Vek

Vek

The Vek are the main enemies encountered in Into The Breach.

Gameplay

The main goal of Into the Breach is to make sure that the Vek do not destroy all of the grid power. Each island has a set variety of Vek that can spawn, one of which is a Psion, a supporting unit that grants a passive bonus to others. They emerge from the ground on certain tiles, which can be intercepted at the cost of 1 health during the enemy turn.

Before the player turn any active Vek will move to a certain tile and prepare to attack it, aiming for either a mech, building or objective. These attacks are executed during the enemy turn unless they are cancelled or the Vek is killed beforehand.

Vek are divided into five main groups:

• Common Vek are those that can spawn on any island and make up most of the spawns on a mission. All of them have a soft limit on spawns per mission that can be bypassed if the spawning algorithm needs to.
• Rare Vek are those whose attacks are more unique than common ones and do not appear on early islands.
• Psions, which provide passive bonuses to other Vek when spawned. Note that the Psion itself does not benefit from the passive bonus.
• Minor Vek, which are spawned by other Vek, are typically very weak, and bypass the spawning algorithm. They are not worth any experience and are not affected by Psion bonuses.
• Hive Leaders, bosses found on the final mission of each island, the Volcanic Hive and normal missions on the fourth island in Unfair difficulty.

Rare Vek and Psions have a hard limit on spawns that cannot be bypassed, with Psions in particular being able to spawn only once per mission. Each island has three species of common Vek that can spawn as well as one type of psion, with rare species appearing the further you are in a run.

Alpha Vek are upgraded versions of Vek with higher health and stronger attack, spawning in place of any Vek that has one while contributing to the same spawn limit. They will appear more depending on a timeline's progression and difficulty.

Description

Vek appear mainly insectoid in nature and behavior, forming a hive and reproducing via eggs. Exceptions among them include goo-like lifeforms or species resembling Earth sealife (such as the jellyfish-like Psions, and a variety of Vek introduced in Advanced Edition). The Vek's origin and motives are left unexplained. However, their psionic powers and ability to hijack technology hints that they are more than mere rampaging beasts.

List of Vek

Name	Health	Move	Category	Skills and abilities	Special	Portrait
Firefly	3	2	Common	Accelerating Thorax (Enemy) Effect Launch a volatile mass of goo dealing 1 damage.
Alpha Firefly	5	2	Common	Enhanced Thorax (Enemy) Effect Launch a volatile mass of goo dealing 3 damage.
Hornet	2	5	Common	Stinger (Enemy) Effect Stab the target for 1 damage.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Alpha Hornet	4	5	Common	Launching Stinger (Enemy) Effect Stab 2 tiles in front of the unit for 2 damage.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Leaper	1	4	Common	Fangs (Enemy) Effect Web a target, preparing to stab it for 3 damage.
Alpha Leaper	3	4	Common	Sharpened Fangs (Enemy) Effect Web a target, preparing to stab it for 5 damage.
Scarab	2	3	Common	Spitting Glands (Enemy) Effect Lob an artillery shot at a single tile for 1 damage (5 tile range).
Alpha Scarab	4	3	Common	Spitting Glands (Enemy) Effect Lob a powerful artillery shot at a single tile for 3 damage (5 tile range).
Scorpion	3	3	Common	Stinging Spinneret (Enemy) Effect Web an adjacent target, preparing to stab it for 1 damage.
Alpha Scorpion	5	3	Common	Goring Spinneret (Enemy) Effect Web an adjacent target, preparing to stab it for 3 damage.
Volatile Vek	4	3	Objective	Stinging Spinneret (Enemy) Effect Web an adjacent target, preparing to stab it for 1 damage.	Explosive Decay: Explodes on death, dealing 1 damage to adjacent tiles.
Beetle	4	2	Rare	Pincers (Enemy) Effect Charge forward to deal 1 damage and push the target.
Alpha Beetle	5	2	Rare	Sharpened Pincers (Enemy) Effect Charge forward to deal 3 damage and push the target.
Blobber	3	2	Rare	Unstable Growths (Enemy) Effect Throw a sticky blob that will explode.
Alpha Blobber	4	2	Rare	Volatile Growths (Enemy) Effect Throw a massive blob that will explode.
Burrower	3	4	Rare	Spiked Carapace (Enemy) Effect Slam against 3 tiles in a row, hitting each for 1 damage.	Burrower: This Vek will hide underground after taking one or more damage. Stable : Cannot be moved by any weapon effect (Push, Teleport, etc.).
Alpha Burrower	5	4	Rare	Bladed Carapace (Enemy) Effect Slam against 3 tiles in a row, hitting each for 2 damage.	Burrower: This Vek will hide underground after taking one or more damage. Stable : Cannot be moved by any weapon effect (Push, Teleport, etc.).
Centipede	3	2	Rare	Acidic Vomit (Enemy) Effect Launch a volatile mass of goo, dealing 1 damage and applying A.C.I.D. on nearby units.
Alpha Centipede	5	2	Rare	Corrosive Vomit (Enemy) Effect Launch a volatile mass of goo, dealing 2 damage and applying A.C.I.D. on nearby units.
Crab	3	3	Rare	Explosive Expulsions (Enemy) Effect Launch artillery attack on 2 tiles for 1 damage (5 tile range).
Alpha Crab	5	3	Rare	Explosive Expulsions (Enemy) Effect Launch artillery attack on 2 tiles for 3 damage (5 tile range).
Digger	2	3	Rare	Digging Tusks (Enemy) Effect Create a defensive rock wall before attacking adjacent tiles for 1 damage.
Alpha Digger	4	3	Rare	Digging Tusks (Enemy) Effect Create a defensive rock wall before attacking adjacent tiles for 2 damage.
Spider	2	2	Rare	Tiny Offspring (Enemy) Effect Throw a sticky egg that hatches into a Spiderling.
Alpha Spider	4	2	Rare	Large Offspring (Enemy) Effect Throw a sticky egg that hatches into a Spiderling.
Blast Psion	2	2	Psion	Explosive Decay (Enemy) Effect All other Vek will explode on death, dealing 1 damage to adjacent tiles.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Blood Psion	2	2	Psion	Regeneration (Enemy) Effect All other Vek heal 1 at the start of their turn.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Shell Psion	2	2	Psion	Hardened Carapace (Enemy) Effect All other Vek have incoming weapon damage reduced by 1.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Soldier Psion	2	2	Psion	Invigorating Spores (Enemy) Effect All other Vek receive +1 HP as long as the Psion is living.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Psion Tyrant	2	2	Psion	Hive Targeting (Enemy) Effect All player units take 1 damage at the end of every turn.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Advanced Edition
Bouncer	3	3	Common	Energized Horns (Enemy) Effect Deal 1 damage to the target then bounce backwards.
Alpha Bouncer	4	3	Common	Powered Horns (Enemy) Effect Deal 3 damage to the target then bounce backwards.
Gastropod	3	2	Common	Hooked Proboscis (Enemy) Effect Grapple for 1 damage, pulling the Vek towards objects or units to the Vek.
Alpha Gastropod	4	3	Common	Barbed Proboscis (Enemy) Effect Grapple for 3 damage, pulling the Vek towards objects or units to the Vek.
Mosquito	2	4	Common	Smoked Tentacles (Enemy) Effect Smoke the target, preparing to whip it for 1 damage.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Alpha Mosquito	4	4	Common	Storm Tentacles (Enemy) Effect Smoke the target, preparing to whip it for 3 damage.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Moth	3	3	Common	Repulsive Pellets (Enemy) Effect Launch an artillery attack for 1 damage, pushing shooter and target.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Alpha Moth	5	3	Common	Repugnant Pellets (Enemy) Effect Launch an artillery attack for 3 damage, pushing shooter and target.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Plasmodia	3	2	Rare	Splitting Spores (Enemy) Effect Launch a short-lived Spore.
Alpha Plasmodia	5	2	Rare	Spawning Spores (Enemy) Effect Launch a short-lived Alpha Spore.
Starfish	2	3	Rare	Brittle Appendages (Enemy) Effect Deal 1 damage to four oblique tiles.
Alpha Starfish	4	3	Rare	Lacerated Appendages (Enemy) Effect Deal 2 damage to four oblique tiles.
Tumblebug	3	3	Rare	Explosive Prize (Enemy) Effect Create an explosive boulder, preparing to destroy it next turn by attacking it for 1 damage.
Alpha Tumblebug	5	3	Rare	Explosive Prize (Enemy) Effect Create an explosive boulder, preparing to destroy it next turn by attacking it for 3 damage.
Arachnid Psion	2	2	Psion	Arachnid Host (Enemy) Effect All other Vek will spawn a Spiderling Egg on death.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Raging Psion	2	2	Psion	Raging Hormones (Enemy) Effect All other Vek are Boosted, providing +1 damage to attacks.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Smoldering Psion	2	2	Psion	Burning Carapace (Enemy) Effect All other Vek are protected from Fire and leave Fire on death.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.

Vek Leaders

Name	Health	Move	Skills and abilities	Special	Portrait
Beetle Leader	6	3	Flaming Abdomen (Enemy) Effect Charge, dealing 3 damage and pushing target, and light every tile in the path on Fire.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Firefly Leader	6	3	Burning Thorax (Enemy) Effect Launch goo projectiles in two directions, dealing 4 damage with each.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Large Goo	3	3	Goo Attack (Enemy) Effect Attempt to squish the adjacent tile, dealing 4 damage.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing). Spawner: Spawns two Medium Goos on death.
Medium Goo	2	3	Goo Attack (Enemy) Effect Attempt to squish the adjacent tile, dealing 4 damage.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing). Spawner: Spawns two Small Goos on death.
Small Goo	1	3	Goo Attack (Enemy) Effect Attempt to squish the adjacent tile, dealing 4 damage.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Hornet Leader	6	3	Super Stinger (Enemy) Effect Stab three tiles in a row for 2 damage each.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Psion Abomination	5	3	Overpowered (Enemy) Effect All other Vek gain +1 HP, Regeneration, and explode on death.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Scorpion Leader	7	3	Massive Spinneret (Enemy) Effect Web all targets, preparing to deal 2 damage to adjacent tiles.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Spider Leader	6	2	Plentiful Offspring (Enemy) Effect Throw out 2-3 Spider eggs.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Advanced Edition
Blobber Leader	5	2	Eruptive Growths (Enemy) Effect Throw a sticky blob that will explode.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Bouncer Leader	4	3	Sweeping Horns (Enemy) Effect Deal 2 damage to and push three tiles then bounce backwards.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing). Natural Armor: Weapon damage to this unit is reduced by 1. All other damage (Push, Blocking, Fire, etc.) is unaffected.
Centipede Leader	7	3	Caustic Vomit (Enemy) Effect Launch a volatile mass of goo for 3 damage, applying A.C.I.D. on nearby units and all tiles it passes through.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Crab Leader	6	3	Raining Expulsions (Enemy) Effect Launch 2 damage artillery attack that also deals 1 damage to every tile in its path.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Gastropod Leader	6	3	Flaming Proboscis (Enemy) Effect Grapple for 3 damage, pulling the Vek towards objects or units to the Vek. Nearby tiles erupt in flames.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Mosquito Leader	5	4	Cloudburst Tentacles (Enemy) Effect Smoke and Web the target, preparing to whip it with a devastating attack. Kills target.	Flying: Flying units can move over any terrain tile.
Plasmodia Leader	5	2	Generating Spores (Enemy) Effect Launch a short-lived Vicious Spore.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Scarab Leader	6	3	Expectorating Glands (Enemy) Effect Lob a 4 damage artillery shot at a single tile, pushing adjacent tiles.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Starfish Leader	6	3	Scored Appendages (Enemy) Effect Deal 3 damage to 4 oblique tiles and push 4 others.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).
Tumblebug Leader	6	3	Explosive Prizes (Enemy) Effect Create two explosive boulders, preparing to destroy one next turn by attacking it for 3 damage.	Massive: Massive units can walk in Water (but Water will prevent attacking or repairing).

Vek Minions

Enemies listed under this section are not affected by Vek Psion bonuses.

Name	Health	Move	Skills and abilities	Special	Portrait
Blob	1	0	Unstable Guts (Enemy) Effect Explode, killing itself and damaging adjacent tiles for 1 damage. Kill it first to stop it.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Alpha Blob	1	0	Volatile Guts (Enemy) Effect Explode, killing itself and damaging adjacent tiles for 3 damage. Kill it first to stop it.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Spiderling Egg	1	0	Spiderling Egg (Enemy) Effect Hatch into Spiderling.	Smoke Immunity: This unit is unaffected by Smoke. Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Spiderling	1	3	Tiny Mandibles (Enemy) Effect Weak 1 damage attack against a single adjacent target.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Advanced Edition
Spore	1	0	Scarred Secretion (Enemy) Effect Sacrifice self to launch a projectile that deals 1 damage to and pushes the target.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Alpha Spore	1	0	Hemorrhaged Secretion (Enemy) Effect Sacrifice self to launch a projectile that deals 3 damage to and pushes the target.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Vicious Spore	2	0	Extravasating Secretion (Enemy) Effect Sacrifice self to launch a projectile that deals 2 damage to and pushes the target.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.
Blob Leader	2	0	Eruptive Guts (Enemy) Effect Explode, dealing 1 damage to itself and 2 damage to adjacent tiles. Kill it first to stop it.	Minor: This unit does not grant XP to pilots on kill.

Trivia

• The code associated with each mission in the game shows no indication that the same Vek will appear on any given mission. Instead, it appears that the Vek are randomly chosen from the island's pool each time the player enters a mission.
• Unimplemented sprites exist for leader versions of the Burrower, Leaper, Digger and Moth:

See Also

• Sentient Weapons, the rogue technology hijacked by the Vek on Pinnacle Robotics.