Hive monsters are a good example of swarming type mobs. One of these happens to be a Thrall. Quick, loud, deadly in packs, annoying, and explosive. Thralls are the low end monsters of the Hive collective. When approaching hive groups on patrol, quests, in events, boss fights, or what ever, these quick monsters are typically there to meet you first. If not already in the battlefield, Thralls will come tearing out of spawning points right to you. Best part most of the time, they do it in a single file line. First lets let that sink in....oh if I only had a railgun. Moving back along, you don't even have to bottleneck the Thralls they do it on their own. Just walk back slowly or get a good rifle and start laying them down. Stronger versions found in boss fights and/or events you might want to pop a few then move, rinse and repeat. These guys will swarm and surround you. That is their function. Even a Titan can be overcome by a small group if left unchecked. In some quests and events I have noticed they will drain your super energy, preventing you from using your top ability. In this case drop these guys asap. Damage they do is minor, but again ignore these guys and you'll regret it. They also like to ambush. I notice that the monster will stand behind a pillar looking for their target (another player or A.I.). Happens in strikes and events. When I see this I just mop them up as they have no clue or don't care I'm there. In a big fight if you hear a lot of screaming that sounds like a mob of "boy band groupies", then you might want to check your six. Lastly you will encounter one of my least favorite mobs, the Cursed Thrall. These guys have a plus to them, but if left unchecked can be hell in a fight. I've noticed they move slow, but I have seen these guys run on occasions. These guys have one function and one function only, to blow up. These explosions deal heavy damage. Even a near miss is enough to get your attention. Cursed Thralls aren't as easy to kill either. Unlike a one shot on a Thrall, Cursed Thralls take up to three good shots. Now make this guy and elite and now it takes more shots you can afford. Good news, their death can be used to wipe out whole squads of their collective and heavy damage to bosses. Just make sure you don't have a team mate inside when dropping one. I know I mentioned the Hydra is one of the only mobs to do damage as they die. I see this as a mechanic, where a cursed thrall has no other function, but to die and take you and everything else with it. How to handle: Thralls, just line them up and shoot them down. If in melee either get out or start hammering away. Got the heavy sword? Looks like you are set. Cursed Thralls, stay clear from, but farm them and the rest of the hive in the room to one location and drop the Cursed Thrall. Save ammo this way. Highly suggested to never melee a Cursed Thrall unless it is your final stand. My guess is that both Thralls and Cursed Thralls go towards your Grimoire points. Grimoire: Tier One → 300 Kills, Tier Two → 750 Kills, Tier Three → 1500 Kills