Stalker
Template:Infobox:Fauna Flora The Stalker is a predatory life form that is [[::Category:Attitude: Aggressive|hostile]] to the player, other creatures, and sometimes even other Stalkers.
They drop stalker teeth as they swim around, especially while carrying things in their mouth. A good tactic to get teeth from Stalkers is to drop a piece of metal near them and wait for them to get it, or to hand it to them. There is a high probability they will drop a tooth then. Since multiple Stalkers in the area are all attempting to collect scrap metal, an infinite loop of Stalkers stealing each other's scrap metal will ensue.
Stalkers can be found in the Kelp Forest.
A 3D model of the Stalker can be found here.
Behavior
Stalkers have a fondness for scrap metal, and have a tendency to pick fragments up and gather them in one spot. Stalkers will also fight about them from time to time.
If the player breaks a chunk of limestone or similar and leaves the metal chunk that emerges from it be, nearby Stalkers will pick up that one as well.
Stalkers will attempt to eat peepers they encounter. They will also attack the player if they come within a certain radius of each other. They do 30 damage per bite, and there are often multiple of them close together in kelp forests, making them a serious danger. Stalkers become more aggressive with a wider aggro radius during the night, so it is advised to avoid the kelp forest when it gets dark.
Interaction with the Player
Despite their generally aggressive attitude, Stalkers are actually quite intelligent creatures.
If the player approaches a stalker with a multiple catchable fish in their hand, the Stalker will swim up to the player and eat the fish. The Stalker will then be friendly to the player. It will pick up pieces of scrap metal and drop them at the player's position as a "present" (only the x and z coordinates are respected). Keep in mind that this peaceful behavior is only temporary. If the player doesn't have enough fish, the stalker won't be tamed and will likely attack the player due to their proximity.
Stalkers will also take scrap metal from the player's hand and put them into their hoard. This will also tame the Stalkers. However, they will not start to bring the player metal. Again, this behavior is temporary.
To collect some scrap metal/other forms of metal, it might be a good idea to give the Stalker a piece of titanium, then follow it to its hoard, taking the metal that the stalker might have collected, and leave before the Stalker becomes hostile again.
Once the Stalker has turned hostile on the player, it will not accept [[::Category:Catchable|fish]] or pieces of metal any more. Thus, the player must equip the item in question before approaching the Stalker.
Gallery
The Stalker as it is attacking the player
Stalker front
Back detail
The Stalker as it is picking up a piece of scrap metal
A Stalker carrying a chunk of titanium
A Stalker trying to eat the Peeper in the player's hand
For a more complete gallery, visit Stalker/Gallery.
Trivia
- As of 14.12.2014 the model of the Stalker was changed. Until then the model of the Lava Lizard was used[1]. The Stalker was also listed as Snout Shark in development documents[2].