Aliens

From NS2 community wiki

 

The Kharaa are composed of various extraterrestrial species infected and mutated by a form of bacteria, which has drastically altered the physiology of such creatures into a hierarchy of Kharaa lifeforms. Not much is known about the Kharaa, other than that they are fiercely territorial, aggressively expansive, and highly intelligent.

Lifeforms

The Kharaa life cycle begins with the egg, which is commonly found in large clusters around a Hive. The basic form of the Kharaa, the Skulk, hatches from an egg by biting through the membrane. It has been observed that when the threat to Kharaa territory becomes formidable, the aliens respond by evolving into different and stronger lifeforms as the situation demands. These lifeforms are classified as the Gorge, Lerk, Fade, and Onos, each with their own unique abilities and roles to fulfill.

Kharaa lifeforms are capable of communication through Hive Sight, an instinctive visual mechanism that allows them to identify friend from foe. The Kharaa also possess enhanced senses, more notably Alien Vision which grant perfect visibility in darkness.

Resources

The Harvester absorbs Team Resources and Personal Resources through a Resource Node, much like the Marine Extractor.

Team Resource is used by the Alien Commander to transform Drifters into various Kharaa structures, as well as research upgrades to enhance lifeform strength and survivability.

Personal Resource is used by Kharaa to evolve into different lifeforms, while simultaneously incorporating specific mutations into their genome through the Evolve Menu. The Gorge can create organic growths such as the Hydra and Cyst using Personal Resources.

Commander

Any Kharaa lifeform can enter an unoccupied Hive to act as Alien Commander. The Alien Commander is a hive mind presence that governs over Kharaa territory and evolution; it aids in coordinating lifeforms, spreading the Kharaa infestation, and growing various organic structures to increase genetic versatility.

Playable Lifeforms

Skulk	Gorge	Lerk	Fade	Onos

Lifeform Upgrades

• Frenzy
• Swarm
• Carapace
• Regeneration
• Camouflage

Non-playable Lifeforms

• Drifter
• Egg

Structures

• Harvester
• Hive
• Hydra
• Cyst
• Crag
• Whip
• Shade
• Shift
• Shell
• Spur
• Veil

Lore

The Khaara creatures themselves did not start from bacteria, various alien creatures were "infected" by this alien infestation, which evolves and mutates the creatures into what is referred to as the Khaara. It evolved them to be better fighters, builders, and lovers (you should see the amount of women the gorge gets). So, spike claws to walk on walls, or slash through armor, or spikes that can shoot from tubes on the side of the head.

Evolving armor is a natural step in the mutation, especially after years of encounters with the marines. This starts as small bone bits that break through the surface of the skin and form into little bone clusters. In specific areas of vulnerability these continue to spread and grow and build up to form into larger bone plates that serve as armor.

• See Onos for details of this mutation.