Easiest Way to Get the Megaentomology Badge in PEAK

For its cutesy aesthetics and focus on teamwork, PEAK certainly has some more sinister elements. One such element is the giant antlion, which must be confronted if you want to earn yourself the Megaentomology Badge.

This guide will discuss how the badge is earned, including giving tips on how to find the antlion and survive its deadly pincers.

The Basics of the Megaentomology Badge

On its surface, the Megaentomology Badge isn't very complicated. Its hint claims you must "Survive an Antlion attack" and that's broadly true. However, importantly, the badge requires the antlion to have dealt you damage before you escape. To earn the badge, you'll need to climb into the creature's hole, get nipped, and then climb out (or otherwise escape without dying).

Without preparation, this can be decently challenging to acquire. Getting close enough to the antlion to take damage while still having the Stamina to escape can be tricky, and getting to attempt your escape at all first requires reaching the Mesa biome. However, strategies discussed in more detail later can make earning the badge much safer.

Unlocking this badge earns you a new facial scar cosmetic (and an achievement if playing on Steam).

Finding the Antlion

The antlion is gauranteed to spawn in the Mesa biome, with the antlion lurking in its hole, submerged in sand until a climber gets close. On approach, the giant insect will burst out the bottom of its hole and start drawing climbers near it toward its maw. The sloped walls of its trap can be climbed, but it can be hard to get hit by the insect and escape, with tips on how to do so safely in the next section.

The antlion's hole is pretty distinct. It is vaguely conical, with the hole having a container at its bottom (presumably to lure in climbers, either intentionally or not on the insect's part). Once it emerges for the first time, this container disappears.

In testing, it seemed like there is only ever one antlion in the Mesa biome. However, it can't be killed and will emerge whenever someone is close, so multiple people can try to earn the Megaentomology Badge at once without worrying about ruining anyone else's chance.

Surviving the Antlion

The antlion is easily avoided when not trying to get this badge, as it doesn't move and its hole is easily spotted once you know what it looks like. However, the Megaentomology Badge's requirement that a climber get bit by the insect and then survive the ordeal suddenly makes the creature a much bigger threat. It's still a challenge that can be readily overcome, but it can be intimidating to new players.

Firstly, it should be noted that it is possible to simply go into the hole, allow yourself to get bit, and, with a fast enough reaction time, climb out as long as you have decent stamina, with no other tools. Done right (assuming you're not too damaged), this seems generally possible even without boosted stamina, but climbing out becomes much easier with extra energy. Even better is if a fellow climber can be near the top of the hole, offering a hand to you.

However, as long as you get bit and survive, any approach should work. One of the easiest ways to earn this badge is to toss a rope down into the hole. Then, once you get bit, you can quickly grab the rope and climb out with a much lower stamina requirement. Properly timed, other items like Energy Drinks or Big Lollipops can also trivialize the climb out.

Keep in mind that you will, by necessity, take some damage when trying to earn this badge. It's a good idea to have healing items close at hand to help any climbers intending to get bit, unless you intend to sacrifice your run. Even then, it's easy to mess up this badge and simply die to the antlion, whether you're prepared or not.