Rattlesnek

The Rattlesnek is a small ambush predator found in the Desert chapter. Its signature ability is lying in wait: any unit that walks adjacent to it triggers an ambush strike that also inflicts Poison 1. It has a 50% chance to skip its own movement on each turn, making its behavior unpredictable, but when it does attack directly it can retreat one tile after the hit. It does not leave a corpse on defeat.

With 3–6 HP, damage 4–5, movement 4–5, and notably low Charisma (2), the Rattlesnek is a fragile but dangerous ambush unit. The main hazard is not its direct combat ability but the Poison stack it applies without warning when a cat moves past it. In the Desert where multiple Rattlesneks can appear, the cumulative poison from accidental walk-bys can significantly drain a party's health over several turns.

The wiki recommends ranged attacks, jumping attacks, or attacks with Reach to strike the Rattlesnek without triggering its ambush mechanic. Move through Desert rooms cautiously — avoid walking adjacent to any suspicious tile or small object until the Rattlesnek is confirmed dead or its location is identified. Its low HP means it dies to almost any targeted attack, so it is more a navigation hazard than a sustained combat threat.