Far Cry 4: Tracking Down Kyrat's Most Dangerous Animal

Far Cry 4's land of Kyrat is a massive and wild country, with danger around every corner. If not Pagan Min's soldiers on patrol, then from the huge variety of ferocious animals ready to tear apart an unsuspecting wanderer. We analyze some of Kyrat's most dangerous animals to determine which one is worst of them all.

Dohle

You'll probably encounter these wild dogs more often than any other animal in Kyrat. Although they're relatively easy to deal with, they often travel in small packs and show up unexpectedly. Like most other animals, Dohles can sniff people out, even when they're hiding. So, setting up a sniper position can potentially be ruined by Dohles looking for an easy meal. However, Dohles are generally more of a nuisance than a threat. Unless it's very early on in the game, or you're trying to recover from a different attack, it's easy to avoid becoming dog chow.

Threat Rating: 1 (out of 5)

Eagle

Of all the animals of Kyrat, perhaps none produce a crazed sense of panic the way an Eagle does. This giant bird is strong enough to carry goats and whole pigs away before dropping them to their deaths. Often coming out of nowhere, the Eagle soars high overhead and swooping down for a powerful attack. Every time you hear its screech or someone yells, "Eagle!" it's time to run for cover. It seems almost happy to claw your eyes out. 

Threat Rating: 4 (out of 5)

Wild Boar

Wild Boar can be found almost everywhere in Kyrat, both alone or in small groups. They're harmless most of the time, but will go on the offensive if you get too close. However, being that these swine are basically wild pigs, and they don't do as much damage as a lot of other creatures, you're more likely to hunt them than they are to come after you. Come on, admit it. It looks delicious. 

Threat Rating: 2 (out of 5)

Tibetan Wolf

Located in the northern half of Kyrat, Wolves act very similarly to Dohles, but are generally tougher and stronger. Although you might not run into them quite as often, they tend to travel in large packs and will try to surround you. You might be able to hear them howling from a distance. If you do, that's your cue to head to higher ground. However, killing a few with a spray of bullets tends to scare the rest away, at least for a little while. So much for pack mentality. Wolves certainly aren't the most dangerous things in Kyrat, but their numbers shouldn't be ignored. Plus, single-handedly facing down a pack of wolves is pretty badass.

Threat Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Clouded Leopard

You'll find these large cats in all but the coldest parts of Kyrat. They have a tendency to lay low and may hide before pouncing. Accustomed to the mountainous landscape, it can give chase up stairs and onto rooftops with its exceptional speed and long leap. If you catch the attention of one, and you're not in a position to fight it off, it's easiest to hop in a vehicle or jump in the water to escape it. That being said, the Clouded Leopard is the easiest of the large cats to take down. They're usually solitary creatures, so it's unlikely that there will be a second one behind you while you're shooting at one.

Still, out of all the felines in Kyrat, this is the weakest of them. With a little bit of patience, and a big bag of ammo, you'll end up with enough Leopard skins for wall-to-wall carpeting in your home.

Threat Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Bengal Tiger

Orange with black stripes, this giant cat is probably one of the most recognizable animals in the game. You're not as likely to run into a Bengal Tiger as often as you do a Clouded Leopard, but you should stay vigilant nonetheless. Powerful and almost fearless, they'll come walking into houses, temples, bell towers to sniff out their next meal. Tigers can climb up stairs, leap up onto rocks or platforms, and rooftops. Once they catch your scent, they're relentless in their desire to kill and eat you. So, which is the real hunter here?

Threat Rating: 4 (out 5)

Demon Fish

You know you're in a dangerous place when even the fish are out to get you. If looks could kill, the Demon Fish would use its sheer ugliness to take down its prey. Like something out of a horror movie, this fish is big, ugly, and carnivorous. There's a reason why you never find people swimming in Kyrat's rivers and lakes. It's partly because of the pollution, and mainly because nobody wants to be taken out by a fish full of teeth. Demon Fish are tough to deal with because they can be hard to spot, and you can't fire your weapons while underwater. Lakes and rivers can be full of them, which makes diving for treasure problematic. But once you're ashore, the Demon Fish are completely vulnerable, which significantly cuts down their threat rating.

Threat Rating: 1 (out of 5)

Bear

Isn't there an old saying about never poking a bear? Tough, strong, and quick to anger, Bears are found almost everywhere. They rest inside caves, wander around forests, and may follow you into buildings. They're so eager for a fight, that it's not uncommon to find them battling each other to the death. It takes a lot to take one down, so it's usually best to try to avoid them unless you're actively trying to hunt them for their skin. However, unlike many of the other dangerous animals of Kyrat, bears are pretty easy to spot, as they're big and will make themselves known before attacking, giving you plenty of time to put those fight or flight reflexes to work.

Threat Rating: 4 (out of 5)

Honey Badgers

Honey Badgers would be cute if they weren't extremely aggressive, fast, resilient, and armed with sharp teeth and claws. They may be small, but they're the biggest A-holes of the animal kingdom, and fearsome animals in Kyrat despite their size and appearance. It's fortunate that they're relatively rare, and they don't do much climbing, but they're small and easy to miss among grass and bushes until it's too late. They don't care that they're a fraction of your size. They'll tear your face off regardless. Their small size also makes it easy for them to get through small openings that other animals cannot. There are a few side missions where you must fend against an whole groups of Honey Badgers. You'll definitely need to load up to survive. 

Threat Rating: 4 (out of 5)

Bees

Encountering a giant beehive is pretty uncommon compared to the many other creatures you're bound to bump into. They're generally harmless unless you get too close or break one open. Hopefully, if you happen to anger a beehive, it's to turn them loose on enemy soldiers. It's really too bad you can't back on of these up and drop them from a gyrocopter. 

Threat Rating: 1 (out of 5)

Asian Rhino

It doesn't take a lot of common sense to figure out that Rhinos should be left alone. Huge, powerful enough to overturn cars, and so tough that you need heavy weaponry to take it down, Rhinos will generally mind their own business. However, they're very touchy about their personal space, so be sure to give them a wide berth, or  you could end up gored and trampled. If you're the kind of person who goes around purposefully antagonizing Rhinos, then you'll definitely get what's coming to you.

Threat Level: 5 (out of 5)

Snow Leopard

Limited to the northern (usually icy) regions of Kyrat, you don't come by Snow Leopards very often. But they have a habit of showing up unexpectedly, like when you're climbing up a cliff or exploring a cave. The cold weather makes them a bit tougher than their Clouded Leopard cousins, and they're just as quick and agile. However, as dangerous as they are, their rarity does make them as much of a concern, and therefore significantly lowering its threat rating.

Threat Rating: 2 (out of 5) +1 Sneak Attack

Muggar Crocodile

The Crocodile quietly lays hidden on shallow shores until an unsuspecting person or creature wanders within striking distance. Then it comes at you with its powerful jaws to tear you apart. It's nature's perfect trap. Fortunately, these lurking reptiles are spectacularly rare, located mostly in rivers and island banks in Northeast Kyrat, which is only accessible after progressing far into the campaign. Unless you're on a special mission, you're far more likely to be chewed to death by a Demon Fish than you are by the jaws of a Crocodile. 

Threat Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Yak

Don't let their quiet demeanor, or the fact that some people use them as beasts of burden, fool you. Yaks look almost like cows, but they attack like bulls. They especially don't like you, and prefer to be left alone, which is why they will attack with their horns if you wander too close. They're incredibly strong, very tough, and faster than they have any right to be. More often than not, Yaks move around and graze in groups, so you could end up being passed back and forth like a soccer ball in a Yak tournament match. 

Threat Level: 4 (out of 5)

Asian Elephant

Elephants are probably the most powerful animals in all of Kyrat. They can send both cars and enemy soldiers flying with a swing of their trunks and ram through barricaded doors. So it's a good thing they're generally on your side, and you can even ride one into battle. They're docile when not fighting, but will react to stray bullets. So, you need to watch your shots, or else your gigantic ally could turn against you. Furthermore, even though crossing through a friendly outpost might seem regal and badass to you, doesn't mean it's a good idea. This animal is so big that it has a tendency to step on the wrong people, which makes them angry. Angry people with guns aren't quite as intimdated by your elephant as you might think. 

Threat Level: 5 (out of 5)... for everyone else.

Winner

After careful consideration and study, we conclude that the Eagle is the most dangerous animal in all of Kyrat. Although the Honey Badger, Bengel Tiger, Yak and Asian Elephant are all close contenders, few can be found in all regions of Kyrat, including the snow capped mountains. Furthermore, nothing produces the same sense of dread and panic as an Eagle's screech. Once they get their talons into you, they will stalk you relentlessly. You can end up wasting half a magazine trying to shoot an Eagle down from the sky, and ever the opportunist, an Eagle can suddenly swoop in and deliver a finishing blow when one of Kyrat's many other dangers wear your health down. Also, we did mention that they're strong enough to lift goats off the ground, right?