Inspector

Inspectors, also known as Hydras or Axons, are creatures exclusive to the Downpour DLC. They vary in color and have three heads. They act as protectors of Iterators'.

Appearance
Inspectors have three one-eyed heads attached to long necks that radiate 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 quite a challenge, especially when encountered in zero-gravity environments. Their low health and slow movement 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, such as objects held by the Slugcat, any Spears stuck in its necks, and the Slugcat itself. Attacking from afar, however, is just as difficult, as throwing from too far away causes them to lose velocity and become useless. Due to the difficulty, provoking an Inspector is not recommended.

An Inspector can be killed by stabbing each of its heads. Hitting the necks or body with Spears or Rubbish only deals 0.12 damage, with being an exception. Since both deal the same damage, the latter should ideally be used for combat and nearby spears should be hidden away from the Inspector, to prevent it from lethally attacking Slugcat. Using 's maul ability on the core instantly kills an Inspector. Otherwise, attacks to the core either kill it (0.1% chance) or deal no damage.

Stealth
Once an Inspector has been attacked, it becomes impossible to sneak around it. Even if hiding in a pipe makes it calm down, it starts to attack again as soon as Slugcat re-enters its line of sight.

Evasion
Although their attacks are fast, Inspectors are rather slow, making them easy to outrun. They do not pursue the Slugcat between rooms, so it is recommended to flee if an Inspector has been angered.

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 a harmless behavior and does no damage.

Aggression
Inspectors become aggressive if hit with rubbish or spears, or if the Slugcat grabs or attacks in their presence. They flash between red and white when angered. If any held Neuron Flies are released, they may become passive again.

If the player eats a neuron in sight of an inspector, it becomes hostile for the rest of the cycle.

Trivia

 * When pulled by an intense force, Inspectors briefly shift to a red color that is more vibrant than their enraged state.
 * s work because most of their damage is not immediate.
 * On death, Inspectors explode and disappear save for their eyes. This is a trait shared by.
 * In Five Pebbles, certain Inspector spawns are replaced by in later campaigns.
 * In Arena mode, Inspectors may spawn in orange or green. These colorations likely belong to Seven Red Suns and No Significant Harassment respectively.