Vanilla Races Expanded - Insector - Insectoid Xenotypes, Evolution and Castes for RimWorld

Vanilla Races Expanded - Insector is a RimWorld mod that introduces a new insectoid xenotype with genetic evolution, customizable castes, and specialized abilities. Designed around the gene system from the Biotech DLC, it allows players to develop insect-human hybrids that can adapt to different colony conditions and fulfill specific roles.

Unlike conventional xenotypes, Insectors can change their genetic specialization through a unique geneline system. Players can create different castes, combine beneficial mutations with genetic drawbacks, and build a colony where each Insector serves a particular purpose.

Insector Xenotype - Insect-Human Hybrids

The mod introduces Insectors, a new type of xenohuman combining insectoid characteristics with human biology.

Their defining feature is the ability to evolve into different genetic castes, allowing colonists to specialize in combat, reproduction, resource production, and other activities.

Examples of Insector castes include:

• Jelly producers: A lower caste focused on producing jelly.
• Warriors: Combat-oriented Insectors equipped with insect wings and ripper blades.
• Queens: A specialized caste focused on reproduction.

These castes are not fixed. Players can create their own genetic configurations and switch an Insector's caste using a dedicated button.

Geneline Evolution - Customize Genes and Abilities

The central mechanic of Vanilla Races Expanded - Insector is the geneline evolution system, which allows players to develop customized genetic specializations.

Each geneline is created by selecting beneficial evolutions and balancing them with negative genetic changes called degrades.

How genetic evolution works:

• Choose positive evolutions that provide useful genetic advantages.
• Balance every evolution with one negative degrade.
• Combine different genetic changes to create specialized castes.
• Switch between created castes to adapt Insectors to colony requirements.
• Create as many different genelines as desired.

The system follows an important balancing rule: every positive evolution requires a negative degrade.

As a result, more powerful genetic configurations also come with additional weaknesses. Players must decide which advantages are worth their associated disadvantages.

Gene System and Xenotype Customization

Geneline evolutions and degrades are available only to characters carrying the Geneline Evolution gene.

However, this gene is not restricted exclusively to Insectors. It can also be assigned to other xenotypes, allowing them to access the same evolution mechanics.

There is also an important distinction between different types of genes:

• Evolution and degrade genes do not appear in regular genepacks.
• Other genes introduced by the mod can appear in genepacks.

This makes the geneline system a separate method of genetic development rather than a feature based entirely on standard gene collection.

Integration with Vanilla Factions Expanded - Insectoids 2

Vanilla Races Expanded - Insector includes additional genetic integration with Vanilla Factions Expanded - Insectoids 2.

To unlock the genes associated with this integration, colonists must consume special items called pherocores.

Each type of pherocore can be consumed four times, unlocking four different genes.

These additional genetic options expand the possibilities for developing Insector genelines when both modifications are used together.

Special Mechanics and Important Details

Insectors also have gameplay features and restrictions that players should consider when developing their colonies.

• Metapods: Enemy raiders deliberately target metapods as if they were pawns, so they require protection.
• Chestburst ability: This ability becomes available only when the Insector is pregnant.
• Unlimited genelines: Players can create any number of different genetic castes.
• Genetic flexibility: The Geneline Evolution gene can be assigned to other xenotypes.

These mechanics encourage players to consider the biological characteristics of their colonists alongside conventional colony management.

Requirements and Compatibility

Vanilla Races Expanded - Insector requires the RimWorld Biotech DLC. The mod relies on Biotech's gene system and cannot function without it.

Compatibility information:

• Biotech DLC: Required.
• Existing saves: The mod can be added to an ongoing playthrough.
• Vanilla Factions Expanded - Insectoids 2: Supports additional genetic integration.
• Combat Extended: Compatibility has not been confirmed.
• Humanoid Alien Races (HAR): No separate HAR version is provided.

Removing the mod from an existing save is not confirmed to be safe. As with other xenotype modifications, uninstalling it after introducing its content may cause problems with the save.

Authors

• Oskar Potocki - Graphics and visual design.
• Sarg Bjornson - Programming.
• vitalii - Storyteller artwork.