99 Nights in the Forest – A Guide to Cultists (Melee, Juggernaut, Crossbow)

The Cultists are the primary human antagonists in 99 Nights in the Forest. As members of a mysterious cult that worships the Deer, they will periodically raid your camp and guard valuable locations across the map. This guide covers their stats, raid mechanics, and the best strategies to defeat them.

Cultist Overview: Stats and Types

Cultists come in several variations. While most can be categorized as Melee or Ranged, a third type, the Juggernaut, is also listed.

General Stats:

• Species: Human
• Health: 70 HP
• Drops: Mossy Coins, Ammo, Gem of the Forest fragment, Cultist Gem (after raids)
• Spawn Locations: Cultist Stronghold, Cultist Trap Tree, Cultist Hunter Base, Ice Temple, and Nightly Raids.

Melee Cultist

These cultists will charge at you with close-range weapons. While weak individually, they are dangerous in large groups.

• Weapons Used: Old Axe (7 damage), Spear, Good Axe, Morningstar (30 damage)
• Walk Speed: 12

Crossbow Cultist

These ranged units are a high priority target in any fight. They are easily identified by their distinctive red coats.

• Weapon Used: Crossbow (15 damage)
• Walk Speed: 16

Juggernaut

The Juggernaut is another class of cultist found in the forest.

• Weapons Used: Old Axe, Spear, Morningstar, Crossbow, Good Axe
• Walk Speed: 12 (Melee), 16 (Ranged)
• Note: Based on currently available information, the Juggernaut’s core stats are identical to other cultist types. Any unique behaviors or appearances that differentiate it in combat are not detailed.

Understanding Cultist Raids

Cultist raids are periodic events where a large group will attack your campfire at night.

The First Raid (Day 4)

Your first encounter with a raid is a scripted event on Day 4.

1. The Warning: On Day 3, a flashing red message will appear in your info bar stating, “Something evil is approaching your campfire… it arrives tonight.”
2. The Final Alert: On Day 4, with 20 seconds left until night, the alert will change to “You will be attacked tonight, return to your campfire.” You will begin to hear drums.
3. The Attack: At night, a cutscene plays, and the raid begins. This first raid consists only of Melee Cultists with Old Axes. The mysterious Deer will also appear to observe but will not attack.
4. Rewards: The last cultist killed will drop a Cultist Gem. Their corpses can also be used as fuel for your campfire.

Subsequent Raids

All raids after the first one are more difficult.

• They will feature stronger Melee Cultists with better weapons (Spears, Morningstars).
• They will include dangerous Crossbow Cultists.
• Each raid will consist of more cultists than the last.

Combat Strategies and Tips

General Tips

• Cultists can get stuck on environmental objects like Shelves, making them easy targets.
• If you have the Cyborg, the Laser Cannon’s splash damage is extremely effective against groups.
• Jumping on top of cultists can sometimes help you avoid attacks while dealing damage.

How to Fight Melee Cultists

• Use ranged weapons to pick them off from a safe distance.
• If using a melee weapon like a spear, constantly move side-to-side or in a zig-zag pattern to hit them without getting hit yourself.
• Avoid getting surrounded by a large horde.

How to Fight Crossbow Cultists

• Use cover: When raiding their strongholds, stay near walls and peek out to shoot them without exposing yourself.
• Prioritize them: Always target the red-coated Crossbow Cultists first. They can snipe you while you are busy fighting melee enemies.
• Rush them down: They are extremely weak in close combat and have no melee attack.
• Keep moving: Their crossbow bolts are projectiles, not hitscan. Constant strafing makes you a very difficult target to hit.

More Topics

• 99 Nights in the Forest – How to Beat the New Owl Boss
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Progress Faster by Skipping Days
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Cook Food and Manage Hunger
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Find and Rescue the Missing Children
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Use Classes and Their Abilities
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Find the Best Loot and Weapons
• 99 Night in the Forest – How to Work Together in Multiplayer