{Shimmerverse} Changeling Units 2 · 9:40pm Jul 4th, 2017
1: Radiator
Large, bulbous changelings usually 2-3 times the size of ponies. These bloated changelings were created sometime after the changelings were hit by a number of Megaspells. They were crafted to absorb the excess magical radiation and eventually the changeling queens, most notably the ones in affected areas, came to use them offensively. These creatures can fire their radiation cargoes to disintegrate their foes and absorbing the leftover radiation around them.
2: Bone Masher
Dinosaurian in build, these beasts are raptorian in size, usually about the size of some of the large raptors in the dinosaur family. They are named because of their large, toothy maws that have huge bone breaking teeth that can pierce most any armor. It's because of their specialization in biting that they lack any forearms, relying on their maw and powerful hindlegs to get the job done. As well, their favorite part of a meal is a creatures bones, which they will happily mash up. This is partially because of another trick of theirs. Bone Mashers can fire sharp shards of 'bone' into a target at a distance. So they can fight both at a distance and up close.
3: Boom Frills
Another dinosaurid build, this one being larger akin to tyrannosaurids in size. Again, the arms are atrophied. As well, it has a large frill around its head with hollow tubes being the intermediate connection to it. This beast is a sound weapon. They can expand their lungs and expand their throats in a way that allows them to fire blasts of pure sound energy that can shatter an enemy's internal organs and blast apart armor. Their hollow frills as well allow them to produce musical notes that can aid changeling Battle Musicians in songs, making their magical music stronger.
4: Chaotic Hopper
Bred from using the DNA of ponies affected by the chaos realm, Chaotic Hopper's are changelings with only one leg. Their method of locomotion is in their trademark name as they can hop around the battlefield quickly. They use their speed to smash into opponents, impaling them on the large horns on their snouts. They then use their strong legs to kick their unlucky foes and do it again.
5: Local Infiltrator
Whenever a young hives come into being, they will steal children and babies of the local species of the areas that they find themselves in. Being raised in the Communities, they are brought up to revere the changeling queens as much as any other changeling. They are used as scouts and spies, as well as backup infantry in case things don't go well for the Community.
6: Rollerdillos
These large, armored changelings do in fact resembles armadillos in many respects. Their claws can rip through flesh and bone with ease, including many armors and have a viscous bite. However, they aren't the fastest on their legs and their claws are used more for defense then anything. Instead, they are known to curl up into a ball and actually roll over other units, squishing them under their armor and weight as they make their way through the battlefield.
7: Biped
Using the DNA of bipedal species, Biped changelings are that are upright and about as tall as humans if, a bit taller. This frees up their hands to equip themselves with weapons and shields to act similar to human and other biped units in their fighting styles. Their armor is fastened to them as it is grown separately. They can still fly like regular changelings.
These are more often seen in changeling Communities that are active in bipedal species domains.
8: Gunner Biped
These Bipeds are equipped with living guns, which are a non-sapient changelings that resemble the ranged weapons. These weapons are quick to reload as the Biped just has to plop in another 'bullet {which are in fact organic}. Bipeds also have springheel legs that allow them to quickly jump about their environment quicker and allows them to take off faster then their kin. They also use this to jump onto their prey, usually breaking bones as their large frames {being a little larger then regular bipeds} come crashing down on them.
9: Apelings
Designed to emulate apes and other arboreal species, these creatures are used moreso in wooded areas as their climbing and and skillful ease of traversing trees makes them deadly opponents there. They are known to be agile ambush predators, slashing their opponents skulls and throats as they drop down or drag them up into the trees. Even on the ground, they can still prove deadly. Still, they are employed also to quickly traverse cities as their climbing abilities do give them an edge their as well.
10: Brawler
These beasts owe much of their design from the Diamond Dogs given that diamond dog DNA was indeed used to create them. These large changelings are line breakers, smashing into enemy formations, crushing and tearing their foes apart. They are incredibly durable, able to slug off a number of blows before being taken down.
11: Demonslayer
Changelings left behind by Chrysalis during her failed invasion of Tartarus. This strain has evolved to hunt demons and other creatures that dwell in the darkest depths of the world. They are similar in some respects to Hunters, but are sturdier and lined with natural armor. Said armor has a number of spikes adorning the back and sides. It's long tail is ended with a ankylosaur like club. Their speed and durability make them adept hunters of the worst kinds of creatures imaginable.
12: Priest
Changelings that have devoted themselves to using the realms themselves, they resemble normal {scout} changelings, but wield much more powerful magics, depending on what realm they draw from. Each type has its own advantages and changelings are one of the only species that can use the Dark Realms powers safely, given their changing nature. Each priest focuses only on one realm, so there are usually a number of Priests in an army so as to have all five realms represented.
I’ve been loving the unit breakdowns for each faction in the Shimmerverse. Makes me think I should start doing something like that.