Relocated Aphids Not Worth It?

[Bassilth]

I have been trying the Freeplay with medium settings on everything. I have chosen the fire ants.

I have noticed, that when I go out swarm the map while ignoring those aphids and collect random food items, my colony can grow extremely quickly. I easily overpowered the enemy colonies.

But then, I have decided I will do what the devs seem to promote and swarmed the enemy territory next to mine to get all their aphids and relocate them to my plant. I have put 64 lvl 2-3 soldiers onto plant defense, while using the rest (95 lvl2-3 soldiers) to collect food elsewhere. Next thing I know, 2 enemy colonies rush me every single second, forcing me to get the food collectors to join the defense. They would (somehow) sneakily get my aphids even if my colony swarms the plant to protect it. Then half my colony would go after the thief, while the others would be defending the rest from the attacking ants.

I have emptied my food storage... I lost all the aphids. Then, I ignored the aphids and just collected food from everywhere and my colony grew again.

So what gives?

Are they not supposed to be worth it now? Why even add them if all they do is attract a 24/7 enemy attack that eventually eats all your resources? Can't even send out workers to collect food because the enemies come from all viable directions where there is food. Especially since usually 2 enemy colonies will attack you at once nonstop.

I think this needs tweaking:
1. Make the aphids spawn MORE food.
2. Make the enemy not attack you 24/7 for the aphids, please.
3. Make it so enemy ants CANNOT get your aphids as long as you have ants stationed there to protect it. They should prioritize fighting them first. Otherwise, what is the point of sacrificing a group of your soldiers to focus on the aphid defense if they are going to just bypass it?

[CaptainMoszi]

Aphids need to give at least 5x the food to be worth their trouble. I find that I lose more food defending them than just ignoring them.

[Bassilth]

Originally posted by AdmiralMoszi:

Aphids need to give at least 5x the food to be worth their trouble. I find that I lose more food defending them than just ignoring them.

Yeah, this is my issue as well. It just isn't worth it at the moment. Other food sources are more profitable and not as contested as the low-producing aphids seem to be. At this rate, the possessiveness of the enemy could be more due to sentimental value than anything. At least, this is my headcanon. Cannot think of any other reason.

[gabgab01]

imo aphids are for late game, for when there's no other source left, since they keep generating food.
and the more aphids you can carry into lategame, the more of an advantage you have.

sure, you could go and collect all the seeds quickly and rush the enemy with that, but what to do once the seeds are gone? they don't regenerate.

with how the game is currently, yes, the aphids are too weak to be worth the trouble. the game doesn't go on long enough for wars to continue much longer after all the seeds are gone, the AI is sometimes too easy to deal with or either too hard, and alliances never change.

but for when WAY bigger maps and multiplayer comes along? maybe then aphids might actually be worth the effort