Description[]

Cells, also known as Swooping Eyes or Oculi, are dangerous predatory entities that inhabit aquatic or highly humid levels of the Backrooms. They are large, single-cell organisms that take the form of an orb that resembles an oversized eyeball. They are covered in a thin membrane which objects can pass through. Past this membrane, Cells are filled with a highly acidic gel that presents a significant danger to wanderers. They float through the air at a decent pace, and can manage quick bursts of speed to catch prey. They are also coated in a layer of sticky mucus, which aids them in hunting.

All Cells have black pupils and white sclera, but each individual has a differently colored iris. Similar to fingerprints, Cells use them as unique identifiers for other specimens of Entity 64.^[1]

Biology[]

The anatomy of Entity 64 resembles that of a human cell, with organs and other important internal structures matching the organelles found within human cells. They also have a bioelectric organ that generates a magnetic field. This allows for Cells to float through the air. Furthermore, they possess an optic nerve-like appendage which offers stability in movement, as it keeps them facing in the direction they are moving.

Cells reproduce through mitosis. They do this after consuming enough nutrients to be large enough to divide. Healthy Cells can be identified by a clear sclera, while wounded or starving Cells resemble a bloodshot eye. Cells have minor regenerative capabilities; seemingly fatal wounds can be healed, as long as the Cell is still in one piece.

Various parts of Cell anatomy have useful applications for wanderers. Cell gel can be used in similar use cases to Death Moth acid, and their bioelectric organ seems to retain partial functionality after death, which allows it to be used as a makeshift battery.

Behavior[]

Cells are aggressive hunters, with wanderers as their favored prey. While their tactics are simple since their brains are equally simple, this does not make them any less deadly. Their primary tactic is to dive at the head of their intended victim, sucking it into their body. The victim will quickly suffocate, after which the acidic gel will digest the victim. This acid is unique to Entity 64, and highly corrosive. It is strong enough to digest human bone tissue, which means that Cells leave no remains of their prey behind after consumption and digestion.^[2]

While they do not display the advanced cognitive skills displayed by many other entities, Cells have latched on to two more advanced tactics regardless: Ambushes and pack tactics^[3]. While they may struggle with stealth due to their bright white bodies, their ability to float soundlessly and strike from above allows for Cells to surprise their targets with impressive efficacy. This is compounded by their tendency to hunt in packs, nearly guaranteeing that their attacks will disorient a group of wanderers, making them easy targets.

This does not mean that Cells will exclusively hunt in squadrons, however. Lone Cells will hunt if desperate for food, or might attack if they feel threatened. Cells backed into a corner may act unpredictably or erratically, which can make them quite dangerous.

Cells that have successfully captured their prey will try to escape, holding onto the victim's head and letting their body dangle in the air. This both slows them down and makes them lose interest in attacking any other wanderers. Cells that are digesting will not attack wanderers and will try to flee if one approaches.

Defense[]

Defending oneself from a Cell is relatively simple. They have a few critical weaknesses that can be exploited:

1. Salt: Similarly to Frontrooms snails, Cells dry out when exposed to salt, which causes them to become dehydrated. This also applies to salt water, which makes even a basic squirt gun or water balloon filled with it a viable defense tactic.
2. Heat: Cells will also dry out if they are exposed to dry heat. Through either fire or electricity, heat can be used to ward off aggressive Cells.
3. Strong Magnets: Since Cells utilize magnetism to move, they can be grounded with a strong magnet. Jamming it into their bodies is highly effective, as they often struggle to remove it without external assistance.
4. Flashing Lights: As visual hunters, Cells rely on their highly enhanced vision to hunt their prey. Bright or flashing lights can help wanderers disorient them, since their other senses are relatively poor.
5. Slashing or Piercing Weapons: When all else fails, one can take advantage of the malleable nature of the outer membrane of Entity 64. Putting enough holes into a Cell can be fatal, despite their regenerative properties.

Notable Interactions[]

Lighters:[]

Cells actively avoid Lighters because their heat will dry them out, which can be fatal. Lighters tend to ignore Cells since Cells do not provide them with anything, so actively hunting them would be a waste of time for a Lighter.

Facelings:[]

While Cells typically hunt wanderers, their second favorite prey are Facelings. This is due to their similar build to wanderers, which is what Cells attempt to exploit when hunting. Facelings tend to prepare defenses against Cells when traveling through levels infested with them, which is how the M.E.G. learned about some of the Cells' weaknesses.

Death Moths:[]

Cells also predate on Death Moths. This is because the average Cell is larger than both male and female Death Moths, and Cells are immune to the acid that the females spit.

Mercies:[]

Though Mercies tend to avoid other predatory entities due to the risk that they pose, Cells are the exception. Mercies, with their inherent immunity to acid, will attack squadrons of Cells that are stalking wanderers. It is hypothesized that they are protecting wanderers for later feeding. If a Mercy encounters a lone Cell, it will often attack it and drain it of its gel in a similar process to when they drain the blood of wanderers. They can do this due to their aforementioned immunity to acid. Mercies seem to always kill their Cell victims, unlike when they attack wanderers, which is likely in an effort to limit the impact that Cells can have on the population of their prey. Cells will actively avoid Mercies if they see them, and will abandon their current prey if it means avoiding a Mercy.

Discovery[]

While there have been many reports of entities that share numerous characteristics with Entity 64, Cells were only officially catalogued on April 23, 2003 when M.E.G. Field Operative K.M. undertook a research operation on Level 8.1, along with a small party of other now-deceased field operatives. They were attacked by a squadron of Cells, which killed all of the operatives except for Field Operative K.M., who escaped by separating from the group at the first sign of danger. She also captured some footage of the entities, which was analyzed at a M.E.G. entity research base on Level 4 and marked the official discovery of Entity 64.

Tips[]

• Always carry one of the Cells' weaknesses for safety.
• Keep vigilant to avoid being ambushed.
• Do not waste time unnecessarily avoiding a Cell that is digesting its prey.
• If caught with no defense against a squadron of Cells, run and hide. The poor intelligence of Entity 64 means that they are not adept trackers.
• If a squadron of actively hunting Cells begin to retreat, take caution. A Mercy is likely in the surrounding area.