STR21: Overmind (Stronghold: On the Edge of Chaos)

STR21: Overmind is the twenty-first map of Stronghold: On the Edge of Chaos. It was designed by Daniel Gimmer (Tormentor667) and uses a custom music track.

This level introduces the "Overmind" mode, where the objective is to destroy a single large opponent before it destroys the level's power cores.

Essentials
Before this level starts, Lt. Carmack will brief you about the Overmind, a large gray demon resembling the Cycloid Emperor from Duke Nukem 3D - your objective is to kill this monster before it destroys the eight power cores placed on pylons around the main building. The Overmind can breathe fire and launch catharsi projectiles from its arm cannons; players who get too close will also be damaged by its stomping feet. The Overmind's health changes depending on how many players are facing it - 20,000 for one player, up to 60,000 for eight players - and its remaining health is displayed as a percentage at the bottom of the screen. Every time the Overmind's health is reduced by 10% the next wave will start, whether or not the previous wave has been completed.

The Overmind starts at the north end of the level and heads south until it reaches the main building; it then proceeds in a clockwise direction around the building until it returns to the north side. On each wave, monsters will spawn by the north, south-west and south-east sides of the building - they usually target players but can also target the power cores if no other targets are available. When fighting the Overmind solo, you will need powerups such as quad damage and time freeze to slay it before it can reach all the cores. Ignore the other monsters as much as possible; they are intended to distract you from the Overmind.

Weapon pads can be found between the north and south pylons, while ammo and health pads can be found between all four pairs of pylons. A powerup pad can be found in the center of the main building.

Completing this level will award 2,000 bonus credits and unlock the fifth tier of missions in the main hub.

Secrets
There are no official secrets on this map.

Bugs
From its starting point the Overmind can target the cores on the north, east and west sides of the main building. If it destroys all these cores before it reaches the main building, it will get stuck on the building's north side as it attempts to find a path to the south cores, making it very easy to kill.

There are two start points for players five to eight, causing voodoo dolls to appear when five or more players are present in the level.

Current records
The records for the map at the Doomed Speed Demos Archive are:

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level: