| “ | At least one of our xenogeologists quit in a rage when research started on this region. Instead of having conventional polar ice caps, and in violation of all physical laws we know of, the continental plates of Hoxxes rest on top of a planetwide permafrost layer several miles deep. As always, DRG recommends a "don't ask" approach when dealing with the peculiarities of Hoxxes' makeup. |
| — Ingame description |
The Glacial Strata is one of the biomes of Hoxxes IV, located in the north-west of the planet. The Glacial Strata consists of an anomalous planetwide layer of permafrost, located deep underground.
Hazards
The Glacial Strata will require temperature management to prevent freezing. When a dwarf's temperature meter reaches it's lowest point, the dwarf will freeze solid, immobilizing them and forcing them into third person. Dwarves can unfreeze themselves by alternate mashing their move left and right keys, but it is much slower than two subsequent hits from a teammate's pickaxe.
The Glacial Strata are home to quite a few unique hazards which can leave an unprepared miner trapped or downed at a moments notice.
- Green stalactites filled with algae can be found on the ceiling of many caves. They similar to Unstable Crystals in the Salt Pits, and will deal large amounts of damage to anything they fall on.
- Crevices may open up under areas that players recently passed over, possibly temporarily trapping less mobile dwarves. Crevices can be particularly dangerous if opened during swarms.
- Ice vents occasionally blast cold air capable of rapidly decreasing a dwarf's temperature meter.
- Smooth ice will cause the player to slip around, resulting in a reduced ability to stop and reverse direction.
- Heavy snow will impede the player's movement, preventing them from running in it. Heavy snow will also reduce fall damage when landed in, helping dwarves safely drop down from small cliffs.
- Blizzards, similar to the Sandstorms, impede the players movement by slowing them and reduce visibility. Blizzards also gradually deplete the temperature meter until they pass.
Enemies
Several enemies have a unique ice-themed variation that appears instead of their regular counterpart. Their attacks are also affected, e.g. Glyphid Frost Praetorians spew frost that can freeze dwarves solid, instead of corrosive acid. Glacial Strata enemy variants are far weaker to fire than creatures found elsewhere on Hoxxes, but are highly resistant to temperature reductions. Naedocyte Shockers are exclusive to the Glacial Strata and the Dense Biozone.
Biome Features
| Item | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional | ||
 Oasis |
Supportive | Warm heat vent with lush red vegetation growing in close proximity. Raises a dwarves temperature meter quickly when they are near. |
 Cryo Foamer |
Supportive | Cyan colored plants containing a liquid. When damage sufficiently, it will burst and the liquid inside will immediately freeze horizontally, forming a stable platform to stand on. |
 Cryo Bulb |
Hazardous/Supportive | Blue bulb plants that explode when damaged, releasing icy gas. This gas will freeze any dwarves or enemies nearby before dissipating. |
 Cold Vent |
Hazardous/Supportive | Cracks in the walls periodically releasing blasts of freezing air that lowers a dwarves temperature quickly. |
 Smooth Ice |
Hazardous/Supportive | Slippery ice making dwarves slip and slide, impairing movement. Sliding speed is not restricted to a dwarf's movement speed. |
 Unstable Ice |
Hazardous/Supportive | Large green icicles jutting out of the ceiling which fall down if damaged or an explosion occurs nearby. They shatter on impact. |
 Deep Snow |
Hazardous/Supportive | Large piles of deep snow that impedes the movement of any dwarf walking through it. However, the deep snow will also reduce fall damage if landed on. |
 Blizzard |
Hazardous | Impairs vision, slows down movement and slowly freezes all dwarves in the cave. Fog will become much more dense seconds before a blizzard hits. Blizzard interval is unpredictable. |
 Crevasse Crack |
Hazardous | Once stepped on will break into a crevasse trapping any unfortunate dwarves that fall inside. Rock platforms do form inside the crevasse for easier escape. |
| Other | ||
 Icicle |
Neutral | Small horizontal stalacites jutting out of the ceiling. |
Media
The following video is outdated footage of the developers demonstrating the various features in the region.
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