How to not constantly die to chompers

[Badass_Ben]

This guy's windup time is pathetically long
Chompers can just hit me constantly, not allowing a windup
Fast attack is handy, but it drains your stamina
ive tried dodging, but the length of their attack is too long to dodge.

[breakn2stuff]

I found running in a tight circle and waiting until I hear them whiffing on their attack, before making my attack seems to work ok. Pitchfork i believe has a shorter windup time and has very helpful range against chompers (or use a shovel). But to be honest I hate meleeing them, I usually resort to a pistol or shotty.

[Tamaster]

When i meet a chomper unless i am forced to fight, i run away, it is not worth for a piece of odd meat to risk against a chomper. Shovel is best against them because of its range.

[Masa]

At first it seems like an impossible task, but believe me with enough practice you get the hang of it, I actually learned how to fight them with the one that shows in the grave dream, the easiest way is this one.

First, (THE HOW) forget about the wind-up attack, do not use it, ever, PERIOD. I don't care if you think you can time it, if the chomper is 10.000 light years away, drop it. ALWAYS USE THE FAST ATTACK.

Second, (THE WHEN) you are standing there, and you see/hear the chomper coming your way, turn around and face it, usually red chompers will always bee-line to you (I noticed that black chompers tend to deviate from you and that kinda messes your dodging), as soon as the chomper is 3~2 bodies next to you, you just move out of the way, not dodge, not jump, just move out of the way, for example, if you are facing the chomper to the north (it is running south to you) as soon as it gets close, you just hit A or D, and it will chomp the air, as soon as it does that you turn around, approach it quickly, and then you FAST ATTACK it. This will kinda stun it for a second or so. Use that time to put some distance between you and the chomper.

TL;DR Move (not dodge) out of the way, approach, fast attack, retreat.

Third: (THE FOLLOW-UP) doing what's stated above you will most likely have 1 bar or less of stamina, here comes the tricky part, noticed how I said before "you are standing there"? That's the secret, stand, don't move, as soon as you got some distance from the chomper, turn around, face it and STAND, don't move, standing makes stamina recover faster than walking. You see the chomper moving, you stand, it growls, you stand, it lunges at you, you move out of the way, hopefully with enough stamina to fast attack, if not, just make some distance and go back to standing until it comes to you.

TL;DR You need to play chicken with the chomper until you see the white in its eyes.

[Bing Chillin']

It's simple; git gud

[PizzaSHARK]

Chompers and big dogs are a lot easier with a shovel or axe. You have to learn about how far your weapon reaches and hit them before they can hit you. I haven't found dodging to be very effective because of how fast they are and how far they can reach, and the fact that taking damage or hitting the dodge button resets your attack swing.

Ranged weapons and molotovs are also very effective and you should have plenty on hand by time you're running into chompers and big dogs consistently.

[Stirling]

Fighting chompers in the wild is usually not worth it; avoid them or run away if you can.
If you absolutely have to fight them, make sure you're the one ambushing THEM, and not the other way around. If you're looting a house and you know there's one inside, greet him with a molotov or a hail of buckshot, don't risk getting detected sneaking up to them. Melee gets less and less useful the further into the game you are, stick to your guns if you have them.

[Null Winter]

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

[Stirling]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

Human Spiders are in my experience slightly easier since they're only fast when they're really close, otherwise you can quite easily shoot them. In fact, I killed a total of five spiders on my most recent night and it wasn't particularly difficult, only took me a pistol clip and a half. Centipedes are tough ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, though. I only ever manage to kill them when they walk into a trap or when I get a lucky shot on them.

[Adhan]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

From hardest to easiest for me: Centipedes, Chompers, Human Spiders.
Centipedes are quit tough if I am not using Third Eye, as they can emerge from the ground at some upredictable spots.

[PizzaSHARK]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

Chompers are more common, especially before chapter 2.

[FireNative]

I run in circles until I hear the chompers, (and any other enemy), attack then I go in for an attack. I hold back a weapon to allow me to move and build up my stamina at the same time.

[breakn2stuff]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

I think the human spiders could use a small buff. I don't find them hard at all unless you get swarmed with 4 at a time, and even then just a pistol levels the playing field. They look like they should be tankier, maybe a small health increase is in order.

[Null Winter]

Originally posted by breakn2stuff:

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Even with the unholy abominations that are Human Spiders and Centipedes, I still see more complaints leveled at Chompers. Interesting.

I think the human spiders could use a small buff. I don't find them hard at all unless you get swarmed with 4 at a time, and even then just a pistol levels the playing field. They look like they should be tankier, maybe a small health increase is in order.

For comparison, the Rifle can take Spiders out in one shot, which actually makes them one of the few enemies worth using the Rifle on; Red Chompers, on the other hand, still have a very substantial amount of health after taking a round.

I think Spiders are just fine as they are, considering their speed and ability to double the amount of enemies you have to deal with.

[Adhan]

This^
Also, if I'm not mistaken, Swampers are another enemy thath can be killed with one shot from the bolt action rifle.

[LONGA]

A Molotov is a must to carny until you can find a shot gun . Hideout3 is full of chompers that I have resort to making a barricade tactics a couple of furniture in the hallway that should slow them down or funnel it long enough for you to get a good shot at chomper.