Once the first hive is online, it and the bacteria seem to become a silent partners, drawing and distributing resources, linking the aliens together, but otherwise leaving all decisions up to the individual creatures as to how and when to attack the enemy. Creating new hives is one of these decisions.

Any creature can gestate into the builder class, the Gorge, and if enough resources are available, trigger the growth of a new hive. See the Gorge description for more information on this ability. The Frontiersmen seem to be seen as a large enough threat that new hives are built as fast as possible. When three hives are activated, the full might and power of the Kharaa is revealed.