Spitter Spider

Spitter Spiders are a variant of the. They are large, spider-like creatures with many legs, retractable fangs, and spiny protrusions on their backs. Like their cousins, they are both predator and prey, hunting creatures smaller than them and being hunted by larger predators, though much more dangerous than Big Spiders, able to hunt predators above their weight class.

Appearance
Spitter Spiders resemble arachnids with black bodies, six legs, and numerous flexible spines protruding from their bodies. The two fangs and the longest spines of the spider fade into a red coloration that becomes black in total darkness. The darts (commonly referred to as Dart Maggots) fired from their mouths are a pale cream-white, and each one has an elongated sac on its end, likely storing the paralyzing toxin. A short time after being fired into a creature, just before paralysis, their sacs appear to expand and then contract, changing colors.

Abilities & Behavior
Spitter Spiders are cautious predators. They are more likely to avoid direct confrontation with, instead preferring to crawl above its prey on ceilings, walls and poles. They avoid close combat and instead opt to fire maggots from a distance.

They attack by spitting Dart Maggots in short bursts of three or four, which have a delayed and temporary paralyzing effect on creatures including Slugcat. Each successful hit of the darts increases the speed of the paralyzing effect on the target: getting hit by one dart allows for 5 seconds of normal movement before paralysis sets in, two darts have a 3-second delay, and three darts almost immediately knock out the target. Unconsciousness can last for several seconds, enough time for the Spitter Spider to slowly approach and grab their prey.

Unlike Big Spiders they cannot lunge, they however attempt to hinder Slugcat by grabbing onto them like Big Spiders do if they get close enough, so they can still be dangerous in close range. If grabbed for long enough, the Slugcat becomes incapacitated.

Relationships

 * -|Vanilla=


 * -|Downpour=

Note: They seem to not have a unique table and instead borrow the one from Big Spiders

Combat
Spitter Spiders are stronger than their brethren, requiring two spears to kill (though they can be killed with a single Spore puff). Hitting them is generally hard to achieve due to their tendency to stay above the player. As such, it's recommended to avoid confrontations in big open rooms and to only attack them in cramped rooms where it's harder for them to stay above the player and dodge thrown objects.

Evasion
Avoiding direct line of sight is advised to avoid getting shot. If caught in the open the player should be always moving, as Spitter Spider shoots at where the Slugcat is rather than where it will be.

If hit by a projectile, fleeing or attacking is recommended. Stabbing with a before being knocked out is feasible, but more of a risk. Slugcat can easily recover but might not have enough time if too close. Line-of-sight is important for these creatures; hiding for long enough makes them lose interest. It is best to stay on a level above or below them but beware that darts can be shot in any direction, unlike Spears.

If Slugcat has been captured by a Spitter Spider, there is a chance of escape before being dragged into a den since the Spitter Spider won't land a death blow on them. Despite often being found in large groups, these spiders fight each other for prey, which includes shooting darts at each other and may result in Slugcat being dropped.

Trivia

 * Spitter Spiders were added in the 1.5 update.
 * Spitter Spiders, alongside many other -specific enemies, can spawn in the Arena's Competitive mode before Hunter has been unlocked.
 * Unlike s, Spitter Spiders cannot be killed by s.
 * Spitter Spiders, like Big Spiders, can recover health over time.
 * Spitter Spiders do not attempt to tranquilize s, even if threatened.
 * Like other Slugcat-sized creatures, Spitter Spiders' corpses can boost the player's speed in tunnels when held.