Can You Kill a Ghost Leviathan with a Drill Arm?
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The short answer is yes, you absolutely can kill a Ghost Leviathan with a Prawn Suit drill arm. However, it’s not a simple or quick task, and it comes with its own set of challenges and caveats. This article delves into the intricacies of taking down these formidable creatures with a drill arm, covering the strategies, risks, and everything else you need to know to emerge victorious, or at least, not as a crushed exosuit at the bottom of the alien ocean.
Understanding the Prawn Suit Drill Arm
The Prawn Suit’s drill arm is a specialized module designed for resource gathering, allowing players to mine large deposits of materials. However, it’s also a viable, albeit less-than-optimal, weapon against the various fauna of Subnautica, including the terrifying Ghost Leviathans. While the default Prawn Suit arm packs a higher punch for raw damage, the drill arm has a wider targeting area and improved hit rate. This means that while each individual hit might do less damage, you’re more likely to connect multiple hits during an engagement, especially when dealing with the erratic movement of leviathans.
The primary benefit of the drill arm over the standard arm when fighting Ghost Leviathans is its automatic tracking to hit boxes. Given the speed and size of these creatures, trying to land accurate punches with the standard arm can be tricky. The drill arm, conversely, will more reliably connect, ensuring you’re continuously dealing damage. However, don’t expect to obliterate the creature quickly; the drill arm provides sustained, rather than burst, damage. This is where strategy comes into play.
The Challenge of Leviathan Combat
Leviathan combat in Subnautica is not simply about whacking away until their health bars deplete. These creatures are massive, aggressive, and surprisingly agile. They will react to being damaged, often with violent and unpredictable movements that can send your Prawn Suit flying. Such abrupt movements can leave you vulnerable to further attacks or disoriented, making it crucial to maintain a level head and a good grip on your controls.
Additionally, Ghost Leviathans deal significant damage. An adult Ghost Leviathan’s attack inflicts 84 percent damage on the player, while a juvenile deals 55 percent damage. They are also capable of damaging your vehicles, particularly the Cyclops. This highlights the need to be precise and calculated when engaging them in combat, lest you risk serious damage to your suit or even a game-over screen.
Strategies for Using the Drill Arm
Successfully killing a Ghost Leviathan with a drill arm relies heavily on planning and patience. Here’s a breakdown of key strategies:
- Positioning: Try to get behind or to the side of the Ghost Leviathan, minimizing its ability to ram you directly. Avoid being in front of it, as that’s where most of its attacks will originate.
- Constant Engagement: The drill arm’s strength is in its consistent damage output. Keep the drill pressed against the Leviathan as much as possible, taking advantage of its tracking.
- Dodging and Weaving: Be ready to react to the Ghost Leviathan’s erratic movements. Use your Prawn Suit’s thrusters to dodge quick turns and get back into position. The grappling arm, while not used for damage, can be invaluable for quickly repositioning if you are sent flying.
- Repair: Always carry a repair tool and spare materials. During long fights, your Prawn Suit will inevitably take damage. Be prepared to repair as needed.
- Know Your Limits: Be mindful of the depth you’re operating at, and the proximity of other threats. Low-oxygen, low-light areas and areas with multiple leviathans add significant risks. Be aware of the 900m depth limit of your Prawn Suit to avoid crushing damage.
- Stasis Rifle: While not necessary, a stasis rifle can dramatically reduce the difficulty of the fight. A quick burst with a stasis rifle will keep the Leviathan in place, allowing you to unload a sustained attack with the drill. Be careful to manage the stasis charge.
The Outcome of Your Fight
When you successfully kill a Ghost Leviathan (with any method, not just the drill arm) within the main play area of the game, it will not respawn. However, the adult Ghost Leviathans found at the edge of the crater do respawn. This means while you can make an area safer in the short term, the battle isn’t over forever.
It’s worth noting that defeating a Ghost Leviathan is more about personal achievement and bragging rights than any real in-game benefit. You won’t get any special loot or story progression by eliminating them. It’s simply a challenging undertaking for those looking for a significant test of skill and perseverance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Prawn Suit arm does the most damage?
The standard PRAWN grabbing/punching arm deals the most burst damage quickly. While the drill arm is more consistent, the standard arm delivers the biggest single-hit punches.
2. How many hits does it take to kill a Ghost Leviathan with a drill arm?
The number of hits varies, but you’ll be looking at a lengthy, persistent assault. The drill arm doesn’t deal large amounts of damage per hit, so expect an extended battle. It may take several minutes.
3. Can you kill a Reaper Leviathan with a Prawn Suit?
Yes, you can kill a Reaper Leviathan with a Prawn Suit, using any of its arm attachments, including the drill arm, or even torpedoes. However, it requires strategy and skillful piloting.
4. Do Ghost Leviathans respawn?
Ghost Leviathans within the main Crater do not respawn when killed. However, the adults residing within the Crater Edge will continue to respawn.
5. How many Ghost Leviathans are there in Subnautica?
There are six Ghost Leviathans spawned on the map: three juveniles in the Lost River, two adults in the Grand Reef, and one adult in the Northern Blood Kelp Zone, in addition to the ones at the Crater’s Edge.
6. Can a Seamoth outrun a Ghost Leviathan?
Evading a Ghost Leviathan in a Seamoth depends on the distance. If it’s close, you’re likely in trouble. However, if the Ghost Leviathan is chasing you from its maximum detection range, you have a chance to outrun it, given you use the boost and don’t get tangled on obstacles.
7. What is the scariest creature in Subnautica?
Most players consider the Reaper Leviathan the scariest, thanks to its sudden attacks and terrifying roar, while others find the ghostly nature of Ghost Leviathans and their vast size deeply unsettling.
8. How big are Ghost Leviathans?
Adult Ghost Leviathans are about 107 meters long, while juveniles are around 65 meters. They are large and menacing, especially up close.
9. Can Ghost Leviathans hurt you?
Yes, adult Ghost Leviathans deal 84 percent damage when attacking the player, and juvenile Ghost Leviathans deal 55 percent damage. They can also damage your vehicles.
10. Do Reaper Leviathans have good vision?
It’s believed that Reaper Leviathans are mostly blind and rely heavily on echolocation and sensory jaw mandibles to navigate and locate prey.
11. What is the maximum depth a Prawn Suit can go?
The Prawn Suit’s default depth limit is 900 meters. Going beyond this can lead to hull damage and destruction.
12. How can you get a stuck Prawn Suit unstuck?
Methods include spamming movement keys, pushing it with your character, ramming it with the Seamoth, or picking it up with the Cyclops.
13. Is Subnautica a horror game?
While not strictly classified as a horror game, Subnautica uses the fear of the unknown depths and large predators to create a terrifying experience, making it very scary for many players.
14. Can I beat Subnautica without the Cyclops?
Yes, you can beat Subnautica without the Cyclops, using the Prawn Suit as your primary mobile base. However, this can be more challenging due to limited storage and slower movement.
15. Are Ghost Leviathans aggressive?
Yes, Ghost Leviathans are aggressive. They will attack you, your vehicles and other creatures in their area. If you stay at the edge of the map, more Ghost Leviathans will spawn and aggressively pursue you.