Infected Bloatfly

Lore & Background

These creatures do not hunt with intelligence but rather with a hive-like instinct. When they attack, they dive-bomb their targets, relying on sheer numbers to overwhelm their prey. They do not explode or release corrosive slime; their threat comes from persistent contact damage and the chaos of a swarm. For the Survivors, encountering a swarm of Bloatflies is a test of mobility and crowd control.

In Their Own Story

The air in the swamp hung heavy with the scent of ozone and rot. A low buzzing grew into a deafening drone as the canopy parted. From the gloom, they descended—bloated, pulsating spheres of green and purple flesh. The survivor raised their weapon, but there were too many. One dove straight at them, its body distended to the breaking point. With a sickening wet pop, it detonated against the armor, spraying acidic bile that hissed where it touched metal. The swarm did not stop; they were a living storm of corruption, driven by the silent command of the Moon above.

Reader's Guide

The Infected Bloatfly is one of the earliest enemies encountered in Risk of Rain and Risk of Rain 2, serving as an introduction to aerial threats. They originate from the planet's native insect population but are mutated by the Moon's influence, appearing in biomes like the Swamp and later stages. Their unique ability involves a suicide attack where they dive at the player and explode upon impact or when killed close range, dealing damage and often applying a debuff or slowing effect depending on the specific game mechanics. They have low health but high mobility, making them dangerous in groups. There are no unlock conditions for this enemy as they spawn naturally during runs. However, players must learn to manage their positioning; standing too still invites dive-bombs, while moving erratically can cause a swarm to cluster and explode simultaneously. In the escalating difficulty of later stages, Bloatflies appear more frequently and with higher health pools. Their role is to force Survivors to maintain constant movement and utilize area-of-effect weapons effectively. They act as a 'nuisance' enemy that punishes poor crowd control, teaching players the importance of keeping their distance from aerial threats.

Did You Know?

• Bloatflies are often found in swarms, making them dangerous despite their low individual health.
• Their behavior is purely contact-based; they do not explode or leave corrosive clouds.
• The Bloatfly is a natural creature of Petrichor V, not a mutated variant tied to the Moon.
• There is no 'Infected' variant of the Bloatfly; the name refers only to the standard enemy.