Overview
Can Creeper is a miniboss in The Junkyard alongside Trampy. This fight has two distinct phases with different attack patterns. In Phase 1, Can Creeper shoots diagonally or dashes forward, leaving Flies behind and spawning creep. Notably, it can only be damaged from the front during this phase. In Phase 2, it becomes a ranged attacker that must be standing in creep to attack.
Key Mechanics
Phase 1: Frontal Vulnerability
Can Creeper can only be damaged from the front during Phase 1. Attacks from the sides or rear are ineffective. It alternates between diagonal shooting and dashing forward, leaving Fly enemies behind on tiles it crosses. It also spawns creep (hazardous terrain). Position your damage dealers directly in front of it and clear any Flies that accumulate.
Phase 2: Creep-Dependent Ranged Attacks
In Phase 2, Can Creeper switches to ranged attacks but can only attack while standing in creep. This gives you a strategic option: if you can remove or avoid the creep zones, Can Creeper loses its ability to attack. Alternatively, lure it away from creep tiles to create safe damage windows.
Strategy
In Phase 1, face Can Creeper head-on with your strongest attacker while keeping other cats on the flanks to deal with Flies. Do not waste abilities attacking from the sides or rear.
In Phase 2, deny Can Creeper access to creep tiles whenever possible. If your party has displacement or knockback abilities, push it off creep to disable its attacks. Without creep, it becomes much less threatening.
As with Trampy, conserve your best abilities for Chubs 'n' Nubs at the end of The Junkyard chapter.