Background
The Founder is one of the few original surviving machines from the Hierarchy's main assault that wiped out Novus' creators. As part of a surveying party returning home through the first wormhole Novus was able to create, the Founder arrived at his world to find it in ruins and his organic creators wiped out. Organizing the surviving machines and setting his sights on the Hierarchy, the Founder began the rebuilding of the race into what would ultimately become "Novus," which literally means "those that follow" in their language. The Founder's highest priority is to avenge his creators and the other races the Hierarchy has eliminated, which has made him very one-dimensional in purpose.
Usage
The Founder is best used for hit and run assaults against an enemy force, or in replenishing forces when you need to push just a bit more against an enemy. Keeping him in performance mode to get into undefended areas and then signal-tapping to pull in reinforcements is a great way to hit your opponent from different directions without risking building a network to that location. Since he also provides power, you can use him to tap, flow a constructor, and immediately establish a forward base or a new defensive position. When he comes under assault, you have the speed to escape most assaults or simply reform into prowess and smash things. The generated debris is easily converted into more fighting forces, allowing you to create a constantly re-building army around him.
Abilities
Melee Attack (vs. ground targets): The Founder's melee attack varies greatly in power and speed depending on the mode he's currently in.
Performance and Prowess modes(toggle): The Founder has the ability to alternate himself between two very different modes at will. In performance mode, the Founder moves at incredible speeds, launches a flurry of quick melee attacks, and is very susceptible to heavy damage. In prowess mode, the Founder re-assembles himself via nanite chambers on his body to augment his defense and strength at the cost of movement. He becomes slow and heavy, but is able to shrug off large amounts of damage and deal considerably heavy blows to enemies.
Signal Tap(toggle, performance mode only): When the Founder enters signal tap mode, he reconfigures himself to become part of Novus' network. Emitting a powerful network signal, he instantly connects to any Flow Conduits over a massive distance across the battlefield. Not only does he function as a valid network junction, he also provides power in the immediate area around him. The Founder can't move or attack while in signal tap mode.
Reconstruct(activated ability, prowess mode only): The Founder releases some of his own nanite supply to convert all nearby scrap into Robotic Infantry. These units are completely functional and instantly available to Novus. The loss of nanites does drain some of the Founder's own health in the act of creation, so this ability is best used with some discretion.