Way too many bloodsuckers

[Commander359]

So, I don't know if this is a bug, or what, but why does it seem that every other mutant I encounter is a bloodsucker? Its not that I cant kill them, but the sheer number of them is really beginning to grate on me. If we go off the previous games like call of pripyet, bloodsuckers are meant to be rare and highly dangerous enemies (so much so that stalker enclaves make a point to obliterate their nests as soon as they find one). Furthermore, bloodsuckers are supposed to be much more scary and unique mutants, and I feel like their current spam is degrading that factor.

In previous games when I saw a bloodsucker, it was a terrifying experience; a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse. Now when I see a bloodsucker its quickly become "Oh great, ANOTHER one, that's three in the past ten minutes.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint about challenge or difficulty, but rather a more annoyed rant that we aren't getting so see other mutants of the zone that are "supposedly" more common like fleshes, blind dogs, and even the rats. It really doesn't fit with the lore of previous games, and I feel like downgrading what should be a dangerous predator into common fodder really does a disservice to both the player and the mutants themselves by degrading what should be memorable experiences into another common slog elements.

[OldGamer]

everything changes... This is the Zone. This is normal

[Keitzy]

This! Plus, high HP pool, and two forms of CC for extra zing! But wait, get two or more, and have a free CC chain for no extra! Running away? Never fear., we'll drain your stamina really quick, but wait, why not drink an energy drink, just pause that sprinting while you drink that drink!
The new Bloodsucker, available now!

[Fireserpent7]

its probably due to the A life being broken

[OldGamer]

read your.. whining?
Weaklings. The Zone is not for the weak.
The bloodsucker offends them. He does not offend - he takes revenge

[FerociousRhyme]

Originally posted by Brussels_Sprouts_Are_Not_Food:

I'm eight hours in and haven't seen one (apart from that invisible thing during Prologue if that was one). Am I doing something wrong?

I have only 2,5 hours in the game - waiting for patches and I have encountered them many times as well

[bwc153]

Bloodsucker numbers do seem to be a bit more common. I'm curious if this game has a similar system to Call of Pripyat where higher tier mutants are locked in the spawning pool until an intro mission enables them. (IE: Chimera and Burers don't spawn in wild until you do their initial hunt mission)

Originally posted by Brussels_Sprouts_Are_Not_Food:

I'm eight hours in and haven't seen one (apart from that invisible thing during Prologue if that was one). Am I doing something wrong?

That was a bloodsucker, and no you aren't. They tend to like to lair in abandoned buildings and swamps so if you stay away from those then they aren't as commonplace

[Dirteedeeds]

Originally posted by Commander359:

So, I don't know if this is a bug, or what, but why does it seem that every other mutant I encounter is a bloodsucker? Its not that I cant kill them, but the sheer number of them is really beginning to grate on me. If we go off the previous games like call of pripyet, bloodsuckers are meant to be rare and highly dangerous enemies (so much so that stalker enclaves make a point to obliterate their nests as soon as they find one). Furthermore, bloodsuckers are supposed to be much more scary and unique mutants, and I feel like their current spam is degrading that factor.

In previous games when I saw a bloodsucker, it was a terrifying experience; a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse. Now when I see a bloodsucker its quickly become "Oh great, ANOTHER one, that's three in the past ten minutes.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint about challenge or difficulty, but rather a more annoyed rant that we aren't getting so see other mutants of the zone that are "supposedly" more common like fleshes, blind dogs, and even the rats. It really doesn't fit with the lore of previous games, and I feel like downgrading what should be a dangerous predator into common fodder really does a disservice to both the player and the mutants themselves by degrading what should be memorable experiences into another common slog elements.

Wait till you have two of them spawn on you, and then you blow all your ammo just to only take one down. Now all you got is your knife and you have no more bandages and medkits. Yah DEVS need to patch their game, it's been out for almost a week and no patch.

[Grubbs008]

Originally posted by Brussels_Sprouts_Are_Not_Food:

Originally posted by bwc153:

Bloodsucker numbers do seem to be a bit more common. I'm curious if this game has a similar system to Call of Pripyat where higher tier mutants are locked in the spawning pool until an intro mission enables them. (IE: Chimera and Burers don't spawn in wild until you do their initial hunt mission)



That was a bloodsucker, and no you aren't. They tend to like to lair in abandoned buildings and swamps so if you stay away from those then they aren't as commonplace

I ain't going in no damned swamp or lair, lol.

You don't have a choice, if you want to finish the game.

[Commander359]

Originally posted by OldGamer:

read your.. whining?
Weaklings. The Zone is not for the weak.
The bloodsucker offends them. He does not offend - he takes revenge

Your looking at this backwards. I'm not whining that they are too strong, I am whining that they are so common that they aren't scary anymore. Killing them isn't as hard as one might think. They rely heavily on hit and run tactics, so if you have to confront one or more, back yourself into a building or debris field with only one entrance, and hit them with a shotgun when they come in the door. Repeat this two or three times, and you should be good.

THAT is what I am complaining about though, the fact that they are SO common that killing them has become just another task rather than an nerve wracking and epic encounter.

[Squish Mush]

i jump on a box. sprint when they de cloak

[Fluggegehimen]

I'd rather have bloodsuckers than meet a chimera somewhere else.

[JDumbz]

Too many blood suckers? I can barely find one when walking around. Great game.

[archonsod]

Originally posted by Commander359:

Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint about challenge or difficulty, but rather a more annoyed rant that we aren't getting so see other mutants of the zone that are "supposedly" more common like fleshes, blind dogs, and even the rats.

How far in are you? I found a fair few bloodsuckers early game, with other mutants becoming more common later. In fact I suspect they've just rejigged the mutants a bit - bloodsuckers are to S2 what blind dogs were to S1; your basic average 'starter mutant'.

It really doesn't fit with the lore of previous games, and I feel like downgrading what should be a dangerous predator into common fodder really does a disservice to both the player and the mutants themselves by degrading what should be memorable experiences into another common slog elements.

I dunno, while they're the most common mutant encounter in the early game I tended to find mutant encounters weren't hugely common to begin with (not counting scripted encounters of course), with most random foes being bandits and the like.
I'm not sure I'd call them fodder though. They can be nasty if they get the drop on you, and their ability to turn invisible means that's an easier proposition (they also seem to be immune to anomalies, at least while invisible, which can make for a particularly nasty fight if you're in the middle of an artefact hunt). More importantly though they're also a reasonable threat when alone; the problem with blind dogs, flesh and rats is that they're only really a threat in large numbers. Issue you then have is the Oblivion problem - if the player is having to contend with small groups of enemies every five minutes you may as well be putting a big "You're playing a videogame!" sign across the top of the UI.

Originally posted by bwc153:

Bloodsucker numbers do seem to be a bit more common. I'm curious if this game has a similar system to Call of Pripyat where higher tier mutants are locked in the spawning pool until an intro mission enables them. (IE: Chimera and Burers don't spawn in wild until you do their initial hunt mission)

I'm not sure if it's a tiered system or just localities. First time I encountered psy dogs for example was Wild Island, and I've yet to see any in lesser zone or Garbage.

That was a bloodsucker, and no you aren't. They tend to like to lair in abandoned buildings and swamps so if you stay away from those then they aren't as commonplace

They also tend to be more active at night and during storms.

[Bastila Shan]

They mostly come at night. Mostly.

[Stalker2010]

Originally posted by OldGamer:

read your.. whining?
Weaklings. The Zone is not for the weak.
The bloodsucker offends them. He does not offend - he takes revenge

What are you even talking about, did you play this game or any of the previous?
You literally meet a Bloodsucker first thing in the prologue missions and then a Poltergeist.
These are supposed to be rare occurrences or at least ones you encounter deeper in the Zone.

You even have the NPCs all over joke and tell stories about how they had a dream about a Bloodsucker or tell jokes about its legendary status.