[Idea] A Simple, Straightforward Solution for Infestation

[mr. peasant]

Based on the Suspension of Disbelief thread, it seems apparent that there are people who dislike the Spawn Infested Terrans ability. Hence, we can assume that a noticeable percentage of the eventual community will likewise have the same problem. Now, whether it is fair or not is irrelevant. The fact remains that people take issue with the lore of the ability.

Hence, I have a straightforward fix: Name swaps for the Infestor's abilities


Neural Parasite -> Infest

• The Infestor spews a specialized form of creep onto a target; allowing the Infestor to take over the victim's machinery/nervous system. Eventually, the target's defenses overcome the infection and return to normal.
• Visually, this would require all units would need an 'infested' model much like corrupted units.

Spawn Infested Terrans -> Spawn Hatchlings

• The Infestor hatches 5 simple Zerg units capable of ranged attack.
• This would require a new model for the Hatchling but would otherwise be unchanged mechanically and statistically.

Now, I know this is far from ideal but it's much simpler and time friendly than having to rework the Infestor concept from the ground up. While creating infested models would be time consuming, this can be done during open beta whilst the design team is busy collecting data. The alternative would be to redesign the Infestor with new abilities and retest them internally, thus delaying beta and release.

[Pandonetho]

I think Neural Parasite is fine the way it is.
Although I don't mind every unit having an infested model, it seems like it would take a considerable amount of time to do.

Also, why would something that gets completely infested (tentacles and everything) suddenly revert back to normal?

[mr. peasant]

I'm not suggesting altering any statistic/mechanic surrounding Neural Parasite; just its aesthetics and lore to give it a more 'infest'-esque flavor. As for why it would be reverted back to normal, a person' immune system and a sufficiently advanced machine's internal defenses could eventually overcome the foreign presence. Lore-wise, it would take time to fight the infection but in gameplay, it's shortened down to whatever duration Neural Parasite has.

[Pandonetho]

However, I'm sure lorewise the point of a neural parasite if to be discreet.

If some guy starts breaking out in tentacles and everything, everyone is going to know he's been parasited.

[Bisso]

I prefer the way it was, simply because the neural parasite isn't permanent opposed to an infestation (this might change in SC2 story).

But does anyone just thought about the fact that, MAYBE, blizzard already made the campaigns with the Infestors?

Also, I don't think this is that of a big issue. I doubt that after release, we will ever hear about this. There is like 13 people on this forum that said the ability didn't make sens, while there is 10 times more on the forums that posts opinions and stuff. Plus, assuming that the ratio of people taking this ability as an issue would be the same for every owner of the game, I think this is just not right.

I try to get open-minded on this and if Blizzard can find a new mechanic/lore/name to the Infestor and the Spawn Infested Terran, I wouldn't mind. But for me, the way it is right now, IMO, it fits just perfectly. Let's see if Blizzard wants to change this or not. They might have a good idea on how to explain this that we don't know about yet, who know!?

[DemolitionSquid]

Just make Infest a small AoE, 15 second mind control. Infested units die after it ends.

[Pandonetho]

Just make Infest a small AoE, 15 second mind control. Infested units die after it ends.

Oh man, talk about worker rape.

[DemolitionSquid]

Oh man, talk about worker rape.

Then remove the dying part.

[ArcherofAiur]

You still have the problem that Metzen said you cant infest protoss. But its better than what we have now.

[DemolitionSquid]

You still have the problem that Metzen said you cant infest protoss. But its better than what we have now.

However you CAN mind control them. In those new SC comics, the creep infected the Protoss scientists and drove them mad, to the point of homicide. Only infested Terran units would show signs of infestation.