Hunter Prey introduces 6 new base defenses for the PHC that create tactical new utility. To counteract this the Substrate have access to 6 new ground units, some of which excel in Sieges.
New PHC Buildings:
All towers are upgrades to existing towers, or they can be built directly from the Sapper advanced engineer.
- Shotgun Turret
- Machine Gun Turret
The Shotgun & Machine Gun Turrets upgrade from the Emergency Turret called down as an orbital Ability. This allows the player to invest in more sturdy defenses in a pinch. The Shotgun Tower has massive damage but short range, while the Machine Gun is versatile against both airborne and ground threats.
The Minos Cannon is a tier 3 defense, upgrading from the Oblivion Tower. It is the ultimate anti-dreadnought and anti-juggernaut defense. Very expensive to field but has long range, massive damage and is very tough. It fires a 6 heavy armor-piercing shots in a quick volley, then suffers a lengthy cooldown. This makes it vulnerable to swarms of light enemies.
The Nova Tower is a specialized bombardment tower that upgrades from the Artillery Post. It provides heavy shield damage in a wide area but deals no hull damage. Excellent for mixing in with artillery Posts, or softening up threats before an attack. Ineffective against PHC, and Substrate targets can counteract the shield drain with heavy use of Caregivers or Regenerators.
The Battery Tower is a support tower that upgrades from the Sensor Post. increases the damage of all nearby towers and units by 15%. Expensive and incredibly fragile, but can greatly benefit densely saturated defensive zones. Try to pick battles around the Battery Towers to give your forces an edge in battle.
The Stasis Hammer is a utility tower than upgrades from the Sentinel Turret. The Stasis Hammer deals no damage but is long-range and can stun an enemy target for several seconds. Can halt a dreadnought in its tracks, or delay sieging artillery to buy more time to prepare a defense.
New Substrate Structure:
Produces all new units except for the Heart of the Phoenix which is produced from the Advanced Assembly along other Juggernauts.
New Substrate Units:
- Clutch Of Eggs
- Hatchlings
The Clutch of Eggs is a tough mechanical Spiderbot versatile against ground units. When destroyed, the Clutch of Eggs releases dozens of Hatchlings to overwhelm enemies who may be unprepared. Countering both the heavy Clutch and the swarm of Hatchlings will require a careful mixture of units or defenses from the opponent.
The Scarab is a slower but hardier and powerful Frigate. Use it to overwhelm enemies that have slow-firing single-target weaponry.
Area Dominance Juggernaut that decimates nearby enemies with dozens of missiles. Also has a Static Charge battery to rapidly disable nearby units. Weaker than other Juggernauts, but when destroyed will form into a Chrysalis. If the Chrysalis survives for 30 seconds, the Phoenix will be reborn.
The Falling Star is a disruption Cruiser that when destroyed releases an EMP pulse. Any enemy base defenses near the blast radius are stuck and unable to target anything for 15 seconds.
The Skirmisher is a fast-moving Cruiser suited to harassment. It lacks the health of other cruisers but the Skirmisher’s speed allows it to outmaneuver enemy forces and attack in lightly defended areas. Can also easily engage incoming Artillery.
New Scenario - “Hunter and Prey”
The new scenario is an introduction to the new content. Haalee has designated a world as part of her plans and it will be claimed for the Substrate by your hand. In “Hunter and Prey” you’re outnumbered against entrenched forces, but you’ll receive reinforcements of the latest of the Substrate’s arsenal. Each PHC Nexus you destroy, additional reinforcement types will be sent to assist you. Each entrance into the main enemy base is protected by different types of base defenses and you’ll have to eliminate them accordingly.
