Kiting in Don't Starve isn’t just a combat tactic—it’s survival poetry. Whether you’re a fresh spawn or a veteran with a base full of eyebone relics, mastering the art of dodging and weaving is the difference between feasting on meatballs and becoming one. Let’s break down the rhythm of every major threat and turn you into a hitbox maestro.

Why Kiting Matters (And Why You’re Probably Doing It Wrong)

In Don’t Starve, armor is your lifeline, but even the best log suit won’t save you from a poorly timed swing. Kiting minimizes damage by exploiting enemy attack patterns. Think of it like a waltz: bait an attack, sidestep, retaliate, repeat. The catch? Every mob has its own tempo.

The Three Rules of Kiting:

1. Never Face-Tank (unless you’re Wigfrid with a fridge full of jerky).
2. Learn the Beat: Each enemy has a unique attack delay and animation.
3. Armor Is Your Dance Partner: Even a grass suit doubles your survivability.

Kiting Patterns for Every Mob (And How to Screw Them Up)

1. Tentacles: The Uninvited Party Crashers

Tentacles punish greed. Unlike most mobs, they retaliate immediately after being hit.

The Rhythm:
- Hit once → sprint out of range → wait for the flailing animation → repeat.
- Mistake: Greeding for a second hit = tentacle slap to the face.

Pro Tip: Use Abigail (Wendy’s ghostly BFF) to aggro tentacles while you whack them risk-free.

Mastering the art of kiting against Tentacles can save your life.

2. Hounds: The Annoying Door-to-Door Salesmen

Hound waves escalate, and early-game players often panic.

The Rhythm:
- Single Hound: Bait attack → dodge → hit twice → repeat.
- Pack of 5+: Kite them into beefalo herds, spider dens, or swamp tentacles.

Case Study: A newbie tries to fight 4 hounds head-on with a spear. Result: A grave surrounded by teeth. Solution: Always keep a log suit and football helmet on standby.

3. Pigs: The Backstabbing "Allies"

Pigs are deceptively tricky. They’ll chase you if you run too far, breaking the kiting flow.

The Rhythm:
- Hit once → dodge → hit four times → repeat.
- Advanced Move: Lure them near a werepig transformation trap (spoiled food + full moon).

Analogy: Kiting a pig is like arguing with a toddler—get too far, and they’ll disengage. Stay close but not too close.

4. Bosses: The Symphony of Pain

Deerclops:

• Pattern: Bait ground slam → hit 3x → dodge.
• Mistake: Standing in the AOE ice range = instant popsicle.

Baiting Deerclops' ground slam is crucial for survival.

Dragonfly:

• Pattern: Dodge lava puddles → bait swipe → hit 6x → repeat.
• Pro Strat: Wall off lavae spawners to avoid multitasking chaos.

Klaus (The Unfair Santa):

• Phase 1: Bait claw swipe → hit 2x → dodge.
• Phase 2: Sidestep jump attacks → prioritize killing gem deer to disable spells.

Tools of the Trade: Settings and Gear That Save Lives

1. Disable Lag Compensation

Client-side prediction lies to you. Turn it off under settings to see actual hitboxes.

2. Key Bindings > Mouse

Use F (force attack) or Ctrl+F (target nearest enemy) instead of clicking. Example:
```lua
-- Sample Auto-Hotkey script for spamming F during combat:

F::
Send {F}
Sleep 50
Return
```

3. Armor Tier List (Early to Late Game):

Choosing the right armor can make all the difference.

Case Studies: When Kiting Goes Right (And Horribly Wrong)

The Tentacle Grudge Match

A Reddit user spent 12 server resets trying to kill a single tentacle. Their mistake? Greeding for extra hits. Solution: Stick to one hit per cycle and let Abigail tank.

Hound Wave Disaster

A duo panicked during their first hound wave, forgetting armor. Result: Two graves and a burned base. Lesson: Always pre-craft log suits before Day 8.

Advanced Tactics: Cheesing the Game Without Guilt

1. Abigail Carry (Wendy Main Special)

Summon Abigail → aggro mobs → let her tank while you slap safely.

Using Abigail to aggro enemies allows for safer attacks.

2. Pig Army Manipulation

Hammer pig houses → rebuild near base → drop monster meat during full moon → farm werepigs.

3. Fire Farm Trick

Place 3 ropes near tentacle bubbles → light on fire → tentacle dies in one hit.

Using fire to defeat Tentacles quickly can be an effective tactic.

Final Tips for the Kiting-Challenged

1. Practice on Neutral Mobs: Koalefants and beefalo have predictable patterns.
2. Watch the Feet: Enemy wind-up animations telegraph attacks better than health bars.
3. Sanity Check: Low sanity spawns shadow creatures—kite them like clockwork.

Resources for the Masochist:

• YouTube: Salendrak’s Combat Guide (covers boss patterns).