In The Cycle: Frontier, fellow players are not the only danger. You will also need to match wits with the game’s AI. This Player vs. Environment (PvE) aspect pits the player against the terrifying fauna and weather of the frontier.
The best strategy is tailored to the threat. For example, how many PvE enemies are you fighting? What type of enemy are you fighting? Are there enemy players around? You must consider all of this to decide the best approach for a PvE encounter.
This article will cover the main characteristics, attacks, and weaknesses of all the PvE enemies. We will also discuss the different scenarios you can encounter, what to use, and how to use it to ensure 100% effectiveness in every PvE encounter.
Related Guide: Where to Harvest Every Plant and Mushroom in The Cycle Frontier
The 5 Creatures and Every Variant Players can Encounter in Their Adventure through Fortuna III
The Cycle: Frontier contains 5 creatures that will attack you on sight, Each one of them has completely different attacks and weaknesses.
The Strider
The Strider is a bipedal, orange creature with a nasty bite. This creature is only capable of melee attacks, and it’s not a big threat when on its own. However, like feral dogs, Striders tend to attack in groups!
The best way to kill a lone Strider is through one heavy melee attack or two light attacks. When fighting a large group of Striders, we recommend using your gun. They cannot damage you if you keep them at bay with a ranged weapon. If you are in the middle of a gunfight, it’s better to shoot the Striders to get rid of them quickly.
Don’t try to outrun these creatures. Living up to their name, Striders move quickly.
- Recommended Weapon: Knife or a Pistol
- Drop: Spinal base (common), Strider Flesh (uncommon), and Strider Head (Legendary)
- Weak Points: No one part of the body is critical, as the whole body is vulnerable to damage in The Cycle Frontier.
Variations to the Strider in The Cycle Frontier
- Heavy Strider: This can be found in High Danger areas and, unlike the others, can perform ranged attacks.
- Charged Strider: These Striders are charged up by storms, and killing them will drop a Charged Spinal Base. Beware–these Striders have a speed boost while inside a storm.
Rattler Enemies in The Cycle: Frontier
The Rattler must be hit in the yellow weak point.
The Rattler is also known as “the spider” by players because of the way it skitters about on arachnoid legs. The Rattler is also distinguishable by its yellow neck and yellow eyes, similar to a fly’s. These yellow organs are the Rattler’s weak spots.
Strike the Rattler’s neck or eyes with powerful weapons. We don’t recommend using pistols or cheap weapons, as these monsters are strong! They have two types of attack: a simple melee attack and a ranged attack that is pure nightmare fuel. Rattlers can spit a powerful acid in a straight line. This can be avoided by moving to the side once the Rattler starts its ranged attack.
If you encounter a Rattler in the middle of a gunfight, eliminate it quickly! If you don’t, it can deal massive damage and leave you vulnerable to enemies.
- Recommended Weapon: Any shotgun, Bolt-Action Rifle, or any Assault Rifle
- Drop: Rattler Skin (common), Rattler Eyes (uncommon), and Rattler Head (Legendary)
- Weak Points: Eyes and the yellow area on ther Rattler creature’s neck
Variations to the Rattler Enemy in The Cycle Frontier
- Mature Rattler: Found in High Danger areas, the Mature Rattler has much more HP than the regular ones and has a damaged boat that can melt Blue Armor. This variation will drop a better version of the drops covered above.
Acid and Blast Ticks
If you’ve ever pulled a sated tick off yourself or your dog, this next creature will give you the creeps! Like their namesakes, the Ticks have bulging sacks on their backs, but at least this one isn’t full of your blood! Their faces resemble those of horned beetles, and their eyes look like a vicious boar’s. Despite their terrifying appearance, these are Tier 1 creatures that can be killed easily. One shot with any gun will do it!
There are two varieties of Tick. The orange ones will charge players and blow up once they are close. The green Ticks will do the same, with added damage: they leave toxic acid on the ground
- Recommended Weapon: Any weapon except the knife
- Drop: Toxic Glands (common)
- Weak Points: No one part of the body is critical, as the whole body is vulnerable to damage.
Marauder
The Marauder has been playfully dubbed “Jeff” by The Cycle: Frontier community, but don’t be fooled. It’s an extremely dangerous enemy that will stomp on any inexperienced prospector! Its high speed, damage, and intelligence combine to make it a top foe.
The Marauder is hard to miss, looming over us at a height of 9 to 10 feet. You can also identify The Marauder by its dark blue color and the white lights that line its extremities. It also has a blue long tail with bioluminescent dots.
How to Stay Alive when Fighting Marauder Enemies in PvE Combat in The Cycle Frontier
If the Maurader spots a player from afar, it will puke a ball of corrosive acid at distances of 5 to 10 meters. This acid will pool on the ground and hurt anyone that walks through it. The Marauder also attacks through a very powerful double melee with its hands.
Dodging this creature’s attacks can be very difficult, so players should outfit themselves with high-tier gear to kill it. If you encounter enemy players when a Marauder is close, it’s better to flee the area as soon as possible.
- Recommended Weapon: Rare weapons and above
- Drop: Hardened Bone Plates (uncommon), Marauder Flesh (rare), and Marauder Head (legendary)
- Weak Points: Hit the Maurader’s mouth when it roars, leaving its mouth open.
Marauder Creature Variations
- Savage Marauder: You can identify this creature by its green and orange colors and have much more health and are more lethal than regular Marauders. They drop the same loot as an ordinary Marauder.
How to Deal with Crusher Enemies in PvE
The Crusher is incredibly difficult to kill due to its resilient armor and high HP. When roused to anger, the Crusher will throw rocks, charge players, and slam the ground around them with its powerful arms. These attacks are damaging, and only experienced players with the proper equipment should risk them.
If a player attacks you while you’re fending off a Crusher, run away and reposition to engage the enemy player.
These are currently the most dangerous creatures in The Cycle Frontier.
- Recommended Weapon: Rare weapons and above
- Drop: Crusher Hide (rare), Crusher Flesh (epic), and Crusher Head (legendary)
- Weak Points: The ankle and his upper back
Crusher Variations to Watch Out For
- Alpha Crusher: This is the same as the standard Crusher but with higher stats. It will drop improved versions of the regular crusher loot, plus a Legendary Alpha Crusher Skull.
The Storms on Fortuna III Can Impact Both PvE and PvP
The storm will happen when a server needs to respawn loot. Players will start hearing the wind and light rain. At some point, 5-minute and 1-minute warnings will appear on the screen. Once the timer ends, a very heavy storm begins. Visibility drops, lethal lighting bolts crash to the ground, and all the evacuation zones are disabled.
If possible, all prospectors should seek shelter in a structure. If no structures are nearby, players can avoid the thunder by walking, then running as soon as they are targetted by lightning. Prospectors can realize when they’ve been targetted by noting the red particles that spawn in a small area before thunder hits. It will also spawn Glowy Brightcap Mushrooms.
Final Thoughts on PvE in The Cycle Frontier
All the creatures covered go from very easy to extremely dangerous, so we advise players to plan their attacks against them, especially against beasts around High Danger areas. In general, avoid fighting the beasts in The Cycle Frontier when in a middle of a PvP fight.
The best thing a player can do is die and try again until they find their best way to approach the different PvE scenarios The Cycle Frontier has to offer. For absolute newbies, we recommend you check out our Cycle Frontier beginners guide. It’ll help you get into action quickly!
Good luck and a good trip through the wonders of Fortuna III!
