Cove

Loading screen of Cove

“	These salt-soaked caverns are teeming with pelagic nightmares - they must be flushed out!	„
	~ The Narrator on entering a Skirmish expedition in the Cove

The Cove is the second to last dungeon that can be explored. It is a water-logged nightmare filled with pelagic horrors, once used by the Ancestor for unsavory deliveries - and unspeakable pacts.

The Ancestor once used the Cove as a means to deliver some of his more controversial artifacts, as well as a location to perform his pacts with the ancient beings in the water when money was scarce. The ancient fishmen that lived there were roused by the activity around their home, making it a habit to sink and kill any sailors that come near their domain, making them a threat to the marine shipments of provisions that the Hamlet relies on.

Cove Music

The music that plays during combat in the Cove is The Cove Battle.

Cove Strategy

Order of target elimination varies depending on the party's health and stress level. If the party is low on health, consider finishing Groupers first. If the party is reaching high stress, target back-row shamans. It is recommended to kill the Thrall as soon as possible no matter the circumstances, however. Leave maggots, stingers, and heavily armored enemies for last, as they are the least dangerous.

Provisions

• Medicinal herbs are extremely useful to debuff traps and attacks, as well as curios, like Eerie Coral (to heal negative quirks).
• Bring a few extra shovels for chests and oysters.
• Bandages are useful for occasional bleed attacks, specifically from Uca Crushers, who have "arterial pinch".
• Holy Water may be useful for Fish Idols.
• If you have a Houndmaster in your team, Dog Treats can be used on oysters for a dodge buff.

Party Composition

Bleed is less effective due to fish scales. Conversely, blight damage is extremely useful due to low resistances and the presence of high PROT enemies with the ability to guard weaker foes. Stun resistance is useful as many Cove enemies use stun attacks. Increasing the PROT value of frontline heroes can be invaluable here, due to high damage enemies and lack of DOT damage. It's also worth noting that the Occultist does increased damage against eldritch enemies, which can be very useful here.

Things to watch out for

• Thrall explosions
• Grouper damage
• Uca bleeds
• Trap debuffs

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List of Cove Monsters

Enemies found within the Cove
Enemy	HP	DODGE	PROT	SPD	Type	Resistances	Abilities
Pelagic Grouper	14	5%	0%	6	Eldritch	Stun - 10% Blight - 10% Bleed - 50% Debuff - 10% Move - 10%	"Seaward Slash" "Spearfishing"
Pelagic Shaman	12	7.5%	0%	10	Eldritch	Stun - 10% Blight - 10% Bleed - 50% Debuff - 20% Move - 10%	"Stress Wave" "Call of the Deep" "Ceremonial Cut" "Sea Breeze"
Pelagic Guardian	25	0%	33%	0	Eldritch	Stun - 25% Blight - 10% Bleed - 60% Debuff - 10% Move - 50%	"Octocestus" "Barnacle Barrier"
Sea Maggot	5	0%	75%	-5	Eldritch	Stun - 50% Blight - 20% Bleed - 40% Debuff - 10% Move - 10%	"Brine"
Deep Stinger	10	12.5%	0%	7	Eldritch	Stun - 50% Blight - 10% Bleed - 50% Debuff - 10% Move - 10%	"Shocker" "Salty Gourge"
Drowned Thrall	14	0%	0%	1	Eldritch Unholy	Stun - 50% Blight - 10% Bleed - 20% Debuff - 10% Move - 25%	"Gargling Grab" "The Revenge"
Uca Major'	59	8.75%	50%	1	Eldritch	Stun - 70% Blight - 30% Bleed - 80% Debuff - 40% Move - 70%	"Arterial Pinch" "Tidal Slam"
Squiffy Ghast'	55	33.5%	0%	8	Unholy	Stun - 115% Blight - 60% Bleed - 145% Debuff - 60% Move - 50%	"Maddening Shanty" "Offkilter Jig"
Drowned Crew	100	0%	0%	3	Unholy	Stun - 50% Blight - 20% Bleed - 60% Debuff - 20% Move - 200%	"All Hands on Deck!" "Mutiny" "Drink with the Dead" "Boarding Clutch"
Drowned Anchorman	14	0%	0%	0	Unholy	Stun - 25% Blight - 20% Bleed - 60% Debuff - 20% Move - 200%	"Heave To!"
Siren	119	12.5%	0%	5	Eldritch	Stun - 50% Blight - 40% Bleed - 60% Debuff - 40% Move - 25%	"Song of Desire" "High Tide" "Pressure Clash" "Devour"

Curios

Curios found within the Cove
Curio & type	Description	Cleansing	Without cleansing
Barnacle Crusted Chest Treasure.	A treasure chest blanketed in barnacles. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	ShovelThe shovel makes easy work of the barnacles. Any Loot x3	50% Any loot x2There's still booty inside! 25% Bleed.The hero received a nasty gash. 25% Nothing.Nothing inside.
Bas-Relief Knowledge; Worship.	A puzzingly ancient sculpture of dizzying implication... (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	ShovelThe bas-relief is crushed with the shovel. Doesn't feel right... Stress +100	66.7% Positive Quirk.The message has a lasting impact on the hero... 22.2% Negative Quirk.The message has a lasting impact on the hero... 11.1% Disease chanceThe message has a lasting impact on the hero...
Brackish Tide Pool Drink; Fountain.	A pool of water cupped in smooth stone. Its color looks sightly off... (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	AntivenomThe water is purified and cleanses the hero. AntivenomThe water is purified and cleanses the hero. Heal 5 HP and Cure (50%) Stress Heal 5 (50%)	75% Buff +33% Blight, Bleed, Disease Resistances until Camp.The hero's resilience is heightened! 25% Random DiseaseThe water is contaminated...
Eerie Coral Knowledge.	There is something odd about this coral. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	Medicinal HerbsCleansing the coral brings out its profound healing qualities. Purge Negative Quirk	50% Stress Heal 10This coral is soothing to the mind. 25% Stress +25The coral is abrasive and unnerving 25% NothingNothing here after all.
Fish Idol Unholy; Worship	A strange presence is felt near this statue of worship. (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)	Holy WaterAn aura of strength engulfs the hero! Buff +18% DMG until Camp	50% Debuff -25% DMG, -10 ACC until CampAn evil force strength engulfs the hero! 50% Debuff -12 DODGE until CampAn evil force strength engulfs the hero!
Fish Carcass Food.	A stuffed sea creature has washed ashore. Wonder what it ate... (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	Medicinal HerbsThe gut is cleansed, allowing a safe search of its contents. Gem/Trinkets x2 + Gem/Gold x1 + Supplies x2	16.7% Gem/Trinkets x1 Gold/Gem x1 + Supply x1The fish ate more than its fair share. 16.7% Disease: The Red PlagueThe creature is harbouring a dangerous infection. 11.1% BlightIt's a trap! 5.6% BleedIt's a trap! 50% NothingOnly digested fish inside.
Giant Oyster Treasure; Scrounging.	A live oyster. Who knows what value it hides... (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)	ShovelThe shovel prevents the oyster from closing. Dog TreatsThe oyster seems to like these... Gold/Trinkets x3 Buff +25 DODGE	40% Gold/Trinkets x2There are treasures hidden inside! 40% BleedThe oyster slams shut! 20% NothingSomeone has already cleaned house.
Ship's Figurehead Reflective.	The figurehead emits a marvelous aura. (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)		66.7% Stress Heal 25-30The great artifact inspires the hero! 33.3% Buff +20% DMG, +4 SPD until CampThe great artifact inspires the hero!

Curios found within all dungeons
Curio & type	Description	Cleansing	Without cleansing
Crate Treasure.	No description. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)		75% HeirloomThe crate contains stashed heirlooms! 25% NothingThe crate is empty.
Discarded Pack Scrounging; Treasure.	No description. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)		60% Supplies x1 + Gold/Gems x2 + Journal EntryThe pack contains loot! 20% ScoutingThe pack has a map inside it! 20% NothingThe pack has already been looted.
Eldritch Altar Haunted; Unholy.	An altar dedicated to unholy abominations. Perhaps a great power lies within. (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)	Holy WaterThe holy water purifies the altar! Purge Negative Quirk	40% Stress +25A terrifying presence is felt nearby! 10% Purge Negative Quirk 50% NothingThe altar's purpose is purely decorative.
Heirloom Chest Treasure.	A chest with your family's sigil. (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)	Skeleton KeyThe key unlocks a hidden compartment! Heirloom x4	75% Heirloom x2The contents are yours! 12.5% BleedIt's trapped! 12.5% BlightIt's trapped!
Sack Scrounging.	No description. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)		75% GoldThe sack's contents are yours... 25% NothingThe sack is empty.
Sconce Scrounging	No description. (This curio can only appear along corridors.)		100% Torch x1You salvage the unburned torch.
Shambler's Altar None.	It says: "The sacrifice of fire is the gate to ruin! Place a torch if you crave the void!" (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	TorchA terrifying figure emerges from the darkness! Summon Shambler	100% NothingTouching the altar has no effect.
Stack of Books Knowledge.	A stack of literary treasures in an unlikely location (This curio can only appear along corridors.)	TorchThe hero destroyed knowledge, and now must bear the guilt of it! Stress +100	22.2% Stress +25The hero reads a most unsettling passage. 22.2% Random Positive Quirk (66.67%)Reading a few pages has a lasting effect on the hero... 11.1% Random Negative Quirk (33.33%)Reading a few pages has a lasting effect on the hero... 11.1% Decrease Light Meter by 25The hero reads a most unsettling passage. 16.7% Journal Entry 16.7% NothingThe volumes are desiccated and unremarkable.
Unlocked Strongbox Treasure.	A long-forgotten strongbox sits on the cold stone floor, its contents unknown. (This curio can only appear inside rooms.)		75% Any Loot x2The contents are yours! 25% BlightIt's trapped!

Trivia

• The Cove was the only one of the main four areas not initially released in Early Access
• While every other area gets two extra monsters at Veteran level, the Cove only gets one: the Uca Crusher.
• The pelagic monsters may be based on the fish-human hybrid monsters from H. P. Lovecraft's novella The shadow over Innsmouth.