I’m really frustrated with the new Predator Strain bugs in the game, especially the hunters. They feel downright unfair to fight against for several reasons: they close the distance insanely fast, deal more damage than heavy sentry cannons, can permanently stun you stopping you from reloading or using stims, apply a slowdown debuff when they hit, can even hit you mid-air with a hoverpack, and they’re swarm-type enemies to top it all off. On top of that, the developers added invisibility and increased their HP, which were the only two weaknesses hunters used to have. Now even the stalkers have picked up their worst traits, like quick closing distance and stunlocking, plus extra damage. I’m not just ranting here—I genuinely want to talk about better alternatives or strategies for dealing with this single enemy type that ruins the experience for me and my friends. Other bugs tend to be weaker or easier to manage. Personally, I’d love ideas like giving bile titans stealth for fun, making guards knock you back when hit, or having spewers root you momentarily. What do you all think would be better ways either to tweak these enemies or counter them more effectively?
5 Answers
Try using primaries that have built-in stun or stagger effects, like the Blitzer, Cookout, or Halt. These can interrupt the hunters and stop them from punishing you nonstop. Pair that with a guard dog equipped with a Liberator AR and you’ve got a solid combo that can prevent them from cornering you or stunlocking you into oblivion.
I actually enjoy the Predator Strain bugs because they bring a fresh challenge. There isn’t an established way to fight them yet, which means each time I die it’s my fault for making a mistake. It keeps the gameplay exciting compared to older metas where cheesing was the only way to win. Also, if you don’t like these enemies, you can always pick planets without them since there’s no exclusive unlocks tied to this faction. And if things get too tough, lowering difficulty is always an option too!
If you get good with the Bushwhacker weapon, you can shred these hunters before they get close. I like pairing it with a guard dog to take them down quickly, and gas grenades at your feet if they do close in. An explosive AOE weapon like the Eruptor helps clear patrols before they overwhelm you. Basically, spamming stagger effects and high damage helps you keep those hunters at bay and keep your team alive.
From what I’ve seen, the Predator Strain hunters have the same HP as regular hunters, so the crazy damage they do can be managed if you kill them before they get too close or use heavy armor to soak hits. Automatic weapons like assault rifles or shotguns work great to mow them down quickly. The fast-paced rush to kill them before they hit you actually adds a nice high-energy feel to fights, which I find pretty fun even if it’s frustrating sometimes.
Honestly, the key to handling these bugs is teamwork. Sticking together and supporting each other can solve most issues with hunters. Also, sometimes the best solution is to avoid planets with active Predator Strain bugs until you and your team are prepared. Solo queueing or randoms can make things harder since hunters will tear through you and your turret quick if you’re not coordinating well.
