Stalker

> Hurry, there's something in here too.
>
> Abdullah to Osaka as he is being stalked by the creatures, Dead Space 2 Remastered

## Description

Stalkers are heavily altered Necromorphs, bearing little resemblance to their original human form. Their long arms are equipped with long talons ending in sharpened tips. While not very capable at slashing, they can still impale, knock down, and rend their victims. The ribcage is displayed wide open, though as with most Necromorphs, there is a lack of any digestive organs, and only vestigial remains of previously vital organs. Well-formed musculature in the back lead to a reinforced spinal column and neck capped by the creature's most distinguishing feature: A massive, eyeless, three-pronged head with only traces of original human bone structure. The skull is largely exposed, sporting a thick cap covered in bony protrusions to aid in crushing and bashing. The upper jaw and nasal cavities are left largely intact, while the cranial dome is squashed down to provide a more even, durable striking surface, which is further supported by the cheek bones. Unlike many Necromorphs, this highly mutated skull is the hardest point on the creature, and is immune to dismemberment.

 File:Stalker dlc.png
They are also quite resilient; while charging, their skulls and torsos are able to absorb dozens of pulse rounds without disrupting their attack, even on normal difficulty. They are redoubtable foes, and in large numbers or paired with Exploders are some of the most severe threats in *Dead Space 2*.

Since Stalkers attack methodically, there are certain patterns they use, one of which is peeking at Abdullah. Peeking from around cover is usually followed up by a charge. If Abdullah sneaks up on a Stalker from behind, it will run for new cover instead of confronting him. However, if Abdullah approaches the Stalker from the front after it peeks out or "barks", the Stalker will land an unstoppable headbutt if Abdullah goes around that corner. Stalkers also show awareness of being damaged, unlike other Necromorphs, preferring to bolt to a hiding spot if it receives any damage.

 File:Stalkers eating.jpg
They also have an Enhanced form that has double the power, speed and health of its original counterpart. Following the death of the Brethren Moon over Tau Volantis, an alternate form of Stalker was encountered that exhibited a larger and bulkier morphology and a head crowned with large fang-like spines.

Stalkers are also known to act like animals, eating dead bodies with other Stalkers, as seen in Dead Space 3 Remastered.

## Combat Strategy

* The AI of the Stalker relies on the player staying to fight them, however, it does little to prevent the player from simply leave them behind; in numerous situations the player can simply run past the Stalkers' area. Incredible as it may sound, it's actually easy to sprint through them without being hit.
* Stalkers can easily become the most frustrating foes you encounter. A good way to make sure they are dead is to impale their head(s) and pull on the body. The neck will stretch until a glitch occurs, making the body vanish.
* Stay calm and keep your guard up, aim carefully and always keep a spare Med Pack.
* Use your surroundings to your advantage. Stalkers are one of the few Necromorphs that won't pop in behind you from a vent in the wall, so keeping your back to a corner during an attack isn't a bad idea.
* Stalkers will almost always spawn in pairs or groups of pairs during an encounter, and another may strike immediately following the previous one's charge.
	+ In *Dead Space 3 Remastered*, Stalkers roam in even bigger packs.
* Stasis is one of the most useful tools against the Stalkers. If all else fails, backing yourself into a corner to force Stalkers to charge at you head-on, and hitting them with Stasis will turn them into sitting ducks.
* A well placed shot from the Seeker Rifle can cause a one shot kill.
* The alt-fire for the Ripper, as well as the Line Gun can both slice the legs right out from under a charging Stalker. Do keep in mind that Stalkers will sometimes dodge the blade.
* If you have the ammo available, the Alt-Fire of the Pulse Rifle will blast a Stalker from around a corner.
* A javelin to the chest, leg, or hip will stagger a Stalker, but a shot to the reinforced head is unlikely to stop a charge. Even when electrocuted, the Stalker will smash forward.
* Standing against a wall with the Force Gun held at ready, and then waiting until one gets within range during its charge to fire will knock it on its back instantly. While they are still stunned from the knockdown, one or two well placed shots from the alt fire of the Force Gun will kill them.
* Stalkers can be easily defeated when using, in combination, Stasis and the Ripper. Allow them to get close enough to be in range of the Ripper, use stasis, then get a quick easy kill using the Ripper.
* Another sure-fire method is to use the Detonator to plant a mine in the predicted path that a Stalker will use to charge Isaac. (Once they choose to charge they will run in a straight line from their location to him.) More often than not it will head straight into the path of the mine. If you're in a corner, you can also use a Detonator mine to protect a corridor so that you can focus on one direction.
* It is best to shoot at their legs since it will stop them from charging and make it easier to dismember their arms. You should always use Stasis, however, as Stalkers can crawl at an unusually quick pace compared to other Necromorphs, such as the Puker.
* If you run out of Stasis, remember that Stalkers are weak in turning corners. Wait until they get close and then go around a corner. Doing this will slow the Stalker in place, and you can easily dismember it. Beware of other Stalkers in the room.
* An upgraded Line Gun beam can kill a Stalker when aimed the head or neck in 1-2 shots, even on higher difficulties. One fully upgraded shot will dismember its legs, stopping its charge. More primary fire shots may be used to dismember its arms and finish it off.
* Resist the urge to stomp a downed Stalker. They can easily stun you or knock you down and do severe damage before you finally manage to get a stomp in, and even then it may not finish them off.
* Make sure to step aside if you're being charged at, getting knocked down will leave you open. Being knocked down may leave you open to other charging Stalkers, which could result in you being knocked down until you die.
* The Flamethrower also is effective in dispatching them. A well-timed blast of flame will burn a Stalker.
* Heavy use of Kinesis is especially recommended here because Stalker claws are useful in saving ammunition for later, as firing them at Stalkers tends to kill them in one hit (if not stun them). That, and Stalker encounters tend to have items scattered about that you could throw at them such as pikes, Stasis canisters, and even Exploder sacs (providing you've killed the Exploders first). The most notable weapons to use are dead Stalker Claws, once one is dead, others will often charge immediately. The strategy is impale, quick kinesis on the dead stalker to grab a fresh claw, repeat.
* An unupgraded Contact Beam can kill a charging Stalker in one hit, so it can be useful if you are out of stasis. However, keep in mind that the Contact beam takes a second to charge, so you may want to keep it charged and wait for them to strike if you are going to use it.
* It seems that in *Dead Space 3 Remastered*, Stalkers have become more aggressive, charging out much more often than in *Dead Space 2 Remastered*. It also seems that, in regards to hiding from aim, they have become more sluggish, as it is easier to nail a shot at a Stalker peeking around corners since it doesn't immediately retreat behind cover when aimed at. With a powerful Seeker Rifle, a shot can easily be made to kill the peeking Stalker.
* In both *Dead Space 2 Remastered* and *Dead Space 3 Remastered*, the Stalker is the only enemy who can interrupt the Contact Beam's secondary fire, rendering it useless as they often will knock you over before you can fire.
* Having a powerful knockback weapon against Stalkers is very effective, as at close range it will more than likely immediately knock down the Stalker mid-charge, making for an easy kill.
* In *Dead Space 3 Remastered*, reloading while Stalkers are active around you will often cause one of them to begin a charge. This can be used offensively; fire one bullet, begin the reload, then Stasis and kill the Stalker that attacks you as a result. Be careful if you choose to do this method, however; shooting 1 round of ammo for that weapon and then reloading will always use up 1 unit of Universal Ammunition, possibly 2 if the weapon clip capacity is below 4.
* In *Dead Space 3 Remastered*, while the Stalker peeks around its cover at the player, if the player aims their weapon at the Stalker it is likely to charge within a few seconds of “being spotted” regardless of the distance between the player and Stalker.

## Death Scenes

Stalker death animation in *Dead Space 2 Remastered.*If a Stalker kills Abdullah in a frontal charge, it will knock him to the ground. The Stalker then stands over Abdullah while he attempts to fight it off by striking it in the head multiple times with his weapon. The Stalker grabs the offending arm and rips it off. It then headbutts Abdullah multiple times until he stops struggling. Finally, the Necromorph drags him off-screen.

* If Abdullah is killed by a charge from behind he will simply be torn in half.
* If Abdullah manages to cut off the legs of the Stalker, but unable to retaliate further, the Stalker will crawl forward and slash with his claws, cutting Abdullah in half.

## Gallery

Early Stalker render without textures.Early Stalker render with textures.Concept art of a Stalker's skull.A close-up of a Stalker's face.A full body-shot of a Stalker.Another Stalker in the process of charging.Enhanced Stalker in Dead Space 2 RemasteredA Stalker peeking at Abdullah.A Stalker in the Titan Station Church of Unitology.A dead Enhanced Stalker found at the beginning of Chapter 11.A Stalker approaching Abdullah in Dead Space 3 RemasteredAbdullah against a new Stalker variant in *Awakened*Stalkers stuck in Dead Space 3 RemasteredDead Space 2 Remastered and 3 Remastered Stalker variant renderDead Space 3:Awakened Remastered Stalker variant render

## Appearances

* *Dead Space 2 Remastered*
* *Dead Space 2 Severed Remastered*
* *Dead Space 3 Remastered*
* *Dead Space 3 Awakened Remastered* (with new appearance)