Pathogen Creatures

"You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility. I admire its purity. A survivor... unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality. Is there room enough in space for us and it?" - Ash, Alien

The Pathogen Creature is a rare opposing force of the USCM Marines during rounds on CM-SS13. The Pathogen Creatures are fearsome, perfected for combat to the point of challenging the Marine force with fewer numbers.

You are part of the Confluence, under the Overmind. You are but a manifestation of its will, and your primary and only task is to expand and protect the Confluence. You are reasonably intelligent and capable of quickly learning from the events during the infestation of the colony, yet you show no compassion or empathy. Your job will only be done when the Confluence reigns over all that you can reach.

Starting Out

If you are chosen as one of the first Aliens, you will spawn as a Bloodburster inside the colony that has just days before been pillaged and demolished, allowing you to spread out of control and infect or slaughter the entire colonist population. While the colony is mostly safe aside from a handful of hardened Survivors stubbornly clinging to life, this may not hold true long.

The Mycelial Link has full knowledge of the colony on which you were born, and many of its facets, even the most complex; its entire layout, how power and lighting functions, and where particular locations are. The little of resistance the Mycelial Link met also granted you some knowledge on the weapons you may expect to be used against you, like guns, knives, and grenades.

One of the first tasks of the Confluence is to find a nesting ground. Due to how vital this nest is and how disastrous it would be for Marines to find and destroy it, it is recommended to put it in the most secluded and secure location available. Nothing prevents you from making smaller nests closer to the action, but it could mean that the hosts manage to escape if the nesting area is pushed upon by the Marines.

If this is your first time as an Alien, check the Xeno Quickstart Guide. Here are additional tips:

• Speak in Mycelial Link by using :q or ; before your message. Example: Say ":q My life for the Overmind!" or "; My life for the Overmind!" instead.
• You are a manifestation of the Overmind's will. Follow its orders or die trying. If the orders appear to break server rules, you should warn the admins.
• Grow the Confluence. Gather together any hosts (living monkeys and humans) and bring them to the nest to incubate more Larvae.
• Weeds are paramount to you. While off weeds, your plasma will regenerate very slowly and you will not heal. If you do need to stray off weeds, remember this dearly, do not get caught exhausted and badly wounded far from weeds. Keep in mind that to heal at a fast, steady rate on weeds you need to be resting as if you stand while on weeds to heal you'll heal significantly slower.

The Creatures

Tier 0 EvolutionTier 1 EvolutionTier 2 EvolutionTier 3 EvolutionTier 4 Evolution

Caste	Role
Pathogen Popper	An endless wave of spores sent forth by the Overmind, Poppers exist to die and spread Pathogen and Mycelium.
Bloodburster	Scurry and hide away from danger and evolve into a more suitable alien .

• As soon as your Bloodburster has matured, you will be able to progress to the next stage of growth, Sprinter.

Caste	Role
Sprinter	Scout for the Hive. Harass and ambush Marines, especially lone wolves. Flank positions during sieges and stand-offs. Gather hosts.

• After a while as a Tier 1 Alien, you will build up evolution until you are finally able to advance. There, depending on the Hive's size and existing higher tier Aliens, you may be able to Evolve on the spot, or have to wait for another spot to free up, continuing to Upgrade in your current caste in the meantime. Whatever the case, you will no doubt see yourself becoming one of these castes should you stay alive long enough.

Caste	Role
Neomorph	The frontline strike package of the Pathogen Creatures. Kill and don't stop.
Blight	Hiding in the shadows and striking from them, the Blight spreads Mycelium everywhere it goes.

• While you can rapidly access Tier 3 by evolving again, it is certainly a serious responsibility. There will usually only be one or two of each of these castes in every Hive, and their loss can throw the Hive into disarray. If you do decide to Evolve, wield your new power carefully. Remember that even Tier 3 Aliens can quickly die if not being careful.

Caste	Role
Brute	Scout for the Hive. Harass and ambush Marines, especially lone wolves. Flank positions during sieges and stand-offs. Gather hosts.
Venator	Scout for the Hive. Harass and ambush Marines, especially lone wolves. Flank positions during sieges and stand-offs. Gather hosts.

Caste	Role
Matriarch	Bring dominion over the world in the name of the Confluence.

Rank

Rank or age is determined by time played. The time to reach each rank is as followed. Bloodbursters do not show maturation via playtime, instead differing on fresh bloodburster to mature larva as they gain evolution points.

• Scarred: 10 hours
• Enduring: 25 hours
• Apex: 70 hours
• Centennial: 175 hours