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Thorny Dragon
Thorny Dragon
Steam 246.0
Sep 1, 2016
Xbox One 739.3
Sep 1, 2016
PS 501.0
Dec 6, 2016


Epic Games 311.74
Jun 11, 2020
Stadia 678.15
Sep 1, 2021
Spawn Command
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/ScorchedEarth/Dinos/SpineyLizard/SpineyLizard_Character_BP.SpineyLizard_Character_BP'" 500 0 0 35
Variant Thorny Dragon (Gauntlet)
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Gauntlet_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/Genesis/Dinos/MissionVariants/Gauntlet/Volcanic/SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Gauntlet.SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Gauntlet'" 500 0 0 35
Variant Thorny Dragon (Retrieve)
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Retrieve_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/Genesis/Dinos/MissionVariants/Retrieve/Volcanic/SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Retrieve.SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Retrieve'" 500 0 0 35
Variant Thorny Dragon (Summoned)
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Summoned_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/Genesis2/Dinos/Summoner/SummonedDinos/SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Summoned.SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Summoned'" 500 0 0 35
Variant Thorny Dragon (Hunt2)
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Hunt_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/Genesis2/Missions/Hunt/Dinos/SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Hunt.SpineyLizard_Character_BP_Hunt'" 500 0 0 35
Variant Thorny Dragon (Gauntlet2)
cheat summon SpineyLizard_Character_BP_STA_C
or
cheat SpawnDino "Blueprint'/Game/Genesis2/Missions/ModularMission/Gauntlet2/STA/Dinos/SpineyLizard_Character_BP_STA.SpineyLizard_Character_BP_STA'" 500 0 0 35
Taming Method
Preferred Kibble
Preferred Food
Equipment
Thorny Dragon Saddle (Scorched Earth) Thorny Dragon Saddle (Scorched Earth) (Level ?)
22 - 28 °C / 72 - 82 °F
Egg Incubator (Genesis Part 2) Egg Incubator: 25 °C / 77 °F
Incubation Time
2h 29m 59.28s
Baby Time
4h 52m 23.859s
Juvenile Time
19h 29m 35.438s
Adolescent Time
1d 21m 59.297s
Total Maturation Time
2d 43m 58.594s
Breeding Interval
18h - 2d
Habitat

The Thorny Dragon is one of the Creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved. This creature can be found in Scorched Earth, the southern parts of Ragnarok, the southeastern area of Extinction, the volcanic region of Genesis: Part 1 and the desert area of Crystal Isles and Lost Island.

Basic Info[]

Dossier[]

This section is intended to be an exact copy of what the survivor Helena Walker, the author of the dossiers, has written. There may be some discrepancies between this text and the in-game creature.

NoteHelena
Species

Moloch sagittarius

Time

Holocene

Diet

Carnivore

Temperament

Aggressive

Wild

Though survivors have come to call these gargantuan reptiles Spiny Lizards, I believe that Moloch sagittarius' closest known relative is the Australian Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus). Besides the obvious gap in size, most of the differences between Moloch sagittarius and its smaller relative lie in its thorns. Instead of being permanent parts of its skin, Moloch sagittarius' thorns are more like spines or quills that can be removed and regrown. In fact, it is even capable of shooting these spines from its tail as a method of self defense, and examination of these projectiles has revealed that they are coated in a lethal poison.

Domesticated

Despite its dangerous spines, Moloch sagittarius has proven to be an excellent mount for indirect combat. Its ranged attacks can wreak havoc in a pitched battle, particularly if other creatures are taking the enemy's attention. Additionally, Moloch sagittarius is able to gather wood rather effectively, making it more than just an option for combat. Once saddled it can be used as a workbench, allowing for a mobile crafting station.

Behavior[]

Aggressive when approached. Attacks smaller creatures that venture too close, but will ignore other carnivores. It has a standard bite attack, and a secondary ranged attack where it launches several tail quills at its prey. These quills have a small amount of Torpor effect to them as well as dealing damage. The ranged attack drains a good amount of Stamina when used.

Appearance[]

A lot like the modern day horned lizard, although much larger and bulkier. Also seems to have quills like a porcupine alongside its scales.

Color Scheme and Regions[]

This section displays the Thorny Dragon's natural colors and regions. For demonstration, the regions below are colored red over an albino Thorny Dragon. The colored squares shown underneath each region's description are the colors that the Thorny Dragon will randomly spawn with to provide an overall range of its natural color scheme. Hover your cursor over a color to display its name and ID.

This information can be used to alter the Thorny Dragon's regions by entering cheat SetTargetDinoColor <ColorRegion> <ColorID> in the cheat console. For instance, cheat SetTargetDinoColor 0 6 would color the Thorny Dragon's "mid-section and legs" magenta.

Thorny Dragon PaintRegion0
Region 0:
Mid-section and Legs
8
13
14
21
22
32
33
34
34
37
38
39
Thorny Dragon PaintRegion1
Region 1:
Quills
8
13
14
21
22
32
33
34
34
37
38
39
Thorny Dragon PaintRegion2
Region 2:
Belly
8
13
14
21
22
32
33
34
34
37
38
39
X mark

Region 3 is not used
for this Creature.

Thorny Dragon PaintRegion4
Region 4:
Top
8
13
14
21
22
32
33
34
34
37
38
39
Thorny Dragon PaintRegion5
Region 5:
Underside
8
13
14
21
22
32
33
34
34
37
38
39

Drops[]

Base Stats and Growth[]

Attribute Base Value Level Increase Taming Bonus
Wild Tamed Additive Multiplicative
Health Health 260 +52 +5.4% 0.0924
Stamina Stamina 350 +35 +10%
Oxygen Oxygen 150 +15 +10%
Food Food 1200 +120 +10% 15%
Weight Weight 300 +6 +4%
Melee Damage Melee Damage 40 / 10 +2 / +0.5 +1.7% 5.6% 15.4%
Movement Speed Movement Speed 100% N/A +1% 30%
Torpidity Torpidity 450 +27 N/A 0.5
Movement
[u/s]
Base Speed Sprinting Speed Stamina
Wild Tamed1 Tamed2 Wild Tamed1 Tamed2
Walking 245 ? ? 693.84 588 764.4 10
Swimming 300 ? ? ? ? ? ?
  • 1These are the base speeds of the creature at 100% Movement Speed.
  • 2These are the speeds of the creature tamed and non-imprinted.
  • For a comparison of the speeds of all creatures, see Base Creature Speeds.
Attack Values
Claws Stamina Cost Attack Range Description
Base Minimum Activation Using the Left Mousebutton (PC), R2 Button (PS), RT Button (Xbox One), the Thorny Dragon swipes at the target.
5 470 0 0
Attack Type Damage Projectile Values Torpor Values Status Effect: Stamina Status Effect: Torpidity
Life Impulse Radius Base Mult Duration Damage Mult Amount Duration Damage Mult Amount
Melee 40
Tail Needles Stamina Cost Attack Range Description
Base Minimum Activation
120 4000 0 4500
Attack Type Damage Projectile Values Torpor Values Status Effect: Stamina Status Effect: Torpidity
Life Impulse Radius Base Mult Duration Damage Mult Amount Duration Damage Mult Amount
Melee 10
Projectile Impact 1 2.6 100 4 4 5 1.5 1.5

Wild Stats Level-up

Type in values of a wild creature to see on which stats it's emphasized. Green values on a high-level creature are very good for breeding. If you have already tamed your creature you can try to recover the breeding stats with an external tool.[1]

Thorny Dragon

The stat-calculator does not work in the mobile-view, see here for alternatives: Apps

Note that after the creature is tamed it gets bonuses on some stats depending on the taming effectiveness. This makes it hard to retrieve the levels on a tamed creature, so this tool is only for wild ones, but gives a first impression, how well the stats are distributed.

Combat[]

General[]

They are passive unless you get quite close, or attack them. Generally, it starts attacking by shooting thorns if there is enough distance before charging towards you. The ranged attack does 0 damage per spike, but when hit, your torpidity begins rapidly increasing. They will attack relentlessly until their torpidity is too high, or their health is too low.

Strategy[]

Seek cover from its ranged attacks and shoot back while keeping your distance

Weaponry[]

Use any kind of ranged tranquilizing weaponry to be able to keep your distance while fighting

Dangers[]

It is faster and stronger than it looks and is able to shoot thorns at you that inflict a tranquilizing effect. You may not be able to back out of a fight at the last second, since it's ranged attack can hit you from quite a distance and will significantly decrease your stamina.

Weakness[]

The tail spike ranged attack can easily be dodged. Despite high level individuals having 1,500-2,000 health, they seem to go down fairly easily.

Taming[]

For general info about domesticating a wild creature see Taming.

KO Strategy[]

An effective method to tame anything that fights back is to stand on a rock and shoot from there. Ducking when you see the ranged attack coming works when you can't move to dodge. It is a bad idea to walk backwards while firing, unless you have plenty movement speed and health, as thorny dragons are faster than most low level players. When the thorny dragon gets low on health it begins running away. Though if you can't keep up you can easily fall off of a cliff, you might want to chase one on a raptor or flying mount

Don't forget to shoot him on the head if possible, because it has the 3x multiplier.

Taming Food[]

Thorny Dragon Level 1 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 2 0 0 0 0:04:00
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 5 0 0 0 0:09:23
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 7 0 0 0 0:13:08
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 10 13 3 2 0:18:44
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 14 38 8 4 0:26:14
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 16 0 0 0 0:15:00
Raw Meat Raw Meat 20 75 16 8 0:37:30
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 33 56 12 6 0:31:48
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 40 75 16 8 0:37:30
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 50 107 22 11 0:46:53
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 99 105 22 11 0:46:25
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 45; Slingshot Hits × 19; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 5; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 3; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 3; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 2
Torpidity-depletion: 0.5 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:15:00
Thorny Dragon Level 30 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 5 0 0 0 0:10:00
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 12 0 0 0 0:22:30
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 15 18 4 2 0:28:08
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 24 101 22 11 0:44:58
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 32 176 38 19 0:59:57
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 37 50 11 6 0:34:42
Raw Meat Raw Meat 47 317 68 34 1:28:08
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 79 257 55 28 1:16:06
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 94 317 68 34 1:28:08
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 118 429 92 46 1:50:38
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 235 427 92 46 1:50:10
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 124; Slingshot Hits × 51; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 14; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 8; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 6; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 3
Torpidity-depletion: 0.84 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:24:44
Thorny Dragon Level 60 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 8 0 0 0 0:16:00
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 19 26 6 3 0:35:38
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 24 83 19 10 0:45:00
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 38 241 54 27 1:11:11
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 50 377 84 42 1:33:39
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 58 139 31 16 0:54:23
Raw Meat Raw Meat 75 661 146 73 2:20:38
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 125 539 119 60 2:00:25
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 150 661 146 73 2:20:38
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 188 877 194 97 2:56:15
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 375 874 193 97 2:55:47
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 205; Slingshot Hits × 84; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 23; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 13; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 10; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 5
Torpidity-depletion: 1.09 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:31:25
Thorny Dragon Level 90 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 11 0 0 0 0:21:59
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 26 86 20 10 0:48:45
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 32 164 37 19 1:00:00
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 51 408 93 47 1:35:32
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 69 640 145 73 2:09:14
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 80 267 61 31 1:15:00
Raw Meat Raw Meat 104 1093 248 124 3:15:00
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 172 891 202 101 2:45:41
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 207 1086 246 123 3:14:04
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 258 1415 321 161 4:01:53
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 516 1415 321 161 4:01:53
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 286; Slingshot Hits × 117; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 32; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 19; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 13; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 7
Torpidity-depletion: 1.32 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:36:16
Thorny Dragon Level 120 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 14 0 0 0 0:27:59
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 33 166 39 20 1:01:53
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 41 279 65 33 1:16:53
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 65 619 144 72 2:01:45
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 88 945 219 110 2:44:50
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 101 414 96 48 1:34:42
Raw Meat Raw Meat 132 1571 364 182 4:07:30
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 219 1295 300 150 3:30:57
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 263 1564 362 181 4:06:34
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 329 2033 471 236 5:08:27
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 657 2029 470 235 5:07:59
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 367; Slingshot Hits × 150; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 41; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 24; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 17; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 9
Torpidity-depletion: 1.53 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:40:04
Thorny Dragon Level 150 Narcoberry Narcotic Bio Toxin Time
Regular Kibble Regular Kibble 16 0 0 0 0:31:59
Raw Mutton Raw Mutton 40 260 62 31 1:15:00
Raw Prime Meat Raw Prime Meat 50 413 98 49 1:33:45
Cooked Lamb Chop Cooked Lamb Chop 79 856 202 101 2:27:58
Cooked Prime Meat Cooked Prime Meat 107 1284 303 152 3:20:25
Raw Prime Fish Meat Raw Prime Fish Meat 123 589 139 70 1:55:19
Raw Meat Raw Meat 160 2098 495 248 5:00:00
Cooked Prime Fish Meat Cooked Prime Fish Meat 266 1740 410 205 4:16:14
Cooked Meat Cooked Meat 319 2090 493 247 4:59:04
Raw Fish Meat Raw Fish Meat 399 2702 637 319 6:14:04
Cooked Fish Meat Cooked Fish Meat 797 2699 636 318 6:13:36
KO: Wooden Club Hits × 448; Slingshot Hits × 183; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Bow × 50; Tranquilizer Arrows with a Crossbow × 29; Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 21; Shocking Tranquilizer Dart Shots × 11
Torpidity-depletion: 1.73 / s, Time until all torpidity is depleted: 00:43:12

Note that the values are for optimal cases, always bring extra supplies!
For a level-dependent count of resources needed, try an external taming calculator.


Preferred Food[]

Utility[]

Roles[]

  • Gatherer: Thorny Dragons gather wood extremely efficiently. (Level up Weight)
  • Transport: Wood, Thatch, Fiber and Stone weigh less while being carried by the Thorny Dragon. Thatch and Fiber weigh only 20% of their usual value (10 kg per, 0.4 kg per, and 0.4 kg per 100 respectively), while Wood and Stone weighs 50% of its usual value (25 kg per 100). (Level up Weight, Stamina)
  • Organic Craftsman: Once saddled the Thorny Dragon can be used as a Smithy, allowing for a mobile crafting wagon. It's also possible to increase the crafting speed of the Thorny Dragon by force feeding it Focal Chili Focal Chili.
  • Combat Mount: with the right training and breeding, Thorny Dragons can become dangerous mounts in close quarters desert combat. A nice mid-level alternative for traversing the desert and combatting the vicious wildlife, a properly trained or high-level Thorny Dragon can hold its own against packs of wolves, so long as you make sure that nothing gets behind you. Its ranged attacks also allow it to become a jack-of-all-trades.
  • Mobile "Ballista": Although it's still capable on the battlefield as close-quarters combat, the main battlefield use of the Thorny Dragon is to be used as a mobile "ballista", providing irritating cover fire for its allies using its quils. Upping Stamina and Melee, the creature quickly becomes an irritant to the enemy in conflict.
  • Taming Mount: It's quite easy through breeding and leveling to get a higher-level Thorny Dragon's attack to about 400%, and the stamina 2000+. This not only makes it a nuisance in the above role, but it also allows the Thorny Dragon to become a viable taming assist. With enough patience and provided cover, Paracers and even Rex can be knocked unconscious with its low-damaging, torpor-inducing spines alone.[2] Despite this, it's best use as a taming assist, rather than the sole driving force of torpor.
  • Early Game Base Turret: when set to " turret mode " the thorny dragon can be a good early game alternative to the Auto Turret Auto Turret or the Plant Species X Plant X., not as fast or as strong but it can drain enemies' Stamina Stamina.
  • Early Game Wood Gatherer: The thorny dragon is with no doubt the best early game mount for gathering Wood Wood, being easier to tame and better than a Mammoth Mammoth as well as having a fairly cheap Thorny Dragon Saddle saddle. compared to the Castoroides Saddle Castoroides Saddle or the Roll Rat Saddle Roll Rat Saddle.
  • Pet: Thorny dragons aren't small enough to fit on your shoulder but because of their cuteness they can make a suitable companion on your endeavors.

Weight Reduction[]

The Thorny Dragon reduces the weight of the following Resources by the listed amount while they are in its inventory:

Resource Reduction
Fiber Fiber 50%
Stone Stone 50%
Thatch Thatch 50%
Wood Wood 50%

Collectibles[]

Resource Efficiency
Wood Wood ★★★★★
Thatch Thatch ★★☆☆☆
Wood can only be collected from trees but not cactus trees.

Spotlight[]

Notes/Trivia[]

For information pertaining specifically to the real-world Thorny Dragon, see the relevant Wikipedia article.

  • The dossier mistakenly lists the Thorny Dragon as an herbivore, when it is actually a carnivore.
  • This creature was first revealed as a "Mystery Creature" on March 1, 2016. It was the first creature revealed in that way and the first hint to the Scorched Earth expansion.[3]
  • The tail spikes inflict torpor damage when fired.
  • It could be the thought of as the Scorched Earth equivalent to a beaver, as it is the only primarily wood gathering creature on the desert, certain materials weigh less on it, and its saddle acts as a mobile smithy.
  • The species name, Moloch sagittarius, roughly means "Devil Archer". This is likely due to the fact the Thorny Dragon's real-life counterpart is known as Thorny Devil, and the ability that it can shoot arrow-like spines from its tail.
  • Its one of the few creatures to have special saddle skins the others being the Parasaur Parasaur and the Ravager Ravager.
  • Despite the Thorny Dragon being based on the Thorny Devil. Aside from both creatures having spikes the Thorny Devil has no armored plates like the Thorny Dragon. However the Armadillo girdled lizard has armor on it's body just like the Thorny Dragon.

Changelog[]

Patch Changes
246.0 Scorched Earth Expansion Release Thorny Dragon Thorny Dragon is added to the game
256.3 Gave a 50% reduction in inventory Weight Weight for Fiber Fiber, Stone Stone, Wood Wood, and Thatch Thatch

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ARK Smart Breeding
  2. Tested using God Mode on a private server. Using a bred Thorny Dragon with 400% melee, was able to render Paracers and even a 120 rex unconscious using spines. In practicality, recommended to use it as a taming assist.
  3. Mysterious Mysteries: Introducing ???????
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