Cultist Mutant

The Cultist Mutant is a transformed variant of the Cultist Lackey, created when a Lackey comes into contact with Toxic Waste tiles during a fight. Found in The Lab as part of Johnny's cultist faction, it is a mid-tier bruiser that hits significantly harder than the base Lackey and has Brace 2, reducing damage it takes from most attacks.

Its melee attack is a wide arc that launches struck units into the air, giving it strong displacement capabilities that can reposition your cats into dangerous spots. Its most notable mechanic is what happens when it dies: the Cultist Mutant spawns a Tumor upon defeat, extending the threat even after it falls. In cramped spaces this can create a hazardous new obstacle just as you're trying to clean up the fight.

Prioritize keeping Toxic Waste tiles away from regular Cultists to prevent Mutant transformations in the first place. If one does appear, high-burst single-hit attacks are preferred over multi-hits to overcome its Brace 2 reduction, and be prepared to deal with the Tumor it leaves behind. Positioning your cats away from the expected death zone reduces the impact of the post-death spawn.