Biomass
Biomass is Carrion's health system. Represented by a colored bar at the top center of the screen, it is what the player manages in order to solve puzzles and survive combat encounters.
To gain Biomass, the monster needs to either consume a humans, enter a Hive (Checkpoint), acquire certain skills, or reabsorb Cocoons left behind in Biomass Deposits.
Any health gained with a full bar is not stored, and will not be regained in Hives.
Sources
Humans
The monster can rip apart and consume unarmored humans for Biomass.
Eating human parts gives the player 1 unit per 2 parts (Torso, Legs).
Severed heads do not give health.
Hives (Checkpoints)
Entering a Hive will restore any health lost in combat. That does not include Biomass lost by depositing Cocoons.
The Biomass lost when the monster is attacked can be seen in the form of "red tendrils/worms" crawling away towards nearby Hives.
Cocoons
The monster can deposit Biomass when inside certain pools of water, in the form of Cocoons.
Cocoons store 5 health units.
Mass-based class system
Size classes limit how much health the monster can store and which skills it has available. This is because of the "mass-based class system", introduced as a way to increase puzzle complexity and allow for more variety in combat situations.[1]
Infiltrator (1-5)
The starting size class, it has a maximum of 5 health units.
It has an offensive skill, Arachnoptysis, that shoots a cobweb that sticks to enemies and interacts with switches.
Photokinesis, its defensive skill, allows the player to go invisible, bypassing lasers and hiding from hostiles.
Enforcer (6-10)
Unlocked after acquiring Xiphorrhea, it has a maximum of 10 health units.
Its offensive skill is Xiphorrhea, a dash that can deal damage to enemies and break certain objects, like gratings or wooden obstacles. It can also push Rivets from behind.
Acanthosis is a defensive skill that creates a "spike armor" around the monster. The keratin spikes deal damage to humans, and can disable Scout Drones.
Exterminator (11-15)
The final and largest class, it has a maximum of 15 health.
Harpagorrhea (Tentacle Vortex) is an offensive skill that launches harpoons forward, then pulls them back with force. It damages enemies, breaks obstacles, and pulls Rivets from the front.
As for its defensive skill, Keratosis creates a keratin armor that can block bullets, fire, and can take one Sticky Bomb explosion.
References
- ↑ Nesterenko, O (2020, August 13). "Carrion game/level designer Krzysztof Chomicki on managing amorphousness, gravity and screams". Game World Observer.