Maidens (Gates)

A Gate or Maiden (so called because of the resemblance to the ancient torture device) is a location in Killer Queen that allows a drone to become upgraded.

There are two types of Gate in the game; Speed and Warrior. A Speed Gate looks like a doorway with lightning bolts above it, while a Warrior Gate looks like a doorway with wings.

All Gates begin each round in an uncontrolled state. When a Gate is touched by either Queen, the Gate changes color identifying it as being owned by that Queen's team until the round ends or until it is touched by the opposing Queen. This ownership prevents the opposing team's drones from using that Gate. Queens cannot use Gates to gain upgrades.

Any drone may utilize any uncontrolled or team-owned Gate by first acquiring Pollen and then standing in front of the Gate for a short amount of time. The drone will appear to hold up the pollen and then become enclosed by the Gate for a moment. When the player emerges, they will have their upgrade as well as temporary invulnerability.

The Speed upgrade allows the affected drone to travel faster, and also affects the speed at which the snail travels while the affected drone is riding it. The Warrior upgrade changes the affected drone into a Warrior.

A drone with the speed upgrade may also utilize the Warrior Gate to stack one of each upgrade and become a "speed warrior". It must be done in this order, since Warriors can neither carry Pollen nor use Gates.

After successfully using any Gate, a player will keep their upgrade until they are killed.