The master of bad ideas has arrived to throw in a dumb idea... though, i can admit this one is meant more as a mini-boss. Is that ok? or are we just talking about the big baddies?
(This is hand-drawn BTW. My scanner sucks bad and I may one day find the time to color it)
DODONGO CAVALRY :::
HISTORY: In every army there is a need for something that can scatter enemy men and send them routing. Dodongo's were singled one for their fearsomeness and terror factor. Domestication failed merable but the trainers found they could at least influence these beasts by keeping their bellies full with the promise of more food to come. On the field their use was tremendous as enemy forces were shattered. But ultimately, the use of Dodongo Cavalry ran down as logistic lines were drained, unable to supply the abundance of food for these fearsome creatures and the beasts turned there claws and teeth on the very army that had 'trained' them.
Now, Dodongo Cavalry are expensive to train and keep happy. Their are few in only a handful of armies and are used rather defensefly so as not to get them to far from their food supplies. Nevertheless these Heavy Cavalry remain terrifying and their presence in battle decisive.
INFO: Dodongo Cavalry are usually equiped with heavy army to buff up their natural carapace. Despite termed as cavalry they remain slow with their main purpose to throw off the enemy and send their cowards/soldiers from the feild in terror. Fitted on the Dodongo's back is a massive cart where the commanding officer usually sits. A driver sits near the back of the head and is able to influence the direction of the Dodongo and even some of its attacks. A major problem with the Cavalry in the old days was the presence of boms on the battlefield... The driver, using a special took, can cause the Dodongo to snap shut its jaws if a bomb is thrown towards the beasts mouth and into its belly. The biggest weakness of the cavalry is that if the driver is incapacitated the beasts tend to run amok and attack allies.
ATTACKS:
- Fire Breath. Breaths a line of fire at the enemy. Vulnerable to Bombs unless Driver shuts the mouth.
- Ram. The Beast lunges forward, riders with weak stomachs are not advised.
- Tail Swipe. The Beast spins around trying to strike the enemy with its Tail. The Riders tend to become jarred and may momentarilly be incapacitated. Drivers and officers occasionally are thrown off but will get back of soon.
- Riders Attack. Riders may fire arrows, jab with pikes or strike with swords from the safety of the beasts back.
- Crushing Jaws. Arguable the most powerful attack of the Dodongo as it bites down it shreds its enemy.
STRATEGY:
- With its usual weak spots covered, either by army or reflex (mouth), the alternative is to strike at the riders. Getting to close to the tail of a Dodongo and striking at the tail, though armored (hit about 3 to 5 times) will make the creature attempt a Tail Swipe. 50/50 chance the Riders will fall from the Dodongo, the other 50 they will stay on but will by only momentarily incapacitated... With enough time, the attacker may get a chance that, with the driver down, the Dodongo will attempt to breath fire and the classic trasaction of bomb-to-mouth will injure the beast. This however will only work three times (leaving two more strikes)... The Dodongo will no longer open its mouth to spr fire but will rather switch to melee combat. Charges will ultimately happen and if the Dodongo hits something hard enough it wall stir the cart holding the officer on the back. When the Cart stirs, a rope will be revealed as armor falls from the Dodongo, strike the rope to cut it. Repeat on the opposite side of the Dodongo. When the Ropes are severed the Cart will fall from the creatures back. The battle will end as the agitated beast turns on its riders.
WEAPONS THAT WORK:
- The bow can be used to upset the Riders and a good shot may incapacitate the Driver.
- The hookshot, though relatievly useless, can be used to the same extent as the bow but usually proves less effective.
- Bombs ae a must need for the first three strikes at the Dodongo.
ATTACK STRENGTH:
- Fire Breath. 1 Heart / Afterburn drains half a Heart
- Ram. 1 Heart
- Tail Swipe. 1 Heart
- Riders Attack. Half Heart
- Crushing Jaws. 3 Hearts but is easily avoidable. Just hope you're not unlucky.