Drone: Cystic Strain
Recounted from a dream I had once. Here’s what the Queen Mother psychically transmitted to me: The Cystic Drone is a fusion of intelligence officer, researcher and drone. It’s a complex one, but maybe you’ll find it cool.
Advantages:
- Harvest Mutagenic Catalyst as a resource.
- Imbed enemies with Acidic Cysts.
- Spend Mutagenic Catalyst on selectable acid strength or research.
- Build unique structures.
Disadvantages:
- Cannot build walls or doors (can build membrane).
- Cannot build sticky or speed flooring.
- Limited Plasma regeneration.
- Does not emit Pheromones.
- Reduced Slash damage.
New Structure: Cystic Spire
Type: Trap/Silo
Function: Initially empty, can store acid which bursts outwards when disturbed, or plasma for the hive to recover with. Cystic Spires glow faintly when filled, can be moved through by xenomorphs (but not marines), and are intended to serve as a deterrent similar to eggs or resin traps. The Cystic Spire will hopefully provide some dim lighting so captured marines might be given more ambiance than pure darkness in xeno territory. Cystic drones can reclaim what they store, recovering any spent Mutagenic Catalyst.
New Structure: Tadpole Pool
Type: Recovery/Logistical
Function: The Cystic drone can create a multi-tile floor of water. Xenomorphs can submerge themselves by resting, granting a hiding spot to smaller xenos (like a table) and immunity to fire that lasts a brief window when they emerge. Additionally, the Tadpole Pool allows a xenomorph to force grabbed enemies to drink from it, slowing the enemy down and stabilizing dying captures so they can be secured further into the hive. Eggs can be placed in a pool and become Slimy Eggs, which do not act as traps (facehugger storage). Scenes where a bunch of aliens are seated in cavernous pools were always memorable, and I think it’ll be ascetic and a decent side-grade to sticky.
New Ability: Cystic Spittle
Target a creature to extract and store Mutagenic Catalyst from it. Live creatures are embedded with acidic cysts that rupture if the targeted limb is slashed (using your selected acid type). Cysts need to be removed as a type of shrapnel, which has a chance of rupturing when moving. Using this ability on a corpse provides plasma and can only be used once. Larva that burst from a host afflicted with cysts are given a lasting damage shield and bonus evolution points.
New Ability: Switch Acid
Cycle through the acid types, more potent acids require more plasma and Mutagenic Catalyst.
New Ability: Anathema Research
A whole new avenue for xeno gameplay, the Anathema Research ability will allow the Cystic drone to convert their Mutagenic Catalyst into a tech tree unlocks. This will encourage a Cystic drone to roam the colony and harvest what is essentially intel, using corpses, attacking survivors, and maintaining a presence where captures and kills happen.
Example Concepts for Research
Research I: Cystic Infusion
Grants a weak damage shield that slowly recovers over time to Hive Leaders.
Research I: Royal Jelly
Grants Royal Jelly to the hive.
Research I: Renewed Boon
One chosen Boon can be activated.
Research II: Onslaught Genome
Hive Leaders gain a weak frenzy pheromone.
Research II: Microscopic Motes
Grants Cystic Drones the ability to create Mote Spores, which begin the gestation of a Bloodbursters in those that inhale them.
Research III: Regenesis
Hive Leaders enter a regenerative cataleptic state instead of dying.
Research III: War Mesoskeleton
The Queen reflects shrapnel when struck by non-armor piercing rounds.
Research IV: Infectoids
Grants Cystic Drones a new acid type, capable of converting the target into an infectoid over time. (Zombies)
Research IV: Deify
Attracts members of a xenomorph cult to assist the hive.
