Can You Tame Feral Slimes? A Rancher’s Guide to Calming the Wild

Yes, you absolutely can tame feral slimes in Slime Rancher! These agitated little blobs, recognizable by their glowing red eyes and aggressive behavior, might seem intimidating at first. However, with the right techniques and a bit of patience, you can transform them back into the docile, plort-producing powerhouses they were meant to be. Feral slimes are essentially Pink Slimes, and therefore can be soothed by feeding them any kind of food. This will make them passive, but they still may follow the player.

Understanding Feral Slimes

Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s crucial to understand what causes slimes to become feral in the first place. Slimes typically turn feral when their agitation level is excessively high. This can be triggered by a number of factors, including:

• Starvation: A hungry slime is an angry slime. Neglecting to feed your ranch inhabitants is a surefire way to incite a feral frenzy.
• Overcrowding: Too many slimes in a single corral can lead to stress and, ultimately, ferality.
• Dangerous Largo Combinations: Certain Largo combinations, particularly those involving volatile slimes like Boom Slimes or Rad Slimes, can be inherently more prone to agitation.
• Being Freshly-transformed Hunter Largos: Hunter Largos will always be feral when first made.
• Agitation exceeding 99.99%: Hunter Largos can go feral again when agitated enough.

Taming Techniques: Restoring Peace to Your Ranch

There are several methods you can employ to calm feral slimes and restore harmony to your ranch:

• The Universal Soother: Food! The most straightforward approach is simply to feed the feral slimes. Since feral slimes are essentially Pink Slimes, they aren’t picky eaters. Any type of food, whether it’s fruits, veggies, or meat, will satisfy their hunger and lower their agitation. Keep in mind that Largos might require more food than smaller slimes.

• The Taming Bell: The Taming Bell is a handy gadget that emits a calming sound wave, temporarily pacifying feral slimes in its vicinity. This is particularly useful for dealing with a large group of agitated slimes at once. Consider the Pulse Wave upgrade for effectiveness on Largos.

• The Slime Sea Solution: If you’re facing a particularly stubborn or dangerous feral Largo, sometimes the best solution is a drastic one. Shooting them into the Slime Sea will eliminate the threat entirely. This should be a last resort, as you’ll lose the potential plorts they could have produced.

• Act Fast: If you notice a slime becoming agitated, act quickly! Feeding it something tasty as soon as possible will prevent it from fully turning feral.

• Ranch Maintenance: Regular ranch maintenance is vital to preventing slimes from going feral in the first place.

  • Ensure all slimes are well-fed.
  • Monitor corral populations to avoid overcrowding.
  • Maintain healthy and happy Slime populations.

Advanced Tips for Feral Slime Management

• Hunter Slime Awareness: Hunter Largos are notorious for their tendency to go feral, especially when newly formed. Always keep a close eye on them and be ready to feed them frequently. Listening for their muffled whooshing sound, indicating invisibility, can help you locate them quickly.
• Careful with Plorts: Be careful giving Hunter Slimes plorts as giving them any plort, they will become aggressive and begin to attack and go towards the player, attacking it and biting her.
• Batty Slimes and Darkness: Be aware that Batty Slimes grow hungry in the dark, leading them to generate hunger at twice the rate of other slimes unless exposed to sunlight.
• Water is a Weapon: Tarr slimes are evil slimes created when a slime eats a plort that isn’t its own. You can eliminate a Tarr by spraying it with fresh water.

FAQs: Mastering the Art of Slime Taming

1. What happens if I ignore feral slimes?

If you ignore feral slimes, their agitation will continue to rise, potentially leading to a full-blown slime outbreak. They may also attack you, causing damage. In the worst-case scenario, they can trigger the creation of Tarr slimes, which are highly dangerous and can quickly overrun your ranch.

2. Can all types of slimes turn feral?

While any slime can theoretically become agitated, some are inherently more prone to ferality than others. Hunter Largos, as mentioned earlier, are particularly notorious. Boom Slimes and Rad Slimes also require extra attention due to their volatile nature.

3. How do I build a corral that minimizes ferality?

A well-designed corral is crucial for preventing slimes from becoming feral. Here are some key considerations:

• Size: Ensure the corral is large enough to comfortably house the number of slimes you intend to keep.
• Upgrades: Invest in upgrades like auto-feeders to ensure consistent feeding and high walls to prevent escapes.
• Music Box: Having a Music Box will help make slimes happy.
• Solar Shield: A solar shield on a corral will prevent sunlight from affecting slimes.

4. Is the Taming Bell a one-time use item?

No, the Taming Bell is a reusable gadget. You can equip it from your Vacpack and use it repeatedly to calm feral slimes.

5. Does the type of food I feed feral slimes matter?

While any food will work, feeding a feral slime its favorite food will have a more significant impact on reducing its agitation. This is especially true for Largos.

6. How can I prevent Hunter Largos from going feral?

Prevention is key with Hunter Largos. Feed them regularly, ensure they have ample space, and avoid combining them with slimes that are prone to agitation. Listening for their cloaking sounds will also help you find them and feed them.

7. What are Tarr slimes, and how are they related to feral slimes?

Tarr slimes are monstrous creatures formed when a slime eats a plort that isn’t its own. They are highly aggressive and will consume everything in their path, including other slimes. While feral slimes aren’t directly responsible for creating Tarrs, a feral outbreak can create the chaotic environment in which Tarrs thrive.

8. Can I sell feral slimes on the market?

No, you cannot sell feral slimes on the market. They are too dangerous and unpredictable. You must tame them before they can produce valuable plorts.

9. Are there any slimes that can’t be tamed?

While you can theoretically calm any slime with food or the Taming Bell, some slimes, like the Gold Slime and Lucky Slime, cannot be captured and kept in a corral. They are rare and fleeting creatures that primarily serve as sources of valuable plorts and newbucks.

10. What do I do if my entire ranch becomes overrun with feral slimes?

If you’re facing a full-blown feral slime outbreak, the best course of action is to systematically address each problem area. Start by identifying the source of the agitation (e.g., starvation, overcrowding) and then use the Taming Bell and feeding techniques to calm the slimes. You may need to temporarily relocate some slimes to give yourself more space to work. As a last resort, eliminate any particularly troublesome Largos by shooting them into the Slime Sea.

11. Can slimes starve to death in Slime Rancher?

Yes, Slimes can starve to death in Slime Rancher. They have a hunger meter that depletes over time. If it reaches zero, they become agitated and eventually turn feral. Consistent feeding is essential for maintaining a healthy and happy ranch.

12. What are Ringtail slimes?

Ringtail slimes are a unique slime type that turns into a stone statue when exposed to light. They return to normal at night or in dark environments. This behavior can be prevented with a Solar Shield upgrade on their corral.

13. How many slimes is too many slimes in a Corral?

A corral can hold a maximum of six small slimes or three large slimes. Some slimes, particularly those that are more active or aggressive, may require more space. Overcrowding can lead to stress and ferality.

14. What is Moondew Nectar?

Moondew Nectar is a food type found exclusively in Starlight Strand. It cannot be grown in a garden and is primarily found on trees and cliffs.

15. How can I learn more about slime rancher?

Dive deeper into the world of Slime Rancher and explore the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society. You can also enhance your understanding of games through exploring resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Mastering the art of taming feral slimes is a crucial skill for any aspiring Slime Rancher. By understanding the causes of ferality and employing the appropriate techniques, you can create a peaceful and prosperous ranch. Remember, a happy slime is a productive slime!