Insect Construction Blueprints: "Bio-Build System"

[Theseus11]

Overview

The Bio-Build System allows players to design simple outposts and have ants or other tamed insects construct them over time, using stored materials and pheromone instructions. These outposts serve as forward operating bases, observation towers, or mini-shelters across the yard — all built without the player lifting a hammer (or pebble axe).

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How It Works

1. Blueprint Placement

Players use a new tool called the Insect Architect Wand to place a special outpost blueprint. Think of it like a ghost structure with insect-readable instructions.

These blueprints are more limited than full player bases — typically small structures like:

Resource outposts

Guard towers

Storage shelters

First-aid stations

Turret nests (spitting bugs or bombardiers as mounted defence)

 

2. Assigning the Workforce

Only insects from a tamed or allied colony can be assigned.

Worker Ants are the primary builders (quick but limited strength).

Beetles can carry heavier materials (slower but durable).

Spiderlings can spin and reinforce web-based buildings (low load, but unique defensive bonuses).

Each bug type has building specialisations — e.g., ants for wooden/plastic structures, beetles for metal/stone parts, spiderlings for webbed walls or scaffolding.

 

3. Material Delivery

The player loads materials into a nearby Insect Supply Crate.

Alternatively, the player can mark nearby stockpiles with pheromone beacons for insects to harvest from, if they’re within range.

The build progresses in stages — materials are consumed gradually, and insects take time to construct based on complexity.

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Construction Timescale

A small resource hut might take 2 in-game hours.

A reinforced watchtower might take a full in-game day.

Players can speed this up by assigning more insects, feeding them treats, or unlocking faster construction traits via queen favour or research.

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Strategic Use of Outposts

Outposts come with a limited set of functional modules:

Auto-repair stations 

Basic crafting stations

Insect hatching pods to restock defensive insects

Observation perches for spotting enemy movement

Portable scent markers for expanding your pheromone network

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Upgrades and Customisation

Once built, players can return and upgrade structures:

Reinforce with sap-and-resin

Add insect-based traps (e.g., larva-jaw snares)

Install bug-powered turrets (beetle-pults, anyone?)

Upgrades unlock via progress with the Ant Queen, reputation with other bug factions, or finding rare blueprint scrolls hidden in the world (like behind a paint can guarded by a stinkbug overlord).

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Risks and Balancing

Outposts can be attacked if they’re too close to enemy territory.

If too many insects are assigned to build, your main colony’s productivity suffers (you can’t have 50 ants building IKEA shelves and also expect them to defend your main base).

Some bug types have “building fatigue” — overwork them and they’ll rest (or protest with a tiny banner that says “Bug Off!”).