The Shepherd of Spores: the fungus that takes your animals

What it is

A tall fungus with a swollen bulb of a head that breathes spores. It is based on the zombie-ant fungus, which walks an ant up a stem to die high up, so its spores rain down on the rest.

Where and when it comes

In the jungle, where it stands 40 to 60 metres from you, close enough to reach the animals round you.
It comes rarely. Once you have met it, that spot becomes its lair.
After one is slain, another cannot come for about 30 minutes. The Codex hint is "A fungus that takes your animals".

How it works

Taking. Every 14 seconds (8 when enraged) it takes one of your animals within about 40 metres, pets and farm animals first.
Climbing. A taken animal climbs to the highest place near it and bursts.
Towers. A tower of spore stalk grows up out of the burst. It hurts anyone near it and takes more animals.
Spreading. Towers can spread to nearby ground, and each tower releases spores every two seconds.
Burning. Fire beside a tower (a campfire, a furnace, lava) burns it away.
Curing. A taken animal fed a broth is cured.

Stats

Thing	Value
Health	600
Taking an animal	Every 14 seconds (8 when enraged), within about 40 metres
Spore cloud	3 damage every 2 seconds within 7 metres of a tower
Signature: Spore Burst	A ring 7 m round it, 11 damage, about every 11 seconds
Wait before another comes	About 30 minutes

Where to hit it

While any tower is standing the Shepherd shrugs off most blows. Burn the towers first, then cut it down.

Tips

Keep a campfire or a furnace near your herd, so you can burn towers as they rise.
Keep a stock of broth to cure taken animals.
Do not stand near a tower while you burn it.

What it drops

Drop	Amount
Spore stalk	12 to 19
Glowcap	6 to 11
Gold pieces	1 to 3
Trophy	Shepherd Spore-Crook

← Back to the wiki · Last updated 25 October 2026. Mantlenaut is in alpha, so things change.

The Shepherd of Spores: burn the towers first.