Humanoid abominations found in Konami's 2008 Silent Hill: Homecoming Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Personal Computer video game (which was developed by Double Helix Games). Needlers can be encountered in numerous locations, but Alex Shepherd, the protagonist of the game, will first meet them in a dramatic elevator battle inside the Grand Hotel. The creatures utilize their four, bladed appendages for both fighting and climbing. Needlers are adept at blocking incoming attacks with their front limbs, particularly those aimed at their most vulnerable spot, the head. The exact composition of the fiend's giant, metallic claws is unknown, but whatever the substance is, it's hard enough to deflect bullets and even laser blasts. Be especially wary of being grabbed by a Needler, as it will attempt to stab you in the throat once you're in its' grasp--if you fail to avoid this attack, or incorrectly perform the ensuing button tap sequence to escape it, you'll be seeing the 'Game Over' screen, regardless of how much health you had left. Even though the head is the weak point, which makes a frontal assault attractive, because of how well the monster guards its precious noggin, it's usually more productive to attack a Needler from the sides or rear, particularly after dodging one of its blows.


Materials:
Newsprint, Kleenex, white glue, hot glue, wire twist ties, nail polish, acrylic paint and watercolor paint.

Dimensions:
5.6 cm/2.2 in. x 4.1 cm/1.6 in. (widest point x highest point)

Articulation:
Fifteen points: Neck; shoulders (2); elbows (2); wrists (2); hips (2); knees (2); hocks (2); and fetlocks (2).

Time:
Five days; October 11-15, 2009.