So, you finally bought it. You saw the weed killer Lethal Company added to the store in Version 56, and you thought, "Finally, a way to deal with those annoying Vain Shrouds." You spent the credits. You landed on a moon like Vow or Adamance. You started spraying that little canister like a gardener on a mission. And then, five minutes later, you’re staring at a patch of purple weeds that looks exactly the same as when you started, while a Fox drags your crewmate into the bushes.
It’s frustrating.
Most players think the weed killer is a straightforward tool. They treat it like the shovel or the flashlight. But Zeekerss—the developer—doesn't really do "straightforward." The weed killer is actually one of the most misunderstood and, honestly, kind of clunky items in the entire game. If you don't use it perfectly, you’re basically just throwing credits into a hole in the ground.
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What is the Weed Killer in Lethal Company Actually For?
To understand the tool, you have to understand the enemy. The Vain Shrouds are those purple, lily-like plants that sprout up around the ship and the map entrance. They aren't just decor. They are the primary spawning point for the Kidnapper Fox. If you have a massive cluster of these things right next to your ship, you are essentially inviting a predator to set up shop in your front yard.
The weed killer Lethal Company provides is meant to thin these out.
It’s a handheld canister that costs about 60 credits. You pick it up, aim at the base of a Vain Shroud, and spray. Simple, right? Not really. The "hitbox" for these plants is notoriously finicky. If you aren't aiming at the very bottom of the stem where it meets the dirt, you are wasting precious fluid. And since the canister has a limited capacity, every missed second of spraying is a massive waste of company resources.
The Mechanics of Killing Vain Shrouds
When you spray a plant, it doesn't just disappear. It goes through a shrinking animation. You have to keep the spray held down until the plant completely vanishes into the ground. If you stop halfway because you heard a noise or got scared, the plant will eventually just grow back. It’s a commitment. You’re standing there, vulnerable, making a "hissing" noise that can attract other entities, just to get rid of a weed.
Why Everyone Thinks the Weed Killer is Broken
Let’s be real: it kinda feels broken.
One of the biggest complaints in the community right now is the sheer speed at which Vain Shrouds grow. You can spend an entire day-cycle clearing the area around the ship, only to come back the next day and find the purple patches have returned with a vengeance. Because the weed killer doesn't prevent regrowth—it only removes current instances—it feels like a losing battle.
Many players have pointed out that the 60-credit price tag is way too high for a temporary fix. Think about it. A shovel is 30 credits and lasts until you lose it. The weed killer is double the price and runs out of juice faster than a cheap vape.
The Fox Problem
The Kidnapper Fox is the reason we need the weed killer, but the Fox is also why the weed killer is so hard to use. The Fox hides inside the Vain Shrouds. If you’re trying to spray the weeds to stop the Fox from spawning, you’re literally walking into the Fox's house. It’s a catch-22. You need to clear the weeds to be safe, but you aren't safe while clearing the weeds.
Pro Strategies for Not Dying While Gardening
If you’re going to use the weed killer Lethal Company gives you, don't do it alone. This is the biggest mistake I see. One person should be the "gardener," and the other should be the "bodyguard" with a shovel or a shotgun.
- Target the "Core" First: Vain Shrouds grow in clusters. If you can identify the densest part of the patch, clear that first. This seems to have a better effect on slowing down the Kidnapper Fox's pathing.
- Check the Ship's Bottom: Sometimes the shrouds grow directly under the ship's landing gear. If you don't clear those, the Fox can literally grab you through the floor or as soon as you step off the ramp.
- Don't Spray Randomly: Only spray when you see the plant actively shrinking. If it’s not shrinking, you’re missing the hitbox. Move closer. No, even closer.
Honestly, some crews have given up on the weed killer entirely. They’ve decided it’s more cost-effective to just have one guy stay on the ship with a shovel and smack the Fox if it gets too close. Is it more dangerous? Yeah. But it saves 60 credits.
The Hidden Complexity of Version 56 Updates
Lethal Company is a game about resource management. Every item Zeekerss adds is designed to create a "choice." Do you buy the jetpack to move fast, or do you buy the weed killer to make the landing zone safer?
The problem is that the "Value vs. Risk" for the weed killer is currently skewed. In the current meta, the weed killer is a niche item. It’s useful on moons with high vegetation like Vow, but on moons like Titan or Rend, it’s a wasted inventory slot.
Is it worth the credits?
Probably not for every run. If you’re playing on a moon where the Vain Shrouds aren't near the ship, just leave them alone. Avoid them. But if you’re doing a "High-Quota" run and you’re staying on a moon for three days straight, that weed growth will become a nightmare. In that specific scenario, the weed killer becomes a mandatory tax you have to pay to the Company Store just to survive the third day.
How to Effectively Manage Your Weed Killer Supply
Since you can't refill the canister (a huge bummer, I know), you have to treat it like a stimpak in Fallout or a rare potion in an RPG.
- Only use it on the ship's immediate perimeter. Don't go out into the woods playing landscaper.
- Drop the canister when it's empty. It has no weight when empty, but it's just clutter.
- Listen for the "slurp." The Kidnapper Fox makes a specific sound when it's moving through the weeds. Use the spray to clear a "sightline" so you can see the Fox coming from a distance.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Scrap Run
If you’re tired of being dragged into the bushes by a giant orange canine, here is how you handle the weed killer Lethal Company situation right now.
First, check your landing zone immediately. If there are no purple flowers within ten feet of the ship, do not buy the weed killer. Save your money for a Pro-Flashlight or a Teleporter.
Second, if you do see flowers, buy exactly one canister. Designate one person to clear the ramp area while the others go for the first trip of scrap. Do not spend the whole day doing it. Clear the "danger zone," then get inside the facility.
Third, monitor the growth between days. If the weeds are spreading toward the ship's entrance, it's time to relocate or commit more credits to gardening.
The weed killer isn't a power-up. It's a chore. But in the brutal world of Lethal Company, doing your chores is usually the only thing that keeps you from being fired—or eaten. Stay vigilant, aim for the stems, and for the love of the Company, don't let that Fox catch you slippin'.