Bullethead

Aggressivesmall

Health

1000 HP

Attitude

Aggressive

Depth

100–500m

Sight Range

35m

Overview

The Bullethead (*Panopliateuthis velos*) is an aggressive swarm predator found in the Observatory Ruins at depths of 100–500m. Despite its small size, this armored squid has a surprisingly high 1,000 HP, making individual Bulletheads durable targets that are difficult to eliminate.

Habitat

Observatory Ruins100–500m

Attacks & Abilities

bite2 dmg

physical

Behavior & Details

Bulletheads attack by ramming prey tail-first at extreme velocity, using their fully armored bodies as living projectiles. Each bite deals only 2 damage, but the real threat is the swarm — when one Bullethead strikes, others converge rapidly. With a sight range of 3,500 units, they detect targets at considerable distance and are drawn to noise. Survivors report that hull alarms and engine sounds trigger feeding frenzies, with multiple individuals embedding themselves in vehicle hulls simultaneously.

Once lodged in wounded prey, Bulletheads wait for the target to bleed out before feeding on the carcass. This behavior makes even minor hull breaches dangerous — the damage alarm from one embedded Bullethead attracts more. Their bright yellow eyes are often the first warning sign in the dark lava tubes of the Observatory Ruins.

Tips & Strategy

Kill engines and floodlights when you spot bright yellow eyes in lava tubes — Bulletheads are attracted to noise and light, so going dark is the most effective way to pass through their territory without triggering a swarm.

Individual Bulletheads deal only 2 damage per bite, but swarms can stack damage rapidly. If one embeds in your hull, silence the damage alarm immediately to avoid attracting more.

At 1,000 HP each, Bulletheads are not worth fighting individually. With dozens often present in a single lava tube, combat is a losing strategy — prioritize evasion over engagement.

Bulletheads have a 3,500-unit sight range, so they will detect you well before you see them. Watch for clusters of yellow eyes ahead and plan alternate routes through the Observatory Ruins.

Vehicle hull breaches cascade quickly in Bullethead territory. Before entering lava tubes at 100–500m depth, ensure your vehicle hull integrity is at maximum and carry repair materials.

PDA Entry

PDA // Databank

*Panopliateuthis velos*, the armored squid dart. A swarm predator that attacks by ramming and penetrating its prey. Capable of "I saw their eyes first. Bright yellow eyes, down the inside of the lava tube. I killed the motors and the floods, signaled Iso and Mel to grab the handholds, and held my breath. For a minute I thought we'd ride clean through. Then the current pulled the Tadpole into an outcrop and at the sound they all just—went off. Like bottle rockets. Back and forth, up and down, everywhere. One of them lodged in the port hull just aft of the canopy and I saw, very clearly, that it was a squid, completely plated in armor. They hit you tail first, hard enough to punch into titanium. Incredible. Do you think they run on compressed air? Or do they burn something? The hull alarm went off — I tried to blink the floods to confuse them — but Mel and Iso's blackboxes were already crying. The noise seemed to attract them. Apparently they like to get stuck in wounded prey and wait until you bleed to death, then go to work on your carcass. So by the time I got back to Habitat there wasn't much left of Iso and Mel for Iso and Mel to recycle." —Tsewangiin "Ruby" Anar, "When I Didn't Die"