Hyperworm (Apocalypse)

Hyperworm

Our studies show that the Hyperworms can consume large quantities of both organic and metallic matter. Its powerful jaws can also be used in close combat. It has a very high metabolic rate and can move at fast speeds with a snake-like action. It has a short life span and only lives for two to five days depending on how much food it can find. At the end of this feeding period it finds a safe place and suddenly inflates into a balloon like structure which is fixed firmly to its surrounding terrain. This structure appears to be some form of Chrysalis, inside which another life form begins to grow.

Source: X-COM Apocalypse Ufopedia

Hyperworm Autopsy

The Hyperworms' function appears to be little more than feeding. It has powerful jaws and razor sharp teeth designed for ripping and slicing. Its belly appears to be small and the body contains some curious structures containing folds of tough skin. It appears to be quite vulnerable to fire and incendiary ammunition.There is no recognizable brain structure in the Hyperworm and it is well protected from Psionic influence.

Source: X-COM Apocalypse Ufopedia

Hyperworm
Time Units		82-95
Health		44-51
Stamina		25-29
Reactions		30-34
Strength		25
Bravery		0
Psi Energy		0
Psi Attack		0
Psi Defense		90-100
Accuracy		30-42
Hidden Attributes
Head Armor		7-11
Torso Armor		7-11
Arm Armor		7-11
Leg Armor		7-11
Score		5
Size X		10
Size Y		4
Other information
Damage Modifier Group		Hyperworm
Inventory		no
Innate Weapon		Bite
Unique Attributes		none

When a Multiworm dies, four Hyperworms emerge from its corpse. They are small, pink, worm-like aliens with only one instinct, and that is to feed as much as they can. They do this by rushing towards their prey and biting it with their powerful, razor-sharp teeth, which is represented in-game as a close-range (1 tile) spit attack with the Armor Piercing damage type.

With the sole exception of the Sleeping Chamber, Hyperworms are not normally deployed on their own. However, they may occasionally be encountered if a Multiworm survives long enough to die of natural causes, or if X-COM agents kill a Multiworm and retreat without killing its progeny.

Hyperworms are capable of infiltrating the buildings of Mega-Primus. Left undisturbed, a Hyperworm may evolve into a Chrysalis.

Hyperworms make snake-like hissing and slithering noises.

Occasionally, due to a lack of available unit slots, fewer than four Hyperworms (or none at all) may spawn upon a Multiworm's death.

Tactical Notes

On their own, Hyperworms are very weak, but make up for this in numbers. They have no subtlety whatsoever, and will simply rush towards the nearest target and try to bite it to death. Their attacks are quite dangerous, being equivalent to a Megapol Auto Cannon loaded with AP ammo in terms of power and rate of fire. Groups of Hyperworms can quickly overwhelm a lone agent, who can only focus on one worm at a time.

Hyperworms are easily killed by any attack, though extremely resistant to Psionics. Explosive and incendiary weapons are highly effective against them due to their innate vulnerability (take 150% damage) and since they are often bunched-up. If the situation is desperate, such as when surrounded by Hyperworms, an armored agent can often save him- or herself by throwing a stun or AP grenade right next to themselves. An Auto Cannon loaded with HE ammo may be employed in a similar manner. Hyperworms are also completely helpless against targets flying at least two levels above them, so agents equipped with a Marsec Body Unit can easily avoid them provided that they have enough space to fly.

If a Multiworm is engulfed in flames when it dies, the initial damage caused by the fire to the hatching Hyperworms is often sufficient to kill them instantaneously.

See Also

• Aliens
• Alien Life Forms
• The Alien Life Cycle
  • Multiworm Egg
  • Multiworm
  • Hyperworm
  • Chrysalis
• Innate Weapons