A struggle with a wolf
Overview
A Struggle is a scripted event involving the player and an attacking hostile animal successfully reaching them, either a Wolf, Bear, Moose, and sometimes Timberwolf. Struggles typically result in a loss of Condition, Torn Clothing, Bruising, Pain, Blood Loss, and sprains, as well as more serious afflictions.
Wolf Struggles are partially scripted and can be defended against with certain Tools, Bear and Moose struggles are fully scripted and always result in a player defeat. Animals wounded prior to the start of a struggle can be killed during it, and Wolves wounded in struggles can later bleed out and die.
Wolf
Struggles with Wolves vary in length and severity based upon how quickly the left mouse button can be clicked, the player's Fatigue, Survival Mode difficulty, which Tools was selected, and RNG.
At the start of a Struggle with a Wolf, the world will slow down and the HUD will present a list of Tool options in the player's inventory for defense; while the struggle lasts the player can attack the wolf with this tool by left-clicking. At intervals the Wolf will attack the player, causing Condition loss and a chance to generate the following Afflictions: Torn Clothing Minor Bruising, Major Bruising, Laceration, Blood Loss, Infection Risk, Sprained Wrist, or Sprained Ankle.
The Wolf Struggle will end immediately if either the player or Wolf die, the Wolf is scared off (chance after losing 75% or more of its health), or after a set length of time (resulting in a 'Wolf Win', wherin the Wolf walks away and player regains consciousness and stands up). Wolves which are scared off will be scared until they reach a minimum distance of about 40 meters away from the player if they are not afflicted by Blood Loss from knife puncturing.
Different tools are more or less effective at ending the struggle (scaring the Wolf), injuring, or killing the wolf (e.g., a Prybar may only scare the animal away, while a Hatchet can inflict fatal Blood Loss). If the player chooses a loaded Revolver for the Wolf struggle, the option to 'Take Shot' will be presented once half of the struggle bar is filled, this fires a round and ends the struggle immediately, scaring the Wolf and potentially killing it or wounding the Wolf.
If the player is below 50% Fatigue, they will deal reduced damage to Wolves during struggles (except with Revolver 'Take Shot' action).
Higher Survival Mode difficulties increases the damage Wolves deal per attack during Struggles substantially, particularly on Interloper.
Injured Wolves are much easier to scare during Struggles than full health Wolves, and often can be killed during a Struggle.
Weapons
| Weapon | Can Puncture | Damage[1] | Flee Chance[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Hands | No | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Knife | Yes | 3.00% | 1.30% |
| Hatchet | Yes | 4.00% | 1.50% |
| Prybar | No | 1.25% | 1.50% |
| Improvised Knife | Yes | 2.00% | 1.30% |
| Improvised Hatchet | Yes | 3.00% | 1.25% |
| Heavy Hammer | No | 2.00% | 4.00% |
| Revolver | No | 1.00% | 1.00% |
Note some Tools cannot be selected as defense options during a Wolf Struggle, this includes the Hacksaw, Hunting Rifle, Survival Bow, Bear Spear, Distress Pistol, Storm Lantern, Flashlight, and Stone.
Poisoned Wolf
Struggles with Poisoned Wolves are virtually identical to regular Wolves, but will always result in Chemical Poisoning Risk buildup when a player is attacked. Due to the desperate and malnourished state that regular Poisoned Wolves suffer from, encounters with them are generally more likely to result in Struggles, as they will automatically charge a player after 5-10 seconds when they begin stalking them.
Timberwolf
Timberwolves typically perform "bite and run" tactics by perfirming a single bite attack and then quickly keeping their distance during a pack attack in order to wear the player's health down. Occasionally, a single Timberwolf will grapple the player and initiate a Struggle to finish a survivor off after enough time has passed in an encounter, or if a player remains still for too long. The same principles of regular Wolf Struggles apply to these situations, presenting the player with a choice to pick a weapon to defend one's self.
Maulings
Maulings are a more aggressive version of Struggles, wherein the player is unable to defend one's self once a Struggle begins. This is typically an in-game cutscene where the player is helplessly attacked by hostile wildlife.
Bears
A Struggle with a Bear will always result in a loss for the player, because they are unable to take any action during this time. This will result in a loss of 90% of pre-struggle condition remaining and two Afflictions: Blood Loss and Infection Risk. Any tools the player is currently holding will be dropped to the ground (along with a random food item in the player's inventory) and must be picked up once the player regains consciousness. This can result in wasted Torch, Storm Lantern, Flare fuel if the player is not careful.
During Wintermute's Chapter 2, the Bear Spear may be used against a charging Bear for a "Bear Spear Struggle", which can be won or lost by the player. Hinterland has stated that the spear may become available in Survival Mode in the future.
Moose
Similar to Bears, a Struggle with a Moose will always result in a loss. The Moose tramples the player and knocks them to their feet, then stomps several times before the player passes out. Upon waking up, the player will be temporarily disoriented and lose about 50% Condition, as well as obtain a Broken Ribs Affliction. Any tools the player is holding when a Moose attacks will be lying on the ground nearby when the player regains consciousness, similar to a Bear mauling.