Light Eater

The Light Eater is a new threat lurking in the dungeon, absorbing any light source it encounters. It hunts down lights and drains their energy, gradually plunging the environment into darkness.

Seeking Energy

• The Light Eater instinctively moves toward active light sources to absorb their energy.
• If it encounters a light, mine, turret, or any grabbable object with an energy source, it will absorb it before continuing its path.
• After a configurable hour, the Light Eater can target the ship, draining its power and disabling some functionalities.
• If it detects an energy-based enemy (configurable list), it prioritizes absorbing it—unless already pursuing a light or chasing a player. Absorbed enemies are instantly killed.
• In stormy weather, the Light Eater attracts lightning at irregular intervals (configurable min-max), each strike further charging its power.

Facing Players

• Charged Attack: If sufficiently charged, the Light Eater releases a blinding explosion that stuns players looking in its direction (similar to a stun grenade).
• Energy Drain: If its charge is incomplete, it absorbs any energy sources carried by nearby players.
• Standard Chase: Without available energy to drain, it hunts players normally while continuing to absorb lights along the way.

Countering the Light Eater

Kill Mechanic

• Once the Light Eater exceeds 200 charges, it stops absorbing energy and actively seeks the nearest player.
• If it attempts to explode while overcharged, it becomes stunned for 5 seconds instead of detonating.
• During the stun, the Light Eater is vulnerable, with 10 HP.
• After the stun ends, it resets to 200 charges (the equivalent of two stun explosions).
• If killed, it plays a death animation and explodes 4 seconds later like a landmine.

Zap Gun Interaction

• While shocked, the Light Eater is slowed to half its speed while chasing and cannot absorb the Zap Gun
• Releasing the shock grants it a charge boost, 0.8 seconds of shock = +25 charges

Attributions

Batdr Keeper Rig

"Batdr Keeper Rig" (https://skfb.ly/oXuTW) by NO DONT EAT ME CASEOH (Ferris wheel) is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Credits

• DuskWise for the mod icon
• explodingturtles456 for some ideas

CHANGELOG

Version 1.0.4

• Some refactoring
• Fixed an issue that allowed the Light Eater to absorb the ship's energy from a long distance
• Fixed errors that occurred during Stormy Weather
• Fixed an issue that forced the ship's door to close during takeoff
• Fixed a bug that made all Light Eaters vulnerable after defeating one
• When hunting for a player (outside of a chase), the Light Eater couldn't take any of the dungeon's entrances/exits
• The Light Eater can now absorb items from BeltBags
• Added a bestiary entry for the Light Eater

Version 1.0.3

• Added ability to kill the Light Eater:
  • Once the Light Eater exceeds 200 charges, it stops absorbing energy and actively seeks the nearest player
  • If it attempts to explode while overcharged, it becomes stunned for 5 seconds instead of detonating
  • During the stun, the Light Eater is vulnerable, with 10 HP
  • After the stun ends, it resets to 200 charges (the equivalent of two stun explosions)
  • If killed, it plays a death animation and explodes 4 seconds later like a landmine
• Added the ability to shock the Light Eater with the Zap Gun:
  • While shocked, the Light Eater is slowed to half its speed while chasing and cannot absorb the Zap Gun
  • Releasing the shock grants it a charge boost, 0.8 seconds of shock = +25 charges

Version 1.0.2

• Attempted fix for some NREs
• Fixed Light Eater's stun affecting all players
• Reduced Light Eater's spawn chance
• Charge value changed -> no longer a decimal, Light Eater now explodes at 100
• Adjusted charge values gained per absorption
• Changed the maximum number of Light Eaters per game from 3 to 1
• Light Eater can now absorb mines and turrets
• Light Eater can now absorb any configured enemy
• Default enemies that can be absorbed: Old Bird, Boomba, Cleaning Drone, Mobile Turret and Shockwave Drone
• Light Eater can now absorb the ship
• Light Eater can now attract lightning

Version 1.0.1

• Fixed an error displayed by PathfindingLagFix
• Added delay before the Light Eater teleports through an entrance when following a chasing player

Version 1.0.0

• Initial release