You have the power to infest

(From the official description at Cosmic Encounter Online) - Unless specifically prevented by an artifact or another power, you may ally with one side in an encounter, whether invited or not. You may add 1 to 4 ships to the side you choose. Consequences of allying remain the same.  Timing: You may infest before encounter pods are launched, when you are not a main alien in the encounter.

What does this mean?  You're like any common parasite:  you get to jump on the host and live (or die!) off the host unless prevented from doing so by a Zap or a Forcefield.  (You won't make many friends, of course, if you go where you're not invited, but who cares - did you really need those friends, anyway?)

Example:  You are neither offensive or defensive player in an encounter.  The offensive player chooses a base in the defensive system.  You are not invited by the offensive player, but use your power to intervene and ally anyway.  If you don't have a base on that planet, you get a base just as if you had been invited as an ally.

After Parasite has made the decision to ally uninvited (i.e. Parasite allies with an offensive or defensive player who didn't invite Parasite) and Parasite has chosen the number of ships to add to the encounter, Parasite can be zapped and can be prevented from allying.  If zapped, Parasite will be unable to ally with EITHER the offensive or defensive players, even if originally invited by one.  (If Parasite if invited by both, no zap is possible because the power is not used.)

Go with the offensive player as often as possible.  Avoid the offensive player ONLY if you have the base at issue or if you know the offensive player will lose.

Go with the offensive player if you will be going for your 4th base EVEN IF YOU EXPECT THE OFFENSIVE PLAYER WILL LOSE.  There are times offense wins by accident; let the accident be to your favor.

Only use one ship when using your Parasite power as an offensive ally.  The offense didn't want you and thus has incentive to throw you in the Warp (even if it means joining you there).  Exception:  use 4 ships if it may bring you your 4th base and you can afford having 4 ships go to the Warp.

Go with the defensive player if you are certain the offensive player will lose.  For example, if it is clear that the offensive player has all negotiate ("N") pods, and the defensive player has one or more number pods, go with the defensive player.

Go with the defensive player if the defensive player has special incentive to win and you have nothing to gain as an offensive ally.  For example, if the offensive player is going for a 4th base, and you have 2 or fewer bases, and the defensive player fails to invite you, go with the defensive player.  (NOTE:  the many "ifs" here are a reminder that the best time to use your power is as an offensive ally.)

Avoid allying just to "be helpful."  Don't ally with the offensive player if all you will do is reinforce a base you already have.

Keep close track of the number of Zaps played and the use of the Force field artifact.  If there are no more Zap or Force field artifacts to be played, it will be easier to win.

Please email georgeotc@cosmicfans.com with what you believe are the best strategies for playing as this alien!  Be sure to include your player name so that you can be credited.

As offensive player, if attacking in a system other than Parasite's system, try to attack a planet where Parasite already has a base.

As offensive player, use or encourage allies to use the Force field artifact, especially if Parasite is going for a 4th (and final) base.

As offensive player, purposefully LOSE if Parasite will get a 4th base and you will not.  Consider losing on purpose if Parasite will get a 3rd base.

As defensive player, purposefully LOSE if Parasite allied with you and you want to prevent Parasite from getting pods or ships.

As offensive or defensive player, consider making a deal by having both offensive and defensive players play a negotiate ("N") pod.  This will prevent Parasite from being involved.

Please email georgeotc@cosmicfans.com with what you believe are the best strategies for playing against this alien!  Be sure to include your player name so that you can be credited.