Mactera Grabber

"The Mactera Grabber is among the most aggressive of the Mactera, seeking to swoop in unseen and rapidly scoop up an unsuspecting victim in its long, clawed limbs, only then to drop them from a great height onto the rocks below. Somehow this behavior is more endearing when performed by terrestrial birds, using nuts. Many employees report a spectacular hatred for this particular breed, and with good reason - dwarves are not nuts!"

- Miner's Manual Description

The Mactera Grabber is a hostile Creature found on Hoxxes. It can be located on every region of the planet. It is a member of the Mactera family, a species of flying enemies who make use of evasive hit-and-run tactics. The Grabber features the same impressively large wings as found on other Mactera, but its eight limbs are much more developed compared to the others, somewhat resembling a spider given the amount and the formation on the Grabber's body. Unlike most creatures on Hoxxes, it has visible eyes, which glow in the dark as it flies around.

The Mactera Grabber's only attack is to grab a Dwarf and steal them away. It does not feature any direct attacks such as melee or projectiles. When a Grabber is preparing to steal a Dwarf, it will make loud screeching noises which can clearly be heard even above other monster sounds - this serves as a warning to the Dwarves that a Grabber is on approach. While it normally flies around with its limbs hanging in a relaxed manner, it will raise them ready to grab a player once it has a target. It will slowly home in on them until it makes contact. When a Mactera Grabber steals a Dwarf, that Dwarf is completely incapable of taking any action. Similar to a Cave Leech or a Nayaka Trawler, captured Dwarves must rely on their teammates to break them free. It is possible to shout for help with the X key while grabbed, and the player's class portrait will glow green while grabbed.

Mactera Grabbers will attempt to make off with their prey the moment they grab a Dwarf, and will fly around randomly with the captive Dwarf until they find a high place to drop the Dwarf to their doom. The potential fall damage taken from being dropped from extreme heights can often be lethal, but if a Grabber cannot find a height suitable enough to do lethal damage it will just drop the Dwarf at random after about fifteen to twenty seconds. Once a prey is released, the Grabber will hover idly until it chooses a new target. It is possible to break a Dwarf free early by shooting at the Mactera Grabber, which will force it to release the Dwarf and fly away quickly. This can be done through concentrated firepower, but dealing any damage to its weakpoint will free a Dwarf near-instantly. Once it flees, it will soon attempt to choose another target to grab.

Players can use a zipline to escape while grabbed.