What an antlion is in PEAK
The antlion is a hostile Mesa creature that waits at the bottom of a funnel-shaped sand pit, with a fake explorer’s luggage in the middle as bait. From a distance it looks like a free orange briefcase.
How the trap works
- Come within about 19 metres and the antlion wakes up. The bait luggage sinks into the sand.
- While it is active, the sand in the funnel flows downhill and pulls everyone inside towards the centre.
- The antlion strikes the nearest scout within about 8 metres for 20 Injury per hit, with knockback. It attacks very quickly, so a few seconds in range can down a scout.
- Once nobody is within about 25 metres, it retreats under the sand. The bait does not come back, but the antlion does if anyone walks in again.
The Mesa guide covers the biome’s other threats: sun and Heat, cacti, tornadoes, scorpions and dynamite.
Why players look for antlions
To avoid them
Most of the time, an antlion marker is a spot to steer around: losing a teammate to a pit costs a revive while the Mesa is already draining you with Heat.
The Megaentomology badge
The one reason to walk in on purpose is Megaentomology: take damage from an antlion attack, then get at least 48 metres away without dying. Treat it as a planned risk. See the badge list for the other Mesa badges.
How often and where
Antlions only spawn in the Mesa, which is on the island for 103 of the 208 days in the current pool. On those days our maps show one or two antlion pits; on Alpine days there are none. Positions follow the island seed. Today’s biomes shows whether the Mesa is in the lineup.
Routing with the map
Open each marker on the full-screen map and note where the two pits sit relative to your planned route across the plateau. The wake-up range is wide, so give each pit a generous margin rather than skirting the rim. Open the location in the 3D map and rotate the camera to check its height and approach.
The map also helps you read the bait. A lone explorer’s luggage in open sand right at an antlion marker is the trap, not loot. Real explorer’s luggage is covered on the luggage types page.
Tips for the badge attempt
- Go in healthy with healing ready; each hit is 20 Injury.
- Approach from the side that leads to open, flat ground so you can run straight out.
- After the first hit, sprint directly away from the centre and keep going well past 48 metres.
- Have a teammate wait outside the pit’s range, ready to revive you, not on the rim where they get pulled in too.
Common mistakes
- Running for the “free” briefcase in the sand.
- Jumping into the funnel to help a teammate. The sand pulls you in as well, and the antlion hits whoever is nearest.
- Stopping just outside the pit after being hit. The badge needs real distance.
- Walking back in for another look; the antlion returns.
Quick answers
How many antlions are in the Mesa? One or two on every Mesa day in the current 208-island pool. 97 of 103 days have two, and 6 have one.
Is the briefcase in the antlion pit real? No. It is a fake explorer’s luggage that sinks once the antlion wakes up.
How do I get Megaentomology? Survive an antlion attack: take damage, then get 48 metres away without dying.
