Bugs

Bugs are burrowing creatures that spawn within Overland. There are many unique types of bugs survivors may encounter as they travel farther west through post-apocalyptic America. Throughout a survivor's journey, the bugs will become increasingly difficult to evade, let alone kill. Many bugs have burrowed underground and will crawl to the surface if disturbed. It is very much ill-advised to try to kill bugs indiscriminately, as this will generally summon more. Instead, keep on the move and never forget to floor it!

Noise / Movement
Bugs move towards the closest source of noise, and can only move in adjacent tiles (not diagonal). If multiple bugs are present, those closest to the largest number of noise sources move first. Noise is generated by:


 * Survivors when outside of vehicles
 * Engines that are running (vehicles/generators)
 * Radios that have been turned on
 * Survivors inside vehicles if no other source of noise is present. They are silent otherwise.



Bug movement can be predicted on an open plane using the following rules:


 * 1) Bugs will choose a target to move towards. This is always the closest target.
 * 2) If there are multiple targets equidistant, prioritize targets that, relative to the bug, are located:
 * 3) West,
 * 4) South,
 * 5) North,
 * 6) East.
 * 7) Bugs will proceed towards the target by taking the shortest path.
 * 8) If equidistant paths are present, move prioritizing directions WSNE, as above.
 * 9) This results in the following behavior:
 * 10) If the target is located in a straight line relative to the bug, proceed in that direction.
 * 11) If the target is further west relative to the bug, then the bug will move west.
 * 12) If the target is further east relative to the bug, then the bug will move north and south (whichever brings it closer to the target)

Bugs cannot move through obstacles or fire tiles, and cannot enter vehicles. They tend to crowd around obstacles, trying to shove/attack them even if if they cannot do so. Bugs will never stay still unless they have no available moves whatsoever.

Attacking
Bugs will attack any source of noise. Bugs will shove/attack obstacles (dumpsters, barricades, bugs) if by doing so can reach a noise source in a fewer number of turns or cannot find another path. This behavior becomes more common when the playing field becomes crowded. Bugs attacking one another can spawn more bugs!

Alarm / Emerging
Bugs are summoned from underground by loud noises (Alarm), which is emitted when:


 * Bugs are killed (some exceptions, see bugs below)
 * Explosions occur (2 Alarm per explosion)
 * Vehicles ram something (1 Alarm)
 * Pipes are swung (1 Alarm)
 * An active radio is present (1 Alarm per turn)
 * Noisy dogs bark
 * Certain random events (such as a car falling from the sky)
 * Bugs perform certain actions (see specific bugs below)



Immediately upon Alarm being emitted, bugs will begin to emerge from underground in mounds, typically near the edge of the playing field.

Bugs emerge from the ground over two turns:


 * 1) The bug partially emerges, revealing antennae that can be used for rough identification.
 * 2) * Fast bugs have orange antennae,
 * 3) *Slime bugs have orb-like antennae,
 * 4) *All other bugs that can emerge have blue antennae.
 * 5) The bug emerges.
 * 6) A survivor on top of the mound will be pushed off in a random direction
 * 7) If a survivor cannot be pushed off, they will be sucked underground and the bug will emerge.
 * 8) If a vehicle or obstacle is on top of the mound, the bug will remain in its partially emerged state.

Only certain bugs can emerge (see list below).

Size
Bugs size also determines some mechanics:

Small bugs:


 * Can be run over with a vehicle
 * Can attack obstacles in their path (with some exceptions)

Large bugs:


 * Crush sticks and bottles that occupy the same space as them
 * Cannot be run over with a vehicle, but can be rammed to instantly kill them (some exceptions)
 * Will shove obstacles if the their way, but will attack them if they cannot be moved and are breakable
 * Leave behind corpses that block movement
 * Corpses can be moved forwards by ramming them with a vehicle
 * Some corpses can be moved backwards by being dragged by survivors
 * Corpses can be destroyed by setting them on fire or by getting a bug to attack them. They can also be destroyed by survivors with the 'Hunter' trait.

Tips for dealing with Bugs

 * Most bugs are relatively slow compared to survivors, and move only in the cardinal directions. They may be evaded by outrunning them or moving diagonally.
 * Bugs always proceed toward the nearest source of noise, and survivors within turned-off vehicles are silent unless all survivors are within vehicles. This can be used to lead bugs away from objectives.
 * Bugs are have little regard for their own lives. This can be taken advantage of by leading them into hazards such as holes, teleporters, electrical strikes, or even other bugs.
 * Good positioning can be used to get bugs to move or destroy obstacles, which can be useful when dealing with blockades.
 * Alarm can be prevented by certain random events, such as rain. Kill as many bugs as possible during rainstorms!
 * If possible, shove the bugs (with the wooden pallet, metal sheet or 'shove' trait) instead of killing them to avoid attracting more bugs.