In the Dead Space Remake, the USG Ishimura is infested by a diverse array of undead Necromorphs. Isaac’s first weapon, the Plasma Cutter, teaches players the importance of conserving ammo and debilitating enemies by cutting off the limbs of Necromorphs. Just as each Necromorph type has respective advantages, each type also has weaknesses—particular limbs that are ideal for Isaac to attack.
Most Necromorphs have particular limbs that are weak points, but others—such as Infectors, Stranglers, Wheezers, and a few others—do not have weak points (either because they do not have limbs to attack or they are passive enemies). With these exceptions in mind, here are the most efficient ways to bring down each Necromorph, limb by limb.
10 Leapers
The Leaper is a fast, aggressive type of Necromorph. All the Leaper’s limbs—the arms and tail—are weak points. Attacking the arms will prevent claw attacks while slowing down the Leaper considerably. Attacking the tail also limits the array of its attacks, but it could still use its claws. As such, the arms should be Isaac’s focus.
9 Slashers
Slashers are the “default” Necromorph: humanoid creatures with scythe-like protrusions on their arms. Although cutting off the arms will limit the attack power of Slashers, cutting off the legs will likely prevent Slashers from reaching Isaac at all. As such, the arms should be the target if they have already closed the gap; the legs should be the target if they have not reached Isaac yet.
Notably, there are Security-variant Slashers in particular portions of the game. These Slashers are armored in their torso and legs, so targeting their arms and head is the primary means of dealing damage.
8 Twitchers
Twitchers are Slasher-variants that appear in the late game, so it’s obvious they are tougher than most Necromorph you’ve seen in the game so far. They phase in and out of space, often requiring Stasis to line up a clear shot. In other words, Twitchers require the same strategy as Slashers but with consideration for using Stasis.
7 Exploders
Exploders have large, glowing growths on their arms, and as their name suggests, these growths are explosive when shot. Players should consider shooting the explosive sac when Exploders are far away (especially when they are nearby other Necromorphs).
If the Exploder is close enough to include Isaac in its blast radius, the explosive sac can be cut off at the arm. The sac can also be used as a weapon with Kinesis thereafter.
6 Pregnant Necromorphs
Pregnant Necromorphs have a large, glowing sac in their abdomen. If Isaac shoots the sac, the Necromorph is killed. However, several small Minions will spawn out of the sac at this point, which can prevent Isaac from acting once they attack him.
As such, the Pregnant Necromorph can be safely dispatched by shooting any of its other limbs: the head, legs, or arms.
5 Lurkers
Lurkers are too small to have any identifiable limbs to target. When they are prepared to attack, however, they will produce three tentacles from which they will fire projectiles. To damage Lurkers and limit their capacity for attacking, wait a moment and target these tentacles once they appear.
4 Guardians
Guardians are Necromorphs that are fixed into place on walls. They produce several tentacles, all of which are weak points to damage them — if they do not have any tentacles, then shooting them will not result in any damage.
Guardians also shoot out smaller Necromorphs known as Pods. Each Pod has one tentacle—one shot to the tentacle will easily take down each Pod. Killing Pods does not harm the original Guardian, but it does prevent Isaac from taking damage while bringing down the Guardian.
3 Dividers
Dead Space is all about severing limbs—except when facing Dividers. As their name denotes, Dividers divide into smaller enemies that are significantly more difficult to hit; notably, they only divide when Isaac shoots off their limbs.
As such, do nottarget their limbs. Instead, utilize a weapon that does overall damage without severing limbs, such as the Flamethrower, Force Gun, and Contact Beam.
2 Brutes
Brutes are massive Necromorphs aggregated from multiple dead bodies. They are highly aggressive and will charge at Isaac as soon as they appear. Shooting at Brutes from the front is entirely futile — the front of a Brute’s body is armored, negating most forms of damage.
To deal with Brutes, use Stasis to freeze them in place. Pivot behind them, where their backs and hind legs are susceptible to any form of damage. Their legs can be cut off, rendering them immobile. If they are still alive after their legs are gone, they will lob projectiles at Isaac (which can conveniently be caught and redirected with Kinesis).
1 The Hunter
The Hunter is a single, special Necromorph—the personal creation of the antagonistic Unitologist, Dr. Challus Mercer. The Hunter cannot be killed or completely stopped by conventional means, which means that Isaac can only slow it down temporarily.
If Isaac is running from The Hunter, the legs should be the go-to target. If Isaac needs to finish an objective while The Hunter is actively after him, consider destroying every limb—this will cause The Hunter to completely regenerate, which takes longer than regenerating a single set of limbs.
