Where Cookie Cutters Lurk (and How to Survive Them)
Cookie Cutters are aggressive, shark-like creatures that spawn near Salt Formations in the ocean. They’re notorious for gnawing at boats, leaving holes that can sink unprepared players. To farm their shells efficiently:
- Sail during non-storm weather: Rough seas make combat harder.
- Equip a Boat Repair Kit: Fix holes mid-fight to avoid disaster.
- Bring a Trusty Weapon: A Ham Bat or Dark Sword shreds their 500 HP quickly.
Using a Grass Raft to distract Cookie Cutters while farming shells.
Real-World Example: The Salt Mining Run
In this gameplay, a player navigates to a dense Salt Formation cluster, using a Grass Raft as bait. Cookie Cutters prioritize attacking the raft, buying time to strike them safely.
Crafting with Cookie Cutter Shells: More Than Just a Hat
The shells are essential for late-game progression. Here’s what they unlock:
| Item | Recipe | Purpose | |--------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Cookie Cutter Cap | 1 Shell + 2 Ropes + 1 Cloth | 80% wetness resistance + 450 durability | | Hermit Home Repair | 10 Shells | Unlocks quests with Pearl, the ocean NPC | | Advanced Fishing Lures | 1-2 Shells + Other Resources | Catch rare ocean fish (e.g., Deep Bass, Sunfish) |
Case Study: The Hermit Home Grind
One player spent 12 in-game days farming shells to repair Pearl’s home, using a Salt Box to preserve Monster Meat for Bacon and Eggs. This kept their hunger stable while sailing.
Combat Tips: Turning Cookie Cutters into Profit
- Bait-and-Switch Tactics: Deploy a decoy raft to distract them.
- Bird Cage on Board: Convert Monster Meat into Eggs for healing recipes.
- Anchor Strategically: Stop your boat to land precise hits.
Illustration of bait-and-switch tactics to farm Cookie Cutters safely.
lua
-- Sample Auto-Farm Setup (With Mods)
Enable "Geometric Placement" for precise boat positioning.
Use "Global Positions" to mark Salt Formation hotspots.
Analogy: Cookie Cutters vs. Bees
Like farming Bees for Honey, Cookie Cutters are a renewable resource. Attack their "hive" (Salt Formations) repeatedly for infinite shells.
Advanced Strategies for Endless Shells
- Winter Farming: Cookie Cutters spawn less in winter, but their shells last longer in Ice Boxes.
- Bundling Wraps: Store shells indefinitely for future projects.
- Team Play: Have one player repair the boat while others attack.
"I built a Cookie Cutter trap using Walls and Tooth Traps. They swim into the maze and get shredded!" – Reddit user u/SaltySailor123.
Final Tips and Resources
- Prioritize the Cap: Its durability outclasses most early-game helmets.
- Combine with Salt: Use preserved foods to stay seaworthy longer.
- Watch the Wiki: The Cookie Cutter Shell page updates with new recipes.
TL;DR: Farm shells near Salt Formations, repair your boat constantly, and craft the Cap for stormy adventures. Check out the Return of Them DLC trailer to see Cookie Cutters in action!