Crocodile Mount Nitpicks

[SpiderAbbot]

I want to say first that I'm really loving everything I'm seeing so far between the dev diaries and the stream, and this topic really is just a minor nitpick that's been nagging at me for whatever reason.

Crocodile mounts weren't something I expected to see, and they look really cool! So it feels weird to criticize them, but I can't help but be puzzled that they're a "standard" mount option. I was sure when I saw them that they'd be a special mount option granting cavalry units the Amphibious trait, so that your various knights and dragoons and mounted archers could function as naval units without having to embark.

So I'm wondering- is this just a "me" thing, and using crocodile mounts to turn your cavalry into amphibious units just isn't as appealing or as obvious a direction to take them as I think it is? Or was the idea considered, but scrapped- perhaps because of design overlap with the Naga transformation we're also getting in this DLC, because of awkward interactions with the usual early-game restrictions on moving over water, or some practical or programming limitation?

I'm also probably biased because I remember playing Age of Mythology as a kid and being blown away by the sea monster hunting "naval cavalry" units who rode on sharks, and that imagery has stuck with me as just a very cool idea.

[Goblin]

I think that would look a bit goofy. I also wouldn't want them as a special mount as they are currently the only reptile mount option we have.

[Orphy]

I think they will be both a standard and a special mount type, just like how wolves and bears can be special or standard mounts. The special version will have more abilitites.

[Midas]

they're an odd choice, for sure. I was expecting Slithers to become a mount before getting an entirely new creature. Would be nice to get wyverns, too. For now, if we're only going to have 1 standard reptile choice, I'll take what I can get.

[SpiderAbbot]

Originally posted by Midas:

they're an odd choice, for sure. I was expecting Slithers to become a mount before getting an entirely new creature. Would be nice to get wyverns, too. For now, if we're only going to have 1 standard reptile choice, I'll take what I can get.

That would probably be ideal, though if so they weren’t visible on the Stream.

[SBA77]

Originally posted by SpiderAbbot:

Crocodile mounts weren't something I expected to see, and they look really cool! So it feels weird to criticize them, but I can't help but be puzzled that they're a "standard" mount option.

I didn't even realize we were getting crocodile mounts, I thought it was just dire bears, elephants, mammoths, and eagles. I saw the stream and saw those in the list of incompatible traits when they were showing off "Mount Masters" and thought that was all they were going to add.

[SpiderAbbot]

Originally posted by SBA77:

Originally posted by SpiderAbbot:

Crocodile mounts weren't something I expected to see, and they look really cool! So it feels weird to criticize them, but I can't help but be puzzled that they're a "standard" mount option.

I didn't even realize we were getting crocodile mounts, I thought it was just dire bears, elephants, mammoths, and eagles. I saw the stream and saw those in the list of incompatible traits when they were showing off "Mount Masters" and thought that was all they were going to add.

Dire Bears are from the Empires and Ashes DLC. Crocodile and Sabretooth mounts are “standard” mount options that don’t come with any mechanical effect.

[SBA77]

Originally posted by SpiderAbbot:

Originally posted by SBA77:

I didn't even realize we were getting crocodile mounts, I thought it was just dire bears, elephants, mammoths, and eagles. I saw the stream and saw those in the list of incompatible traits when they were showing off "Mount Masters" and thought that was all they were going to add.

Dire Bears are from the Empires and Ashes DLC. Crocodile and Sabretooth mounts are “standard” mount options that don’t come with any mechanical effect.

oops I forgot about the bears. Also I did see a screenshot with Smilodons. Oh right, standard mounts, didn't get that far into the VOD yet lol

[Blanch Warren]

Unless you have a friend that likes them I doubt you'll see them very often. So I don't know what the complaint is.

[SpiderAbbot]

Originally posted by Blanch Warren:

Unless you have a friend that likes them I doubt you'll see them very often. So I don't know what the complaint is.

Didn’t mean to imply I don’t like seeing them, was just surprised they weren’t a special mount choice with a mechanical effect. ^.^’

[SaurianDruid]

On the one hand I do get what you're saying. On the other I am glad I don't need to spend body points on a mount option for the aesthetic of riding a reptile mount for my many lizardfolk builds.

[SBA77]

Originally posted by Blanch Warren:

Unless you have a friend that likes them I doubt you'll see them very often. So I don't know what the complaint is.

Actually they look silly too. They should be "giant" crocodiles really. And if they need inspiration for that they look to Dwarf Fortress and presumably some of the fanart.


And actually you know what would make a better "crocodile" mount?

This[i.ytimg.com]. (also how surprisingly fitting. Wasn't what I was looking for but it's funny how things work out sometimes isn't it)