Hello everyone! I've been nurturing an idea for a mid-game military technology aptly named the ; "Purge Swarm"  technology

The Purge Swarm is a savage and incredibly efficient mechanical weapon which is able to completely independently clean up systems! They're practically a technological marvel and are inspire terror similarly to how the Replicators in Stargate SG1 do!

Below is a narrative post talking about the experience of one survivor who bore witness to a purge swarm being deployed on their system, at the very bottom of this post, you'll find the link to the idea page! All the best.

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They came without warning, we had heard reports of increased Craver activity close to our borders, all systems appropriately readied themselves for possible military incursions; we were not appropriately ready.

They descended upon our world like a hoard of locusts, killing, burning, consuming and destroying all in their wake; entire harvests of food were lost, our storehouses and industrial mega-complexes incinerated. They were not looting or pillaging, only complete and utter one-sided slaughter; it was a purge, not a battle.

We should've been able to hold out for months for reinforcements to arrive from our other worlds, we were unable to resist their onslaught for more than 12 days of their endless slaughter. Once all of key infrastructure was destroyed, the Cravers suddenly and immediately retreated; a sense of overwhelming dread filled me when this happened, the Cravers are a biological super-weapon who only know how to destroy, there retreat was not an act of mercy, but an omen of a coming storm.

Shortly after the Cravers left and many were filled with hope they had to suddenly move to defend their systems, were called back by the hive or something, that was when the storm arrived.

Huge dust clouds, clanking, clicking and whirring of machinery approached our most dense population centers, our satellites, communications, food and industrial centers gone, leaving us completely isolated from our entire civilisation, we were left alone with the feeling of terror as the main Craver fleet left our system, likely to bring war to our other systems, hopefully which are better prepared.

As the sounds grew closer, that was when we saw them and the fires, explosions, screams and gunfire of what incredibly little small arms we had left could be heard throughout. Terrible machines of Dust and metal, the Purge Swarm had been unleashed upon us, buildings and our population was destroyed at incredible and terrifying speeds completely mercilessly. Our only defense were our bunkers, where all we could do was wait as the Swarm meticulously annihilated our structures, facilities and population centers. 

Weeks past and the Swarm could be heard slowly penetrating our bunkers as they slowly fell one by one. Suddenly we were rocked by huge explosions, seemingly as the planet was wailing out in agony as she was ravaged.

Communications bleeped out; "The Sword of the Emperor has arrived." ... The elite fleet of our illustrious and glorious Empire had arrived. Joy and happiness quickly swept through the bunker as lights flickered and small pieces of the ceiling fell to the ground, barely holding together due to the relentless drilling of the Swarm, I remained silent as I concentrated on receiving the communications and giving my report to the fleet, yet the fear had permanently been instilled within me, as well as the dread that other systems may be subjected to this terror as I give my report to the fleet.

Only days have passed since the fleet arrived and the incredible industrial prowess of our great civilization can be shown through the repair and construction efforts on our system, we have a much greater garrison of troops and a fleets orbiting our system now, I've just learnt two systems have been completely destroyed due to the Cravers deploying their Purge Swarm weaponry, I steel myself as the color fades from me with the sounds, smells of fire, smoke, blood and flesh in the streets remains all to fresh a memory, we are at war with the Craver menace and the entire might of our Empire is committed to ridding the Galaxy of these horrors of the Endless. We may win, but the damage has been done here and to millions of our people already, I wish to feel anger, yet powerlessness and fear consumes my fervor, I have been broken yet the Empire has been galvanized. 

I pray for victory and glory for our Empire, for the Emperor. Grant me strength my Emperor in these dire times. I set out stationed on a ship on the Vanguard fleet working in communications, hopefully it will not be my last assignment.

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Link to the idea page; https://www.games2gether.com/endless-space-2/ideas/489-purge-swarm-a-military-technology-for-mid-game-with-a-late-game-upgrade

I loved the lore and and the Idea. Yet, i don't think it's something the game need right now. It's already easier to win by military. They don't need another tool

Chinpanze wrote:

I loved the lore and and the Idea. Yet, i don't think it's something the game need right now. It's already easier to win by military. They don't need another tool

The mechanic is already in-game with Vodyani. They attack an enemy system and then it slowly depletes over time, this post basically elaborates on a potential upgrade to that functionality, while giving the same functionality to other factions.

The functionality is already in-game, also remember the game isn't finished and absolutely everything is subject to change.

So are you saying the Vodyani should have to have this functionality removed from them? Or something else entirely? It's not clear and I'd hate to be presumptuous; but it seems you're unaware this feature is already in-game and Vodyani exclusive.

Though I sort of like the idea, "One faction have X, so every faction should have X" isn't the best point you should tell :)

Kweel_Nakashyn wrote:

Though I sort of like the idea, "One faction have X, so every faction should have X" isn't the best point you should tell :)

In terms of progression, it could function as an upgrade for Vodyani, and a way for all factions to get a technology (which practically does the same thing) with different flavor text; so Vodyani would cleanse the heathens faster, and other factions would have access to said game dynamic.

It could be ERA III with an upgrade in IV or V, or it could just be ERA IV or V only!

Thats remind me the claws in the Phillip.K.Dick story Second Variety. I also like the gameplay idea !