So decided to sit down and workshop out a few enemies after doing the boss fight and seeing some of the features they could use. I think in general horde interaction with gas got me interested into running into it as less of an isolated concept.
Appearance: Generally a more lanky design with a mounted headlamp. They would have a backpack which has several surgical tools attacked with their main armament, a combo drill + surgical saw attacked to their right or left arm. Along a belt would be a collection of stims and gas grenades.
Role: Mostly a support unit through and through. Main ability is deploying defensive gas grenades (short range throw, maybe a good 10-15 meters centered on friendly hordes) which buff lesser enemies and debuff friendlies, not a huge linger time. Secondarily each combat surgeon has a limited number of stims to buff select enemies such as maulers, trappers, gunners, etc. Each special would get a different buff depending on role (Ranged would get speed / concentration, melee would get a hp or damage buff, others may get one that lets them attack faster) but these would be limited in number.
Behavior: When idle they can be seen checking equipment or tending to other fighters in the group. They can also be apart of patrols mostly being in the back / center of the group. When alerted they try to deploy defensive gas on hordes and take cover near other specials / shooters. When approached they try to pull back and not engage unless cornered or getting the jump on a player. When specials are near they will throw the specials stims which are used and give that special a buff. I’m thinking they can do this for 2/4/6/8/10/unlimited enemies until dead dependent on difficulty level.
Strengths: Can be an absolute nightmare when hordes of smaller enemies are present and they can buff hordes with gas. They can buff specials and make them much more of a threat, thus making a dangerous situation even worse.
Weaknesses: Fairly tall and not combat effective on their own, lacked ranged and not exactly the fastest special. While they have limited offensive ability with their gas grenades they tend to run and preserve their safety over making smart engagements.
