Avp Bestiary

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AvP:ExtinctionBestiary

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MarineBestiary

OverviewReinforcementsAndUpgradesTheUSCMordersreinforcementsandfieldupgradesviatheCommTechMarine.Hedoesthisbycallingadropshipdownonwhatevervisiteddropshipbeaconisnearesthiscurrentlocation.Naturally,thereisasmallamountoftransittimebeforereinforcementsarrive.EarningCreditsMarinescanearncreditsintwoways:1)theycanrepairAtmoswithaCommTechandreceiveacontinuousstreamofcreditswhiletheAtmoremainsoperational,and2)theycanreceiveasmallbountyforeachslainenemy.TherearealimitednumberofAtmosavailableduringeachmission,eachofwhichprovidesafixedsumoveritslifespan.Accordingly,MarinedetachmentsmustensuretheymaintainsufficientforcelevelstosecuresubsequentAtmosandcompletetheirmission.HealingAndRepairingMarinescanhealtheirorganicforceswiththeMedic.TheycanusetheCommTech

torepairroboticandmechanicaltroopsandequipment,includingtheSynthetic,SentryGun,ExoSuit,andtheall-importantAtmo.Healingandrepairingarefree,butagivenMedicorCommTechcanonlyhealorrepaironetargetatatime,makingtheprocesssomewhattime-consuming.DetectingEnemiesTheUSCMcandetectcloakedPredatorswiththeSyntheticortheSentryGun,bothofwhichareequippedwithcloak-defeatingsensors.TheSyntheticcanadditionallydetectandhighlightmovingobjectsoutsideofitsstandardvisualrange,andtheupgradedSentryGunhastheabilitytorespondtorangedenemiesattackingfrombeyonditsfieldofview.RoboticSupportPlatformsMarineshaveavarietyofroboticandmechanicaltroopsandequipment,includingtheSynthetic,SentryGun,ExoSuit,andtheAtmo.Theseforcesareimmunetoa

numberofsideeffects,includingradiation,acidscarring,virulence,spores,cysts,andbleederspears.StrengthsMarinescandeliverthemostconcentratedfirepowerofanyofthespecies.EveryMarinecombatantiscapableofattackingatrange,andmanyoftheirweaponscandamagesmallgroupsofenemiessimultaneously.MarinesarenotasnumerousasAliens,buttheyaretypicallyfarmorenumerousthanPredators.WeaknessesMarinesarethemostphysicallyfrailofthespeciesandarethereforetheeasiesttokill.TheyareunderconstantpressuretosecurethenextAtmo,inordertopreserveacontinualflowofrevenue.TheUSCMmustalsoensurethatithasanamplenumberofCommTechsontheground,sincetheyaretheirdetachment'scriticallinktothedropshipanditsabilitytodeliverreinforcements.CommTechsa

reinexpensiveandnumerous,buttheyarealsorelativelyeasytokill.

CommTechStatisticsHealth:250Population:1LightKineticDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:FastAttackRange:12


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Speed:2.5VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:250Population:1LightKineticDamageHeavyFireDamageMediumKineticArmorAttackRate:Fast/VerySlowAttackRange:12/24Speed:2.5VisualRange:8DescriptionTheCommTech(USCMslangforCommunicationsOfficer/Technician)isthesupportcoreofeveryUSCMdeploymentforce.Hisresponsibilitiesincludecallingindropshipsandrepairingfieldequipmentandroboticsupportsystems-includingthosethatprovidealternaterevenuestreamsfortheUSCM.Becauseheistheprimarycommunicationslinkwiththedropshipattachedtotheplatoon,hecontrolsitsabilitytoorderreinforcementsandbattlefieldssystemupgrades.DefaultWeapon-MP9ThedefaultweaponoftheCommTechistheMP9closeassaultmachinegun.Whileareasonableweaponagainstsofttargets,itdoesnothavethestoppingpowertodefendtheCommTechagainstheavierenemies.Characteristics-DropshipUplink

TheCommTechperformsthecrucialroleofcallingindropshipsfilledwithreinforcements.Healsoordersfieldupgrades,enablingcommanderstomakemid-missiondecisionsaboutweaponsystemupdates.TheCommTechhasapolicyofcallingthecurrentdropshiptotheclosestvisiteddropshipbeacon.Forobviousreasons,dropshipbeaconsneverexistindoors,soaCommTechinsideabuildingorcavemustconsideradditionaltransittimeforreinforcements.Characteristics-FieldRepairsTheCommTechhassufficienttrainingandtechnicalexpertisetorepairawiderangeofbattlefieldsystemsandcolonialsupportequipment,includingSynthetics,SentryGuns,ExoSuits,andAtmosphericProcessors.ItistheabilitytorepairAtmosphericProcessorsthatgivestheUSCMitsprimarysourceoffieldrevenue.Asagroup,CommTechstendtobefairlyenergetic,sotheyoftenproactivelystartrepairsonnearbydamageintheabsenceofmorepressingtasks.

Upgrade-AURORAControlVeteranCommTechsoftenhaveclearancetogivethe"killword"totheAURORA,aspace-based,high-energyassassinationsystemfoundaboardmanyorbitalcruisers.WhiletheAURORAiscapableofautonomouslydestroyingenemies,currentsafetyproceduresdemandthataCommTechfirstconfirmanytargets.ThereisonlyoneAURORA,somultipleCommTechsmustshareit,effectivelyserializingitsattacks.StrengthsTheCommTechperformsseveralcriticalsupportroles.First,heisnecessarytorepairAtmosphericProcessorsandtherebysecure"fieldfunding"fortheUSCM.Second,heistheonlytroopercapableoforderingupgradesandreinforcements.Third,heisuniquelyabletorepairmechanicalequipment.Fourth,theupgradedCommTechiscapableofenemyforcedegradationatextremerange.Giventheircriticality,veterancommanderstypicallyhaveatleasttwoCommTechsinthefielda

talltimes.WeaknessesWhilearmed,theCommTechisill-equippedforheavyfighting.Hereliesonotherforcesintheplatoonforprotectionasheeasilyfallstomostenemies.IfaplatooneverlosesallofitsCommTechs,itiscutofffromitsdropshipandthereforelikelytobewrittenoffasanoperationalcasualty.Also,itremainsalltoocommonforCommTechstoforgetatcriticalmomentsthattheAURORAisblockedfromfiringonindoortargets.

Medic


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Statistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:200Population:1LightKineticDamageAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:12Speed:2.5VisualRange:8DescriptionOneormoreUSCMMedicsaretypicallyattachedtoeachplatoonasawayofensuringthatColonialMarinesgetpromptmedicalattentionduringengagements.AgivenMediccantendtothewoundsofasinglesoldieratatime.DefaultWeapon-M4A3PistolThedefaultweaponoftheMedicistheM4A3pistol.Itissomethingofaweaponoflastresort,asitislargelyineffectiveatstoppingmostAliensandPredators.Characteristics-TriageTheMedicistheonlyMarinethatcanhealthatall-importantorganiccomponentoftheUSCM-thesoldiersthemselves.Hecanbecommandedtohealaspecificsoldierdirectly,orhecanbelefttoprioritizetriagetasksonnearbytroopshimself.Upgrade-CounterxenologyTheveteranMedicreceivescounterxenologytraining,whichimproveshisoverallrestorativeskillsandgiveshimtheabilitytocounteractmanyofthehideouss

ideeffectsexperiencedbyhumansoldiersfightinginhumanenemies.AnupgradedMediccancureasoldierofthesemi-permanentwoundscausedbyacidscarring,thecystictumorscausedbyDrones,thebody-wrenchingnauseacausedbyRunners,andtherepeathemorrhagingcausedbytheStalker'sbleederspears.StrengthsWithouttheMedic,theMarineshavenoabilitytohealthewoundstheysustainduringengagements.TheupgradedMedicisoftenparticularlynecessaryforsurvivingcombatwiththeAliens,astheirotherwiseuntreatableacidburnsbecomeacriticalmechanismbywhichAliensweardowntheiropponents.AgainstPredators,theupgradedMedicisoftennecessarytosaveMarinedetachmentsfromtheseverebloodlossthataccompaniesaPredatorStalkerambush.WeaknessesTheMedicisasupportsoldier,notaprimarycombatant.Assuch,herequiresth

eprotectionofothertrooptypesandcannotbecountedontoengageenemiessuccessfullyonhisown.Also,aMediccannottypicallyhealhisownwounds,soitisusuallywisetohaveatleasttwoormoreonanydrop.

SyntheticStatisticsHealth:300Population:1MotionDetectorLightKineticDamageAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:12Speed:4

VisualRange:10/20UpgradeStatisticsHealth:300Population:1MotionDetectorMediumKineticDamageMediumKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:10Speed:5


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VisualRange:12/22DescriptionASyntheticaccompanieseachUSCMplatoontoprovidecombatsupportforitsfellowsoldiers.CurrentcombatdoctrinehastheSyntheticcarryingthedetachment'smotiontracker,sinceitdefeatscloakingfields,andPredatorsseemlessinterestedinkillingartificiallifeforms.TheSyntheticisalsoequippedwithindustrialmuscularsystems,soitcanoffload"heavylifting"tasksfromotherMarines.ThesesamesystemsenabletheSynthetictorunfasterthanhumansandthereforeexcelatbattlefieldrecon.DefaultWeapon-M4A3PistolThedefaultweaponoftheSyntheticistheM4A3pistol.Itissomethingofaweaponoflastresort,asitislargelyineffectiveatstoppingmostAliensandPredators.Characteristics-AugmentedDetectionTheSyntheticcarriesanadvancedmotiondetectorthatrelaysitsfeedbackdirectlyintotheSynthetic'soccularsystem.Thisdeviceprovidestwofunctions:1)itservesasanearlywarningsystembyhighlightingenemymovementsfarbeyondnormalvisualrangeand2)itdefeatsthecloakingfieldusedbyPredators,enablingMarineforcestopinpointandtargetotherwisecloakedPredators.Characteristics-"PackMule"BionicsTheSyntheticistheonlyMarinecombatantstrongenoughtocarrythecurrentgenerationofredeployableSentryGunswithoutsevereperformancedegredation.Thisabilityto"dotheheavylifting"oftencomesinhandinavarietyofoperationalsituations,asvariousmissionfrequentlydemandanynumberofdifficult-to-

carryobjectsbedeliveredtoandfromcontentiousareas.Upgrade-CombatModificationsGivenitsvariousbetter-than-humanabilities,theSynthetic'scombatsuitabilityisnotlostontheUSCM.Unfortunately,bureaucraticinertiaandculturalfactorshavesofarlimitedcombatmodifiedSyntheticstoservingashardenedscouts.Assuch,theCombatSynthetichasenhancedlocomotionsubsystems,betterocularimplants,andsubcutaneousarmor.Moreover,itsmodularconstructionoftenenablesanupgradedSynthetictobe"broughtbackfromthedead"ifrepairedintime.StrengthsTheSyntheticisbestutilizedasascoutandananti-stealthoperative.Itscloakdetectioncapabilities,speed,visualrange,andtoughnessallowittosurvivedangerousscoutingmissionsagainstnon-humanspecies.Anditsupgradeoftene

nablestheSynthetictoberecoveredafterfatalreconmissions-eveniftheSynthetichasbeenbeheaded.Seasonedcommandersalsorelyonitsroboticconstruction,whichrendersitimmunetomanyeffectsthatwouldcrippleofkillorganics.WeaknessesThoughitsupgradegivesitacombatshotguncapableofknockingbacklighterenemies,theSyntheticisnotcapableofinflictingenoughdamageoveralltomakeitaseriousdanger.Also,attacksthatdestroytheirtargetscompletely(typicallyviaflameoracid),preventadownedCombatSyntheticfrombeingabletoberestoredtoanoperationalstate.

InfantryStatistics

Health:200Population:1LightRawDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:Fast/NormalAttackRange:2/12Speed:2.5VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:200


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Population:1MediumRawDamageMediumKineticArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:Fast/Normal/VerySlowAttackRange:2/12/10Speed:2.5VisualRange:8DescriptionEquippedwiththestandardissueM41pulserifleandM3personalarmor,theInfantryMarineisthebasicfootsoldieroftheUSCM.HeistypicallyseeninlargernumbersthanotherMarinesandoftenformsthebackboneofmostplatoons.Hisweaponfiresarmor-piercingroundswhichmakeshimagoodall-aroundfighter,abletoattacklighterandheavierenemiesalike.DefaultWeapon-M41PulseRifleThedefaultweaponoftheInfantryMarineistheM41pulserifle.Thisweaponfiresburstsoflightarmor-piercingroundsattargets,makingitanexcellentperformerinavarietyofcircumstances.Characteristics-CloseAssaultWhenenemiesarefaraway,theInfantryMarinetakesaimedshots.Whenenemiesareclose,hehastheopportunityto"letloose"onfullauto,effectivelydoublinghisoverallattackdamage.ThismakestheInfantryMarinemoreeffectivethanmostothertroopswhenenemymeleeattacksarelooseamongtheranks.Upgrade-HeavyAssaultKit

Whenupgraded,theInfantryMarinereplacestheM41pulseriflewiththeM41AandM3personalarmorwithM4Xarmor.TheM41Apossessesanunderslunggrenadelaunchercapableofdamagingmultipleopponentssimultaneously.Whilestillundergoingfieldtesting,M4Xarmorhasimprovedabilitytostopkineticandacidattacks.ThearmorisattachedtoalightweightbodyframethatassiststheInfantryMarineinstayingonhisfeetwhenstruckbythepowerfulattacksofinhumanenemies.StrengthsInfantryareusefulinalmostanysituation,particularlyinnumbers.Theirarmorpiercingroundsaresuccessfulagainstheavilyarmoredenemiesandtheirgrenadelauncherisusefulfordamagingmultipletargetssimultaneously.Theyhaveexcellentstayingpower,asfarashumansoldiersgo,andthis,combinedwiththeircloseassaultability,makesthemadeptatdefendingtheircompatriotswhenth

eenemyhasgottenalittletooclose....WeaknessesWhileInfantryareusefulinalmostallsituations,theyareavictimoftheoldadage,"ajackofalltradesandmasterofnone".FlamethrowerMarinesarebetteratattackingmultipleenemies,Smartgunnersarebetteratattackinglightlyarmoredtargets,andSnipersandSADARTroopersarebetteratattackinghardtargets.

FlamethrowerStatisticsHealth:300Population:1MediumFireDamage

MediumKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:6Speed:2.5VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:300Population:1


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MediumRawDamageMediumFireDamageMediumKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:6Speed:2.5VisualRange:8DescriptionTheFlamethrowerMarineisacloseassaulttrooperthatexcelsatattackingmultipleenemiessimultaneouslyatshortrange.Hisunique"apesuit"providesexcellentprotectionagainstheatandacid-basedattacksandpartialimmunitytofacehugging.DefaultWeapon-M240BFlamethrowerOfferingfirecontrolsuperiortothatofitspredecessor,theFlamethrowerMarine'snext-generationflamethrowerexcelsatsimultaneouslysearingmultipleenemiesinitsfieryblastcone.Theweaponperformsbetteragainstclosertargets,sinceitsflameismoreconcentratedatthelaunchnozzle.Theweapon'sfuelissomewhatadhesiveandthereforecontinuestoheatevennon-flammabletargetsaftertheflamethroweritselfhasceasedfiring.Characteristics-ApeSuitTheFlamethrowerMarine'shi-tech"apesuit"providesprotectionfromextremeheat(particularlyfromthebackdraftsofhisownweapon)andfromhazardousmater

ials-evenAlienacid.Thesuit'suniquedesignincludesamoldedhelmetFacehuggersfindalmostimpossibletograsp,letaloneburnthrough,givenitsacidresistance.Assuch,theFlamethrowerMarinecannotbefacehuggedunlessheisfirstrenderedunconscious,thusgivingaFacehuggertimetopryoffhishelmet.Upgrade-CobaltThermogelMostTerrangovernmentsconsider"dirty"weaponsacceptableforuseagainstPredatorsandAliens-speciesthathunthumansforsportorexterminatethemthroughparasitizationdonotdeservetheprotectionsoftheGenevaConvention.Cobaltthermogelisadirty,slowburnflamethrowerfuelthatreleasesincandescentfilamentsofradioactivecobalt-60intotheair.Thesefilamentsseverelypoisonnearbylivingthings,causingsubstantialandcontinuouslong-termdamage.StrengthsTheFlamethrowerMarineisexcellentagainstmeleeattackers,sincetheymustcl

osetoattack,andclosingmeansexposuretotheflamethrower'sareaofeffect.FlameisusefulagainstAliens,sinceitpreventsseveralAlienspeciesfromexplodingondeathorrecoveringfromgrievouswounds.TheapesuitprotectstheFlamethrowerMarinefromthermalattacks,makinghimanidealspotteragainstenemiesthatemploythem.Finally,heexcelsathiveassaults,givenhissemi-immunitytoFacehuggers.WeaknessesSeveralenemiesarequiteresistanttoheatattacks,includingPredaliens,SpearMasters,andmilitaryPredators.Accordingly,theseenemiesaretobeavoidedbytheFlamethrowerMarine.TheAlienRunner'stendencytoexplodeinahailoforganicshrapnelwhenignitedmakesitaparticularlydangerousenemytoattackaswell.

SmartgunnerStatisticsHealth:200Population:1HeavyKineticDamageAttackRate:VeryFastAttackRange:12Speed:2.5VisualRange:10UpgradeStatistics


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Health:200Population:1MediumRawDamageHeavyKineticDamageMediumKineticArmorAttackRate:VeryFastAttackRange:12Speed:2.5VisualRange:10DescriptionTheSmartgunnersacrificespenetratingpowerforextraordinaryfireratesandexceptionalaccuracy.HisweaponiscapableofinflictingmoredamageperunittimeagainstunarmoredoflightlyarmoredopponentsthanmostotherweaponssystemsintheUSCMarsenal.DefaultWeapon-M57SmartgunTheM57isthe"sequel"totheM56Smartgunusedforthebetterpartofthelasttwodecades.UnliketheM56,theM57'sgunbarreldoesnotautonomouslytracktargets;instead,theguncoordinatesmultipleguidedprojectiles.Thisincreasesfireratesignificantly,reducesoperatorcombatfatigue,andsidestepslengthytrainingrequirements.ItalsomeansthananM57roundcandynamicallyretargetmid-flight,shouldthefiringM57determinethattheround'sinitialtargethasalreadybeendefeated.Upgrade-M57D"Dirty"SmartgunTheM57Disanutterlyviciousweaponthatissanctionedforextremecircumstanc

esonly.Itfiresroundsthatshatterintohundredsofradioactivesplintersinsidetheirtarget,causinghumansurvivorsofthisweapontodevelopallmannerofdebilitatinglong-termhealthproblems.Itcancreatetrulyastoundingradiationlevelsinlargertargets,forcingtheseenemiestolosehealthforextendedperiodsoftime.Naturally,theupgradedSmartgunnerwearsradiationshielderarmorasasafetyprecaution.StrengthsTheSmartgunnerisbestusedagainstlargenumbersofunarmoredtargets-particularlyFacehuggers.Whenupgraded,theSmartgunnerimprovesatdamagingheaviertargetsandtheradiationlevelsitcausescanoftenkillenemieslongafterabattleisover.Radiationalsopreventsthe"roamingregeneration"possessedbysomeAliens.ItalsopreventsPredatorsfromcloakingeffectivelybymakingthemdetectablewiththeradiationmonitorincludedinthestandardUSCMbattlefield

safetykit.WeaknessesTheSmartgunner'sshotscannotpenetratetougherarmorsparticularlywell.Assuch,heavilyarmoredopponentssuchasPraetoriansandVanguardstendtomakeshortworkontheSmartgunnerifheisnotprotectedbytroopswithbetterpenetratingpower.Also,theSmartgunnerisfairlyexpensivetodeploy,soheisbestkepttotherearofanycombatdetachment,wherehecanbeshieldedfrommeleeattackers.

SniperStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:200Population:1

HeavyRawDamageAttackRate:VerySlowAttackRange:20Speed:2.5VisualRange:12DescriptionTheSniperhitstargetsatextremerangewithpowerfularmor-piercingrounds.DefaultWeapon-M42CSniperRifleTheM42CsniperriflehasalmostdoubletherangeofstandardUSCMweaponry.Italsohasthepowertopenetrateevenarmoredvehicles;itcanputathreeinchh


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oleinAPCarmorfromseveralmilesaway.Unsurprisingly,therearenoPredatorsorAlienswitharmorsufficienttostopthisweapon'srounds.Withthispowercomesaprice,however-theweaponhasapoorrateoffireandisalmostuselessinclosecombatsituations.Upgrade-TheSledgehammerTheM44Sledgehammerrepresentsthecurrentpinnacleofhumanachievementwithrespecttoinfantry-scaleweaponstechnology.Itisapersonalrailgunthatfireshyperkineticslugsthatuseacontrolledfusionreactiontomeltachannelthroughobstacles.Theresultisaweaponthatcanstrikeenemiesthroughwallsofalmostarbitrarythicknessorpenetratemultipleenemiesoneaftertheother.Solidmaterialsslowtheslugdown,however,causingittoinflictlessdamageonsubsequenttargets.StrengthsTheSniperisbestusedtodegradeheavilyarmoredtargetsfromadistance.Thisway,hertremendousrangeandexcellenthittingpowercanbeusedtomaximumeffect.Whenupgraded,theSniperironicallybecomesanexcellenttunnelfighter,sincetheSledgehammerenableshertostrikeattargetsfrombehindwallsanddenytheenemytheabilitytoretaliate.Sheisalsousefulforattackingtargetsthatexploitterrainfeaturestoshieldthemselvesfromattackersatloweraltitudes.WeaknessesTheSniperhasaslowfiringrate,sinceshemustpreciselyaimeachoneofhershots.Assuch,sheisalmosthelplesswhenfacingnearbymeleeattackers.TheSniperisaboutstrikingenemiesfromstandoffrangeorfrombehindaprotective

screenoftoughertroops,notengagingtargetsupclose.Hercompletelackofarmoronlyunderscoresthisfact.

SADARStatisticsHealth:250Population:1HeavyRawDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:VerySlowAttackRange:14Speed:2.5VisualRange:12

UpgradeStatisticsHealth:250Population:1HeavyRawDamageHeavyFireDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:14Speed:2.5VisualRange:12DescriptionTheSADARTrooperistheheavyartilleryoftheUSCM.Hefiresaguidedmissilecapableofheavilydamagingwhateverithitsandsendinganythinglightnearbyh

urtlingintotheair.Giventhetremendouscollateraldamagethisweaponcancause,theSADARTrooperistrainedtofireonlyattargetsbeyondaminimumsafetydistance.DefaultWeapon-M83SADARTheM83SADAR(Shoulder-launchedActive-homingDisposableAnti-tankRocket)isthepremieranti-armorweaponavailabletoaUSCMlightplatoon.Ithasalongrangeandareasonablefiringrate,especiallyconsideringthedamagetheweaponcaninflict.Itcanlockontomosttargetsandseekthemunerringly,makingitadevastatingweaponwhenrepeatedlyfiredfromaprotectedposition.Upgrade-M83AMSADARAMAG


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OnceisbecameclearthatindividuallyarmoredtankcrewscouldsurviveaSADARhis,theUSCMredesignedtheweapontoensurethedestructionofbothtankANDcrew.TheresultistheSADARAMAG(AerosolMAGnesium),aweaponthatpenetratesheavyarmoranddischargesmultiplemegathermalpayloadsinitsinterior.Naturally,itworksquitewellagainstPredatorsandAliens,sinceitdeliversahighimpactdetonationthatexposesnumeroustargetstoblastfurnacetemperatures.StrengthsTheSADARTrooperisanexcellentsupportchoice.Whenproperlyprotected,hecancausemassivedamageandsignificantdisruptionamongtheranksoftheenemy,preventingmanyfromevenbeingabletocounterattack.TheSADARAMAGisevenmorepowerful,sinceitalsosaturatesitstargetswithwhite-hotfires.ThismakestheSADARTrooperthepremiercountertopurebreedAliens,providedheisprotectedlongenoughtodelivermultiplepayloads.WeaknessesTheSADARTrooperhaslightarmorandafairlylongminimumrange.Asaresult,anyenemythatclosesonhimhastheabilitytoinflictseveredamagewithoutfearofretribution.TheSADARshouldbeparticularlywaryoftheSpearMasterandRunner.TheSpearMastershrugsoffflame-baseddamageandisagileenoughtoremainstandinginthefaceofsuchfirepower,whiletheRunnerisfastenoughtoclosebeforetheSADARTroopercanevenfire.

ExoSuitStatisticsHealth:900

Population:4MediumKineticDamageHeavyKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorAttackRate:VariableAttackRange:10Speed:1.5VisualRange:10UpgradeStatisticsHealth:900Population:4HeavyKineticDamageHeavyKineticArmor

HeavyFireArmorAttackRate:ExtremeAttackRange:10Speed:1.5VisualRange:10DescriptionTheExoSuitisa"micro-scale"heavyarmorsolution,bringingtheoffensiveanddefensivebenefitsoflargercombatvehiclestotheindividualsoldier.Itisdesignedforheavyassaultindifficultenviromentsbycombiningstaggeringfirepowerwitharangeofintegratedprotectivesystems.DefaultWeapon-TwinM103TorrentCannonsBydefault,theExoSuitcomesequippedwithanM103torrentcannonattachedtoeacharm.Theseweaponsarelinkedandworktogethertosaturateabroadfiringa

rcwithprojectiles.Whenatorrentcannonattacks,itinitiallyfiresatamoderaterateandcoversasmallarc,but"spinsup"untilitabsolutelyblanketsalargearcwithitsfirepower.Thoseenemiesnoramplyprotectedoftenlosetheirfullfreedomeofmovementastheystruggletosurvivetheonslaught.Characteristics-CompoundArmorSystemTheExoSuitprotectsitsoperatorwithasuiteofintegratedsystems.First,ithascompoundmulti-layeredarmorthatenablesittodeflectlighterprojectilesoutright.Second,itsintegratedanti-NBC(nuclear,biological,andchemical)systemspermanentlyprotectitswearerfromarangeofAlienafflictions,includingspores,cysts,virulence,acidscarring,andfacehugging.Third,thesystemis


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largelyimpervioustoradiationandfire.Upgrade-SolidStateCannonsTheExoSuit'supgradereplacesthemechanicaltorrentcannonwithanelectronicallytriggeredprojectilearrayknownaffectionatelyasthe"bulletbox"-agridofrailgunsthatcomepre-filledwithbullets.Theserailgunscanfiresimultaneously,andwithsufficientfrequencytolaunchmultipleprojectilesbeforetheirpredecessorshaveevenleftthebarrel.Theresultisaweaponthatfiresnearly1,000roundsasecond(rps),avolumeofordinancesufficienttoliquefymosttargetswithinseconds.StrengthsTheExoSuit'sfirerateenablesittosuppressandshredlargenumbersofenemies,makingitparticularlyusefulagainstmeleeattackers,sincetheyhaveahardtimeclosinginsidetheweapon'sattackcone.Whileitdoesnotfirearmor-piercingrounds,theExoSuit'sfirerateissogreatthatevenheavilyarmoredtargetscansuccumbtoit,givenenoughtime.Finally,thesuit'scompoundprotectivesystemsmakeitidealagainstattackersthatotherwisecausesideeffectsonorganictroops.WeaknessesTheExoSuit'sbiggestweaknessesareitslimitedspeedandmaneuverability,byproductsofitsheavyprotectivesystems.Also,whiletheExoSuit'srateoffiremakestheissuelesssignificantthanitmightbe,thesuit'sbullet'shaveneithergreatpenetratingpowernorlongrange.Anumberofenemiesarespecializedforattackingheavieropponentsandcanexploittheseweaknesses.Also,theExoSuit'sdesignershaveyettointergratetheapesuit'srecentadvancestowardsful

lacidresistance.

SentryGunStatisticsHealth:500Population:2MotionDetectorMediumKineticDamageMediumKineticArmorMediumFireArmorAttackRate:VeryFastAttackRange:12Speed:0

VisualRange:12DescriptionTheSentryGunisthestandardUSCMdefensiveemplacement.Ithasamplearmorandnomeaningfulweakpoints,enablingittolastlongerthanitshumancounterparts.Anautocannonwithahighfireratecomplementsitstoughness,makingitanexcellentchoiceforholdingcorridorsagainstlargenumbersofenemies.DefaultWeapon-M30AutocannonTheSentryGunisequippedwitharapid-fireautocannoncapableofmassivelydamaginglargenumbersoflightlyarmoredaggressors.Characteristics-ActiveCloakDetectionEverySentryGunhasanactivesensorsystemcapableofdefeatingPredatorcloaking.Theinformationcollectedbythissensorisautomaticallyrelayedtothevisualsupportsustemsofnearbysoldiers,enablingthemtoseecloakedPredators

asiftheywereuncloaked.Upgrade-HuntbusterRevisionAfterearlyfieldexperiencewiththePredators,theUSCMhastilyupgradedthestandardSentryGunsothatitcouldprotectsoldiersfromPredatorsnipers.AHunterbusterSentryGunhasabuilt-incounterballisticssystemthatcalculatesthesourceofincomingfireandusesatightbeamcloak-defeatingscannerto"lightitup".TheHuntbustermaintainsalockonanenemyoncerevealed,enablingitsrapid-firesniperrifletodissuadeitfromcontinuingtoattack.StrengthsTheSentryGunexcelsatdefendinganarealongenoughforacommandertorespon


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dwithreinforcements.Itstoughnessandamplehittingpowermakeitanexcellentdistractionforenemiesthatmightotherwisefocusonsoftertargets.Whenupgraded,theSentryGunbecomesthecombatantofchoiceforcounteractinglongrangePredators.ClevercommandersoftenluretheseenemiesintoattackingatargetwithinrangeofaHuntbuster,inordertorevealthemforcounterattackbysnipersandtheAURORA.WeaknessesThemostsignificantdrawbacksoftheSentryGunarethatitcannotmovewithoutassistanceandthatitisheavyenoughtorequireaSyntheticforrepositioning.Thislimitstheweapon'seffectivenessduringhighlymobilemissions.Lessobvious,butalmostasimportant,istheSentryGun'sinabilitytopenetratethearmoroftougheropponents.Thisisparticularlytrueofitssniperrifle,whichisdesignedforlongrangeandrapidfireratherthanpenetratingpower.

PredatorBestiary

OverviewReinforcementsAndUpgradesPredatorsorderandpayforreinforcementsandupgradesattheirmobileShrine.IfthePredatorslosetheirlastShrine,theycannotreinforceorupgradethemselves.EarningCreditsPredatorscanearncreditsintwoways:1)bykillingenemiesand2)bycollectingtheskullsoftheirvictims.Differentenemiesprovidedifferentsizedreward

s,generallydependingontheircombatprowess.Collectingtheskullofavictimistypicallyworthmorethankillingit,butsomeenemiesdonothaveskulls.Predatorsthatcanbeheadtheirenemiesareautomaticallyconsideredtohavecollectedtheirvictim'sskillupondecapitation.CombatHonorPredatorshaveastrongsenseofhonorandvaluehard-earnedtriumphsovereasyones.Thisdirectlyaffectstheirabilitytogeneratecredits,sincetheoverseersofahuntscaletheirkillrewardstotheoverallstrengthofthehunt'sactivemembers.Inshort,expensivehuntingpacksearnfewercreditsthancheaperones.EnergyAllPredatorshaveanenergylevelthattheycanusetopowertheircloakingfieldofcuredamageandvariouscripplingsideeffectscausedbyenemies.APredat

orcanrechargeitsenergybyturningitscloakingfieldoffandwaitingorbymovingnearaPredatorShrine.ThelatteroptionrechargesaPredator'senergymuchmorequickly.CloakingAllPredatorscancloakwhennecessary,preventingthemfrombeingseenbymanykindsofenemies.Maintainingthecloakingfieldrequiresenergy,soaPredatorcantemporarilyloseitsabilitytocloakifitrunsout.BeingFullyDetectedSomeenemieshavesensorsthatgivethemtheabilitytocompletelydefeatcloaking,enablingnearbyenemyforcestotreatthecloakedPredatorasifitwereseennormally.TheseincludeSynthetics,SentryGuns,Aliensthatcanemitspores,andenemyPredatorswiththePredTechvisionupgrade.BeingPartiallyDetected

Certainactions,suchasattacking,pullingskulls,andhealing,causeacloakedPredatortobecometemporarilydetectablebyenemies.Enemyattacksthatignite,irradiate,orcauseacidburnsalsohavethiseffect,sincetheycauseongoingconsequencesthatareobservableoutsidethecloakingfield.WhenaPredatorisdetectedinoneoftheseways,ittakesreduceddamagefromattacksrelyingonaccuracy;enemieshaveonlyageneralideaofwhereitisandcannotdeliveraimedhits.HealingAPredatorcanhealbyspendingenergyandusingitsMedicomp.Thereisadirectcorrelationbetweenenergyspentanddamagehealed,butthisismodifiedbywha


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teversideeffectsaPredatormightbeafflictedwith.ThePredatorMedicompattemptstohealthoseafflictionsforwhichithassufficientenergybeforetryingtohealdamage.HealingAlienacidscarringisparticularlyenergyconsumptive,however,andonlyoccursafterotherafflictionshavebeeneliminated.ExtendedVisionModesAllPredatorsandtheirroboticsupportplatformshavetheabilitytodetectenemiesbeyondnormallineofsightwhenupgradedwithextendedvisionmodes.Enemiesseenviathesemodesshowuphighlightedandmaybeinteractedwithasnormal.Therearethreekindsofenhancedvision:thermal,electro,andPredTech.Thermalvisiondetectshumansandwildlife,electrovisiondetectsAliensandMarinetechnology,andPredTechvisiondetectsPredatorsandtheirequipment,whethercloakedornot.RoboticSupportPlatformsPredatorsrelyupontworoboticsupportplatforms:theShrineandthePredGun.TheseplatformscannotcloakanddonothealthemselveslikenormalPredators.Theyareimmunetomanyenemysideeffects,however,andautomaticallyregenerateathighrateswhennotunderattack.Roboticsupportplatformsdonotgeneratebountiesfortheirkills,thoughcreditsmaystillbeacquiredbycollectingtheskullsoftheenemiestheyhaveslain.StrengthsGenerallyspeaking,Predatorsarethetoughestandmostpowerfulofthespecies.Theyhaveabalanceofmeleeandrangedattackers,alongwiththebestlongrangeattackoptionsandthebestabilitytodamagemultipletargetssimultaneously.Ofcourse,theycanalsocloakandusetheirenhancedvisionsystemstospyon

enemies,makingthemmatchlessintheactofassassination.WeaknessesPredatorsarefewerinnumberthanotherspeciesandarethereforevulnerabletobeingoverwhelmedbytheirmorenumerousopponents.ItisalsopossibletostopaPredatorhuntcoldbydestroyingalloftheShrinessupportingtheoperation.Predatorsrelyonthecreditsgainedbykillsinordertocontinuethehunt,soifaclancannotwinitsearlybattles,thehuntoftenstopsimmediately.

BrawlerStatisticsHealth:500Population:1MediumRawDamage

LightKineticArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:VeryFastAttackRange:0.75Speed:6VisualRange:10/18UpgradeStatisticsHealth:500Population:1MediumRawDamageLightKineticArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:VeryFast/VerySlow

AttackRange:0.75/0.75Speed:6VisualRange:10/18DescriptionIfaPredatorhasgreatstrength,speed,andendurance,ittrainstobecomeaBrawler.TheBrawlerisbothatirelessscoutandviciousfront-linefighter.Itisreveredforitsbraveryanditsabilitytosuccessfullyattackanykindoffoeatcloserange,nomatterhowdangerousitmightbe.DefaultWeapon-WristBladesAsamatterofprideandhonor,theBrawlerreliesupononeweapononly-itswr


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istblades.TomanyPredators,thisisahumbleweapon,butintruth,itisquiteformidable,possessingasharpnessandstrengthachievedbynospeciessavethePredators.Throughitswristblades,askilledBrawlerisawhirlwindofdestruction,slicing,dismembering,andguttingenemieswithalarmingrapidity.Characteristics-ChanneledFuryOnceaBrawlerstartsattackinganopponent,itusesitstrainingtochannelitsbattlerageintoanunrelentingstreamofruthless,cleavingblows.Onlythelargest,mostskilled,ormostheavilyarmoredopponentscanwithstandthisattackandactuallyfightback.Lesserenemiescanonlytrytosurvivetheassaultorrunfromit,butnotcounterattack.Characteristics-LightningReflexesTheBrawlerisquickenoughtostrikeleapingFacehuggersmid-flight.ThisknockstheFacehuggerawayandoftenkillsitintheprocess.WhileaBrawler'sreflexesarequickenoughtoprotectitfromanynumberofuncoordinatedFacehuggerattacks,theycannotprotecttheBrawlerfrombeingoverwhelmedbymultipleFacehuggersattackingsimultaneously.Upgrade-GloryStrikeTheveteranBrawlerdevelopsanuncannyabilitytodelivertheperfectblowamiditsfuriousonslaught.SuchastrikedoesextremedamageandisfrequentlyaccompaniedbytheBrawler'shallmarkbattlecry.WhenaBrawlerdeliversakillingblowinthisway,itisoftenspectacular-Brawlersareknowntodecapitatetheirenemiesinasinglestrikeasamethodofdemoralizingtheirsubsequentvictims.Strengths

TheBrawlerisanexcellentall-aroundcombatant.Itssavageassaultpreventsmostsmallerenemiesfromcounterattackingorescapinganditsarmor-slicingclawsarepotentagainstlarger,moreheavilyarmoredopponents.Innumbers,Brawlerscanbringdownalmostanyenemy,thoughsometimeswithoutthecostefficiencyofmorespecializedPredators.TheBrawler'sspeedanddurabilityalsomakeitanexcellentscout;itcanoftensurvivesurpriseencounterswithevenheavyresistance.WeaknessesForallitsstrengthandspeed,theBrawlerisstillonlyaconventionalmeleefighter,andonethatisfrequentlyoutnumberedbyitsenemies.Itcanbeoverwhelmedbymultiplemeleeattackersengagingitsimultaneously.ExperiencedBrawlersareparticularlywaryofevensmallgroupsofcloseassaultMarines,suchastheInfantryandtheFlamethrowerMarine.

HunterStatisticsHealth:400Population:1MediumRawDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:16Speed:4VisualRange:10/18UpgradeStatisticsHealth:400

Population:1HeavyRawDamageMediumFireDamageLightKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:16Speed:3VisualRange:10/18DescriptionAsitsnameimplies,theHunterexcelsatattackingitspreyfromrange.Itisd


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angerouswhetherplayingtheloneassassinorprovidingmassedfiresupportforfrontlinecombatants.PredatorvisionmodeenhancementsareparticularlyusefulfortheHunter,sincetheyallowittotakemaximumadvantageofitslongrangeplasmacasterandstriketargetsfrombeyondtheirfieldofview.DefaultWeapon-PlasmaCasterTheplasmacasterisalong-rangeenergyprojectorcapableofguidingarmor-penetratingplasmaboltsatdistanttargets.Moreover,theweapon'sboltsexplodeinaburstofplasmashrapnelthatdamagesotherenemiesnearthepointofimpact.Bydefault,theweapon'sattackrangeisgreaterthantheHunter'svisualrange.Predatorvisionmodeschangethisrelationship,however,enablingtheHuntertoactasasniper.Upgrade-OmniCasterAbio-scannerandamulti-barreledfiringmechanismenablesthisweapontoanalyzetargetsandattackthemwithvarioustypesofplasmamunitions.Therearethreekinds:1)burstplasma,2)fireplasma,and3)darkplasma.Burstplasmaisidenticaltothatfiredbytheplasmacaster.Fireplasmaignitestargets.Anddarkplasmacausesacontrolledenergyreactionthatcorrelatesitsdamagetothemassofatarget,enablingtheweapontokillanyenemywithalimitednumberofhits.StrengthsTheHunterisbestusedwithPredatorvisionupgrades.Withthem,itcanattackenemiesfromwelloutsidetheirvisualranges-idealforpreemptiveeliminationofenemiesthatnulifytheadvantagesofPredatorcloaking.Whenupgraded,theHunter'sdarkplasmaisdevastatingagainstheavier"tank"enemies;noknownopp

onentcansurvivemorethantenshotsfromthismunition.Theweaponattemptstokeepitstargetonfire,whilestrikingitwithwhateverplasmacausesthemostdamage.WeaknessesWhiletheHunterisanexcellentchoicewhenusedfromstandoffrange,itislessusefulinclosecombat.TheHunterhasneithertherateoffirenorthearmortosurvivelongagainstcloserangemeleeattackers.ItshouldbeparticularlywaryofRunners,sincetheyareabletogetintomeleerangequickly.AgainstMarines,theHuntershouldstrivetoremainundetectedasmuchaspossible.MassedMarinefireatrangecanmakeshortworkofaHunterthathasbeencaughtoffguard.

SpearMaster

StatisticsHealth:450Population:1MediumKineticDamageHeavyFireArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:Fast/VariableAttackRange:2.5/2.5Speed:6VisualRange:8/16UpgradeStatisticsHealth:450Population:1

LightRawRamageMediumKineticDamageHeavyFireArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:Fast/VariableAttackRange:2.5/2.5Speed:6VisualRange:8/16DescriptionAmongPredators,theSpearMasterisrecognizedforitssuperiorcombatagility,


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mentalfocus,anddedicationtocraft.ASpearMasterisonewithitsweapon,wieldingitwithasublimegraceseeminglyimpossibleintheimperfectworldofpracticalreality.Itcankeepasingleenemyatbayindefinitely,sendahordeofattackershurlingbackwardswithasingleblow,orassassinatepreybysurprisewithasingle,perfectlyplacedimpalementattack.DefaultWeapon-Spear(Combistick)TheSpearMasterwieldsasingleweapon-itsspear.Itisexceedinglysharpandresilient,thoughitdoesnothavethearmor-cleavingabilitiesofawristblade.Thespear'sadvantageisthatitcanparrymeleeattacks,smackingasideclawandtoothasiftheywerehardlyrelevant.Thisonlyworksonlessskilledorsmalleropponents,however-asweepingRavagerhullbladesimplycannotbestoppedbyacreatureassmallasaPredatornomatterhowskilleditmightbe.Characteristics-WhirlwindBattleMethodWhenaSpearMasterissurroundedbyattackers,itexecutesitswhirlwindbattlemethod.Thissweeping,spinningattacklandsablowoneachenemyaroundtheSpearMaster-ablowofsufficientstrengthtoparrymostattacksandsendsmallertargetsflying.However,itrequiresafairamountofroomtoexecutewithoutcausingcollateraldamage,sotheSpearMasterrefrainsfromperformingitwhentooclosetomorethanahandfulofallies.Characteristics-ImpalementBattleMethodIftheSpearMasterattacksanenemywhileundetectedthroughcloaking,itisabletodeliveracriticalstrikeofunmatchedstrength.TheSpearMasterreliesonitsextensivetrainingtodeliveradeep,impalingblowinawaythatsidestepsitsopponent'sarmorentirely.Whetherthroughaneyeslitorasoftjuncture

betweenchitinousplates,thisblowoftenkillsitsopponentoutright.Characteristics-PhoenixArmorAsariteofpassage,everyaspiringSpearMastermustkillaVy'drach(Phoenix)withonlyaspear.ThiswingedbeastlivesintheinfernaldesertsofthePredatorhomeworld,survivinghearandradiationstrongenoughtobakemostlifeforms.IfthePredatorkillstheVy'drach,itshideisfashionedintoarmoritsnemesiswearsforlife.LiketheVy'drachitself,thisarmorisuniquelyresilienttofire,energy,andradiation.Characteristics-ConductiveRechargeAspecialarmor-workingprocessappliedtotheconductivevesselsinVy'drachscalesenablestheSpearMastertorechargeitsenergysupplywhenstruckbyfireorenergy-basedattacks.Characteristics-LightningReflexes

TheSpearMasterisquickenoughtostrikeleapingFacehuggersmid-flight.ThisknockstheFacehuggerawayandoftenkillsitintheprocess.WhileaSpearMaster'sreflexesarequickenoughtoprotectitfromanynumberofuncoordinatedFacehuggerattacks,theycannotprotecttheSpearMasterfrombeingoverwhelmedbymultipleFacehuggersattackingsimultaneously.Upgrade-PlasmaGlaiveVeteranSpearMastersacquirethedeadlyplasmaglaiveasasymboloftheirstatus.Thisdouble-bladedweaponseetheswithwhitehotplasmathatburnsthroughenemyarmor,givingitgreaterpenetratingpowerthanastandardspear.Theplasmaglaiveautomaticallyincreasesitspoweroutputinproportiontothenumberofenemiesitisstriking.Duringtheexecutionofawhirlwindbattlemethod,thispoweroutputcalibrationcanaddsignificantlytotheoveralldamageinflicted.Strengths

AgainstAliens,theSpearMasteristhepremier"crowdcontrol"combatant.ItisabletowadeintoaseaoflesserAliensandleaveatrailofdeadinitswake.AgainstMarinesandAliensalike,theSpearMasterisusefulforsafelykillingsmallnumbersofenemieswithhit-and-runassassinationattacks.TheSpearMaster'sphoenixarmoralsomakesitidealforcounteringFlamethrowerMarinesandupgradedSADARTroopers.TheSpearMasterisfearedbysomePredatorsforitsnearimmunitytoplasmaweaponry.WeaknessesTheSpearMasterlacksthestrengthtodeflectthestrikesofanyAlienlargerthanaWarrior.TheseenemiesmakequickworkoftheSpearMaster,particularlyw


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henattackinginnumbers.TheSpearMastershouldalsoavoidtransbreedAliensthathavebeenfrenziedbyaWarEmpress.Theyareabnormallystrongandcannotbefended.AgainstMarines,theSpearMasterisvulnerabletomassedfireandoftencannotinflictcasualtiesfastenoughtopreventterminalretaliation.

StalkerStatisticsHealth:350Population:1HeavyKineticDamageAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:20Speed:3VisualRange:12/27UpgradeStatisticsHealth:350Population:1HeavyRawDamageAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:20Speed:3VisualRange:12/27DescriptionTheStalkeristhePredatorequivalentoftheMarineSniper;ithasthelargest

rangeofanyPredatoranditisthestealthiest,inthatitcanmaintaincloakedstatusforfarlongerperiodsthantheothers.LiketheHunter,theStalkerstronglybenefitsfromenhancedvisionmodeupgrades,sinceitsweaponsignificantlyoutrangesitsdefaultfieldofview.DefaultWeapon-SpearGunTheStalker'sspeargunisanunusuallypotentweapon.First,itenablestheStalkertofireatopponentsfromextremerange.Second,itsstrikeishardtotracetoitsfiringpoint-theweapon'simpactrevealsfiringdirection,butlittleelse.Third,itproducesnodetectablephenomenaatitsfiringpoint,enablingtheStalkertofireatenemiesfromcloserangewithoutfearofbeingdetected.Characteristics-DeepInfiltrationTheStalkerwearsauniquelow-energysuitwithmicroweaveopticalchannelingthatenablesittostaycloakedforfarlongerthanifitusedtheconventionalPr

edatorcloakingmechanism.Thisbenefitcomesataprice,however,asthesuitisfragile,providesnoarmor,andpreventstheStalkerfrommovingquickly.Characteristics-TelescopticsTheStalkergainssignificantlygreaterbenefitsfromvisionmodeupgradesthanotherPredators,enablingittoscoutforpreyatextremedistances.Upgrade-BleederSpearsWhenupgraded,theStalker'sweaponbecomesamonstrousthing,designedtoenhancethedramaofthehuntatthecruelexpenseofitsvictims.Standardspearsarereplacedwith"bleederspears",hideouslybarbedharpoonsthatdraintheirvictims'vitalfluidlevelstojustabovethepointofdeath.Thismakespreymoresatisfyingtohunt;bringingoncemightypreytoapatheticstate,bleedingprofusely,almostcrawlingtoescape-tomanyPredators,thisistheessenceofanepichunt.

StrengthsWhencommandedproperly,theStalkerisdevastating.Itcanseverelydegradeenemiesfromlongrangewhilecloaked,allbuteliminatingtheirabilitytorespondinanymeaningfulfashion.TheupgradedStalkerisevenbetteratthisrole,sinceitcanslayanentireplatoonofMarinesonitsown,bybleedingthemtojustabovethepointofdeathbeforedeliveringaroundoffinishingblows.WeaknessesWhileexceedinglypowerfulinmanyways,theStalkerhasweaknessestomatch.Ithasnoarmor,movesslowly,andisthemostphysicallyfrailofPredators.Itsspearsaredeadly,buttheyhavelittleabilitytopenetrateevenmoderatelyhar


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denedarmors.RoboticenemiesarequitedangeroustotheStalker,sincetheytypicallyhavehardarmorandignoreweaponsthatcausebleedinginorganiccreatures.Cloakdetectorsarealsoadanger,asdetectionoftenmeansdeathtotheStalker.

DiscMasterStatisticsHealth:400Population:1MediumKineticDamageMediumKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:10Speed:4VisualRange:12/20UpgradeStatisticsHealth:400Population:1HeavyRawDamageMediumKineticArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:10Speed:4VisualRange:12/20

DescriptionPredatorsgiftenwithexceptionalintelligenceandfocusbecomeDiscMasters,warriorsthatmentallycommandtheirdiscstostrikemultipletargetssimultaneously.Whenbaskinginthefullgloryofbattle,asingleDiscMasterroutinelykeepsthreediscsaloftatonce,eachofwhichcanattackthreetargetsbeforereturninghome.WhileotherPredatorsareattackingasingletarget,theDiscMasterisattackingnine,afeatthatdoesnotgounnoticedbyitsfellowclanmembers.DefaultWeapon-DiscThePredatordiscisdangerousbecauseofitscapabilitiesagainstlargenumbersofenemies.Ithasarazorsharpedge,unerringmentalguidancesystems,andtheabilitytocontinueflightafteritsinitialimpact.Becauseoftheseattributes,acompetentDiscMastercanbeexpectedtoquicklydamagemanytargets,nom

atterhowagiletheymightbe.Moreover,thediscisinitiallythrownwithsufficientforcetodrivebackthoseopponentswithoutsubstantialarmororlargesize.Upgrade-NanovibronicEdgeWhenupgraded,theDiscMastergainsasetofninenanovibronicdiscs.Thesediscspossessahigh-speedmolecularchainsawaroundtheircircumferencethatcantearthroughevenhardenedcompositearmors.Worse,eachDiscMasteristrainedintheartofKa'Ri,or"deathfromwithin".Thisinvolvesembeddingthreenanovibronicdiscsinanarmoredopponentandactivatingeachdisc's"haywiremode".Needlesstosay,fewenemiesfarewellwithberserkrippingmachinesembeddedintheirinternals.StrengthsTheDiscMasterisbestemployedinasupportroleagainstenemiesthatareeasi

lydisruptedbytheinitialimpactofeachdisc.MostMarinesandallAlienslesspowerfulthanaPredalienfallintothiscategory.Whenupgraded,theDiscMasterbecomesanexcellentall-aroundsupportPredator,stunningortearingapartlightandheavyenemiesalike.Thiscapabilityonlymagnifiesinnumbers-alargegroupcanunleashaveritablehurricaneofdiscsfewenemiescanpenetrate.WeaknessesForallitsskillatdegradingthrongsofenemiesincombat,theDiscMasterisactuallyfairlyweakinone-on-oneorfront-linecombat.ItisnotastoughasotherPredators,anditsstandarddiscshavelittleabilitytodamageorstunarmoredopponents.ItisforthesereasonsthatDiscMastersaretaughttorelyupo


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npeersfordefense.That,andthehard-earnedbattlewisdomthatitisbettertokilloneenemythandamageten,sincethedeadonecannotstrikeback....

VanguardStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:500Population:1HeavyRawDamageMediumKineticDamageMediumFireArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:SlowAttackRange:2Speed:4VisualRange:10/18DescriptionAclan'smostseasonedclosecombatveteransbecomeVanguards.TheVanguardhasboththehonorandtheresponsibilityofleadingtheclansmeleeassaults.UnlikeothermeleePredators,theVanguardiswellarmoredandcarriesanadvancedweaponofawesomepotency:theplasmascythe.Thescythe'senergybladecannotbestoppedbynormalmatter-acrucialattribute-giventhattheVanguardishonorboundtodirectlyengagetheclan'smostdangerousenemies.DefaultWeapon-PlasmaScytheAccordingtoPredatorlaw,thiseminentlydangerousweaponcanonlybewieldedb

ythosewhohaveearnedtherighttobearit.Whenitstrikes,itsbladeleaveswoundsfilledwithseethingdarkplasma.Darkplasmatriggersacontrolledenergyreactionthatcausesdamageinproportiontothemassofthetarget,enablingtheweapontokillanyenemy,regardlessofitspower,withnomorethanfourhits.Upgrade-KillscreenGeneratorGivenitsdutytoleadthechargeagainsteventechnicallyadvancedenemies,theVanguardrequiresadefensivesystemtoprotectagainstenemyfire.Thatsystemisthekillscreengenerator.Thisprojectionspinesonthisweaponemitunstablestreamsofdarkplasmaparticlesthatvaporizeincomingenemyprojectiles.Thekillscreencanonlyvaporizesomuchmassperunittime,however,enablingenemiestooverwhelmthesystemwithlargenumbersofprojectiles.Strengths

TheVanguardisbestusedtoattacklargeorheavilyarmoredtargetslikepurebreedAliens.Regardlessofstrength,noenemycanwithstandfourcloselytimedplasmascythestrikes.Hence,fourVanguardsmakeforaparticularlylethalheavyassaultforce,sincetheycankillanysingleenemyalmostinstantly.Whenupgraded,theVanguardadditionallybecomesanexcellentdefensivechoice,shieldingotherPredatorsfromenemyfireandevenleapingFacehuggers.WeaknessesWhileitsweapondoesmassivedamage,itisheavyandrequiresgreateffortandtimetoswing.Assuch,theVanguardisill-equippedtodealwithlargenumbersoflighterfast-attackenemies.Andthoughthekillscreenisanexcellentdefensivemechanism,weaponswithhighfireratesorlargeprojectilescaneasilyoverwhelmit.Infact,combatshotgunsandtorrentcannonsfiresomanyprojectilesthatthekillscreendoesnotevenattempttocounterthem.

HydraStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:650Population:2HeavyRawDamageHeavyKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:Fast


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AttackRange:14Speed:3VisualRange:12/20DescriptionTheHydraisamilitary-gradeheavyassaultPredator,designedtowadeintofierceengagementsandmethodicallycrushenemyresistance.Becauseitsguidedelectroshockmissilesareparticularlydamagingtoenemieswithadvancedsensors,theHydraisanexcellentshocktrooper,inthatitexcelsatkillingenemiesthatcounteractPredatorcloaking.DefaultWeapon-ElectroshockMissileBatteryTheHydra'sweaponisitsback-mountedpersonalmissilebattery,whichrapidlyfiresguidedelectroshockmissilesatenemieswithina360degreearc.Thesemissilesunerringlyseektheirtargetbeforedeliveringanarmor-penetratingelectroshockplasmawarhead.Thiswarheadjoltsthesensorysystemsofwhatevertargetithits,causingextradamagetonon-Predatorenemieswithparticularlyadvanceddetectioncapabilities.Characteristics-HydraShockBarrageIfaHydraisengagingmorethanahandfulofenemies,itmaydeterminethatitisnecessarytounleashafull-scalemissilebarrage.Whenthishappens,theHydrafiresamissileateverytargetwithinitsvisualrange,frequentlyresultinginatrulyoverwhelmingstormofprojectiles.GiventheenergyrequirementsitplacesontheHydra'ssystems,thismaneuvercanonlybeperformedperiodically,andeventhen,onlywhentheHydraisnotcloaked.Characteristics-TacticalSupremacyArmor

Likeallmilitary-gradePredators,theHydrawearstacticalsupremacyarmor.Thiswidelyfearedprotectivesuitprovidesitswearerwithsubstantialdefensesagainstkinetic,fire,andaciddamage.Itsexceptionalhardnessalsodeflectsoutrightanyprojectilesnotspecificallydesignedtopenetratearmor.Consequently,enemiesmustmakeaconcentratedefforttodefeatanyPredatorspossessingthisdefensivesystem.Upgrade-WarheadSwarmWhenupgrades,theHydrafireselectroshockmissileswithmultiplewarheads.Whenamissilenearsitstarget,itcheckstoseewhetherotherenemiesarewithinrangeofitswarheads.Ifso,themissilesplitsintoasmanyasthreeseperatesub-missiles,eachcapableofindependentlystrikingadifferenttarget.ThisupgradecancauseaHydrashockbarragetoreleaseamind-bogglingnumberofindependentwarheads.

StrengthsTheHydraisadangerouscombatantinmostcircumstances,thoughitexcelsatattackinggroupsoftoughenemiesfromrange.Itstacticalsupremacyarmorgivesitexcellentstayingpowerwhenoutnumbered,anditsshockbarragenaturallyinflictstremendousamountsofdamageinthesesituations.TheHydraisalsoanexcellentshocktrooper,usingitselectroshockmissilestodestroycloakdetectorsandtherebyenableotherPredatorstoengageinasustained,invisibleassault.WeaknessesLikeotherheavycombatants,theHydraisvulnerabletoenemiesspecificallydesignedtofillthe"anti-tank"role;Snipers,SADARTroopers,andRavagersarealldangeroustotheHydra.Whileenablingsurprisingagilitygiventheprotectionitprovides,tacticalsupremacyarmorstillslowsitswearerdown,meaningthattheHydraoftencannotescapeifoddsturnagainstit.TheHydracannotfirewh

ilemovingeither,makingfleeingparticularlydangerous.

BlazerStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:650Population:2HeavyFireDamageHeavyKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorHeavyAcidArmor


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AttackRate:NormalAttackRange:16Speed:3VisualRange:12/20DescriptionTheBlazerisamilitary-gradeheavysupporttroopercapableofrapidlyturningitssurroundingsintoaragingfirestorm.Itsarcinginfernobeamignitesmostenemiesittouches,causingseverefiredamage.Nootherknownpersonal-scaleweaponsystemhastheabilitytoachievetheoveralldamageoutputofwhichtheBlazeriscapable.DefaultWeapon-BlazerTheblazerisashoulder-mountedenergyprojectorthatfiresasweepinginfernobeam.Hotterthanmanystarsatitscore,aninfernobeamworksbyinstantlyheatingobjectsittouchestothepointofspontaneouscombustion.Giventhisability,theweaponisdesignedtohitasmanyenemiesaspossiblebysweepinginlargearcsacrossitsprimarytarget.Sinceitdoesnotneedtobeaimedwithmuchprecision,theBlazercancontinuetofireevenwhileonthemove.Characteristics-TacticalSupremacyArmorLikeallmilitary-gradePredators,theBlazerwearstacticalsupremacyarmor.Thiswidelyfearedprotectivesuitprovidesitswearerwithsubstantialdefensesagainstkinetic,fire,andaciddamage.Itsexceptionalhardnessalsodeflectsoutrightanyprojectilesnotspecificallydesignedtopenetratearmor.Consequently,enemiesmustmakeaconcentratedefforttodefeatanyPredatorspossessingthisdefensivesystem.

Upgrade-DualBlazersWhenupgraded,theBlazerPredatormountsasetoftwolinkedblazers,oneoneachshoulder.Thedualblazerscoordinatetheirfireinordertomaximizethedamagetheyinflict,bykeepingasmanyenemiesonfireaspossible.Withthisupgrade,asingleBlazerPredatorcansetanentireenemyplatoononfireinseconds.StrengthsTheBlazerexcelsatspreadinglargequantitiesofdamageacrossmultipletargets.Thisworksparticularlywellagainstrangedenemies,sincetheyoftenarrangethemselvesinwaysthatareeasyfortheBlazertostrafe.TheBlazer'sabilitytofireonthemoveiscriticalforattackingmeleeenemies,sinceitenablesthePredatortorunfromthemwhilecontinuingitsstrafing.Finally,tacticalsupremacyarmorensuresthatkillingevenasingleBlazerrequiressustained,coor

dinatedeffort.WeaknessesSinceitsattackisheatbased,theBlazerislessthaneffectiveagainstenemieswithfireresistance.Italsohastroublewithtightclustersofenemies,sinceitsheatbeamcannotpassthroughtargetsandthereforeoftenfailstoreachbehindthefrontlines.LiketheHydra,theBlazerisvulnerabletoenemiesthathavepowerful"anti-tank"capabilities.

PredGunStatisticsHealth:1000Population:2HeavyRawDamage

MediumKineticArmorMediumFireArmorMediumAcidArmorAttackRate:SlowAttackRange:14Speed:2VisualRange:10/18DescriptionThePredGunisanautonomousmobiledefensiveplatformusedbythePredatorstoguardtheirShrine.Tosucceedinitsrole,theplatformmountsaheavyplasmac


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annoncapableofinflictingsubstantialdamageonthelargestandmostarmoredofenemies.DefaultWeapon-HeavyPlasmaCannonTheheavyplasmacannonfiresoversized,armor-penetratingplasmaboltscapableofcausingextremedamagetowhatevertargettheystrike.Likeotherburstplasmabolts,theprojectilesfromtheheavyplasmacannondetonateuponimpact,showeringthesurroundingareawithdamagingplasmashrapnel.Toachieveitsremarkablehittingpower,thisweapontradesawaysomeofthefirerateandrangeofthestandardplasmacaster.Characteristics-AutonomousRedeploymentAkeyadvantageofthePredGunovertheMarineSentryGunisitsabilitytopackitselfup,movetoanewarea,andredeploythere-allwithoutanyexternalintervention.LiketheSentryGun,however,thePredGuncannotfirewhileinitspackedstate.Characteristics-IntegratedSelfHealingThePredGunismadeof"smart"materialsthatarecapableofhealingthemselveswhencoordinatedbytheplatform'sregenerationmanagementsubsystem.ThishealingcannotoccutwhilethePredGunissustainingdamage,butproceedswithsurprisingspeedwhenthePredGunremainsunmolestedforanylengthoftime.StrengthsThePredGunisdesignedtoprotectthePredatorShrinebycomplementingtheShrine'soffensivecapabilities.WhiletheShrineiscapableofinflictingsustaineddamageacrossanumberoflighterenemies,thePredGunisdesignedtostopheavierattackers.LiketheHunter'splasmacaster,thePredGunbenefitsgreatlyfro

menhancedPredatorvisionmodes.Withthem,thePredGuncanoutrangemanycloak-defeatingsensors,enablingcloakedPredatorsstationedbehindittoremainundetected.WeaknessesThePredGunhasseveralweaknesses.First,itcannotcounterattackwhilemoving,makingitvulnerableduringtransit.Second,thePredGunmovesslowly,makingitlesssuccessfulatoperatingonhighlyfluidfrontlines.Third,itsslowfireratemakesitvulnerabletobeingoverwhelmedbylargenumbersoflighterenemies.

ShrineStatisticsHealth:1250

Population:4MediumFireDamageLightKineticArmorHeavyFireArmorLightAcidArmorAttackRate:ExtremeAttackRange:10Speed:2VisualRange:10/18DescriptionTheShrineisanautonomoussupportplatformthatPredatorsrelyupontocallinreinforcements.Itismobile,reasonablywellarmed,andverytough.DefaultWeapon-Fireliner

TheShrineisequippedwithafireliner,amulti-beamheatweaponrelatedtotheblazer.Unliketheblazer,thefirelinerfocusessmall"beamlets"ondifferentenemyweakpoints,heatingthemtothepointofcombustion.Overall,thefirelinerspreadsitspoolofbeamletsacrossasmanyenemiesaspossible,tomaximizethenumberofopponentssufferingfromongoingburns.Liketheblazer,thefirelinercanfireonthemove.Characteristics-DropSiteTransceiverTheShrineenablesPredatorstocallinreinforcementsandfieldupgradessothattheymightcontinuethehuntaftersufferinglosses.InadditiontotransmittingrequeststoanorbitingHuntMastership,theShrineservesasadropsitebea


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con,sothatPredatordroppodscanlandinanareaimmediatelyrelevanttoanongoinghunt.SincePredatorsconsiderrequiringrescuemorethanvaguelydishonorable,clanleadersarekeenlyawarethatlosingtheirlastShrineoftenmeansfailureanddeath.Characteristics-EnergyInfuserTheShrinecanrapidlyrechargetheenergysupplyofnearbyPredatorsfromaninternalpoolofenergyitmaintains.IthassufficientoutputtosustainseveralcloakedPredatorswithoutloss,butmorewillcauseittoslowlyloseitsenergystoreuntiliteventuallyrunsdry.TheShrinecanrefillitsownenergysupplyatamuchhigherrateiftherearenoongoingdrainsonitschargingsystem,meaningthatitisfarmoreenergyefficienttoperiodicallyrechargePredatorsthantocontinuallysustainthem.Characteristics-IntegratedSelfHealingLikethePredGun,theShrineismadeof"smart"materialsthatarecapableofhealingthemselveswhencoordinatedbytheShrine'sregenerationmanagementsubsystem.ThishealingcannotoccutwhiletheShrineissustainingdamage,butproceedswithsurprisingspeedwhentheShrineremainsunmolestedforanylengthoftime.StrengthsTheShrineisbestkeptwellprotectedandatasafedistancefromheavycombat.Whiletoughtandpowerfullyarmed,itisthePredators'solemeansofacquiringbothreinforcementsandfieldupgrades.Intheeventualitythatitisattacked,theShrineisbestusedtoassistsupportingPredGunsbydegradingnearbyenemieswithitsfireliner.Whensufficientlyprotected,theShrineserveswellasa

forwardoperationalbasebydeliveringreinforcementsveryclosetothepointofneed.WeaknessesTheprimaryweaknessoftheShrineisthatitisasinglepointoffailureforthePredators'abilitytomaintainfieldstrengthwhileonthehunt.Assuch,veteranPredatorclanleaderstypicallydeploymultiplePredGunsforprotectionandsometimesevenorderspareShrinestoremainpreparedforcontingencies.Besidesitsinherentcriticality,theShrinehastwootherweaknesses:1)itsslowspeed,and2)thefireliner'sinabilitytocompletelydispatchmultipleenemiesquickly.

AlienBestiary

OverviewTransbreedVersusPurebreedDrones,Runners,Warriors,andPredaliensareknownas"transbreed"Aliens.Differenttypesofhostsproducedifferenttransbreeds,manyofwhichpossessattributesandabilitiessuperiortothosefoundintheirhosts.AlienssuchasPraetorians,Queens,Carriers,andRavagers,however,areconsideredtobe"purebreed"Aliens.Theycanspawnfromanyhostandmorepurelyrepresentthemulti-speciesinterstellarparasitethatistheAliens.WhiletransbreedsenableAlienstoadapttoatargetspecies,purebreedAliensenablethemtooverpowerit.CreatingMoreTransbreedAliensAlienscreatemoreoftheirkindbyinfectingotherspecies.Todothis,Alienstypicallyattackanenemyuntilitbecomesunconscious,sothataFacehuggercansafelyattachitself.Afterthis,aChestbursterisborn,whichsubsequentlyco

coonsitselfbeforeturningintoanadultAlien.ThetypeofadultAliencreatedtypicallyrelatestothetypeofvictimthatwasimpregnated.Generallyspeaking,moreadvancedspeciesproducebetterAliens.CreatingAQueenTheAlienscanspendinfestationpointstomorphaPraetorianintoaQueen.ThePraetorianisthebasal"purebreed"Alien,anditisabletoturnintootheradvancedAlienspeciesbesidestheQueen.TocreateaPraetorian,theAliensmustmorphanEggintoa"PraetorianEgg".ThiskindofEggproducesa"PraetorianFacehugger",whichcancreateaPraetorianfromanyhost.BothcreatingPraetorianEggsandmorphingaPraetorianintoaQueenrequiresmallinfestationpointexpe


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nditures.CreatingOtherPurebreedAliensTocreateCarriersandRavagers,theAliensmustexpendinfestationpointsandmorphavailablePraetorians.ThisactivitymayonlybeperformedwhenaQueenalreadyexistsandonlyafterthePraetoriansubspecieshasbeenupgraded.UpgradingAliensAnAlienhivemayupgradealltheinstancesofaparticularsubspeciesthroughtheQueen.TheQueenalonecanaccessthevastgeneticdatabaseevolvedbytheAlienspeciestoselecttheappropriatecounter-evolutionaryresponsetothreatscurrentlybeingexperiencedbythehive.Naturally,rapidlyevolvingherbroodinthiswaycostsinfestationpoints.EarningInfestationPointsAliensearnmoreinfestationpointsbyrenderingactiveenemiesunconscious,whetherbyattackingorfacehuggingthem.Unlikeotherspecies,Aliensdonotneedtospendinfestationpointsonorderingreinforcements;insteadtheyspendthemonupgrades,creatingHiveNodes,andmorphingEggsandPraetorians.RegenerationAllAlienscanregeneratewhenincontactwiththehiveweb,therepulsiveblacksecretionsfoundinAlienhives.TheRunnerandthePredalien,however,haveadvancedmetabolismsandcanregeneratewhethernearhivewebornot.Thislatterkindof"roamingregeneration"doesnotoccurwhileaRunneroraPredalienisactivelytakingdamage.It"stacks"ontopofstandardhive-basedregenerationthough,enablingtheseorganismstoregeneratequiterapidlywheninthehive.SporeSight

HiveNodes,Runners,Praetorians,andQueensemitspores.Sporescoatlivingorganismsandgrowuponthemforanextendedperiodoftime.Sporeshavenumeroussensorsandrelaywhatthey"see"byencodingthisinformationonambientradiationthatbouncesoffofthemandfindsitswaytootherAliens.This"sporesight"enablesthehivetotrackhostslongaftertheyhaveleftthevicinityofanynearbyAliens.Naturally,sporesdefeatPredatorcloaking.AcidAllAlienshadbloodthatisremarkablycaustic.Unsurprisingly,severalAliensubspecieshaveadaptedtousetheirbloodasaweapon.Afterstrikinganenemy,Alienaciddamagesitforsometimebeforeneutralizing,causinghorrendous,semi-permenantwoundsonorganictargets.Furthermore,kineticarmorislesseffectivewhilebeingburnedbyacidandAliensinstinctivelyleveragethiseffectbypurposelytearingintothesizzlingwoundsoftheirvictims.AllAliensarefull

yimmunetotheeffectsoftheiracid.StrengthsTheAliensareeasilythemostnumerousofspecies,sincetheyareabletoinfectmostlifeformsofdog-sizeorlarger,and,unlikeotherspecies,canreplenishtheirnumbersfreeofcost.Theyarealsotoughphysically,withAliensubspecieslikePredaliens,Ravagers,andQueenscapableofbecomingnearlyunstoppablejuggernauts.Ofallthespecies,theAliensarethemostdifficulttocutofffromfreshreinforcementsandupgrades;killingaQueeninherhiveisnosmallfeat.WeaknessesAliensmustworkhardtogeneratereinforcements,frequentlyneedingcompletevictoryincombattoensurereadilyavailablehosts.Ifahivefallsbehindinitsgrowth,itmaybecomeunabletowinfurtherbattlesandthereforeunabletorec

overfromlosses.Aliensalsohavefewrangedattacks,causingthemtorelyonoverwhelmingnumbersandbruteforce.Lastly,FacehuggersandChestburstersareeasytokillandhenceavulnerablelinkintheAlienreproductivecycle.

HiveNodeStatisticsHealth:500Population:1SporeSightHeavyKineticArmor


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HeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:N/AAttackRange:N/ASpeed:0VisualRange:10DescriptionTheHiveNodecreateshivewebinacircularareaaroundwhereitgrows.TheHiveNodeisproducedbytheDroneandbytheQueenwhenshelayshereggsack.Characteristics-HiveWebCreationTheHiveNodeisalivingcreaturethatsteadilygrowsacid-secretingtendrilsintowhateveritisattachedto.ThesetendrilsleechnutrientsfromsurroundingmaterialsandusethemtogrowaweboflivingencrustationsaroundtheHiveNode.This"hiveweb"packagesnutrientsforeasyabsorptionbynearbyAliens,enablingthemtoregeneratewhentouchingit.WhenaHiveNodedies,itsabilitytosupplynutrientsdieswithit,causinghivewebaroundthenodetowitheranddie.Characteristics-SporeEmissionHiveNodesproduceAlienspores.Sporescoatlivingorganismsandgrowuponthemforanextendedperiodoftime.Sporeshavenumeroussensorsandrelaywhatthey"see"byencodingthisinformationonambientradiationthatbouncesoffofthemandfindsitswaytootherAliens.This"sporesight"enablesthehivetotrackhostslongaftertheyhaveleftthevicinityofanynearbyAliens.Naturally,sporesdefeatPredatorcloaking.Strengths

TheHiveNodeisarmoredandregeneratesquickly.ItcanbeplacedclosetocombatareastoenablewoundedAlienstoreplenishtheirhealthquickly.ThisisparticularlyusefulforextendingthemovementrangeofFacehuggers,whichmightotherwiserunoutofenergywhenmovingtodistantlocations.BecausetheHiveNodeisasporeemitter,isalsomakesaneffectivespotterandearlywarningsystemforthehive.WeaknessesWhilephysicallytough,theHiveNodehasnoabilitytoattackonitsown.Itisparticularlysusceptibletoarmor-piercingandfire-basedweapons.

EggStatisticsHealth:200

Population:1MediumKineticArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:N/AAttackRange:N/ASpeed:0VisualRange:6UpgradeStatisticsHealth:200Population:1MediumAcidDamageMediumKineticArmorHeavyAcidArmor

AttackRate:N/AAttackRange:N/ASpeed:0VisualRange:6DescriptionTheEggstoresandprotectstheFacehugger(s)itcontainsfromenemies,harshenviroments,andthepassageofmillenia.WhenaninfectablehostwandersclosetoanEgg,itawakensitscontentsandhatches.OnceanEgghasdisgorgeditscontents,itdies.OnlytheQueencanlayEggs.Subspecies-PraetorianEgg


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TheQueencanstimulatetheproductionofPraetoriansbyspendingtheresourcesofthehivetometamorphoseanEggintoaPraetorianEgg.Asitsnameimplies,thePraetorianEggproducesPraetorianFacehuggers,eachofwhichiscapableofproducingaPraetorianfromanykindofhost.Upgrade-AdaptiveHyperfertilitySincetheycontainmultipleFacehuggers,hyperfertileEggsareswollenandoversized.Whentheyhatch,theyreleasttheircontentsunderpressureanddirectthemtowardsnearbyhosts.Thisbehavioralsohappensreflexivelyondeath,inaviolentacid-drenchesexplosion.HyperfertileEggsautomaticallscaletheirsizetorelativehivestrength.Inotherwords,whenthehiveisweak,theQueeninstinctivelyproduceslargerhyperfertileEggs,andwhenthehiveisstrong,thereverseistrue.StrengthsStandardEggsaretypicallybestkeptclosetothehive,wheretheycanprovideextraprotectionfortheFacehuggerstheycontain.HyperfertileEggs,however,canbeusedasakindofstaticdefensetoguardkeyareas,sincetheyhurlFacehuggersatattackers-evenifkilledfromstandoffrange.HyperfertileEggsarealsosomewhatresistanttoPredatormeleeattackersbecauseoftheacidtheyreleaseupondeath.WeaknessesEnemiesthatareinvulnerableorresistanttoFacehuggersexcelatkillingEggs;Eggshavenopowertodefendthemselvesoutsideoftheirabilitytoreleasetheirdeadlycargo.EnemiesthancanattackfromextendedrangearealsogoodatkillingEggs,sincetheycancompletetheirworkwithoutfearofreprisal.

FacehuggerStatistics/UpgradeStatistics-FacehuggerHealth:15Population:1InstantDeathHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:VariableAttackRange:4Speed:4.5VisualRange:10Statistics-PraetorianFacehuggerHealth:25

Population:1InstantDeathHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:VariableAttackRange:6Speed:4.5VisualRange:10DescriptionTheFacehuggerpropogatestheAlienspeciesbyparasiticallyattachingitselftothefacialareaofahostlifeformandimpregnatingitwithaChestburster.ThisiseasiestwhenpreyhasbeenincapacitatedandmovedsomeplacesafebyadultAliens,buttheFacehuggercanalsoscuttleafterpreyandleapontoit,ifnecessary.Hostsdonotremainconsciouswhen"facehugged"inthismanner,andther

earenorecordedinstancesofhostssurvivingoncetheyhavebeenimpregnated.Characteristics-ImpregnationTheFacehuggerisuniqueinitsabilitytoinfecthosts.Sincethisprocessincapacitatesthevictiminstantlyandpermanently,itcanbeusedtoremovepowerfulenemiesfromcombatwithoutheavylosses.ThetypeofAlienthatisproducedbyaFacehugger'simpregnationtypicallydependsuponthetypeofhost.Characteristics-ReactiveDormancyThehatchedFacehuggerhastheunusualhabitofcannibalizingoneofitsinternalorgansforenergy.Accordingly,theFacehuggerloseshealthasitexertsitself.Itcanrepairthisorganbyregeneratingonhivewebbing,likeotherAliens,


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orbyclutchingtheridingspinesofaCarrier.ThisunusualsustenancemechanismappearstoenabletheFacehuggertohaveanunlimitedlifespanwhileinactive.Inotherwords,thecreatureisshort-livedwhileactive,butimmortalwhiledormant,makingitanidealstowawayonlonginterstellarflights.Subspecies-PraetorianFacehuggerThereisalarger,morearmoredversionofthecommonFacehuggerthatproducesPraetoriansnomatterwhattypeofhostitimpregnates.This"PraetorianFacehugger"istougher,hasalongerroamingrange,andcanleapfartherthanthecommonFacehugger.Upgrade-BinaryParasitismTheFacehuggerdevelopsachemicaltriggerthatcausestheChestbursteritcarriestosplitintotwinswhenproducingsimplerAliens,suchastheDroneandtheRunner.TheAlienscanusethisabilitytojump-starthivegrowthinwildernessareas.StrengthsTheFacehuggerisbestusedonpreyrenderedcomatosebyadultAliens.Itcanalsobeusedinlargenumbers,orinconjunctionwithotherAlienstotakedownpreyotherwisecapableofdefendingitself.WhencombinedwithaCarrier,multipleFacehuggerscanbecomeapowerfulrangedweapon,abletoquicklyincapacitatelargenumbersofenemies.WeaknessesTheFacehuggerissmallenoughthatitcanbekilledinoneshotbymostattacksandinlargenumbersbyhighfirerateweaponsliketheSmartgun.SomemeleePredatorsaretrainedtostrikealeapingFacehuggermid-flight,makingthemdiffi

culttargetswhileconscious.Furthermore,roboticenemiesareimmunetoimpregnationaltogether,asarecertainheavilyarmoredopponentssuchastheExoSuit.Finally,theuniquedesignoftheFlamethrowerMarine's"apesuit"rendershimimmunetofacehuggingwhileconscious.

DroneStatisticsHealth:200Population:1LightKineticDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:FastAttackRange:1.5

Speed:5VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:200Population:1LightKineticDamageLightAcidDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:Fast/NormalAttackRange:1.5/6Speed:5VisualRange:8Description

Asthe"workerbee"oftheAlienhive,theDroneperformsavarietyofutilityroles,includingdragginghostsbacktothehiveforimpregnationandmovingEggsaboutthehiveitself.OtheradultAlienscanperformthesetasksaswell,butitistheDronethatismostcostefficientinthisrole.TheDroneisuniqueamongAliensforitsabilitytocreateHiveNodes.These,inturn,createhiveweb,whichAliensusetoregenerate.DronesareproducedbyinfectingOswocs.Characteristics-HiveNodeCreationTheDroneisuniquelycapableofmanufacturingembryonicHiveNodesinsideitsbody.Itplacesthesenodeswithinthehivetoextenditsreachorininremotelocationstoenablemorecombat-orientedAlienstorecoverfromtheofterdangero


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ustaskofsecuringhosts.HiveNodesaregeneticallycomplicatedenoughthatgeneratingthemrequiresspendingpreciousinfestationpoints.Upgrade-CysticAcidSpittleTheDronedevelopsacyst-filledacidicfroththatitspitsonpotentialhosts.Thecystsinvadethebodythroughtheresultantacid-inducedwounds,whereupontheycausetumorsthatusethehost'sbodytogeneratenutrientsbeneficialtotransbreedChestbursterdevelopment.Accordingly,adulttransbreedAliensfromcysticallyinfectedhostsaretougherthanusual.These"cystic"Alienshavearedstreakrunningalongthedorsalregionofthehead.Aredcirclebeneathcysticallyinfectedhostssignifiestheirplight.StrengthsTheDroneisusefulinasupportrole,sinceitcancreateHiveNodesthatenableotherAlienstoregenerate.Whenitisupgraded,andwhentheFacehuggerisupgraded,theDronedevelopsintoausefulcombatant.ItbecomesoneofthefewAliensthatcanattackatrange,itstrengthensthebroodinvictory,anditisfrequentlyavailableinlargenumbers,manyofwhichareoftencysticallyenhanced.WeaknessesWhetherupgradedornot,theDronehasnoarmorandisvulnerabletoalmostanyweapon.AnupgradedMediccanhealcysticinfections,ascanallPredatorsviatheirMedicomp-meaninghitandruninfectiontacticsareinadvisable.Roboticenemiescannotbecysticallyinfected,norcanthepilotofthehermeticallysealedExoSuit.Finally,cysticacidspittleisuselessagainstenemyAliens,forcingtheDronetoreverttoitsclawsagainstthem.

RunnerStatisticsHealth:250Population:1SporeSightLightKineticDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRage:Fast/VariableAttackRange:1.5/7.5Speed:8VisualRange:10UpgradeStatistics

Health:250Population:1SporeSightMediumRawDamageLightKineticDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRage:Fast/VariableAttackRange:1.5/7.5Speed:8VisualRange:10DescriptionTheRunnerisalight-weight,high-speedAlienbuiltforscoutingandraiding.Thankstoitsabnormallyhigh-outputmetabolism,thisAlienconjuresimagesofa

rapidterrestrialcheetah-butonethatnevertiresandcanleapontopreywiththeforceofasledgehammer.Moreover,itemitssporesandhasaskeletonthatexplodesviolentlywhenoverheated,makingitapowerfulsuicideweaponagainstenemiesthatusefire.TheRunnerisproducedbyinfectingKurnorKriltics.Characteristics-BiohydraulicLungeWhenaRunnerisfarenoughawayfromatarget,itcanlungetowarditattremendousvelocity.TheRunnercommonlyleapsatitsvictim'sneck,whichitstrikesviciouslyonimpact.ThiscausesdamagethatisoftenunexpectedlyseverefromacreatureoftheRunner'ssize.Characteristics-PyroreactiveCartilage


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TheRunnerisunusualinthatiscontainsacartilaginousframeworkthroughoutitsbodythatexpandsinwardwhenexposedtoheat.Thiscreatesenormouspressuresinsidethebeast'sskeletalsystemthataresuddenlyandviolentlyreleasedbyanautomaticneurologicaltriggershouldthecreaturediewhileoverheated.Inturn,thiscausesthecartilagetoshatteralongjaggedinternalfaultlines,resultinginahigh-speedburstofrazor-edgesbiologicalshrapnelthatstrikeseverythingnearby.Characteristics-MetabolicOverdriveTheRunnerhasanunusuallyhighspeedmetabolismthatenablesittohealattrulyastoundingrates.ThisregenerationdoesnotoccurwhentheRunnerisbeingattacked,asitsbodymustcopewiththeinternalsystemshockproducedbypenetratingwounds.Thiscopingperiodisshort,however,afterwhichbiologicalrepairhappenssoquicklythatitisobservablewiththehumaneye.Characteristics-SporeEmissionRunnersproduceAlienspores.Sporescoatlivingorganismsandgrowuponthemforanextendedperiodoftime.Sporeshavenumeroussensorsandrelaywhatthey"see"byencodingthisinformationonambientradiationthatbouncesoffofthemandfindsitswaytootherAliens.This"sporesight"enablesthehivetotrackhostslongaftertheyhaveleftthevicinityofanynearbyAliens.Naturally,sporesdefeatPredatorcloaking.Upgrade-VirulenceTheupgradedRunnerdevelopsalargenumberofsubcutaneousstinger-tippedvenomsacsacrossitsextremities.Oncontactwithavictim,thestingersinjecthighconcentrationsofAliensporesthatmultiplyinsufficientquantitytoturnbod

ilyfluidsblackandsoupy,sickeningandnauseatingthehostorganismintheprocess.Needlesstosay,Alienscanusethesesporestotrackpreythathasbecomeweakenedbythesicknessthesporesinduce.StrengthsTheRunnerisbestusedasascoutoraraider,particularlysinceitcandetectevencloakedenemiesandquicklyrecoverfromotherwisecripplingencounters.Itsupgradereinforcesitsroleasaraider,asRunnerscansickentheirtargetsandthenbackofftoletthemweaken.Sickenedenemiesfrequentlyfindtheircombateffectivenessreducedbyuncontrollablevomiting,makingthemeasypreyformorepowerfulAliens.Giveitspyroreactivecartilage,theRunneralsoexcelsateliminatingfire-wieldingattackers.WeaknessesDespiteitsmanyabilities,theRunnerisoneofthephysicallyweakerAliens.I

thasnoarmoranditsclawshaveahardtimepenetratingarmor.Assuch,itcannotwithstandprolongedcombatwithmostenemies.Also,theRunnercannotbenefitfromitsinnateregenerativeabilitieswhileirradiatedbyenemiesliketheupgradedFlamethrowerMarineandtheupgradedSmartgunner.

WarriorStatisticsHealth:300Population:1MediumKineticDamageMediumAcidDamageLightKineticArmorHeavyAcidArmor

AttackRate:NormalAttackRange:1.5Speed:6VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:300Population:1MediumRawDamageMediumAcidDamageMediumKineticArmor


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HeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:1.5Speed:6VisualRange:8DescriptionTheWarrioristheprimaryAlienassaultorganism.Itisfast,reasonablytough,andasavagecombatant.EvenindeaththeWarriorisdangerous,burstingapartwhenkilledanddrenchingnearbyenemiesinacid.TheWarrioriscreatedbyinfectinghumans.Characteristics-PressurizedBloodstreamWhenanAlienWarrioriskilledbyweaponsthatcausemassivephysicaltrauma,itspressurizedbloodstreamcausesthecreatureofexplode,showeringthesurroundingareawithacid.ThistypicallydoesnothappeniftheWarriorisonfire,however,sincefirecausesthecreaturetohardenintoacharredmass.Upgrade-OnslaughtGenomeWhenupgraded,theWarriorbecomessuitableforheavyassault.First,itdevelopshardenedchitinousridgesthatenableittopenetratetougherarmors.Second,itdevelopsredundantlifesupportsystems,enablingittocontinueoperationevenaftersustainingcripplingdamagesuchaslimbloss.Third,itimprovesitscapacitytorepairitselfviahiveweb.Thelattertwoabilitiescombinetoenablethecreaturetoregeneratelostlimbsandreturntoperfecthealththroughsustainedhealingatthehive.Strengths

TheWarriorperformswellinmanysituations.LargenumbersofWarriorsaregoodforwearingdownbiologicalenemies,giventhatacidcauseswoundsthatareverydifficulttoheal.Additionally,theupgradedWarrior'sredundantvascularsystemscansprayacidtwice-firstwhentheWarrioriscrippledandthenwhenitiskilled.Evenso,theupgradedWarriorhasagoodchanceofsurvivinghardfoughtbattlesbecauseitcanoftencrawlbacktothehiveinacrippledstateandregenerateitselfbacktofullhealth.WeaknessesTheWarriorisparticularlyvulnerabletofire.FlameoftensothoroughlybakestheWarrior,thatitpreventsthecreaturefromshoweringthesurroundingareawithacidupondeath.ItalsopreventstheupgradedWarriorfromreturningtooperation;burnsareoftenpervasivethroughoutthecreature'sentirebody,defeatingitsredundantlife-sustainingsystems.

PredalienStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:550Population:1MediumKineticDamageMediumAcidDamageHeavyFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:Normal/VerySlowAttackRange:1.5/1.5Speed:5VisualRange:8

DescriptionThePredalienisoneofthehive'sheavyassaultorganisms,asitistougherthantheWarriorandcapableofinflictingmoredamage.WhileitdoesnothavetheprotectivearmoroftheWarrior,itconstantlysecretesaflameretardantcoatingthatmakesthecreatureimpossibletoigniteandgenerallyresistanttoheatdamage.Naturally,aPredalienemergesfromanimpregnatedPredator.Characteristics-DigestiveBitePeriodically,thePredalienbitesitspreyandinjectsitwithacidicsaliva.ThePredalienthenquicklydrainsandconsumesthenutrientslurrythatresults,replenishingitshealthintheprocess.


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Characteristics-AdvancedMetabolismThePredalienhasapowerfulenoughmetabolismthatiscanautomaticallyhealitself,evenwhenawayfromthenourishingtouchofAlienhiveweb.ThisautomaticregenerationisnotnearlyasquickasthatoftheRunner,butitissimilarinthatitdoesnotoccurwhilethePredalienissufferingphysicaltrauma.Characteristics-FireRetardantSecretionsGiventhatPredatorscomefromanariddeathworld,itisnotsurprisingthatthePredalienhasnaturalheatresistance.Itssecretionsabsorbheatandevaporate,creatingaflame-extinguishingcloudaroundthecreature.Accordingly,itcannotbesetonfire,anditsloughsoffmostheatdamage.Upgrade-PredatoryGrowthResponseThePredalienhasanunusualadaptationthatenablesittobettersubduePredatorpopulations.Asthecreatureengagesincombat,itaccumulatesgrowthhormonesinitsbody.Whenenoughhormoneshaveaccumulated,thecreaturecanpausetomoltwhenunthreatened.ThePredalienthatemergesistougherthanbefore,sportingextrabonyprotuberancesonitsbackasanindicationofitsoverallpower.APredalienthathassurvivednumerouscombatscanbecomeexceedinglytoughasaresultofthisadaptaion....StrengthsEvenamoderatelysizedgroundofPredaliensisaforcetobereckonedwith.Theyarehardtokeepatbaywithanykindofsuppressivefire,theylargelyignoreheat-basedweaponry,andtheycanhealanywhereafterbattle.Ifkeptaliveacrossseveralbattlesafterbeingupgraded,suchaforcecanbecomeextremelytoughtoresistinahead-onconflict,asitbecomesimpossibletobringthemdownb

eforeinflictingheavydamage.WeaknessesThePredalien'sprimaryvulnerabilityisitslackofanykindofarmor.Thismeansitcanmosteasilybebroughtdownbymassedkineticweaponry.Itisalsoquitevulnerabletoradiation,sincethispreventsthecreaturefromregeneratingwhennotonhiveweb.

PraetorianStatistics/UpgradeStatisticsHealth:750Population:1SporeSightMediumRawDamage

ExcellentAcidDamageMediumKineticArmorLightFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:Normal/VerySlowAttackRange:1.5/3Speed:5VisualRange:10DescriptionThePraetorianisthebasalpurebreedAlienstrain,fromwhichallotheradultpurebreedAliensspring.ItcanbecreatedfromanytypeofhostviathePraetorianFacehugger.Intermsofitscombatabilities,thePraetorianisapowerhouse,possessingincredibledurability,ahardenedexoskeleton,armor-piercingclaws,

andthehideousabilitytodisgorgevastquantitiesofacidicbloodonitsenemies.ThePraetorian'sdistinctiveheadcrestisalsoasourceofAlienspores.Characteristics-RoyalTransformationIfanewlycreatedhivedoesnotyethaveaQueen,orifahive'sQueenhasbeenkilled,agenetictriggerinsidethePraetorianenablesittococoonitselfandemergeasthehive'snewQueen.TherecanbeonlyoneQueen,however,soremainingPraetoriansgenetically"de-trigger"afterthishappens.OfallthepurebreedAliensthataPraetoriancantransforminto,theQueenisthemostgeneticallysimilar,makingtransformationcostrelativelyinexpensive.Characteristics-VascularDisgorgement


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ThedigestiveandvascularsystemsofthePraetorianarenotseparateentitiesasinmostlifeforms.ThisenablesthePraetoriantovomitvastquantitiesofitsowncausticbloodwhenitdeterminesthatitscurrentcombatsituationwarrantssuchanact-typicallywhenthePraetorian'senemiesarevulnerabletoacidandeithernumerousorparticularlypowerful.Characteristics-SporeEmissionPraetoriansproduceAlienspores.Sporescoatlivingorganismsandgrowuponthemforanextendedperiodoftime.Sporeshavenumeroussensorsandrelaywhatthey"see"byencodingthisinformationonambientradiationthatbouncesoffofthemandfindsitswaytootherAliens.This"sporesight"enablesthehivetotrackhostslongaftertheyhaveleftthevicinityofanynearbyAliens.Naturally,sporesdefeatPredatorcloaking.Upgrade-SpeciatedMetamorphosisWhenupgraded,thePraetoriancantransformintotwoothertypesofpurebreedAliens:theCarrierandtheRavager.ThegeneticimperativetoensurethatthereisaQueentomanagethehiveisirresistable,however,sothesecondarytransformationsavailabletoanupgradedPraetoriancanonlyhappenifaQueenalreadyexists.Thedifferenttypesoftransformationsrequirevaryingquantitiesofinfestationpoints,dependingonthetypeofAliensubspeciesbeingcreated.StrengthsThePraetorian'sarmor-piercingclawsandacidicdisgorgementsarebestputtouseagainstheavilyarmoredtargets.ThePraetorianisalwaysavailabletothehivenomatterwhatkindofhostsarenearby,makingiteasytoensurethatthehivehasaforceofPraetoriansitcandrawuponinanemergency.ShouldtheQueen

andallEggsandFacehuggersbeslain,transformingasparePraetorianintoanewQueenmaybethehive'sonlychanceforsurvival.WeaknessesThePraetorianismoreexpensivetoproducethananyofthetransbreedAliens,inbothtimeandinfestationpoints.ThiscausesPraetorianstobefewerinnumber,whichleavesthemvulnerabletobeingoverwhelmedbylargegroupsofenemies.WeaponsthataregoodatpenetratingheavyarmorarealsodangeroustothePraetorian.

QueenStatisticsHealth:1500Population:1

SporeSightHeavyKineticDamageMediumKineticArmorLightFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:FastAttackRange:1.5Speed:4VisualRange:12UpgradeStatisticsHealth:1500Population:1SporeSight

HeavyKineticDamageHeavyKineticArmorLightFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:FastAttackRange:1.5Speed:4VisualRange:12DescriptionTheincontestablerulerofthehive,theQueenisrelentlessinherdrivetoexp


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andthebrood,andherwillisexecutedbyheroffspringasifitwereabiologicalimperative.SheistheoneAlienthatcreatesEggs,theentityfromwhichallotherAlienseventuallydevelop.AhivemayonlyhaveoneQueenatatimeandallQueenscomefromaPraetorianthathasundergoneroyaltransformation.WhiletheQueennormallyavoidscombat,sheisextremelydangerouswhencornered.Characteristics-GeneticDeterminationTheQueenisuniqueinherabilitytocontrolthegeneticconfigurationofthehive.ShealonecanspendinfestationpointstounlockthemassivedatabasecontainedinallAliens,andtherebyevolvethecreaturesofthehiveintomorecapableforms.Characteristics-EggLayingAbdomenTheQueencanexpendinfestationpointstodistendherabdomenandcauseittospawnEggs.Whilethis"eggsack"fixestheQueeninplace,shecanripfreeatanytime.ThisforcestheQueentocreateaneweggsacktocontinueEggproduction,however,soshechoosesthiscourseonlywhenthreatenedorwhenallnearbyhostsareconsumed.TheprocessofcreatinganeggsackalsospawnsaHiveNodenearby,sothatEggscangetitsnutritionalbenefits.Characteristics-SmashingBlowTheQueenisahugebeast,capableofstrikingenemieswithbone-shatteringblowsthatsendmostman-sizedcreatureshurtlingthroughtheair.Characteristics-SporeEmissionQueensproduceAlienspores.Sporescoatlivingorganismsandgrowuponthemforanextendedperiodoftime.Sporeshavenumeroussensorsandrelaywhatthey"see"byencodingthisinformationonambientradiationthatbouncesoffofthema

ndfindsitswaytootherAliens.This"sporesight"enablesthehivetotrackhostslongaftertheyhaveleftthevicinityofanynearbyAliens.Naturally,sporesdefeatPredatorcloaking.Upgrade-WarEmpressWhenthehiveisengagedinalloutwarwithahostspecies,theQueencanupgradeherself,improvinghercombatabilitiesinthreeways.First,shebecomesfartougher.Second,shegrowshardenedchitinthatdeflectsallbutheavymunitions.Third,shedevelopstheabilitytowillnearbytransbreedAliensintoacombatfrenzy.Inthisstate(signifiedbyagreenglow),transbeedAliensinflictnotablymoredamagethannormalandtheirblowscannotbeturnedbyopponentsusuallycapableofsuchafeat.StrengthsTheQueenisbestusedasanengineofhivegrowth,continuallycreatingEggsso

thatthehivecanaddnewmembers.Whenthehiveisdirectlythreatenedatitsheart,theQueenalsomakesapowerfullast-ditchdefender.Withherupgrade,theQueencangoonoffense,spearheadingmassassaultsofunparalleledvisciousness.Thislatteroptionisnotwithoutrisk,however,astheQueencannotlaymoreEggswhileonthemoreorifkilled.WeaknessesWhileattachedtohereggsack,theQueencannotattackandmustremainstationary.Thismakesheraneasytargerforlongrangebombardment.Also,whileherattackisunquestionablypowerful,itreliesmoreonconcussiveimpactthananykindofarmor-penetratingeffect.Assuch,heavilyarmoredopponentsaremorelikelytosurviveherstrikes.Inallothercases,theQueenisahardtargetthatcanonlybeneutralizedwithoverwhelmingforce.

CarrierStatisticsHealth:400Population:1MediumKineticDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:2Speed:4VisualRange:8


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UpgradeStatisticsHealth:400Population:1MediumKineticDamageMediumAcidDamageHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:2Speed:4VisualRange:8DescriptionTheCarrierspreadstheAlieninfestationtooutlyingregionsbyservingasaFacehuggertransport.WhileridingaCarrier,Facehuggersdonotexpendenergy,enablingthemtoreachfartherareasthantheirlimitedenergysupplywouldotherwiseallow.Incombat,theCarrierisanextraordinarilydangerousenemy,sinceitscargedoesnothesitatetoleaponnearbygargetswhenthreatened.LikeallpurebreedAliens,theCarriercomesfromamorphedPraetorian.Characteristics-FacehuggerTransportFacehuggers(normalorPraetorian)canleapontotheCarrier'sspinesoftheirownaccord,ortheCarriercancallthemtoitself.OnceridingtheCarrier,Facehuggersareprotectedfrommostweaponsbytheshapeanddispositionofthespines.FacehuggerscanalsofeedfromtinyfilamentsontheCarrier'sspinestoreplenishtheirfixedenergysupply.Bydefault,aCarriercanserveasatransportforuptosixFacehuggerssimultaneously.

Characteristics-LaunchingSpinesWhentheCarrierattacksanenemy,anyFacehuggersridingonitsbackautomaticallyleapwithuncannyaccuracytowardsthefacesofallpotentialhoststhatarewithinrange.Intherightcircumstances,asingleCarriercanbringdownanentiregroupofenemiesinsecondsviathismechanism.Characteristics-ExadrenalineTheCarrierfeedstheFacehuggersittransportswithabiologicalstimulantknownasexadrenaline.ThissubstancecausesFacehuggerstocontinueoperatingevenaftersustainingnormallyterminaldamage.TheCarriersaturatesridingFacehuggerswiththesubstance,effectivelyrenderingthemtemporarilyinvulnerable.OnceaFacehuggerleavesaCarrier,however,furtherdamagecausestheFacehuggedtorapidlyconsumeitsexadrenalinestore.RemainingexadrenalinepassesfromtheFacehuggertoanyChestburster(s)isproduces.

Upgrade-SupercarrierGenomeAnupgradedCarrier,knownasaSupercarrier,canbeartwelveFacehuggersinsteadofsix,enablingittoperformitutilitariantransportrolemoreefficiently.TheSupercarrierhasanaddeddefensemechanism-whenkilled,aneurologicaltriggercausesthecreaturetoburstapartviolently,spewingitsdeadlycargoandvastquantitiesofacid.Facehuggerslaunchedinthiswayhaveanuncannyknackforflyingstraightattheirattackers.Firepreventsthisexplosion,however,bycharringthebeastsolid.StrengthsTheCarrierisusefulforcarryingFacehuggerstovictorysitesandobviatingtheneedtodraghostsbacktothehive.WhenscreenedfromenemyfirebyotherAliens,thebeastcanbedevastatinginclosecombatiffullyloaded.EntiresquadsofenemiescanbecomeAlienhosts,asFacehuggersautomaticallyleapatvulner

ableopponentsnearby.ExadrenalineensuresthatCarrier-borneFacehuggersandtheChestbursterstheyproducehaveafarbetterchanceofsurvivingcombat.WeaknessesTheCarriertradesthestrengthandtoughnessofthePraetorianitmorphsfromtobecomeautilitarianbeastcapableofnurturingFacehuggers.Assuch,ithasnoarmorandcanfalltoenemyattacksquitequickly.Itishighlyvulnerabletofire,bothbecausefireheavilydamagesitscargoandbecauseitpreventstheupgradedCarrierfromexplodingondeath.Finally,theCarrierisnotparticularlygoodatattackingenemiesthatareimmuneorotherwiseresistanttobeingfacehugged.


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RavagerStatisticsHealth:1000Population:1HeavyRawDamageMediumKineticArmorLightFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:2.5Speed:4VisualRange:8UpgradeStatisticsHealth:1000Population:1HeavyRawDamageHeavyKineticArmorMediumFireArmorHeavyAcidArmorAttackRate:NormalAttackRange:2.5Speed:4VisualRange:8

DescriptionTheRavagerispresumedtobetheAlienevolutionaryresponsetotheheaviermilitaryequipmentbroughttobearbymoreadvancedspecies.ThismassivebeasttowersaboveotherAliensandisauniquelyterrifyingpresenceinbattle.Insteadofhands,itsupperextremetiesterminatein"hullblades"capableofslicingthroughevenadvancedarmors.ARavagercomesfromaPraetorianthathasmorphedataconsiderableinfestationpointcost.Characteristics-HullBladesTheRavagerpossessestwodiamond-handchitinousbladesthataresharpenoughtoslicethroughstarshiphulls.Noterrestrialarmoriscapableofresistingthem,makingthecreatureadeptattearingapartevenheavilyarmoredtargets.Worse,theRavagerintelligentlystrikestheweakpointsofitsenemies,meaningthatittypicallyseekstodecapitatebipeds.TheRavagerisuniqueamongAliensin

thatitkillsitspreyoutright,insteadofrenderingitcomatoseforsubsequentimpregnation.Upgrade-ColossalResilienceUponupgrade,theRavagerdevelopstwonewfeatures:1)ahardchitinousshellthatdeflectsevenmediumcaliberweaponsfireand2)theabilitytoperformarapidinternalrestorativeprocesscalledregenesis.RegenesiscausesaseverelydamagedRavagertoenteracatalepticstateinsteadofdying.IfacatalepticRavageravoidssufficientadditionaldamage,itrapidlyrebuildsitselfandreturnstobattleathalfstrength.Fireandextremeterminaldamagepreventregenesis.StrengthsTheRavagerexcelsatdismantlinganythingitencounters,evenheavilyarmoredtargets.SincetheRavagerkillspreyoutright,itisaparticularlygoodchoiceforuseagainstenemiesthatcannotbeimpregnated.Whenupgraded,theRavageri

sbestusedinconjunctionwithotherAliens.Thisway,enemiesmustfocusonanumberoftargets,oftenenablingslainRavagerstosuccessfullycompletetheregenesisprocessandreturntobattle.WeaknessesTheRavagerkillsitspreyratherthanrenderingitcomatose,soitisapoorchoicewhenthehiveisindireneedofviablehosts.TheRavagershouldavoidfire,sinceitpreventsthecreaturefromtriggeringregenesiswhenupgraded.PredatorVanguardsarealsotobeavoided,sincetheirplasmascythescanfrequentlykillaRavagerquicklyenoughtopreventitfromundergoingregenesis.

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