- Decaying Winter Raiders are elite enemies with high-tier weaponry and advanced combat AI
- Six Raider variants exist, each requiring specific counter-strategies to defeat safely
- Sledge Queen (Aila) leads the Raiders as a devastating boss with 1200 HP and Knuckleboom attacks
- Castle raiding requires careful planning, as all Raiders activate if you damage one
- Evacuation phase spawns most Raiders except the FN M249 bodyguards
Decaying Winter Raider Overview
Raiders in Decaying Winter represent the elite tier of hostile NPCs, sitting above standard Scavengers in both threat level and combat capability. These enemies inhabit the Castle and serve as the primary obstacle between you and high-value loot. Unlike regular Scavengers, Raiders possess advanced AI behaviors including dodging, parrying, and grenade throwing.
Most Raiders remain dormant inside the Castle until provoked. Any damage from non-throwable or non-perk weaponry will temporarily alert all Raiders in the vicinity. This triggers a coordinated assault that can overwhelm unprepared Agents. Raiders also appear during the Holdout Mode's Raider boss wave and during the Evacuation phase.
Damaging any Raider with conventional weapons alerts every nearby Raider to your position. Use throwables or perk-based attacks to pick them off individually without triggering the entire group.
There are six distinct Raider types plus the Sledge Queen boss. Each variant wields different weaponry and employs unique combat tactics. Understanding their individual patterns is essential for surviving Castle raids and Evacuation defense.
Raider Types and Statistics
Each Raider variant presents a different combat challenge. Some excel at range, others dominate in close quarters, and one serves as an immovable defensive wall. Here is a breakdown of every Raider type you will encounter.
| Raider Type | Weapon | HP | Key Threat | Counter Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Capa Raider | STI DVC Custom + Car Door Shield | 140 | Blocks all bullets with car door | Shoot legs or shove then hipfire |
| Fire Axe Raider | Fire Axe + Riot Shield | 150 | Full-body transparent shield | Shove to stun, then hipfire |
| Military Axe Raider | Military Axe | 175 | Grapples, parries, absolver hits | Gun down before they close distance |
| MCX Virtus Raider | MCX Virtus Rifle | 150 | High DPS, throws grenades | Use cover, prioritize over all others |
| CheyTac M200 Raider | CheyTac M200 Sniper | 120 | 30 damage per shot, laser sight | Trace laser back to position, snipe |
| FN M249 Raider | FN M249 LMG | 300 | Bulletproof helmet and torso | Aim for legs, avoid entirely if possible |
Always eliminate MCX Virtus Raiders first. They deal the highest damage in the shortest timeframe and can throw grenades that destroy your pavise defenses during Evacuation. Use cover and shove them if they get too close.
Hi-Capa Raider
- Car door shield blocks all bullets
- Slowest stun recovery of all Raiders
- Can be Mindkilled (deal 61+ damage first)
- Walks at average speed, average fire rate
- Shoot legs or shove to bypass shield
Military Axe Raider
- Most skilled melee NPC in the game
- Knows Grapples, Parries, Absolver Hits, Dropslides
- Fast light attack chains into absolver hits
- 175 HP with 48 heavy damage potential
- Keep distance and gun down immediately
CheyTac Raider
- Sniper-class with visible laser sight
- Guards Castle vantage points consistently
- 30 damage per shot with high accuracy
- Trace the laser to find their position
- Easiest to counter once located
Two FN M249 Raiders always spawn near Sledge Queen as her personal bodyguards. They wear bulletproof helmets and reinforced upper torsos. Aim exclusively for their legs. These are the only Raiders that do not appear during Evacuation, and they cannot be Mindkilled.
Sledge Queen Boss Fight Guide
Sledge Queen, also known as Aila, is the leader of the Raiders and the most dangerous enemy in the Castle. With 1200 HP, 25% firearm damage resistance, and an arsenal of melee techniques, she represents a significant challenge for any Agent. She is not an Agent despite possessing an Agent "ZERO" container.
Her primary threat comes from the Knuckleboom augmentation, which she uses to devastating effect. She can leap into the air and descend directly onto an Agent (called a Disengage), dealing 50 damage. She fires long shots with perfect accuracy and can chain multiple Knuckleboom blasts in quick succession. The only counter to Knuckleboom is shoving her at the right moment, though this may trigger a light counterattack or grapple.
| Attack Type | Damage | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Light Attack | 15 | Parry or dodge |
| Heavy Attack | 90 | Parry (stuns her briefly) |
| Absolver Perfect Hit | 45 | Cannot be parried, must dodge |
| Knuckleboom Disengage | 50 | Shove before landing |
| Knuckleboom Long Shot | 50 | Shove to cancel |
| Knuckleboom Shell Shot | 40 | Shove to cancel |
| Grenade | 40 | Move away from blast radius |
Sledge Queen heals 50% of her maximum HP when she performs an Execution. If her normal attack damage equals or exceeds the target's remaining HP, she executes them. This means even at low HP, she can fully recover if she kills a teammate or NPC. Never let her near downed allies.
Preparation
Bring fully loaded firearms with high magazine capacities. Ensure your team has at least one frontliner with parrying experience. Stock stims and armor before approaching the Castle.
Triggering Aggro
Sledge Queen has an extremely large detection radius. She will run toward any Agent in range. When first aggro'd, she always uses Knuckleboom to fire a long shot. Be ready to shove immediately.
Countering Knuckleboom
Watch for her jump animation. Shove her the moment she begins a Disengage. If you miss the timing, you will take 50 damage. She can chain Knuckleboom blasts, so stay alert after each shove.
Dealing Damage
When she parries, her arms and hammer have bulletproof plating. Aim for her legs instead. Parrying her melee attacks stuns her long enough for one melee hit, but her recovery is fast.
Securing the Kill
Defeating Sledge Queen grants 925 XP, 525 Odens, a "Zero" agent container, and stops all remaining Raiders from spawning in the Castle. The container holds 300-400 scrap, ammo, and food.
Sledge Queen can see through Drifter's Cloaked effect. If a Drifter teleports back to their ability start location, Sledge Queen will follow them there regardless of distance. Safe Zone Turrets will also not target her.
Castle Raiding Strategy
The Castle is the primary domain of Raiders. A successful raid requires understanding the layout, Raider spawn patterns, and engagement rules. Raiders mostly remain dormant until provoked, giving you the element of surprise if you play it smart.
Use throwables and perk-based attacks to eliminate Raiders individually. Conventional weapon damage alerts all nearby Raiders. Mindflayer can Mindkill Hi-Capa and Fire Axe Raiders after dealing sufficient damage (61+ and 71+ respectively).
| Raider | Mindkillable? | Min Damage Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Capa Raider | Yes | 61+ damage | Highly recommended during Castle raids |
| Fire Axe Raider | Yes | 71+ damage | Even better Mindkill target |
| Military Axe Raider | No | N/A | Must be killed conventionally |
| MCX Virtus Raider | No | N/A | Cannot be Mindkilled |
| CheyTac M200 Raider | No | N/A | Snipe from distance |
| FN M249 Raider | No | N/A | Avoid entirely |
Castle Raid Preparation:
- Bring fully loaded firearms with spare ammo
- Carry stims and armor for Sledge Queen engagement
- Pack throwables for silent Raider elimination
- Coordinate with team on priority targets
- Establish retreat route before engaging
- Check for CheyTac laser sights before entering
Evacuation Phase Tactics
During the Evacuation phase, most Raider types become active threats. The MCX Virtus Raider is particularly dangerous here, as their grenades can destroy pavise defenses. CheyTac Raiders reveal their position through visible laser sights, making them easier to locate and eliminate.
MCX Virtus Raiders throw grenades dealing approximately 40 damage. These grenades ignore crafted pavises. Keep your distance and use natural cover. Do not let them approach your defensive line.
The FN M249 Raiders are the only type absent during Evacuation, as they remain permanently stationed near Sledge Queen. All other Raiders will actively pursue Agents during this phase.
During Evacuation, CheyTac Raiders use visible laser sights that give away their position. Simply trace the laser back to its source and return fire. They have only 120 HP, making them one-shot candidates for most firearms.
For Agents using the Mindflayer perk, prioritize Mindkilling Hi-Capa and Fire Axe Raiders before they reach your defensive position. This removes their shield advantage entirely and turns them into temporary allies.
FAQ
Q: What is a Decaying Winter Raider?
Raiders are elite Scavengers with high battle experience and high-tier weaponry. They inhabit the Castle and include six variants: Hi-Capa, Fire Axe, Military Axe, MCX Virtus, CheyTac M200, and FN M249 Raiders. They are led by Sledge Queen (Aila), who serves as the Castle boss with 1200 HP.
Q: How do I avoid alerting all Raiders at once?
Use throwables or perk-based attacks to damage Raiders without triggering the group aggro. Any damage from conventional weapons (firearms, melee) will alert all nearby Raiders. Mindflayer's Mindkill ability also works silently on Hi-Capa and Fire Axe Raiders if you deal enough damage first.
Q: Can Sledge Queen be parried?
Yes, parrying Sledge Queen stuns her briefly, giving you enough time for one melee attack. However, she recovers quickly. Her Absolver Perfect Hits ignore parries entirely. The only way to counter her Knuckleboom attacks is to shove her before she executes them.
Q: What rewards do I get for killing Sledge Queen?
Defeating Sledge Queen grants 925 XP, 525 Odens, a Zero agent container (containing 300-400 scrap, ammo, and food), and permanently stops all remaining Raiders from spawning in the Castle.
Q: Do Raiders appear during Evacuation?
Yes, all Raider types except the FN M249 bodyguards appear during Evacuation. MCX Virtus Raiders are the highest priority target during this phase due to their grenades that can destroy pavise defenses.