ABOVE Enemy Types Guide – All Threats Explained

Overview of Enemy Types in ABOVE

ABOVE is not a typical combat game. As a narrative-driven resort management sim set in the 1960s, your primary "enemies" are environmental hazards, wildlife encounters, and the harsh mountain conditions themselves. Understanding these enemy types is crucial for keeping your guests safe and your reputation intact. Unlike traditional action games, threats in ABOVE require strategic planning rather than direct confrontation. For a broader look at survival mechanics, see our Mechanics Guide.

Environmental Hazards

The mountain is the most persistent enemy you will face. These hazards appear randomly and escalate as you progress.

To counter these effectively, check our Resource Management Guide for supply chain tips.

Wildlife Encounters

While most animals avoid humans, hungry or threatened wildlife can become aggressive. Your approach should always prioritize deterrence over harm.

• Mountain Lions: Rare but deadly. They stalk lone climbers. Build group travel policies and equip rangers with noise makers.
• Bears: Attracted to food waste. Proper garbage storage and bear-proof containers are essential. Never leave food outside overnight.
• Wolves: Hunt in packs during winter. They target weak or injured climbers. Keep trails well-lit and maintain fire pits at rest stops.
• Moose: Not aggressive unless provoked, but massive. Give them wide berth and never block their escape route.

Human Threats

Not all danger comes from nature. The mountain attracts desperate and reckless individuals.

Poachers operate in remote areas, illegally hunting wildlife. They will threaten rangers who confront them. Building a strong relationship with local authorities and installing surveillance cameras along key routes helps deter them.

Reckless Climbers ignore safety rules, venture into closed zones, and require rescue. They drain your resources and endanger rescue teams. Setting clear penalties and requiring signed waivers reduces their numbers.

Stranded Hikers are not enemies but become threats if not rescued quickly. They degrade into desperate survivors who may break into storage sheds for supplies. Rapid response teams prevent escalation.

Threat Progression System

As your resort expands into higher altitudes, threats become more severe. The game uses a hidden "Mountain Danger" meter that increases with each new route you open.

1. Early Game (Zone 1-2)

   Threats are mild: minor rockfalls, lost hikers, and occasional bad weather. Focus on building basic shelters and stockpiling food.

2. Mid Game (Zone 3-4)

   Avalanches and blizzards become common. Wildlife encounters increase. You must hire specialized staff like avalanche forecasters and wildlife biologists.

3. Late Game (Zone 5+)

   All threats intensify. Crevasse fields appear, poachers become bolder, and multi-day blizzards test your supply chains. Only well-prepared resorts survive.

For detailed upgrade paths to counter these threats, visit our Upgrades Guide.

Mitigation Strategies

Effective threat management requires a balanced approach across multiple systems.

Threat Type	Prevention	Response	Cost
Avalanche	Snow fences, route planning	Rescue teams, medical supplies	Medium
Blizzard	Heated shelters, weather station	Emergency rations, fuel	Low
Wildlife	Fencing, waste management	Tranquilizers, vet staff	Medium
Human	Security, permits	Law enforcement liaison	High

Pro tip: Always keep a reserve of emergency supplies equal to 20% of your total capacity. This buffer allows you to survive unexpected cascading disasters.

FAQ

What is the most dangerous enemy type in ABOVE? Avalanches cause the most fatalities per incident, but blizzards are more frequent and can overwhelm your entire resort if you lack heating capacity.

Can I eliminate threats permanently? No. Threats are dynamic and scale with your resort. You can only manage and reduce their frequency, not remove them entirely.

Do wildlife attacks affect my rating? Yes. Each animal attack on a guest reduces your safety rating for an entire season. Prevention is far cheaper than reputation repair.

How do I unlock better threat countermeasures? Progress through the story campaign and invest in the Research Tree. Advanced weather prediction and avalanche control systems become available in mid-game.

For a complete list of all entities and their behaviors, see our Elite Enemies Guide and Unit Types Overview.