I'm just gonna start with basic tactics, then I'll get into more niche' roles of certain castes.
General:
Don't be stupid.
Look for traps that marines set up.
When retreating from combat, retreat like this:
M = marine ... X = you ... --- = block/meter
---------------
-M------------
-----------X-->
This makes it damn near impossible for them to hit you off-screen, given that they don't move down.
It's usually a good idea when off-screen to move 1 more meter downwards.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, USE COVER WHENEVER, AND WHEREVER YOU FIND IT!
IF YOU CAN'T FIND IT, MAKE IT, CALL A DRONE!
Mines are not horrible to step on, they just stun you and do a little bit of damage. I hate to sound dumb, but if there's a mine no-body is directly watching ... STEP ON IT!
Grenades ... do I reall- alright ... just run, don't be dumb. It also inhibits the marine's movement forward so ... kind of a waste on their part if they don't throw it right.
Mutators 101:
As a xeno, your most beneficial trait of the hive is war of attrition V.I.A hit fast, hit hard, and hit often kind of memento.
a "+" is a buff, and a "-" is a weakness, but gives you more mutator points to work with for mutations.
As a building/support caste (Drone, Hivelord, Burrower, Carrier), you'll usually want: Tackle-, Speed+, Pheromone+, If you're Carrier get carrying capacity+, Plasma+
As a hunting caste (Runner, Lurker, Ravager, Warrior), you'll usually want: Plasma-, Speed+, Damage+, Health+, Armor+
As a spitting caste (Sentinel, Spitter, Praetorian, Boiler), you'll usually want: Tackle-, Speed+, Acid damage+, If you're a boiler get gas radius+, health+
As a defending/heavy caste (Defender, Praetorian, Crusher), you'll usually want: Tackle-, Speed+, Armor+, If you're a Praetorian get acid+, Health+
CQC:
Spoiler:
Long-range/open space:
Spoiler:
Assaulting an FOB/fort:
Spoiler:
Alright, now we're gonna get into specific castes.
T1:
Drone:
Plant eggs near the front.
You are THE CORE of the hive in terms of support.
Weed anywhere and EVERWHERE.
Build cover where needed.
Only emit recovery, the other pheromones are only relevant when you have strong/VERY strong pheremones.
Runner:
You're basically a glass-cannon that does ... eh ... O-K damage.
Basically if someone wants to ambush or do CQC, help them.
Defender:
You're basically a weak-sauce good-for-nothing piece of crap until you're elder/ancient.
You defend boilers from stray bullets.
You cover the retreat or pull-out of crit'ed xenos. TAKE THE BULLETS, you're much more resilient than you think.
Sentinel:
You're kind of like a runner, except you don't have speed, and you do SHIT for damage.
Your biggest buff is that of the neuro-tox spit.
If you're elder/ancient, you can spam that shit and knock-down/STUNLOCK 3, MAYBE even 4 marines, it's great.
T2:
Spitter:
You're basically a MUCH better sentinel.
You can spit acid which deals burn damage at ... pretty decent range.
You can melt stuff pretty well, good for FOB assaults given a boiler.
Lurker:
You're the iconic xeno ... and the one that gets killed all the time. You could be referred to as like a destroyer; Fast, hits hard when your attacks land, and really stealthy.
Sky-risk, Sky-reward.
When you 'walk' or 'stalk', you become incredibly opaque/invisible.
Your pounce is your most deadly tool.
At Elder/Ancient, you are probably the most deadly tool in the hive arsenal besides a ravager.
Warrior:
You're basically a Lurker that can drag marines into the depths of the cold, dark night.
Your pounce-grab is the most deadly tool you have, since marines can't get out of it.
You will most likely work closely with a carrier if there is one.
At elder/ancient, you're basically a Lurker that can secure a kill V.I.A pounce-grab.
Carrier:
You are probably the only one in the hive that is going to generate more larva/xenos for the hive.
You are incredibly weak in all terms.
You are ... basically like an aircraft carrier. You're slow, weak, but powerful in the right scenario/condition.
ALWAYS stay safe.
Grab huggies BEFORE grabbing eggs, and then plant the eggs near the front-line.
Work with Warriors CLOSELY.
For the love of god, DON'T DIE WITH 50 HUGGERS AND 30 EGGS ON YOU.
Usually if your fellow xenos see you / a fellow carrier, they're less likely to do 'No capture, kill all' kind of momento.
Hivelord:
You are a drone that has better pheromones, more plasma, and build structures with more health.
You can 'upgrade' a drone's structure's health by just 'building' on the structure.
Burrower:
... You've made somewhat of a mistake if you've gone burrower. (currently the most unused/frowned upon T3 in the game)
Your only useful skill is that you can make tunnels for fast-travel.
You can go underneath the ground to hide/ambush.
T3:
You are the biggest and the baddest, but that doesn't mean you're invincible.
Play your hand of cards right, and you'll reap lots of honor and rewards.
Ravager:
You are the definition of fear.
Your attacks do absolutely insane damage, capable of killing in just 3-4 hits! (if you do it right)
Your speed is GARBAGE. Like ... slower than DEFENDER GARBAGE.
Your charge is your best weapon/attack.
You are a hit-and-run xeno.
At mature, you're basically a lurker that has INFINITELY sharper claws and less speed.
At elder/ancient, you're basically a de-cappitating un-holy terror to behold.
You are immune to fire, and fire-inducing bullets and weaponry.
Crusher:
You're basically a charger from Left 4 Dead.
Your charge is your best tool to barge through a bunch of marines.
Your stomp does a bunch of damage when on top of a downed marine.
Your hard-counter and weakness is fire ... AHHHHH ... F***ING FIRE!!!
At mature/elder, you have INSANE armor. Like, better than ANCIENT DEFENDER WITH ARMOR MUTATION INSANE.
Boiler:
You're basically the heavy artillery of the hive. You could also be referred to as a heavy-cruiser; slow, little armor, big guns, and strike from far-range.
Your neuro-toxin only blinds marines, but is more useful as a smoke-screen for FOB assaults.
You emit light.
You're really slow.
Your CQC defense is spitting a line of acid that hurts and downs marines when they walk over it.
Praetorian:
You're basically a boiler that can't bombard from long-range. You could also be referred to as a battleship; slow, heavy armor, big guns, and good at brawling.
Your pheremones are absolutely INSANE ... as in BETTER/STRONGER THAN ANCIENT DRONE AND QUEEN PHEROMONES INSANE!
Your acid spray is the same as the boiler's ... except it does it in an AOE cone in the direction of spit, making it incredibly lethal/good.
You can spit sticky-resin, slowing down advances.
Your spit is INFINITELY better than your T2 spitter counter-part.
You have really good armor like an ancient defender.
Your slashes deal pretty good damage.
You're kinda slow.
T4:
As a queen, you really shouldn't be on the front lines ... EVER!!!
You are the mother-ship, core, and keystone of the hive ... DO NOT DIE!!
You should always be planting/making eggs and coordinating assaults and strategy.
Your screech is your most effective tool. As an AOE stun effect that last longer the closer you are to it, it's good for pushes.
You can spit about as well as a mature spitter.
When in your ovipositor, you can remotely heal, watch, and coordinate your hive.
For mutations ... it's better to ask your hive-lings what they need. Usually for the hive you'll want speed, pheromone strength +, and everything else is usually a case-by-case basis. For yourself, invest in faster egg-laying.
I hope this guide helped any new players, or experienced players looking for tips.
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spasibo za chteniye moikh druzey
Thank you for reading my friends