Weavers (Typhon geneocratis) are a type of Typhon that appear in Prey (2017).
Overview
Weavers are able to reanimate the husks of humans who have been devoured by Mimics, turning the husks into Phantoms.[1]
They can create Typhon creatures like the Telepath in order to protect the Typhon ecology and reach their goals. If attacked, the Weavers can manifest or bring about Cystoids to protect itself. It is unknown if the mass to create these defenses come from the Weaver itself or from some other source.
Weavers get their name from their production of Coral, a luminescent web-like substance that hangs in the air wherever Weavers have been active for some time.
However, on some occasions their attempt to create a Phantom fails, resulting to the elusive Poltergeist as a result. On the credits scene, Weavers can reanimate the husks of humans that was still intact while most likely the husks that has been "depleted" by mimics will not be reanimated.
Design
Weavers are actually a Mimic that have been stung repeatedly by a group of other Mimics, transforming the Mimic into the Weaver. It seems to have the ability to "promote" average Mimics to the greater/elite variant, which do more damage, are much faster, and harder to kill and can be a nuisance. Weavers look like clustered tentacles, 3 in the top and several on the underside. Abilities are stated above, but not limited to Typhonisation (converting normal matter to Typhon material) of husks, upgrade Mimics it sees fit, and produces Coral, which color is shining gold.
Strategy
A Weaver's golden shield appears to mitigate all, if not most damage dealt against it on a first hit. Afterward, the shield will be broken for only short window, during which a Weaver will attempt to flee, floating away from the player and even capable of some short range teleportation. Coupled with its Backlash ability which will throw the player's camera control off kilter and the myriad of Cystoids a Weaver is capable of spawning it, makes them an extremely difficult opponent to pin down.
Melee appears to be an extremely ineffectual strategy without the aid of a psychic inhibitor such as Psychoshock or a Nullwave. The Weaver's shield, if the player can even manage to approach them unnoticed and uninhibited by Cystoids, will nullify any first hit against them making sneak attacks incredibly difficult to pull off. This leaves them vulnerable only in the brief period following, during which the player will still have to deal with the Cystoids it spawns and hope the weaver doesn't simply float out of range, which it is quite capable of doing.
The Q-beam appears to be highly effective against them, its lack of direct damage won't rupture the Weaver's shield and cause it to deal Backlash, which will also prompt it to remain and fight rather than to flee and teleport away, making it a far easier target. Just be careful with the plethora of Cystoids that the Weaver spawns, making it best engaged from a distance and ideally at a high vantage point. Recommended to start Q-beam on the Weaver right before the player is spotted. Watch out for its Backlash ability. It's best to nullify it then kill it.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Game Informer #85: Contained, but Not Tamed