Animal NPCs[]
Animal NPC's are roaming NPCs in Subsistence that actively roam the world. These NPCs are the main source of several resources such as cloth and sinew as well as the main source of protein foods. All animals have a level dictating their strength with higher level NPCs having improved stats. Animals that successfully kill the player level up by 1 and regain a portion of their health.
Some animals such as chickens and rabbits are able to be domesticated to provide higher quality meats and other additional resources using the Animal Housing unit, buildable via the Base Command Unit.
Small Animals - Passive[]
There are currently two types of passive small animals in the game:
- Chickens
- Rabbits
Chickens and Rabbits are small animals that roam around the map, fleeing when players approach them. Chickens can be caught by hand (with effort). Rabbits can usually be hurt with a hunting bow and will keep a portion of their health. Picking up a live chicken or rabbit is necessary to put them into Animal Housing allowing the animals to be reared for greater rewards. a level 0 chicken or rabbit can be killed and butchered for cloth, feathers, or low-grade meat.
Small Animals - Hostile[]
There is currently only one type of hostile small animal in the game:
- Bats
Bats were added in the Alpha 53 update along with a massive cave update. They can only be found in caves and are the only source of meat in caves. They are hostile and will attack if you go anywhere near them, they have a high chance of causing bleeding and infection.
Fish[]
There are currently seven types of fish in the game:
- Small Fish
- Bass
- Catfish
- Crayfish
- Perch
- Pike
- Salmon
Fish are animals only attainable via Fishing. There are two options for fishing, using a fishing pole and fishing tackle, or by placing a fish trap in the water. The type of water also matters as some fish only spawn in lakes and some only spawn in ponds. Some fish are only able to be caught using the fishing pole and some are only able to be caught using the fish trap.
Large Animals - Passive[]
There are currently three types of passive large animals in the game:
- Deer
- Moose
- Wild Boar
Deer will run when approached, but usually only a short distance, even if shot. If close to water, they may run into it and swim, which can result in them crossing an entire lake.
Moose have a rutting season from September to October and will become hostile to the player during this time. Also if a player lands multiple shots on a moose outside of rutting season the moose will become hostile and charge at the player.
Large Animals - Hostile[]
There are currently four types of hostile large animals in the game:
- Wolves
- White Wolves
- Bears
- Cougars
Wolves, deer, and bears are found roaming in any given area in the map, while cougars reside mostly around snowy or mountainous areas around the edges of the map.
During winter months bears do not spawn and white wolfs start to spawn.
All large predatory animals will warn the player with a soft sound upon being approached or wandering near a player, and when approached further, will be heard loudly and start following the player. Cougars can also be heard purring from quite some distance, even when they haven't detected the player. When close enough, these animals will charge and attack the player. It is not recommended to approach these animals for any reason without proper equipment unless necessary.
Large animals, when killed, will yield random amounts of resources and food when harvested by pressing E on them with the ax. Cougars and Moose are the only sources of sinew in the game aside from uncommon looting.