Right, so. Here are the three (non-evo-rate) revisions in the running, as I interpret them:
-ESP: Better senses for Grubs; all lines (can) inherit electrosenses.
-Grubmind: Slightly better senses and slightly better comms for Grubs; all lines (can) inherit local psi-comms.
-Advanced Grub Matter: Better ability to be directed for Grubs; all lines (can) inherit better navigation.
The main problem with ESP is that we've already made senses for all our existing lines. Now, there's nothing wrong with more senses, but Grub revisions are a very limited resource- ideally, anything we do to them should be as useful as possible to all lines. Electrosenses seem a bit too niche to add to everything. This would be great for the Grubs, but less useful overall.
Grub Matter is definitely something that will help everything. The Hawk will probably be T2d into a Commander-type critter, which would both itself benefit from the better spatial awareness/intelligence, and be better able to command beasties that don't require as much micromanagement. As we develop more combat-focused critters in the coming turns, intelligence will become more important.
My only problem with Grub Matter is that it mentions the Grubs pathing around obstacles
"that they are aware of". The problem there is that Grubs are barely aware of things. In other words, I feel it will be great for our wider roster, but won't do as much to improve the Grubs themselves. Still, I would be okay with doing this one.
Grubmind is sort of a compromise between senses and coordination. As with most compromises, this means it sacrifices some efficacy. Even combining the senses of many Grubs won't result in high-def awareness. And being able to receive more complicated orders will not make them better at independent execution. To add insult to injury, even with Brainstorming cut out, this is probably harder than Advanced Grub Matter, and not any easier than ESP. I still think the benefits outweigh these downsides, though.
The benefit over ESP is that better psi-comms will be useful for everything, and sensation-sharing doesn't overlap with traditional senses as much (indeed, it acts as a multiplier to traditional senses).
The benefit over Grub Matter is that the base Grub will be slightly more competent. Unless we roll a 9 on Brood Nests (and even then), we're probably going to be fielding a lot of Grubs still, more than any other individual species.
I also think that Grubmind has potential to be improved without actually revising the Grub- cos we could revise (or design) other critters to be able to interface with the Grubmind.
I'm going to move my vote over to Advanced Grub Matter for now, but if Grubmind gets more support I will swap back.
Mutagenic Boost using the PteroHawk (-3 Mutagenic Potential, +1 to parent (Grub) and all children)
Yes: (4) NUKE9.13, m1895, Madman, Kashyyk
No: (1) Happerry
Revisions
Electrokinetic Sensory Perception (Grub Revision): (3) m1895, Madman, Happerry
Brood Nests (Grub evo rate): (5) NUKE9.13, m1895, Madman, Powder Miner, Kashyyk
(1) Petrohawk Telepathic Radar: Happerry
Grub Revision: Grubmind (no brainstorm): ()
Grub Matter:
Advanced Grub Matter: (2) Powder Miner, NUKE9.13
Author
Topic: Mutagenesis Team Thread | Alpha Hive (Read 10824 times)