Monster Kelp



Monster Kelp is a stationary predator often found around bodies of water. This creature is a significant threat that can quickly kill an unprepared player, but with the right tools can be taken care of easily. They appear like long, leafy stalks with highlights of red or green on the end of the leaves. Kelp only senses movement, and will remain stationary when not hunting prey. When anything moves nearby it, it will reach out towards it and attempt to grab it, retreating underground with its prey should it catch anything. The faint sound of rustling leaves can be heard as it moves.

= Strategy =

Avoiding
The Slugcat can sneak past Kelp by moving slowly, whether on land or water. If the player only taps the move button a bit at a time, the kelp will never reach towards them, and the Slugcat can make it safely past even the center. In water, the Kelp will sense the player if the water is disturbed by waves or a waterfall, even if the player holds perfectly still. The kelp can only grab the Slugcat with its tip, which moves slow enough to be dodged when dropping or swimming past one underwater.

Combat
The player can also get past a Kelp by hitting it with a spear. After the Kelp is stabbed, it will flail about for several seconds, unable to grab anything and harmless to the Slugcat. The player must be quick, however, as it will eventually regain its senses. Despite sensing its prey through movement, the use of a flashbang will also stun the kelp briefly, making it unable to reach for the Slugcat, though it will stay still instead of flailing.

If a Kelp is hit with a spear multiple times, it will retreat underground and not appear again for many cycles, apparently having died. This can be done with a single spear, since the Kelp will not grab anything for a short time after being hit, and the spear can be grabbed from its flailing body.

= Tips and Trivia =
 * Monster Kelp cannot be tranquilized by Spitter Spiders
 * Grenades or explosive spears cause Kelp to retreat underground in one shot.
 * While Kelp are only found in regions with lots of water, they can be located on land, and sometimes even on ceilings.
 * Some Pole Plants have a chance to lineage into a Monster Kelp when killed. This can cause them to spawn in regions they are not usually found.
 * If the Slugcat is carrying a Lantern, there is a chance a Kelp will drag it under the ground to eat, instead of the Slugcat.
 * Monster Kelp will follow Centipedes near it, but cannot grab and eat them. It is unknown if this a bug or not.
 * Developer commentary on the design of this creature and Daddy Long Legs can be found here.