Yeah, you don’t be to hatch to use the chest mines, in fact you can’t as only the seed has chest mines.
I think the name Chest mines is bad because they really are not like mines at all. More like a 2 use Shock Chain colt. This is hard to say though, the change of one profile to another doesn't happen until the END of the order, on the active turn I think it could use it. Autohatch is a short movement skill. But in ARO I think it's either Dodge (Hatch) or use the use the chest mine.
Alternatively... Regarding Autohatch, the cancellation of Seed-Embryo state is applied to the whole declared Order. So, if a trooper in Seed-Embryo state declares an Autohatch + Move Order, her Developed Form Troop Profile will be applied for the whole Order.
It's a bit wierd that there are other similar mechanics in the game that dont work quite the same way (eg when you go Prone you are considered prone for the whole order, but you can still shoot and be shot at from where you were standing at the start of the order) but yeah I think you cant auto hatch + chest mine in one order.
Nah, it works the same as dismounting or mechanical transmutation. Remember that it's a profile change first and foremost. If it helps, pretend you're swapping one model for another.
It makes it feel like the chest mine is a bit useless. Mainly on the Cadmus since it's not in camo. However it's still a good threat. Landing a Decoy near a troop and tell them it has chest mines means he might use orders it doesn't need to, to take care of it.
Why would camo matter? Doesn't the fact that it's a marker state still impose the -3 on the chest mines due to surprise shot? Or are you saying that they are easier to engage from range?
Chest mines don't benefit from Surprise Shot as it's not a face to face. The main thing to me is that a (prone) Seed isn't obvious so your opponent doesn't know they're going to be taking a Template to the face, whereas a Cadmus is obviously a Cadmus, and in most situations you'll be spending orders on them and hatching immediately after deploying them so there isn't the chance to use the Chest Mines.
I’m saying for the difference between a Seed Soldier Embryo with Chest Mine and a Cadmus Embryo. The Seed Soldier has camo and the opponent doesn’t know what it is. Seed? Mine? Caliban? etc. A Cadmus is a bit more obvious. But a decoy can still be used as a feint. Like using a mine to make them discover it, instead of a trooper. And yes with a decoy, you know right away to deal with from a distance. One thing to note. If you do want them to waste orders on shooting or discovering a decoy, don’t land on a building. Embryo’s are size 0 and can’t be seen by anyone below! However that’s fantastic too! It’s like landing your guy prone. So like you want land the Redfury in perfect +3 range to take out a guy in the open. He and decoys can all land on top of buildings and not be seen at all by anyone below. Decoys can also be used to try to get a figure to turn to the face the way you want them to.
Oh, good call! It had been a while since I looked at it and I just figured it would apply to templates as well. I guess intuitive attack works, though?