Spore Origins: How to create the uber-Spore for Arena mode

Image via Wikipedia As someone who has maintained a spore that has occasionally snagged the first place (yes, I was rated #1 for a couple hours a few times, and within top 10 and top 100 many times as well, look up "ShaYu" by "kschang" and you'll see it), I've decided to share a few tips playing SPORE Origins.

First... Keep your spore as SMALL as possible. This is counter intuitive, but believe me. A smaller spore is harder to hit, and thus, more survivable. How do you keep it small? Take almost as many wounds as you grow. This is quite difficult as in the earlier stages all you do is EAT, but try to take a few damage before you eat the last bug to exit the level.

Second, select max defense. If you can look at the top ranking spores (yes, including mine), they are ALL defense specialists. You NEED the ability to shrink into that inpenetrable ball of armor. It does come in handy. However, it doesn't work that well on enemies with eyes, as they can see your spiked state and just stop. However, it works well enough in murky waters and against those who have no eyes.

The rest can be balanced between offense (you do need the stun/needle), movement (you do need the tail for speed).

This one is good for all-around defense and its "stun" is good for general offense, and works well enough in all arenas. It is a bit more vulnerable in very busy arenas with a lot of food as some enemy spores can run away to refuel, but if this can stay close it can basically joust the other spores to death before the other can refuel, esp. those with level 3 sensor (attract food).