Maullusk Variants

General
Dwarf Maullusks are a weak spike-faced mutant found throughout the Cracked Lands and in underground chambers. They slowly wiggle through the environment like a slug until the player approaches, whereupon the Maullusk will roar and incrementally turn towards the player.

Ability
Dwarf Maullusks have no limbs with which to attack, but when in range they can quickly charge and thrust their spikes into the player. The player can take damage by touching the spikes, even on a stationary Maullusk, knocking the player back. A successful spike attack deals one point of damage.

Strategy
Dwarf Maullusks are weak at the sides and rear, and the player can even deal damage through a Maullusk's face spikes. Their telegraphed roar leaves about half a second to dodge their charge, leaving them open to player attack. Dwarf Maullusks take two bat hits to defeat.

General
Maullusks are a larger variant of Dwarf Maullusks found throughout the Hollow Forest and in many types of Arenas. They are roughly twice the size of Dwarf Maullusks and substantially more resilient. Their face spikes are larger and more numerous, and their charge attack has a greater range.

Ability
Maullusks have the same charge attack as Dwarf Maullusks, which they telegraph with a roar. However, they deflect any attack to their face spikes, melee or otherwise. Bat attacks to the face will knock the player back, and projectiles will bounce off. A successful spike attack deals one point of damage.

Strategy
Maullusks are weak at the sides and rear, like Dwarf Maullusks, and so are weak to any attack from behind. Dodge rolling is very important when fighting Maullusks.

General
Dank Maullusks are a cave-dwelling variant of Maullusks, found in caves and in some Arenas. Like all Dank variants, they have pale skin, pink eyes, and are immune to toxic damage.

Ability
Dank Maullusks share the abilities of Maullusks with one crucial addition; they leave a trail of toxic ooze behind when moving, and especially when charging. This protects their rear from close-range attacks. The ooze deals one point of toxic damage.

Strategy
Thanks to their toxic ooze trail, Dank Maullusks are more difficult to fight. The player could use a ranged Exo Mutation to attack from outside the trail of toxic ooze, or bypass the ooze altogether with Waterproof. Without one of these methods, Dank Maullusks can make for a formidable enemy.