The R.E.P.O. monsters are savage to those bravely facing their taxes alone. You get warned of the dangers that lurk beyond the unwelcoming entrance by the Taxman, who’s crying tears of joy as it enjoys seeing you struggle.
R.E.P.O. is incredibly unforgiving to new explorers. Without any weapons to fight back and a painfully short stamina bar, panic is an inevitability. To make matters worse, some valuables you pick up can hugely impact your game—and not in a positive way. Not only do you have to transfer goods onto the extraction point, but some items like the Music Box actively try to ruin your run (as it makes you continuously spin when you have the box in hand).
So, if you’re looking for a bestiary and some survival tips, here is how to deal with all R.E.P.O. monsters. Table of contentsAll monsters and how to evade them in R.E.P.O.SpewerTrudgeRobeGnomeHeadmanReaperCeiling EyeApex PredatorClownHuntsmanUpscreamAnimalShadow ChildHiddenMentalistBowtieChefRugrat This article in a work in progress. All monsters and how to evade them in R.E.P.O. I’m uncertain how many monsters reside within R.E.P.O. Unlike Lethal Company, which has a bestiary you can refer to, you have to get close to R.E.P.O‘s monsters to get their name. I got Energy Crystals to collect—I’m not trying to get my head torn off, introducing myself to giant heads, laser beams, and duckies. We’re collecting data as I type this, accumulating official monster names, and developing survival strategies to manage R.E.P.O.‘s monsters.
Theory: We speculate monsters spawn in together and at the furthest position away from the first extraction point. We’ve found only two monster types spawn in on level one and two. Some monsters don’t hurt you or deal minimal damage. They, instead, are there to jumpscare you or alert other, more lethal monsters to your whereabouts. At the time of writing, we’ve found that monsters (although randomly generated) seem to have a set spawn to particular locations (levels). We will add the level you can find each monster in as we conduct more research.
Here is every monster we’ve discovered: their threat level, how to avoid, and what they do. Some entries have their official name, others have a placeholder (indicated by an asterisk) until we can confirm their identity by shaking their hand (and getting it bit off in return). Tip: Look at the chat inside the truck for the Taxman’s message when you enter a location. It can hint at one type of enemy that spawns (mostly the Headman).
So far, we have taken 18 screenshots and identified 18 monsters, but I’ve already seen and experienced new, albeit brief, encounters that have mostly jumpscared rather than attempted to kill me. They’re a bit camera-shy, but I will capture them all—eventually. Spewer If piranhas were radioactive and could fly. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Low Maps: Witch Academy and Manor Monster summary The Spewer is a tadpole-looking monster that flies around. It spits acid from its mouth and has two main functions: Spew acid at you or latch onto your neck. If it does the latter, its tail coils around your neck, and the Spewer starts continuously throwing out bile. This doesn’t impact you, however. It’s your teammates who are in the danger zone.
Survival strategies Keep back to avoid taking damage. It doesn’t fly particularly fast, nor does it have good vision to spot you under furniture or crouched. If it wraps itself around you, make sure your teammates do not attempt to take it off, otherwise they’re at risk of taking damage from its bile. The Spewer will eventually fall off, and you won’t have taken any damage. You can use this monster to attack others when it latches onto your face.
Trudge Beware of his ferocious swing. Screenshot by Dot Esports Threat: Low Maps: Witch Academy and Station Monster summary Surprisingly, Trudge isn’t much of a threat. It moves around the map incredibly slowly, waiting for you to stand before it so it can use its bent neck to swing and hit you. The Trudge can easily one-shot you if you’re careless. His hammer-like weapon has a magnetized effect that pulls you towards him. We estimate its effect radius is approximately two to three meters from where his weapon hits the ground.
Survival strategies This entity is incredibly easy to avoid. Just move into another room and continue exploring, looking for valuables while remembering where you last saw him. Refer to the map in case you get lost. So long as you stay on the side of him where his bent neck isn’t looking, you can actually crouch-walk beside him. Use furniture to get around him and remain crouched to avoid alerting him to your position. He has an eye on his stomach which can see you when hiding, so be mindful of this and reposition to avoid his gaze.
Robe Never let it find you. Screenshot by Dot Esports Threat: High Maps: Manor and Academy Monster summary The Robe isn’t much of a threat if you see the back of it. It’s only when it turns around that your life flashes before your eyes. The Robe resembles No-Face from Spirited Away as its body consists of a single black cloak with a white skull-like head and hands at the bottom. It will charge when it spots you and easily one-shots you if you’re caught out in the open.
Survival strategies The Robe will occasionally make a crying baby sound. You know it’s nearby if you hear the cry. Without the sound cue there’s no way to tell if the Robe is near you as it’s silent, so keep a look out. Stay behind the Robe at all times and move into another room as soon as possible to avoid alerting this entity to your location. Bizarrely, I’ve been able to walk, even run in front of the Robe without alerting it. We wonder if this entity only attacks players that are crouched and inside its line of sight. What we know for sure is that you will die instantly if you brush past it. May the Lord have mercy on your soul against this monstrosity.
Gnome A persistent nuisance. Screenshot by Dot Esports Threat: Low Maps: Manor and Station Monster summary The Gnome acts similarly to the Apex Predator in that it follows you around. It’s quite persistent and a nuisance to deal with, as it attacks you if you get too close. The problem is handling this entity while another, larger threat is after you. It will deal minimal but consistent damage that puts you in a vulnerable position. They can also spawn in groups. Gnomes can pick up flammable items to throw at you. They will also actively try to destroy any valuables you’re carrying.
Survival strategies Pick them up and drop them; this will kill them instantly. Even if a gang of them is grouping up on you, pick one up, lift to a height, and drop onto another Gnome to kill both. You can also pick one up as a melee weapon to smash against his fellow Gnome folk, killing both on impact. Headman R.E.P.O.‘s bully. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: High Maps: Manor and Station Monster summary This is exactly what it sounds like—a giant floating head. The Headman is one of the hardest monsters to run away from as it’s incredibly persistent once it notices you. Its attacking phase is evident by its widened eyes and open mouth, where it will lunge and bite you if it gets close. A single bite takes off 50HP.
Survival strategies Stay behind the Headman whenever you can. Use furniture to hide from him. If spotted, run to a corridor that has an alcove or a side room, shutting the door behind you. While he can open doors, he will lose track of you if you’re quick enough. Never run away in a straight line. Making CoryxKenshin proud with this one. Video by Dot Esports
Warning: Hiding under furniture doesn’t help if the monster sees you. Reaper A year of social distancing has led to this moment. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Station Monster summary The Reaper is a dual-wielding scarecrow that waddles around the map. Like most R.E.P.O. monsters, the Reaper can open doors. This makes it somewhat hard to detect as it’s stealthy and quiet. It moves slowly until it notices you. That’s when it winds up its blades and starts swinging them around. It will chase you, trying to catch you with its weapons.
Survival strategies Hide under furniture and remain crouched, keeping to the side if a Reaper appears. It doesn’t chase for long, and we believe it has a similar short, aggressive phase to the Apex Predator. The Reaper struggles to chase players and instead only punishes the oblivious players it’s snuck up on. Shut doors behind you as you’re running away; this should reset the Reaper, as it’ll forget about your existence. Stamina and speed are a must against him, as running away in a long corridor will likely get you killed if you’re unprepared.
Goldfish memory. Video by Dot Esports Ceiling Eye The all-seeing eye. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Low Maps: Manor Monster summary The Ceiling Eye deals minimal damage, taking two health points every few seconds. This only happens if you’re caught in its gaze. The Eye will pull you in, forcing you to look at it. While it doesn’t hurt much, it does distract you long enough that you might accidentally walk into a deadlier monster. The Eye will move on but will eventually respawn in the same spot if you stay on the level long enough.
Survival strategies Leave the room as soon as you see this Eye. Furniture and pillars can be used to break the line of sight. Yes, your vision will get pulled, but so long as you’re close to an exit, you can pull yourself away. The Eye’s gaze only works within the room it spawns in. If you notice its eyelids before it sees you, look away and crouch walk past it, it shouldn’t notice you. This only works if you’re in a room for a short period of time.
Apex Predator Yes, that’s its name. I hope you never find out why. Screenshot by Dot Esports Threat: Low to medium Maps: Manor, Station, and Academy Monster summary The Apex Predator is an adorable arsehole. This little guy will seem innocent at first, but he has an aggressive side. We hope you never see it. The duck follows you around the map, waddling and dancing, it’s almost hypnotizing. He’s inviting you to pick it up, but trust your instincts and ignore that itch for curiosity, for it’ll only get you killed. If you in any way touch the duck, its mouth will split open, showcasing rows of endless teeth, ready to snap you in half. He flies into the air and starts chasing you, but this phase lasts around 10 seconds.
Survival strategies The duck will do everything in its power to make you grab him. It follows your crosshair, jumps into the cart when you’re placing items inside, and will quickly become your ride or die—all in its persistent attempt to make you hold him. Honestly, the best thing to do is ignore this guy. Pretend he doesn’t exist. It’s difficult when he makes his presence known every moment, but do your very best moving your crosshair away from him. Beware that if he takes any damage, be it from your own hand or an object, he will transform and attack.
The door didn’t save me. Video by Dot Esports Clown Hide and seek. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Academy Monster summary The Clown is absolutely brutal if you find yourself trapped at the spawn with this thing ahead of you. It’s identifiable by its giant eyes and a mouth resting at the center of its body, but this isn’t where the threat lies. It’s on the top of its red nose that a giant beam can form once it notices you. The laser builds until it shoots out a single beam, moving across the ground horizontally. Anything in its path will get annihilated. The Clown also has close-range attacks, which include a stomping animation.
Survival strategies The Clown is easy to avoid if you’re constantly moving around the map. It’s not particularly quick, but if you’re caught out inside the extraction point or fail to notice it open the door behind you, then it’s game over for you. As it has a long wind-up time, use it to your advantage to leave the room you’re in and move away from the door. This way, you won’t die to the beam as it cannot shoot through walls. Crouch and hide under furniture when you’re in the same room as him; he won’t see you.
Should have gone to Specsavers. Video by Dot Esports Huntsman Don’t come empty-handed to a gun fight. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Academy and Station Monster summary The Huntsman is a shotgun-wielding enemy that resembles Lethal Company‘s Nutcracker. He uses the Shotgun as a walking stick. He sticks to a particular patrolling path, so you will likely run into him when moving valuables to the extraction point. He can also patrol the extraction point, making it difficult to leave.
Survival strategies The Huntsman is blind. You can crouch walk near him without being noticed. His hearing is impeccable, however; so don’t talk, walk next to him, or run. His shotgun can kill you if you get caught out, so be sure to run only if he hears you. Create distance and refrain from running in a straight line to reduce the chances of being hit by the shotgun spread if he knows where you are. Upscream Nope, I’m out. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Station Monster summary This creepy guy is incredibly persistent if he spots you. He only has one mode of attack, which flings you up into the air, throwing you against walls that deal 10 damage points every time he successfully gets the attack off. They’re fast and punish anyone with low stamina. Survival strategies The Upscream is surprisingly difficult to get around. They often appear in pairs and have excellent vision. It’s best to use cover and crouch to avoid being seen. Hiding under furniture won’t get you far as these monsters will have a direct line of sight to you. Climbing on top of structures doesn’t help you against these, either, as they can leap up and lock onto you. This is definitely one of those creatures you need to kill.
Animal The worriers of R.E.P.O. Screenshot by Dot Esports Threat: Low Maps: Station Monster summary The Animal remind me of something I made as a kid on Bamzooki; janky, moving humanoid creatures that move much like a spider. Their attack deals four damage points, but they’re not super quick, so they won’t overwhelm you. However, having multiple attacks on you at once can quickly result in your demise. These creatures panic when they see you and start running around. You will get knocked down if caught in their path.
Survival strategies Use cover to break the Animal’s line of sight. The Apex Predator, if activated, can kill Animals. Jump on top of furniture to avoid getting hit by their erratic attacks. Shadow Child Don’t follow the baby’s laughter. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Low Maps: Station Monster summary This entity is a tall, thin humanoid creature that mostly stands still. It can only teleport when you’re not looking at it, but this won’t kill you. The Shadow Child can only kill if you look at it for too long. This means it’s only threatening from prolonged exposure. It can teleport and cause your vision to turn dark.
Survival strategies The Shadow Child behaves like the Enderman in Minecraft. All you need to do to survive is to avoid looking at it. Listen to its laughter, and if the room turns dark for its presence, then make sure you’re not looking towards it. You can walk backwards to pass it or look occasionally at its feet, but never above that. There is room for error against Shadow Child as you’re not killed instantly for looking its way, but you shouldn’t ever feel tempted to keep this entity in your peripheral view. When in doubt—just ignore it.
Hidden Threat: Low Maps: Manor Monster summary Hidden is a ghost-like entity that moves around the map with ease, ready to inhabit anyone wandering in its path. He either stands still, almost catching his breath back as he inhales deeply (indicated by his breath being the only visible thing on screen), or runs towards you. He has no physical form. Hidden chases players with hopes of possessing them. Once possessed, the character shrinks as if they’re crouched and lifts them into the air. You can hear wheezing and laughing when someone is possessed. This entity does not hurt you, but Hidden’s goal is to to be a right pain as it moves you to the furthest point from where you started. Hidden can move you to another extraction point or inside the jaws of death—where a deadlier monster awaits your arrival.
Survival strategies Listen out for breathing as this is the only warning you get so keep your eyes peeled, as you can see its breath and footprints, regardless of whether it’s moving or standing still. Steer clear of its pathing and always be on the lookout. As there’s no physical form you can see, it’s highly unlikely you can kill this vengeful spirit. Mentalist It’s wise to your tricks. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Manor Monster summary A levitating entity that manipulates gravity, this megamind alien launches you and any valuables around you into the air. The Mentalist then slams you downwards, breaking fragile valuables, lowering or destroying their value completely. Each slam deals 50 damage, cutting your health pool in half (if you haven’t upgraded). If you survive the encounter, you will have to find new valuables to place inside the C.A.R.T. There is a chance that your goodies survive the blast, but you will need to pick them back up again to then bring them to the extraction point.
Survival strategies Buy Health Upgrades if you want a fighting chance against this entity. You can delay the Mentalist’s attacks if you’re playing with teammates. Another player, who is not in the Mentalist’s grasp, should hit it with a weapon to free their friend. You can stun this entity with the Tranq Gun. Bowtie A legendary photobomb. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Medium Maps: Manor Monster summary This marshmallow-y monster is a mixture of the Trudge and Clown; with its slow walking cycle and bent head. When Bowtie sees you, his cloud-like body transforms into a gigantic mouth as his head recoils into itself. He then screams, throwing you backwards. This can trap and stun-lock you in a corner if you’re caught out. Bowtie’s attack lasts for five seconds and can deal up to 55 damage. The Bowtie will run away after attacking you.
Survival strategies Similar to Trudge, you need to keep your distance from the Bowtie; using furniture and crouch walking to avoid detection. This monster is easy to avoid if you use stealth, spotting him before he sees you. If you’re spotted, leave the room as fast as you can to avoid taking damage. Chef Go go crazy frog. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Low Maps: Academy Monster summary A green frog with a moustache, the Chef hops around the map in search of his next meal. He appears calm at first, but quickly switches to an aggressive state where he pulls out two bloodstained cleavers. His only mode of attack is to roll in a straight line towards you, hurting you on impact if you’re caught in the crossfire.
Survival strategies The Chef isn’t much of a threat when there’s only one hopping around. The threat rises, however, when multiple join the fray, all searching for their missing ingredient—you. It takes a surprisingly long time for the Chef to notice your existence and we’ve found you can move around freely without worrying about them until they get close. If the Chef sees you, leave your room (if you’re close to a door) or jump onto furniture. You basically want to avoid its straight-shot pathing as he rolls. The Chef can be killed by a Spewer (if this parasite latches onto your face). Chefs can kill each other too, so try to bait them into each other when you can.
Beat them at their own game. Video by Dot Esports Rugrat A realistic portrayal of children. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Threat: Low Maps: Station and Manor Monster summary This absolute menace loves to run around, picking up items to throw at you. It’s his main way of attacking, which deals minimal damage to your overall health, but destroys your valuables. His behavior is similar to Gnomes. If you let him have his way, you won’t have any valuables left to put in the extraction point. The Rugrat will take loot nearest to you and launch it, which creates a knockback effect if he successfully hits you. He’ll then run away when he feels he’s done enough damage to ruin your run.
Survival strategies If you notice this monster before he spots you, be sure to move away from your full C.A.R.T. and take this little guy out as quickly as you can. Any weapon will do, but a Gun will kill him with a single bullet.
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