Satisfactory: Arachnophobia Mode & Stinger Safety
On a dedicated server, arachnophobia mode is yours alone to set. It is a client-side gameplay option, not a server setting, so an admin cannot switch it on for the group and nobody else sees your version of the world. Everyone who wants it turns it on themselves, and it takes effect immediately in a world already running.
Verified on 17 September 2026 against the shipped Satisfactory dedicated server, Steam buildid 24656085. The setting ships as US_ArachnophobiaMode under Settings/OptionsMenu/Gameplay/, which is where the "US" prefix and that path place it: the client's own Gameplay options, alongside things like autosave interval and creature hostility.
It covers three Stingers, not one
This is the part worth knowing before you decide the mode is not working. The game ships replacement art for three separate Stinger variants, and the asset names line up exactly with the creatures you meet:
| Creature | Replacement art in the build |
|---|---|
| Stinger, the standard one | IconDesc_ArachnophobiaStinger |
| Stinger Child, the small swarming ones | IconDesc_ArachnophobiaStingerChild |
| Elite Stinger, the large cave variant | IconDesc_ArachnophobiaStingerElite |
So the small ones and the elite are covered too. If something still reads as a spider to you after enabling the mode, it is worth checking it is a Stinger at all rather than assuming the setting missed it.
If the problem is combat rather than spiders
Sitting directly beside arachnophobia mode in the same Gameplay menu is US_CreatureHostilityMode, the creature hostility setting. Arachnophobia mode changes how Stingers look. Creature hostility changes whether anything attacks you at all. People who want a calm factory-building run often want the second one, or both, and only find the first because it is the one with a memorable name.
Both are per-player, so on a shared server two people can play the same world with completely different creature experiences.
The world of Massage-2(A-B)b is beautiful, but the developers at Coffee Stain Studios included one creature that makes even the bravest Pioneers hesitate: the Stinger. These multi-legged, skittering horrors are notorious for their erratic movement, high-pitched screeching, and tendency to ambush players in caves or dense jungles. For many, they are a significant barrier to enjoying the game.
1. The "Cat" Transformation
When enabled, Arachnophobia Mode swaps the Stinger art for a flat, non-threatening sprite, which players generally describe as a cat. The build ships dedicated replacement art for the mode, which is what makes the swap instant, though that art is packed and this page will not describe pixels it cannot open. It doesn't just change the look; it alters the vibe of every combat encounter.
2. Audio Cues
The replacement is visual. Searching the shipped build for any cat, kitten or meow sound asset returns nothing, so treat claims that the screeching is replaced as unconfirmed and expect the audio you already know. The movement patterns are certainly unchanged, so do not let a friendlier sprite lower your guard.
3. Full Accessibility
In the 1.0 release, this mode is found in the main Gameplay options and can be toggled on or off at any time without needing to restart the server or your game client.
How to Enable Arachnophobia Mode
- Press Esc to open the Main Menu.
- Navigate to Options > Gameplay.
- Scroll down to the Accessibility section.
- Check the box labeled Enable Arachnophobia Mode.
- Click Apply. Every Stinger already loaded in the world changes immediately. There is no restart and no world reload.
Tips for Dealing with "Cats" (Stingers)
| Strategy | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Explosive Rebar | High. Direct hits will knock back the Stinger and deal massive damage. |
| Xeno-Basher | Medium. Good for single small Stingers, but dangerous against the "Elite" variants. |
| Jetpack / Hoverpack | Crucial. Staying off the ground is the best defense against their leaping attacks. |
| Gas Nobelisk | High. Gas clouds are extremely effective for clearing out Stinger nests in caves. |
Fun Fact: The "Arachnophobia Mode" was one of the most requested features during Early Access. The transition from a terrifying spider-thing to a glitching cat sprite has become a beloved part of Satisfactory's quirky industrial charm.
Focus on the factory, not the fear. Host your Satisfactory server with Supercraft and explore every cave on Massage-2(A-B)b with complete confidence and high-performance server stability.