Gambistoma

Gambistoma is a large Carapaceon known to primarily prey on other Carapaceons.

Physiology
Gambistoma is a large Carapaceon which largely resembles a zebra mantis shrimp, having a long body covered in a striped shell with a mantis-like torso at the front. It possesses two large spiny claws, resembling those of the spearer type of mantis shrimp, but holds them more akin to a mantis. It has three pairs of rather thin yet strong legs, which allows it to move around agilely, and several pedals on its tail to propel it through the water. It also possesses several antennae on its head. Its body is covered in vertical fern light green and dim gray stripes while its underbelly is tea green in color. Its claws are charcoal black at the front which slowly goes over to the fern light green coloring on the sides. The inside of the claws are mantis green in coloring and the tips of its legs are laurel green. Its eye stalks are morning blue in color while its eyes are colored coral pink.

Behavior
Gambistoma are rather curious Carapaceons which have been known to investigate human activities on several occasions. They can quickly become agitated however, making it dangerous to be around them for too long. It's known to primarily feed on species of Carapaceons.

Position in Food Chain
Gambistoma is a large Carapaceon which occupies a position high in the food chain thanks to its large size and strength. It's known to primarily feed on other Carapaceons, stabbing through their shell with its hard, sharp, spear-like claws. It's still known to feed on other monsters from time to time and is faced with competition from a variety of other monsters. It still has to worry about predations from powerful monsters and the occasional Elder Dragon.

Behavior towards Other Monsters
Gambistoma is in fact known to allow small monsters be around them as long as they don't provoke it or aren't Carapaceons, otherwise it will be quick to attack. Gambistoma will attack other large monsters if they come too close to it or decide to provoke the Carapaceon. It will run away from powerful monsters and Elder Dragons if they manage to deal enough damage to it.

Tracks
Gambistoma can leave behind a variety of tracks for hunters to utilize in tracking it down. These tracks include "Split Prints", which can be found on the ground, "Striped Shell Fragments"', which can be found on the ground, "Large Claw Marks", which can be found on the ground or walls and are often paired with "Large Stab Marks".

Specific Locale Interactions
Gambistoma doesn't have any specific locale interactions.

Special Behaviors
Gambistoma are known to get attracted towards Carapaceons in an area, attacking them as soon as it notices them. This means it'll even disengage from fighting with hunters or other monsters to go after the Carapaceon.

Hunt Cutscene

 * Location: Jungle
 * Synopsis: As the hunter enters Area 4 of the Jungle, they notice the strange prints on the ground. As the hunter investigates the prints, they realize it must belong to a Carapaceon and likely the Carapaceon they have to hunt, a Gambistoma. Suddenly, they hear something moving through the foliage so they quickly look in that direction, but can't seem to notice anything. They slowly walk closer to get a better look at it, until a Hermitaur comes running out of the bushes towards them. The hunter quickly gets out of the way as the Hermitaur runs away, the Hunter looking at them confused as they run away. Suddenly, something slowly rises up behind the hunter as they slowly turn around to look at the thing. They realize it's the Gambistoma they have to hunt as it looks at the hunter intently, slowly nearing to them. It lowers its head down as the hunter tries to grab their weapon. The Gambistoma notices that and screeches at the hunter, swinging its right claw at them. The hunter just barely manages to dodge by going under the Gambistoma. The Gambistoma quickly turns around towards the hunter as they get up, screeching and marking the start of the hunt.

Ecology Cutscene

 * Location: Deserted Island
 * Synopsis: The cutscene begins by showing a bunch of Phasmotaur scavenging from the body of a Epioth, which was likely killed by a larger monster. A King Phasmotaur then walks over to the Phasmotaur and the corpse and starts scavenging from the corpse together with them. The camera then shows a monster with several pairs of legs moving through the area. The camera then goes to show the perspective of whatever monster is moving through the area, now moving towards the Phasmotaur and the King Phasmotaur. The Phasmotaur look up and then suddenly run away, causing the King Phasmotaur to turn around. It's revealed to be a Gambistoma which quickly tries to stab down onto the King Phasmotaur, but it manages to get out of the way just in time, running away. The Gambistoma quickly pursuits the King Phasmotaur and manages to sweep its legs, causing it to trip over. The Gambistoma then quickly runs up to the King Phasmotaur and swings its right claw down on the King Phasmotaur as the camera pans up quickly, only a loud shattering sound audible as it turns to black. The camera then shows the Gambistoma feeding on the King Phasmotaur as the camera starts turning to black again, ending the cutscene.

Abilities
Gambistoma are large Carapaceons which are very different in appearance from others Carapaceons. They're known to also be surprisingly nimble for a Carapaceon, being capable of quickly moving around and attacking foes equally as quick with its large claws that can pierce through the shells of other Carapaceons. These claws have spines on the inside which makes them quite potent at causing bleeding wounds. Gambistoma are also known to be capable swimmers, using their paddled tails to quickly move through the water. Gambistoma are also known to be capable of spewing out water at threats while also possessing the ability to spit out a strange mucus which will hinder movement due to its sticky properties.

Rage and Tired States

 * Rage State: When Gambistoma becomes enraged, it will start foaming greyish bubbles from its mouth and it will become much more aggressive with its physical attacks.
 * Tired State: When Gambistoma becomes tired, it will start drooling and have a chance of falling over after doing some of its physical attacks.

Frenzy, Apex, Hyper and Tempered
Gambistoma can be affected by the Frenzy Virus and thus turn Frenzied and they've even been known to be capable of overcoming the Frenzy Virus and attaining the Apex State. Gambistoma have also been found in the Hyper and Tempered States.

Frenzied Gambistoma have the usual changes of a Frenzied monster.

Tempered Gambistoma are considered Threat Lv2 Tempered Monsters and have the usual changes of a Tempered monster.

Hyper Gambistoma have the usual changes of a Hyper monster.

Apex Gambistoma have the usual changes of an Apex monster.

Mounts
Gambistoma can be mounted on its head, its body and its tail.

Whenever Gambistoma is mounted on its head, the hunter will be located on the neck either on the back under the eyes or on either side of the neck. The Gambistoma will try to get hunters off by violently shaking its head around, by running or swimming around and by slamming the side of its head into walls.

Whenever Gambistoma is mounted on its body, the hunter will either be located on its back or on either side of its body. The Gambistoma will try to get hunters off by shaking its body, by running or swimming around and by slamming the side of its body into walls.

Whenever Gambistoma is mounted on its tail, the hunter will either be located near the tip of its tail or on either side of its tail. The Gambistoma will try to get hunters off by violently shaking its tail around, by running or swimming around and by slamming its tail into walls or the ground.

In-Game Description
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Taxonomy

 * Order: Stomatopoda
 * Suborder: Megalostomatopoda
 * Family: Titanolysiosquilloidea
 * Subfamily: Brachygambistomia
 * Genus: Gambistoma
 * Species: G. mantidia

Gambistoma is an unique Carapaceon which uses its spear-like claws to pierce the shells of other Carapaceons, afterwards using the spines to cut them up.

Habitat Range
Gambistoma have been found to inhabit a wide variety of environments, primarily those with other Carapaceons, which include the Jungle, Old Jungle, Nightmare Marshes, Deserted Island, Primal Forest, Everwood, Great Forest, Ruined Pinnacle, Ancient Forest, Tide Island, Plutonic Cavern, Ruined Temple, Great Sea (Ganizeus) and Lonely Island.

Ecological Niche
Gambistoma occupy a position high in the food chain thanks to their large size, agility and abilities. They're incredibly adept at hunting other Carapaceons, but are also known to hunt other kinds of monsters from time to time. Prey of the small variety include Hermitaur, Ceanataur, Mortaur, Phasmotaur, Raumataur, but also monsters like Aptonoth, Kelbi and Bullfango. Prey of the larger variety includes the likes of Daimyo Hermitaur, King Phasmotaur, Shogun Ceanataur, Reioskao, Sardar Mortaur and Remiplegiace. Monsters like Bulldrome, Velocidrome, Yian Kut-Ku and Iodrome are also known to fall prey to this Carapaceon from time to time. Sometimes monsters like Rathian and Malfestio could also be taken down for food.

Gambistoma still have to compete with a variety of capable monsters which include the likes of Rathalos, Lagiacrus, Mizutsune, Glavenus, Astalos, Zarai Mawara, Niradamaz, Bagarala, Ferrumos and Carnofex. Large Carapaceons like Zi Xiaoren, Grand Ebithrus, Stonefist Hermitaur and Sizzami are also much more of a threat for Gambistoma to try and take down.

Despite their strength and abilities, Gambistoma still have to worry about predation from powerful monsters which include Elder Dragon-Level monsters, like Atlantean Zinogre, Minhocadaver and Solmaron, powerful Deviants, like Rustrazor Ceanataur, Tidecaller Voluron and Soulseer Mizutsune, and the occasional Elder Dragon. Gambistoma will make sure to not go down without putting up a fight however.

Biological Adaptations
Gambistoma, like other Carapaceons, possess a hard carapace which can protect them from attackers. Its body shape is however quite unique amongst Carapaceons and thus it doesn't carry any sort of skull, but instead its paddled tail allows it to quickly swim through the water. They're also surprisingly nimble for being Carapaceon and their size, being easily capable of agilely moving around. Its claws are long and spear-like, allowing them to pierce through the shells of their favorite prey, Carapaceons. These claws also possess sharp spines on the inside which allows them to easily cause bleeding wounds on foes. Gambistoma are also capable of spewing out streams of water in a fashion akin to Daimyo Hermitaur. Lastly, Gambistoma can spit out a strange mucus which is very sticky and will hinder the movement of those who get hit with it.

Behavior
Gambistoma are known to be surprisingly curious Carapaceons, checking out the activities of humans on a variety of occasions yet still becoming rather quickly agitated. They're known to cannibalize individuals of their own species on occasion, including parents accidentally cannibalizing their young due to confusing them for other species of Carapaceon.

Low Tier Large Monsters
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High Tier Large Monsters
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Calm
(Both)
 * Screech: Gambistoma will sceech towards hunters while sort of spreading its arms out.
 * Claw Swipe: Gambistoma will swipe either of its claws at a hunter which can knock them down and might cause Bleeding.
 * Mucus Shot: Gambistoma will shoot out a ball of its strange mucus at a hunter which can knock them down and cause Gooey.
 * Water Blast: Gambistoma will spit a blast of water at a hunter which can knock them down and cause Waterblight.
 * Claw Stab: Gambistoma will quickly thrust either of its claws downwards at a hunter which can knock them down and might cause Bleeding.
 * Erratic Claw Swipe: Gambistoma will erratically move towards a hunter before swiping either of its claws at them which can knock them down and might cause Bleeding.
 * Tail Swipe: Gambistoma will swipe its tail at a hunter which can knock them down.
 * Erratic Claw Stab: Gambistoma will erratically move towards a hunter before quickly thrusting either of its claws downwards at them which can knock them away and might cause Bleeding.
 * Water Beam: Gambistoma will shoot a beam of water straight at a hunter which can knock them away and cause Waterblight.

(Land)
 * Run: Gambistoma will quickly run towards a hunter and hit them with its body which can knock them away.
 * Tail Slam: Gambistoma will try to slam its tail down onto a hunter which can knock them away. This attack will also cause Tremors which require Tremor Res +1 to block.
 * Body Slam: Gambistoma will try to slam the side of its body into a hunter which can knock them away.

(Underwater)
 * Swim: Gambistoma will quickly swim towards a hunter and hit them with its body which can knock them away.
 * Roll: Gambistoma will roll towards a hunter and hit them with its body which can knock them away.

Enraged
(Both)
 * Sweeping Water Beam: Gambistoma will shoot a beam of water quickly from either left to right or right to left which can knock them away and cause Waterblight.
 * Claw Flurry: Gambistoma will repeatedly and quickly swing both of its claws at a hunter while moving forwards slightly which can knock them away and cause Bleeding.

(Land)

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(Underwater)

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Calm
(Both)

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(Underwater)

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Enraged
(Both)

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(Land)

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(Underwater)

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Calm
(Both)

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(Land)

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(Underwater)

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Enraged
(Both)

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(Enraged)

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Damage Effectiveness
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Breakable Parts
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Material Items
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Slinger Ammo
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Blademaster
Skills: WIP

Gunner
Skills: WIP

Quests
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Trivia

 * Gambistoma is based on the zebra mantis shrimp and praying mantis.

Credits

 * Rathalosaurus: For the name.
 * Nrex117: For the taxonomy.