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Biomass is a tech progression system that serves two functions: increase all lifeforms' maximum Health pool and enable unlocked lifeform abilities after research from the Hive. Each Hive can contain up to 4 Biomass levels; 1 level for being an active Hive and 3 (15/20/40) additional levels can be upgraded by the Alien Commander.

The Biomass progression bar contains slots that will light up to show the current Biomass level, and shows the corresponding ability underneath each slot. It is always visible to the Alien Commander, but is only visible to players when they access the Mini-map, Evolve Menu or check the Research menu (default
J
). If a Hive is attacked, its section of Biomass levels will pulsate red to alert all Kharaa players.

If a Hive is destroyed, the additional health provided to all lifeforms and abilities enabled by its Biomass levels will be lost. Lifeforms existing before the Hive is destroyed will retain their unlocked abilities, but new lifeforms will not possess them; maximum health pool will decrease according to the current Biomass level. When Biomass levels are regained by building and upgrading a new Hive, maximum health pool will increase again and researched abilities for new lifeforms will be unlocked.


Biomass Levels & Unlocked Abilities with research costs and time
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Level 9 Level 10 Level 11 Level 12
Biomass bar 12
Nutrient Mist Rupture Bone Wall Contami-
nation
Nutrient Mist Rupture icon Bone wall icon Contamination icon
2 Alien res
15 seconds
3 Alien res
3 seconds
3 Alien res
6 seconds
5 Alien res
20 seconds
Bile Bomb Meta-
bolize
Leap Adv. Meta-
bolize
Umbra Stab Stomp Xenocide
Bile bomb icon Metabolize Leap icon Adv Metabolize Umbra icon Stab icon Stomp icon Xenocide icon
15 Alien res
40 seconds
20 Alien res
40 seconds
15 Alien res
40 seconds
20 Alien res
45 seconds
30 Alien res
75 seconds
25 Alien res
60 seconds
35 Alien res
90 seconds
25 Alien res
60 seconds
Spores
Spores icon
20 Alien res
60 seconds
Bone Shield
Bone shield icon
25 Alien res
40 seconds
Gorge Egg Lerk Egg Fade Egg Onos Egg
Gorge egg icon Lerk egg icon Shadow step icon Onos egg icon
20 Alien res
45 seconds
40 Alien res
45 seconds
80 Alien res
45 seconds
100 Alien res
45 seconds
  • Maximum 12 Biomass levels (Biomass 0 and Biomass 1 are effectively the same)
  • Unlocks specific lifeform abilities once researched from Hive.
  • Enables Alien Commander abilities and pre-evolved lifeform Eggs.
  • Increases maximum Health pool depending on lifeform.


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