[Bry]

He's everyone's favorite wall-hugging murderer and he's looking morehandsome than ever. As most of you know, the Skulk is the defaultcharacter class and main element of the alien fighting force. He isfast, able to hide and ambush and has a powerful melee attack. But withno ranged attacks and without a lot of health (although he's a bittougher than in NS1), being effective as a Skulk is all about knowingwhen and how to attack and being skilled enough to get close to thetarget. Pervasive vent and ducts systems help him choose when and whereto fight and also provide a quick escape.



The Skulk's abilities are pretty similar to those in NS1. He's suchan important class that we're a little timid about giving him crazy newabilities (although new ones are always under consideration).

Wall-runningSkulks can drive their sharp leg spikes into crevices to walk on wallsor ceilings as if they were the ground. It doesn't cost energy nor doesit slow you down, so it can be used to dodge gunfire, confuse enemiesor hide. You can get a glimpse of wall-running in action with the Skulkrunning up the wall behind the Onos at 0:41 in our teaser video.

BiteWith his powerful multi-hinged jaws, he can deliver a lot of damagevery quickly. As in NS1, the Skulk player's view is from inside hismouth (is this really that controversial or weird?).

We're still not sure what his alt-fire for Biteis going to be. We've talked a lot about a grapple type of attack wherehe could clench down on a marine and do damage to him over time, butthat seemed too annoying from the marine's perspective (and how wouldhe shoot the skulk off of him?). Please give us some suggestions.

LeapThe Skulk can leap short distances quickly, landing in a pounce anddoing damage to its target. In NS1, leap appeared later in the game –now he always has it. Coupled with wall-running, leap allows goodplayers to traverse the map without ever touching the ground.

What about 'site?!You'll notice that he no longer has Parasite. The reason we currentlydon't have it as one of his abilities is because we think it's betterfor the Alien Commander to be scouting (which is the main purpose ofParasite). I really like the secondary purpose of it though, which isto do a small amount of ranged damage to kind of goad a marine into(hopefully, very stupid) action. I would love a kind of provokingability for him here and will probably put one in later if we come upwith an appropriate one.