Spider-Trons are a type of enemy in Clone Drone in the Danger Zone.
General Description[]
Spider-Trons are essentially large, spider-like machines composed of a single body suspended by four large legs, and with a cannon-like apparatus stuck to their backs. They carry the specific purpose of knocking down the player from afar using launched explosives. All models have at least one general vital weak spot--their red, glowing eye(s) or core (depending on the model). There are three variations of the Spider-Tron model:
- Spider-Tron 5000: The weakest model and the first one introduced to the player. They periodically fire one explosive towards where the player is expected to go if they continue going in their current direction. They have one weak point.
- Spider-Tron 6000: A more difficult model that fires a line of explosives. Two large weak spots, both of which must be destroyed for the Spider-Tron to be disabled.
- Spider-Tron 7000: A model exclusive to Chapter 5 of Story Mode, found in the Emperor's Mind-Space. They frequently fire groups of explosives, and are the only model with a machine gun-like weapon. Three/four weak points.
The Spider-Tron models will be occasionally referred to in this article as ST-5K, ST-6K, and ST-7K respectively.
Behavior[]
All Spider-Tron models general stand still and fire circular bombs at the player from a distance, via a rectangular mortar positioned on the back of their head/body. They tend to fire these explosives at a periodically slow rate, and they tend to aim for where the player would be if they continued going at the direction and speed they were going at the time of fire. Their legs allow their heads/bodies to move up and down smoothly (and they tend to fire when fully upright), but destroying all of them won't disable the unit--only destroying all of their cores (always large, glowing red cubes) does so. If they aren't immune to saw blades or spike traps, they are certainly resistant to them thanks to their thin legs.
The bombs they produce--black spheres with a red, glowing dot pattern--are guaranteed to knock down anyone near it, and (in the case of the ST-5K and 6K) produce a wave of shrapnel around them that could deal damage (but aren't likely to hit and kill the player or anyone else in range). The shrapnel can be deflected by a Shield (Spear) or a Sword with a Block Projectiles upgrade.
Tactics[]
Specific strategies are best for specific models, so more in-depth strategies can be found in their appropriate sections. However, the goal remains the same--destroy all of their cores by any means necessary. Due to the unlikeliness of a Spider-Tron successfully killing the player, along with it generally staying in place during the fight, it is common to only take them out if they're the last bot(s) standing.
When taking on any Spider-Tron unit, cutting down their legs with a Sword, Bow, or Hammer allows the head to be more accessible by cutting down what is holding it up. Spears can also be used, but their limited directional range makes it difficult or tedious doing so. Coupling this with a Fire upgrade causes more damage, though not significantly. When armored, aiming for the joints keeping the legs together is recommended, as they aren't covered by armor. In general, it is best to aim at the highest possible point to cut down the legs the most. Be wary of the Spider-Tron's explosives while doing this--moving between different legs quickly helps in avoiding them.
When using a Bow, aiming for where the head may be by predicting its motion can quickly pick off Spider-Trons from a distance--when armored, destroy the armor first or aim near the eyes with a Fire upgrade (specifically Fire Arrows 2). To help make the arrows more likely to hit, one can rotate the arrows sideways before firing, giving them more vertical range--alternatively, simply being under the Spider-Tron circumvents the issue with the bobbing motion. When using a Hammer, Sword, or Spear, aim for the legs first and/or try to strike when the head is at its lowest point. If the unit is armored but their head is reachable, try to strike in a way that would reach the eyes from the back as to bypass the armor, or at least near them if a Fire upgrade is active. Kicking them is a generally weak strategy, but it can be used to push them into a hazard (such as lava, spikes, or fire), and Flame Breath is a quick way to take out a leg. If the player doesn't want to approach the Spider-Tron and/or doesn't wish to destroy it directly, a primary strategy would be to aim of Archer Bots towards a Spider-Tron by simply being behind one (in relation to the position of the Archer, not on the direction of the Spider-Tron).
While approaching a unit from a distance or attacking up close, the Get Up! upgrade can help greatly in recovering from a Spider-Tron's bombs, and a Shield (Spear) or Armor Upgrade can assist in surviving the off chance shrapnel does hit. Another method is to simply switch directions every time it fires, and move quickly to guarantee you're out of range (This tactic does not work on the ST-7K). Do note that destruction is the only way to stop them from firing bombs--completely obliterating the cannon and the back of their head is completely ineffective, and the bombs will fire anyway as if the cannon was still there.
The Spider-Tron Models[]
Spider-Tron 5000 is the smallest and weakest of the Spider-Tron models, and is easily identified by its small, cube head with a singular core above their eyes.
Behavior Variation[]
They generally behave as described above--staying in one place while their head bobs up and down periodically, suspended by four legs. They fire a singular bomb ever 2.4-2.5 seconds (according to earlier versions of this page).
Tactics[]
Outside of the general strategies above, destroying them is relatively easy when up close--their core is reachable by most melee weapons at the lowest point of its motion with a basic jump. Further explanation not necessary.
The Spider-Tron 6000 is much larger than its previous model, with a rectangular, skull-like head housing two cores that act as its eyes.
Behavior[]
Its legs are proportionally larger, keeping the head well out of reach of weapon strikes with just a basic jump. It fires five explosives (at increasing ranges) every 5-5.5 seconds (according to previous versions of this page).
Tactics[]
The previous general strategies do work. When armoured, as mentioned above, aiming around the armor with a Fire upgrade or striking from behind the eyes to bypass it allows for quicker eliminations.
The Spider-Tron 7000 model is exclusive to Chapter 5 of Story Mode, so they are made up of the large, blue cubes and rectangles of the Mind-Space. They are quickly recognizable as they are the only model of Spider-Tron to appear in the Mind-Space, along with its three cores attached to a shape similar to a three-ended fidget spinner and a minigun-like apparatus.
Behavior[]
The Spider-Tron fires three groups of explosives, one group per each active core, and periodically (and frequently) fires a barrage of small lasers from its minigun-like weapon for a few seconds at a time.
Tactics[]
Due to being a Mind-Space robot, their parts are instantly destroyed upon receiving damage as opposed to being damaged into multiple pieces, meaning that cutting down its legs is relatively easier. Its machine gun fire means that circling the unit and strafing is almost necessary for survival. Dealing with the unit up close proves to be difficult and/or tedious, as its groups of explosives are difficult to avoid at close range (though, thankfully, they do not produce shrapnel like other models). Cutting down the unit until its main body is stuck on the floor deals with the minigun. Once at that point, move back and forth to attack its cores before you can be knocked down by the explosives they frequently drop.Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Spider-Trons are the first robots in the game to be capable of knocking down the player, the second being Kick Bots.
- The Commentators occasionally mention a Spider-Tron 4000 model, stating that it was apparently "not as good" as the 5000 model.
- Apparently, another name for the Spider-Tron 5000s are "Fives," as used in one comment by the Commentators.
- According to Analysis-Bot, Spider-Tron 5000 is the friendliest of all robots.
- Spider-Trons cannot be Mind Transferred to, and dying to one (or to any hazards present) when there are no other robots present automatically counts as a defeat, regardless of the number of transfers a player may have left.