several improvements: WIP

code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/subtypes/animal/space/alien.dm

@@ -21,13 +21,68 @@
 	turn_sound = "skathari_chitter"
 	harm_intent_damage = 5
 	melee_damage_lower = 25
-	melee_damage_upper = 25
+	melee_damage_upper = 35
 	attack_armor_pen = 15
 	attack_sharp = TRUE
 	attack_edge = TRUE
 	attacktext = list("slashed")
 	attack_sound = 'sound/weapons/bladeslice.ogg'
+	ai_holder_type = /datum/ai_holder/simple_mob/xeno_alien /// Found in xeno_alien_ai.dm 
+	
+	special_attack_min_range = 3
+	special_attack_max_range = 7
+	var/special_attack_distance = 1 /// Special cases for drone subtype that doesn't want to get close. 
+	special_attack_cooldown = 5 SECONDS
 
+/mob/living/simple_mob/animal/space/alien/do_special_attack(atom/A)
+	/// Copied MOSTLY from bluespace slime's do_special_attack
+	if(!A)
+		to_chat(src, span("warning", "There's nothing to teleport to."))
+		return FALSE
+
+	var/list/nearby_things = range(special_attack_distance, A)
+	var/list/valid_turfs = list()
+
+	// Check tile density and distance.
+	for(var/turf/potential_turf in nearby_things)
+		var/valid_turf = TRUE
+		if(potential_turf.density)
+			continue
+		for(var/atom/movable/AM in potential_turf)
+			if(AM.density)
+				valid_turf = FALSE
+		if(get_dist(potential_turf, A) != special_attack_distance) /// We want to maintain an acceptable distance.
+			valid_turf = FALSE
+		if(!can_see(src, potential_turf, 7)) /// We don't want to teleport out of sight!
+			valid_turf = FALSE
+		if(valid_turf)
+			valid_turfs.Add(potential_turf)
+
+	var/turf/T = get_turf(src)
+	var/turf/target_turf = pick(valid_turfs)
+
+	if(!target_turf)
+		to_chat(src, span("warning", "There wasn't an unoccupied spot to teleport to."))
+		return FALSE
+
+	var/datum/effect_system/spark_spread/s1 = new /datum/effect_system/spark_spread
+	s1.set_up(5, 1, T)
+	var/datum/effect_system/spark_spread/s2 = new /datum/effect_system/spark_spread
+	s2.set_up(5, 1, target_turf)
+
+
+	T.visible_message(span("notice", "\The [src] vanishes!"))
+	s1.start()
+
+	forceMove(target_turf)
+	playsound(target_turf, 'sound/effects/phasein.ogg', 50, 1)
+	to_chat(src, span("notice", "You teleport to \the [target_turf]."))
+
+	target_turf.visible_message(span("warning", "\The [src] appears!"))
+	s2.start()
+
+	if(Adjacent(A))
+		attack_target(A)
 
 /mob/living/simple_mob/animal/space/alien/death()
 	var/turf/center = get_turf(src)
@@ -51,10 +106,14 @@
 	icon_living = "aliend_running"
 	icon_dead = "aliend_l"
 	icon_rest = "aliend_sleep"
+	maxHealth = 80
 	health = 80
 	melee_damage_lower = 15
-	melee_damage_upper = 15
+	melee_damage_upper = 20
 	projectiletype = /obj/item/projectile/energy/skathari
+	ai_holder_type = /datum/ai_holder/simple_mob/xeno_alien/ranged
+	special_attack_min_range = 1 /// We want to move away quickly!
+	special_attack_distance = 5 /// Puts us right in the middle of our acceptable range. 
 
 
 /mob/living/simple_mob/animal/space/alien/queen/empress/mother
@@ -77,6 +136,8 @@
 	icon_expected_width = 96
 	icon_expected_height = 96
 
+	special_attack_distance = 3 /// Will encourage mix of ranged and melee attacks. 
+
 
 /decl/mob_organ_names/skathari
 	hit_zones = list("carapace", "abdomen", "left forelegs", "right forelegs", "left hind legs", "right hind legs", "head")