How to Beat Lurkers

The Lurker is an enemy type in Dead Space Remake (2023) made from infected juveniles and are capable of ranged attacks using their tentacles. Read on to learn the different ways on how to defeat this Necromorph.

Lurker Overview

Lurker The three-tentacled necromorphs are named for their tendency to lurk in areas and wait for you to approach. They can also fire a spread of projectiles from their tentacles. You will often find them scurrying up and down the walls and ceiling, so keep your weapon raised and your eyes open at all times.
Weak Spots	Tentacles
Weaknesses	No Specific Weaknesses
Chapter Encounters
• Chapter 1: New Arrivals • Chapter 2: Intensive Care • Chapter 3: Course Correction • Chapter 4: Obliteration Imminent • Chapter 5: Lethal Devotion • Chapter 6: Environmental Hazard • Chapter 7: Into the Void • Chapter 9: Dead on Arrival • Chapter 10: End of Days • Chapter 11: Alternate Solutions • Chapter 12: Dead Space
Recommended Weapons
• Plasma Cutter • Line Gun • Pulse Rifle • Force Gun

How to Beat Lurkers

Target their Tentacles Near the Body

When shooting tentacles, it's best to aim near the Lurker's body where the tentacles nearly intersect. This gives you a chance to hit two, if not all tentacles in one shot.

An efficient way of bringing down a Lurker is to shoot and sever their tentacles, this saves ammo and brings them down faster compared to body shots.

The Plasma Cutter or Line Gun are good weapons of choice when dealing with a Lurker's tentacles as these weapons have a wider range compared to more focused weapons like the Pulse Rifle.

Move Sideways

When facing Lurkers, we highly recommend moving sideways specially in closed spaces to evade their projectiles.

Use Slasher Arms

Standard Lurkers are fragile against a Slasher's blade when thrown at them even on hard difficulty.

You can use kinesis on a dead or dismembered Slasher arm to use against Lurkers

Lurker Variants

Super-Lurkers

Super-Lurker Super-Lurkers are tougher versions of the tentacled fiends. They’re also faster and take more shots to bring down. Their distinct appearance which seperates them from standard Lurkers is their deformed faces.
Weak Spots	Tentacles
Weaknesses	Stasis
Chapter Encounters
• Chapter 9: Dead on Arrival • Chapter 10: End of Days • Chapter 12: Dead Space
Recommended Weapons
• Plasma Cutter • Line Gun • Pulse Rifle • Force Gun

Difference from Standard Variant

Like most Super-variants, Super-lurkers have darker skin and glowing eyes. The tentacles of a Super-Lurker are tougher, making them harder to bring down.

Phantom Lurkers

Phantom Lurker Phantom Lurkers are encountered in NG+. Their appearance is similar to that of a Super-Lurker, although what distinguishes tha Phantom variant is its bloodied texture along with tougher skin and tentacles.
Weak Spots	Tentacles
Weaknesses	No Specific Weaknesses
Chapter Encounters
Recommended Weapons
• Plasma Cutter • Line Gun • Ripper

Difference from Standard Variant

Through its appearance, a Phantom Lurker looks much closer to a Lurker's super variant than that of its standard one. What stands out is its bloodied texture and a dim glow in its eyes, much like the other Phantom necromorphs.

This variant is extremely tougher to kill compared to a Super-Lurker, even with a fully upgraded weapon.

Death from Lurkers

Death by Tentacles: Isaac's Head Gets Severed

Occassionally, Lurkers pounce on Isaac and he will have to wrestle it before it drops his health to zero. If he fails, the Lurker will keep stabbing him with its tentacles; and as a final touch it will rip his head off.

Related Guides

List of All Necromorphs

All Necromorphs