Skip to main content

Stalker Minions

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-03-07

Overview​

stalker_minions is a prefab factory script that dynamically creates three distinct minion variants (stalker_minion1, stalker_minion2, and a fallback stalker_minion). These minions are summoned by the Stalker boss and feature a fixed lifespan, stalker dependency tracking, environmental destructiveness, and health protection against non-Stalker or earthquake debris sources. The script configures core components (health, combat, sanity aura, locomotion, workable interaction) and integrates with the Stalker's lifecycle events (e.g., death, feeding).

Usage example​

-- Typical instantiation by the Stalker boss
local minion1 = SpawnPrefab("stalker_minion1")
if minion1 ~= nil then
    minion1.components.entitytracker:TrackEntity("stalker", stalker_inst)
    minion1.OnSpawnedBy(minion1, stalker_inst)
end

Dependencies & tags​

Components used: combat, entitytracker, health, locomotor, sanityaura, timer, workable, inspectable.
Tags added: monster, hostile, stalkerminion, fossil.
Tags checked: player, stalker, quakedebris.

Properties​

PropertyTypeDefault ValueDescription
MINIONStable(see code)Static configuration table defining minion variants with names, animation banks, builds, timing, and speed.
recentlychargedtable{}Tracks recently damaged workable entities to prevent spam-destruct. Keys are entity instances; values are true.

Main functions​

MakeMinion(name, data, prefabs)​

  • Description: Creates and returns a prefab definition for a stalker minion. If data is nil, it randomly selects a variant from MINIONS and uses a shared fallback prefab name. This function sets up all components, tags, animations, state graph, brain, and event callbacks.
  • Parameters: name (string) - prefab identifier; data (table or nil) - variant-specific override configuration; prefabs (table or nil) - list of required child prefabs for dependencies.
  • Returns: Prefab (table) - The configured prefab definition ready for return from return unpack(ret).

OnSpawnedBy(inst, stalker)​

  • Description: Attaches a new Stalker entity as the minion's tracked target, updates facing, and initiates the emerge state. Handles replacement of an existing Stalker tracker cleanly.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The minion instance; stalker (Entity) - The Stalker instance to track.
  • Returns: Nothing.
  • Error states: Safely ignores duplicate or stale tracker updates via ForgetEntity/TrackEntity guards.

OnDeath(inst)​

  • Description: Notifies the tracked Stalker of the minion's death via a "miniondeath" event.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The dying minion.
  • Returns: Nothing.

OnTimerDone(inst, data)​

  • Description: Handles the "selfdestruct" timer expiration. If the minion is within range and the Stalker is feasting, it re-arms the timer. Otherwise, it kills the minion or removes it if it is asleep.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The minion; data (table) - Event payload, expected to contain { name = "selfdestruct" }.
  • Returns: Nothing.

OnDecay(inst)​

  • Description: Called after 10 seconds of inactivity (entity sleep). Kills the minion, notifies the Stalker, and optionally heals the Stalker if conditions (near Atrium, feasting) are met.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The sleeping minion.
  • Returns: Nothing.
  • Error states: Does nothing if the minion is already dead.

OnCollide(inst, other)​

  • Description: Handles collision with workable structures. Schedules a 2 * FRAMES delay before calling OnDestroyOther, unless the entity was recently charged.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The minion; other (Entity) - The collided entity.
  • Returns: Nothing.

OnDestroyOther(inst, other)​

  • Description: Destroys the target workable entity (excluding DIG and NET actions) and spawns a "collapse_small" FX. Records the target in recentlycharged to prevent re-destruction within 3 seconds.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The minion; other (Entity) - The target workable entity.
  • Returns: Nothing.

ClearRecentlyCharged(inst, other)​

  • Description: Helper callback to clear an entry in recentlycharged after 3 seconds.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) - The minion; other (Entity) - The tracked entity instance.
  • Returns: Nothing.

Events & listeners​

  • Listens to: "timerdone" - triggers OnTimerDone.
  • Pushes: "miniondeath" - fired on death and decay to notify the Stalker.
  • Callback listeners registered via inst:ListenForEvent: "death" (via OnDeath); "death" (via inst._onstalkerdeath) to track Stalker death.
  • Callbacks set via inst.OnEntitySleep / inst.OnEntityWake: OnEntitySleep schedules decay; OnEntityWake cancels it.