Star Trek Armada II - GAMING

Armada II Manual 10/19/01 10:22 AM Page 72SPECIES 8472SPECIES 8472SPECIES 8472First encountered by the Borg in the Delta Quadrant in 2373, Species 8472 isunlike any race in the galaxy. Interdimensional beings, Species 8472 originateoutside of the known universe—from a place with no planets or stars, but onlybio-matter. Known as Fluidic Space, Species 8472 can traverse the dividebetween there and the conventional universe through quantum singularities.Single-minded in purpose, they pose a threat to all other races in theiraggression. Requiring only Bio-matter to function, Species 8472 has no need ofdilithium, metal, or latinum—and virtually every object they encounter can bebroken down into some degree of Bio-matter. Their "ships" and "stations" are infact organic life-forms genetically designed to a specific purpose, many arecrewed by a single creature, and nearly all of them are mobile. The organicnature of their structures negates the need for repair—they are all capable ofregeneration. Furthermore, their technology is so different and advanced thatthey cannot be boarded or assimilated, and tractor beams have no effect. Thereis no creation of separate units at different shipyards—the different organismshave the ability to transform themselves into other forms of units. Theirpresence in the universe is hostile, and they have already marked the Borgand the Federation as their enemies.SPECIES 8472 ORGANISMSMotherA very large, slow moving unit, the Mother is the centralorganism of Species 8472. There are two basic types oforganisms that are generated by the Mother: Active andPassive embryos. The Mother is armed with Bio-pulse beams.Active EmbryoThis unit is a hard shell organism that can eventually transforminto the more active and mobile Species 8472 "ships." TheActive organism is capable of transforming itself into thefollowing units: Scout, Destroyer, Cruiser, Launcher, andCollector. Active Embryos have tractor beams for towing ships.ACTIVE UNITSPassive EmbryoThis unit is a softer, amoeba-like organism that can transforminto the less active facility-like structures of Species 8472. ThePassive organism is able to transform itself into the followingunits: Mother, Transmuter, Enhancer, Biogenesis Core,Metogenesis Core, and Fluidic Gate. Passive Embryos have tractorbeams for towing ships.ScoutSpecies 8472 uses this class of organism as scoutsbecause they are fast, maneuverable, and possessexcellent sensory abilities. The Scout has a basicbio-pulse beam as armament, and is capable ofmoderate regeneration.Special Weapons:ClairvoyanceIf adapted to use clairvoyance, the Scout is able to probe the minds of crewmenaboard nearby vessels, and see what they see while the special energy lasts.This special weapon is particularly effective during the early stages ofexploration as the scout ship can map areas of space without having to venturethere. It is also useful to determine the size of an attacking fleet before theyreach your sensor range. Cloaked ships are immune to clairvoyance.Tachyon Detection GridScouts can have their sensor arrays modified to use a Tachyon Detection Grid,allowing them to detect cloaked ships within their sensor range.DestroyerThis is a lightly armed and armored assault unit. Thoughthe Destroyer has less powerful regenerative capabilitiesthan the other warships, it offers increased maneuverabilityand speed. It is armed with bio-pulse beams.Special Weapon: Clairvoyant LinkWhen equipped to use Clairvoyant Link, the Destroyer can create and maintain apsionic lock on a target ship, tracking them through space and gathering informationthrough their sensors. A ship can track only a single vessel at a time.72 73