¶ Spotter Enemy Guide: Tactics, Respawn Mechanics and How to Counter
¶ Spotter Description
Spotters are small flying support drones. You almost never see them alone. They always fly in a pair alongside a Bombardier. They are the "eyes" of the operation.
Behavior: They hover high in the air and look for players. They do not carry weapons themselves. Instead, they use a targeting laser to "paint" a Raider. Once they lock onto you, they send that data to the Bombardier, which launches a massive artillery strike at your position.
¶ How Spotters Attack
Zero Damage: The Spotter itself cannot hurt you. It has no guns.
The Laser Lock: Its only attack is pointing a laser at you. If you see a laser beam tracking you but no bullets coming, a Spotter is watching you.
The Combo: If you stay in the laser for too long, the Bombardier will fire its rockets. The Spotter ensures the rockets hit you perfectly.
¶ Weaknesses & Combat Tips
Fighting Spotters is tricky because of their Infinite Respawn mechanic.
The Respawn Trap: If you destroy both Spotters, the Bombardier will just spawn a new pair immediately. It is a waste of ammo to keep killing them.
Focus the Bombardier: The only way to get rid of them permanently is to destroy the Bombardier (the big walker). Once the main unit is dead, the Spotters will panic and fly away.
Shoot Thrusters: If you really need to stop the laser for a few seconds to heal, shoot the thrusters. They are very fragile and break in 1 or 2 hits.
Break Line of Sight: You don't have to kill them. Just hide behind a wall. If the laser can't touch you, the Bombardier can't target you accurately.
¶ Spotter Loot and XP drops
Note: Spotters are low-value targets compared to the main Bombardier.
Likely Loot:
Experience Points:
Destroy: Low (Likely ~50-100 XP)
Strategy: Do not farm these for XP. It is much better to kill the Bombardier for the big reward.
¶ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do they keep coming back? The Bombardier has a "fabricator" or call signal. As long as the boss is alive, it will keep summoning Spotters to help it aim. Do not waste your bullets clearing the sky—shoot the big guy instead!
Can I dodge the laser? Yes. The laser takes a second to "lock on." If you sprint or slide, you can keep the laser lagging behind you. As long as it doesn't turn solid red, the artillery strike wont trigger.
What happens if I kill the Bombardier first? The Spotters immediately stop targeting you and fly away into the sky. You don't even have to fight them. This is the best strategy.
Do they alert other enemies? Yes. If a Spotter sees you, even if the Bombardier is far away, it puts you in "combat state." This might attract nearby Ticks or Wasps.
Can I hack them? Currently, no. You just have to destroy them or hide from them. Smoke grenades work very well to block their vision!