One of the major changes coming to Deflector in the next update relates to the way Specimens evolve in the game. Those of you who have played will recognize the screen below, where you would select one of three Variants for your chosen bioshell.
Following the next update, Variants will be no more – each bioshell will begin in its default form emphasizing its base playstyle. As you clear viruses and unlock new traits on your DNA table, your chosen Specimen will eventually evolve.
Every time your Specimen evolves you get to choose between two out of five mutations unique to the Specimen you’ve chosen. You can look up each bioshell’s potential mutations when you first select which one you want to use.
You unlock a new mutation at 4, 12 and 22 traits. That means you can have up to three mutations to shape your bioshell! The counter in the middle of the DNA table is going to tell you how many traits you still need to unlock in the table to Evolve.
A Specimen that survives long enough to accumulate all three mutations gains abilities surpassing their original form! Let’s examine what sorts of mutations each bioshell can acquire.
Growing Boomerang
Your boomerang increases size the more you deflect it.
Explosive Boomerang
Every 3 consecutive times you deflect the boomerang it releases a damaging explosion at its max distance.
Side Boomerang
You can throw an additional boomerang, but your boomerangs deal less damage.
Quick Boomerang
Deflecting or throwing your boomerang immediately after dashing charges it, significantly increasing damage, travel speed and range.
Linked Boomerang
A laser connects you and the boomerang, continuously damaging enemies it touches.
Sword waves
Reduce base damage, but release flying swords with each attack attacks that deal a small amount of damage.
Long sword
Your basic attack has increased range.
Wide throw
The sword is now thrown horizontally and deals more damage.
Triple sword
Release 2 additional swords in a cone when throwing the sword.
Radial fast-slash
Attacking after a dash releases a 360-degree attack.
Turret protection
Your turret deploys an area that increases your damage and reduces damage taken.
Split shooting
Your gun shoots 2 additional bullets in a cone.
Overcharged bolts
Your shotgun has an additional charge and deals more damage.
Piercing bolts
Bullets pierce enemies but deal less damage.
Bolstered bolts
Greatly reduce rate of fire, but increase damage and size of bullets.
Orbs expansion
You are orbited by two additional orbs.
Unstable orbs
The orbs explode when retrieved instead of traveling back.
Far-charged orbs
Deflected orbs deal less damage up close, but fly further and deal increased damage the further they travel.
Powerful Orbs
When using Expanded Orbit, the orbs become bigger and deal more damage.
Skillful orbs
When using Expanded Orbit, initial spin speed is slower but increases over time.
On second thought, maybe this last one deserves special mention another time. Look forward to it very soon!