Most of the time, higher tier monsters have all the abilities of preceding tiers, with increased intensity.
Lichen Traits by Tier
All Tiers
Unlike their cubic cousins, Lichens can be a little more tricky in a fight; if they can't merge together to create a larger singular being which eventually evolves into more dangerous forms, then they're able to cause statuses. Unlike most monsters which have identical attack patterns across different themed variations, Lichen attacks can vary depending on their Status, even being able to benefit from being afflicted with one. The Soul Jelly is the sole exception to this rule, as it cannot merge or inflict a Status.
Lichens can inflict normal and piercing damage.
Strategy
Guide: Lichen Combat
Defeating non-elemental Lichens is very simple, but you must keep in mind that when they merge:
The resulting Lichen has full health and is cured of status effects.
Ten normal Lichens make a Lichen Colony, and sixteen make a Giant Colony. It is important to notice that any combination of the sort can get you one. For example: merging two quintuple Lichens (Lichens made by merging five normal Lichens) also results in a colony. Merging a sextuple Lichen (a Lichen made by merging six normal Lichens) with a Colony gets you a Giant Colony.
Differently-sized Lichens look slightly different in size and have several visible cores. It is important to note which is which. The same applies to Colonies and Giant Colonies, so you can know the number of total Lichens in each.
Giant Colonies have unlimited Lichen absorption, but may only do so when damaged, to regain full health.
The more cores a Lichen has, the more health it has and damage it deals. This is capped at 21 cores maximum. Lichens that join a colony afterwards will not increase its power nor the amount of loot dropped after its death any further.
Some Colonies that were already in Colony form when they spawned will have only one core. This means they will be weaker compared to Colonies formed from ten smaller Lichens. When a single-core Colony merges with another small Lichen, its core amount gets bumped back to proper value.
For more skilled players, it may be beneficial to let them form into Giant Colonies before attacking so you will get increased heat.
Don't let Red Rovers take notice of you when there are Oilers or Toxoils around, and don't use weapons that inflict fire or they will be set aflame.
Oilers slide around for a bit after they stop moving, meaning they can charge up an attack and still hit you as you run away.
A frozen Oiler or Toxoil will lose its "aflame" status, and elemental damage will do normal damage to it instead of reduced damage. They can be relit quite easily however from fire traps, shadow fire, Red Rovers and other lit Oilers.
If a Quicksilver has been shocked, it can damage or kill other enemies (including other Quicksilvers, which can be useful when there are a large number of Quicksilvers in the vicinity) but will heal itself.
Stepping into a Sloombargo's sleep mist can be used to restore a few pips of health, especially right after you kill one. Never do this with enemies around unless you know what are you doing or have teammates to wake you up.
Quick Glance Gear:
Pending
Notes
According to the 3-1 Mission: Alien Ooze, Lichens are an alien species of the slime family thought to have come to the Clockworks via a meteor that crashed on to the surface of Cradle. A specific Scenario Room shows a meteor crashed into the Clockworks with some Lichens nearby.
Prestige Mission: A Pinch of Salt states that Lichens hate Rock Salt; this material makes them dissolve. Additionally, Lichens are unable to cross the salt barriers made by the Geo Knights before players enter the elevator to Haven.
Toxoils and Giant Toxoils were created by Herex but apparently formed an intelligence well beyond the scope of a standard bio-toxin. Herex ordered the facility destroyed seeing that those experiments could endanger the Order.
The Starlight Cradle levels were accidentally added on the second Depth of the Iron Bishop Gate on 10/26/13. Video (Youtube). This included the Slooms and Sloombargos. This bug was fixed on 10/28/2013.1
The Starlight Cradle levels, along with Slooms and Sloombargos were readded with the release 2017-05-11 update. The update came with new equipment, and sleep can now be caused by enemies again.
As a basic member of the slime family, a Lichen is not a particularly threatening monster. Lichens often appear in packs, which is when they can become more difficult to deal with. These slimes have the ability to meld together, healing themselves and eventually becoming so large that they develop into a Lichen Colony.
Notes
Tier 1: Basic lichens are encountered.
Tier 2: Lichens are encountered as two lichens merged together. They form colonies faster.
Tier 3: Lichens are encountered as three lichens merged together. They form colonies incredibly fast.
Combat
Tackle
Merge with small Lichens, Lichen Colonies or Giant Lichen Colonies
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
Aside from their larger size, Lichen Colonies also become barbed. This gives them a long-ranged spin attack which shoots spines in random directions.
Notes
A Lichen Colony can fuse with even more Lichens to become a Giant Lichen Colony, though they seem unable to fuse with other Lichen Colonies.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Merge with small Lichens
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
For newly adventuring Knights, it is advisable to avoid allowing a Giant Lichen Colony to form.
Notes
Along with a "thorn roots" attack, Giant Lichen Colonies can dash around to chase fleeing knights. Fortunately, although Giant Lichen Colonies can absorb other Lichens and grow slightly bigger, it can no longer evolve. This is among the most threatening of all Lichens.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Thorn Roots
Dash
Merge with small Lichens
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
These slick Lichens have a tendency to leave a mess of oil on the ground. Not only do the Oilers camouflage well against the spilled oil, the oil slicks on the ground can also be set aflame by monsters or players, making the Oilers much more dangerous.
Notes
When on fire, Oilers gain a resistance to Elemental attacks. Like other Fire themed monsters, this enemy is immune to fire. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
This monster is a cross between a Toxigel and an Oiler.
Notes
On fire it gains resistance to elemental damage and a small movement speed increase, it dashes like a Giant Lichen Colony and it leaves trails like an Oiler that Poison the players and when set on fire will burn like an Oiler's trails, causing the player to burn.
Tier 2: Has short spikes around its body, causing it to resemble a Lichen Colony.
Tier 3: Has still more spikes around its body, causing it to resemble a Giant Lichen Colony. Can dash around.
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Big Toxoils founded in the the last arena of the second depth of Compound 42, they have a lot of health but move very slowly and can't dash around.
Notes
They look like Toxilargos. Acquires several spikes around its body, and can use a Spin Attack to release them and deal damage at long range. Spikes have a chance to inflict poison.
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Gains a Spin Attack in Tier 3. Like other Poison themed monsters, this enemy is immune to poison. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
Out of all the Lichens, these may be the most dangerous.
Notes
It has all of the attacks a Giant Lichen Colony has, plus the ability to surround itself in noxious gas, poisoning and weakening players. Fortunately, they are only found in a Tier 3 level known as Concrete Jungle Briar Bone Barrage. Like other Poison themed monsters, this enemy is immune to poison. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Thorn Roots
Poison Cloud
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Quicksilvers appear to be just normal, silver Lichens. However, they become much more dangerous when shocked: they become temporarily invulnerable, heal themselves a small amount and move erratically damaging anything that it touches, monsters and players alike. It's also not very shocking that they can electrify themselves without the need for an external power source, so watch out!
Notes
Like other Shock themed monsters, this enemy is immune to shock. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
Random Spawn
This monster has a very high chance to spawn in these areas:
This oozing Lichen can put players to sleep if they let their guard down.
Notes
Tier 2: An aqua-blue lichen with the letter Z marked near its core.
Tier 3: Acquires several spikes around its body and can use a Spin Attack to release them and deal damage at long range. Spikes have a chance to inflict sleep.
Like other Sleep themed monsters, this enemy is immune to sleep. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
What makes this Sloom different to its smaller cousin is the mist surrounding the Sloombargo. The mist inflicts sleep on knights and remains for a short period after the Sloombargo's defeat.
Notes
Tier 2: A large aqua-blue lichen with the letter Z marked near its core.
Tier 3: Acquires several spikes around its body and can use a Spin Attack to release them and deal damage at long range, or shoot up thorn roots around it like a Giant Lichen Colony. Spikes from either attack have a chance to inflict sleep.
Like other Sleep themed monsters, this enemy is immune to sleep. It behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Thorn Roots
Sleep Mist
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
These dark monsters are Swarm-Infested, so they offer absolutely no Crowns, Heat, Materials, or Vials, and seemingly never stop spawning.
Notes
Their defenses are enhanced on a Swarm Seed. This lichen is weak to elemental. Piercing attacks seem to be a viable option against them as well - while the damage numbers indicate resistance with grey coloration, the damage this enemy takes is still significant.
Combat
Tackle
Spin Attack
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
This sneaky Slime pretends to be a purple treasure box to ambush unsuspecting knights. Beware when breaking treasure boxes!
Notes
This monster behaves like the others. See above strategy for combat and equip effective gear.
Combat
Tackle
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
When the wicked are banished to the Underwhirled, they are given the form of a soul jelly. It is a simple, no bake process that takes about an hour:~Whirled
Notes
An incredibly rare member of the slime family, Soul Jellies are not often seen by Knights within the Clockworks. They are more durable than the others within the Lichen family, taking only about 3/4ths of the damage that any other Lichen would within the same stratum. Soul Jellies are also unique in that they cannot be shield-bumped by Knights that are fortunate enough to encounter one, cannot be healed by Silkwings, and are also unable to merge into a Lichen Colony of any kind. The core resembles the Phantom's head, and after being defeated, its core head does a backflip and remains for a few seconds before disappearing.
Combat
Tackle
Loot is dropped when the monster is defeated. The loot that drops is random. Sometimes loot isn't dropped at all. This list is simply a pool of possible loot.
Random spawns also apply to missions with floors that have geography similar to the relevant arcade area. The normal version of a monster can sometimes spawn instead of the status version in areas themed with a status, unless the spawn is guaranteed. See Gate Maps for details.
Encounter
This monster has a low chance to appear in place of any normal size Lichen.
Other
Oiler Baron: An Oiler colony that used to be in the game.
Mission: Alien Ooze, Lichens are an alien species of the slime family thought to have come to the Clockworks via a meteor that crashed on to the surface of Cradle. A specific Scenario Room shows a meteor crashed into the Clockworks with some Lichens nearby.
