Spitter Spider



Spitter Spiders are slow-moving, solitary predators that hunt their prey using a paralyzing dart attack. The less energetic cousins of Big Spiders, they prefer to hunt alone and avoid confrontation. Spitters are found exclusively in hardmode, except through lineage.

Appearance
With a black body and six long legs, Spitter Spiders can be identified by the red spines that extrude from their backs. 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 colours.

Behavior
Spitter Spiders are slower than Big Spiders, avoiding close combat and hunting 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 means a 3-second delay, and three darts will almost immediately knock out the target. Unconsciousness can last for several seconds, enough time for the Spitter to carefully approach and grab prey. However, just like the Big Spider, they will try to slow down the Slugcat by grabbing it if they get too close, so they still dangerous in close range.

Evasion
If hit by a projectile, fleeing or attacking is recommended. Stabbing with a spear before being knocked out is feasible, but more of a risk. You 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 upwards and downwards unlike spears.

If the player was already captured by the spitter spider, there is a high chance to escape before being dragged into a den since the spitter spider is unable to land a deadblow and despite being always found in groups the spiders will still fight each other for the slugcat, this includes shooting darts at each other.

Trivia

 * Spitter Spiders, alongside many other hunter-specific enemies, can spawn in the arena's competitive mode before you unlock the hunter.
 * Unlike other varieties of spider, the Spitter Spider cannot be killed by Flashbangs.
 * Spitter Spiders, like Big Spiders, can recover health over time, so injuring them won't make them stop hunting you or retreat to their dens.