Stalker

The Stalker is a predatory life form that is hostile to the player, other creatures, and sometimes even other Stalkers.

They drop stalker teeth as they swim around, especially while carrying things in their mouth. A good tactic to get teeth from Stalkers is to tease them with the Seamoth. It is likely that the stalker will bite the Seamoth and drop a tooth. Since multiple Stalkers in the area are all attempting to collect Metal Salvage, an infinite loop of Stalkers fighting over metal salvage will ensue.

Stalkers can be found in the Kelp Forest and beneath the Aurora in the Crash Zone. Occasionally the stalkers can be found crossing the biome into the Safe Shallows, this happens when Peepers swim close to the kelp forest and the stalkers will try to eat them. It is possible to tame a Stalker by feeding them Peepers. A tamed stalker will follow you and bring you metal salvage. Stalkers will become feral again if not fed.

A 3D model of the Stalker can be found here.

Behavior
Stalkers have a fondness for metal salvage, and have a tendency to pick fragments up and gather them in one spot. Stalkers will also fight about themselves from time to time.

If the player breaks a chunk of limestone or similar and leaves the metal chunk that emerges from it be, nearby Stalkers will pick up that one as well.

Stalkers will attempt to eat Peepers they encounter. They will also attack the player if they come within a certain radius of each other. They do 30 damage per bite, and there are often many of them close together in kelp forests, making them a serious danger. Stalkers become more aggressive with a wider aggro radius during the night, so it is advised to avoid the Kelp Forest when it gets dark.

Just like Bone Sharks, Stalkers can be observed doing aileron rolls.

Appearance
The Stalker has a long and round body, with a long mouth that has an edge at both its top and its bottom, with many large teeth sticking out on the sides of the jaw. It has a mane of seven tags from head to tail. It has a broad tail fin, as well as two pectoral and pelvic fins on each side of the body. Its skin is mostly bright green with purple spots on the mouth, on its back and on the edge of the fins. The purple pattern on its back is going down to the sides in a jagged spikes pattern.

Interaction with the Player
Despite their generally aggressive attitude, Stalkers are actually quite intelligent creatures.

If the player approaches a Stalker with multiple catchable fish in their hand, the Stalker will swim up to the player and eat the fish. The Stalker will then be friendly to the player. It will pick up pieces of Metal Salvage and drop them at the player's position as a "present" (only the x and z coordinates are respected). Keep in mind that this peaceful behavior is only temporary. If the player doesn't have enough fish, the Stalker may not be tamed and will likely attack the player due to their proximity.

Stalkers will also take Metal Salvage from the player's hand and put them into their hoard. This will also tame the Stalkers. However, they will not start to bring the player metal. Again, this behavior is temporary.

Once the Stalker has turned hostile on the player, it will not accept fish or pieces of metal any more. Thus, the player must equip the item in question before approaching the Stalker.

Data Bank Entry
A streamline predator with developed intelligence and strength. Prey: Evolutionary profile fits natural predator of the Peeper
 * Found in the kelp forests, in wait of prey leaving the safety of the shallows
 * Retinal layering suggests adaptation for night-time hunting
 * Neural pathways indicate innate ability for reward-based learning: evolutionary explanation unclear at this time
 * Attracted to metals. Will fight fiercely over its hoard. No explanation available for this behavior. Further research required.

Assessment: Coerce or avoid

Gallery
For a more complete gallery, visit Stalker/Gallery.

Trivia

 * As of 14.12.2014 the model of the Stalker was changed. Until then the model of the Lava Lizard was used.


 * The Stalker was also listed as Snout Shark in development documents.