Mutation Mode is seriously unbalanced.
And I'm not speaking of only MM, but all of its derivatives (Hero, Predator, etc.)
Mutants end up winning more than twice as often as soldiers.
I'm gonna make suggestions on how to balance each mode.
I'm going to keep it as short and simple as possible.
Mutation Mode:
This mode is actually pretty alright.
The only thing that could be done to improve this is adding an additional +5% ammo bonus to soldiers per soldier mutated.
This will help when bigger outbreaks occur.
Hero Mode:
This one isn't as bad either.
But giving a higher damage bonus to soldiers will improve the balance.
Extra ammo isn't good, because of the bonus and existing ammo bonuses form the Item Shop.
Predator Mode/HMX:
(I'm mostly going to speak of the Predator/Commando variation, but this also includes the Havoc/Ranger variation, since they're exactly the same, just on different maps)
One of the most unbalanced modes.
Unless soldiers can group up together and hold a position flawlessly, they're doomed.
Even if 3 amazing players hold a position, they're going to be overrun soon enough in rooms with more players. The reason for this is because Mutants suffer no knockback, which should be added.
Damage buff is pretty good.
And most melees can score a 1 hit when the mutant is flashing red.
But Mutants should suffer knockback when shot at, as now it's next to impossible for a soldier to beat a mutant chasing him/her.
When a Mutant is killed and they respawn, they lose their level, which is pretty good.
But when the Predator is killed in the same manner, they get to respawn with their level. Which makes killing them with guns actually beneficial to the Mutant side, as he's going to have more HP when he comes back.
The real problem starts when a soldier enters Commando mode.
A Commando has decent HP, but mutants can drain it way too fast.
A pair of Slug Mutants and a single Berserk can easily kill one.
A Commando has 7 000 HP. A slash from Mutants deals 500, and a stab deals 1500.
Those are pretty decent damages, but the problem is the speed they can be executed at.
A Mutant can charge at a Commando spamming the stab button. And with more than one after you, you can kiss your Headshot! goodbye unless you have another Commando coming your way (or someone shooting at the mutants).
And the Predator.
That thing is a Commando killing machine.
1 stab deals 6 000 damage. Meaning It can kill a Commando in a stab+slash in under 2 seconds.
Paired with the spam-stabs of normal mutants, it's almost impossible for Commandos to survive a direct assault, as their attacks are so slow and deal too few damage.
To sum up:
Decrease the slashing and stabbing speed of the Predator and mutants (the default one, others seem to have a pretty balanced attack speed). And decrease the damage of the Predator, it deals way too much damage.
Make the Predator lose his levels upon respawning, just like every other mutant does.
Increase the attack speed and maybe even the damage of the Commando.
Mutation Knight Mode:
The most balanced mode out of all.
I'm not going to include anything, as the mode is perfectly fine as it is now.
Mutants VS Ghosts:
Another highly unbalanced mode.
Where should I start?
The lack of defense soldiers have against mutants, or the ease mutants can hunt soldiers?
The current strategy is to just run away, hide, and hope that no soundplayer will come your way until everyone else gets infected so you can turn into a Ranger (and most likely die, as this mode also has the Havoc/Ranger disadvantages from Predator Mode).
It's basically impossible for a ghost to kill a mutant. I've never seen it happen, unless the mutant was afk.
The damage done by ghosts is basically nothing against the HP mutants have. I suggest increasing the amount of damage done by soldiers so it takes 2-3 hits to kill a Slug mutant after 5 soldiers mutated. This will make killing Mutants actually plausible.
Mutants get a notification that a ghost is nearby. The breath is already way too loud. The notification should be removed, and the change of breath as well. (When you come close to a ghost, the slow breathing turns a lot faster, making it even easier to locate the source).
And again, the same disadvantages of becoming a Ranger are transferred from Predator Mode. Slug Mutants need to have a slower attack speed, Havoc needs to do a less damage, and the Ranger has to have a faster and maybe even stronger attack.
I'm also want to hear your opinions. Something that would improve the modes even more.
If you spot something you don't agree with please don't just say "no", rather say why so I can improve on these.