diff --git a/code/datums/balloon_alerts/balloon_alerts.dm b/code/datums/balloon_alerts/balloon_alerts.dm
index 59f826fbe7d2..9f3ad49dd47f 100644
--- a/code/datums/balloon_alerts/balloon_alerts.dm
+++ b/code/datums/balloon_alerts/balloon_alerts.dm
@@ -8,15 +8,26 @@
 /// The amount of characters needed before this increase takes into effect
 #define BALLOON_TEXT_CHAR_LIFETIME_INCREASE_MIN 10
 
-/// Creates text that will float from the atom upwards to the viewer.
-/atom/proc/balloon_alert(mob/viewer, text, text_color)
+var/list/last_balloon_alert = list()
+
+/proc/can_display_balloon_alert(atom/source, delay)
+	var/last_time = last_balloon_alert[source]
+	if (last_time && (world.time - last_time < delay))
+		return FALSE
+	return TRUE
+
+/atom/proc/balloon_alert(mob/viewer, text, text_color, delay = 0)
 	SHOULD_NOT_SLEEP(TRUE)
 
+	if (delay > 0 && !can_display_balloon_alert(src, delay))
+		return
+
+	last_balloon_alert[src] = world.time
 	INVOKE_ASYNC(src, PROC_REF(balloon_alert_perform), viewer, text, text_color)
 
 /// Create balloon alerts (text that floats up) to everything within range.
 /// Will only display to people who can see.
-/atom/proc/balloon_alert_to_viewers(message, self_message, max_distance = DEFAULT_MESSAGE_RANGE, list/ignored_mobs, text_color)
+/atom/proc/balloon_alert_to_viewers(message, self_message, max_distance = DEFAULT_MESSAGE_RANGE, list/ignored_mobs, text_color, delay = 0)
 	SHOULD_NOT_SLEEP(TRUE)
 
 	var/list/hearers = get_mobs_in_view(max_distance, src)
@@ -25,8 +36,7 @@
 	for(var/mob/hearer in hearers)
 		if(is_blind(hearer))
 			continue
-
-		balloon_alert(hearer, (hearer == src && self_message) || message, text_color)
+		balloon_alert(hearer, (hearer == src && self_message) || message, text_color, delay)
 
 // Do not use.
 // MeasureText blocks. I have no idea for how long.
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/abilities/defender/defender_powers.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/abilities/defender/defender_powers.dm
index 8736d612c822..1fe8f4be799a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/abilities/defender/defender_powers.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/abilities/defender/defender_powers.dm
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
 		return
 
 	if(xeno.crest_defense)
-		to_chat(src, SPAN_XENOWARNING("We cannot use tail swipe with our crest lowered."))
+		xeno.balloon_alert(xeno, "our crest is lowered!", text_color = "#7d32bb", delay = 1 SECONDS)
 		return
 
 	xeno.visible_message(SPAN_XENOWARNING("[xeno] sweeps its tail in a wide circle!"), \
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
 		return
 
 	if(xeno.crest_defense)
-		to_chat(src, SPAN_XENOWARNING("We cannot use fortify with our crest lowered."))
+		xeno.balloon_alert(xeno, "our crest is lowered!", text_color = "#7d32bb", delay = 1 SECONDS)
 		return
 
 	if(!xeno.check_state())