Stingspawn

Stingspawn
A small machine produced by a Bilegut to support its resource acquisition. Its primary function is to retrieve and deliver resources.
Size	Small
Weight	Lightweight
Class	Acquisition
Override	None
Combat
Challenge Level	5
HP	75
Weakness	Shock
Strength	Acid
Weak Points	Arc Cell Eye

"Ugh. Pesky little things."

―Aloy

The Stingspawn is a machine introduced in Burning Shores. It is a small Acquisition Class machine. As such, its function is the gathering and recycling of resources. Swarms of Stingspawn often surround Bileguts collecting resources, to then be consumed by the Bilegut presumably for the resources.

Appearance

Stingspawn are small machines that resembles bees, their bodies have a hard outer casing to protect their vulnerable synthetic muscles and inner components. They also have one rectangular eye for vision, three legs and three metallic wings. At the end of their thin legs are five pairs of hooks which might be used for grip. On their middle leg they have an arc cell which is a compact energy cell that can be detonated with Shock Ammo.

Behavior

Stingspawn emerge from egg-like capsules fired from the Bilegut's Egg Launcher, and follow a Bilegut until it is consumed by the Bilegut probably as a way to return the resources. Stingspawn are nimble and agile often evading attacks and move in numbers to outflank enemies. It is resistant to acid damage and weak to shock damage. When killed, it drops no loot.

These eggs are storage pods containing a dormant Stingspawn. Nearby activity will awaken it. Inactive Stingspawn eggs occasionally appear in various areas, with at least one active egg hatching to surprise the player. Active capsules have a purple glow and appear in the Focus. The player can damage an egg before it successfully hatches a Stingspawn.

Abilities

Once a threat is detected, Stingspawn utilize their numbers to flank and attack an enemy. Their primary attack is by propelling themselves forwards which with their momentum can cause major injury. They will also use their arc cell to launch electrical attacks on enemies causing significant damage.

Weaknesses

The Stingspawn is perhaps the weakest machine yet to be encountered. They are vulnerable against Shock damage and if their Arc Cell is hit, it causes a large amount of damage and eventually it will explode killing it, usually taking down nearby Stingspawn.