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Upgrade Chambers are Alien structures that once built by the Alien Commander, imbue lifeforms with abilities such as enhanced speed, or invisibility.

Each chamber costs 15 Team Resources (TRes) and offer 3 different upgrades to choose from. The upgrade offered by these chambers will increase in effectiveness as more of them are built, up to a maximum of 3 chambers.

Upgrade chambers have no active abilities and are incapable of defending themselves. They are a very valuable resource and should be built in defendable areas. If a Chamber is destroyed, Lifeforms will instantly lose the associated upgrade, Unlike class Evolutions built at a Hive that are retained by the lifeform until death.

Upgrade Chambers require a Hive to be specialised to one specific trait in order to be built. A Crag Hive will unlock the Shell, a Shift Hive will unlock the Spur and a Shade Hive will unlock the Veil.

Only one trait may be evolved at any one time, but a lifeform can switch between them as necessary although at a cost of Personal Resources for all classes other than the Skulk.

Tactical Summary - Upgrade Chambers

  • Unlike support structures such as the Crag, Shift or Shade, These structures cannot move themselves. However, they can be placed anywhere and still benefit every lifeform.
  • These structures are a valuable target for Marines and should be placed in a defensible area. Consider using Whips and building them around a Crag or Shade for protection.
  • Building more than 3 of any of these structures will offer no additional benefits to the team and will be a waste of resources.


Shell

Shell
Alien shell
Kharaa Kharaa
Team Resources
Marines res 15
Health
600 (700)
Armor
150 (200)
Miscellaneous
Tech Requirements:
Crag Hive, Build on Infestation
Unlocks:
Carapace, Regeneration, Vampirism
Builds From: Alien Commander
Buy From: Advanced Tab
Hotkey:
Y
/
Z
Maturation Time: 60 seconds

The Shell is unlocked upon completion of a Crag Hive by the Alien Commander. The Shell is an Upgrade Chamber that is designed to give the Alien team enhanced defensive abilities.

Carapace, Regeneration, and Vampirism

Carapace, Regeneration, and Vampirism are the three lifeform traits unlocked by building Shells.

Carapace Regeneration Vampirism

Carapace
Icon carapace
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Max Amount 3 Shells
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Shell, no Regeneration or Vampirism trait selected

Regeneration
Icon regeneration
  • Heals Lifeforms regularly by 6%
    • Min. regen amount: 6 Health / Armor
    • Max. regen amount: 80 Health / Armor
    • It only activates when out of combat:
      not taking damage for 3 seconds
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Healing 2% / 4% / 6% of max health / armor
Interval 2 seconds
Max Amount 3 Shells
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Shell, no Carapace or Vampirism trait selected

Vampirism
Icon vampirism
  • Primary attacks generate a health shield
  • The shield begins decaying after 0.5/1.0/1.5 seconds of the last hit
  • The shield will taper off over 4.5 seconds
  • The maximum shield amount is 1.5 times the value of the charge of a single hit with 3 shells
  • The shield does stack with mucous and babblers
  • Yields 33% more health shield per hit if Focus is selected to yield the same amount
  • Attack 1 Shell 2 Shells 3 Shells
    Skulk Bite 4.67% 9.34% 14.00%
    Gorge Spit 2.67% 5.34% 8.00%
    Lerk Bite 2.00% 4.00% 6.00%
    Fade Swipe 3.33% 6.66% 10.00%
    Onos Gore 1.83% 3.66% 5.50%
    percentage of max health
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Max Amount 3 Shells
Targets Lifeforms, Marines
Requires Shell, no Carapace or Regeneration trait selected


Vampirism Demonstration Video

Natural_Selection_2_-_Vampirism_Demonstration_(pause_if_necessary)

Natural Selection 2 - Vampirism Demonstration (pause if necessary)



Note:

  • If an Alien structure or player is healed by more than 14%/sec any additional healing is reduced by 66%

Heal Wave

Main article: Crag

Heal Wave is the active ability of the Crag, unlocked by evolving a Crag Hive.

Mucous Membrane

Main article: Mucous Membrane

Spur

Spur
Alien spur
Kharaa Kharaa
Team Resources
Marines res 15
Health
800 (900)
Armor
50 (100)
Miscellaneous
Tech Requirements:
Shade Hive, Build on Infestation
Unlocks:
Adrenaline, Celerity, Crush
Builds From: Alien Commander
Buy From: Advanced Tab
Hotkey:
G
Maturation Time: 60 seconds

The Spur is unlocked upon completion of a Shift Hive by the Alien Commander. The Spur is an Upgrade Chamber that is designed to allow the Alien team to outmaneuver Marines and redeploy structures across the map.

Celerity, Adrenaline, and Crush

Celerity, Adrenaline, and Crush are the three lifeform traits unlocked by building Spurs.

Celerity Adrenaline Crush

Celerity
Icon celerity
  • Each level increases move speed by 0.5 (1.5 maximum).
    • Including: sneaking Skulks and Gorges
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Speed Base speed + 0.5/1.0/1.5
(for Blink + 0.2/0.4/0.6)
Duration ∞ seconds
Max Amount 3 Spurs
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Spur, no Adrenaline or Crush trait selected

Adrenaline
Icon adrenaline
  • Increases energy recharge rate tailored to each lifeform
  • Lifeform 1 Spur 2 Spurs 3 Spurs
    Skulk 60.00%
    Gorge 30.00%
    Lerk 30.00%
    Fade 80.00%
    Onos 50.00%
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Energy Icon resources energy neutral + energy recharge rate
Duration ∞ seconds
Max Amount 3 Spurs
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Spur, no Celerity or Crush trait selected

Crush
Icon crush
  • Increases damage against Structures and Exosuits
  • Shifts damage against marines to do more damage to armor and less to health. (maintains the same eHP damage)
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Damage 7% / 14% / 21%
Max Amount 3 Spurs
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Spur, no Celerity or Adrenaline trait selected


Echo

Main article: Shift

Echo is the active ability of the Shift, unlocked by evolving a Shift Hive.

Enzyme

Main article: Enzyme Cloud

Veil

Veil
Alien veil
Kharaa Kharaa
Team Resources
Marines res 15
Health
900 (1100)
Armor
0
Miscellaneous
Tech Requirements:
Shade Hive, Build on Infestation
Unlocks:
Aura, Focus, Camouflage
Builds From: Alien Commander
Buy From: Advanced Tab
Hotkey:
X
Maturation Time: 60 seconds

The Veil is unlocked upon completion of a Shade Hive by the Alien Commander. The Veil is an Upgrade Chamber that is designed to give the Alien team abilities to confuse and deceive the Marine team.

Aura, Focus, and Camouflage

Aura, Focus, and Camouflage are the three lifeform traits unlocked by building Veils.

Aura Focus Camouflage

Aura
Icon aura
  • Marines and Exosuits are represented as floating colored icons, which indicate the positions and health statuses.
    • Always visible when in Aura range, even through walls.
    • Yellow, orange, red colors represent full, moderate, and low Health / Armor.
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Range 10 / 20 / 30
Max Amount 3 Veils
Targets Lifeforms, Marines, Exosuits
Requires Veil, no Focus or Camouflage trait selected

Focus
Icon focus
  • Increases attack damage and decreases attack rate.
    • Only primary attacks (and Stab) are affected by Focus and consume 33% more energy.
    • Focus only works with Stab if
      Mouse 1
      is held until the attack is finished, not when it is just clicked.
    • Gorge Spit only gains increased damage, but no decrease in attack rate, increase in energy cost, or Vampirism synergy
    • Vampirism yields 33% more health shield if Focus is selected to yield the same amount
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Damage 11% / 22% / 33% increase
Cooldown +17% / +33% / +50% seconds
Max Amount 3 Veils
Targets Lifeforms, Marines, Exosuits
Requires Veil, no Aura or Camouflage trait selected


Focus & Stab Demonstration Video

Natural_Selection_2_-_Focus_&_Stab_Demonstration

Natural Selection 2 - Focus & Stab Demonstration

Camouflage
Icon camouflage
  • Makes you close to invisible
    • Causes visible distortion when moving.
    • Moving faster means higher visibility.
    • Uncloaks instantly after colliding with enemies, being attacked or using an ability.
    • Camouflage delay applies after being attacked or using an ability.
    • Camouflage applies during all typical non-ability movement for an alien.
    • Camouflage is nullified by Observatory and Scan detection.
    • Each Level lets you re-cloak faster
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Max Amount 3 Veils
Targets Lifeforms
Requires Veil, no Aura or Focus trait selected

Only available in CompMod

Neurotoxin
Icon Neurotoxin
  • Replaces Focus
  • All Alien primary attacks will inflict a poison toxin, hurting Marines over time
  • Damage will tick once every second
  • Deals only damage to Health, not Armor
  • Duration will be 1 second per Veil
  • Damage Values:
PRes Icon personal resource neutral 0 (Skulk), 1 (Gorge), 3 (Lerk), 5 (Fade), 8 (Onos)
Upgrade Time # of traits x 2 seconds
Max Amount 3 Veils
Targets Marines
Requires Veil, no Aura or Camouflage trait selected


Ink

Main article: Shade

Ink is the active ability of the Shade, unlocked by evolving a Shade Hive.

Hallucination

Main article: Hallucination


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