Frontline drone - a T2 idea

[ThePiachu]

I enjoy playing the drone role a lot. With the new T2 Drone evolution being teased, I figured I'd throw in my idea to see what people think.

Frontline Drone - T2 Drone evolution

Intended use: frontline support

Abilities: plant weeds, swallow enemies, acid goop (second tier), emit pheromones (stronger than drone, weaker than Praetorian), transfuse plasma. No building, no acid spitting. Slightly faster than a drone, slower than a lurker. Strong enough to open up holes in walls. HP and armour higher than a drone, perhaps around T1 combat caste. Drone level plasma pool, maybe a bit larger. Can enter vents.

This drone would be focused on providing support for the combat castes - either on the frontlines, or for the harassing party. It's intended to provide basic weeding capabilities and healing, while also being versatile enough to create openings with its acid and dispose of things like flares or dropped guns. Works well with a Carrier (transfuses and weeding with a larger plasma pool), as well as Praetorian (weeding plus weak resin can quickly cover an area in tandem).

What do you think?

[misto]

most of these improvements could be applied to carriers or sufficiently-aged drones rather than needing a whole new class for it

[Light]

I enjoy playing the drone role a lot. With the new T2 Drone evolution being teased, I figured I'd throw in my idea to see what people think.

Frontline Drone - T2 Drone evolution

Intended use: frontline support

Abilities: plant weeds, swallow enemies, acid goop (second tier), emit pheromones (stronger than drone, weaker than Praetorian), transfuse plasma. No building, no acid spitting. Slightly faster than a drone, slower than a lurker. Strong enough to open up holes in walls. HP and armour higher than a drone, perhaps around T1 combat caste. Drone level plasma pool, maybe a bit larger. Can enter vents.

This drone would be focused on providing support for the combat castes - either on the frontlines, or for the harassing party. It's intended to provide basic weeding capabilities and healing, while also being versatile enough to create openings with its acid and dispose of things like flares or dropped guns. Works well with a Carrier (transfuses and weeding with a larger plasma pool), as well as Praetorian (weeding plus weak resin can quickly cover an area in tandem).

What do you think?

Seems a Good idea but a Class which is supposed to be in the battlefield should have at least a Weak way to defend itself (Not counting Tackle) maybe a quick tail push that makes the Marine move back 2-4 tiles away from the drone, not dealing any damage but a quick way for a Drone to defend himself without inflicting damage or chalenging everyone to become that Class (You know, Defender and Warrior Fever.)

[ThePiachu]

most of these improvements could be applied to carriers or sufficiently-aged drones rather than needing a whole new class for it

Well, it's a logical "third way" to play a drone. A Hivelord is a drone that's better at building, a Carrier is a drone that's better at handling eggs, so this would be a drone that's better at surviving on the frontlines.

[GoliathTheDespoiler]

or you could like

buff carrier i guess

[Build_R_]

It seems like what you could call a 'vanilla' xeno. Nothing very special about it aside from it's changed stats, the same results could be achieved from a drone/spitter combo imo. Maybe it needs some defining ability that will make it more intriguing.

[biscuitsakimbo]

or you could like

buff carrier i guess

Yeah I don't really see how this idea is anything but a worse Carrier.

[Ruse]

Remember the comics having Xenos evolved from different creatures how about a modified drone that “stings” those close to it with a aoe tail attack that makes marines groggy and sleep stuns them for a few seconds sound good? I thought I’d just make a suggestion while I’m at it since I seek a new T2 drone caste as well.

[Damous]

No need for an entire new class, Drones just need to be stronger as they age with stronger pheromones, but not as strong than a hiverlord.

Bring hugger combat back to drones by making them carry a single hugger indefinitely like a surrogate weaker carrier, that cannot store eggs.