Table of Contents

Surviving the Licker’s Gaze: A Guide to Stealth and Evasion

So, you want to know how to hide from Lickers, eh? Well, you’ve come to the right place. These grotesque, blind creatures from the Resident Evil universe are nightmares made flesh. But fear not! While they lack sight, their acute hearing and brutal attacks make them formidable foes. The key to surviving a Licker encounter is understanding its weaknesses and exploiting them to your advantage. Here’s the fundamental principle: move slowly and deliberately, avoid making noise, and use sound to your advantage. Now, let’s dive into the details.

Understanding the Licker Threat

Before we delve into hiding techniques, let’s understand what makes Lickers such dangerous adversaries. As the article you provided states, Lickers are the result of the T-Virus mutation in a zombie host. This mutation results in the loss of their skin and eyes, but grants them enhanced strength, agility, and reflexes, far surpassing those of ordinary zombies.

Their primary method of hunting is through acute hearing. They can detect even the faintest sounds, using them to pinpoint the location of their prey. They will attack using their powerful claws and long tongues, making them deadly in close quarters. Their ability to cling to walls and ceilings adds another layer of threat, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting survivors.

The Art of Stealth: How to Avoid Detection

Given their reliance on hearing, the most effective way to hide from Lickers is to minimize the noise you make. This might seem obvious, but mastering the art of stealth is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of essential techniques:

Walk, Don’t Run: This is the golden rule. Walking at a normal pace is significantly quieter than running. As long as you avoid sprinting, Lickers are far less likely to detect you. The article specifically mentions this, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a controlled pace.
Crouch and Crawl: If you’re in a confined space or need to get past a Licker in close proximity, crouching or crawling is even quieter than walking. This allows you to move with minimal noise, reducing your chances of being detected.
Mind Your Surroundings: Be aware of the environment. Avoid stepping on broken glass, debris, or anything that could create sound. Pay attention to your character’s footsteps; different surfaces produce different levels of noise.
Silence is Golden: Avoid unnecessary actions that create sound, such as firing your weapon (unless absolutely necessary), opening doors loudly, or bumping into objects.
Listen Carefully: The article mentions that Lickers become suspicious and move around when you’re nearby. Pay close attention to their movements. If you hear them screeching or shuffling, it’s a sign that they’re aware of your presence.
Distraction Techniques: Utilize noise to your advantage. You can use sounds from other sources to draw the Licker away from you. Throw a bottle in the other direction. This works if the Licker is not already alerted or actively hunting you.

Mastering Evasion: What to Do When Detected

Even with the best stealth techniques, you might still be detected by a Licker. In such cases, evasion becomes crucial. Here’s what to do when a Licker spots you:

Create Distance: Your first priority is to create distance between yourself and the Licker. Backpedal slowly, maintaining situational awareness.
Use the Environment: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Duck behind obstacles, navigate through narrow corridors, and use corners to break line of sight.
Flash Grenades: The article you provided also mentions flash grenades. These can be useful, as they can stun and temporarily distract the Licker, giving you a window to escape.
Conserve Ammo: Fighting Lickers can be costly. Unless you’re confident in your ability to take them down quickly, it’s often best to avoid direct confrontation.
Know When to Fight: However, as mentioned in the provided text, there are times when fighting a Licker is necessary. Dark hallways or areas you pass through frequently are worth clearing. In these instances, the article indicates that the Hydra is an excellent weapon. Remember to aim for the head.

Advanced Tactics: Exploiting Licker Behavior

Beyond the basics, there are a few advanced tactics you can use to exploit Licker behavior:

Doorway Manipulation: Use doorways to your advantage. Open a door slightly to peek into a room and assess the Licker’s position. If it’s close, close the door and wait for it to move away before entering. The article also states that Lickers can hear doors open.
Sound Masking: Use environmental sounds to mask your own movements. If there’s a running generator or other source of constant noise, it can help to conceal your footsteps.
Pattern Recognition: Pay attention to the Licker’s patrol patterns. Lickers often follow predictable routes. By observing their movements, you can anticipate their location and avoid them more easily.

Final Thoughts: Patience and Observation

Hiding from Lickers is a combination of stealth, evasion, and understanding their behavior. Patience and observation are key. Take your time, pay attention to your surroundings, and learn from your mistakes. With practice, you’ll become a master of stealth, able to navigate even the most Licker-infested environments with ease. Knowledge of the game is essential for this, and it’s important to remember that games can be learning tools. If you are interested in the way that games and education go hand-in-hand, please visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of Licker evasion:

Can Lickers see in the dark?

No, Lickers are completely blind. They rely entirely on their hearing and sense of smell to locate prey.
Will crouching always guarantee I won’t be detected?

Crouching significantly reduces your noise output, but it’s not a guarantee. If you’re too close to a Licker or move too quickly while crouching, they can still hear you.
Are flashbangs a reliable way to escape Lickers?

Flash grenades can be effective, but they’re not foolproof. They provide a brief window of opportunity to escape, but Lickers can recover quickly.
Does the type of weapon I use affect how likely I am to be detected?

Yes, firing a loud weapon like a shotgun or magnum is much more likely to attract Lickers than using a knife or pistol. Suppressed weapons are ideal.
Can Lickers open doors?

No, Lickers cannot open doors. This can be used to your advantage, allowing you to create temporary barriers.
Do Lickers react to other enemies like zombies?

Lickers will attack any living thing that makes noise. Zombies can inadvertently attract their attention.
How close can I get to a Licker without being detected?

The distance varies depending on the Licker’s alertness level and the amount of noise you’re making. It’s best to maintain a safe distance of at least several meters.
Are there any safe zones where Lickers won’t appear?

Safe rooms, typically marked by item boxes and typewriters, are generally safe from Lickers and other enemies.
Do Lickers respawn?

In some games, Lickers will respawn after a certain amount of time or after you leave and re-enter an area.
What’s the best way to deal with multiple Lickers at once?

Avoiding confrontation is usually the best option. However, if you must fight, use area-of-effect weapons like grenades or a shotgun to take them down quickly.
Can I use scent to distract or confuse Lickers?

Scent plays a secondary role to hearing. Items that mask your scent are not typically available in the game, so focusing on noise reduction is more practical.
If a Licker is on the ceiling, how can I avoid it?

Walk slowly and deliberately. Try to stick to the edges of the room. Listen carefully for any signs of movement above you.
Does difficulty level affect Licker behavior?

Higher difficulty levels may make Lickers more aggressive and their hearing more acute, making them harder to avoid.
Are there any items that can make me move more quietly?

In some Resident Evil games, there may be items that reduce noise, such as lightweight boots. Check your inventory and item descriptions.
What happens if a Licker catches me?

Be prepared for a brutal attack that inflicts significant damage. Try to have a defensive item equipped to reduce the damage or escape the grab.

Remember, survival in the Resident Evil universe is about knowledge, preparation, and adaptation. Understanding how Lickers hunt and mastering the art of stealth are essential skills for any survivor. Good luck, and stay quiet!

How do you hide from Lickers?