>>536225228
I guess you spend too much time/pollution on other things? I'm getting steam engines right now for 1K science and only recently started getting medium enemies. 972 nest HP, however much evolution that is. Didn't feel like I was rushing at all.

Exploders resist fire anyway, so if you made them big you're gonna need red bullets quick as well as the damage upgrade. Lasers are also just six techs from the electric age unlock.