Tongue

tongue is a zombie-specific item in item asylum. It is exclusive to ZS and is a tool utilized by the Snatcher mutation of zombies.
==Functionality==
tongue has no appearance while equipped.
Upon use, the Snatcher becomes immobile and inflicted with hitstun while shooting their tongue at the point of aim. The tongue is represented by a thin red texture, travels at roughly 300 studs per second, has low gravity, and can pass through solid objects. If the tongue's tip comes in contact with an enemy, it will latch onto them and pull them towards the Snatcher, dealing 3 damage every second they are being reeled. After one second of being grabbed, the target is inflicted with ragdoll and hitstun, bypassing immunities to either effect. While reeling, the target may be set free under any of the following conditions:
*the Snatcher is ragdolled or killed, putting tongue on cooldown for 6 seconds
*the tongue is obstructed by an object, putting tongue on cooldown for 3 seconds
*the tongue itself takes 35 damage, putting tongue on cooldown for 12 seconds
Upon the target being successfully reeled back to the Snatcher, they will be kept in a chokehold with the tongue while the Snatcher wildly slashes at them, dealing 3 damage per hit. Both parties are immobile and inflicted with hitstun for the duration of the grab, and are additionally illuminated in a red light. The grab continues until the target dies or the Snatcher is ragdolled or killed, both resulting in tongue going on cooldown for 6 seconds.
If tongue misses, the item goes on cooldown for 6 seconds.
==Tips==
*tongue is at its strongest when used from a distance to pick off distracted or weakened survivors. Be careful about pulling players out of crowds, as they may react to seeing their teammate being pulled away.
**Use cover or unusual angles to protect oneself from other survivors while using tongue.
*If positioned correctly, tongue can drag the victim into map hazards such as the pond in bloodpond or the void in city for a more efficient way of infection.
*Remember that the tongue has drop and travel time. Lead the target if they are moving and aim a bit higher than expected when going for long range shots.
*It takes a long time for the tongue's damage to kill a player, especially if they're not able to be reeled in all the way due to an obstruction; as a result, it may be more efficient to maul a survivor than to try and drag them back with the tongue.
**However, if other zombies are nearby, tongue can be used to trap a victim and make them an easy target for the horde. Alternatively, an attentive Spitter placing an acid puddle beneath the victim will make short work of them.
*Golems summoned by earth tome are immune to being dragged or choked.
*If there is a Screamer you are made significantly stronger by working together. Have the screamer scream at people as they are being caught so they can't retaliate before they are ragdolled, and then they can help kill them once they are fully reeled in.
==Gallery==
Tongue in effect.gif|tongue latching onto a target.
Tongue reel.gif|The Snatcher reeling in their tongue.
tongue maul.gif|The Snatcher mauling their target after successfully reeling them.
==Trivia ==
*tongue is based on the Smoker from the Left 4 Dead franchise.
*tongue's attackable model is named "TongueHitbox".
*If tongue is given from the admin panel, it can be capable of ragdolling most bosses and juggernauts when reeling them in, despite being immune to the ragdoll effect. 
**The only bosses immune to this effect are weegee, clayman, trashgang, The Skeleton, and SlungusPrism.
==Changes==
* v1.7.0
**tongue added to the Admin Panel under the name "snatcher_tongue".
*v1.6.0
** The tongue itself can now be severed upon taking 35 damage, putting it on cooldown for 12 seconds.
** The tongue now automatically detaches from victim if the tongue is obstructed by a solid object during reeling, putting it on cooldown for 3 seconds.
**Damage dealt to reeling enemies increased from 2.5 to 3.
*v1.1.0 [❄]
**Added tongue.
Category:Items
Category:Gamemode-Exclusive Items
Category:Inflicts ragdoll
Category:ZS Items
Category:Inflicts hitstun