Peccary

Peccary is a quadrupedal predator native to Anteverse II that appears in the game as a muscular, loyal, and steadfast beast. It uses psionic energy as a hunting tool and exhibits unusually rapid learning and behavioral plasticity in this universe, attributed by researchers to the high entropy differential between Anteverse II and the player’s universe. In containment classification it is designated IS-0178-A (Crucis, AG/IN/PY) and is commonly referred to simply as Peccary.

Containment and research notes record strict enclosure requirements: individual specimens must be confined to spaces no larger than a 3×3 m square to prevent them reaching velocities above 5 m/s. All walls and flooring must meet GISP blast-shielding reinforcement and be electrically grounded to 2 MV. Peccaries are to be contained separately and fed remotely. Laboratory work by Dr. Manbanko demonstrated that Peccaries can be trained with food rewards and aversive conditioning; one specimen nicknamed Gregory learned to fetch, follow repeated verbal commands, and tap its hooves to music. The creatures display a marked preference for Swedish drone metal, which renders them unusually docile and improves task retention.

In the field, Peccaries patrol their territory and can deploy secondary devices called Carbuncles by planting them with their tails along patrol routes. In combat they are aggressive: they will charge to close distance, tackle or perform a forward leap, and can execute a charged sprint attack in which their body sparks with energy before dashing in a straight line. On higher difficulty (Apocalyptic) the charged sprint becomes aimed, greatly increasing its threat; however, limited turning speed still allows players to dodge by forcing the Peccary into curvature against walls or by staggering it to cancel the charge.

Practical tactics and interactions:

• Early encounters are dangerous if unprepared; a shield such as the Plastic Shield effectively blocks standard attacks.
• The charged sprint is vulnerable to interruption: striking the creature while it charges will stun it briefly.
• Crowd-control tools like the Throw Net or Net Launcher stun a Peccary for four seconds, creating an opening for melee attacks.
• Ranged combat (e.g., Makeshift Crossbow) is viable but requires careful kiting and attention to its summoned Carbuncles. Carbuncles can tether players and alert the Peccary, restricting dodging until the tether is removed.
• In open areas on Apocalyptic difficulty, prioritize staggering or disabling the Peccary to avoid its aimed charge; in confined spaces, use geometry to cause it to collide with obstacles.

Harvestable resources from defeated Peccaries include Raw Alien Drumstick (100%), Raw Peccary Chop (100%), and Peccary Skull (50%). The in-game creature is named after the terrestrial peccary, though the alien specimen is larger than the animal that inspired the name — early observations from a distance led researchers to underestimate its size. The Peccary is also the evolved form of the Plague.