Elite Buff: Sticky

Internal engine status effect. This is the status applied to elite enemies with the Sticky modifier. Sticky causes the enemy to slow or immobilize cats that attack them in melee, as if coated in adhesive. Melee cats must weigh the risk of getting stuck when engaging a Sticky elite.

The movement penalty from Sticky punishes aggressive melee strategies that rely on hit-and-run tactics. Once a cat is stuck, it may be unable to disengage before the elite or other nearby enemies take their turns. Multi-hit melee abilities are especially risky since each contact potentially extends the slow duration. The elite loses 20% max health as a trade-off for the Sticky modifier.

Ranged attacks bypass the Sticky mechanic entirely, making ranged-focused cats the natural counter. If you must engage in melee, prioritize burst damage to eliminate the elite quickly rather than sustained trades. Speed Up and Bonus Move effects help mitigate the movement penalty. The boss-specific variant, Elite Buff: Sticky (Boss), applies stronger parameters to boss enemies.