Shani: They’ll go straight for your face if you let them, and they rarely come alone.
The Tick is a small, spider-like ARC parasite that doesn’t trade shots—it trades personal space. It ambushes Raiders up close, leaps for the head, and clings on while draining you.
Combat behavior
Ticks are most dangerous when they catch you off-guard:
- In its Aggressive state, it makes a robotic shuffling sound right before it lunges
- It aims for your head, then latches onto you
- While attached, it slowly drains health and shields
- To remove it, hold [interact] to dislodge
- After you shake it off, it will scuttle away to escape—and may jump you again if it gets the chance
Tips for dealing with Ticks
- Listen first: you can often hear a Tick before you see it, which is your best early warning
- Stay alert indoors: they’re commonly found inside buildings, crawling on walls and ceilings
- Don’t underestimate groups: one Tick is manageable; a cluster can overwhelm you fast if you’re distracted
- Dismount quickly: the longer it stays attached, the more it punishes you—rip it off immediately and finish it before it resets for another leap
Role in the world (lore)
Ticks are basically ARC’s idea of a “keep out” sign. They’re believed to be used to drive humans away from resource-probing areas by acting like a contamination/harassment unit that creates unofficial exclusion zones. The upside: when they activate, they give themselves away with a distinct sound, which experienced Raiders learn to fear and track.
They also show up heavily indoors, reinforcing the idea that they’re meant to deny tight spaces where Raiders would normally feel safest.
Drops and materials
Common drops/materials associated with the Tick include:
- ARC Powercell
- ARC Alloy
- ARC Flex Rubber
- ARC Thermo Lining
- Tick Pod (unique drop)
The Tick Pod is the standout component recovered from Ticks. It’s used to upgrade the Medical Lab, making it a priority pickup even when the creatures themselves are… deeply unpleasant.
Tick Pod (unique item)
Fun (and cursed) note
Lance used to collect destroyed Ticks because he thought they were “cute,” hanging them from rafters and decorating plants with them—until kids started refusing to enter his clinic.
