Biomass

Biomass is a tech progression system that serves two functions: increase all lifeforms' maximum Health pool and enable unlocked lifeform abilities after research from the Hive. Each Hive can contain up to 4 Biomass levels; 1 level for being an active Hive and 3 (15/20/40 cost in tres) additional levels can be upgraded by the Alien Commander.

The Biomass progression bar contains slots that will light up to show the current Biomass level, and shows the corresponding ability underneath each slot. It is always visible to the Alien Commander, but is only visible to players when they access the Mini-map, Evolve Menu or check the Research menu (default

J

). If a Hive is attacked, its section of Biomass levels will pulsate red to alert all Kharaa players.

If a Hive is destroyed, the additional health provided to all lifeforms and abilities enabled by its Biomass levels will be lost. Lifeforms existing before the Hive is destroyed will retain their unlocked abilities, but new lifeforms will not possess them; maximum health pool will decrease according to the current Biomass level. When Biomass levels are regained by building and upgrading a new Hive, maximum health pool will increase again and researched abilities for new lifeforms will be unlocked.

Biomass Levels & Unlocked Abilities with research costs and time
Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6	Level 7	Level 8	Level 9	Level 10

Babbler Egg	Rupture	Bone Wall	Leap	Umbra	Bone Shield	Stab	Stomp	Xenocide	Contamination

			15 40 seconds	20 45 seconds	20 20 seconds	25 60 seconds	25 60 seconds	25 60 seconds
Web	Charge	Bile Bomb	Umbra	Advanced Metabolize

	15 40 seconds	15 40 seconds	20 45 seconds	20 45 seconds
Nutrient Mist		Metabolize

		20 40 seconds
	Gorge Egg							Fade Egg

	Lerk Egg							Onos Egg

Maximum 12 Biomass levels (levels 11 and 12 do not unlock additional abilities, but grant increased HP to lifeforms and certain structures) Unlocks specific lifeform abilities once researched from Hive. Enables Alien Commander abilities and pre-evolved lifeform Eggs. Increases maximum Health pool depending on lifeform.