Monsterinsider brings us another update today. Though I expect not the one most of us were looking for. That’s right… today instead of Subterrans we get a preview of the Savage Swarm!
Dynastavus is first on the list with Flight, as can be expected of a giant wasp. With Power Drain and Charge on her Alpha and Hit & Run and Synchronized Move on her Ultra, it looks like this big bug will be keeping people busy. It also appears, from the fluff, that we’ll be seeing Siphon on one or both forms.
Xixorax is our second Swarm monster. Sporting Sprint, Super Rampage, Charge and Beat Back on Brawl, I think we can expect to see this bug up close and personal very often.
The units featured are Dire Ant Warriors and Vice Pinchers. The Dire Ant Warriors feature Gang while the Vice Pinchers will be using Flank to weaken targets.
Tune in later today for the podcast with Mike. Post your questions and we’ll get them answered!
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We’re gonna need a bigger can of Raid now…
Damnit Mike, moles! I need my MOLES! MOOOOLLLLLEEESSSS! *breaks down crying*
While I’m disappointed that it doesn’t look like there’s anything to offer Mucustos in this batch of units, Dynastavus makes me too happy for words. Also, fluff mentions Weapon Master, which I’m assuming from those stingers is on the Brawl. It’d be really cool if she had Weapon Master, H&R, and Syncronized Move all on the Power, though. My guess is Power Drain on the Alpha becomes Syphon on the Ultra.
Xixorax (Honorary Planet Eater name if I ever heard one) sounds neat, if a little more-of-the-same. If he does have Juggernaut like we all hope, Rampaging across the city, running into the enemy for a click, and then scuttling away with Sprint is gonna be super fun.
More brawling units = Woo Razor Beetle, boo Mucustos. I’m almost certain that Warlord Rifa has Coordinate based on the fluff.
Zorog’s Blue Gang is even more worthless =)
I’m not sure if we’ll see much difference in Destroyer playstyle based on those units. We already have Flank from Destructomite, and unless the Dire Ant Warriors are 1*1 with an Elite, they won’t replace Explodos or Chompers. Maybe Red Gang?
The Wasp monster looks fantastic! Sorry to see that Rogzor isn’t getting anything to play with =/ But Xaxor just keeps getting better!
How can a wasp Syphon me if I don’t have any carpels?
Okay, time to think of some questions…
Jeremy (aXl), wants to know how the pincher bug and the Destructomite are going to differ in stats or abilities. Will one just be better than the other? Or will there still be a reason to take Spd 6, Def 2 over Burrow?
While we’re at it, will the ants bring anything to the table that the Swarm doesn’t already have access to with Planet Eater units?
I must know if Herc is going to have Juggernaut in either or both forms. Please! I won’t be able to sleep at night until I know for sure!
How many Def 5’s are we gonna see?
Also, it’s clear that PP is starting to go for more and more monsters with Def 5. Why is that exactly? Is it to balance out the older factions with all the cool new abilities from the new monsters? Or maybe to prove to competitive players that Def 5 is do-able? Or is it something else entirely?
Also, will we ever see another Def 8 on a monster?
Finally, it’s pretty obvious now that Shadow Sun Industries created the Swarm in their labs. What made PP decide to go that route with the bug’s backstory, and who was in charge of writing it?
I greatly enjoyed the fluff. It was my favorite so far (both creepily subtle, and full of ninja intrigue), but I also wonder, did S.I. actually fail in their mind control implementation techniques? Or, did it all go completely according to plan?
I’m wondering, since the Shadow Sun is trying to take over the world by appearing to be the ‘heroes’ in the public eye, and where you have heroes, you have to have villains…
Perhaps SI custom made some that they could easily manipulate?
Xixorax sounds like fun. I like the idea of his ultra form having Juggernaut. That means he will do super damage while getting back a ton of p-dice. Most likely spire will be on the swarm installation but it would be cool to see on Xixorax. It does state the reaction is on a figure not just buildings so it has a very slim possibility. It would be great on Xixorax on a ultra Juggernaut attack for 3 points of damage….pipe dreams are fun. Xixorax has charge on ultra I wonder if that will be blue or red.
I hope the warlord rifa has red coordinate. Those ants would be humming through in red charge or motivator from the warlord and that spells trouble.
Juggernaut is the ability that everyone wants to see unveiled, so I have a question about it. It specifies that it causes super damage if the attacking monster is in hyper form. Will we see Juggernaut on an alpha form at all, Swarm or otherwise?
I hope the beetle lives up to my dreams. If we take the “Unstoppable force” line as a usual ability hint, he’ll probably have juggernaut but with sprint/talks of high speed it seems likely he’ll be fragile. 5 defense/6 health in both forms? Do not want. I gotta know his defense/health. Additionally, I wonder if he packs any unit buffs. Bue charge? That might make up for any weaknesses. Xaxor is a bit tiring, I’d jump at the chance for a nice brawly unit general. His name has an anagram of Xaxor in it! Maybe there’s hope!
Also gotta know more details on the new unit boost stats. I expect the beetle to be speed 5/def 3 with burrow which would make it more useful in general than the speed 6/def2/no movement d-mite. Gang isn’t that impressive on a 1*0 brawler (Which seems likely) but it sounds like they’ll pack Coordinate on the elite. That’d make up for it and they’ll be brutal in large numbers. If charge is blue on the Beetle and the ants do indeed have Coordinate we might have the first zerg-rush capable army EVER. 1 a-dice to move 6 units. Dear lord, I hope so. Sounds like they got low speed though?
The wasp seems cool. Destroyers with a fast, mobile flyer monster! You can always get your super damage using Chompers with a little work (Synchronized move will definitely help. Mini turns brawling buildings and hit-and-run/sync moving units into place?) so this isn’t a monster we can discount on the grounds of “1 damage only!”
Oh hey, also ask if the Vice Pinchers have any other abilities. Halt sounds reasonable enough what with the GIANT PINCHER. And see if you can pinch out any details out about that character ant..
Mike thank you for showing off the swarm. I enjoy playing them a lot and I can’t wait for more units so I can attempt a pure force.
My last post I made was all excited speculation and gushing with excitement. So now I will post some real questions?
I would really like to be able to bring out more units at the start of a turn and get the feeling I am swarming the board. Will either of these units have nesting or cargo (with the hope for a monster or unit with transport now or down the line)?
Concerning the fluff on the units there is mention that the ants are slow (hopefully not a movement of 3). The elite has a flicking stripe that seems to speed up the grunts. Are we finally going to see coordinate on a unit? Or is the elite sporting command? Also are all of the dire ants getting gang or just the elite?
You mentioned the character units way back early January and it was the Warlord Rifa (who looks to be sporting motivator or synchronized move on a brawl). I know you most likely will not answer questions concerning their stats. But I do have one question you may answer: How many character units can be in a force, is it 5 like any unit or limited to 1 like the government building or monument?
Thanks for the post every Monday to keep the fires burning for Monsterpocalypse until April.
Great work on the Blog Mike. It is always nice to hear of the secret sinister doings of the Shadow Sun Syndicate. Im beginning to think they started the Monsterpocalypse war just to show off how good they are?
It is good to see the Savage Swarm continue the feel of the Destroyer Agenda, bot the factions seem to be a very aggressive, with emphasis in the Planet Eaters of the boosts and self destructive nature and Savage Swarm emphasis on the ability to mobilise and manoeuvre their units.
My question to Mike is to whether he would rank the Destroyer Agenda as the most aggressive Agenda?? Are Factions designed to develop their own playstyle or to an Agenda Playstyle (perhaps with an added twist)??
Can we ask questions about Voltron, too? If so, Mike, please talk to us about the map in the set. How is it going to change the city-crushing dynamic of Monsterpocalypse to have a stand-alone set with no city to crush?
By the way, I don’t want to seem rude by asking questions and jetting.
I definitely appreciate everything you’ve been doing for Monpoc too, Mike! You make me look forward to Mondays!
One other question. Are we going to see another building that is radioactive? I love having the option to heal my swarm monster or something else to throw Incinerus into that gives him the hazard damage he deserves.
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