THE BUGS

Not much is known about the Bugs other than they show up pretty much everywhere and they don’t like humans very much. Complicating the fight against this relentless threat is the fact that they are telepathic and that the frequency they use disrupts much of the technology humanity relies upon. This is why humans are required to deal with the Bugs in person rather than sending robots to do the job. It also explains why weapons, sensors, and pretty much everything are a bit primitive.

The Bug’s powerful telepathic network not only restricts the tech used to combat them, but it also allows them to track anything that is powered. Since your EXO suits, weapons, and vehicles are all powered there is no hiding from them.

On the bright side, the Bug’s telepathic nature is also their key weakness. A fairly low-tech jammer can synch with an individual Bug spawning nest and effectively shut it down. Unfortunately, jamming requires someone getting very close and staying there long enough to establish a disruptive link.

The war against the Bugs can be won, given enough time and sacrifice. Your sacrifice, most likely!

Soldier

The most common Bug is the Soldier. They come in a variety of sizes, but anatomically they are identical and equally lethal. Soldiers tend to move in “clusters” of 4-6 individuals. Sometimes they accompany other Bug types or are left to guard nests.

One swipe on a civilian is all it needs. They also have a pretty easy time taking out Light EXOs, but struggle to overwhelm a Heavy EXO. Those using Mediums are well advised to remember they aren’t Heavies.

Breacher

Scientists theorize Breachers evolved to perform the role of miners for Bug colonies by wedging themselves into crevasses and exploding to separate layers of rock. Now, in their war against humanity, they act as very powerful mobile bombs.

Curiously, the Bugs seem to have figured out that fort doors and some walls are vulnerable to Breachers. If you are defending a fort and hear a Breacher charging things will get more interesting a few seconds later.

Chucker (aka Plasmas)

The artillery branch of the Bugs is filled out by the Chuckers. They are very large bugs which fire high energy plasma bolts, normally from very long distances. They move slowly and therefore tend to stay near their nests.

Their aim is incredibly accurate against stationary targets. Your EXO suits have a built in close range detector to warn you about plasma bolts about to hit your location. Think of it as a reminder to keep moving.

Bomber

The only flying insect discovered so far is the Bomber. They attack by flinging plasma bolts from close range. Their relatively small size and fast speed makes them hard to reliably keep track of. If your EXO’s audio sensors pick up the sounds of their wings flapping, it’s time to move.

Like Chuckers, they can’t reliably hit moving targets. Unlike Chuckers, their close attack range makes dodging their shots a lot harder to do. It’s especially bad for any civilians that happen to be nearby.

Commander

The biggest, baddest, and toughest of all known Bug types is the Commander. They are called Commanders because it seems they coordinate the actions of nearby Bugs. Whether that’s true or not isn’t relevant to your job.

These creatures are MASSIVE and have the strength necessary to quickly take out anything humanity can throw at it. Even Heavy EXOs can only hope to survive a couple of hits.

It takes determination, opportunity, and a lot of ammo to kill them with anything other than cannons or howitzers.