Puppet Basics & Mechanics
Puppets are infected humans that have lost their cognitive abilities and now roam the island with varying degrees of aggression. Understanding their core mechanics is essential for survival in SCUM.
Core Puppet Mechanics
- Sensory Systems: Puppets primarily detect players through sight and sound, with different sensitivity levels based on type
- Health & Damage: Puppets have varying health pools and damage resistance depending on their type
- Weak Points: Headshots deal critical damage to all puppet types, though some special variants have additional weak points
- Group Behavior: Puppets can alert nearby puppets when they detect a player, potentially creating hordes
Game Mechanics Update
As of the 0.9 update (August 2025), puppets now have improved AI that allows them to track players more effectively and coordinate attacks in groups. They can also now break down certain doors and barriers if enough of them gather.
Puppet Detection Systems
Understanding how puppets detect players is crucial for stealth and combat planning:
| Detection Type | Range | Factors Affecting Detection | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual | Up to 100m (line of sight) | Player movement speed, stance, lighting conditions | Stay crouched, use cover, avoid direct line of sight |
| Sound | Up to 50m (varies by action) | Running, gunshots, melee impacts, vehicle noise | Walk instead of run, use silenced weapons, avoid unnecessary noise |
| Proximity | 5-10m radius | Physical closeness, regardless of stealth | Maintain distance when possible |
Standard Puppet Types
Standard puppets make up the majority of enemies you'll encounter across the island. Each type has distinct characteristics and requires different approaches to combat effectively.
Basic Puppets
- Appearance: Civilian clothing, varied body types
- Behavior: Slow movement, basic melee attacks
- Threat Level: Low
- Health: 100-150 HP
- Common Locations: Villages, roads, fields
Combat Tactics
- Headshots are most efficient (2-3x damage)
- Melee weapons are effective for silent kills
- Can be easily outrun or outmaneuvered
Runner Puppets
- Appearance: Thinner build, athletic wear
- Behavior: Fast movement, aggressive pursuit
- Threat Level: Medium
- Health: 80-120 HP
- Common Locations: Open areas, highways
Combat Tactics
- Prioritize these targets in groups
- Use ranged weapons to take them down before they close in
- Create obstacles between you and them
Heavy Puppets
- Appearance: Larger build, bulky clothing
- Behavior: Slow but powerful attacks, high damage resistance
- Threat Level: Medium
- Health: 200-250 HP
- Common Locations: Urban areas, restaurants
Combat Tactics
- Maintain distance to avoid powerful melee attacks
- Use high-caliber weapons for better penetration
- Exploit their slow turning speed by circling
Crawlers
- Appearance: Missing lower limbs, dragging torso
- Behavior: Slow ground movement, often hiding under objects
- Threat Level: Low
- Health: 70-100 HP
- Common Locations: Inside buildings, under vehicles
Combat Tactics
- Check under vehicles and furniture
- Listen for their distinctive dragging sound
- Use a flashlight in dark areas to spot them
Armored Puppets
- Appearance: Military/police gear, helmets, body armor
- Behavior: Medium speed, high damage resistance
- Threat Level: Medium
- Health: 150-200 HP + Armor
- Common Locations: Military bases, police stations, bunkers
Combat Tactics
- Aim for the head or unarmored areas
- Use armor-piercing ammunition when available
- Explosives and fire are effective against groups
Medical Puppets
- Appearance: Medical scrubs, lab coats
- Behavior: Medium speed, can inflict disease
- Threat Level: Medium
- Health: 120-150 HP
- Common Locations: Hospitals, medical tents, laboratories
Combat Tactics
- Avoid close combat to prevent disease transmission
- Use ranged weapons when possible
- Carry antibiotics if engaging these puppets
Special & Boss Puppets
Special puppets are rare, high-threat enemies that pose significant challenges even for well-equipped players. These enemies often have unique abilities and require specific strategies to defeat.
High Threat Enemies
The following puppet types are extremely dangerous and should be approached with caution. Always have an escape route planned when dealing with these enemies.
Beepers / Exploder Puppets
- Appearance: Puppets with visible explosives strapped to their body
- Behavior: Emit a loud beeping sound when they spot you and detonate, killing themselves and damaging/destroying players, vehicles, or other puppets nearby
- Where Found: Random, but they increase in number as you progress
- Threat Level: Very High
Tactics vs Beepers
- Kill them at range before they start beeping
- Take them out at range with suppressed shots
- NEVER let them close distance
- If indoors, retreat to avoid being caught in the explosion
Razors
- Appearance: Hunched, spider-like puppets with elongated limbs and a distinctive growth on their back
- Behavior: Extremely fast and agile, can climb walls and ceilings, emerge from vents when they detect noise
- Where Found: Primarily in abandoned bunkers, especially in ventilation systems
- Threat Level: Very High
Tactics vs Razors
- Target the growth on their back for critical damage
- Use shotguns or high-caliber weapons for maximum stopping power
- Move quietly to avoid triggering their emergence from vents
- Never fight in tight corridors where they can surround you
- Use doorways to limit their approach angles
Mr. Brenner
- Appearance: Massive, heavily mutated humanoid with glowing features and charred skin
- Behavior: Extremely aggressive boss-type enemy with devastating melee attacks and the ability to withstand enormous damage
- Where Found: Lower levels of abandoned bunkers, typically in sealed laboratory areas
- Threat Level: Extreme
Tactics vs Mr. Brenner
- Never engage alone — minimum 3-4 well-equipped players recommended
- Use high-caliber weapons and explosives for maximum damage
- Maintain distance at all costs — his melee attacks can one-shot even armored players
- Use coordinated fire from multiple angles to prevent him from focusing on one player
- Always have an escape route planned and keep doorways between you when possible
- Collect his blood sample (Phoenix Tears) after defeating him for legendary crafting materials
Puppet Behavior & AI
Understanding puppet AI behavior patterns is crucial for predicting their movements and planning effective combat or stealth strategies.
Puppet AI States
Puppets operate in several distinct AI states that determine their behavior:
- Idle: Wandering aimlessly or standing in place, minimal threat
- Alert: Has detected something suspicious but hasn't confirmed player presence
- Investigating: Moving toward the last known position of a suspicious sound or sight
- Pursuing: Has detected the player and is actively chasing
- Attacking: Within range to perform melee attacks
- Searching: Has lost track of the player and is searching the area
Group Behavior & Hordes
Puppets exhibit complex group behaviors that can make them significantly more dangerous in numbers:
- Alert Chain Reaction: When one puppet becomes alerted, it can alert others within a 30-50m radius
- Horde Formation: Multiple puppets will naturally group together when pursuing the same target
- Surrounding Tactics: Groups will attempt to approach from multiple directions to surround players
- Noise Attraction: Loud noises (gunshots, explosions, vehicles) can attract puppets from up to 200m away
Puppet Memory
Puppets now have a sort of "memory" system. If you're spotted and then hide, they will search the area more thoroughly than before, including checking inside buildings and behind obstacles. They will remain in search mode for an estimated 2-5 minutes before returning to idle state.
Combat Strategies
Effective combat against puppets requires understanding their weaknesses and employing the right tactics for different situations.
Melee Combat Techniques
Melee combat is silent and conserves ammunition but puts you at risk of taking damage.
Effective Melee Strategies
- Headshots: Aim for the head with all melee weapons for maximum damage
- Backstabs: Attacking from behind deals additional damage and reduces puppet reaction time
- Charged Attacks: Hold attack button to perform stronger attacks that can stagger puppets
- Doorway Technique: Use doorways to funnel puppets and attack them one at a time
- Hit & Retreat: Strike quickly and back away to avoid counterattacks
| Melee Weapon Type | Effectiveness | Best Against | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blunt (Bats, Pipes) | Medium | Standard puppets | Good for knockback, less likely to get stuck |
| Bladed (Knives, Swords) | High | All standard types | Fast attacks, good damage, can cause bleeding |
| Piercing (Spears, Improvised Pikes) | Very High | All types from safe distance | Best reach, can attack from safer distance |
| Heavy (Axes, Sledgehammers) | Very High | Armored, Heavy puppets | Slow but powerful, can one-shot with headshots (depending on server settings) |
Ranged Combat Techniques
Ranged combat allows you to eliminate puppets from a safe distance but generates noise that can attract more enemies.
Ranged Combat Tips
- Headshots: Always aim for the head for instant kills and ammo conservation
- Suppressed Weapons: Use suppressors whenever possible to reduce noise and prevent attracting more puppets
- Elevated Positions: Shoot from rooftops or other high ground where puppets cannot reach you
- Choke Points: Funnel puppets through narrow passages to take them out efficiently
- Weapon Selection: Match your weapon to the situation - shotguns for close quarters, rifles for distance
| Weapon Type | Optimal Range | Best Against | Noise Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bows/Crossbows | 10-40m | All standard puppets | Silent (No attraction) |
| Pistols | 1-30m | Standard, Runners, Crawlers | High (50m attraction radius) |
| Shotguns | 1-15m | Groups, Armored, Razors | Very High (100m attraction radius) |
| Rifles | 20-200m | All types, especially at distance | Very High (150m attraction radius) |
| Explosives | 5-30m | Groups, Boss puppets | Extreme (200m+ attraction radius) |
Stealth Approaches
Stealth allows you to navigate puppet-infested areas without triggering combat, conserving resources and reducing risk.
Stealth Techniques
- Movement Speed: Always crouch-walk when near puppets to minimize detection
- Line of Sight: Stay behind cover and out of direct line of sight
- Distraction: Throw objects to create noise and draw puppets away from your path
- Stealth Kills: Use silent takedowns with knives or bows when necessary
- Patience: Wait for puppets to move away naturally rather than forcing a path
Advanced Stealth Tip
You can create a "puppet lure" by combining a water bottle with a small stone. When thrown, this creates noise that will attract puppets to investigate, allowing you to slip past or set up ambushes.
Group Combat Tactics
When playing with a team, coordinated tactics can make puppet encounters significantly easier and safer.
Team Strategies
- Role Assignment: Designate specific roles (point man, flankers, rear guard)
- Crossfire Positioning: Position team members to create effective crossfire zones
- Bait and Ambush: Have one player draw puppet attention while others attack from safe positions
- Coordinated Fire: Focus fire on high-threat targets like Beepers or Razors
- Retreat Coordination: Establish rally points and retreat signals before engaging
Communication is Key
When fighting puppets as a group, clear communication prevents friendly fire incidents and ensures efficient target prioritization. Use concise callouts for puppet types and locations.
Puppet Loot & Resources
Puppets can be a valuable source of resources, especially when other loot sources have been depleted. Different puppet types tend to drop different items based on their appearance and former occupation.
Harvesting Puppets
Search puppet and then with a knife or other sharp tool, you can harvest resources from puppet corpses:
- Human Meat: Not a viable source of nutrition
- Human Skin: Can be used in replace of traditional hide
- Fat: Used for crafting and cooking
- Bones: Crafting material for improvised sewing kit
- Torn/Damaged Clothing: Obtained from searching puppets, used for bandages and crafting
- Other Tools Weapons and Gear: Obtained from searching puppets, has a small percentage to drop/span>
| Puppet Type | Common Loot | Rare Loot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Puppets | Small amounts of cash, cigarettes, lighters, basic food | Occasional pistol ammo, lockpicks | Most common, least valuable loot |
| Armored Puppets | Military gear, ammunition, tactical equipment | Weapon parts, grenades, military access cards | Best source of military supplies |
| Medical Puppets | Bandages, painkillers, antibiotics | Rare medications, medical tools | Excellent source of medical supplies |
| Razors | Potential Basic Puppet / Armored puppet drops | When defeated, they also have a chance to drop Intelligence Ampules (Temporary Intelligence Skill Enhancer) | Dangerous to loot as they only reside in abandoned bunkers |
| Beepers | Explosive components, electronic parts | Detonators, C4 components | Dangerous to loot due to potential secondary explosions |
| Mr. Brenner | Located in Brenners Armory in Abandoned Bunkers only - High-tier military gear, rare ammunition | Phoenix Tears (crafted from collecting brenners blood) | Unkillable/Can only be stunned briefly |
Puppet Spawn Locations
Puppet distribution across the island follows specific patterns, with different types appearing in different locations. Understanding these patterns helps with planning routes and expeditions.
Urban Areas
Cities and towns have the highest puppet density, with varied types based on the location:
- City Centers: High concentration of basic and runner puppets
- Residential Areas: Moderate density of basic puppets
- Commercial Districts: Mix of basic and heavy puppets
- Police Stations: Armored puppets and occasional beepers
- Hospitals: Medical puppets and crawlers
Rural Areas
Countryside and wilderness areas have fewer puppets, making them safer for travel:
- Farms: Small groups of basic puppets
- Roads: Occasional wandering puppets, sometimes in small groups
- Forests: Very low puppet density, mostly isolated individuals
- Mountains: Almost no puppets except near structures
Military Zones
Military installations have the most dangerous puppet concentrations:
- Bases: High concentration of armored puppets
- Checkpoints: Small groups of armored puppets
- Bunkers: Armored puppets, razors, and potentially Mr. Brenner
- Airfields: Mix of armored puppets and beepers
Day/Night Cycle Effects
Puppet behavior changes with the time of day. At night, puppets become more aggressive and have increased detection range for light sources. However, their visual detection range for players is reduced in darkness, making stealth easier if you avoid using lights.
Special Events & Hordes
The game occasionally triggers special puppet-related events that present unique challenges and opportunities for players.
Horde Events
Large groups of puppets that move across the map, triggered randomly or by server events.
- Size: 30-100+ puppets
- Duration: Until dispersed or eliminated
- Danger Level: Very High
Tactics
- Avoid direct confrontation unless well-equipped
- Use vehicles to escape or buildings for shelter
- If fighting is necessary, use elevated positions
- Explosives and automatic weapons are most effective
Contamination Zone
Located in Sector C0, it has increased puppet density and special mutated variants.
- Required Gear: Hazmat Suit (Only repairable with ductape)
- Special Features: Radiation, mutated puppets,
- Danger Level: Very High
Tactics
- Wear gas masks or hazmat suits to enter
- Bring extra medical supplies for radiation/toxin effects
- Look for special loot crates that spawn during these events
- Be aware that puppets are more resistant to damage in these zones
Additional Information
These items are highly suggested/required while traversing the radiation C0 Zone.
- Finding Graphite, Uranium, and items from locked containers found in the complex:Geiger counter
- Special Features:The C0 complex contains many locked containers with a variety of valuable loot, including items to sell for high prices.
- Danger Level: Very High
Tactics
- Scout the area before approaching
- Be aware that other players will be attracted to this sector
- Clear puppets methodically from the outside in
- Using a Geiger Counter to locate iradiated items/loot
PvP Hotspots
Special events that attract puppets also tend to attract other players looking for loot. Always be prepared for both PvE and PvP encounters when investigating this sector.