Volatile Pest

Volatile Pest is a hostile creature that appears in Anteverse 2 and is associated with the GATE Compendium entry IS-0173-C. It is a volatile variant of the usual Pest, marked by its explosive behavior and radiation-related morphology. The compendium notes that these creatures are part of a broader set of fauna altered by prolonged exposure to high-strength radiation, and that their adaptive capacity is still being studied.

In combat, Volatile Pest uses a leap attack and closes distance by hopping or lunging at its target. Its practical engagement range is short, roughly 3–4 storage crate lengths, but the danger comes from contact itself: when it hits something, it explodes for heavy damage. Because of this, the safest response is to avoid its lunges rather than try to tank them. Some individuals remain stationary until disturbed, while others slowly hop around their designated area.

• It can be seen much earlier than its usual encounters, including in various tubes within Cascade Laboratories.
• It drops Plutonic Carapace guaranteed, and has a 75% chance each to drop Raw Pest and Raw Pest Rump.
• It can be trapped and tamed with a Pest Trap and 3 Nachos or Anteverse Wheat.
• A tamed Volatile Pest can be ordered to follow the player or patrol randomly, and it will attack hostile targets.
• Tamed individuals can also be sent back to their cage or assigned to generate power in a Pest Wheel.
• Tamed Volatile Pest still emits radiation passively, so it should be handled with care.
• Even when tamed, it dies upon exploding, so it is not a durable companion for front-line fighting.