Empires of the Undergrowth - Exploding Ants is a premium game that introduces a new twist to Slug Disco’s strategic ant colony simulator. With two explosive species, one ant and one termite—it shakes up battles across all game modes—free play, custom, or story. The new autothysis ability adds a volatile yet effective countermeasure to overwhelming forces. 

Empires of the Undergrowth - Exploding Ants challenges players to strike a delicate balance between offense and sacrifice in the game. The ability to voluntarily explode your units provides a powerful means of defense, although every detonation depletes your colony’s strength. 

Autothysis as a game-changing ability 

In Empires of the Undergrowth - Exploding Ants, the introduction of autothysis—the ability of certain ants and termites to detonate for the colony’s benefit—is a bold new mechanic. Inspired by real-world species, this feature allows players to turn their soldiers into living bombs, dealing massive area damage. However, each sacrifice comes at a cost, requiring careful planning to ensure that the colony remains strong despite heavy losses. 

The C. explodens ants bring three distinct unit types to the battlefield in this game. Their regular soldiers can detonate upon death, damaging enemies and slowing them down. With upgrades, their explosions become deadlier, covering a larger radius or chaining together for devastating results. Meanwhile, their major soldiers provide strong frontline defense, enhancing the armor of allies when in a stationary stance. 

The N. taracua termites introduce a new explosive worker and a powerful soldier unit. Unlike the ants, these workers must survive for a while before they can detonate, growing deadlier with age. Their explosions create a toxic mix, dealing continuous damage and disorienting foes. However, the game’s heavy reliance on the exploding units can sometimes feel like an all-or-nothing approach. 

A fiery expansion 

Empires of the Undergrowth - Exploding Ants successfully introduces a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that adds depth to the game’s tactical combat. The new units offer fresh strategic choices, rewarding players who can master the delicate balance between sacrifice and sustainability. With explosive battles, new levels, and unique mechanics, this expansion is a must-play for fans seeking more thrilling and destructive encounters in the undergrowth.