The Underhallsmaskin 6 "Myran" (ENG: Maintenance Machine 6 "The Ant"), otherwise known as the Tick, is a type of machine in Generation Zero. They serve as tiny, expendable pawns meant to swarm, annoy, and distract their enemies, ideally whilst other types of machines are also in combat. Their small size also allows them to enter places that other machines cannot.
Ironically, they should be the most feared enemy in the game, as they are the primary means by which FNIX is able to hack into human constructs, especially communication methods & including uncontrolled machines.
Physiology[]
Ticks, much as their name implies, resemble an arachnid or crustacean with their quadrupedal, spider-like legs attached to single body. The front "feet" feature spikes of incredible sharpness. They usually have a metal cowl that serves as armor over a crude construction of electronics, sensors, and a single fuel cell at the back. They lack any sort of definite "head" nor any specified means of hacking. Apocalypse-class Ticks also possess a scorpion-like tail on the back.
Abilities[]
Ticks have speed combined with a close-range jump attack that deals low to moderate amounts of damage with jumps of electricity between the legs. Easy to fight if there are only a few, but can become deadly very fast in larger groups. Beware of FNIX Ticks due to their high explosive suicide attacks that can decimate your health.
Apocalypse Ticks have stingers from their back which resembles a scorpion's tail. They inflict Venom damage over time upon a successful attack. Their armor will also increase with each level, so it will sometimes take multiple shots or hits to kill them.
Weak Spots and Strategy[]
The only known component is the "core drive", which makes up most of the Tick's body and its "fuel cell" altogether. One shot from a handgun is enough to destroy a tick, although higher classes are resilient and may require higher caliber ammunition. Higher classes are also protected by armor on the front, but the fuel cell can be shot on the side or behind.
For easier interception, birdshot is an efficient way to dispose Ticks by taking advantage of its high pellet count and spread, although it could be resisted by armor on higher classes due to its low damage input.
One of the best tactics against them is to remain immobile until they're about to jump, then move to evade, and after they land, shoot them before they had time to move.
Alternatively, Ticks are highly susceptible to EMP damage and are instantly destroyed upon being pulsed.
Ticks can be found alone or spawned by Hunters or Tanks from Tick Pods, but the spawned ticks self destruct after their battery is drained, which takes roughly a minute after deployment.
Melee weapons can also be quite effective against Ticks. Melee weapons can swing at a tick as it jumps and take it out in one hit with good timing, saving ammo in the early game.
Story[]
"I hate bugs with a passion. I hate their little legs, I hate their little pincers and I hate their disgusting little bodies. So let’s just say I wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of exploring the bunker we discovered yesterday. But, the group convinced me as we were in desperate need of supplies and answers. 'Maybe the shelter would contain both', they argued."
"Well, that’s the last time I listen to them over my gut instinct. It started off ok I suppose. No visible spiders or other creepy crawlies were spotted as we entered, and I actually started to relax a little. Then the team opened one of the doors and out of the darkness several revolting little metal things jumped out at us. My screams could probably be heard for miles."
"It was about the size of my head, with an evil looking red eye and sharp legs. The two front ones were like talons, and it proceeded to tear at my face. It managed to nick my cheek before I could dodge it, but once it landed back on the ground I was able to kill it with my pistol. I’m just happy I didn’t miss in my panicked state. Also, I now have a new thing I passionately hate – bugs and whatever the heck that thing was. The shape kind of reminded me of a Tick."
Trivia[]
- Ticks are named after the arachnid of the same name. Real-life ticks are notorious for their parasitic behavior and sucking the blood of their hosts.
- Out of all machines with Tick pods, Hunters are the most eager to use them, often dispensing Ticks immediately at the start of a battle. Tanks and Harvesters are the most hesitant to deploy Ticks.
- The "Infinite Ticks" glitch is when a spawned Hunter will constantly dispense Ticks, even after being destroyed. These particular Ticks may also attack other machines (including the Hunter who dispensed them) and often cause the game to crash when too many render.
- This glitch was patched with the Recon update.
- Ticks were given TASERs as part of the New Dawn update, possibly to make their lacerative jump attacks more visible & thus easier to avoid. The TASER arc is only for visual effect and does not alter the potency of the attack.
- Ticks resemble the Headcrabs from Valve's Half-Life series both in appearance and behavior and also the fact that they search to attach themselves to the heads of humans, though they are incapable of controlling humans they attach themselves to.
- When Apocalypse class ticks are attacking, they will coil their stingers to their underside before leaping towards the player.
- ticks were originally made to preform repairs on larger machines and were also used for anti infantry support before FNIX took control.
Gallery[]
