Prawn Suit vs. Snow Fox

[Vegetable Vampire]

I played Below Zero to its limit back in 2019, when the Iceworm-zone was not quite finished and I had mostly explored everything. Back then it took me hours upon hours to explore the Snowstalker/Iceworm-Zone. This time I just walked in there with a Prawn Suit, not a care in the world: Snowstalkers are just drill-target-practice, cold is a non-issue and iceworms take ages to destroy the prawn suit, if they even hit that is (swinging around with the grappling arm is an easy way to dodge). There was basically no need for the Snowstalker Fur Suit, any heating food/beverages, Thumpers, the Snowfox and it's upgrades or exploring any of the caves with abundant resources in them.
I kind of wish there had been a physical barricade that made using the Prawn Suit impossible. I feel like I cheated myself. Of course no one has to to it that way, but many players will try to maximize efficiency and safety (especially in hardcore).
Anyone else experienced that? What are your thoughts on that?

[Weaver]

I only used the Snowfox for the iceworm area, played through it last week, it's changed significantly since 2019 like most of the game. If you know what you are doing, you can time a speed boost and jump to avoid getting hit by the worm. If it does hit you at worst I was knocked off my bike, repaired it and continued on. Due to it's speed you can get through the area in a fraction of the time it takes with the Prawn suit, that's the significant advantage. I never made a thumper. The Snow fox also protects you from the cold.
I suppose on a harder difficulty than normal, if things hit harder, thumpers and the Snowfox may be mandatory.
Like most of the game areas in both Subnautuca and Below Zero you can approach things in multiple ways and different vehicles and they are still viable. I think this is a good approach for a game and most people dislike being forced into a gimmick situation where you are forced to play a certain way/use a certain vehicle.

[Vegetable Vampire]

Originally posted by Weaver:

I suppose on a harder difficulty than normal, if things hit harder, thumpers and the Snowfox may be mandatory.
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I don't think damage increases with hardcore mode, but I have not tested it (for obvious reasons).

Yes, I think you have a point. Giving the players the freedom to chose is important, however, the Snowfox is not as safe as the Prawn Suit and I don't see why hardcore players would take the risk to get ganged up on by an Iceworm and Snowstalker at the same time (which can actually happen).