second time.

I wanted to come up with more ideas, I'm not sure if they fit a Dino Warframe in a sci-fi set.

[Staculus]

dude this look really good i really hope DE sees this

[(PSN)chris1pat8twins]

On 2019-04-22 at 7:59 AM, NecrisC said:

Who doesn't love dinos?! we need some dinos in warframe!! check out this awesome concept, leave a comment, and follow the conversation. 

This Section contains the artistic references that were used to design Zauron-

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Zauron has two forms. His base form: "Raptor", and his "ultimate" form: "Tyrant". His overall design, is heavily inspired by predatory therapod dinosaurs, and thus would have a less human appearance, compared to other warframes. I imagine him looking kind of like a dinosaur-human hybrid; with a mouth, full of sharp teeth, talon-like hands, a true tail (unlike Chroma), and digitigrade legs with avian/dinosaur like posture and movements. Also, sickle claws. 

Do note, that while Zauron may be primarily designed with the "Raptor" and "Tyrant" dynamic in mind. He does not have to take all elements of his design from Dromeosaurs and Tyrannosaurs, exclusively. I would certainly like to see his design incorporate elements from other predatory dinosaurs; such as Ceratosaurus, Allosaurus, and Carnotaurus. And perhaps some aspects his design, can come from some types of herbivores. Like Hadrosaurs, and Ceratopsians.

Here's some design references-

 

Something like this, but with slightly less Quasimodo, and more elf-like athletic litheness.

 Wouldn't be against some Xenomorph-like elements in the design, because this is sci-fi with space-wizard-cyborg-ninjas after all. A little bit of a bio-mechanical vibe wouldn't hurt.

 

Yeah, I know it's gay anime crap (literally), but the fusion of humanoid and dinosaur physiology is still relevant.

I absolutely adore this design. I think the overall design is kinda what I'm going for, and would probably fit with the in-game universe pretty well. Even though, Zauron would obviously be more inspired by T-rex and raptors. Also.... glowey bits.

In his "Raptor" form. I imagine him being like a more muscular Nezha. With a slender (be it, a bit androgynous) but athletic appearance, with physical traits akin to various raptor dinosaurs. He should also have feathers incorporated into his design, if at all possible. He would probably be among the smaller Frames in this form.

As his "Tyrant" form. Zauron, obviously, would be way bigger (like double or triple his original height) and beefier. With broader shoulders, and more muscle. Taking on a likeness akin to a therapod dinosaur. In this form, he would easily dwarf the tallest of his comrades. Actually, screw it. He just, straight-up,turns into a large therapod dinosaur. With elements of his "Raptor" form, mixed in.

Remember, this is a warframe. So referencing, and keeping in-line with, the designs and aesthetics of the universe is important.

This Section is for anybody interested in seeing the preliminary artwork-

Raptor-

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Tyrant-

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Zauron, The Primordial Predator.  Stalk your foes and consume their flesh as a fearsome carnivorous hunter, inspired by beasts of millennia long forgotten. Zauron is designed to be a stealthy, mobile, and deadly solitary-hunter. With a kit that revolves around stalking and devouring his enemies. Then finally, unleashing his true strength, after sufficiently filling his belly.

Zauron is acually meant to be smaller than most other frames (Closer to Nezha, in height). The artwork doesn't really represent this very well.

Raptor Form Stats-

Health- 125 (425 at rank 30)

Shields- 80 (320 at rank 30)

Armor- 200

Energy- 200 (400 at Rank 30)

Sprint Speed- 1.25

Raptor Form Passive- Thanks to his lithe, lightweight form and athletic musculature. Zauron has the ability to bound and acrobatically maneuver through the air, to cover great distances with incredible precision. While also being able to hunt with silent prowess. But is dependent on his biological Metabolism to power his lethal capabilities.

In terms of gameplay. Zauron has double jump height and jump distance. And will jump higher and farther, for as long as the space bar is held, maxing out at the top of his jump (if you have ever played the raptor in Primal Carnage, you probably have a good idea of how this will work). He also, has far greater control of his movement in the air, being able to change and even reverse his trajectory more efficiently (making him the ideal Frame for platforming). -Think of him as a faster, and less floaty, version of zephyr.

In addition, all enemies detect Zauron at half the normal range.

This makes Zauron, a vastly more improved version of Zephyr. With some stealth capabilities. -In my defense, Zephyr had a pretty weak passive already. Plus, copy and pasting a passive would be pretty boring, so why not add in some cool mechanics too.

Zauron can eat enemy corpses, by pressing the "Interact" button, consuming it for 10/25/35/50 Energy. But cannot use Energy orbs. He also starts all missions with a flat 100 energy, regardless of rank or max energy.

Zauron also has access to his fourth ability at level 1.

First Raptor Ability- Skulk   Cost- 10 Energy

Zauron sniffs the air, in search of prey. All enemies and loot, within a 15/22/28/35 m radius, are highlighted and visible through walls and obstacles, for 10/15/20/25 secs. Zauron is also turned invisible, after the ability is cast. This effect lasts for 5/6/9/10 secs, or until Zauron uses an ability, or either takes or deals damage.This ability has no cool down, but takes 2 secs to cast, and can be cast on the move. This ability is silent. -He literally sniffs the air. And turns invisible. This does not affect radar.

First Ability Augment- N/A.

Second Raptor Ability- Pounce   Cost- 25 Energy

Pressing and holding the ability button. Zauron launches himself at 150% of his sprint speed, grappleing one enemy in his path (popping shields), and carrying them as he flies through the air. Propelling to a distance of 10/14/16/30 m, or until he collides with a wall, obstacle, additional enemy, lands, or the ability button is released. Zauron can disengage this ability at any point by bullet jumping, or jumping off a pounced target, in midair or on the ground. Jumping/ Falling physics is reapplied after reaching the ability's max range, or after the ability button is released, allowing this ability to be arched. Zauron can still grapple a target until he touches the ground, or bullet jumps. Zauron stuns enemies within 8/12/16/20 m, for 5 secs, when he lands. 

Upon landing on the ground, Zauron will then proceed to pin-down, and bite chunks out of his captured prey (shields are disabled). Dealing a flat 10%/15%/20%/30% of it's max health as damage, ignoring armor, for every second he holds the target down. 50% of the consumed health, is converted to Energy. This continues, until the target dies, or until the ability is disengaged. This ability is silent, but muffled noise is generated for every second a target is pinned, and has no cooldown.

Second Ability Augment- Metabolic Regeneration

Zauron heals for 30%/40%/50% of energy gained. In addition, Zauron will passively regenerate missing health at the cost of Energy, at a rate of 3->3/2->4/1->5 every 1 sec.

Third Raptor Ability- Crow   Cost- 50 energy

Zauron lets out a shrill, ear-drum bursting call. Zauron creates, and channels, an area of effect, for 3 secs. During this, Zauron is free to move. All enemies, within a 4/6/8/10 m area around him, are stunned for a short duration. And all enemies within half that distance, are rendered permanently deaf. This ability is alarming, and has no cooldown.

Third Ability Augment- Primal Frenzy

Upon casting Crow. Zauron, and any teammates within 10/15/20 m, receive a 20%/30%/60% attack speed buff for 15/25/35 secs, functioning similarly to Berserk. Primal Frenzy will not proc again until the previous buff has timed out. Primal Frenzy stacks with Berserk, and other attack speed mods and buffs.

Fourth Raptor Ability- Tyrant   Cost- 100 Energy

Upon sating his hunger. Zauron transforms into his "Tyrant" form. Increasing in size and strength. Zauron must be in a large enough area, in order to use Tyrant. He also undergoes a transformation sequence, this is entirely cosmetic. This ability has a cooldown of 15 sec.

Fourth Ability Augment- Apex Predator

Enemies are frozen in fear, at the sight of the Tyrant. Upon seeing Zauron in his Tyrant Form, Enemies are unable to move for 3/6/9 secs. And have their melee attack speeds and ranged accuracy reduced by 10%/20%/30% for as long as he is in their field of vision. They may also, sometimes, fumble their reloads.

Tyrant Form Stats-

Health- 400 (2000 at rank 30)

Shield- 100 (400 at rank 30)

Armor- 500

Energy- 400 (600 at rank 30)

Sprint Speed- 0.9

Tyrant Form Passive- Because of his massive size, Zauron's movement is slowed, and has lost his ability too jump, and his footsteps can now be heard from several meters away. But, what he has lost in lethal grace and stealth, he has gained in sheer destructive power and endurance. Crushing foes under foot, and shrugging off blows that would have stopped any other frame in their tracks, there is little that can stand in the Tyrant's way.

From a gameplay perspective, Zauron's Tyrant form is immune to stuns and knockbacks. And only winces at knockdowns. This, all the while passively dealing trample damage to enemies he walks on top of. But at the same time, his Tyrant Form also passively produces alarming noise while moving. And due to his size, and inability to jump. Zauron can step over most obstructions, but must climb up low cliff faces, and find alternative routes. He also has a *gulp* Turning Circle. In his Tyrant form, Zauron also loses use of his weapons, as well as equipable gear. On top of it's initial Energy cost, Tyrant will drain Zauron's Energy, at a rate of 4 Energy per sec. Once Zauron's energy hits 0, he is returned to his Raptor form automatically. His turn radius, while present, isn't actually that bad.

He can still eat corpses.

Tyrant Form is also immune to Nullifiers, but it's abilities are not, and they increase his passive energy drain, for as long as they are active.

Tyrant Form Weapons- (use melee mods)

Primary Attack- Rending Maw 

Attack Speed- 1.00

Damage- Total/500, Slash/150, Puncture/250, Impact/100

Crit Chance/Multiplier- 20%/x3

Status Chance- 10%

Attack Area- Short Reach(Front)/Small AoE

Weapon Passive: Zauron rakes and bites chunks out of his enemies, with his powerful jaws. 25% of damage to enemy health, is converted to Energy.

Finisher: Zauron chomps down, and devours, an enemy whole. converting 50% it's remaining health into energy.

Secondary Attack- Tail Whip

Attack Speed- 0.80

Damage- Total/500, Slash:100/Puncture:100/Impact:300

Crit Chance/Multiplier- 10%/x2

Status Chance- 15%

Attack Area- Long Reach(Behind)/Large AoE

Weapon Passive: None

Finisher: None

Passive Attack- Trample

Attack Speed- 1.50

Damage- Total:150, Slash:50/Puncture:50/Impact:50

Crit Chance/Multiplier- 5%/x1.5

Status Chance- 30%

Attack Area- On Contact/While Moving

Weapon Passive: None

Finisher: None

Weapon Stance- Carnal Thunder

Combining Tenno martial prowess, and the primordial fury and physical might of the Tyrant. This stance offers a more complex, graceful, and disciplined approach to the beast's rampage.

First Tyrant Ability- Tyrant Stomp Cost- 20 Energy

In a display of ancient might, Zauron Stomps his foot. Creating a shockwave; that stuns, ragdolls, and damages enemies for 100/300/500/700 blast damage within a 10/15/20/25 m radius. This ability is Alarming, and has no cooldown.

Second Tyrant Ability- Stampede Cost-  5/4/3/2 energy per sec

Pressing and holding the ability button. Zauron charges forward at 110% of his sprint speed. Dealing trample damage, and Ragdolling enemies, while stunning enemies who are already ragdolled, that he runs into. Building up speed and momentum, for as long as the ability is held, up to a max of 200% of his sprint speed. If Zauron crashes into a wall, or a very large enemy (Thumpers, Eidolons,and Orb Mothers) both he and the enemy, will be staggered or stunned by the impact, while dealing his momentum as impact damage to the enemy. These effects are dependent on how fast he was moving. When the ability is released, Zauron will stop running, but will move forward progressively slower for a minuscule distance, dissipating his momentum (use with Caution). Stampede also widens his turn radius, why? Because inertia. This ability is alarming, and has a 10/8/7/5 sec cooldown.

Third Tyrant Ability- Broadcast Cost- 50 Energy

Zauron unleashes a bellowing primeval roar. Causing enemies to panic with confusion, hide behind cover, and run in terror for 5/10/15/20 secs. Zauron, and his allies, also receive a 20%/30%/40%/50% sprint speed and damage buff for 15/20/25/30 secs. This ability is VERY LOUD, and effects all characters who hear it. This ability has a 20 sec cooldown.

Fourth Tyrant Ability- Raptor Cost- 0 Energy

Zauron returns to his Raptor form. Conserving energy, and opening up areas and paths that would be inaccessible otherwise. Additionally, the cost of tyrant is reduced by 50%, for 10 secs. 

Got some better ideas, critiques, or suggestions? I'll be happy to hear them.

Video Response-

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Rahetalius' Video was very informative. And, I especially appreciate getting some much needed feed back, from a Youtuber I very much enjoy watching. I don't really have much else too say, so I will simply reiterate my comments from the video:

 

Zauron's Raptor form was originally meant to have:

Slightly above average health

Average armor

Below average shields

High energy

And basically the warframe incarnation of a certain hedgehog

Zauron was never meant to be a tank in his raptor form. His stats just seem a bit skewed because I don't know what the stat averages are. Zauron's raptor form, is meant to be a melee assassin type, with high single target damage. His kit is meant to revolve around quickly eliminating single/high-priority targets, and building up energy to eventually turn into his tyrant form, which is meant to be a tanky dino-godmode, without being entirely invincible.

First ability, is a detection+stealth combo, pretty self explanatory.

Second ability is a pounce/abduct ability, allowing him to single out and pin down a target, then eliminate that target as quickly and efficiently as possible. with some (while admittedly a bit convoluted) movement mechanics, this was meant to be his most versatile and "fun" ability overall, due to the fact that his kit and play style felt extremely focused at the time. This abilities augment was meant to improve Zauron's survivablity, as I was actually afraid he would be a little too weak against crowds of enemies.

Third ability is meant to be a straight forward "OH S#&$" button. Giving him a somewhat reliable get-out-of-jail free card, in a bad situation. But with the addition of it's augment, It could also act as a decent squad buff, giving him some good early team-play.

Zauron is meant to feel like a glass cannon solitary hunter, that while starting off weak, will quickly build up into an imposing force of nature that few obstacles can stop.

Raptor -> T-Rex

 

First off I’m gonna explain a little math. For most frames the health and shields are 3x at max while the energy is 1.5x at max. Exceptions are like Inaros who has no shields so his health is 4x maxed. And hildryn who has no energy but uses shields so hers is 3.5x maxed(which is the addition of the 2 multiplications).

So if the energy is at 200 rank 0, then maxed rank it will be 300. If shields are 80, then max rank will be 240. Get the picture? Good.

For his stats I could see him having a bit more health and armor compared to most frames due to dinosaurs being super tough. And based on movies and such they have a lot of stamina so I could see him with 300 energy max unless DE decided to go higher.

Next another idea for the appearance could be Grimlock from tranformers(live action). He had an anthropomorphic T-Rex form that could assist with the warframe’s. 

Now abilities could be some what complicated. From what I’ve heard, dinosaurs can’t handle the cold so maybe he could have low shields at first and then sacrifices them for larger health in his alternate form? Since shields are weak to cold.

Passive could be like a chance to scare enemies off if they get too close.

I could see him having an ability where he warms up the surrounding area that reduces enemy accuracy while increasing his shields and/or armor? 

Due to dinosaurs have all sorts of offensive and defensive abilities, I could see him being able to create a defensive barrier but only in front of him(range helps a little) and can buff up specifically melee damage like adding more puncture/slash/impact damage depending on the switch. Like Ivara’s first ability or vauban’s second, he could switch between the different physical buffs. 

Now I can picture a stampede but not like that. More like he literally runs them over. As in they fall down and he continues to stomp on them. Or be like a slower Gauss in a way to knock enemies straight to the ground but if turned around and done again, he inflicts damage by stomping over them as he charges by. Since he would be running with so much weight, jumping, sliding, won’t be possible though he could still turn better than Gauss. If used with the ability above then enemies would take addition damage when he charges them. 

I could see a Roar but I was picturing more he stuns them by roaring so loud into their ears. Which makes them temporary deaf. While buffing his armor. But only affects those in front of him.

Kind of picturing him taking on a giant ferocious form where he goes berserk on the enemies. Completely gnawing on them. Abilities could be slightly changed like for him to utilize all 3 physical damage buffs. Being able to roar while running. Being able to launch onto a nearby enemy and just eat away. Passive ability could cause enemies to be terrified of him so they always keep a distance. Maybe could channel the heat build up into a single long range torch or flare to catch enemies on fire. Etc.

Could see him having an environmental buff/debuff where cold/ice areas weaken his armor and shields while warm desert looking areas buffs them up. 

That’s about it on the abilities. His quest I could see being part of the plains where Vay Hek discover dinosaur fossils and such tries to clone them for his army which the Tenno have to prevent. Destroying dig sites and drills. Maybe we encounter this frame slumbering and we wake him. Which causes him to panic and attack everything. His parts could be scattered where mining or some new excavation mission has a chance to drop one of his parts. 

That’s my basic idea of it. 

[(PSN)Okamibanshu22]

ya know...while i think this would never happen, i want it so bad lol

[KaffeRausch]

The lore idea:

I like Chris' idea with "Vay Hek discover dinosaur fossils".
Just as time can be manipulated on Luna spy ash missions, dinosaur remains can be manipulated so far with void that you can get useful DNA.

 

Unfortunately I still see three problems in the implementation:

First of all, the Dino Warframe must not become too strong, should it be a tank, a DD or something in between.
The present depictions make him look too strong, especially if he can do anything by changing the design.

Secondly, the body shape, a whole T-Rex will probably not fit in the Tenno equipment menu.
The body shape in the levels is still worse, so I'm still afraid that if the Warframe comes, it will only get a smaller raptor.

The dino will hardly use ranged weapons?
If such corpus enemies come with their anti spell bladder it could be difficult.

 

Shields, Energy, Armor, Life, Speed:

I had thought more here that the Dino consumes energy through its two first abilities, stabled in the Warframe with three abilities, and then used the extra life for the rest of the abilities.
Therefore here * only * 100/150 energy.

Run speed only at 1.25 or 1.3, so that it does not become as fast as Gauss but you still have the feeling "It is a predator"

In life, I would suggest 150/450 because it should endure.
If the extra life mechanics actually come, he will need it.

As with Grendel with his 25/75, I would almost neglect shields, such a * technology * with a dino?

For armor I would suggest 300 what should be a 50% reduction, with mods like [Armored Agility], [Gladiator Aegis] and [Steel Fiber] that will be 75% reduction.
One would be quickly at 1800 lives, with extra life mechanics 3600.

My idea was "He has to kill and thus maintain his extra life, otherwise he lacks the opportunity to survive with his special abilities", but whether this can be implemented.

 

I still hope DE would work on something like that would be cool.

 

[skyrit33]

I get you up I find the concept incredible just congratulations I want it in games🦖

[Matheoryon]

But we already have chroma.

[Bhaltair]

Well, the Tyrant form's head could be less canine-like. I like the sketch version on the upper right corner than the base design.
That and body type B might work a little better imo

Edited May 5, 2021 by Bhaltair
Minor

[cabralion]

love this, got into warframe a few months ago and as avid dinosaur lover i'd love to see this concept in the game!!!

[(XBOX)DismissedLemon]

I actually like this design and the mechanic of it. Especially since there's very little animal type warframe even though we're having a werewolf warframe coming to duviri. I have some thoughts on it Especially with attacks. Even though he won't use weapons when he transforms to his tyrant form perhaps substitute his range weapon to a void fire breath like grimlock. And perhaps increase it's tyrant size a bit like an inch more since Necramechs are apparently a bit taller than him and they're able to squeeze right onto the halls

Edited October 20, 2022 by (XBOX)DismissedLemon