Inspector

Inspectors, also known as Hydras or Axons, are creatures exclusive to Downpour. They vary in color and possess three heads attached to long necks. They act as protectors of Iterators'.

Appearance
Inspectors have three one-eyed heads attached to long necks that extend from a central body. The body has thin protrusions that vary in number between individuals arranged like a propeller, as well as trailing fibers similar to those on the red tendrils and surfaces throughout Five Pebbles’ can. Inspectors are blue in and yellow in. They become red when enraged.

Combat
Fighting an Inspector can be challenging, especially when encountered in zero-gravity environments. Though their main body doesn't move quickly, this low speed is offset by the dexterity of their heads. Attacking one up close is not recommended, as Inspectors grab and throw any objects within their reach; including objects held by Slugcat, any Spears stuck in their tendrils, and Slugcat themselves. Attacking from too far away, however, becomes impossible, as past a certain distance thrown Spears lose velocity and become harmless.

Due to how difficult they are to fight, provoking an Inspector is not recommended.

An Inspector can be killed by attacking either their core, necks or heads. Hitting their heads or necks with standard s or  consistently deals 0.12 damage, which kills an Inspector in 8 hits. Since both deal the same damage, Rubbish is the safer option, as Spears can be grabbed by the Inspector and used against their attacker. It is also recommended to hide spare Spears from the Inspector's sight before provoking them as they use those if there is nothing else to grab nearby.

Attacks on the core do no damage but have a very low chance to kill in one blow (0.1%). As such, focusing on the core is not recommended as it is very inconsistent, unless there are available. Explosives to the core are always lethal. It can be easier to use Explosives from further away, as an Inspector's necks can block a shot to the core.

It is possible for to stun and maul an Inspector, killing them instantly. This method is technically the safest, since deflecting near an Inspector doesn't provoke them, but it can be challenging to grab them in time due to the zero or low gravity environment they usually inhabit. Artificer is also prone to overheat from use of their Explosive Jump for both mobility and combat.

Stealth
It can be challenging to sneak by an aggravated Inspector due to their multiple heads and chaotic movement, though if the Slugcat gets out of their sight (by hiding in a pipe for example) they become passive again.

Do note that once an Inspector has been provoked, they keep attacking on sight for the remainder of the cycle, so the best course of action if one has been angered is to avoid contact as much as possible.

Evasion
Although their attacks are fast, Inspectors are rather slow, making them easy to outrun. They can pursue the Slugcat between rooms but lose interest if the room's pipe is too far away or inaccessible.

Abilities & Behavior
Inspectors are initially passive, roaming through the zero-gravity environment. The fibers trailing on their bodies may reach out and contact fibers in the environment, lighting up blue at the ends.

Upon being approached, they use their tendrils to probe and feel Slugcat; this is harmless and has no effect on Slugcat.

If passive, Inspectors attempt to save Slugcat from stationary hazards, such as Proto Long Legs and flux condensors, by grabbing and throwing Slugcat away from them.

Aggression
Inspectors become aggressive if attacked or if the Slugcat grabs or attacks in their presence. They flash between red and white when angered. The state entered by grabbing a Neuron Fly is different to that of eating one or directly attacking an Inspector. Instead of trying to kill Slugcat, Inspectors pick up and drop items as if in warning and attempt to dislodge the Neuron Fly from Slugcat's grasp, becoming passive once it is released.

Directly attacking an Inspector or eating a Neuron Fly within their line of sight makes them aggressive for the rest of the cycle.

Trivia

 * Inspectors turn red when in close proximity to Rot but this is independent of their emotional state, as they can fade back to normal even when the Rot is within their line of sight.
 * When pulled by an intense force or stunned (notably through Artificer's deflect), Inspectors briefly shift to a red color that is more vibrant than their enraged state.
 * s are effective against Inspectors because most of their damage is not immediate.
 * On death, Inspectors explode and disappear save for their eyes. This is a trait shared with.
 * Inspectors share colorations with their respective Iterator's overseers.
 * In Five Pebbles, certain Inspector spawns are replaced by in later campaigns.
 * Inspectors use the Daddy Long Legs creature template, so most creatures are afraid of them.
 * Inspectors do not immediately lose aggression towards a creature upon their death and continue to attack until they calm down.
 * In Arena mode, Inspectors may spawn in orange or green. These colorations likely belong to Seven Red Suns and No Significant Harassment, respectively.
 * One of the names that Inspectors are known by, Axons, are a direct reference to a real part of neurons. Axons are the long, threadlike part of the neuron that deliver signals to the brain. Inspectors themselves bear more resemblance to the main body of neurons, however.