Evolution

Evolution is the main method by which the Alien Host gains new abilities and upgrades their stats. Most evolutions specialize for a specific playstyle and situation, making it crucial to employ situational awareness when choosing an evolution path.

Evolution is initiated using Evolution Points, which can be gained in a variety of ways.

## Gaining Evolution Points

Evolution points can be gained in different ways, giving the Host a myriad of playstyle options.

### Passive Point Gain

These methods award a small base amount of Evolution Points over time, with varying conditions that will increase the amount of Evolution Points gained per tick:

* The Alien Host is unconditionally awarded 25 Evolution Points every 12 seconds
* +5 Evolution Points are awarded if the Alien Holding Pens are opened
* +5 Evolution Points are awarded for the Blood Tester being destroyed
* +4 Evolution Points are awarded for every Alien Spawn created (Diminishing returns: awards 1 less Evolution Point for each subsequent spawn)
	+ Body Evolution Path:
		- +2 Evolution Points are awarded for every Alien Egg on the map
		- +3 Evolution Points are awarded for every Life Support Module that is Infested
		- +12 Evolution Points are awarded for every Hatchery on the map
		- +14 Evolution Points are awarded for every Lair on the map
		- +16 Evolution Points are awarded for every Hive on the map
	+ Mind Evolution Path:
		- +X Evolution Points are awarded for every Alien Shrine present on the map
		- +X Evolution Points are awarded for every Crew Member affected by Mental Invasion

### Active Point Gain

These methods award one large amount of Evolution Points at once, but must be triggered by a specific event:

* As the Alien Host, eating a Corpse in Alien form awards 50 Evolution Points
	+ Mind Evolution Path Hosts cannot consume corpses
* The destruction of the Blood Tester awards 250 Evolution Points
* Liquidating an Alien Spawn at the Alien Hive awards 150 Evolution Points (and +5 Supply)

### Job-Specific Point Gain

These bonuses are only available if the Alien Host or one of their Alien Spawns are the appropriate Role when the action is performed. Bonuses will not apply retroactively (i.e. Spawning the Chief Medical Officer after they have researched the Alien Holding Pens does not provide a 33% boost to Evolution Point gain)

Note that Research and Upgrade options are also usable by the Chief Intelligence Officer

* Researching the Holding Pens as an Alien Chief Medical Officer awards 33% bonus Evolution Points every passive tick
* Upgrading the Reactor to Level 2 as an Alien Chief Engineering Officer increases the Evolution Point output of Alien Eggs placed in the Reactor by XX%
* Rebooting the Alpha Mech Codes as an Alien Chief Mechanical Officer awards 50(?) Evolution Points for every Mech powered up for the first time
* Purchasing the Mech Upgrade Station as an Alien Chief Mechanical Officer awards X Evolution Points every time a Mech is upgraded
* Rebooting the Weapon Upgrade Station as an Alien Chief Weapons Officer awards X Evolution Points every time a Crew Member purchases a weapon upgrade
* Mining Mineral Clusters in Space as an Alien Deep-Space Miner awards X-Y Evolution Points per Mineral Cluster mined
* Killing an Alien Minion as an Alien Security Guard awards Evolution Points based on what was killed
	+ Drone, Hatchery Larva,
	+ Feederling and Creeper: 1 Evolution Point
	+ Slasher and Hunter: 2 Evolution Points
	+ Cobra and Cobralisk: 3 Evolution Points
	+ (roach): 4 Evolution Points
	+ Breeder: 12 Evolution Points
	+ Ultradon:
	+ (big baneling)
	+ (basic mutalisk)
	+ (gargoyle)

## Losing Evolution Points

Some events can also deduct Evolution Points, seen below:

* The death of an Alien Egg deducts 30 Evolution Points
* Canceling Evolution as a Body Evolution Path Host incurs a loss of 10% of the Evolution Points used to initiate the evolution process
	+ Mind Evolution Alien Hosts cannot cancel the evolution process
* Allowing the Holding Pens to be researched reduces passive Evolution Point gain by 25% (33% if researched by the Chief Medical Officer)
* Building an Alien Structure costs varying amounts of Evolution Points

## Evolving

With sufficient Evolution Points, the Alien Host can choose a new form to embody.

It takes 60 seconds for the process to complete, during which the Alien Host is vulnerable to all attacks and cannot move. Cancelling the process with a damaged cocoon will transfer the damage proportionally to your current form's healthpool, putting the Host at a disadvantage if there are immediate threats in the area.

Additionally, only Body Evolution Path Alien Hosts can cancel their evolution processes; Mind Evolution Path Hosts are unable to cancel, and cannot see how much time there is left before their evolution completes. However, the cocoon for Body Evolution Hosts generates a Creep field comparable to a Creep Tumor, making it somewhat easier for them to be found.

The Body Alien Evolution cocoon has 500 health, while the Mind Alien Evolution Cocoon has 400 shields and 100 health. (NOTE: armor values?)

Note that cancelling the evolution process only refunds 90% of the Evolution Points used to initiate the process, potentially delaying the Host's evolution if Evolution Points are sparse.

Due to these disadvantages, it is highly recommended to choose a hidden or well-defended location to begin the process.

## Forms

A variety of forms are available to the Alien Host, displayed below with a short note on their pros and cons:

### Tier 2

#### Body Evolutions

* Body Evolution
	+ Pros: Creates swarms of Alien Minions to sabotage and distract the Crew
	+ Cons: Melee range

#### Mind Evolutions

* Mind Evolution
	+ Pros: Many control and distraction abilities
	+ Cons: Easy for many Crew Members to focus fire on the Host (no swarms)

#### Neurox Evolutions

* Neurox Borer
	+ Pros: Mind Control abilities
	+ Cons: Unable to fight in direct combat

### Tier 3

#### Body Evolutions

* Velociraptor
	+ Pros:

## Notes

Spawns provide diminishing returns on passive Evolution Point gain: the first will provide +4, the second +3, and so on.