The Stinger was a top-secret prototype B.O.W. developed by Dr. James Marcus during experimentation with arachnids. It was the result of administering the t-virus to a scorpion. Like the other B.O.W. specimens developed at the Umbrella Research Center, it carries no develeopment code and its purpose was exclusively experimental for use in t-virus administration experiments. 1
History
The Stinger was initially developed by Dr. James Marcus as a test subject for the effects of the t-virus on an arachnid host, in an effort to find an adaptable host for the virus. The t-virus caused a dramatic increase in the creature's size as well as a hardened epidermis which all added to this veracious hunter's capabilities. Despite this the Stinger had a major weak spot, its unprotected head. It bears many similar characteristics with other arachnid subjects such as the Web Spinner and Giant Spider, namely the extreme growth.
Due to the creature's weak point and slow movement it was deemed a failure as a B.O.W., falling short of what was expected of a mutated scorpion. 2
Attributes
As well as the rapid dramatic size increase, another effect of the virus is the increase in thickness and strength of the creature's epidermis, allowing it to absorb damage from firearms effortlessly. The Stinger's pincers have grown and strengthened to such an extent that they can cut through steel. However, one major side-effect of the rapid development and encrustation of its epidermis produced a devastating weakness in the Stinger. This was its unprotected head carapace where its epidermis did not sufficiently grow, forcing its brain to grow in a crack in its "armor". 3
During combat it resorts to covering its weak point with its pincers, rendering its weak point vulnerable when attacking with them. Its other movements are slow and clumsy, with its other attack patterns relying on simply charging with its stinger. Therefore, its application in actual combat is greatly limited. As a B.O.W., it was expected to secrete venom, hemotoxin or neurotoxin from its stinger but it lacks this ability altogether. It is unknown whether this was a case of Umbrella neglecting to look for this attribute when choosing subjects, or whether the t-virus influenced the gene responsible and rendered it non-toxic. 4
Footnotes
- 1. Stinger Notes
- 2. biohazard archives (Page 203)
- 3. BIOHAZARD UMBRELLA CHRONICLES Official Guidebook (Page 056)
- 4. biohazard 0 Kaitai Shinsho (Page 074)