Almost every death in the footage we went through came from the same mistake: going for something that turned out to be stronger. Here's how to avoid being that cell.
1. You can't see health bars, so read size
Health bars aren't shown on other cells. Size is the only signal, and it's a decent one. A cell twice your size wins the fight. One that's ten times your size eats you before you notice. Hunt things smaller than you.
2. Look at their parts before you bite
Spikes hurt you when you bite or ram. Zappers shock on contact. Poison clouds hang behind poison builds. A cell "with three mouths" is a feeder; a cell covered in drills is a killer. Two seconds of looking saves a run.
3. Dash out, not just in
Space isn't only for attacking. A well-timed dash breaks contact and gets you out of a drill or tentacle grab. Quick Twitch and the Faster Dash node make it recharge sooner.
4. Bring one escape tool
- Ink Sack — triggers when you're hit and hides you from hunters.
- Camo Skin — invisible to hunters while you move slowly.
- Bubble Shield — absorbs the first big hit.
- Fins / Jet — the simplest escape is just being faster.
5. Respect events
- Meteor Shower: dodge if you're small. Meteors hit hard.
- Glow Caves: pitch dark. Big rewards, but you won't see what's waiting.
- The Leviathan: heals while fighting and eats small cells instantly. Swim away unless you're late-game.
- The Colossus: a player becomes huge. Hide and farm.
6. Don't swim through poison
Other players' poison clouds damage you. Learn the haze and go around.
7. Use the death screen well
When you die you can descend, start over, or buy a Second Chance. Descending keeps your lineage going — generation 2, 3 and so on — and is usually the right call.