KARKINOS

KO Strategy

Much like a Rock Elemental, Karkinos cannot be knocked out with the traditional arrows, darts or animal torpor attacks; instead requiring weapons like the Catapult Turret or Cannon aimed at the main body. Hitting the limbs instead of the crab's body will deal heavy damage to the creature instead of applying torpor, so aim carefully. A few misplaced shots, especially with the cannon, can easily kill the Karkinos, or render health so low that the taming attempt will have to be abandoned until it recovers. Due to the difficult aiming mechanics of the cannon, and the cost of ammunition, it is recommended to use a catapult turret instead, being both more cost effective and far easier to aim. One catapult shot deals roughly 400 torpor, and with a high rate of fire, the turret can easily outpace the cannon in terms of how quickly torpor is applied. The rocket launcher can apply torpor too.

If a Karkinos has been knocked out in the water, check the area for any aquatic threats, especially piranha, as they will damage the Karkinos by attacking you when you approach it in the water to give it its taming food, ruining taming effectiveness. Once they're eliminated, you should be safe to approach the Karkinos and provide it the necessary taming food.

Paracer Strategy

One method of bringing down a Karkinos is placing a Catapult Turret on a platform saddle; the only candidate in Aberration, which just so happens to have the perfect height for this role, is the Paracer. If positioned just behind the rider's seat, the catapult is able to shoot almost directly down behind the Paracer's rear, which is typically where a Karkinos will be if the Paracer is made to face away from it. While attempting this strategy, be sure your Paracer is set to passive, and that the Karkinos is first targeting the Paracer instead of you before dismounting to climb onto the catapult. With careful aiming, a Karkinos can be easily, and safely knocked out from atop your Paracer's back. One of the few drawbacks to this strategy is that Karkinos will often attempt to flee once their torpor reaches a certain point, but a catapult's quick firing rate gives you a decent window to land the knockout before it has the chance to run.

Trap Strategy

Building a stone trap out of dinosaur gates or pillars is the most reliable method of taming a Karkinos, despite the resource costs associated with it. Karkinos tend to move around quite a lot, and are quite difficult to aggro onto you. While this presents a challenge either way, building a trap ensures that the Karkinos can't run away at high torpor, or aggro onto another creature. Trapping a Karkinos can also prove difficult, as they are capable of jumping over and out once contained, and trying to shut the trap can easily result in a survivor being grabbed by the crab, causing a swift death. Since Karkinos are primarily at rivers, one idea is building a trap on a raft, that way you can take the trap to them without worrying about decent trap locations or clearing out rubble. If you choose to build a a stationary trap, build a three to four wall high tower near to it on which to place the catapult for aiming down. However, there is the added disadvantage that said traps are stationary, and cannot be moved, sometimes causing you to lure the desired Karkinos over long distances before it can be trapped. Be aware however that once a Karkinos is closed in, it can behave erratically; turning in all directions as it attacks the enclosure, sometimes making it difficult to land a good shot. A good time to take the shot is when the crab is facing away or towards you, as fewer limbs get in the way of your strike.

Rendering Exploit

Karkinos are notorious for inhabiting rivers and constantly murdering fish such as Coelacanth and Piranha. Fish have a shorter rendering range than most other creatures, and the Karkinos can get stuck attacking a fish that is present, but not rendered as long as you are a good distance away. This forces it to stay in place to attack something that isn't there, so long as nothing else interrupts it. As a result, so long as you keep your distance, you can position yourself to its back, place down a foundation and cannon, and hit it with a cannon ball for a quick KO. It only takes one cannon ball to KO even a max level Karkinos, and from where no trap is present, there is no splash damage that will ruin taming effectiveness. Due to terrain differences, you may need more than one cannon ball in the event that you miss.