Enemy Types & Weaknesses

Enemy Types & Weaknesses

The Oldest House is teeming with hostile entities, primarily the Hiss, who manifest in various forms. Understanding their attack patterns and vulnerabilities is crucial for survival. This section details the most common Hiss types you'll encounter and provides actionable strategies to dispatch them efficiently.

Hiss Charged

These are the most basic Hiss units, but don't underestimate their numbers. They rush you and explode on impact, dealing significant damage in close quarters.

• Weakness: Ranged attacks and environmental hazards.
• Strategy:
  1. Maintain distance. The Spin or Pierce forms of the Service Weapon are excellent for taking them down before they get close.
  2. Utilize Launch: Grab nearby objects (chairs, filing cabinets, concrete blocks) and hurl them at approaching Hiss Charged. A well-aimed Launch can often detonate them prematurely, sometimes creating a chain reaction if they are grouped.
  3. Environmental Awareness: Look for explosive barrels or Hiss Nodes in the environment. Shooting these when Hiss Charged are nearby can clear groups quickly.
  4. Evade: If they get too close, a quick Evade can save you from their explosion. Immediately follow up with a melee attack or a close-range Shotgun blast (Shatter form) to finish them off.
• Recommended Mods: Damage Boost for your Service Weapon, Health Recovery mods for sustained engagements.

Hiss Elevated

These airborne Hiss units float above the battlefield, pelting you with energy projectiles. They are often accompanied by ground units, making them a priority target.

• Weakness: Direct hits, especially from powerful single-shot weapons.
• Strategy:
  1. Prioritize: Always take out Hiss Elevated first, as their sustained fire can quickly deplete your health and make dealing with ground units much harder.
  2. Pierce Form: The Pierce form of the Service Weapon is incredibly effective against Hiss Elevated. Charge up a shot and aim for their core for maximum damage. Two well-placed charged shots can often take one down.
  3. Launch: If you have a clear line of sight and enough energy, Launching objects at them can knock them out of the air, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
  4. Cover: Utilize the environment for cover while engaging Hiss Elevated. Peek out, fire, and retreat to avoid their projectiles.
• Recommended Mods: Projectile Speed or Accuracy mods for Pierce, Energy Recovery mods to sustain Launch attacks.

Hiss Distorted

These stealthy Hiss units are cloaked, making them difficult to spot. They often appear suddenly and attack with powerful melee strikes.

• Weakness: Area-of-effect (AoE) abilities and sound cues.
• Strategy:
  1. Listen Carefully: Hiss Distorted emit a distinct, low hum when they are nearby, even when cloaked. Pay attention to these audio cues.
  2. Shield: When you hear a Hiss Distorted approaching, activate your Shield ability. This will block their initial melee attack and often reveal their position.
  3. Shatter Form: Once their position is revealed, switch to the Shatter form of the Service Weapon. Its wide spread is excellent for hitting them even if they try to re-cloak.
  4. Launch (AoE): If you suspect a Hiss Distorted is in a specific area, Launching a large object (like a concrete barrier) can hit them even if they are cloaked, stunning them and revealing their location.
  5. Melee Counter: A well-timed Melee attack can interrupt their charge and briefly stun them, allowing for follow-up shots.
• Recommended Mods: Health Recovery, Shield Strength, and Melee Damage mods.

Hiss Guard

Heavily armored Hiss units that carry shields, making them resistant to frontal attacks. They are slow but can deal heavy damage up close.

• Weakness: Flanking maneuvers, abilities that bypass shields, and sustained fire on exposed areas.
• Strategy:
  1. Flank Them: Their shield only protects their front. Use Evade or Levitate to quickly get behind them and unleash a barrage of attacks with the Spin or Shatter forms.
  2. Launch Through Shield: A powerful Launch attack can sometimes stagger or even break their shield, leaving them vulnerable. Aim for their feet or directly at the shield.
  3. Seize: Once their health is low, or if you can get behind them, use Seize. A seized Hiss Guard can draw enemy fire and provide valuable distraction.
  4. Pierce Form (Charged): A fully charged Pierce shot can sometimes penetrate their shield, especially if you aim for the edges. This is a riskier strategy but can be effective if you're out of position to flank.
• Recommended Mods: Energy Recovery for frequent Launches and Seizes, Damage Boost for your primary weapon forms.

Hiss Cluster

These stationary Hiss entities act as healers for other Hiss units in their vicinity. They are typically found in more challenging encounters.

• Weakness: Focused fire and long-range attacks.
• Strategy:
  1. High Priority Target: Always eliminate Hiss Clusters first. Their healing capabilities can prolong fights unnecessarily and make other Hiss much tougher to defeat.
  2. Pierce Form: The Pierce form is ideal for quickly dispatching Hiss Clusters from a distance, minimizing the time other Hiss units are being healed.
  3. Launch: If a Hiss Cluster is within range, a well-aimed Launch can destroy it instantly, especially if you use a heavy object.
  4. Clear the Path: Sometimes, other Hiss units will guard the Cluster. Quickly eliminate any immediate threats that prevent you from reaching or targeting the Cluster.
• Recommended Mods: Pierce Damage Boost, Energy Recovery.