Alate

Carpenter Ant Alate in real life

Carp alate flying

Carp Alate rear view. Note the green dot on its gaster used for laying eggs once she becomes Queen.

Alates are a crucial caste in Ant Life, representing ants destined to establish their own nests and become queens, particularly in the event of the ruling Queen's demise. These ant units are essentially smaller replicas of the Queen but equipped with wings.

In contrast to real-life counterparts, game Alates can fly shortly after hatching, while real Alates must wait for their wings to fully develop before taking flight.

Cost

The Alate caste, along with the Super Major (exclusive to Carpenter Ants), holds the distinction of being the most expensive among all ant castes for Fire Ants and Carpenter Ants, requiring 100 Protein. Yellow Crazy Ants are an exception, with Alates costing only 50 Protein due to their lower health and damage. It is advisable to acquire Alates as a late-game investment.

Note: Alates are colony-specific; if purchased in a particular colony, they will only be available in that colony.

Yellow Crazy Alate (Queens share the model of Alate in lobby)

Stats

Alates are slightly weaker than Queens, dealing more damage than Super Majors but having less health. Their wings make them effective for scouting enemy ants, spiders, or food sources. Caution is advised during raids as Alates have limited health and may experience lag. Carpenter Ant Alates exhibit significant bite damage, being able to one-shot Fire Ant and Yellow Crazy Ant Workers.

An Ant Life update allows Alates to function as queens, capped at two per team, providing backup to prevent colony reproduction drain and doubling food spawn rates.

Combat

Alate combat is a successful strategy for protein acquisition, involving utilizing air superiority to fly and land occasional bites on enemy ants. A hit-and-run method is effective for demolishing colonies, focusing on isolating worker or soldier ants.

Caution: Avoid direct confrontation with other Alates or Queens; prioritize weaker ant units.

Becoming Queen as an Alate

Carpenter Alate (Queens share the model of Alate in lobby)

A Carp Alate standing in front of a Bean that she has just found.

Alates can ascend to the role of queen's heir by spamming the E key, although the oldest Alate may become the queen. Be prepared to spam E, but ensure enough space is available to dig a nest for egg-laying.

Flying and Scouting

Alates have wings that allow them to fly by pressing the Spacebar twice. Exercise caution while flying, as flying too low may expose them to spiders, while flying too high may attract the attention of other ants and Alates.

Tip: Alate scouting is safer than worker and soldier scouting due to fewer threats in the air.

Food Requirements

To metamorphose into Alates, larvae must be fed 30 times with a full food bar. Alates should be fed last, as they contribute significantly to colony defense and can be energy-draining.

Tip: Alates are ideal for protein grinding; fly near the nest to avoid energy depletion.

Tips

• Alates should be fed last to ensure colony defense while reserves prepare them.
• Use Alates for air superiority, especially effective for Yellow Crazy Ants with numerous flying Alates.
• Preserve Alates due to their high cost and risk of loss.
• Alates make excellent heirs to the throne, contributing to colony growth.

Trivia

• Alates are the only ant castes that can become Queens without being in the lobby.
• Male Alates (Drones) may be added in V3.
• Alates are the only caste capable of flight.
• Alates are common in scouting missions.
• Avoid losing Alates due to their high cost.
• Inheritors of the throne can lay fertile eggs of various castes.
• In-game mechanics deviate from real-life Alates' reproduction processes.

• Alate Castes

WIP

Alate