Howler - Jockey Replacement

DISCLAIMER: Shaders must be set to HIGH or above in your video settings, or the Howler will be ACTUALLY invisible

If your computer can't handle shadows, I made a special alt version just for you and your toaster PC.

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Replacing the worst special infected in the game with a slow moving, borderline immortal ghost. This enemy is designed to work with the Nightmare Modpack by yoru.

The rules of the Howler is as follows:

The Howler is a boss enemy

• Not only is it less likely to spawn than other infected, but only one can spawn throughout a level (if it ever does spawn, as a Howler spawn is never guaranteed)

The Howler is nearly invisible

• The only way to see this enemy is by the shadow it casts from your flashlight.

The Howler is nearly indestructible

• It can't be affected by bullets or shoves, melee weapons or explosions. It is invulnerable to almost any means of damage.

The Howler moves VERY slowly

• It moves at a much slower speed than the survivors, making it very easy to outrun.

The Howler hits HARD

• Not only does the Howler rapidly drain health if it gets close to a survivor, but there are especially cataclysmic consequences if it touches a survivor: On Easy and Normal, it will incapacitate them on contact. On Advanced and Expert, it's an instant death.

Survival Tactics:

Keep an ear out

• The Howler makes very distinct noises when it's roaming around, and this will be your lifeline for when you can't see it.

Take it slow

• If you don't know where the Howler is, any wrong turn can lead to ruin. Keep a slow pace, you'll always be able to outrun it once it reveals itself.

Be mindful of your surroundings

• Wide open areas are this thing's nemesis, and can trivialize Howler encounters. If you're in a tight environment and it's blocking the way ahead, your only option may be to backtrack to more open space to outmaneuver it.

Keep your flashlight on it

• The Howler is slowed down by your team's flashlights, so having one person to keep direct line of sight with The Howler can be useful to strategizing a way to move around it. This is not a permanent solution, as the Howler's shadow weakens all light that reaches it.

Light it on fire

• The sole exception to its absolute invulnerability is fire. If the Howler is lit on fire, it will eventually be snuffed out. Don't make the decision to light it on fire lightly however - One should always be mindful not to underestimate something when it's fighting for its very survival...

Keep moving

• The real danger of the Howler is it's relentlessness. Even once your team has moved past it, it will never stop hunting you once it's spawned. Spend too long in one spot, and the Howler will once again pose a deadly threat to the survivors.

Howlers will also never spawn during finales, because that would suck too much ass.

Uses Slot 27 for xdR.

Credits

• ChimiChamo for some of the foundational logic behind this goofy goober

(https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198010226064) for being so kind as to allow me to use their twisted witch as a base for me to absolutely destroy for the model of this creature

• yoru for being a nice ideas girl and helping give good ideas and not make the howler stink dookie doo doo