The three needs
Hunger and thirst fall fast at insect scale. Keep food and a dew collector near base so needs never spike during a fight.
The loop
Day is for gather and build. Night is for defense. Plan the day around what the night will demand of you.
Mutations
Mutations are passive perks you earn by acting a certain way. They stack into a build, so pick a direction and commit.
Rest when safe
Sleep or log out at base. Dying far from home costs more than the time you save rushing a half-planned trip.
Plan the day
Decide the night’s defense before noon. Build the wall, stock the food, then explore with confidence you can return.
Safe neighbors to learn the yard with
- Bee (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Firefly (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Baby Black Ant (aggression Harmless, tier 1)
- Baby Fire Ant (aggression Harmless, tier 1)
- Black Worker Ant (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Fire Ant Queen (aggression Harmless, tier 3)
- Baby Red Ant (aggression Harmless, tier 1)
- Black Ant Queen (aggression Harmless, tier 2)
- Aphid (aggression Harmless)
- Crow (aggression Harmless, tier Boss)
- Cockroach (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Caterpillar (aggression Harmless, tier 2)
- Blue Butterfly (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Garden Snail (aggression Harmless, tier 3)
- Cockroach Nymph (aggression Neutral, tier 2)
- Baby Garden Snail (aggression Harmless, tier 3)
- Red Soldier Ant Buggy (aggression Harmless, tier 1)
- Cricket (aggression Neutral, tier 3)
Stamina and thirst first
Stamina drives every dodge and every swing. Thirst drains it, so keep the canteen full and sip before a fight, not during it. When stamina hits zero you cannot roll — that is when bugs land the hit that ends the run.
Healing and armor
Smoothies are your real heal; craft them at a smoothie station from foraged ingredients and carry a few into every nest. Armor durability drops as you take hits, and broken armor offers almost nothing — repair at a bench before a push, because a cracked set is barely better than cloth. Light your route so you can see telegraphs; fighting blind in the dark is the fastest way to die.