The deadliest enemy in Permafrost is the cold, but it is not the only one. Wolves, boars and bears attack, and moose fight back once you anger them, while deer, rabbits and foxes flee. On the human side, the Moon Cult and bandits are hostile, and the Moon Cult holds the Bunker and an outpost south of Crow's Nest. Bring a bow or a firearm, warm clothes and healing before you pick a fight.
The cold is enemy number one
The Steam store page calls the cold your true enemy, and the developers repeat it in every interview. Developer Timo Thomas described Cold Zones where it is extremely cold and nights that drop to dangerous temperatures. More players die to hypothermia than to any animal.
That shapes how you should treat every other threat. A fight that drags on outside leaves you freezing, even if you win. Our stay warm guide is the best first defence.
Snowstorms are a hazard of their own. The quest Trial of the Storm asks you to find a way through one. Wait it out by a fire if you are not on a timer.
Hostile wildlife
Animals fall into two groups: prey that flees and predators that attack. The official Steam post on animals says you can hunt with almost any weapon. The hard part is choosing which ones to fight.
| Animal | Behaviour | Where you meet it |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf | Attacks, often in groups | The Woods, Solar Fields |
| Boar | Attacks and keeps charging | The Woods, Solar Fields |
| Bear | Attacks, hits very hard | Bone Cave, Solar Fields |
| Moose | Fights back when angered | The Woods |
| Bison and muskox | Dangerous when close | Open wilds |
| Deer, rabbit, fox | Flee from you | Almost everywhere |
Playtesters warned that moose and boar keep coming once you anger them. Wolves hunt in groups, so a single arrow can draw the whole pack. Story mode makes animals less threatening, while Survival has fewer animals and harsher injuries.
Skinwalker's hunting challenges in the Woods cover most of these animals. Quests with names like Hour of the Wolf and UnBear-able pay out skinning experience and pelts. They are a good way to learn each animal before it matters.
Bears
Your first bear is usually the one in the Bone Cave, where you rescue your dog. Walkthroughs warn that it can turn aggressive when you approach, even if it looks injured. Fight it in open space, not in the cave's narrow passages.
A fan datamine of the preview build lists a boss bear among the huntable animals. Bears hit hard enough to end a run in a few swipes. Bring arrows, a bandage and an exit route.
The Parking Zoo quest at the Solar Fields lists a bear as an optional target. Skip it if your ammunition is low. Bear Pelts make the Bear Head Hat at the Tailoring Bench, so the fight has a reward.
The Moon Cult
The Moon Cult worships the shattered moon, and the developers call its members the crazy guys. It is one of the factions you cannot befriend. The official faction post says it has seized the Bunker, a former military site.
In the quest Stolen Treasure, the cult has taken a shipment from Jeremiah at Crow's Nest. Their outpost lies south of Crow's Nest, marked by scaffolding and a frozen billboard. You recover the Supplies Container of food, medicine and ammunition and bring it back.
Anna Ivaschenko leads the Resistance against the cult from House Camp. A publisher press release mentioned the crossbow as a weapon for hunting or for fighting aggressive factions such as the Moon Cult. Cultist gear inspires the Moon Cult clothing set you can craft later.
Bandits, scavengers and other factions
Bandits are listed among the hostile groups in the official faction post. Expect them in the ruins of the Urban District and around White Hell. The official post on White Hell says armed factions rule its lower streets.
Not every armed group is an enemy. Logan Boyce's scavengers at the Solar Facility trade in strength and fear, but you can work with them. The ex-military survivors at Crow's Nest and the Resistance are also potential allies.
The Technocrats and Tribals are scavenger factions with different values. The developers promise choices that the world reacts to. Our wiki hub lists every faction and character.
Weapons for each fight
Your first weapon is the Crude Bow with Wooden Arrows, made by hand. It is silent and the arrows can be picked up again. The 30-hour review found the bow needs several shots for large animals.
Firearms come from the Weapon Bench, which costs 10 Iron Ingots. The Rat Queen's Parking Zoo quest teaches it and asks for 30 rounds before you hunt wolves and boars. An early rifle can drop an elk in one hit, according to the same review.
Ammunition is costly, so pick your fights. Rifle rounds in the 7.62 mm calibres need Quality Metal and gunpowder. Melee with axes and knives is a last resort.
Fighting in co-op
Groups handle big fights better, because one player can draw attention while others shoot. Friendly fire is always on, and an official video warns that a friend's bullets hurt as much as an enemy's. Agree on firing lines before a bear fight.
Each player claims their own bed or sleeping bag as a respawn. Set those up before raiding a cult outpost. Our co-op guide lists the other group quirks.
More enemies on the way
The Steam Early Access FAQ promises new enemies before the 1.0 release. Update 4 on the official roadmap brings the White Hell biome with new enemies, locations and story. Update 1 polishes combat animations, a weak spot in reviews.
Animal numbers and behaviour on this page come from fan data and early playtests. They may change as the developers rebalance combat. We will update the list when new enemies arrive.
Combat supports survival rather than replacing it. Most fights are optional, and walking away is often the smartest move. See the gameplay overview for how fighting fits the survival loop.
How to survive a fight
Most deaths in a fight come from poor preparation rather than bad aim. Check your Body Warmth, hunger and health before you leave camp. A fight that starts at half health rarely ends well.
Carry bandages and a warm meal on every trip into predator country. Your dog can scout ahead and warn you about animals before they see you. Use high ground and doorways to stop wolves from surrounding you.
Know when to run. Most animals give up the chase if you put distance between you, and the cult will not follow you far from its outpost. Living to try again with a better weapon is always the right call.
Built from the Steam store page and Early Access FAQ, official Steam posts on animals, factions and White Hell, a Gamereactor developer interview, a publisher press release, story walkthroughs and playtest reports. Animal details from fan data may change. Last updated: October 12, 2026.
Sources
References and further reading for this article.
