Summary: New hives do more than allow new species, they advance and evolve the abilities of all species, and allow for new chambers to be constructed.

There are two ways the hive advances species abilities.

1. Each hive allows Gorge's to build another kind of chamber, making new evolutionary upgrades available to the Kharaa, regardless of species. See the evolutions section for more information.

2. New hives evolve each species into a more advanced form. We believe that, for example, the first Skulks to spawn are primitive, early specimens; but with each new hive, the Skulks becomes more advanced, and evolved, versions of themselves. This is true of all Kharaa species, and is reflected in the new abilities that become available with each hive. These abilities are unique to each species – and each new ability is more powerful than the last. To see descriptions of these abilities, see the species descriptions.

These advancements suggest that the hives act as evolutionary databases, containing a record of the long long history of the Kharaa. The bacteria's response to new situations is to spend resources and make a whole new array of instincts and responses available.