Azuridae Goliathus
| Azuridae Goliathus | |||||||||
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| Critter | |||||||||
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| Role | Psionic insect | ||||||||
| Location | Deep Caverns Silent IsleD Upper Caves Zaman's Lair | ||||||||
| Loot | Insectoid Salivarium Psi Beetle Brain Higher quality Psi Beetle Carapace | ||||||||
| Abilities | Gains Psionic Synergy in groups Cerebral Trauma Cryokinesis Disruptive Field Hypothermia Neural Overload Pyrokinesis Pyromaniac Pseudo-spatial Projection Psi-cognitive Interruption With psionic synergy: Telekinetic Punch Bilocation Implosion | ||||||||
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Azuridae Goliathus, also called goliath, is a subspecies of the psionic Azuridae beetles. Goliaths bear a strong resemblance to rhinoceros beetles, although the large pronotum also shares the characteristic frills of ceratopsians. They are less common than the smaller Azuridae, but like them they can be found in watery caves where mindshrooms grow.
Description
Unlike Azuridae who pose relatively little threat without the backing of a group, goliaths can be formidable opponents even alone — they are stronger, tougher, and considerably more powerful in their psionic abilities. When possible they begin fights defensively, they create psionic projections, disrupt ranged opponents, and inhibit psionics. Once their defenses are set up they go on the offensive, invoking neural overload, pyrokinesis and cryokinesis, all three made stronger through feats.
Unfortunately goliaths are never encountered without at least a small number of companions. Every nearby psi beetle with their brain exposed gives them 3 stacks of psionic synergy, which quickly makes them even more destructive and their inflicted status effects harder to resist, and also gives them access to additional, more offense-oriented abilities.
Similarly to Azuridae, they will resort to melee when cornered or inhibited, their large twin horns dealing 50-85 Mechanical damage with each hit.
Fighting tactics
When the shell is closed, the hard carapace of goliaths provides them moderately high Mechanical resistance along with some additional protection against Heat and Cold. Unlike Azuriade they retain some of this resistance to all three damage types even with their brains exposed.
If they have used pseudo-spatial projection, try HE grenades, psionics, or other indirect ways to inflict damage, or failing that burst with an SMG or AR to remove it faster. Immobilization can help those with ranged forms of attack to outrange the goliath's more devastating offensive abilities.
When fighting large groups, it might be wise for psionics to carry a few Psi Reinvigorators. Else try to initiate the fight with Locus of Control activated to gain 5 more turns before the cooldown of psi-cognitive interruption expires.