Non-Combat Changelings

[Wulfe_L]

Changelings almost never actually change. The majority of lings I've observed rely simply on dragging victims into maint and choking them to death. Despite theoretically being an unknown alien species that steals the form of its victims, in practice lings have become Alex Mercer from Prototype, instead of the Thing or body snatchers by which they were inspired.

A simple proposal: A version of the ling with it's offensive arsenal cut down substantially, and whose absorption automatically transforms them into the victim. (What, exactly, should be removed or altered to create the correct effect is something to be discussed. For instance, one possible change could be objectives with more focus on stealing identities instead of merely acquiring DANA via absorption, perhaps.)

This would force them to play the role of the recently deceased, which would hopefully lead to a more subtle and cautious antagonist. A ling might kill and replace someone in order to gain access to their true target's workplace, or a crew member might notice that their co-workers keep vanishing, and the ones who do come back aren't acting quite like themselves...

Basically, I just think it could be interesting to have an antag role with a focus on stealth and, to some extent, talking and acting. Who knows? It might also encourage people to speak to the people around them more, to make it harder for a long to impersonate them successfully. I don't propose this as a replacement for the current ling, just as an alternative that might the worth testing out.

Your thoughts?

[DrPillzRedux]

Boring.

[Thunder11]

Could make this even more paranoia based by allowing any ling power to be applied to a random person as a sting, so you can shift the blame onto someone else because they suddenly and unwillingly ling revive.

[PKPenguin321]

Lings that don't transform often are missing out. Being a The Thing type ling is completely viable and actually one of my favorite roles in the entire game. Flesh Disguises on transform is great.

[lzimann]

Lings that don't transform often are missing out. Being a The Thing type ling is completely viable and actually one of my favorite roles in the entire game. Flesh Disguises on transform is great.

The best about flesh disguise was when people tried to debrain you(when ling died with debraining), and couldn't because of flesh helmet/head gear.

[Armhulen]

>ling is supposed to be about taking other's identities and tricking security

>sec finds a ling, immediately dies to it's 5 combat abilities

[kevinz000]

Said security needs to acquire proficiency

[Armhulen]

Said security needs to acquire proficiency

true but changelings are really good at killing is my point