Weapons:
Acid-Thrower (some things may be flammable, for instance, and using flamethrower against them would just make them more dangerous)
Tesla Gun (some sci-fi weapons never hurt. especially in a secret experimental project)
Desintegrator (very slow, but insta-kills anything, with splash attack (obviously unusable on bosses))
Chainsword (in narrow tunnels, with many corners, melee weapons may prove to be more effective than ranged. especially if it easier to dismember a thing, rather than kill it...)
Armor:
Kevlar Suit - classical kevlar armor.
Heavy Infantry Armor - titanium-enforced battle-suit. offers advanced protection, compared to Kevlar suit, but slows the wearer down with sheer weight.
Neo-Plastic Plate Armor - a very light and tough armor of neo-plastic plates.
Bio-Plastic Plate Armor - same as above, but also increases health regeneration
Nano-Forged Armor - a suit of plate armor of extremely durable titanium alloy. SLows the wearer.
Nano-Tube Armor - an extremely expensive
Power Armor - a powerful suit of titanium alloy armor, fitted with hydraulic "muscles" and combat devices. Increases not only armor, but also damage, but lowers movement and attack speed slightly.
Force Armor - same as above, but also contains a Force Shield Projector (in essence, a mana shield)
Things:
You mentioned virus in the map description, so I took courage to mess with the idea a bit. Monster description (merely suggestions) will mention virus strains, more on them in Features. Creature examples:
Bloated Horror - tremendous blobs of flesh, mindless and bloated, they are filled with fetid ooze and pestilent gas. If hit by a fiery attack (flamethower, Molotv Cocktail, Grenade Launcher, etc.), the foul brew within them begins to boil, destroying them in a violent explosion, which also damages everyone in large radius and infecting them with virus. When killed normally, they leave a puddle of virulent sludge and clouds of infected gas.
Uses Abomination model. Virus strain - Potter's Hand.
Test Subject - once human beings, these deranged creatures were subjects of inhuman experiments before the disaster. For ages they knew only torture. Now, freed from captivity, they want to share that pain with others. Regular not strong monster, though quite durable (they feel no pain, after all those experiments).
Uses Ghoul model. Virus strain - random (if any).
Shredded Ones - many scientists and commoners were torn to shreds by hungering monsters. However, in some the virus was strong enough to deny them the peace of death.
Use this models. (hit "Скачать" to download). Virus strain - Elixir of Life.
Hunter - some of the infected haven't lost their minds. Well, they have, but they retain much of their former knowledge and intelligence, allowing them to use advanced technology and stalk their prey with some tactical plans. In their insanity, they believe that being infected is the best form of existence and want to infect whomever they meet... They use advanced weapons (assault rifles, pistols, grenades, even experimental weapons) - many of them come from former scientists or soldiers.
Uses Tuskarr model. Virus strain - Emerald.
Alchemist - in some bodies, the virus gave off strange and terrible mutations. Distinctive genetical code, medicaments or maybe drugs - there's no knowing what was the cause. So weird this mutation was, that upon leaving the original host, the strain never managed to change the new body to the same extent and, if it may be said, perfection. Original hosts of Merlin's Curse strain, Alchemists are actually capable to secrete powerful samples of the strain. To make things worse, they also possess powerful psionic powers, being capable of manipulating lesser mutants and telekinetically move clouds of virus, as well as toss debris at the invaders.
Uses Faceless One model. (
This model for a boss, perhaps?) Virus strain - Merlin's Curse.
The Damned - creations of the Alchemists, the Damned are victims of Merlin's Curse and as such possess certain psionic powers, though much less intense that those of Alchemists (althugh they surpass the former in physical strength and size). Their wills are also bound to those of the Alchemists.
Uses Unbroken model. (
This model for a boss, perhaps?) Virus strain - Merlin's Curse.
Mind Eater - when beasts fell to the Merlin's Curse, its intense psionic power scorched their minds. Their lesser intelligence being incapable of containing the burden of virus, they now seek to devour any brain tissue, in order to replenish their mental powers.
Uses this model. (Although faceless skin may give unpredictable results). Virus strain - Merlin's Curse.
Immortal - this horrific creatures just won't die. Every drop of blood and shred of flesh they devour strengthens even further. The more they kill, the bigger and stronger they become. Killing them is almost impossible - gun-fire will just leave them stunned and mangled, but switly regenerating. Only intense fire or lots of acid can destroy it utterly - although fire must be used with caution, for Immortals' withered skin is very flammable and last thing you want is immortal fireball with claws and fangs trying to eat you...
Uses Felhound model. Virus strain - Elixir of Life.
Withered One - withered and dry, these shambling creatures hunger for human flesh. Their deadened flesh is very flammable and it takes a long time for it to burn through, before they start to feel the burn... They come in large packs and don't you dare toss a grenade at them =).
Uses Murlock model. Virus strain - Sandstorm.
Homunculus - when a Man tries to be a God, some bad things may happen... Homunculi were the result of an experiment to create a humanoid life from scratch - chemical elements. The experiment was nearly finished, when the disaster broke out. In the unstable and misshapen bodies of the Homunculi, the virus assumed their shapelessness and abiility to mutate and warp. Homunculi are very though and strong, their muscules warped into titanic strength by numerous mutations.
Uses this model. Virus strain - Potter's Hand.
Grotesque - when you have vats of protoplasm, lots of human DNA (in the corpses) - especially unstable DNA (in the mutants) - and a powerful mutagen virus, something is bound to brew. Grotesques are highly resistant to any damage, because their flesh shifts and warps, causing wounds to close and filtering toxins out (and using them against their enemies. Luckily, toxins are constantly generated by the virus they contain, so they never run out of this weapon).
Uses this model. Virus strain - Potter's Hand.
Death Bringer - many special agents, armed with highest-quality experimental weaponry and finest gear were sent to destroy all results of the Project 57, but they too succumbed to the horrific virus. Now their advanced weaponry and superrior fighting skills, coupled with deadly toxins of the virus, are driven by blodthirsty insanity.
Uses this model. Virus strain - Emerald.
Hungerer - thirsting for fresh blood, Hungerers do not hesistate to attack. Their health starts at 25% (they have rather large health pools, no regeneration), coupled with tremendous life-stealing (400% of damage dealt).
Uses this model. Virus strain - Sandstorm.
Observer - a rare and strange mutation, this creature was born from combination of three strains, that normally cannot survive together. A psionic, covered with chitin shell and of inhuman size, Observer controls other mutants with sheer strength and psionic domination. He attempts to control mutation processes and bind the virus to his will.
Uses this model. Virus strains - Spider's Kiss, Merlin's Curse, Potter's Hand.
Madman - some people were lucky to be immune to all strains of the virus (though they still wear gas masks - just in case). However, seing all the horrors that happened around, their sanity crumbled. Insane and lonely, their hair white frm horror, these unfortunate now wander, attacking anyone, in their madness thinking that every stranger is responsible for the disaster.
Uses this model. Virus strain - none. Immune to all strains.
Survivor - this ironical name refers to soldiers, who were sent to deal with the infected creatures and fell to the virus. They survived though - at the cost of the health and sanity. Now, armer with ramshackle weapons (their former weapons are too complicated for them now), they seek to fulfill the last order they remember - "Kill!"
Use these models.
Features:
I suggest making virus strains a main feature of the game. Infected clouds and lakes, etc. Different strains would have different effects, some beneficial, some malicious. One strains may purge others, or combination of certain strains may lead to instant death or mutation. Could be represented by multi-level unit abilities. Strains would automatically increase in level every set period of time (ss the virus ravages through the body)
Strain examples (infected means the player):
Potter's Hand - the infected is warped like clay. His stats change randomly. Every application (level) of the strain has an increasing chance of warping the infected into god knows what...
Merlin's Curse - drains strength and agility, focusing everything into intelligence. The strain is actually an active ability (based off thunder clap, perhaps, or war stomp), allowing the infected to release a psionic shock, stunning or slowing nearby enemies (and maybe allies?). Every application has a chance of granting additional psionic abilities and making the infected hostile, as he goes insane. That is, if he doesn't die or turn into a puddle of slime, as his strength and agility drop to zero.
Emerald - virulent toxin rages through the infected one's body, dealing high damage over time and damagin those nearby (and spreading to them too, ofc). Attacks become highly poisonous, as weapons and ammo becomes bathed in venomous sludge that oozes from the infected.
Elixir of Life - the infected gains increased health regenration and increased health, but his virulent breath causes mutations in dead tissue, raising hostile zombies from dead monsters (maybe limbs will suit better). Also, with every application, there's a chance (much higher if infected is at 100% health), that life-force within him will become to great to contain and he'll explode into a number of hostile limbs and entrails, also infecting (and healing) everyone near him.
Sandstorm - health regeneration decreases with every application (becoming negative eventually), maximum health diminishes too. The infected becomes flammable (After like 3rd application). This strain gains applications with double speed. When maximum health reaches 0, the infected crumbles to dust.
Spider's Kiss - slowly drains health and spreads to nearby allies, as the characters are infected with mutated spider eggs. With every application, a number of spiderlings will spawn, which will bite, spreading the strain and dealing minor damage. With every application, spiderlings become stronger and stronger and their numbers also grow, until a tide of spiders devours the characters alive...
Elixir of Life and Emerald are both exclusive with Sandstorm.
Spider's Kiss is exclusive with Sandstorm and Emerald.
Omg.
