Flameal15k
Worker
Alright, here's my suggestion for the final missions that aren't in the formicarium. Dev's, if you like what you see, take it.
As the title states, the ant in question is the Matabele Ant. Because seriously, we need a healer for our ants!
Before you ask, heal is AOE, but is divided between slow but powerful heal with armor buff at upgrade level three vs rapid but minor heal that gives a speed boost at level three. NO attack boosts because Slug Disco gave that to Army Ants and I'm hoping we get those added in for our formicarium in a later update.
Mission Start:
Narrator: Beneath the African Sun, a new empire has arisen. Hidden away under the parched earth, a colony of Megaponera analis has recently settled in the area. These specialist hunters have chosen their nesting site well - nearby are several termite mounds, the source of their favored prey. They will need to be cautious, though - the existing kingdoms won't take kindly to a new arrival, especially one as belligerent as these.
Mission Dialogue:
More commonly known as Matabele Ants, these insects are extreme specialists amongst their kind - almost the entirety of their diet is composed of termites, and they will voraciously assault any nearby mounds to sate their brood. Of course, this isn't without risk - termites colonies can rival those of ants in terms of numbers, and they are just as organized as their more advanced competitors. When conflicts occur, casualties are quite high. But the ants have a solution to this problem....
{First Medic Ant is created}: Megaponera is unique amongst the animal kingdom in that it is the only species aside from humans to consistently care for injured individuals. As the raiding parties accumulate casualties, individuals break off to treat the wounded whilst their comrades continue the assault. The ants are very pragmatic about this, however - only the ants who can still assist the colony despite their injuries are treated. The rest are abandoned to die.
Some dialogue regarding the other creatures that can show up:
Dung Beetle: The ants have encountered the titanic form of a dung beetle, busy digging into the waste of some large herbivore. Though imposing, the creature is no danger to the ants, nor is it a risk of becoming their food - the ants are more interested in feasting on termites than on this behemoth.
Sausage Fly: This peculiar creature is known as a sausage fly. Despite its name, it is actually a type of ant - this is the male form of the African Driver Ant, known locally as the Siafu. Though imposing, it is absolutely defenseless against the Matabele ants, and would do well to avoid them - despite feasting primarily on termites, they will not tolerate other ants in their territory.
(For those wondering, Driver Ants would be the challenge creatures, and would periodically occupy certain trails unless repelled. Unlike army ants ,though, they won't end up invading your nest.
Locust: The raiding parties have stumbled upon a group of juvenile locusts. These swarming grasshopper can devour everything in sight if they swarm, but at the moment, they are completely outnumbered by the ants. Should the ants decide to prey upon them, the locusts' only hope of escape is their long legs and their wings.
If you're wondering why I mentioned the Matabele ants seeming to have some obsession with eating termites, they're almost exclusively termite eaters in real life.
As the title states, the ant in question is the Matabele Ant. Because seriously, we need a healer for our ants!
Before you ask, heal is AOE, but is divided between slow but powerful heal with armor buff at upgrade level three vs rapid but minor heal that gives a speed boost at level three. NO attack boosts because Slug Disco gave that to Army Ants and I'm hoping we get those added in for our formicarium in a later update.
Mission Start:
Narrator: Beneath the African Sun, a new empire has arisen. Hidden away under the parched earth, a colony of Megaponera analis has recently settled in the area. These specialist hunters have chosen their nesting site well - nearby are several termite mounds, the source of their favored prey. They will need to be cautious, though - the existing kingdoms won't take kindly to a new arrival, especially one as belligerent as these.
Mission Dialogue:
More commonly known as Matabele Ants, these insects are extreme specialists amongst their kind - almost the entirety of their diet is composed of termites, and they will voraciously assault any nearby mounds to sate their brood. Of course, this isn't without risk - termites colonies can rival those of ants in terms of numbers, and they are just as organized as their more advanced competitors. When conflicts occur, casualties are quite high. But the ants have a solution to this problem....
{First Medic Ant is created}: Megaponera is unique amongst the animal kingdom in that it is the only species aside from humans to consistently care for injured individuals. As the raiding parties accumulate casualties, individuals break off to treat the wounded whilst their comrades continue the assault. The ants are very pragmatic about this, however - only the ants who can still assist the colony despite their injuries are treated. The rest are abandoned to die.
Some dialogue regarding the other creatures that can show up:
Dung Beetle: The ants have encountered the titanic form of a dung beetle, busy digging into the waste of some large herbivore. Though imposing, the creature is no danger to the ants, nor is it a risk of becoming their food - the ants are more interested in feasting on termites than on this behemoth.
Sausage Fly: This peculiar creature is known as a sausage fly. Despite its name, it is actually a type of ant - this is the male form of the African Driver Ant, known locally as the Siafu. Though imposing, it is absolutely defenseless against the Matabele ants, and would do well to avoid them - despite feasting primarily on termites, they will not tolerate other ants in their territory.
(For those wondering, Driver Ants would be the challenge creatures, and would periodically occupy certain trails unless repelled. Unlike army ants ,though, they won't end up invading your nest.
Locust: The raiding parties have stumbled upon a group of juvenile locusts. These swarming grasshopper can devour everything in sight if they swarm, but at the moment, they are completely outnumbered by the ants. Should the ants decide to prey upon them, the locusts' only hope of escape is their long legs and their wings.
If you're wondering why I mentioned the Matabele ants seeming to have some obsession with eating termites, they're almost exclusively termite eaters in real life.