GET YOUR BEARINGS
Plan your next Empires of the Undergrowth session
Our guide breaks down the core pillars of Empires of the Undergrowth, offering observations that help you align nest design, species selection, and pheromone tactics with the challenges each map presents.
01 / THE GUIDE
Optimising Nest Layout
Compare a compact nest with short travel distances against a sprawling network that offers more storage. Note how tunnel length influences worker delivery speed and egg‑laying efficiency, then adjust your design to balance capacity and responsiveness.
- Observe how expanding tunnels affect travel time for workers.
- Balance building new chambers with maintaining existing ones to avoid bottlenecks.
02 / THE GUIDE
Species Synergy Testing
Create small skirmishes using trap‑jaw ants paired with wood‑ant artillery versus leafcutter majors with defensive roles. Observe which combinations suppress enemy aggression fastest, and record the outcomes for future army composition.
- Match enemy type with a species that counters its strength.
- Mix melee and ranged ants to cover both close and distant threats.
03 / THE GUIDE
Pheromone Group Specialisation
Run a scenario where one group focuses solely on food collection while another handles combat. Track how quickly food stores replenish and how battle outcomes shift when groups are re‑assigned mid‑conflict.
- Use dedicated foraging groups when food stores run low.
- Switch combat groups to escort duties if workers face heavy enemy fire.
04 / THE GUIDE
Surface Foraging Risk Assessment
Select two surface food types—seeds and nectar—and send equal numbers of workers to each. Measure loss rates from predators and compare the net food gain, helping you decide which resources merit risk.
- Scout a food source first to gauge enemy presence.
- Prioritize low‑risk items like seeds when the colony is starving.
05 / THE GUIDE
Campaign Resource Allocation
During a documentary mission, allocate earned resources between lab upgrades and immediate nest expansion. Evaluate which investment yields higher long‑term colony strength, guiding future budgeting decisions.
- Focus on documentary missions early to build a resource buffer.
- Experiment with different species in the lab to discover effective combat combos.
