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"Hurry, there's something out here too."
Isaac Clarke to Daina Le Guin while being stalked by the creatures.

The Stalker is a Necromorph that attacks its prey by means of flanking and group tactics. They approach slowly and quietly in order not to be discovered while they get closer, making them harder to notice.

The Stalkers are first encountered in Chapter 4 of Dead Space 2, and appear again in Dead Space 3 as well as in Dead Space 3: Awakened, where they have a new look.

Description[]

REUPLOAD_-_Dead_Space_Stalker_Sound_Effects_HQ

REUPLOAD - Dead Space Stalker Sound Effects HQ

Stalkers are heavily altered Necromorphs, bearing little resemblance to their host's 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 led 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 their host's 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. The legs have been heavily morphed, taking on a digitigrade structure and ending in two slender digits.

In "Questions with Steve Episode 06", developer Steve Papoutsis hinted that the Stalkers may be a combination of different animals on the Sprawl.[1]

Super stalker

An Enhanced Stalker.

Arguably the most intelligent and opportunistic of the common Necromorphs, Stalkers work in groups to distract and flank their prey. They will run between hiding places, peek from behind cover, and try to lure victims into exposed areas. When they attack, they charge towards their prey while emitting a high-pitched screech, with their limbs tucked behind them for protection and streamlining. Stalkers will take turns in attacking victims when they feel they have let their guard down, then flee before they have a chance to strike back.

DS3 Awakened Stalker Model

A Stalker from Dead Space 3: Awakened.

Stalkers eating

Stalkers eating a corpse.

Stalkers 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, they 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 their victim. Peeking from around cover is usually followed up by a charge. If Isaac sneaks up on a Stalker from behind, it will run for new cover instead of confronting him. However, if Isaac approaches the Stalker from the front after it peeks out or "barks", the Stalker will land an unstoppable headbutt if Isaac 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. Finally, Stalkers 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. These Stalkers were likely recombinated from another extinct species on Tau Volantis.

Despite their lack of a digestive system and the need to eat, a pack of Stalkers can be seen devouring a corpse in Dead Space 3.

Combat Strategy[]

  • Stalkers attack in a pack, and only one member attacks player at any given time.
    • A Stalker that is about to attack makes barking sound similar to a dog; pay attention and get ready should you hear this audio cue.
      • When the Stalker is attacking, it charges at player in a straight line, making a loud screeching noise.
        • It is recommended to dismember the attacking Stalker's legs to deprive of its mobility and charge ability, turning it into an easy target to be finished off.
  • Stalkers always hide behind cover, and occasionally peek at player; should one have fast reflexes, one can cause huge bodily harm with the Seeker Rifle, Javelin Gun, and Contact Beam. Additionally, should the Javelin Gun's primary fire not kill the Stalker, one can consider using the alt-fire mode to finish it off.
  • Similar to Slashers, a dead Stalker's claws can be ripped off and be used against its surviving members with Kinesis.
  • It's recommended to put one's back against wall, as Stalkers do not attack from vents.
    • Keeping distance is an advantage, as it will force Stalkers to sprint further when attacking, subsequently granting player enough time to handle an attacking Stalker.
  • 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.
  • In Dead Space 3, 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, 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.

Trivia[]

  • Developers refer to Stalkers as the "Velociraptors of Dead Space". In Dead Space 2, there is an achievement/trophy named "Clever Girls", which is a reference to a specific scene in the Jurassic Park movie.
    • The braying, squeaking, clicking and moaning that Stalkers utter in Dead Space 2 also appears to be based off the vocalizations of the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park.
  • During later parts of Dead Space 2, Isaac will encounter the Enhanced version of these Necromorphs, which boasts a higher resistance to damage but also roams in smaller packs (2-4 instead of 6-8 like their regular brethren).
  • In some low-light encounters with a Stalker, when the flashlight is shined directly into its eyes as it is peeking around the corner, a reflective effect similar to cats' eyes is seen. Whether or not this is a glitch, or a detail to add to the fear factor, is unknown.
  • Enhanced Stalkers have four glowing lights on their heads, two on each side.
  • In several locations throughout Dead Space 2, a legless Stalker will attack Isaac to distract him from the fully mobile Stalker closing in behind him.
  • On the USG Ishimura's bridge in Dead Space 2, the moan of a wounded Stalker can be heard, even if all the Stalkers on the bridge are dead.
  • Stalkers, alive or dead, cannot be beheaded.
  • Crawling Stalkers are easy targets to get the "Peek-a-Boo" Achievement/Trophy.
    • Another easy place to get the "Peek-a-Boo" Achievement/Trophy is during the Stalker encounter in Chapter 6 of Dead Space 2. When you reach around the halfway point in the room (before the Stalkers appear), a Stalker jumps up on the crate before you and roars. You can easily Stasis it with plenty of time to activate the Seeker Rifle's alt fire and land a head shot.
  • Stalker encounters are very predictable, as they usually appear in silent warehouses with a lot of large, rectangular objects to hide behind. Stalkers will also usually emit a squeak before you officially enter the area, even if you are on the other side of a closed door.
  • Stalkers exhibit smarter AI depending on difficulty. At lower settings, the Stalkers will attack much more impulsively. However, on higher settings, they exhibit more patience, often forcing you to venture deeper into their 'hunting grounds' before attacking out in the open.
  • In Dead Space 3, Stalkers seem to give a 'triumphant growl' after a successful charge and headbutt on Isaac.
  • In Dead Space 3, Stalkers charge at Isaac/Carver on all fours like a dog instead of their bird-like charge in Dead Space 2.
  • The scripted death scene for the Stalker is one of the few death scenes that reuses some of the sound effects made by Isaac from the first game.
  • In Dead Space 2, Stalkers appear in packs consisting of 2-3 of them while others hide around the area, and as the player progresses further, they start to appear and attack. This is absent in Dead Space 3, where the Stalker pack appear at the same time as a group. In Dead Space 3: Awakened, however, Stalkers function much like in Dead Space 2.
  • In Dead Space 3: Awakened, a new variant of Stalker is encountered, closely resembling an anglerfish with its rounder head and large amount of pointy teeth. This may be due to them being made from an anglerfish-like species native to the once watery planet Tau Volantis.
  • Enhanced Stalkers appear in Dead Space 3's Chapter 18 twice, the first time alongside Enhanced Fodders and the second with Exploders

Death Scenes[]

  • Stalker_Death_Animation_-_Dead_Space_2_(HD,_60_FPS)

    Stalker Death Animation - Dead Space 2 (HD, 60 FPS)

    If a Stalker kills Isaac in a frontal charge, it will knock him to the ground. The Stalker then stands over Isaac 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 Isaac multiple times until he stops struggling. Finally, the Necromorph drags him off-screen.
  • If Isaac is killed by a charge from behind he will simply be torn in half.
  • If Isaac 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 Isaac in half.

Gallery[]

DeadSpace 2 - Title
Dead Space Wiki has a collection of images related to Stalker on its Gallery page

Appearances[]

Sources[]

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