On ground: Flaringo, Dirt Urchin, Frostcrawler, HopRock, Infurnus, Rammstone, Tazerling, BoonDoc, Arachnet. On title: Vinedrill, Hexlet, Fandango, Hoverbug
Eli's slugs left to right: Infurnus, Frostcrawler,Bubbaleone, Boon doc.
eli and a few of his slugs
slug passgaes
Slugs are magical creatures that transform into more powerful versions of themselves when they hit 100 miles per hour. There are currently 48 known breeds of Slugs that fall into 14 different elements. Each breed of Slug has its own unique powers. While many of those breeds are used for battling, some, like the Bubbaleone, can also be used for household chores. Younger children tend to keep Slugs as pets, often bonding more closely with their Slugs than Slugslingers do.
Due to their battle capabilities Slingers often see their Slugs as little more than ammo. No longer a childhood pet, many Slingers don't think twice about trading or selling their Slugs. In some SlugSlining competitions, the prize for winning a duel is being allowed to take a Slug from the losing Slinger's arsenal. In this way, Slugs have little choice in who their owner is, and can change hands frequently.
There are numerous ways for Slingers to gain a new Slug for their arsenal. The first way is to go out an catch a Slug in the wild. Wild Slugs can be found nearly everywhere in SlugTerra, although some Slugs are very rare and not every Slug can be found in every cavern. Some Slugs, like the Forgesmelter, are rare not only due to their lower population numbers in the wild, but due to the difficultly of navigating through the dangerous volcanic cavern they call home.
There are several ways to catch a Slug in the wild. The first is to use a Sonic Snare, a device that uses sound waves to temporarily stun and weaken a Slug, making it easier to catch. This method can be risky, especially when dealing with a large group of Slugs, because the Snare can cause a Slug to weaken to the point where it loses its grip and falls. If the Slug falls from high enough up, it will hit velocity and transform. While not a major problem with one Slug or even just a few, enough Slugs transforming at once can have a devestating effect.
Safer methods, though admittedly ones with lower odds of success, include the use of Slug Spray, Slug Reels, Slug Paper and nets.
Slugs can also be bought and traded. In some places, Slugs are used as currency in place of gold, with a Slug's experience determining its value. Some Slugs, due to either rarity or a high level of experience, can be very valuable.
Physiology
Protoform
Slugs are small, bipedal creatures that are often brightly colored. Their coloration or markings often offer a hint as to a Slug breed's element, although this is not always the case.
Most Slugs can survive and breath underwater without the need to surface, although almost all breeds of Slug need a special kind of Slug tube in order to reach velocity underwater. Additionally, fire-type attacks don't work under water, making breeds such as the Infurnus highly vulnerable.
A velocimorph is the Slug's form upon hitting 100mph, transforming into a larger, more powerful creature. In almost all cases, the velocimorph bears a reasonable likeness to the Slug's protoform appearance. The Lavalynx is the most noteable exception to this rule. Flopper Slugs are the only known Slugs to not transform upon reaching velocity.
Upon reaching 200mph, a Slug will obtain a Mega Morph velocimorph, which slightly changes the features of the individual Slug's protoform as well as their color markings. While the changes to the Slug's protoform are permanent, the Slug maintains its breed's standard velocimorph whenever fired at 100 mph, only returning to its Mega Morph form when fired at 200mph or above. With the altered protoform, a Slug will glow when it reaches 100mph without being fired, acting as a speedometer to let their Slinger know when enough speed has been achieved to reach Mega Morph form.
Guardian
(Also see Guardian Slug)
Slugs that reach a certain level of power can become a special guardian slug.
Slugs are combat-capable and many Slugs enjoy dueling or, at least, transforming at velocity. In ages past, in the time before blasters, Slugs used their environment in order to gain enough speed to transform. Occasionally, some Slugs still use their surroundings for their advantage in battle, especially when their Slinger is unable to get them to velocity, due to problems with his or her blaster or incapacitation.
Transforming at velocity, more so than actually battling, is how a Slug gains experience. For Slugs, experience comes in the way of increaced Slug energy. Since blasters are powered by Slug energy, more experienced Slugs make for more powerful shots. If a Slug gets too powerful, it's energy can overload a blaster's fusion core, damaging the blaster. Once a Slug gains experience, it never loses its increased levels of Slug energy, even if it goes a long time without reaching velocity.
As Slugs gain more experience, they also gain new abilities. Often, these powers are related to combat, but some breeds, like the Fandango, fill more supportive rolls. The most powerful of Slugs can become Guardian Slugs, a position that almost all Slugs wish to achieve.
Slugs can eat almost anything, but too much "people food" isn't good for them. A healthy Slug requires a balanced diet, which can be acchieved by giving them slug food.
Ghoul Slugs are created by using Dark Water to turn regular Slugs into Ghouls.
Behavior
As seen in the Slugisode:Fun Facts About Slugs, it shows that slugs are usually quite friendly to other slugs, regardless of species, sleep early, and have well table manners.
Slugs, through dark science, can be corrupted and are turned into monstrous beasts called Ghoul Slugs. They are only distributed by Dr. Blakk. These slugs are unpredictable, somewhat unstable, vicious, and mischivous.
The Underground World of SlugTerra