The Virgin Sting Ling
- Meekly walks around using DNA extract sting to meet genome objectives
- Cannot function independently, must rely on telepathic hugbox
- Beta who must take every protective ability possible
- Uses feeble stings to weaken target; is afraid of confrontation
- Passively tries to complete objectives
- Never husks out of fear of being caught
Get rid of the "genetic emporium" entirely. That gay shit is for syndicate agents. Instead, give lings ability trees styled after techwebs. 3 linear paths to keep it simple. They get a few points to start out and maybe a free powerful ability (i.e. they get to choose between armblade, cryo sting, or fleshmend, all mutually exclusive). The idea here is to prevent some of the more broken combinations from being obtainable without nerfing the individual abilities (thus making them unfun) or having some convoluted combination ban system, while enhancing the flavor of lings by making them literally evolve as they progress. The only way to get more points is by fully husking people. Dead people give a small number of points, people in crit a some, and fully conscious people a decent amount. Hive chat is removed too, and absorbing a changeling gives the most points. Turning on your fellow lings isn't just easier, it's encouraged. Also DNA sting is gone, because it's for pussies.
With those changes, we'll have
The Chad Absorb Ling
- Is the living reincarnation of Sun Tzu, making tactical ability purchases according to the situation
- Robusts people through pure skill alone using highly specialized ability loadouts
- Independent apex predator who hunts down and kills ling peers, not dead greyshirts like some beta cuck
- Loudly and confidently pursues objectives; does not hide from security
- Does not need 50 million defensive abilities, relies on knowledge and foresight
- Husks prey alive and conscious as they scream for help, like a true alpha
Edit: PK had a similar but simpler idea that could also work
Edit 2: Preliminary tree idea, vaguely in order of unlockPKPenguin321 wrote:Much simpler idea
Three categories of ling abilities, Combat, Stealth, and Regenerative
If take an ability from any category, all abilities in any other categories go up in price by 1
So if you take armblade, armor, shield, screech, etc (all combat abilities), it costs what it usually does, but if you try to take armblade, fleshmend, biodegrade (a combat, regenerative, and stealth ability), you're now down 2 more points than you'd usually be. This encourages specialization and makes it so mixing all the optimal powers and getting the best of every world isn't really doable.
Beginning: Armblade, Cryo Sting, or Fleshmend (choose 1, mutually exclusive abilities)
Combat
Resonant Shriek
Hallucination Sting
Dissonant Shriek
Strained Muscles
Resonant Shriek
Tentacle
Stealth
Mimic Voice
Digital Camoflage
Mute Sting
Augmented Eyesight
Blind Sting
False Armblade Sting
Lesser Form
Transformation Sting
Healing
Regenerate
Anatomic Panacea
Organic Shield
Organic Space Suit
Chitinous armor
Last Resort
Adrenal Sacs