The most iconic, widely known, widely used, and most referenced virus in the entire Resident Evil series was the Tyrant Virus, or t-Virus (sometimes capitalized as "T-Virus"; also referred to as the "Cannibal Disease" by the media of Raccoon City). The t-Virus revolutionized modern warfare in the same fashion gunpowder did. While viruses such as T-JCCC203, "t-Wesker", and t-Veronica were technically t-Viruses, this analysis focuses on the Umbrella Corporation's primary t-Virus first developed at the Umbrella Executive Training School, and later refined at the Arklay research facility.
Each aspect of the t-Virus and its mutated hosts are covered below in the following parts, in this order:
Part One:
This is part three of Virus Analysis: Tyrant.
Each aspect of the t-Virus and its mutated hosts are covered below in the following parts, in this order:
Part One:
- Overview (History and Effects)
- Zombies (Humans)
- Zombie Animals (Mammalian and Aves)
- Evolved Zombies (Crimson Heads, Lickers, etc.)
- Tyrants
- Arthropods (Spiders and Insects)
- Annelids (Worms)
- Chordates (Reptiles, Fish, Amphibians, and Tunicate)
- Plants
- Hybrids (Hunters, Chimeras, etc.)
- Super Humans (Sergei and Mary Grey)
- Miscellaneous (Undertakers, Nyx, etc.)
- t-Virus Countermeasures
This is part three of Virus Analysis: Tyrant.
Besides altering the form of single organisms, the t-Virus is also capable of creating cross-species chimeras. A chimera is a single organism that contains genetic elements from different species of creatures. As there is a monster that is specifically named "Chimera", this analysis uses the word "hybrid" instead, to avoid confusion.
As the virus can infect and alter the genes of any organism, it can act as an intermediary between the genes of different species. t-Virus virions can transfer genetic material from one species to another. As the virus assimilates cells, the genetic coding of the cell is rewritten using the virus' own genome. This means traits from one animal can be replicated in another species. Without the Progenitor Virus' capacity to remake life and promote abnormal evolution, such complex genetic modifications are normally unstable and impossible.
As demonstrated in previous sections of this analysis, most t-Series B.O.W.s did not display all of the desired traits in a practical weapon, at least until the Tyrant was created in 1998. Different species gain different advantages and disadvantages when exposed to the virus. But by using the virus to isolate and bond different animal traits in a single host, B.O.W.s which inherit only the best traits can be created. For example, infected insect growth and vitality can be combined with mammalian intelligence. This concept was continued with Las Plagas and the C-Virus, with many of the most effective B.O.W.s created this way.
Creatures created through hybridization experiments often avoided the pitfalls normally associated with t-Virus infection. In particular, many hybrids retained the ability to breed, and they only rarely experienced intelligence decline. Any hybrid that was capable of reproducing with other hybrids and creating offspring that were genetically the same could be considered a legitimate, brand-new species: a "divine achievement". Because of this, hybrid experiments were often conducted in the middle of the t-Virus project, when the issues of retaining reproduction and intelligence were at their highest.
Creatures such as the Halbert in the "Arthropoda" section and the Ivy +XY in the "Plantae" section could also be considered genetic hybrids. However, they were both improvements made to existing monsters which were not hybrids, and so they debatably fit better in the sections they are covered in.
Hunter
Hunters were a flagship B.O.W. product line for the Umbrella Corporation. Both Hunters and Tyrants achieved the most successful results as weapons in Umbrella experiments, and many subspecies were created due to their high demand on the black market. While there are significant differences between different Hunter types, with some even made by groups other than Umbrella, they were all based on the same data, and were all created to accomplish the goals set forth by the Hunter Project.
The Hunter Project was envisioned and started by William Birkin at the Arklay Facility in the 1980s, although it is unknown if the name "Hunter" was attached to the project before the creation of the MA-121. The purpose of this project was to create a B.O.W. capable of killing anyone who the t-Virus failed to infect during an outbreak, due to them being naturally immune, possessing Anti-Viral equipment or medicine, or carrying weapons able to exterminate normal transmission vectors for the virus. This was a work-around to reach Spencer's imposed goal of making the t-Virus able to affect and kill virtually any person ("a standalone extermination weapon"). While continued genetic research was considered not enough to make the virus effective in every person regardless of differences in genes, a "Hunter" B.O.W. could hunt down and kill the percentage of people who survived during a t-Virus outbreak.
Birkin envisioned a Hunter organism as being a culmination of the powers of genetic manipulation carried by the t-Virus combined with a human host and the genetic information of animals. Hunters would emphasize combat abilities ("a combat-ready Bio Organic Weapon"), with no focus on blending in with other humans or elegance/perfection like the envisioned Tyrant B.O.W. Hunters were designed from the beginning stage as being able to track and kill specific targets with great skill, hence the chosen name "Hunter". They would need to be highly versatile as well.
Birkin created the βII strain of the virus with this goal in mind, which made complex genetic modifications relatively easy to perform.
Hunters were a flagship B.O.W. product line for the Umbrella Corporation. Both Hunters and Tyrants achieved the most successful results as weapons in Umbrella experiments, and many subspecies were created due to their high demand on the black market. While there are significant differences between different Hunter types, with some even made by groups other than Umbrella, they were all based on the same data, and were all created to accomplish the goals set forth by the Hunter Project.
The Hunter Project was envisioned and started by William Birkin at the Arklay Facility in the 1980s, although it is unknown if the name "Hunter" was attached to the project before the creation of the MA-121. The purpose of this project was to create a B.O.W. capable of killing anyone who the t-Virus failed to infect during an outbreak, due to them being naturally immune, possessing Anti-Viral equipment or medicine, or carrying weapons able to exterminate normal transmission vectors for the virus. This was a work-around to reach Spencer's imposed goal of making the t-Virus able to affect and kill virtually any person ("a standalone extermination weapon"). While continued genetic research was considered not enough to make the virus effective in every person regardless of differences in genes, a "Hunter" B.O.W. could hunt down and kill the percentage of people who survived during a t-Virus outbreak.
Birkin envisioned a Hunter organism as being a culmination of the powers of genetic manipulation carried by the t-Virus combined with a human host and the genetic information of animals. Hunters would emphasize combat abilities ("a combat-ready Bio Organic Weapon"), with no focus on blending in with other humans or elegance/perfection like the envisioned Tyrant B.O.W. Hunters were designed from the beginning stage as being able to track and kill specific targets with great skill, hence the chosen name "Hunter". They would need to be highly versatile as well.
Birkin created the βII strain of the virus with this goal in mind, which made complex genetic modifications relatively easy to perform.
MA-120 - At the time of the onset of the Hunter Project (1981), the t-Virus had been slightly stabilized in mammalian hosts with the Cerberus B.O.W. While humans still suffered intelligence decline as a result of infection, they still represented the best hope of creating intelligent B.O.W.s. Humans were therefore chosen as the base organism for the first Hunters. Homeless people were abducted by Umbrella for use as test subjects in this endeavor.
Thanks to the complex genetic manipulation abilities granted by βII, Birkin was able to splice the genes of animals into the Hunter test subjects. Genes from various different creatures were used for this purpose. Reptiles may have been among these creatures.
Thanks to the complex genetic manipulation abilities granted by βII, Birkin was able to splice the genes of animals into the Hunter test subjects. Genes from various different creatures were used for this purpose. Reptiles may have been among these creatures.
The human test subjects were injected with βII in conjunction with genes from one or more species of reptiles. Their immune function was simultaneously weakened, in order to prevent them from rejecting the virus and the foreign genes. These test subjects developed into prototypes for the Hunter-type B.O.W. They were given the codename "MA-120", with "MA" signifying the base host being mammalian.
Due to William Birkin's erratic behavior stemming from his rivalry with Alexia Ashford, Birkin rushed the Hunter experiments with "meaningless haste". He spent all of his time repeating experiments based on unplanned ideas with the Hunters, neglecting sleep in the process. As a result, the test subjects began to die faster than Albert Wesker and the other researchers were able to extract organic samples from them. Wesker, deeply bothered by the waste of "human resources" and lack of progress, interrupted Hunter research in order to protect the test subjects from Birkin. Two years later, on the last day of 1983, Alexia's supposed death had been reported, and Birkin was "restored" to a more stable state, allowing research to continue normally.
The finalized MA-120s went through multiple transformations in their lifetimes, and as a result their skeletal structures were extremely warped, with new muscles formed within. This gave them an explosive increase in destructive power.
MA-120s are only ever named in the file "MA121 Research and Development Progress Report". The fact that the first Hunters were adult homeless people who were injected with the virus comes from both Wesker's Report II and from BIO HAZARD Directors Cut Official Perfect Guide -Inside of BIO HAZARD. In the latter, 22 said Hunters are said to have been killed by S.T.A.R.S., which could imply that some of the specimens were still being held for research purposes and were released during the outbreak. As the finished MA-120s had the same appearance as MA-121s, and Hunters with this appearance were considered "new" by a test subject keeper at the Arklay Mansion by the 10th of May, 1998, then the MA-120s were likely only finished in the first part of 1998. The Hunters created from 1981-1997 were likely all failures.
Due to William Birkin's erratic behavior stemming from his rivalry with Alexia Ashford, Birkin rushed the Hunter experiments with "meaningless haste". He spent all of his time repeating experiments based on unplanned ideas with the Hunters, neglecting sleep in the process. As a result, the test subjects began to die faster than Albert Wesker and the other researchers were able to extract organic samples from them. Wesker, deeply bothered by the waste of "human resources" and lack of progress, interrupted Hunter research in order to protect the test subjects from Birkin. Two years later, on the last day of 1983, Alexia's supposed death had been reported, and Birkin was "restored" to a more stable state, allowing research to continue normally.
The finalized MA-120s went through multiple transformations in their lifetimes, and as a result their skeletal structures were extremely warped, with new muscles formed within. This gave them an explosive increase in destructive power.
MA-120s are only ever named in the file "MA121 Research and Development Progress Report". The fact that the first Hunters were adult homeless people who were injected with the virus comes from both Wesker's Report II and from BIO HAZARD Directors Cut Official Perfect Guide -Inside of BIO HAZARD. In the latter, 22 said Hunters are said to have been killed by S.T.A.R.S., which could imply that some of the specimens were still being held for research purposes and were released during the outbreak. As the finished MA-120s had the same appearance as MA-121s, and Hunters with this appearance were considered "new" by a test subject keeper at the Arklay Mansion by the 10th of May, 1998, then the MA-120s were likely only finished in the first part of 1998. The Hunters created from 1981-1997 were likely all failures.
Concept art for a Hunter. Note the visible nose, which is not present on the Hunters in the game. As noted by News Bot, this art could be interpreted as being a representation of the MA-120, which would likely inherit more human-like traits than later models due to being based on adult humans instead of embryos. The art above also features visible female genitalia, which is also present on the in-game model of Hunters in the original game.
Hunter α (MA-121α) - After researching and improving the MA-120s over a long period of time, the hybridization process was perfected and better understood by Umbrella. This eventually led to the development of the "MA-121α" Unlike the previous Hunter prototypes, which were based on adult humans, Umbrella created the MA-121s using three-week-old human embryos to maximize the control over how they developed. After injecting the embryos with genes taken from other animals while using the t-Virus as a bonding agent, they were genetically modified/refined to display the exact traits Umbrella wanted. They were then placed inside artificial wombs, which were held in culture tanks in the B4 area of the Arklay Laboratory. They were repeatedly given growth promoters to promote and speed up their unique development, and they successfully developed into stable organisms in just under a year. These prototypes showed excellent promise, and were named Hunter Alpha/α ("Hunter" for their specialized skills and purpose; "Alpha" for their prototype status).
After the first prototypes were born, Hunter αs were considered an unprecedented success with a degree of perfection, due to their practicality as weapons, the low cost of creating them, and to them fulfilling the development concept. Their abilities exceeded those of any other B.O.W.s at the time, and they were the third known B.O.W. intelligent enough to be controllable (the first being Eliminators, the second Cerberuses). They were therefore approved for mass production and cloned in great numbers. Hunters created via cloning were developed at a much faster pace than ones created from scratch. Many cloned Hunter αs were distributed to various different Umbrella research teams around the world and subsequently experimented on. The Hunter α was still technically only a prototype, however, and the full extent of its abilities in live combat were unknown to Umbrella. Before the Hunter could be sold as a product, combat data was required.
The 1st Investigation Team sent to the abandoned Training Facility planned to use this complex as a replacement for the Arklay Lab following the onset of the Mansion Incident, and transported several Hunters with them, presumably to continue where the Arklay team left off. After the team was ambushed by the Queen Leech, these Hunters were set loose, and they attacked any humans in the area.
Later, when S.T.A.R.S. was lured to the Arklay Facility for the purpose of gathering combat data, Albert Wesker unleashed the Hunter αs still kept in pens at the facility. He sent these Hunters after the police officers, gathering live combat data in the process.
Hunter αs are sometimes depicted as having been in Raccoon City during the Destruction Incident (BIO HAZARD DRAMA ALBUM The Doomed Raccoon City Vol.2 and The Umbrella Chronicles). These Hunters may have been survivors from the Mansion Incident that migrated towards the city over time. In Operation Raccoon City, Hunter αs were dropped into the city by Umbrella via pods similar to those used for Tyrant deployment. These Hunters were explained to be deployed in order to kill off survivors of the outbreak, which is the intended reason Hunters were developed in this first place. This explanation could account for their appearance in Raccoon in other scenarios as well. Others were shown stored in the underground laboratory in the city, possibly for use in the development of newer Hunter types like the Hunter R.
Even more Hunters were present on Sheena Island and were released either by accident or intentionally when Vincent Goldman leaked the t-Virus. These Hunters were likely used as test subjects as well.
The 1st Investigation Team sent to the abandoned Training Facility planned to use this complex as a replacement for the Arklay Lab following the onset of the Mansion Incident, and transported several Hunters with them, presumably to continue where the Arklay team left off. After the team was ambushed by the Queen Leech, these Hunters were set loose, and they attacked any humans in the area.
Later, when S.T.A.R.S. was lured to the Arklay Facility for the purpose of gathering combat data, Albert Wesker unleashed the Hunter αs still kept in pens at the facility. He sent these Hunters after the police officers, gathering live combat data in the process.
Hunter αs are sometimes depicted as having been in Raccoon City during the Destruction Incident (BIO HAZARD DRAMA ALBUM The Doomed Raccoon City Vol.2 and The Umbrella Chronicles). These Hunters may have been survivors from the Mansion Incident that migrated towards the city over time. In Operation Raccoon City, Hunter αs were dropped into the city by Umbrella via pods similar to those used for Tyrant deployment. These Hunters were explained to be deployed in order to kill off survivors of the outbreak, which is the intended reason Hunters were developed in this first place. This explanation could account for their appearance in Raccoon in other scenarios as well. Others were shown stored in the underground laboratory in the city, possibly for use in the development of newer Hunter types like the Hunter R.
Even more Hunters were present on Sheena Island and were released either by accident or intentionally when Vincent Goldman leaked the t-Virus. These Hunters were likely used as test subjects as well.
A number of genes from various different animals were introduced during Hunter development, strengthening the host. The primary genes used were those belonging to reptiles. Reptiles are primarily predatory, with a history of evolution geared towards making them ferocious killers. For this reason they possessed characteristics desirable in a weapon. While reptilian hosts did not seem to be a suitable base for B.O.W. development by themselves, their natural abilities could be fused with a human host. Another reason for using reptiles was actually to preserve the intelligence of the Hunter species; according to the biohazard 0 Kaitai Shinsho guidebook:
Intelligence decline, the bottleneck of human hosts, is caused by the t-Virus thoroughly eroding the dominant cerebral neocortex. Therefore the Hunter uses the genes of lower class organisms with only instinctive old brains such as the brain stem and cerebellum which have been discovered to compensate for cerebral functions and improve controllability.
Hunter αs were generally humanoid in size and shape, although their posture and proportions were more like gorillas than humans (which led to them being confused for "skinned gorillas" by one individual). Their size has varied in various depictions, but their height in their first appearance was 5.8 feet, while their weight was 196 pounds (source: Inside of Bio Hazard). They were later said to be around 5.3 feet/163cm tall when standing, only 4.3 feet/130cm tall when in their typical slouched position, and just over 3.1 feet/95cm wide (source: biohazard 0 Kaitai Shinsho). Hunters had the appearance of being an eerie midpoint between human and reptile. They appeared as if they were beasts made to imitate human beings, which caused them to have a deep psychological impact on their human prey. Regardless, they were still primarily "human-type" creatures. It is unknown if they were warm or cold blooded.
Hunters were primarily bipedal, unlike modern reptiles, but could run on all four limbs. Their hind legs had hocks (backwards-pointing joints beneath their knees), like those found on the hind legs of quadrupeds, which made them faster when on all fours. This would suggest that Hunters had genes from four-legged animals. They had green, scaly skin, tannish bellies, and an armored, spikey crest running along their backs and the top of their heads. This crest could have been inherited from crocodilian or lizard genes. Their teeth were sharp, and they seemed to be carnivorous (which would assumedly be their primary motivation for attacking other animals). Their nails developed into extremely pronounced, thick, claws, which were razor-sharp and comparable in size to large knives. These nails may have been an extension of their "deformed and exposed" bones. They had three toes and fingers on each foot and hand, as well as apposable thumbs. Their arms were abnormally long and hung towards the floor. Their heads pointed outwards and were bestial in shape, but they lacked snouts, with nearly flat mouths like those of humans. Their eyes were in a relatively human position on their faces, although they were yellow with slit pupils. Their noses and ears were not pronounced. They lacked any sort of tail.
Hunter αs had visible genitalia. It is unknown if they were capable of reproduction, as all specimens were female. This was due to them all being cloned from at most several individuals, at least only a single specimen. This may have also been to ensure Hunters would not breed on the battlefield, and focus only on fighting and killing. A newborn Hunter born in an outbreak zone would also lack any training or means of control, presenting a potential hazard to handlers.
Hunters were primarily bipedal, unlike modern reptiles, but could run on all four limbs. Their hind legs had hocks (backwards-pointing joints beneath their knees), like those found on the hind legs of quadrupeds, which made them faster when on all fours. This would suggest that Hunters had genes from four-legged animals. They had green, scaly skin, tannish bellies, and an armored, spikey crest running along their backs and the top of their heads. This crest could have been inherited from crocodilian or lizard genes. Their teeth were sharp, and they seemed to be carnivorous (which would assumedly be their primary motivation for attacking other animals). Their nails developed into extremely pronounced, thick, claws, which were razor-sharp and comparable in size to large knives. These nails may have been an extension of their "deformed and exposed" bones. They had three toes and fingers on each foot and hand, as well as apposable thumbs. Their arms were abnormally long and hung towards the floor. Their heads pointed outwards and were bestial in shape, but they lacked snouts, with nearly flat mouths like those of humans. Their eyes were in a relatively human position on their faces, although they were yellow with slit pupils. Their noses and ears were not pronounced. They lacked any sort of tail.
Hunter αs had visible genitalia. It is unknown if they were capable of reproduction, as all specimens were female. This was due to them all being cloned from at most several individuals, at least only a single specimen. This may have also been to ensure Hunters would not breed on the battlefield, and focus only on fighting and killing. A newborn Hunter born in an outbreak zone would also lack any training or means of control, presenting a potential hazard to handlers.
In the Resident Evil remake, some of the Hunter αs were red/brown in color, instead of green. This was likely a purposeful modification to differentiate between certain individuals. It may also be that green Hunters were all cloned from a single individual, while the red/brown ones were cloned from another. It may be that only two successful Hunters were developed using human embryos, with the rest all being clones.
The bodies of Hunters reached a level of perfection as a weapon, due in large part to them being wrapped in extremely large and well-developed muscles due to the effects of the t-Virus. This gave Hunters a masculine figure, despite all specimens actually being female. These muscles gave them the power and reflexes of a large carnivorous animal. The strong muscles encasing their legs made them fast runners (they could run at 31 miles per hour in the original Resident Evil), and gave them incredible agility. Their jumping power in particular has been said to be their most characterizing attribute in combat. Hunters were also adept climbers, and on one occasion scaled the sides of a skyscraper. Their mobility far exceeded humans, and allowed Hunters to both pursue targets in almost any environment, and to bypass any kind of barricades or fortifications.
The keratinized hide of a Hunter was extremely thick and resistant to shock. Their skin and scales were hardened to the point that they formed a crust-like armor, which was comparable in resilience to a bulletproof vest made of Kevlar fiber. This made them able to withstand an incredible amount small caliber weapons fire, and a small amount of high caliber fire. The platting on their backs was especially strong, protecting them from most attacks from behind. The belly area was less armored than the rest of their skin, but was still able to absorb a great deal of damage. Weapons with piercing power were most effective against Hunter hides. The most vulnerable spot on a Hunter was its face, and a single small caliber handgun bullet could kill them if it impacted a certain spot. But due to their rapid movements, hitting them in the head was extremely difficult.
The armored hides of Hunters were likely owing to osteoderms, the bony deposits which make up reptile scales. Komodo dragon skin has been compared to chain-mail, and the the raw power possessed by these creatures make them an attractive potential candidate for what species was used in Hunter development.
The armored hides of Hunters were likely owing to osteoderms, the bony deposits which make up reptile scales. Komodo dragon skin has been compared to chain-mail, and the the raw power possessed by these creatures make them an attractive potential candidate for what species was used in Hunter development.
Due to them avoiding brain cell erosion, Hunters had the minimum required intelligence to understand and execute commands in an appropriate manner. They had anthropoid intelligence, and their mental capacity was comparable to that of an orangutan. This allowed them to be taught and controlled by specialized trainers. A Hunter could be taught to obey around 10 spoken commands (the only command ever specified is "kill all survivors"). They could be taught how to perform actions such as turning doorknobs. The orders they were given had to be simple, and while they could presumably learn to recognize and refrain from harming certain individuals such as handlers, they could not distinguish between different human targets on the battlefield. Yet the orders they could understand they carried out with extreme precision.
Hunters were also social creatures that not only recognized and refrained from attacking other Hunters, but instinctually cooperated with one another in combat. When not in combat, Hunters would sometimes make clicking noises, which could be a form of communication. The way in which Hunters vocalized could suggest they had genes from geckos, which are the only lizards that can vocalize. In particular, common geckos will sometimes make clicking-like chirps, like Hunters.
Hunter aggression was extreme due to the effects of the t-Virus, and this combined with their intelligence resulted in them adopting sadistic behavior. They enjoyed torturing prey and prolonging their suffering before killing them. A captive Huner which was fed a pig played with it before eating it, tearing off its legs and pulling out its internal organs. A Hunter without a particular target will make little discrimination in its attacks and will kill Zombies as well as humans.
Hunters were also social creatures that not only recognized and refrained from attacking other Hunters, but instinctually cooperated with one another in combat. When not in combat, Hunters would sometimes make clicking noises, which could be a form of communication. The way in which Hunters vocalized could suggest they had genes from geckos, which are the only lizards that can vocalize. In particular, common geckos will sometimes make clicking-like chirps, like Hunters.
Hunter aggression was extreme due to the effects of the t-Virus, and this combined with their intelligence resulted in them adopting sadistic behavior. They enjoyed torturing prey and prolonging their suffering before killing them. A captive Huner which was fed a pig played with it before eating it, tearing off its legs and pulling out its internal organs. A Hunter without a particular target will make little discrimination in its attacks and will kill Zombies as well as humans.
Hunters had sharp reptilian instincts, which were accentuated by their strong senses. They could identify and track down humans in a large outbreak zone. They were highly alert, and when they discovered a target, they would pursue and attempt to corner them. Hunters primarily used hand-to-hand combat when attacking, and while they lacked projectile attacks their ability to close a distance quickly more than made up for this. They rarely used their teeth in combat, relying more on their massive claws. They were extremely difficult to kill even by elite combatants, and this combined with their devastating attacks, mobility, and enhanced senses made them more effective than human soldiers. Their monstrous appearance limited their use when compared to Tyrants, however.
Due to their muscles, long arms, and giant claws, strikes from Hunters were usually fatal. They were at one point nicknamed "grim reapers", due to them almost always killing their prey. They used various attack patterns, and their ability to attack while jumping made them much harder to hit than human combatants. In Operation Raccoon City, Hunters would prioritize whatever targets posed the greatest threat, such as who was shooting at them the most.
They would intentionally approach from targets' blind spots and tear at their chests with their claws. Their signature means of attack was to rear back and pounce at prey from a distance of 10-15 feet, with a claw stretched out and aimed at a target's neck. Upon impact, this attack would always result in the target's throat being ripped open, and often in the target's entire head being severed. When performing this attack maneuver, Hunters were actually at their most vulnerable - when they were rearing back to pounce or while they were leaping, a shotgun blast would be enough to knock them to the ground, leaving them prone and helpless for several moments. Making Hunters flinch from damage was integral for human combatants trying to survive a Hunter encounter, as their speed and agility allowed them to close the gap between them and a target instantly.
Hunters specialized in pack hunting. Two Hunters would coordinate to distract and ambush prey in a manner comparable to Cerberus packs. They made loud screeching noises in combat, which could potentially attract other Hunters to their position. In Operation Raccoon City, a Hunter's roar was powerful enough to send a shockwave that knocked prey to the ground. Their brilliant group tactics, tracking skills, and combat abilities made them deserving of the name "Hunter".
Hunters were capable of spreading the t-Virus to those whom they attacked, making them a "pillar of virus dispersion", although the vast majority of their victims would be torn apart before any sort of transformation caused by the virus could take place.
Due to their muscles, long arms, and giant claws, strikes from Hunters were usually fatal. They were at one point nicknamed "grim reapers", due to them almost always killing their prey. They used various attack patterns, and their ability to attack while jumping made them much harder to hit than human combatants. In Operation Raccoon City, Hunters would prioritize whatever targets posed the greatest threat, such as who was shooting at them the most.
They would intentionally approach from targets' blind spots and tear at their chests with their claws. Their signature means of attack was to rear back and pounce at prey from a distance of 10-15 feet, with a claw stretched out and aimed at a target's neck. Upon impact, this attack would always result in the target's throat being ripped open, and often in the target's entire head being severed. When performing this attack maneuver, Hunters were actually at their most vulnerable - when they were rearing back to pounce or while they were leaping, a shotgun blast would be enough to knock them to the ground, leaving them prone and helpless for several moments. Making Hunters flinch from damage was integral for human combatants trying to survive a Hunter encounter, as their speed and agility allowed them to close the gap between them and a target instantly.
Hunters specialized in pack hunting. Two Hunters would coordinate to distract and ambush prey in a manner comparable to Cerberus packs. They made loud screeching noises in combat, which could potentially attract other Hunters to their position. In Operation Raccoon City, a Hunter's roar was powerful enough to send a shockwave that knocked prey to the ground. Their brilliant group tactics, tracking skills, and combat abilities made them deserving of the name "Hunter".
Hunters were capable of spreading the t-Virus to those whom they attacked, making them a "pillar of virus dispersion", although the vast majority of their victims would be torn apart before any sort of transformation caused by the virus could take place.
In the Echo Six Expansion Pack, in Operation Raccoon City, a unique Hunter α subspecies appeared. Several "Elite Hunter α" B.O.W.s (not to be confused with Hunter Elites) were deployed by Umbrella into Raccoon City. These Hunters had patches of bright-red skin on various spots across their bodies, particularly along the belly and chest area. Their vitality was far greater than that of other Hunter αs, and they could withstand an incredible amount of damage. In combat, they would sometimes retreat from battle when injured, and allow other Hunters to attack their prey in the meantime. This could imply that Elite Hunter αs took on a sort of leadership role in Hunter α packs. Elite Hunter αs may have been prototypes made during Umbrella's efforts to perfect the Hunter "formula". Their use in Raccoon City could have been in order to test their abilities and acquire combat data, before potentially mass-producing them.
Hunter β (MA-121β) - After S.T.A.R.S. battled many Hunter α specimens during the Mansion Incident, Umbrella recovered useful combat data on the creatures. While their performance in live combat was considered satisfactory, the fact that the S.T.A.R.S. officers managed to survive the encounter showed that there was room more improvements. An Umbrella research team at the Chicago laboratory used the data in an attempt to further boost the performance of the Hunter species, before Umbrella could sell them as a perfected product.
The team performed further, superimposed gene remodeling on a Hunter α clone, likely during gene culture, in order to improve its nervous system. The resulting creature was given the model number "MA-121β", and called "Hunter Beta/β". As the β model was cloned from a MA-121, it was not called "MA-122"; rather, it was the second prototype for the "finalized" MA-121. Around 20 Hunter βs were cloned and sent into Raccoon City via a truck during the outbreak, in order to test their combat abilities against human survivors.
The Hunter β was a "practical application model", in contrast to the Hunter α, which was a "trial manufacture type". The enhancements made to the Hunter βs' nervous systems improved their agility, reaction time, reflexes, and overall mobility. While the characteristic agility of the Hunter α was already impressive, the enhancements allowed the Hunter β to even dodge bullets, making them even harder to kill in live combat. The Hunter βs had the same intelligence (or at least, that of a "dog"), senses, and social skills as the Hunter α; in fact, their social skills were even greater, and their ability to work in groups was superior.
Despite these improvements, several faults appeared due to the genetic modifications performed on the Hunter. Its appearance deteriorated, giving it a deformed body that seemed to be a far cry from a perfected product. It developed large, red tumors that covered its head plate, its left shoulder, and part of its chest. These growths also covered one of its eyes, harming its eyesight to some degree. Their teeth seemed to be more human-like, as they lacked the sharp edges of the Hunter α's teeth. More significantly, the right arm of the Hunters failed to develop fully, forcing the Hunter βs to primarily use their left arms. As Hunters rely heavily on their arms in combat, this slightly, but considerately, lowered their offensive strength.
The Hunter βs had noticeable navels. As theorized by News Bot, these may have been marks left behind by tubes used by Umbrella to "feed" the Hunters as they developed in their cloning tubes.
The team performed further, superimposed gene remodeling on a Hunter α clone, likely during gene culture, in order to improve its nervous system. The resulting creature was given the model number "MA-121β", and called "Hunter Beta/β". As the β model was cloned from a MA-121, it was not called "MA-122"; rather, it was the second prototype for the "finalized" MA-121. Around 20 Hunter βs were cloned and sent into Raccoon City via a truck during the outbreak, in order to test their combat abilities against human survivors.
The Hunter β was a "practical application model", in contrast to the Hunter α, which was a "trial manufacture type". The enhancements made to the Hunter βs' nervous systems improved their agility, reaction time, reflexes, and overall mobility. While the characteristic agility of the Hunter α was already impressive, the enhancements allowed the Hunter β to even dodge bullets, making them even harder to kill in live combat. The Hunter βs had the same intelligence (or at least, that of a "dog"), senses, and social skills as the Hunter α; in fact, their social skills were even greater, and their ability to work in groups was superior.
Despite these improvements, several faults appeared due to the genetic modifications performed on the Hunter. Its appearance deteriorated, giving it a deformed body that seemed to be a far cry from a perfected product. It developed large, red tumors that covered its head plate, its left shoulder, and part of its chest. These growths also covered one of its eyes, harming its eyesight to some degree. Their teeth seemed to be more human-like, as they lacked the sharp edges of the Hunter α's teeth. More significantly, the right arm of the Hunters failed to develop fully, forcing the Hunter βs to primarily use their left arms. As Hunters rely heavily on their arms in combat, this slightly, but considerately, lowered their offensive strength.
The Hunter βs had noticeable navels. As theorized by News Bot, these may have been marks left behind by tubes used by Umbrella to "feed" the Hunters as they developed in their cloning tubes.
Credit Newsbot for editing scan
In Resident Evil 3 Reimagined, the Hunter β was depicted somewhat differently. Instead of being sent into the city to gather data, many specimens instead escaped from the NEST2 facility located underneath the Spencer Memorial Hospital. These Hunters still had growths and an underdeveloped arm, but they had additional traits that made them stand out from the α model all the more.
Reimagined Hunter βs were covered in a hard outer shell, which covered their tumors. These shells were even stronger than their skin, and could deflect a good deal of high-caliber weapon's fire, but would eventually crack and shatter. These shells may have been implemented for the same reason their nervous systems were improved - to make the Hunter βs defensive abilities as great as possible, due to S.T.A.R.S. being able to kill many Hunter α during the Mansion Incident.
Hunter βs in this version also had a number of differences in regards to appearance. They had green eyes, sharper teeth, and tails. Their mouths were flanked by large, sharp mandibles, which may have been implemented by Umbrella in order to improve their biting abilities.
Their new traits could have been created by researchers implementing new genes into the Hunter α used as a base for the β. In particular, their mandibles (which resembled beaks from the sides), outer shells, and tails could have been the result of Umbrella crossbreeding them with turtle genes, which are reptiles.
Reimagined Hunter βs were covered in a hard outer shell, which covered their tumors. These shells were even stronger than their skin, and could deflect a good deal of high-caliber weapon's fire, but would eventually crack and shatter. These shells may have been implemented for the same reason their nervous systems were improved - to make the Hunter βs defensive abilities as great as possible, due to S.T.A.R.S. being able to kill many Hunter α during the Mansion Incident.
Hunter βs in this version also had a number of differences in regards to appearance. They had green eyes, sharper teeth, and tails. Their mouths were flanked by large, sharp mandibles, which may have been implemented by Umbrella in order to improve their biting abilities.
Their new traits could have been created by researchers implementing new genes into the Hunter α used as a base for the β. In particular, their mandibles (which resembled beaks from the sides), outer shells, and tails could have been the result of Umbrella crossbreeding them with turtle genes, which are reptiles.
Hunter (MA-121) Mass Production Type - After the combat data on the Hunter β was recovered from Raccoon City, the finished MA-121 was created using the information from this final test. The finished Hunter model took the best traits from both prototype models - it possessed the appearance and offensive strength of the Hunter α, and the heightened agility of the Hunter β. This B.O.W. was made Umbrella's official "Hunter" product - a product that fulfilled the goal of the project as a highly versatile, combat-oriented B.O.W. The MA-121 was then mass produced and sold as a leading product.
While the primary purpose of the Hunter was to locate and eliminate Zombie outbreak survivors, they were also used as security in Umbrella facilities (such as the laboratory on Sonido de Tortuga Island). Mass Production Hunters have been in constant use throughout the years, and are still popular now. Many of these Hunters were produced at the Caucasus Facility, and during the outbreak in 2003, many escaped and roamed the frozen tundra that surrounded the facility.
An army of Hunters were supplied to the terrorist group "Il Veltro" by FBC commissioner Morgan Lansdale. In 2004, after Il Veltro dispersed the t-Abyss Virus over the city of Terragrigia using UAVs, countless Hunters were released on land to kill survivors and frustrate evacuation efforts. Hunters were later used alongside other B.O.W.s in an outbreak in the Far East, in 2012.
While the primary purpose of the Hunter was to locate and eliminate Zombie outbreak survivors, they were also used as security in Umbrella facilities (such as the laboratory on Sonido de Tortuga Island). Mass Production Hunters have been in constant use throughout the years, and are still popular now. Many of these Hunters were produced at the Caucasus Facility, and during the outbreak in 2003, many escaped and roamed the frozen tundra that surrounded the facility.
An army of Hunters were supplied to the terrorist group "Il Veltro" by FBC commissioner Morgan Lansdale. In 2004, after Il Veltro dispersed the t-Abyss Virus over the city of Terragrigia using UAVs, countless Hunters were released on land to kill survivors and frustrate evacuation efforts. Hunters were later used alongside other B.O.W.s in an outbreak in the Far East, in 2012.
Resident Evil Revelations Mass-Production Hunter texture
Hunter γ (MA-124γ) - In 1998 alone, Umbrella's American branch finished the first successful Hunters and the first Tyrants (with multiple derivatives of both), and was about to finish the G-Virus. As the division that contributed the best results gained a larger voice in company, the American branch gradually increased in power and influence. In response, the research teams of the European branch cooperated in order to develop improved B.O.W.s that could outperform the American ones they were based on. The Nemesis-T Type was meant to compete with the success of the T-103 Tyrant, while the "Hunter γ" (Model number "MA-124γ") was meant to compete with the American Hunters. A group of Hunter γs were brought to Raccoon City during the outbreak, along with the group of Hunter βs, in order to test their performance in live combat against human survivors. Several of Hunter γs were seemingly captured by staff at Raccoon General Hospital and placed in tanks, but they eventually escaped.
The Hunter γ was developed from scratch, without using clones of preexisting Hunters, which is why it had a unique model number. No information exists on the "MA-122" and "MA-123" models that preceded it, although these code numbers could have been attributable to other mammalian B.O.W.s, including hybrids like the Tick or Chimera. While they were a new species, models of the Hunters α and β sent from the American branch were used as a point of reference in the creation of γ, and this combined with the fact γ was meant to outperform these previous models was what earned it the name "Gamma/γ". The research team that created the Hunter γ also nicknamed them "Froggers" during development, which became a popular title.
The Hunter γ was developed from scratch, without using clones of preexisting Hunters, which is why it had a unique model number. No information exists on the "MA-122" and "MA-123" models that preceded it, although these code numbers could have been attributable to other mammalian B.O.W.s, including hybrids like the Tick or Chimera. While they were a new species, models of the Hunters α and β sent from the American branch were used as a point of reference in the creation of γ, and this combined with the fact γ was meant to outperform these previous models was what earned it the name "Gamma/γ". The research team that created the Hunter γ also nicknamed them "Froggers" during development, which became a popular title.
Due to the level of perfection seen in the MA-121 models, the only way the European branch could possibly outdo them was to try innovative, new, and daring creation methods. They did this in two distinct ways:
The first Frogger was made by injecting human genes and the t-Virus into the fertilized egg of a frog during the culture process, using the know-how gained from the creation of earlier Hunters to imitate their creation. The same technology used in the creation of previous Hunters was also utilized. The developing Hunter γ was then grown into a complete creature and cloned to reproduce it. Hunter γs were more bestial than the MA-121 models due to them being animal-based, which may have been an attempt on the part of the European researchers to create something that was a more ferocious weapon. An amphibian was chosen as the base in order to create a Hunter with underwater capabilities.
- As a reversal of the MA-120 and MA-121, which were made by using animal genes on a human host, the MA-124 was made using human genes on an animal host.
- Instead of the animals used being predominately reptilian, the Hunter γ was amphibian.
The first Frogger was made by injecting human genes and the t-Virus into the fertilized egg of a frog during the culture process, using the know-how gained from the creation of earlier Hunters to imitate their creation. The same technology used in the creation of previous Hunters was also utilized. The developing Hunter γ was then grown into a complete creature and cloned to reproduce it. Hunter γs were more bestial than the MA-121 models due to them being animal-based, which may have been an attempt on the part of the European researchers to create something that was a more ferocious weapon. An amphibian was chosen as the base in order to create a Hunter with underwater capabilities.
Due to them being frog-based, Froggers had many traits in common with Lurkers (which are covered in part two of this analysis). This is due to the t-Virus having consistent effects on tailless amphibians. They had a huge, advanced digestive system and an enlarged, toothless mouth that allowed them to swallow adult humans whole. Their incredible jumping and swimming abilities made them even more mobile than other Hunters. Unlike Lurkers, they did not develop long tongues, which meant they could not grab prey from a distance. However, Froggers compensated for this using their forelimbs, which developed into arms thanks to human genes. Their digits were webbed, which contributed to their swimming abilities.
Froggers also developed many traits common to the American Hunters, so that they could be said to be a combination of Lurkers and Hunters. They were roughly the same size as the MA-121 models (albeit more "rounded"), and like the American Hunters, they were primarily bipedal (although like frogs, they used all four limbs when jumping). They had blue skin that was tough and bullet-resistant, which made them difficult to kill. The inside of their enlarged mouths served as a weak-point. They developed sharp claws, which could have been a result of the effects of the t-Virus on nail growth, or the result of reptile genes also being fused with the base creature. The fact that Froggers had claws and lacked long tongues could imply that they were based on African clawed frogs.
Their fighting abilities were mostly the same as the American Hunters; but thanks to their ability to instantly swallow prey whole and their proficiency swimming, they were even more dangerous. In combat, Froggers would often hide underwater, and suddenly leap onto land with their frog agility to ambush their prey. They would weaken their prey with their claws, then swallow them whole when their prey's strength was sapped. Their strength was great enough that they managed to escape from captivity on two separate known occasions.
Froggers also developed many traits common to the American Hunters, so that they could be said to be a combination of Lurkers and Hunters. They were roughly the same size as the MA-121 models (albeit more "rounded"), and like the American Hunters, they were primarily bipedal (although like frogs, they used all four limbs when jumping). They had blue skin that was tough and bullet-resistant, which made them difficult to kill. The inside of their enlarged mouths served as a weak-point. They developed sharp claws, which could have been a result of the effects of the t-Virus on nail growth, or the result of reptile genes also being fused with the base creature. The fact that Froggers had claws and lacked long tongues could imply that they were based on African clawed frogs.
Their fighting abilities were mostly the same as the American Hunters; but thanks to their ability to instantly swallow prey whole and their proficiency swimming, they were even more dangerous. In combat, Froggers would often hide underwater, and suddenly leap onto land with their frog agility to ambush their prey. They would weaken their prey with their claws, then swallow them whole when their prey's strength was sapped. Their strength was great enough that they managed to escape from captivity on two separate known occasions.
Despite their advantages, Froggers also developed numerous weaknesses. This is owing to them inheriting faults common to amphibian hosts of the t-Virus, and due to their amphibian traits being more prominent than their human ones.
Like Lurkers, their eyeballs either degenerated or failed to develop in the first place, making them totally blind. This degeneration is also partly attributed to them preferring to stay underwater and in dark environments. While they lacked the same sharp perception ability that the MA-121 models had, they could still competently detect prey using their non-visual senses. They used their sense of hearing like Lurkers, but also used their sensitive amphibian skin to detect changes in air and the flow of water.
Like the Hunter βs, one of the Froggers' claws failed to develop as fully as the other, making them rely more on just one arm in combat. This may have been the result of the development team attempting to replicate the modifications made to the Hunter β on the γ. However, since their offensive capabilities are said to be inferior to those of the β model, the enhancements to their nervous systems may have failed to augment the Froggers' reaction time and reflexes (although they are elsewhere said to be on "almost on the same level" as the Hunter β type, with "the same physical strength").
Because of their amphibian base, Froggers were unable to survive in arid environments, and were prone to dehydration if they lacked access to a body of water or were exposed to dry air. This meant they could only be used effectively in moist environments. They were also harmed by extended, direct exposure to the rays of the sun, and performed better at night or indoors. This made them much less versatile than other Hunters.
Most significantly, Froggers failed to develop the same level of intelligence as the American Hunters. This is due to a combination of them being animal-based instead of being human-based, and the fact that amphibians generally did not experience new developments in intelligence. Their intelligence did seem to increase somewhat due to human genes, but the level at which they could be reliably trained was lower than that of other Hunters. This was contrary to the expectations of the development team, who anticipated them to be on par with MA-121 intelligence. It is unknown to what extent they could be controlled, if at all. Their level of aggression was no different than that of the American Hunters.
Like Lurkers, their eyeballs either degenerated or failed to develop in the first place, making them totally blind. This degeneration is also partly attributed to them preferring to stay underwater and in dark environments. While they lacked the same sharp perception ability that the MA-121 models had, they could still competently detect prey using their non-visual senses. They used their sense of hearing like Lurkers, but also used their sensitive amphibian skin to detect changes in air and the flow of water.
Like the Hunter βs, one of the Froggers' claws failed to develop as fully as the other, making them rely more on just one arm in combat. This may have been the result of the development team attempting to replicate the modifications made to the Hunter β on the γ. However, since their offensive capabilities are said to be inferior to those of the β model, the enhancements to their nervous systems may have failed to augment the Froggers' reaction time and reflexes (although they are elsewhere said to be on "almost on the same level" as the Hunter β type, with "the same physical strength").
Because of their amphibian base, Froggers were unable to survive in arid environments, and were prone to dehydration if they lacked access to a body of water or were exposed to dry air. This meant they could only be used effectively in moist environments. They were also harmed by extended, direct exposure to the rays of the sun, and performed better at night or indoors. This made them much less versatile than other Hunters.
Most significantly, Froggers failed to develop the same level of intelligence as the American Hunters. This is due to a combination of them being animal-based instead of being human-based, and the fact that amphibians generally did not experience new developments in intelligence. Their intelligence did seem to increase somewhat due to human genes, but the level at which they could be reliably trained was lower than that of other Hunters. This was contrary to the expectations of the development team, who anticipated them to be on par with MA-121 intelligence. It is unknown to what extent they could be controlled, if at all. Their level of aggression was no different than that of the American Hunters.
Credit to News Bot for image
In Outbreak, Hunter γs were shown held in captivity at Raccoon University. These Froggers had a different appearance, which could either be chalked up to creative liberties taken by the game designers, or to these specimens being a new subspecies. If the former is true, then these Hunters were likely captured by University staff, similar to the Froggers held at Raccoon General Hospital. If the latter is true, then these Froggers may have actually been developed by Umbrella staff working at the university using data based on the normal MA-124s.
Outbreak Froggers had no claws, and they instead relied only on their strength when swinging their arms at prey. Their fingers seemed to instead be tipped with suction cups. Their arms were longer, and their bodies were lanky. They used their arms to support themselves when walking, like a gorilla would. According to the BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK PERFECT CAPTURE GUIDE, the "Hunter γ's movements on land are sluggish, probably due to its emphasis on underwater activities".
Outbreak Froggers had no claws, and they instead relied only on their strength when swinging their arms at prey. Their fingers seemed to instead be tipped with suction cups. Their arms were longer, and their bodies were lanky. They used their arms to support themselves when walking, like a gorilla would. According to the BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK PERFECT CAPTURE GUIDE, the "Hunter γ's movements on land are sluggish, probably due to its emphasis on underwater activities".
Due to the many faults of Froggers, their developers considered their degree of perfection as B.O.W.s to generally be low and inadequate. Commercializing them seemed to be a difficult task, and the European branch had low faith in their promise as weapons. Yet they were still tested in Raccoon City, and as a result were found to have high capabilities in water. Their somewhat enhanced intelligence made them more attractive as weapons than Lurkers, and their ability to move on land made them more practical than Neptunes. As such, Umbrella continued experiments on the Hunter γs.
A new Hunter γ type was created and then mass-produced at the Umbrella Caucasus facility. This "Hunter γ Mass Production Type" (tentative) was the best marine B.O.W. Umbrella ever created, and the only one known to be sold on the black market. Several specimens were sold to Javier Hidalgo, due to him living in a moist location in South America in which the Froggers could thrive and pose the greatest threat.
The Frogger Mass Production Types had the same appearance as the Froggers from Outbreak. It is possible that, if the Outbreak Froggers were indeed a new type, that the Umbrella Monitor Nikolai managed to gather data and samples on them when he was at Raccoon University, so that Umbrella could replicate them. The only other difference in these Hunters was that they were around half the size of the other Froggers, and had open wounds on their bellies.
The size of these creatures may have been a result of miniaturization experiments, with the purpose of making them easier to transport and harder to hit in combat. This is supported by the existence of the Hunter μ (see below). As postulated by News Bot, the wounds on their stomachs could have been the result of surgery: Umbrella may have removed their stomachs, like they did for the Anubis B.O.W., in order to stunt the growth of the Froggers and make them smaller. This would likely mean that the Hunters could only be active for a limited time before starving to death.
As this type of Frogger was too small to devour prey whole, it relied only on using its strength to attack prey. They would typically jump at prey and ram their bodies into them.
A new Hunter γ type was created and then mass-produced at the Umbrella Caucasus facility. This "Hunter γ Mass Production Type" (tentative) was the best marine B.O.W. Umbrella ever created, and the only one known to be sold on the black market. Several specimens were sold to Javier Hidalgo, due to him living in a moist location in South America in which the Froggers could thrive and pose the greatest threat.
The Frogger Mass Production Types had the same appearance as the Froggers from Outbreak. It is possible that, if the Outbreak Froggers were indeed a new type, that the Umbrella Monitor Nikolai managed to gather data and samples on them when he was at Raccoon University, so that Umbrella could replicate them. The only other difference in these Hunters was that they were around half the size of the other Froggers, and had open wounds on their bellies.
The size of these creatures may have been a result of miniaturization experiments, with the purpose of making them easier to transport and harder to hit in combat. This is supported by the existence of the Hunter μ (see below). As postulated by News Bot, the wounds on their stomachs could have been the result of surgery: Umbrella may have removed their stomachs, like they did for the Anubis B.O.W., in order to stunt the growth of the Froggers and make them smaller. This would likely mean that the Hunters could only be active for a limited time before starving to death.
As this type of Frogger was too small to devour prey whole, it relied only on using its strength to attack prey. They would typically jump at prey and ram their bodies into them.
In the reimagining of Resident Evil 3, the Hunter γs had an alternate appearance. The reimagined Hunter γs were pale instead of blue. They developed a tail, possibly a holdout from the tadpole phase. Their arms failed to develop fully, and resembled chicken wings. While they could no longer grab or strike at targets, they developed four mandibles hidden inside their mouths which helped the Hunter γs capture and devour their prey. These mandibles were lined with sharp teeth, and when retracted the teeth appeared as if they were those of the main mouth (which could imply the mandibles were actually the gums of the Hunter γs). This inner mouth is a strange trait for an amphibian to develop. It could have been a highly mutated frog tongue, or even an extension of the stomach itself (frogs are capable of gastric eversion, a process used instead of vomiting where they eject their stomach through their mouth to empty its contents, like a bag turned inside-out). The mandibles could also have simply been the result of arthropod or annelid genes being included in the Hunter γ genome. The inner mouth served as a weak-point, being comprised of weaker tissue than their skin. Hunter γ skin was also depicted as being particularly weak to incendiary weapons.
The reason the Hunter γs were in Raccoon City was also changed in the reimagining. Some Hunter γs were sent by the European Branch for testing at NEST. Their (at the time) slow movement speed and weaknesses made most researchers disregard them. However, a couple researchers (one of whom grew particularly attached to the specimens) smuggled a few Froggers into a section of sewer. There they administered them with steroids and other drugs and continued observations of their ongoing development. The Froggers adapted well to the change in water temperature, and over time their combat abilities rose. They were even intelligent enough to recognize and not harm the researchers, although they regularly fed on sewage workers. The researchers made plans to report their new findings to the European branch, which is presumably why they were later approved for mass production. It is possible that the reimagined Hunter γs were actually a new subspecies, which were altered due to the steroids and other compounds used on them as they developed.
Glimmer - Many failed B.O.W.s meant to be destroyed at the waste disposal facility Morpheus Duvall was charged with overseeing escaped confinement. A team of researchers studying ecosystemic changes in B.O.W.s. observed a kind of creature in the transport section of the facility, which was dark due to a scarcity of power being supplied to the area. The researchers named these creatures "Glimmers". Based on their appearance, they seemed to have been related to the Hunter γ in some way (which was the conclusion reached by the ecosystemic researchers). Like Nautiluses, they seemed to evolve and change form in response to their new environments, and so it was impossible to tell which of their traits were engineered by Umbrella and which were acquired on their own.
Glimmers lacked claws of any kind, but they had the mobility and vitality one would expect in a Hunter type. They were smaller than the original Hunter γs, and were around the same size as the miniature, mass-produced Hunter γs sold to Javier. These traits could imply that they were prototypes for the mass production model of γ, or a new type based on them that were scrapped. While they were not large enough to devour prey whole, they were capable of vomiting enormous amounts of their highly potent, poisonous stomach acid directly over prey. This may have been the result of them adapting in the wild, in order to compensate for their lack of natural weapons.
While Glimmers did not have eyes in the area typical for frogs, they did develop many compound eyes on the top of their heads. These eyes glowed red, and as Glimmers preferred pitch-black environments, they were likely adapted for low-light vision. These eyes were like those one would expect to see on an arthropod, which could mean that Umbrella spliced arthropod genes into the Glimmers. The purpose for this would have likely been in order to circumvent the issue of eye degeneration in amphibian hosts to the t-Virus. It is also possible that the Glimmers developed these eyes in the wild, as an adaption to their dark environment.
Glimmers practiced caution and displayed social skills, which could imply significant intelligence or the development of strong instincts. They rapidly leapt and darted around in groups in their near-pitch black environments when a target approached. They did this in an attempt to confuse their prey, and they only attacked (which is when they were most vulnerable) when they saw an ideal opportunity to do so. In this darkness only the blur of their glowing eyes was visible, and this phenomenon is what led to the ecosystemic researchers naming them "Glimmers". When they were in a bright environment their mobility was limited, likely due to their photosensitive eyes being blinded by the light.
Based on their numbers, Glimmers seemed to be capable of reproduction. If Hunter γs were incapable of reproduction (it is totally unknown if they could breed or not), then this could have also been the result of an adaptation. If all the Glimmers were clones, and therefore only one gender (like the MA-121s were), then they may have taken advantage of the ability of frogs to switch gender in order to reproduce. Compare this to the explanation provided for why the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were capable of reproducing, which was also thanks to the genetic material of frogs.
Glimmers lacked claws of any kind, but they had the mobility and vitality one would expect in a Hunter type. They were smaller than the original Hunter γs, and were around the same size as the miniature, mass-produced Hunter γs sold to Javier. These traits could imply that they were prototypes for the mass production model of γ, or a new type based on them that were scrapped. While they were not large enough to devour prey whole, they were capable of vomiting enormous amounts of their highly potent, poisonous stomach acid directly over prey. This may have been the result of them adapting in the wild, in order to compensate for their lack of natural weapons.
While Glimmers did not have eyes in the area typical for frogs, they did develop many compound eyes on the top of their heads. These eyes glowed red, and as Glimmers preferred pitch-black environments, they were likely adapted for low-light vision. These eyes were like those one would expect to see on an arthropod, which could mean that Umbrella spliced arthropod genes into the Glimmers. The purpose for this would have likely been in order to circumvent the issue of eye degeneration in amphibian hosts to the t-Virus. It is also possible that the Glimmers developed these eyes in the wild, as an adaption to their dark environment.
Glimmers practiced caution and displayed social skills, which could imply significant intelligence or the development of strong instincts. They rapidly leapt and darted around in groups in their near-pitch black environments when a target approached. They did this in an attempt to confuse their prey, and they only attacked (which is when they were most vulnerable) when they saw an ideal opportunity to do so. In this darkness only the blur of their glowing eyes was visible, and this phenomenon is what led to the ecosystemic researchers naming them "Glimmers". When they were in a bright environment their mobility was limited, likely due to their photosensitive eyes being blinded by the light.
Based on their numbers, Glimmers seemed to be capable of reproduction. If Hunter γs were incapable of reproduction (it is totally unknown if they could breed or not), then this could have also been the result of an adaptation. If all the Glimmers were clones, and therefore only one gender (like the MA-121s were), then they may have taken advantage of the ability of frogs to switch gender in order to reproduce. Compare this to the explanation provided for why the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were capable of reproducing, which was also thanks to the genetic material of frogs.
Hunter R (MA-125R) - After the success of the Hunter α and recovery of its combat data, many other alternate models were produced by different facilities. Successful B.O.W.s were always difficult to create, and so now that highly versatile B.O.W.s were a possibility, it became a mad dash within Umbrella to create products.
William Birkin's team, in addition to its work on the G-Virus, t-Birkin, and the mass production type Tyrant, also created a new species of Hunter: the "MA-125R", or "Hunter R". The "125" implies that it was developed after the Hunter γ ("MA-124"). The "R" may have stood for "Refined", "Revised", or "Reborn". As noted by News Bot, adding an "R" for "Refined" is an established naming convention for cars. R was likely used instead of a letter in the Greek alphabet to signify that it was a standalone project to improve the formula for Hunter creation, rather than just making improvements to existing species or building on existing data.
Multiple Hunter R were stored in "Area B" of the laboratory underneath Raccoon City. A group of specimens were transported to Umbrella's above-ground facility in the city, where they were to fight the T-0400TP in an experiment. During the outbreak, many specimens escaped and roamed both facilities. All of them were eventually destroyed, and it is unlikely that Umbrella ever managed to replicate them elsewhere.
William Birkin's team, in addition to its work on the G-Virus, t-Birkin, and the mass production type Tyrant, also created a new species of Hunter: the "MA-125R", or "Hunter R". The "125" implies that it was developed after the Hunter γ ("MA-124"). The "R" may have stood for "Refined", "Revised", or "Reborn". As noted by News Bot, adding an "R" for "Refined" is an established naming convention for cars. R was likely used instead of a letter in the Greek alphabet to signify that it was a standalone project to improve the formula for Hunter creation, rather than just making improvements to existing species or building on existing data.
Multiple Hunter R were stored in "Area B" of the laboratory underneath Raccoon City. A group of specimens were transported to Umbrella's above-ground facility in the city, where they were to fight the T-0400TP in an experiment. During the outbreak, many specimens escaped and roamed both facilities. All of them were eventually destroyed, and it is unlikely that Umbrella ever managed to replicate them elsewhere.
Hunter Rs were made with the intention of making an enhanced Hunter species that was more practical as a weapon. Unlike the Hunter βs but like the Hunter γs, Hunter Rs were not made using an existing Hunter clone, but from a new host. By using what they had already learned from MA-121 development and the combat data recovered from the Mansion Incident, the team was able to improve on the creation process and create a creature with amplified abilities. They were apparently made using adult humans instead of embryos, like the MA-120s. They retained some of their former intelligence as humans, and could understand and carry out simple commands.
Hunter Rs had even more power and versatility than the MA-121 models, and had at least the same outstanding mobility. They had the intelligence and skill to actually aim their attacks at a target's weapon and attempt to destroy it. When a researcher wounded by Hunter Rs in the underground facility attempted to stop the creatures by lowering the temperature of the area to a freezing point, the Hunter Rs' vitality miraculously allowed them to survive even as their bodies were covered in ice. When the temperature rose, they were strong enough to quickly shake the ice stuck to their skin off. Their agility and speed were at least on par with the MA-121 types.
Hunter Rs were still a fusion of reptile and human, but their appearance was even closer to reptiles than the MA-121 types. It may be that during the creation process, Birkin's team managed to amplify and prioritize the reptile genes. The Hunter Rs had a more reptilian-like face, with a pronounced snout and large fangs. Their mouths were extremely large, and may have been made this way to improve on the biting abilities of the creatures. As a result of their size and shape, these mouths constantly drooled saliva. Their eyes were in a more animal-like position. They had spikes along the tops of their heads in place of platting. They had a blade-like claw extending through each of their hands that was larger than their other claws. This blade resembled the claw of the Improved Lickers, and as both of these creatures were developed by the same team in the same laboratory at around the same time, it may be that Hunter Rs and Improved Lickers had some shared elements in their development. The hands of Hunter Rs were used like spears, and they thrust them at prey to stab them and induce severe bleeding.
Hunter Rs were cold-blooded, and as such they went into a state of hibernation in response to extreme cold.
Hunter Rs had even more power and versatility than the MA-121 models, and had at least the same outstanding mobility. They had the intelligence and skill to actually aim their attacks at a target's weapon and attempt to destroy it. When a researcher wounded by Hunter Rs in the underground facility attempted to stop the creatures by lowering the temperature of the area to a freezing point, the Hunter Rs' vitality miraculously allowed them to survive even as their bodies were covered in ice. When the temperature rose, they were strong enough to quickly shake the ice stuck to their skin off. Their agility and speed were at least on par with the MA-121 types.
Hunter Rs were still a fusion of reptile and human, but their appearance was even closer to reptiles than the MA-121 types. It may be that during the creation process, Birkin's team managed to amplify and prioritize the reptile genes. The Hunter Rs had a more reptilian-like face, with a pronounced snout and large fangs. Their mouths were extremely large, and may have been made this way to improve on the biting abilities of the creatures. As a result of their size and shape, these mouths constantly drooled saliva. Their eyes were in a more animal-like position. They had spikes along the tops of their heads in place of platting. They had a blade-like claw extending through each of their hands that was larger than their other claws. This blade resembled the claw of the Improved Lickers, and as both of these creatures were developed by the same team in the same laboratory at around the same time, it may be that Hunter Rs and Improved Lickers had some shared elements in their development. The hands of Hunter Rs were used like spears, and they thrust them at prey to stab them and induce severe bleeding.
Hunter Rs were cold-blooded, and as such they went into a state of hibernation in response to extreme cold.
A Hunter R prototype subspecies existed called "Hunter Mu/μ". The Greek letter μ often denotes miniaturization, or the prefix micro. The only difference in the Hunter μ type was that they were downsized. They were around half the regular size of a Hunter R, and were likely designed to be easier to transport and conceal. Despite their size, Hunter μs still had incredible strength, so that they escaped from the incubation cases they were stored in despite the fact the capsules were lined on the inside with titanium protection plates. Their attack capabilities were slightly lower than those of the Hunter Rs, but their resilience to damage, mobility, and senses were the same.
They were in the process of gestating in the "Nursery" area (a room used to store incubating B.O.W.s) of the above-ground facility. They were placed in incubation cases on September 16, where they were supposed to be kept for two weeks so that they could fully develop. Around 14 days later, during the outbreak, human survivors entered the room just when the Hunters finished development, and the creatures broke free and attacked the humans. The Nursery had an emergency lock-down system, which would activate if the incubation cases which were linked to the doors of the Nursery were broken. The Hunter μs were fitted with "organic detection sensors", which would unlock the doors if the Hunter μs' died. The human survivors were forced to kill all the Hunters in order to escape.
While all Hunter μ prototypes were destroyed, their development may have inspired the creation of the miniaturized Hunter γs that Umbrella later developed.
They were in the process of gestating in the "Nursery" area (a room used to store incubating B.O.W.s) of the above-ground facility. They were placed in incubation cases on September 16, where they were supposed to be kept for two weeks so that they could fully develop. Around 14 days later, during the outbreak, human survivors entered the room just when the Hunters finished development, and the creatures broke free and attacked the humans. The Nursery had an emergency lock-down system, which would activate if the incubation cases which were linked to the doors of the Nursery were broken. The Hunter μs were fitted with "organic detection sensors", which would unlock the doors if the Hunter μs' died. The human survivors were forced to kill all the Hunters in order to escape.
While all Hunter μ prototypes were destroyed, their development may have inspired the creation of the miniaturized Hunter γs that Umbrella later developed.
Hunter II - The Hunter α's level of perfection as a weapon attracted attention from organizations other than Umbrella. Albert Wesker stole the Hunter master data and a cloned embryo of the Hunter α during the Mansion Incident, and gave them to Umbrella's rival corporation in exchange for a position in the organization. The rival corporation used their advanced technology and the battle data acquired from the battle with S.T.A.R.S. to improve upon the practicality of the α model. In just under half a year, they created their own model, the "Hunter II", which had a strengthened control aspect. The Hunter II was then reproduced via cloning.
Many of these specimens were used by Wesker during the raid at Rockfort Island, and later at Umbrella's Antarctic base. Hunter IIs were later sold on the black market before Umbrella even finished its mass production model. Since Umbrella previously had a monopoly on the virus and B.O.W.s, this was a critical blow, especially considering the Hunter II managed to render one of their flagship products an inferior model.
Many of these specimens were used by Wesker during the raid at Rockfort Island, and later at Umbrella's Antarctic base. Hunter IIs were later sold on the black market before Umbrella even finished its mass production model. Since Umbrella previously had a monopoly on the virus and B.O.W.s, this was a critical blow, especially considering the Hunter II managed to render one of their flagship products an inferior model.
Like the Hunter β, the Hunter II species was made by modifying a Hunter α embryo. It was called "II" due to it being a direct improvement and successor to the Hunter α, and due to the fact that at the time the Hunter α was stolen no other Hunters existed. It did not use the Greek letter classification due to it being developed outside of Umbrella. Hunter IIs were also referred to as "Hunter II (Improved)", "Improved Hunter", and "Enhanced Hunter".
The Hunter II was almost biologically identical to the Hunter α, due to the short time in which the rival corporation had to develop it. In Code: Veronica, the Hunter II had a slightly altered appearance, but in The Darkside Chronicles it was depicted as being visually identical to α except for the eyes, which were totally white like those of a Zombie or Tyrant. In both depictions, the strength, agility, speed, intelligence, and durability of the Hunter II were all the same. The only key difference was that its abilities were augmented by using external technology, the development of which the rival corporation excelled at. The biological modifications made to the Hunter II may have only consisted of some component that made them more malleable to effects of the technology.
Hunter IIs were implanted with a sensor device which stuck out from the side of their heads and covered one of their eyes with a green lens. This sensor was capable of directing the behavior of the Hunter II in a manner so precise that it was comparable to a remote-controlled robot. The sensor may have been attached to the brain of the Hunter II and manipulated its mind in a manner similar to the way the T-0400TP and T-A.L.O.S. were controlled. This sensor may also have simply used high-pitch sounds that worked like a dog whistle on Hunters.
The sensors would pick up special frequencies from special surveillance drones that would be sold and deployed alongside the Hunter II. These "self-propelled monitor peripheral devices" were automated drones with cameras that would travel around and area and identify specific targets. When a target was discovered by a drone, it let out a signal that would in turn activate the sensors on the Hunter IIs. The Hunter IIs would then be directed to go to the location of the drone and attack a specific target.
The benefits granted by the sensor and drones were the following:
The Hunter IIs achieved a higher degree of practicality as weapons, and they were superior to Umbrella-made Hunters. Without the drones or headset, their level of perfection dropped to that of the Hunter α. It is possible that later instances where Hunters were used actually involved Hunter IIs without sensors, rather than Umbrella's mass production Hunter, like the attack on Terragrigia.
The sensors would pick up special frequencies from special surveillance drones that would be sold and deployed alongside the Hunter II. These "self-propelled monitor peripheral devices" were automated drones with cameras that would travel around and area and identify specific targets. When a target was discovered by a drone, it let out a signal that would in turn activate the sensors on the Hunter IIs. The Hunter IIs would then be directed to go to the location of the drone and attack a specific target.
The benefits granted by the sensor and drones were the following:
- The drones would essentially act as scouts for the Hunters. The functioned like a new sensory ability for the Hunters, improving their signature hunting abilities.
- Other Hunters could be trained when and where to hunt, but they could not differentiate between individual targets and would attack anything in an area indiscriminately, be they targets, allies, or other creatures such as Zombies. With the drones and sensors, a user could instead accurately pick out targets in an area and make the Hunter attack only these targets. This made the Hunter II capable of performing assassination missions (something only Tyrants could originally do).
- The usage of an external control device eliminated the need for trainers. This would make the Hunters easier to market and sell to outside parties.
The Hunter IIs achieved a higher degree of practicality as weapons, and they were superior to Umbrella-made Hunters. Without the drones or headset, their level of perfection dropped to that of the Hunter α. It is possible that later instances where Hunters were used actually involved Hunter IIs without sensors, rather than Umbrella's mass production Hunter, like the attack on Terragrigia.
Sweeper - Sweepers were a modified, stronger subspecies of the Hunter II. They were created by the rival corporation to kill targets that the Hunter II missed, hence their name. If the Hunter II was a scalpel with surgical precision, the Sweeper was a bomb which cleared out an area. They were deployed at the Antarctic base by Wesker, and later sold alongside the Hunter IIs as a companion model.
While the enhancements made to Hunter IIs were technological, the enhancements made to Sweepers were biological. This shows the versatility of the capabilities of the rival corporation. All of the Hunter's signature abilites were enhanced with the Sweeper to some degree, including their strength, speed, and intelligence. Their agility was especially improved, with them often jumping and being skilled at performing multilateral attacks while doing so.
Sweepers were an "enhanced toxic type", and as such had poison contained within their claws. This may have been achieved by grafting poison glands into their nails, or by introducing genes from poisonous animals into their bodies. A human who was attacked by a Sweeper that managed to escape would succumb to its deadly poison regardless, unless the toxins were immediately treated. While normal Hunters could spread the t-Virus with their attacks, the purpose of Hunters was to kill anyone who was able to resist the t-Virus; by using poison instead, total fatalities in a target area could be ensured.
Sweepers were visually distinguishable by their red and violet skin, a change likely intentionally made by the rival organization in order to differentiate them from other Hunters. Their appearance was otherwise the same as that of the Hunter IIs.
Claire Redfield dreamed of a larger, much more endurant version of the Sweeper. This type appeared as a boss in Gun Survivor 2.
While the enhancements made to Hunter IIs were technological, the enhancements made to Sweepers were biological. This shows the versatility of the capabilities of the rival corporation. All of the Hunter's signature abilites were enhanced with the Sweeper to some degree, including their strength, speed, and intelligence. Their agility was especially improved, with them often jumping and being skilled at performing multilateral attacks while doing so.
Sweepers were an "enhanced toxic type", and as such had poison contained within their claws. This may have been achieved by grafting poison glands into their nails, or by introducing genes from poisonous animals into their bodies. A human who was attacked by a Sweeper that managed to escape would succumb to its deadly poison regardless, unless the toxins were immediately treated. While normal Hunters could spread the t-Virus with their attacks, the purpose of Hunters was to kill anyone who was able to resist the t-Virus; by using poison instead, total fatalities in a target area could be ensured.
Sweepers were visually distinguishable by their red and violet skin, a change likely intentionally made by the rival organization in order to differentiate them from other Hunters. Their appearance was otherwise the same as that of the Hunter IIs.
Claire Redfield dreamed of a larger, much more endurant version of the Sweeper. This type appeared as a boss in Gun Survivor 2.
Hunter δ - Umbrella began work on another MA-121 prototype called Hunter Delta/δ, to further refine and enhance the abilities of the mass production Hunter. However, the rise of superior Hunter models (such as the Hunter II and Sweeper) on the black market, combined with the business suspension decree against Umbrella in the United States, forced Umbrella to shelve further MA-121 experiments in favor of mass production of different, cheaper B.O.W.s and new alternatives. The three Hunter δ prototypes and their development data were sent to be stored away in Russia, and were destroyed during an attempt by Albert Wesker to steal them.
Exactly how the Hunter δs were enhanced is unknown. Their appearance was identical to that of the Hunter α and mass production types.
Exactly how the Hunter δs were enhanced is unknown. Their appearance was identical to that of the Hunter α and mass production types.
Hunter Elite - The last known Hunter type created by Umbrella was the Hunter Elite. They were specially adjusted for product review, and around a dozen presentation models were kept onboard the Spencer Rain ship in order to advertise them to customers. When the ship was hijacked by Morpheus Duvall in 2002, he unleashed the Hunters to kill Bruce McGivern and Fong Ling. While all of the Hunters on the ship died when it crashed, several of them had been brought to Morpheus' island facility at an earlier time. These Hunters were also destroyed, and with Umbrella going bankrupt just a year later, it is highly unlikely they were ever recreated.
Hunter Elites appeared to have been a new model not based on clones of previous types. They were based on a human host, and were fused with animal genes. These genes apparently included those of reptiles and either amphibians or fish. While Umbrella's rival made superior MA-121-based models, they did not possess data on the semi-marine Hunter γ. The Hunter Elites may have been an attempt to create a model with the abilities of both the mass production type and the Hunter γ, and in so doing create a model that was the best of both types, which the rival organization would not be able to replicate. While unconfirmed, its prowess in aquatic environments may have therefore been equal to its impressive performance on land, making it a highly versatile model.
Hunter Elites had more vitality than other Hunters, possibly due to tougher skin. They could withstand many hits at point-blank range from a shotgun. While the inside of their mouths was a potential weak-point, it would still take around 10 hits from handgun bullets to kill a Hunter Elite this way. They were also designed to be faster and stronger than their predecessors. Hunter Elite agility was enhanced to the point they could dodge bullets, like the Hunter β and mass production type. They could vault over an opponent and attack them while flipping in the air. They generally used a variety of attack patterns in combat.
Hunter Elites had three digits on each hand and foot. Their green skin was leathery, and stretched over an enlarged body. Their faces appeared more amphibious or fish-like, but they lacked an enlarged mouth for devouring prey whole like the Hunter γs. They failed to develop any claws at all on their right hands, which may have harmed their lethality in combat to some degree (although their offensive strength has been said to be "superior", so their enhanced strength may have made up for this). Their left hand had three curved, hook-shaped claws. Hunter Elites made a distinctive hissing sound.
Hunter Elites appeared to have been a new model not based on clones of previous types. They were based on a human host, and were fused with animal genes. These genes apparently included those of reptiles and either amphibians or fish. While Umbrella's rival made superior MA-121-based models, they did not possess data on the semi-marine Hunter γ. The Hunter Elites may have been an attempt to create a model with the abilities of both the mass production type and the Hunter γ, and in so doing create a model that was the best of both types, which the rival organization would not be able to replicate. While unconfirmed, its prowess in aquatic environments may have therefore been equal to its impressive performance on land, making it a highly versatile model.
Hunter Elites had more vitality than other Hunters, possibly due to tougher skin. They could withstand many hits at point-blank range from a shotgun. While the inside of their mouths was a potential weak-point, it would still take around 10 hits from handgun bullets to kill a Hunter Elite this way. They were also designed to be faster and stronger than their predecessors. Hunter Elite agility was enhanced to the point they could dodge bullets, like the Hunter β and mass production type. They could vault over an opponent and attack them while flipping in the air. They generally used a variety of attack patterns in combat.
Hunter Elites had three digits on each hand and foot. Their green skin was leathery, and stretched over an enlarged body. Their faces appeared more amphibious or fish-like, but they lacked an enlarged mouth for devouring prey whole like the Hunter γs. They failed to develop any claws at all on their right hands, which may have harmed their lethality in combat to some degree (although their offensive strength has been said to be "superior", so their enhanced strength may have made up for this). Their left hand had three curved, hook-shaped claws. Hunter Elites made a distinctive hissing sound.
Tick - Ticks were an apparent Hunter breed created using insect genes at the Arklay Mansion. Despite their codename, Ticks were likely not made using the genetic material of actual ticks. This is because ticks are arachnids, like spiders, not insects.
Little to no background information exists on these creatures. It is likely Umbrella sought to improve Hunters by incorporating insect traits, perhaps even to create something that inherited the best qualities between the Hunter and Chimera. They had the exact same attacks and movement patterns as other Hunters, except that they had Chimera-like sickles instead of reptilian claws that they used to chop prey into pieces. They were only encountered by S.T.A.R.S. in a cave area underneath the Mansion's courtyard. They would attack their prey from the darkness, and this combined with their chosen location would imply they preferred dark areas. As they were never encountered elsewhere, Ticks were presumably either considered a failure, or development data was lost.
Ticks only appear in the Sega Saturn port of Resident Evil, in the cavern area. While one could question their canonicity, they are referenced as existing in the guidebooks "BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE Official Guidebook - Fulfillment of Her Escape", and "BIOHAZARD CODE:Veronica Kanzenban Kaitai Shinsho".
Little to no background information exists on these creatures. It is likely Umbrella sought to improve Hunters by incorporating insect traits, perhaps even to create something that inherited the best qualities between the Hunter and Chimera. They had the exact same attacks and movement patterns as other Hunters, except that they had Chimera-like sickles instead of reptilian claws that they used to chop prey into pieces. They were only encountered by S.T.A.R.S. in a cave area underneath the Mansion's courtyard. They would attack their prey from the darkness, and this combined with their chosen location would imply they preferred dark areas. As they were never encountered elsewhere, Ticks were presumably either considered a failure, or development data was lost.
Ticks only appear in the Sega Saturn port of Resident Evil, in the cavern area. While one could question their canonicity, they are referenced as existing in the guidebooks "BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE Official Guidebook - Fulfillment of Her Escape", and "BIOHAZARD CODE:Veronica Kanzenban Kaitai Shinsho".
Other Hybrids
Besides Hunters, the Umbrella Corporation produced multiple other B.O.W.s which utilized genes from multiple species of creatures. All of the following monsters were creating using genes taken from insects, which allowed larger animals to animals to inherit traits unheard of in creatures of their size. Only two of the following creatures were primarily based on humans, and two of them were not intentionally-created B.O.W.s.
Plague Crawler - During very early experiments with the first strain of the t-Virus, James Marcus experimented with insects in order to test their viability as weapons. At this time or at a later date, he began experimenting with the capacity of the virus to create hybrids, and used several insect species to create the "Plague Crawlers". "Plague" in this sense of the word may be used to refer to an infestation of insects, while "Crawler" refers to their movements being confined to crawling. The Plague Crawler was also nicknamed "DALI", which stands for "DNA Arranged, Lack of Intelligence".
Plague Crawlers had low practicality as weapons due to their inability to be trained or execute commands. As a result, further research was discontinued. They were still a significant breakthrough, as they were the first known genetic hybrids ever created under Umbrella. Several specimens which were disposed of survived, despite their bodies being half-destroyed. These creatures then bred in the wild, making their homes in the abandoned Umbrella Executive Training Facility and Treatment Plant. The descendants of these creatures were encountered decades later (1998) by the First Investigation Team, Billy Coen, and Rebecca Chambers. Several Plague Crawlers were captured by the Investigation Team and apparently sent back to Umbrella. These specimens were later meant to be disposed of, but were instead leaked to Javier Hidalgo as low-cost B.O.W.s.
Plague Crawlers had low practicality as weapons due to their inability to be trained or execute commands. As a result, further research was discontinued. They were still a significant breakthrough, as they were the first known genetic hybrids ever created under Umbrella. Several specimens which were disposed of survived, despite their bodies being half-destroyed. These creatures then bred in the wild, making their homes in the abandoned Umbrella Executive Training Facility and Treatment Plant. The descendants of these creatures were encountered decades later (1998) by the First Investigation Team, Billy Coen, and Rebecca Chambers. Several Plague Crawlers were captured by the Investigation Team and apparently sent back to Umbrella. These specimens were later meant to be disposed of, but were instead leaked to Javier Hidalgo as low-cost B.O.W.s.
Plague Crawlers were made by injecting the t-Virus into an insect and performing repeated genetic modifications on the host using genes from many other insects. While complex genetic manipulation in higher animals like humans was not possible until the βII strain was created, t-Marcus could still create hybrids when only insects were used. Insect biology is very simple and easier to manipulate when compared to more complex organisms. The fact that Marcus used insect genes on an insect host made fusion even easier, as compared to if he used animals from one class on another class of animal. The most successful Plague Crawler could then be cloned, although they were also capable of reproduction.
Plague Crawlers were very large, like most infected arthropods - their bodies were nearly two meters in length (1.97 meters to be exact, or 6 feet 5 inches). Not including their legs, they were 30cm/almost 1ft wide; including their long legs, stretched to their full length, they were a whopping 280 cm/over 9ft wide - wider even than the Stinger.
They had the general appearance of a nymph (particularly that of a dragonfly), which is the juvenile form of some winged insects. Nymphs are distinct from other larval forms in that they have an adult body, and only grow wings after metamorphosis is complete. Plague Crawlers having this form likely means that the host species was either a nymph that failed to undergo metamorphosis following infection, or an insect that's wings did not grow with the rest of its body, like Giant Moths or Scissor Tails, causing it to resemble its juvenile form. They were otherwise physically distinguishable by their two sickle-like forelimbs, tannish exoskeleton, and spike-like protrusions that ran alongside their limbs. The serrated blades on their forelimbs resembled those seen on a praying mantis. With this in mind, Plague Crawlers may have been created by fusing the nymph form of a dragonfly with DNA from a praying mantis. They also made rattling sounds similar to those made by cicadas (which also have nymph forms), which could imply a relation to them as well.
Plague Crawlers were not lacking in offensive strength, and their carnivorous diet drove them to attack and devour humans. Their forelimbs were extremely sharp and powerful, and Plague Crawlers used these limbs to slice and stab at prey. More impressively, their exoskeletons were strong enough to deflect small-caliber bullets and even several hits from a shotgun. Their vitality and shells also allowed them to survive chemical disposal on multiple occasions. While their movement speed was relatively slow, their lean physiques gave them spider-like agility. Plague Crawlers would often use this agility to hang from ceilings and wait for prey. When humans or other animals passed beneath them, a Plague Crawler would suddenly drop to the ground and ambush them.
The intelligence of Plague Crawlers barely developed and was the same as that of a normal insect. This limited their range of attacks in combat to strikes from their forelimbs and ramming their bodies into prey. They were usually found in dark, wet environments, which they preferred. Dragonflies both mate and lay their eggs in wet environments, and Dragonfly nymphs are generally aquatic, which could account for this preference.
Two Plague Crawlers were at one point seen feeding on the corpse of a third Plague Crawler. The fierce competition for food in t-Virus ecosystems (which are unbalanced and filled with nothing but predators) combined with the extreme hunger brought about by t-Virus infection could have forced them to rely on cannibalism to survive (like some Zombies and Large Roaches). It could also be that these Plague Crawlers inherited the tendency of some praying mantises to kill and devour mates after copulation.
The Plague Crawlers purchased by Javier were held in a secret section of a holding chamber underneath his compound. The Plague Crawlers seemed to create a large hive in this room, which was comprised of reddish webbing that completely covered the walls, floors, and ceiling. Human skeletons were trapped within the webbing, which were likely people who were considered enemies of Javier and placed in the chamber as a death sentence. These victims were either fed upon live by the Plague Crawlers or were used to nourish their offspring. This hive resembled that of both kinds of infected Moths and the Drain Deimos from Resident Evil 3 reimagined; this could suggest that this was not only a common line of mutation, but that Plague Crawlers were also parasitoids. Their ability to create webbing could have also been owing to genes from silk-spinning insects. It is possible that the Plague Crawlers at Arklay also developed hives such as this, and that they were only present in areas beyond the reach of humans.
Plague Crawlers were very large, like most infected arthropods - their bodies were nearly two meters in length (1.97 meters to be exact, or 6 feet 5 inches). Not including their legs, they were 30cm/almost 1ft wide; including their long legs, stretched to their full length, they were a whopping 280 cm/over 9ft wide - wider even than the Stinger.
They had the general appearance of a nymph (particularly that of a dragonfly), which is the juvenile form of some winged insects. Nymphs are distinct from other larval forms in that they have an adult body, and only grow wings after metamorphosis is complete. Plague Crawlers having this form likely means that the host species was either a nymph that failed to undergo metamorphosis following infection, or an insect that's wings did not grow with the rest of its body, like Giant Moths or Scissor Tails, causing it to resemble its juvenile form. They were otherwise physically distinguishable by their two sickle-like forelimbs, tannish exoskeleton, and spike-like protrusions that ran alongside their limbs. The serrated blades on their forelimbs resembled those seen on a praying mantis. With this in mind, Plague Crawlers may have been created by fusing the nymph form of a dragonfly with DNA from a praying mantis. They also made rattling sounds similar to those made by cicadas (which also have nymph forms), which could imply a relation to them as well.
Plague Crawlers were not lacking in offensive strength, and their carnivorous diet drove them to attack and devour humans. Their forelimbs were extremely sharp and powerful, and Plague Crawlers used these limbs to slice and stab at prey. More impressively, their exoskeletons were strong enough to deflect small-caliber bullets and even several hits from a shotgun. Their vitality and shells also allowed them to survive chemical disposal on multiple occasions. While their movement speed was relatively slow, their lean physiques gave them spider-like agility. Plague Crawlers would often use this agility to hang from ceilings and wait for prey. When humans or other animals passed beneath them, a Plague Crawler would suddenly drop to the ground and ambush them.
The intelligence of Plague Crawlers barely developed and was the same as that of a normal insect. This limited their range of attacks in combat to strikes from their forelimbs and ramming their bodies into prey. They were usually found in dark, wet environments, which they preferred. Dragonflies both mate and lay their eggs in wet environments, and Dragonfly nymphs are generally aquatic, which could account for this preference.
Two Plague Crawlers were at one point seen feeding on the corpse of a third Plague Crawler. The fierce competition for food in t-Virus ecosystems (which are unbalanced and filled with nothing but predators) combined with the extreme hunger brought about by t-Virus infection could have forced them to rely on cannibalism to survive (like some Zombies and Large Roaches). It could also be that these Plague Crawlers inherited the tendency of some praying mantises to kill and devour mates after copulation.
The Plague Crawlers purchased by Javier were held in a secret section of a holding chamber underneath his compound. The Plague Crawlers seemed to create a large hive in this room, which was comprised of reddish webbing that completely covered the walls, floors, and ceiling. Human skeletons were trapped within the webbing, which were likely people who were considered enemies of Javier and placed in the chamber as a death sentence. These victims were either fed upon live by the Plague Crawlers or were used to nourish their offspring. This hive resembled that of both kinds of infected Moths and the Drain Deimos from Resident Evil 3 reimagined; this could suggest that this was not only a common line of mutation, but that Plague Crawlers were also parasitoids. Their ability to create webbing could have also been owing to genes from silk-spinning insects. It is possible that the Plague Crawlers at Arklay also developed hives such as this, and that they were only present in areas beyond the reach of humans.
Chimera - The "Chimera" was a hybrid B.O.W. created alongside the Hunter α at the Arklay Mansion. The main goal of Chimera development was to incorporate the rapid maturation of a fly into a humanoid B.O.W. for the purpose of practical weapons production. The initial Hunter α prototypes took ten months to develop, and it may be that in the meantime Umbrella began Chimera experiments in order to try and speed up maturation. Chimeras were considered a moderate success, although their inability to be controlled severely harmed their viability as a product.
During the Mansion Incident, several Chimera clones escaped and roamed the labs underneath the mansion. While all of the specimens, along with the development data, were destroyed with the facility, William Birkin recovered Chimera embryos at an earlier date. Chimeras were subsequently mass produced at the Caucasus Facility and sold on the black market. Chimeras were in continued use by bioterrorists as late as at least 2012.
The name "Chimera" comes from Greek mythology. The Chimera was said to be a divine, fire-breathing creature which had a body made up of parts from a lion, a goat, and a snake. The term chimera has come to mean any fictional creature made up of parts from different animals, and in genetics is used to describe organisms created with genetic material from multiple animals. Chimera B.O.W.s are also called "Insect Men".
During the Mansion Incident, several Chimera clones escaped and roamed the labs underneath the mansion. While all of the specimens, along with the development data, were destroyed with the facility, William Birkin recovered Chimera embryos at an earlier date. Chimeras were subsequently mass produced at the Caucasus Facility and sold on the black market. Chimeras were in continued use by bioterrorists as late as at least 2012.
The name "Chimera" comes from Greek mythology. The Chimera was said to be a divine, fire-breathing creature which had a body made up of parts from a lion, a goat, and a snake. The term chimera has come to mean any fictional creature made up of parts from different animals, and in genetics is used to describe organisms created with genetic material from multiple animals. Chimera B.O.W.s are also called "Insect Men".
Like the Hunter α, Chimeras were created by injecting animal genes and the t-Virus into an artificially inseminated human ovum. They diverged from Hunter development in two areas: the animal genes were primarily from a fly instead of a reptile, and instead of being placed in artificial wombs, Chimera embryos were made using pregnant humans. The process of forcing a vertebrate (a human) to fuse with an invertebrate (an insect) was even more radical and complicated than fusing humans with other vertebrates (like reptiles), and so creating an artificial womb able to accommodate its development would be far more complicated than simply using a real one. The surrogate human mothers were held against their will until the embryos came to term. After giving birth to the Chimeras, the women either died as a result or were subsequently executed.
Chimeras developed almost/just as rapidly as flies, making them perfect in regards to practical mass production. In addition to being because flies have small, simple bodies, flies develop so quickly because they only live for approximately two weeks, and therefore need to mature quickly in order to reproduce and keep their species alive. Since Chimeras developed just as quickly as flies do, they may only have been able to live for around 15 days. It is however possible that an increase in vitality thanks to the t-Virus allowed them to survive for longer.
The juvenile Chimera prototypes that emerged from their surrogate human mothers had the appearance of a newborn human crossed with a maggot. They matured rapidly inside of a pupa, and after eclosion (emergence) the Chimeras would become adults.
Chimeras developed almost/just as rapidly as flies, making them perfect in regards to practical mass production. In addition to being because flies have small, simple bodies, flies develop so quickly because they only live for approximately two weeks, and therefore need to mature quickly in order to reproduce and keep their species alive. Since Chimeras developed just as quickly as flies do, they may only have been able to live for around 15 days. It is however possible that an increase in vitality thanks to the t-Virus allowed them to survive for longer.
The juvenile Chimera prototypes that emerged from their surrogate human mothers had the appearance of a newborn human crossed with a maggot. They matured rapidly inside of a pupa, and after eclosion (emergence) the Chimeras would become adults.
"A newborn Chimera prototype. Since the data was destroyed, this is a conceptual drawing."
Image and description from BIO HAZARD Directors Cut Official Perfect Guide -Inside of BIO HAZARD-, scanned by BSAArklay
Image and description from BIO HAZARD Directors Cut Official Perfect Guide -Inside of BIO HAZARD-, scanned by BSAArklay
Chimeras had the insane appearance of being a perfect midway point between fly and human, with an ugly appearance that seemed "to curse the researchers who made this creature", inspiring both hatred and fear in observers. Adult Chimeras were approximately 6.1 feet tall, but their bent insect legs made them appear to be shorter when standing. They developed wings, but these did not grow properly, and so were not strong enough to lift their bodies (which weighed around 171 pounds). Chimera had brown or black fly skin, which was covered in bristles. Their human-like ribs extended outside their skin. Their heads were human-shaped, although their noses lacked cartilage. Chimeras had human teeth, but their jawbones were unhinged and seemingly useless. In the original Resident Evil, they appeared to have a secondary mouth on their chests, which was rounded and lined with sharp teeth. They may have used this mouth for eating instead. It is possible that Chimeras also had a fly proboscis hidden inside of their mouths. In the original Resident Evil, Chimera blood was red like a human's; in the remake their blood was yellowish like that of an insect.
They had two primary legs attached to their "hips" (which resembled an insect abdomen), which they used for bipedal movements. While these legs seemed to be human-like in position and function, they more closely resembled those of an insect. Another two of a Chimera's limbs were attached to shoulders and resembled arms in appearance and function. Their left "arm" developed human fingers. The backs of Chimeras developed four-to-six more limbs, which were entirely insectoid. While Chimeras could walk on their "primary" legs, they could also crawl using the rest of their limbs with great speed - up to 27 miles-per-hour. Their agility was incredible, and they could scale flat surfaces with their strong limbs and bristles and move through narrow spaces. Chimeras may have also inherited the incredible reflexes inherent to flies.
In the original Resident Evil, abnormalities arose during the cloning process which changed the mobility of cloned Chimeras. These lost much of their agility and could no longer climb or jump high into the air, a fault compensated by their movement speed on the ground rising. This could have been a result of their human traits taking priority over their fly traits.
They had two primary legs attached to their "hips" (which resembled an insect abdomen), which they used for bipedal movements. While these legs seemed to be human-like in position and function, they more closely resembled those of an insect. Another two of a Chimera's limbs were attached to shoulders and resembled arms in appearance and function. Their left "arm" developed human fingers. The backs of Chimeras developed four-to-six more limbs, which were entirely insectoid. While Chimeras could walk on their "primary" legs, they could also crawl using the rest of their limbs with great speed - up to 27 miles-per-hour. Their agility was incredible, and they could scale flat surfaces with their strong limbs and bristles and move through narrow spaces. Chimeras may have also inherited the incredible reflexes inherent to flies.
In the original Resident Evil, abnormalities arose during the cloning process which changed the mobility of cloned Chimeras. These lost much of their agility and could no longer climb or jump high into the air, a fault compensated by their movement speed on the ground rising. This could have been a result of their human traits taking priority over their fly traits.
Chimera bones were extremely complicated and intricate, due to their structure being a perfect combination of an exoskeleton (bones on the outside of the body, like those of an insect) and an endoskeleton (bones on the inside of the body). Chimeras essentially had two skeletons, which interlocked and twisted inside and outside of their bodies. While heavily warped, this skeletal system was still primarily human in shape.
Their complex skeletons were heavily reinforced yet light, which gave Chimeras a perfect balance between agility, durability, and strength. The destructive power and mobility afforded by their strong bones was even greater than that afforded to Hunters by their large muscles. Their right "arm" and back limbs were tipped with sickle-like claws made from bone, which they used in climbing and in combat. Their claws had the sharpness and strength of knives, which could slice into flesh and bone with ease. While they could attack from a crawling position, their attacks carried more weight if they attacked from a standing position. They typically aimed for the head or neck of prey. Their agility also made their movements quiet, and as they could drop down from ceilings or hide in narrow spaces, Chimeras were extremely stealthy. They would often move above a human and grab them with their "arms", using their incredible strength to lift them into the air by the neck and then decapitate them by pulling their head off. Chimeras made excellent covert weapons for this reason.
Their complex skeletons were heavily reinforced yet light, which gave Chimeras a perfect balance between agility, durability, and strength. The destructive power and mobility afforded by their strong bones was even greater than that afforded to Hunters by their large muscles. Their right "arm" and back limbs were tipped with sickle-like claws made from bone, which they used in climbing and in combat. Their claws had the sharpness and strength of knives, which could slice into flesh and bone with ease. While they could attack from a crawling position, their attacks carried more weight if they attacked from a standing position. They typically aimed for the head or neck of prey. Their agility also made their movements quiet, and as they could drop down from ceilings or hide in narrow spaces, Chimeras were extremely stealthy. They would often move above a human and grab them with their "arms", using their incredible strength to lift them into the air by the neck and then decapitate them by pulling their head off. Chimeras made excellent covert weapons for this reason.
A comparison between the skeleton of a human arm and the skeleton of a Chimera arm, scanned from BIO HAZARD Directors Cut Official Perfect Guide -Inside of BIO HAZARD- by BSAArklay
Chimeras preferred to rest in dark, small environments, like ventilation shafts, from which they would emerge when they sensed potential prey enter their environments. Chimeras have been said to have been even more aggressive in behavior than Hunters, although some sources have stated the opposite. Chimeras would often twitch, with their limbs and head jerking back and forth periodically. They made bizarre sounds unlike any normal creature.
A countless number of maggots would breed inside of Chimera bodies. These creatures would crawl and wriggle beneath their skin, and when a Chimera was damaged they would fall out of their open wounds. Despite these larvae being Chimera offspring, it is unknown if they were actually the same species - the original Chimeras birthed by humans did not begin development as actual maggots. It may be that after emerging from a pupa, the maggots would begin to develop human traits, and eventually become true Chimeras. The number of Chimeras present during the outbreak incident would seemingly support the idea that they could reproduce. It is unknown if these maggots had any way of being born outside of the Chimera being damaged, if they spent their entire lives inside of their bodies, or if the maggots would tear their way outside of Chimeras as they grew. It is possible that Chimeras attacked human prey in order to deposit their maggots onto them, so that they could feed on their bodies and use their meat to grow into adults. Chimeras also seemed to abandon the natural means of laying eggs, with larvae born live or their eggs being hatched inside of their bodies. It is also unknown if insemination from another Chimera of the opposite gender was necessary to produce maggots. Chimeras were one of the only known mammalian-based B.O.W.s to breed in any capacity. This may have been thanks to their reproductive systems being primarily derived from their fly genes, as insect hosts to the t-Virus usually maintain their fertility.
While Chimeras were seemingly only developed to try and create a B.O.W. that would develop rapidly, the fact they also developed impressive combat abilities and could breed likely made them exceed expectations. In regards to performance, they combined the attack capabilities of a Hunter with the mobility of a Web Spinner, and their grotesque appearance inflicted "unfathomable" psychological damage on their targets. However, despite the fact that they were human-based, they had no more intelligence than ordinary flies. This made their attack patterns monotonous and predictable, and control was impossible. For this reason, Chimera research was shelved, but their outstanding combat abilities made Umbrella reconsider them as products and mass produce them anyway, due to their dire financial straits.
A countless number of maggots would breed inside of Chimera bodies. These creatures would crawl and wriggle beneath their skin, and when a Chimera was damaged they would fall out of their open wounds. Despite these larvae being Chimera offspring, it is unknown if they were actually the same species - the original Chimeras birthed by humans did not begin development as actual maggots. It may be that after emerging from a pupa, the maggots would begin to develop human traits, and eventually become true Chimeras. The number of Chimeras present during the outbreak incident would seemingly support the idea that they could reproduce. It is unknown if these maggots had any way of being born outside of the Chimera being damaged, if they spent their entire lives inside of their bodies, or if the maggots would tear their way outside of Chimeras as they grew. It is possible that Chimeras attacked human prey in order to deposit their maggots onto them, so that they could feed on their bodies and use their meat to grow into adults. Chimeras also seemed to abandon the natural means of laying eggs, with larvae born live or their eggs being hatched inside of their bodies. It is also unknown if insemination from another Chimera of the opposite gender was necessary to produce maggots. Chimeras were one of the only known mammalian-based B.O.W.s to breed in any capacity. This may have been thanks to their reproductive systems being primarily derived from their fly genes, as insect hosts to the t-Virus usually maintain their fertility.
While Chimeras were seemingly only developed to try and create a B.O.W. that would develop rapidly, the fact they also developed impressive combat abilities and could breed likely made them exceed expectations. In regards to performance, they combined the attack capabilities of a Hunter with the mobility of a Web Spinner, and their grotesque appearance inflicted "unfathomable" psychological damage on their targets. However, despite the fact that they were human-based, they had no more intelligence than ordinary flies. This made their attack patterns monotonous and predictable, and control was impossible. For this reason, Chimera research was shelved, but their outstanding combat abilities made Umbrella reconsider them as products and mass produce them anyway, due to their dire financial straits.
In the Resident Evil remake, Chimera bodies would melt when they died. This could have been due to some irregularity involving internal acids or heat. In the original Resident Evil and The Umbrella Chronicles, their corpses remained intact after they died, and so the melting mechanic may only exist due to technical limitations with numerous enemies in a single environment.

Man Spider – The Man Spiders were a scrapped monster species from Resident Evil 2 (more specifically, from the build known as Resident Evil 1.5). This B.O.W. was created in the laboratory underneath Raccoon City, and specimens escaped during the outbreak. Based on their physical similarities to Chimeras, Man Spiders were likely an offshoot of that experiment, created from a fertilized human egg being fused with spider genes instead of fly ones. The purpose of the Man Spider may have been to create a more intelligent alternative to the Web Spinner B.O.W., combining the agility and adaptability of spiders with mammalian intelligence.
Man Spiders had the form of a human-sized spider, with several traits hinting at their human origin. Like Chimeras, their hind legs were comparable in shape to those of a human being, with a pelvis separating them from the main body, allowing them to walk on just two legs. One of these legs was covered in human skin. In combat they would stand on these limbs while using their other six legs like arms to strike at prey. One of these six limbs resembled a clawed human arm, while the others were all tipped with a single sharp nail (also very much like Chimeras). Man Spiders could also presumably walk on all four limbs, and crawl through small spaces like ventilation shafts. The chest area of a Man Spider had exposed human ribs and organs, revealing that Man Spiders may have had a complex skeletal system like that of Chimeras. They had six eyes, mandibles, and red blood.
Man Spiders had the form of a human-sized spider, with several traits hinting at their human origin. Like Chimeras, their hind legs were comparable in shape to those of a human being, with a pelvis separating them from the main body, allowing them to walk on just two legs. One of these legs was covered in human skin. In combat they would stand on these limbs while using their other six legs like arms to strike at prey. One of these six limbs resembled a clawed human arm, while the others were all tipped with a single sharp nail (also very much like Chimeras). Man Spiders could also presumably walk on all four limbs, and crawl through small spaces like ventilation shafts. The chest area of a Man Spider had exposed human ribs and organs, revealing that Man Spiders may have had a complex skeletal system like that of Chimeras. They had six eyes, mandibles, and red blood.
Drain Deimos - A unique arthropod mutant appeared during the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, called "Drain Deimos" ( or "DD"). While DDs were hybrid organisms created by the t-Virus, they were unique in that they were actually created via secondary infection. This makes them one of the only examples of a "natural" genetic hybrid, created outside of a lab and without Umbrella's direct involvement. Umbrella did manage to observe the development of DDs and were the ones to name it; but it does not appear that the company was able to replicate DDs into a B.O.W.
Due to how drastically DDs mutated, it was impossible to accurately discern what the original host species was. All that is known is that they were originally tiny, blood-sucking, parasitic insects, with an appearance most closely resembling that of a flea. If they were fleas, then they developed very differently from other t-Virus-infected fleas (Mega Bites) due to the influence of foreign genes. The original host insect fed on the corpse of a Zombie and contracted the t-Virus, and as a result of a random mutation and recombination, the DNA of the Zombie was piggybacked into the flea by the virus. The human genes influenced the DD as it grew, turning it into an amalgamation of insect and human. This is a reversal of the process used to create Chimeras, which were humans fused with insect genes.
Due to how drastically DDs mutated, it was impossible to accurately discern what the original host species was. All that is known is that they were originally tiny, blood-sucking, parasitic insects, with an appearance most closely resembling that of a flea. If they were fleas, then they developed very differently from other t-Virus-infected fleas (Mega Bites) due to the influence of foreign genes. The original host insect fed on the corpse of a Zombie and contracted the t-Virus, and as a result of a random mutation and recombination, the DNA of the Zombie was piggybacked into the flea by the virus. The human genes influenced the DD as it grew, turning it into an amalgamation of insect and human. This is a reversal of the process used to create Chimeras, which were humans fused with insect genes.
After repeatedly practicing metamorphosis (which they achieved through exuviation), DDs grew a hundred times their original size, becoming roughly human-sized. Their exoskeleton developed human-like shape, with what looked like human shoulders, a thin waist, and a human pelvis. They retained their six legs, but two of their legs became attached to a single shoulder on each side, making them look as if they had four arms and two legs. Like Chimeras, they could both crawl on all of their legs and stand on just two, although they did not seem to be able to stand for very long.
Due to the drastic changes to their frame in regards to size and shape in such a small amount of time, their exoskeletons did not develop in perfect proportion to the rest of their bodies, much like the Stinger. This resulted in cracks forming along their bodies from which exposed muscle tissue could be seen. Their skeletal muscles were red, indicating they contained myoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen in muscle cells) like a mammal. This is in spite of the fact that DD blood was green like that of an insect, meaning it did not contain hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein that makes the blood of vertebrates red), and likely was not used to carry oxygen. This was an apt visual demonstration of the oddity and irregularity of their biology.
While their exoskeletons afforded them some protection from gunfire, their exposed muscle tissue limited them in this aspect.
Due to the drastic changes to their frame in regards to size and shape in such a small amount of time, their exoskeletons did not develop in perfect proportion to the rest of their bodies, much like the Stinger. This resulted in cracks forming along their bodies from which exposed muscle tissue could be seen. Their skeletal muscles were red, indicating they contained myoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen in muscle cells) like a mammal. This is in spite of the fact that DD blood was green like that of an insect, meaning it did not contain hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein that makes the blood of vertebrates red), and likely was not used to carry oxygen. This was an apt visual demonstration of the oddity and irregularity of their biology.
While their exoskeletons afforded them some protection from gunfire, their exposed muscle tissue limited them in this aspect.
Like Chimeras, DD appendages were tipped with knife-like claws that they used both for attacking and for climbing. DD movements were perhaps even more agile than those of a Chimera, as they were more likely to travel alongside vertical surfaces such as walls and attack prey by jumping from these positions. This is likely due to DD insectoid traits being dominant over their humanoid ones. They could attack from a crawling position using their middle "legs/arms", or attack from the air using their spider-like agility and flea-like jumping prowess. Their most dangerous attack involved them standing on their strong hind legs and rushing at human prey in an attempt to grab them with their four "arms". When they grabbed a human this way, they would latch onto them tightly and bite into their cervical vertebra (vertebra of the neck) with their sharp fangs, which would result in near-instantaneous death. DDs preferred dark and dank environments, like the alleyways of Raccoon City, where they would cling to surfaces and ambush any humans that encroached on their territory. They were cautious creatures, and potentially intelligent due to human genes.
DDs were both asexual and practiced monogamous reproduction. When a male DD obtained enough nutrition, it transformed into an egg-laying female. This why there were a large number of DDs, despite the fact that the first DD was an entirely unique mutation. DD offspring were leaping creatures, like the original host, that attempted to bite larger animals. They would often burst from their eggs as soon as a potential source of food approached them, regardless of when the eggs were laid (credit: Raccoon Citizen). Baby DDs had the appearance of fleas, except that they only had four legs and were the size of rodents. They could be killed by a human simply stepping on them.
"Deimos" was the Greek personification of Dread, and the DDs were given the name due to their grotesque appearance. The "Drain" part of their name was in reference to their method of seeking nourishment: a DD would use its acerose (needle-like) fangs to penetrate the cervical vertebra of human prey and drain them of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF acts as a buffer to protect the brain, while also keeping it buoyant and being a vital component in homeostasis and the clearing of waste. DD seemed to have developed this specific diet due to the original host first contracting the virus by feeding on the CSF of a Zombie corpse. DDs would feed on the CSF of both live prey and corpses. While CSF was the main nutrient source for adult DDs, they have also been said to feed on bone marrow.
DDs were both asexual and practiced monogamous reproduction. When a male DD obtained enough nutrition, it transformed into an egg-laying female. This why there were a large number of DDs, despite the fact that the first DD was an entirely unique mutation. DD offspring were leaping creatures, like the original host, that attempted to bite larger animals. They would often burst from their eggs as soon as a potential source of food approached them, regardless of when the eggs were laid (credit: Raccoon Citizen). Baby DDs had the appearance of fleas, except that they only had four legs and were the size of rodents. They could be killed by a human simply stepping on them.
"Deimos" was the Greek personification of Dread, and the DDs were given the name due to their grotesque appearance. The "Drain" part of their name was in reference to their method of seeking nourishment: a DD would use its acerose (needle-like) fangs to penetrate the cervical vertebra of human prey and drain them of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF acts as a buffer to protect the brain, while also keeping it buoyant and being a vital component in homeostasis and the clearing of waste. DD seemed to have developed this specific diet due to the original host first contracting the virus by feeding on the CSF of a Zombie corpse. DDs would feed on the CSF of both live prey and corpses. While CSF was the main nutrient source for adult DDs, they have also been said to feed on bone marrow.
In Resident Evil 3 reimagined, the DDs were depicted very differently. Reimagined Drain Deimos were visually distinct in that they had a human head, which had compound eyes in the eye sockets and exposed gums. Their faces were heavily disfigured and twisted, with their mouths split open to accommodate their long, retractable proboscis. One of their eyes was forced upwards towards the forehead. Their exoskeleton was pale with hints of green, and had exposed sections revealing muscle tissue like the original depiction. They did not develop human-like legs, and so could not run on two limbs, with all of their six legs proportioned more like those of an insect. While all of their legs had claws, their middle limbs had much larger scythe-like blades. Spikes developed along their bodies, in particular on their backs. Their agility and cautious, stealthy nature was the same, but their bodies were much more fragile. Despite their name, Reimagined DD are never actually shown to drain their prey, although it is possible that they do use their strong proboscises to accomplish this.
The most radical difference in Reimagined Drain Deimos was their lifecycle. Instead of laying their eggs on the ground, Reimagined DD were parasitoids. They would climb on top of humans and force their long proboscis into their mouths. This tube would deposit eggs or larvae into the esophagus, and Baby DD would rest in this area. The offspring would gradually begin to grow and feed on the human, which was eventually fatal to the host. In a short amount of time they would rip their way out of the body as independent creatures, which could presumably grow into adults on their own. Corpses with Baby DDs inside of them would begin to bulge and bloat before the larvae emerged from their bodies, with their emergence being almost explosive.
Adolescent fleas require blood during incubation, for which reason their mothers will deposit eggs in animal fur. Reimagined DD depositing offspring inside of hosts is probably an evolution of this trait. The similarities in their reproductive behavior with the Antarctic Moths may imply parasitoid reproduction is a common mutation tendency with the t-Virus.
Reimagined DD were also capable of creating a hive by covering an environment in a special silk or mucus. While fleas do not practice this behavior, they do weave silk for their pupas. The purpose of this hive may have been to house the pupas of growing Baby DDs as they matured into adults, and this is supported by several DD being seen emerging from pods of some kind in the hive. The hive was also likely used to trap hosts for DD offspring, much like the hives of infected Moths. This is supported by the location of a particular corpse within the hive, which was covered in the silk/mucus. The surface of the hive matched the exoskeleton of Reimagined DD, allowing them to camouflage themselves while traversing their hives and sneak up on intruders.
One such hive was created over an electrical substation in Raccoon City. It was destroyed when Jill Valentine turned on the power for the substation, with the heat generated by the electricity frying the hive. This hive had a large sack or pod suspended above it that was destroyed when the hive was, which may have been a sort of joined pupa housing multiple Reimagined DDs.
The most radical difference in Reimagined Drain Deimos was their lifecycle. Instead of laying their eggs on the ground, Reimagined DD were parasitoids. They would climb on top of humans and force their long proboscis into their mouths. This tube would deposit eggs or larvae into the esophagus, and Baby DD would rest in this area. The offspring would gradually begin to grow and feed on the human, which was eventually fatal to the host. In a short amount of time they would rip their way out of the body as independent creatures, which could presumably grow into adults on their own. Corpses with Baby DDs inside of them would begin to bulge and bloat before the larvae emerged from their bodies, with their emergence being almost explosive.
Adolescent fleas require blood during incubation, for which reason their mothers will deposit eggs in animal fur. Reimagined DD depositing offspring inside of hosts is probably an evolution of this trait. The similarities in their reproductive behavior with the Antarctic Moths may imply parasitoid reproduction is a common mutation tendency with the t-Virus.
Reimagined DD were also capable of creating a hive by covering an environment in a special silk or mucus. While fleas do not practice this behavior, they do weave silk for their pupas. The purpose of this hive may have been to house the pupas of growing Baby DDs as they matured into adults, and this is supported by several DD being seen emerging from pods of some kind in the hive. The hive was also likely used to trap hosts for DD offspring, much like the hives of infected Moths. This is supported by the location of a particular corpse within the hive, which was covered in the silk/mucus. The surface of the hive matched the exoskeleton of Reimagined DD, allowing them to camouflage themselves while traversing their hives and sneak up on intruders.
One such hive was created over an electrical substation in Raccoon City. It was destroyed when Jill Valentine turned on the power for the substation, with the heat generated by the electricity frying the hive. This hive had a large sack or pod suspended above it that was destroyed when the hive was, which may have been a sort of joined pupa housing multiple Reimagined DDs.
Brain Sucker - "Brain Suckers" were a sort of subspecies of Drain Deimos which also preyed on human survivors in Raccoon City. These irregular mutants were based on the same parasitic insect species that DDs were, and they were also exposed to genes from humans as a result of feeding on Zombies. They differed from Drain Deimos however due to them also feeding on and inheriting the genes of other animals, including those of a reptile.
Brain Suckers were just as large as Drain Deimos, but their appearance was different and even more grotesque. They developed two separate heads and only five legs. Their body was best described as resembling two creatures entangled with one another, with their unstable form being due to them containing genes from multiple different animals. Their skin was green and their claws were more numerous due to reptile genes, while they could stand on two legs in addition to crawling on the ground thanks to human genes. Instead of fangs, their heads each developed two incredibly sharp tongues.
Due to their common ancestor, Brain Suckers and Drain Deimos had many shared traits. They had the same agility, physical strength, and vitality that DDs did, and they even shared the same attack patterns and preference for dark, dank environments. Unlike DDs, Brain Suckers were not cautious creatures that waited to ambush prey, and were more docile when in a relaxed state. However, they were easily excited by the presence of potential food, and when stimulated would turn rabid and attack prey crazily. They may have been less intelligent than DDs, due to them inheriting genes from other animals.
Brain Suckers made up for their lack of craftiness with the ability to spit poisonous venom at prey that were in close proximity to them. This venom was likely contained within gastric juices so that it could penetrate the skin of prey, much like the projectile attacks of Web Spinners. The purpose of this venom was likely to wear down their prey, making them easier to consume.
Brain Sucker offspring were indistinguishable from baby DDs. This is due to their larvae both inheriting only very general flea-like traits. They seemed to be asexual.
Brain Suckers were also named for their primary means of obtaining nutrition: instead of drinking cerebrospinal fluid, which encapsulates the brain, they fed on the brain itself. While they have been said to eat the brains of animals, their diet was mainly comprised of human brains. When clinging to human prey, they would use their specialized tongues to break into and wrench open their skull, at which point they sucked out their brains.
Brain Suckers were just as large as Drain Deimos, but their appearance was different and even more grotesque. They developed two separate heads and only five legs. Their body was best described as resembling two creatures entangled with one another, with their unstable form being due to them containing genes from multiple different animals. Their skin was green and their claws were more numerous due to reptile genes, while they could stand on two legs in addition to crawling on the ground thanks to human genes. Instead of fangs, their heads each developed two incredibly sharp tongues.
Due to their common ancestor, Brain Suckers and Drain Deimos had many shared traits. They had the same agility, physical strength, and vitality that DDs did, and they even shared the same attack patterns and preference for dark, dank environments. Unlike DDs, Brain Suckers were not cautious creatures that waited to ambush prey, and were more docile when in a relaxed state. However, they were easily excited by the presence of potential food, and when stimulated would turn rabid and attack prey crazily. They may have been less intelligent than DDs, due to them inheriting genes from other animals.
Brain Suckers made up for their lack of craftiness with the ability to spit poisonous venom at prey that were in close proximity to them. This venom was likely contained within gastric juices so that it could penetrate the skin of prey, much like the projectile attacks of Web Spinners. The purpose of this venom was likely to wear down their prey, making them easier to consume.
Brain Sucker offspring were indistinguishable from baby DDs. This is due to their larvae both inheriting only very general flea-like traits. They seemed to be asexual.
Brain Suckers were also named for their primary means of obtaining nutrition: instead of drinking cerebrospinal fluid, which encapsulates the brain, they fed on the brain itself. While they have been said to eat the brains of animals, their diet was mainly comprised of human brains. When clinging to human prey, they would use their specialized tongues to break into and wrench open their skull, at which point they sucked out their brains.
Anubis - After Umbrella's rival corporation began manufacturing superior Hunter models, Umbrella desperately attempted to retaliate by creating alternatives to the Hunter. The "Anubis" was one such alternative, and it was supposed to be the next flagship B.O.W. model. While Anubises were mass produced and sold on the black market, the exact extent of how popular they became is totally unknown. The only known instance of their usage was during Operation: Javier, when Javier Hidalgo unleashed the Anubises he purchased into the surrounding area. It is highly unlikely that Anubises managed to replace Hunters, as Hunters were in common use for at least more than a decade after Operation: Javier.
The Anubis species was created by using the t-Virus to fuse insect genes with a bat embryo. After developing fully, Umbrella would remove all the digestive organs of an Anubis in order to reduce its weight and maximize its running speed and agility. The main priority with Anubis development was mobility, and in this area they were a resounding success - Anubis maneuverability, jumping abilities, and speed were unmatched by any other B.O.W.
Bats were chosen as a base for Anubis development over humans because of their light skeletons and high maneuverability, which is greater than that of birds. The fastest species of bat, the Mexican free-tailed bat, can fly at a ground speed of over 101 miles-per-hour, with it potentially having the fastest horizontal speed of any animal on the planet. As mammals, bats have a fair amount of intelligence, although the extent inherited by the Anubis is totally unknown. It is also unknown if they were able to be trained. Insects were fused with the Anubis base in order to maintain their physique by strengthening their frame, without adding to their weight in the process. Insect genes could have also enhanced their climbing abilities.
The Anubis species was created by using the t-Virus to fuse insect genes with a bat embryo. After developing fully, Umbrella would remove all the digestive organs of an Anubis in order to reduce its weight and maximize its running speed and agility. The main priority with Anubis development was mobility, and in this area they were a resounding success - Anubis maneuverability, jumping abilities, and speed were unmatched by any other B.O.W.
Bats were chosen as a base for Anubis development over humans because of their light skeletons and high maneuverability, which is greater than that of birds. The fastest species of bat, the Mexican free-tailed bat, can fly at a ground speed of over 101 miles-per-hour, with it potentially having the fastest horizontal speed of any animal on the planet. As mammals, bats have a fair amount of intelligence, although the extent inherited by the Anubis is totally unknown. It is also unknown if they were able to be trained. Insects were fused with the Anubis base in order to maintain their physique by strengthening their frame, without adding to their weight in the process. Insect genes could have also enhanced their climbing abilities.
The appearance of an Anubis was comparable to that of a bat's skeleton. Their exposed bones had thin layers of muscle stretched across them in order to facilitate movement, and as they were part-insect, they may have had more muscles within their bones. They had long, canine-like snouts, which likely means that the base species was a megabat. Their small eyes were sunken into their skulls, and were likely of little use to them. Not only did they lack any digestive organs, but skin as well. This included the membrane making up their wings, making them flightless. Despite this, their arms were just as elongated as those of a bad, and they used them like legs to support their bodies when running and jumping. They only had four digits on each hand and foot, which were equipped with claws worthy of a Hunter successor. Three of their fingers were much shorter than those of bat, while a single finger retained its length while possessing many joints, allowing it to move like a tentacle that could whip its sharp nail at prey.
Despite their skeletal and frail appearance, Anubises' insect-like bones were strong enough to withstand a significant amount of gunfire. They used their talon-like nails both for climbing and as deadly weapons in combat. Their movements were skillful and even graceful: Anubises could jump against, climb on, and even run across vertical surfaces and ceilings with great maneuverability. As they were capable of attacking prey accurately from any direction in an environment, and had the speed to dodge attacks and immediately close any distances, they were extraordinarily difficult for human combatants to kill. It was almost impossible for a human to outrun the creatures, making them suitable for the purpose of hunting down survivors in a t-Virus outbreak like a Hunter would.
Despite their deadliness, Anubises had an obvious, fatal flaw: without a digestive system, they would eventually starve to death. After being released from cryogenic storage or chemically-induced stasis, an Anubis could only remain alive for a limited amount of time, and it is likely that its performance would quickly drop as it lost energy (although if they were driven by their hunger to attack humans, they may have become even deadlier as they became more and more desperate, despite them lacking a way to actually digest any food they obtained from the bodies of prey). They likely did not have the intelligence of a human-based B.O.W. either. These faults made them lack the overall versatility of Hunters, a consequence of their highly specialized nature.
Anubises were named after the Egyptian god of the dead and the afterlife. Besides their relationship with death, these B.O.W.s were given this name due to the head of the creatures resembling the skull of a jackal, which is the most popular depiction of the head of Anubis.
Despite their skeletal and frail appearance, Anubises' insect-like bones were strong enough to withstand a significant amount of gunfire. They used their talon-like nails both for climbing and as deadly weapons in combat. Their movements were skillful and even graceful: Anubises could jump against, climb on, and even run across vertical surfaces and ceilings with great maneuverability. As they were capable of attacking prey accurately from any direction in an environment, and had the speed to dodge attacks and immediately close any distances, they were extraordinarily difficult for human combatants to kill. It was almost impossible for a human to outrun the creatures, making them suitable for the purpose of hunting down survivors in a t-Virus outbreak like a Hunter would.
Despite their deadliness, Anubises had an obvious, fatal flaw: without a digestive system, they would eventually starve to death. After being released from cryogenic storage or chemically-induced stasis, an Anubis could only remain alive for a limited amount of time, and it is likely that its performance would quickly drop as it lost energy (although if they were driven by their hunger to attack humans, they may have become even deadlier as they became more and more desperate, despite them lacking a way to actually digest any food they obtained from the bodies of prey). They likely did not have the intelligence of a human-based B.O.W. either. These faults made them lack the overall versatility of Hunters, a consequence of their highly specialized nature.
Anubises were named after the Egyptian god of the dead and the afterlife. Besides their relationship with death, these B.O.W.s were given this name due to the head of the creatures resembling the skull of a jackal, which is the most popular depiction of the head of Anubis.
Human hosts who slowly adapt to the Progenitor Virus gain incredible new and enhanced abilities without losing their human form. These "Progenitor Humans" have enhanced strength, speed, agility, and intellect. The idea of them also possessing psionic powers like telepathy has also been toyed with. They also cease ageing and gain outstanding regenerative abilities. This, along with strengthened body tissue and overall endurance, makes them essentially immortal. Progenitor adaption requires special, compatible genes in the host, or the ability to produce natural antibodies capable of weakening the virus in order for the host to survive and retain their form. However, these exceedingly rare individuals have only become rarer throughout history. Even if someone who was an adapter became infected with modern Progenitor, they would still suffer horrible mutations (like Lisa Trevor) or die due to its lethality increasing over the years.
While the official goal of the t-Virus was to create B.O.W.s, its actual purpose was to create a strain of Progenitor weak enough for the Umbrella founders to adapt to it and gain immortality. Every main virus from t-Marcus to t-Birkin either failed to recapture the capacity to create Super Humans, or was still too lethal for human hosts to become anything more than Tyrants. However, several variant strains of T recaptured this ability, and eventually so did the Perfected t-Virus. Even then, the t-Virus was specialized to create monsters, not enhanced humans, so "t-Humans" always lacked the same biological perfection as Progenitor Humans. The same goes for other superhuman viruses like G and t-Veronica. The only known virus to perfectly replicate this mutation is Uroboros (and maybe t-Phobos).
t-Humans are unique in that they are capable of triggering new mutations in their bodies. The mechanism by which they achieve this is unknown, but it has been theorized that host mindset has an impact upon mutation, and adapters are may or may not have otherworldly control over their bodies through their mental state alone. Despite this, the t-Virus typically only creates single generation mutations, and so mutated t-Humans seem to be unable to reverse their transformations or mutate into new forms.
The several known t-Humans in existence are covered below. Albert Wesker and Al Lester could be considered t-Humans as well, but they were infected with offshoot strains of the t-Virus ("t-Wesker" and T-JCCC203, respectively).
Sergei Vladimir
Former USSR Colonel Sergei Vladimir was an Umbrella executive, the head of the UBCS, the USS, and the Monitors, and one of the right-hand-men of Oswell E. Spencer. He possessed unique genes only carried by one in every ten million people, which allowed him to resist the deterioration of brain cells brought about by t-Virus infection. Sergei's genes were an invaluable asset in the completion of the t-Virus and the first Tyrants. Before his final confrontation with Albert Wesker in 2003, Sergei injected himself with an enhanced strain of the t-Virus; this strain was presumably the Perfected t-Virus developed around the same time. Due to Sergei being a perfect adapter, he resisted almost all necrosis of both the body and brain, and only reaped positive symptoms from the virus, becoming a sort of superhuman.
In the game The Umbrella Chronicles, the only new ability Sergei was shown to possess following infection was the abiltiy to change his form. In the novelization, he was described as also having psychic abilities. It was described here that t-Humans had the ability to "penetrate" the minds of other infected, such as Zombies, Tyrants, Lickers, Cerberuses, and even other t-Humans. A t-Human could "read" the thoughts of a t-Mutant, or send their own thoughts to them. A t-Human could even enforce their willpower onto the will of another, and subjugate them to their control. Using this ability required a tremendous amount of concentration, and when directly controlling another creature, a t-Human felt their same desires, fears, and other emotions. Sergei was said to place a sort of mental obstacle into the minds of every rampaging t-Mutant at the Caucasus Facility, to prevent Albert Wesker from easily controlling them.
The extent of Sergei's physical abilities following infection are unknown. While he could hit the superhuman Wesker with throwing knives, he was an experienced combatant before he became a t-Mutant. His regenerative abilities were inferior to those of Wesker, as he could not return to life when killed. This is owing either to the nature of Wesker's virus, or to the two t-Mutants possessing different genes with different levels of perfection in regards to adaptation.
After a brief conversation with Wesker, Sergei "activated his cells"/"activated the virus" and mutated into a Tyrant-like creature called "Monster Sergei". As he was likely infected with the Perfected t-Virus, this would mean that Perfected T could create Tyrants from injection alone, so long as the host had a biology that was compatible enough with the virus.
Monster Sergei had a Tyrant body, although he was heavily deformed. He is the only known example of a "Wild Tyrant" (as he was not created in a lab) created by a "standard" t-Virus. Due to his resisting brain damage, he retained all of his intelligence and free will, and could even speak following his transformation. In the novelization of The Umbrella Chronicles, his voice was described as "inhuman". Sergei becoming a Wild Tyrant led to his form possessing random mutations, although Wesker theorized that his mindset actually influenced his transformation. According to some sources, an adapter to the virus is capable of controlling the virus inside of them, or at least how it affects them. Sergei's heart was filled with suffering, and his mutant form reflected this symbolically in various ways. His transformation was also largely insect-themed, which could have been influenced not only by his mindset (with him seeing his body as rotting and a host to insects as a result), but also due to insect DNA in the t-Virus.
When Sergei's transformation began, his body began to shake, and roundworm-like tentacles sprouted from his body that wrapped around his arms. This symbolized Sergei's feelings of being bound. What happened next was not shown, as the next time Sergei was seen his transformation was already complete.
In The Umbrella Chronicles novelization, the tentacles Sergei sprouted were described as coming from a single worm-like body that had a diameter of about 20 centimeters. This worm sprouted from his back, and was pink and covered in a sticky liquid. After wrapping around Sergei, the worm and its tentacles formed a "meat cocoon" around his body, which was so hard that bullets were not capable of penetrating it. The cocoon swelled rapidly, and from within Sergei transformed into his monster form.
Sergei's outstretched, bound arms grew a thick bundle of muscles that fused together with the tentacles to form a single, thick limb. This serpent-like "arm" stretched outward, and was tipped with a claw that resembled the "mouth of a predatory insect". This claw was similar in function to the T-002's claw, and was capable of instantly crushing the head or dismembering the body of an adult human. The rest of his body grew in size and mass, to the point that Wesker, even with his superhuman strength, could not resist his weight. Sergei lost his hair, nose, and genitals. A spike sprouted from inside his head and pierced his right eye (another symbol of pain), while his other eye turned white.
Sergei sprouted an additional four limbs from his back. These tentacles greatly resembled insect limbs, and were covered in thorn-like growths. The limbs had many disparate joints that allowed these "feelers" to perform extremely complicated, rapid movements. Despite appearing to be thin and frail, they were strong enough to hold up Sergei's large body. He used these limbs to scale walls with the grace of a spider. He also used his single "arm" like a grappling hook, in a manner very much like the Bandersnatch would, allowing him to move with lightning-fast speed. Sergei's insect limbs were also capable of striking prey, defending his body, and even of wielding knives, according to the novelization. The "thorns" on his tentacles were so hard that a knife was incapable of damaging them, and they too represented pain and torture.
Sergei's tongue transformed into a "stinking", red "mound of meat" that resembled/symbolized a ball gag, which completely filled his mouth as if he were choking. Despite this, he retained the ability to talk and seemed to have no trouble breathing. It is possible that Sergei had some other opening on his body, although in the novelization he was capable of telepathy, which could account for his talking. Sergei could spit his mutated "tongue" at targets, which was immediately replaced with a new, identical growth in his mouth. The "tongue" could burst apart on impact or upon being shot at to form independent, "sausage-like" creatures that resembled gigantic maggots.
These "maggots" were described in the novelization as being primitive creatures without eyes, ears, or noses, but were capable of smelling flesh. They moved by squeezing and stretching their bodies like an accordion, and were implied to be capable of jumping. They had hooked claws on their heads that they used to drill under the skin of prey in order to anchor themselves as they fed. They could secrete an acidic liquid capable of disintegrating flesh, even the enhanced tissue of Wesker. The maggots would then absorb the dissolved meat. They had a thick, yellowish-brown fluid inside of them. They had "a dark will, full of hatred and resentment, evil and beastly", which they would have inherited from Sergei. When one of them attached to Wesker's shoulder, he suffered convulsions and lost control of his left arm. Wounds inflicted by Sergei on prey attracted the maggots, and the maggots crippled and distracted his prey
Sergei still stood upright on his two legs. These legs were not shown to ever move, possibly just because his new limbs facilitated faster movement. His toes and feet were extremely disfigured and grotesque.
Like many other Tyrants, Sergei developed an exposed organ that served as a weak point. This organ grew from his back, and appeared to glow. Sergei's mutated tongue was also softer than the rest of his body, allowing bullets to travel through it. Wesker exploited these weaknesses to kill Sergei. Before he died, Sergei's body appeared to glow from internal heat, and his corpse melted into sludge. This would imply that his internal body temperature became extremely high, either as a result of his regeneration, or another symptom of his mindset (which would mean the heat represented another means of torture). In the novelization, Sergei was instead decapitated.
These "maggots" were described in the novelization as being primitive creatures without eyes, ears, or noses, but were capable of smelling flesh. They moved by squeezing and stretching their bodies like an accordion, and were implied to be capable of jumping. They had hooked claws on their heads that they used to drill under the skin of prey in order to anchor themselves as they fed. They could secrete an acidic liquid capable of disintegrating flesh, even the enhanced tissue of Wesker. The maggots would then absorb the dissolved meat. They had a thick, yellowish-brown fluid inside of them. They had "a dark will, full of hatred and resentment, evil and beastly", which they would have inherited from Sergei. When one of them attached to Wesker's shoulder, he suffered convulsions and lost control of his left arm. Wounds inflicted by Sergei on prey attracted the maggots, and the maggots crippled and distracted his prey
Sergei still stood upright on his two legs. These legs were not shown to ever move, possibly just because his new limbs facilitated faster movement. His toes and feet were extremely disfigured and grotesque.
Like many other Tyrants, Sergei developed an exposed organ that served as a weak point. This organ grew from his back, and appeared to glow. Sergei's mutated tongue was also softer than the rest of his body, allowing bullets to travel through it. Wesker exploited these weaknesses to kill Sergei. Before he died, Sergei's body appeared to glow from internal heat, and his corpse melted into sludge. This would imply that his internal body temperature became extremely high, either as a result of his regeneration, or another symptom of his mindset (which would mean the heat represented another means of torture). In the novelization, Sergei was instead decapitated.
Mary Gray
Mary Gray, daughter of an Umbrella employee, was diagnosed with a deadly blood disease. Dr. Liam Howard was tasked with treating her illness, and after he discovered that she had genes making her compatible with the t-Virus, he injected her with a sample. Mary adapted to the virus and became a t-Human. Exactly what strain of T she was injected with is unknown, but it seems she was infected with Perfected T. Mary was later adopted by Howard, who brought her with him to Australia. There Howard became a professor at Philosophy University, while Mary became a student. Mary became disillusioned with the human race and eventually hatched a plant to "reset" humanity. She convinced Howard into being her pawn in this endeavor, as the virus he developed was instrumental to her goals. Her plans to use the "t-Howard" virus were stopped thanks to the intervention of the BSAA and Howard's biological son, Tyler Howard (see "Virus Analysis: t-Howard" for more information).
Mary's most noticeable symptom as a t-Human was an increase in brain power: her IQ skyrocketed to 230. She was able to perfectly predict the movements of those who attacked her, giving her a sort of "clairvoyance". Mary's artificially heightened intellect made it difficult for her to relate to others, and made her prone to outbursts of mania.
When in hand-to-hand combat with Chris Redfield, Tyler Howard, and others, she managed to defeat the group singlehandedly. While this may have been owing solely to her predictive powers, she may have also possessed enhanced speed and strength. It is unknown if she possessed greater vitality, or if she aged.
Like Albert, Mary's relationship with her virus was not stable. The virus was regularly metabolized from her body, and so she needed to be regularly reinjected in order to retain her strengthened biology and resist her disease. She therefore wore a bracelet which regularly provided her with small doses of the virus.
When in hand-to-hand combat with Chris Redfield, Tyler Howard, and others, she managed to defeat the group singlehandedly. While this may have been owing solely to her predictive powers, she may have also possessed enhanced speed and strength. It is unknown if she possessed greater vitality, or if she aged.
Like Albert, Mary's relationship with her virus was not stable. The virus was regularly metabolized from her body, and so she needed to be regularly reinjected in order to retain her strengthened biology and resist her disease. She therefore wore a bracelet which regularly provided her with small doses of the virus.
When Mary's plans were discovered and after a short skirmish, she became upset and transformed into a monster. This was possibly owing to one of the following possibilities:
When Mary began to transform, she first developed many tentacles, which wrapped around her body. This is very much like what happened to Sergei when he transformed, supporting both a connection between the two, and a common mutation tendency in out-of-control t-Humans. As a monster, Mary was gigantic. The whole breadth of her body was not seen, and it is unknown if she was even capable of movement. She had four arms covered in giant claws, much like the fourth form of G-Birkin. Her voice devolved into deep roars, and it is unknown if she managed to retain her intelligence. Monster Mary's claws, deep voice, and increased size may have been related to the Tyrant mutation. It may also have been influenced by random mutation, or even Mary's mindset or will.
Monster Mary was killed by a single shot from a rocket launcher blast, showing that even after mutating her vitality was not as great as that of other superhumans.
- She used her bracelet to take a massive overdose of the Virus. This dose was too much for her body to adapt to, and the rapid mutations caused her cellular integrity to break down, resulting in random and dramatic changes.
- Mary infected herself with the t-Howard Virus, and her own virus in conjunction with the improved strain caused an extreme reaction in her body.
- She triggered her mutation in the same way that Sergei did.
When Mary began to transform, she first developed many tentacles, which wrapped around her body. This is very much like what happened to Sergei when he transformed, supporting both a connection between the two, and a common mutation tendency in out-of-control t-Humans. As a monster, Mary was gigantic. The whole breadth of her body was not seen, and it is unknown if she was even capable of movement. She had four arms covered in giant claws, much like the fourth form of G-Birkin. Her voice devolved into deep roars, and it is unknown if she managed to retain her intelligence. Monster Mary's claws, deep voice, and increased size may have been related to the Tyrant mutation. It may also have been influenced by random mutation, or even Mary's mindset or will.
Monster Mary was killed by a single shot from a rocket launcher blast, showing that even after mutating her vitality was not as great as that of other superhumans.
BIOHAZARD THE STAGE screenshots
The last five creatures do not fit into any of the above categories, and so have been lumped here together. All of them were created under extenuating circumstances, which led to each of them developing an entirely unique nature.
Undertaker
Umbrella used special paramilitary units such as the U.B.C.S. (Umbrella Biohazard Containment Service) and U.S.S. (Umbrella Secret Service) to deal with uncontrollable viral outbreaks. These soldiers suffered heavy losses, and betrayal of company secrets was a very real threat. In late 1998, following the destruction of the entirety of the U.B.C.S. during the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, Umbrella developed a new B.O.W. that was specifically designed to clean up outbreak zones without leaving evidence of Umbrella's involvement. These "artificial biological forces" were officially called "Under Takers" (or "Undertakers", or "UnderTakers"), or "UT" for short. As t-Virus outbreaks became graveyards in a sense, inhabited by the living dead, "Under Taker" was an apt name for those chosen to dispose of the "corpses". They were also known as the "Trashsweepers" or "Cleaners" of Umbrella, in token of their role. A unit of these creatures was sent to clean up the outbreak at Sheena Island as a part of an operation or order called "CODE:Blanket", and it is unknown if UTs were used again.
Umbrella used special paramilitary units such as the U.B.C.S. (Umbrella Biohazard Containment Service) and U.S.S. (Umbrella Secret Service) to deal with uncontrollable viral outbreaks. These soldiers suffered heavy losses, and betrayal of company secrets was a very real threat. In late 1998, following the destruction of the entirety of the U.B.C.S. during the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, Umbrella developed a new B.O.W. that was specifically designed to clean up outbreak zones without leaving evidence of Umbrella's involvement. These "artificial biological forces" were officially called "Under Takers" (or "Undertakers", or "UnderTakers"), or "UT" for short. As t-Virus outbreaks became graveyards in a sense, inhabited by the living dead, "Under Taker" was an apt name for those chosen to dispose of the "corpses". They were also known as the "Trashsweepers" or "Cleaners" of Umbrella, in token of their role. A unit of these creatures was sent to clean up the outbreak at Sheena Island as a part of an operation or order called "CODE:Blanket", and it is unknown if UTs were used again.
Under Takers were humanoid, and almost certainly human-based. Their posture and movements were more suggestive of apes, however, suggesting that they had devolved in some sense (perhaps an intentional development by Umbrella to make them more compliant). They made inhuman, almost feline-like growls and screeches. Their bodies were slightly larger than those of humans, although they usually appeared to be shorter due to their stooped posture. Their forearms were disproportionately long, and their torsos were abnormally wide while their limbs were thin. While they were depicted as having green blood, the game in which they appear (Gun Survivor) changed the blood of human-like enemies to green for censorship reasons, and so the impact this has on their backstory is debatably minimal.
UTs would completely dissolve when they died, leaving behind only smoke. This was either the result of something in their suits, or of biological modifications made to their bodies. The reason for this was to ensure that killed UTs did not leave any evidence of Umbrella's involvement behind. Corrosive chemicals in their bodies may have been unleashed from some organ upon death, or internal acids like digestive fluids may have increased in potency as they were damage to the point of being harmful. These chemicals could even be related to UT blood being green.
Any other biological differences from humans were imperceptible, due to them being completely covered from head to toe by matching, jet-black combat armor and gas masks ("anti-poison masks"), much like those worn by the U.S.S. While this armor may have offered some protection for the Undertakers, it also concealed any inhuman attributes they may have possessed, making them almost passible as humans. They were given MP5 submachine guns with laser sights and night-vision scopes.
Under Takers were unique in that they were B.O.W.s designed to not only kill survivors like Hunters were, but to destroy other B.O.W.s. They were created with intelligence and expendability in mind, with no effort being made to achieve the other aspects usually desired in a bio-organic weapon. This combined with the fact they were not meant to survive their missions meant that Under Takers were relatively fragile. They seemed to have no more vitality than a normal human being and could be killed by one or two hits from small-caliber handgun bullets. This was offset by them being cheap to produce. Their level of physical strength is unknown, although they were quick and agile.
Under Taker intelligence was extremely high, to the point that they were smarter than Hunters. Their intellect seemed to be somewhere between that of a human and that of an ape, reaching the ideal level for making them compliant to training. They could understand human speech, but they either could not speak themselves or had no interest in doing so. Of all of Umbrella's B.O.W.s, they were the only ones aside from Tyrants capable of using firearms. While they were able to aim their weapons and shoot, their accuracy was poor, and so they were given automatic weapons that could cover an area in bullets in a short amount of time. UTs would often resort to running directly at targets and hitting them with their guns instead of shooting them, revealing their bestial nature. They seemed to lack any sense of self-preservation, making them less crafty but more ferocious and loyal. They also had no qualms about eliminating women and children in outbreak zones, something human soldiers might object to.
When being brought to their mission location via helicopters, Under Takers would be connected to a device inside the aircrafts by long, thin cables. These cables would extend into the UTs' heads and send data into either their helmets or their brains themselves. UTs did this in order to make "final adjustments" and to study their mission. When this happened UTs would be totally and completely still, with all of their attention fixated upon the data. The LED lights on their goggles would occasionally flicker while they were in this state, which could imply that Under Taker gas masks were equipped with a HUD, like the visors used to feed Ivan Tyrants orders. If data was sent directly into UT brains, the mechanism by which it worked could also be related to that used on the T-0400TP. By using electronic devices to relay commands, traditional training may have been unnecessary when raising UTs, which would make mass production easier and faster.
Each Under Taker unit has a single human handler or "commander", who they were programmed to obey. This ensured mission thoroughness and allowed the handler to accomplish more delicate objectives while the UTs did the heavy lifting. A UT Commander wore the same uniform as the UTs, but with red goggles instead of green ones.
A UT unit would be deployed to an outbreak zone with a "hazard degree" class of A+ by rappelling down from helicopters along with the handler. Their primary objective consisted of two phases: to kill witnesses, and then destroy the environment, the latter of which was usually accomplished by the handler activating an Umbrella facility's self-destruct sequence. After the area was completely cleared out, UTs would "self-destruct" in accordance with their programming, leaving only the handler to be evacuated. How this self-destruction was accomplished is unknown - it is most likely that either their internal acids dissolved them live, or they shot themselves.
UTs would completely dissolve when they died, leaving behind only smoke. This was either the result of something in their suits, or of biological modifications made to their bodies. The reason for this was to ensure that killed UTs did not leave any evidence of Umbrella's involvement behind. Corrosive chemicals in their bodies may have been unleashed from some organ upon death, or internal acids like digestive fluids may have increased in potency as they were damage to the point of being harmful. These chemicals could even be related to UT blood being green.
Any other biological differences from humans were imperceptible, due to them being completely covered from head to toe by matching, jet-black combat armor and gas masks ("anti-poison masks"), much like those worn by the U.S.S. While this armor may have offered some protection for the Undertakers, it also concealed any inhuman attributes they may have possessed, making them almost passible as humans. They were given MP5 submachine guns with laser sights and night-vision scopes.
Under Takers were unique in that they were B.O.W.s designed to not only kill survivors like Hunters were, but to destroy other B.O.W.s. They were created with intelligence and expendability in mind, with no effort being made to achieve the other aspects usually desired in a bio-organic weapon. This combined with the fact they were not meant to survive their missions meant that Under Takers were relatively fragile. They seemed to have no more vitality than a normal human being and could be killed by one or two hits from small-caliber handgun bullets. This was offset by them being cheap to produce. Their level of physical strength is unknown, although they were quick and agile.
Under Taker intelligence was extremely high, to the point that they were smarter than Hunters. Their intellect seemed to be somewhere between that of a human and that of an ape, reaching the ideal level for making them compliant to training. They could understand human speech, but they either could not speak themselves or had no interest in doing so. Of all of Umbrella's B.O.W.s, they were the only ones aside from Tyrants capable of using firearms. While they were able to aim their weapons and shoot, their accuracy was poor, and so they were given automatic weapons that could cover an area in bullets in a short amount of time. UTs would often resort to running directly at targets and hitting them with their guns instead of shooting them, revealing their bestial nature. They seemed to lack any sense of self-preservation, making them less crafty but more ferocious and loyal. They also had no qualms about eliminating women and children in outbreak zones, something human soldiers might object to.
When being brought to their mission location via helicopters, Under Takers would be connected to a device inside the aircrafts by long, thin cables. These cables would extend into the UTs' heads and send data into either their helmets or their brains themselves. UTs did this in order to make "final adjustments" and to study their mission. When this happened UTs would be totally and completely still, with all of their attention fixated upon the data. The LED lights on their goggles would occasionally flicker while they were in this state, which could imply that Under Taker gas masks were equipped with a HUD, like the visors used to feed Ivan Tyrants orders. If data was sent directly into UT brains, the mechanism by which it worked could also be related to that used on the T-0400TP. By using electronic devices to relay commands, traditional training may have been unnecessary when raising UTs, which would make mass production easier and faster.
Each Under Taker unit has a single human handler or "commander", who they were programmed to obey. This ensured mission thoroughness and allowed the handler to accomplish more delicate objectives while the UTs did the heavy lifting. A UT Commander wore the same uniform as the UTs, but with red goggles instead of green ones.
A UT unit would be deployed to an outbreak zone with a "hazard degree" class of A+ by rappelling down from helicopters along with the handler. Their primary objective consisted of two phases: to kill witnesses, and then destroy the environment, the latter of which was usually accomplished by the handler activating an Umbrella facility's self-destruct sequence. After the area was completely cleared out, UTs would "self-destruct" in accordance with their programming, leaving only the handler to be evacuated. How this self-destruction was accomplished is unknown - it is most likely that either their internal acids dissolved them live, or they shot themselves.
How UTs were created is a mystery - all that is known for certain is that they were "artificial beings". While they were most likely t-Virus-made mutants, how they were able to avoid the brain damage typical in human hosts is unknown. It is possible that their creation was only possible thanks to the development team using knowledge learned from Tyrant development that same year. Other, more specific explanations would be:
How UTs were created is a mystery - all that is known for certain is that they were "artificial beings". While they were most likely t-Virus-made mutants, how they were able to avoid the brain damage typical in human hosts is unknown. It is possible that their creation was only possible thanks to the development team using knowledge learned from Tyrant development that same year. Other, more specific explanations would be:
- That they were created by modifying human clones at the embryonic stage with the t-Virus, which was noted much earlier by James Marcus to be an effective way to minimize brain damage in animals to some extent.
- That UTs were not actually infected with the t-Virus in the typical sense - rather, they may have had select genes which were altered using the virus, without actually having the virus spread throughout their bodies and infect brain cells. This could potentially explain their weakness as B.O.W.s.
- That UTs were actually based on apes or monkeys, explaining their behavior and mannerisms. Eliminators, which were monkeys infected with the t-Virus decades earlier, experienced an increase in intelligence, and research on them resumed following their use by the Queen Leech earlier that same year. It may be that, by using more advanced t-Virus strains, technology, and know-how, Umbrella increased the intelligence of similar animals to the point that they could use weapons and understand speech.
- That they may have actually been genetic hybrids, created by fusing monkey or ape genes with a human host.
As Under Takers were more fragile than other humanoid B.O.W.s like Zombies and Tyrants, their potential as B.O.W.s outside their intended use was low. Creatures such as Hunters were greater at anti-human combat, Tyrants were more versatile and marketable as super soldiers, and even human soldiers would be more effective in actual combat due to their self-preservation instincts and ability to adapt. As a result of their distorted appearance and bestial behavior, Under Takers were also limited in their ability to blend in with normal humans. Despite all this, Under Takers were by no means faulty or impractical - their biological state and abilities were perfect for their intended role, which was being a "disposable evidence destruction unit", sent on top-secret missions to conceal Umbrella's activities. They were "lives created to die". They were cheap to clone, with none of the risks of attention associated with using actual humans. While they lacked impressive combat abilities, they could still overwhelm other B.O.W.s and human survivors with their numbers and ability to use firearms.
Besides being tools for Umbrella itself, Under Takers could also potentially be used as a companion product with the Hunter and the t-Virus itself: the virus could be used to plunge enemy territory into chaos, the Hunter would track down survivors, then Under Takers could clean up the mess, leaving the infrastructure intact but wiping out all life.
Besides being tools for Umbrella itself, Under Takers could also potentially be used as a companion product with the Hunter and the t-Virus itself: the virus could be used to plunge enemy territory into chaos, the Hunter would track down survivors, then Under Takers could clean up the mess, leaving the infrastructure intact but wiping out all life.
Pluto
It was well known by Umbrella that the t-Virus caused hosts to develop enhanced hearing, especially when they also suffered ocular damage (best seen in the Zombie, Licker, and Lurker). But the exact nature and extent of these enhancements was poorly understood. An experiment was planned by Umbrella to test this phenomenon, by blinding a human host to the t-Virus and testing how ti reacted to non-visual stimuli. This planned experiment was finally put into practice in 1996. A death row inmate who was supposed to be used for pharmaceutical testing that would ostensibly contribute to medical developments was chosen as a test subject, and was nicknamed "Test Subject α". This experiment supposedly took place at the same facility that was overseen by Morpheus Duvall. "α" was left in the facility for a month before the experiment actually began.
α was subjected to extensive and cruel experiments, beginning on September 26 with the slicing open of the top of his skull. The researchers drove a metal bar into the frontal lobe of α's exposed brain. This lobotomy was likely performed in order to make the frightened prisoner more compliant. They also extinguished α's sense of pain for "humanitarian intent". This is uncharacteristic of Umbrella, although it may have been done by researchers with relatively higher morals or for ulterior reasons. The researchers did not cover up α's brain afterwards, so that they could continue to repeatedly perform "treatments" to it. They may have possibly also wanted direct access to the auditory and visual processing centers of the brain, so that they could observe how they developed or devolved when his sight was removed.
On the fourth day of the experiment (September 29), α's eyeballs were finally excised. He was at some point after this injected with several variant strains of the t-Virus along with anabolic steroids. The purpose of the steroids was likely to strengthen his body to survive infection with the viruses, just like how Tyrant hosts underwent body strengthening surgeries to survive mutation. This raises the question of whether or not the mutations seen in this subject were related to the Tyrant mutation, although the fact multiple variant strains were used, and that the first Tyrant had not yet been created makes it impossible to say for sure. As a side effect of the viruses and steroids, the subject's muscle mass, weight, and aggression increased, which was noted by the 14th day of the experiment (October 9th). To combat this, the researchers likely removed his genitals to limit testosterone output, and placed "restriction implements" on him.
As expected, α's hearing was greatly enhanced, which was recognized by the 36th day of the experiment (Halloween, October 31st). While normal blind humans learn to compensate for the loss of sight with their other senses, the virus causes compensating mutations that result in literal enhancements to how the host perceives sound.
On the 41st day of the experiment (November 5th), α's strength reached a higher level than was anticipated, and his behavior became more brutal as a result of the steroids and brain treatments. He became uncontrollable and was meant to be disposed of, but he broke free from his restraints, killed five researchers, and escaped, leading to the experiment being cancelled. Umbrella failed to recapture him and eventually abandoned the facility due to the mismanagement of Morpheus causing other biohazard containment failures. He roamed the facilty for over five years. In 2002, he was evaded by Fong Ling and then killed by Bruce McGivern.
α was subjected to extensive and cruel experiments, beginning on September 26 with the slicing open of the top of his skull. The researchers drove a metal bar into the frontal lobe of α's exposed brain. This lobotomy was likely performed in order to make the frightened prisoner more compliant. They also extinguished α's sense of pain for "humanitarian intent". This is uncharacteristic of Umbrella, although it may have been done by researchers with relatively higher morals or for ulterior reasons. The researchers did not cover up α's brain afterwards, so that they could continue to repeatedly perform "treatments" to it. They may have possibly also wanted direct access to the auditory and visual processing centers of the brain, so that they could observe how they developed or devolved when his sight was removed.
On the fourth day of the experiment (September 29), α's eyeballs were finally excised. He was at some point after this injected with several variant strains of the t-Virus along with anabolic steroids. The purpose of the steroids was likely to strengthen his body to survive infection with the viruses, just like how Tyrant hosts underwent body strengthening surgeries to survive mutation. This raises the question of whether or not the mutations seen in this subject were related to the Tyrant mutation, although the fact multiple variant strains were used, and that the first Tyrant had not yet been created makes it impossible to say for sure. As a side effect of the viruses and steroids, the subject's muscle mass, weight, and aggression increased, which was noted by the 14th day of the experiment (October 9th). To combat this, the researchers likely removed his genitals to limit testosterone output, and placed "restriction implements" on him.
As expected, α's hearing was greatly enhanced, which was recognized by the 36th day of the experiment (Halloween, October 31st). While normal blind humans learn to compensate for the loss of sight with their other senses, the virus causes compensating mutations that result in literal enhancements to how the host perceives sound.
On the 41st day of the experiment (November 5th), α's strength reached a higher level than was anticipated, and his behavior became more brutal as a result of the steroids and brain treatments. He became uncontrollable and was meant to be disposed of, but he broke free from his restraints, killed five researchers, and escaped, leading to the experiment being cancelled. Umbrella failed to recapture him and eventually abandoned the facility due to the mismanagement of Morpheus causing other biohazard containment failures. He roamed the facilty for over five years. In 2002, he was evaded by Fong Ling and then killed by Bruce McGivern.
As a monster, α was named "Pluto" by Umbrella. Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the ruler of the underworld. It is derived from "Plouton", one of the alternate titles of the Greek god Hades. α was likely given this name following his escape, with the fear he created earning him his grim name. In contrast to this, Pluto was also nicknamed "Chubby", "Meatball", and "Fatty".
Pluto was much taller than a human, and had a massive body due to the steroids and viruses he was given. He had incredible strength thanks to the development of abnormal muscle fibers. His weight increased to a high degree as a result of these treatments as well, and his body resembled that of a morbidly-obese man. This could either mean that he developed large layers of fat, or that he developed new muscles that grew to such an extent that they covered his body as if they were fat. This "fat" absorbed most damage from firearms or explosives, making Pluto extremely difficult to kill.
Pluto's left hand was heavily mutated, and was much larger than his right hand. He still possessed five digits, but they no longer resembled fingers and a thumb. Each of his long, wide fingers appeared almost flattened in appearance. The palm of his hand had an opening in the center which appeared to have "teeth" - it's possible that Pluto's hand had actually mutated into a form of mouth, which he may have used to feed. Pluto's diet was unrevealed, although he may have fed on other escaped B.O.W.s.
Because of the strength of his leg muscles, Pluto's size and weight belied his mobility - he could quickly sprint towards targets or leap into and through the air across incredible distances. Pluto used this surprising agility in combination with his weight to rush towards prey and pounce at them, with the sheer mass of his body crushing them. He would also simply drop onto victims standing directly in front of him from a still position, and use his tree-trunk-like left hand as a deadly weapon.
Pluto used his advanced hearing to navigate through and hunt in pitch darkness. He could precisely identify the exact direction and distance of even small sounds, allowing him to accurately turn corners and pursue his victims. He would ordinarily move around slowly, only running when he detected prey. He made low groaning and excited mumbling noises.
Despite his enhanced aggressiveness, Pluto's behavior towards Bruce McGivern (and possibly towards others) was not violent, but playful. His pursuit of Bruce and attacks against him only served, in Pluto's mind, as a means to catch what he considered a play-thing, like a kitten. If Bruce was weakened and unable to defend himself any longer, Pluto would grab him in his arms and cuddle against his body, as if he was "nursing a baby". This fatal "attack" was a "bone-crushing hug". Pluto still attempted to "play" with Bruce after he repeatedly shot at him, due to him losing any sense of pain from Umbrella's experiments.
While Pluto's tissue absorbed most damage, he had two weaknesses. The first was that his blindness meant that an enemy could sneak up on him and attack using silenced weapons without attracting attention, especially since he lacked any sensation of pain. His second was that his brain was exposed, leaving a fatal weakness on his otherwise tough body. When Bruce damaged Pluto's brain, the stitching holding it in place came loose. His brain fell and hung from his skull, with only a strand attached to the brain stem keeping it attached. At this point Pluto was left in an almost brain-dead state, walking forward slowly with his arms outstretched before he died.
Hilda
Credit ReenHearst for editing images
South American crime syndicate leader Javier Hidalgo had a wife named Hilda and a daughter named Manuela, whom he loved fiercely. Hilda was diagnosed with an unknown, fatal, disease native to the region that caused tumors to grow throughout her body. Javier, desperate, recruited a man involved with the Ashford family, a family of executives in the Umbrella Corporation, to help treat her. The man brought information on virotherapy, along with the t-Virus. On February 25 of 1991, Hilda was injected with the t-Virus. Her treatment involved her being repeatedly injected with the t-Virus over time, similar to Mary Grey's treatment. It may be that her treatment also involved the use of antiviral drugs. By injecting Hilda with the virus her cells would begin to be rewritten and strengthened; then by curing or halting the spread of the virus immediately afterwards with drugs, the virus would not be able to mutate her beyond a certain point, avoiding Zombification and necrosis. This process could then be repeated until her cells were strong enough to restore her to a healthy state.
Hilda's condition improved for two months as a result of her treatments, with her stamina restored to a considerable degree and the tumors in her body disappearing. However, she was left in a comatose state, which was suspected to be a side-effect of the t-Virus. By May 11, Javier became panicked due to Hilda not regaining consciousness, despite the fact her vitality rose to the point that she had "surpassed the life-force of a human". Javier could not stop the injections, as doing so would cause her vitality to drop again - but if he kept injecting her, she would not regain consciousness. Javier continued the treatments while holding out hope of acquiring the t-Veronica Virus, which he heard was more "perfect".
By May 20, Hilda was implied to awaken, but at this point her condition had reached a point where Javier questioned if she could even be called "alive". While she avoided general necrosis, the constant changes to her cells caused her to lose her human form and begin to experience dramatic mutations. She also began to lose her memories, either as a side-effect of her transformation or as a result of the t-Virus eroding brain cells. On June 14, Javier decided that even though Hilda's form had changed to the point that could no longer be considered human, with no semblance of her former self, protecting what life she did have was of the utmost importance. She could no longer be seen by others, and so he placed her in a special room. She was left here for 11 years, and was fed humans that apposed Javier. In the meantime, Javier told their daughter Manuela that he took her mother to paradise.
In 2002, Manuela ran away after discovering that her own illness was treated with the t-Veronica Virus. Javier, enraged, unleashed many of his B.O.W.s purchased from Umbrella and their rival corporation into the surrounding region, including the giant monster Hilda had become, to pursue her. Hilda devoured many people from beneath the water of the flooded Mixcôatl village, and confronted US operatives Leon Kennedy and Jack Krauser after killing their guide. She was killed during a second encounter with the duo at Javier's residence.
Hilda's condition improved for two months as a result of her treatments, with her stamina restored to a considerable degree and the tumors in her body disappearing. However, she was left in a comatose state, which was suspected to be a side-effect of the t-Virus. By May 11, Javier became panicked due to Hilda not regaining consciousness, despite the fact her vitality rose to the point that she had "surpassed the life-force of a human". Javier could not stop the injections, as doing so would cause her vitality to drop again - but if he kept injecting her, she would not regain consciousness. Javier continued the treatments while holding out hope of acquiring the t-Veronica Virus, which he heard was more "perfect".
By May 20, Hilda was implied to awaken, but at this point her condition had reached a point where Javier questioned if she could even be called "alive". While she avoided general necrosis, the constant changes to her cells caused her to lose her human form and begin to experience dramatic mutations. She also began to lose her memories, either as a side-effect of her transformation or as a result of the t-Virus eroding brain cells. On June 14, Javier decided that even though Hilda's form had changed to the point that could no longer be considered human, with no semblance of her former self, protecting what life she did have was of the utmost importance. She could no longer be seen by others, and so he placed her in a special room. She was left here for 11 years, and was fed humans that apposed Javier. In the meantime, Javier told their daughter Manuela that he took her mother to paradise.
In 2002, Manuela ran away after discovering that her own illness was treated with the t-Veronica Virus. Javier, enraged, unleashed many of his B.O.W.s purchased from Umbrella and their rival corporation into the surrounding region, including the giant monster Hilda had become, to pursue her. Hilda devoured many people from beneath the water of the flooded Mixcôatl village, and confronted US operatives Leon Kennedy and Jack Krauser after killing their guide. She was killed during a second encounter with the duo at Javier's residence.
The monster that was once Hilda Hidalgo was only known as "Hilda". Hilda appeared to be an amphibious creature with traits reminiscent of various Amazonian creatures. This could be a coincidence, or an adaptive mutation in response to her environment. The Progenitor Virus created all life on Earth, so a virus derived from it being capable of turning a mammal into an amphibian is entirely possible, especially if said mutation is in response to environmental factors. She was gigantic in size.
Hilda's head and body fused into a long, sleek body that made her an excellent swimmer. The remains of her skull developed mandibles and glowing, red, reptilian eyes (a Progenitor Virus symptom). The right side of her skull was raised above the left, making her “face” become non-symmetrical. Hilda's arms were replaced with tentacles capable of rapid movement. Her webbed feet and shiny, smooth skin were reminiscent of an amphibian, and she even developed a tail capable of shooting giant barbs. These barbs were coated in poison, and were used to cripple Krauser's arm. On the top of her head/body, part of Hilda's brain was exposed, and both it and her face were covered by two translucent, protective domes. Hilda's skin and eyes changed color depending on her mood: when extremely angered, she became orange and red. When calmed, she turned blue. She was also blue while swimming in order to camouflage her body.
Hilda's tough skin was highly resistant to gunfire, making her almost impossible to kill unless one exploited her exposed brain (although her face/skull and the skin on her tentacles were also softer). Her speed on both land and in water were impressive thanks to her strong legs, and she could jump several meters into the air. Her size along with the effects of the t-Virus made her develop an insatiable appetite for large animals, like humans, causing her to constantly search for prey. She was cautious and stealthy, and would hide underwater and use her tentacles to grab unaware victims from below, dragging them underwater and then devouring them. In combat, she used her tentacles as whips to attack prey at close-proximity, and the barbs from her tail to attack prey at long-range, weakening them with her poison in the process. She was also apparently capable of spewing heavily-damaging poison from her mouth. She even possessed enough intelligence to throw rocks from underwater at potential threats.
Despite her heavily altered appearance, loss of reason and intelligence, and appetite-driven behavior, Hilda retained some faint memories and personality from her former life, as well as some human emotion. While she was highly aggressive, Hilda could be calmed by the sound of her daughter's voice, particularly when Manuela sung a lullaby Hilda used to sing to her in the past. Hilda also would not attack her husband, Javier, and reacted to and followed his words despite not understanding human speech, making her an effective bioweapon in his hands. She lacked any humanity in the presence of anyone apart from her family.
During her first fight with Leon and Krauser at the Mixcôatl church, the men caused a church bell to fall on top of Hilda, destroying both of her protective domes. As a result, her brain and face were left exposed as weak-points during their second fight at Javier's mansion (with her appearance here referred to as "Hilda 2nd Form", or "Second Form Hilda"). Despite this, her behavior was more aggressive and varied at this time and her brain could only be hit by guns from an elevated position. Leon and Krauser took advantage of this weakness to kill Hilda. Before dying, her eyes reverted to their original brown form and shed a tear, causing Manuela to recognize her.
Hilda's head and body fused into a long, sleek body that made her an excellent swimmer. The remains of her skull developed mandibles and glowing, red, reptilian eyes (a Progenitor Virus symptom). The right side of her skull was raised above the left, making her “face” become non-symmetrical. Hilda's arms were replaced with tentacles capable of rapid movement. Her webbed feet and shiny, smooth skin were reminiscent of an amphibian, and she even developed a tail capable of shooting giant barbs. These barbs were coated in poison, and were used to cripple Krauser's arm. On the top of her head/body, part of Hilda's brain was exposed, and both it and her face were covered by two translucent, protective domes. Hilda's skin and eyes changed color depending on her mood: when extremely angered, she became orange and red. When calmed, she turned blue. She was also blue while swimming in order to camouflage her body.
Hilda's tough skin was highly resistant to gunfire, making her almost impossible to kill unless one exploited her exposed brain (although her face/skull and the skin on her tentacles were also softer). Her speed on both land and in water were impressive thanks to her strong legs, and she could jump several meters into the air. Her size along with the effects of the t-Virus made her develop an insatiable appetite for large animals, like humans, causing her to constantly search for prey. She was cautious and stealthy, and would hide underwater and use her tentacles to grab unaware victims from below, dragging them underwater and then devouring them. In combat, she used her tentacles as whips to attack prey at close-proximity, and the barbs from her tail to attack prey at long-range, weakening them with her poison in the process. She was also apparently capable of spewing heavily-damaging poison from her mouth. She even possessed enough intelligence to throw rocks from underwater at potential threats.
Despite her heavily altered appearance, loss of reason and intelligence, and appetite-driven behavior, Hilda retained some faint memories and personality from her former life, as well as some human emotion. While she was highly aggressive, Hilda could be calmed by the sound of her daughter's voice, particularly when Manuela sung a lullaby Hilda used to sing to her in the past. Hilda also would not attack her husband, Javier, and reacted to and followed his words despite not understanding human speech, making her an effective bioweapon in his hands. She lacked any humanity in the presence of anyone apart from her family.
During her first fight with Leon and Krauser at the Mixcôatl church, the men caused a church bell to fall on top of Hilda, destroying both of her protective domes. As a result, her brain and face were left exposed as weak-points during their second fight at Javier's mansion (with her appearance here referred to as "Hilda 2nd Form", or "Second Form Hilda"). Despite this, her behavior was more aggressive and varied at this time and her brain could only be hit by guns from an elevated position. Leon and Krauser took advantage of this weakness to kill Hilda. Before dying, her eyes reverted to their original brown form and shed a tear, causing Manuela to recognize her.
Nyx
Nyx was a unique B.O.W. stored within a cargo container at a dock under the supervision of Tommy Nielsen in Raccoon City. Captain Rodriguez, commander of the 2nd USS squad, went rogue during his deployment during the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, and conspired with Linda Baldwin to steal Nyx and escape the city using a helicopter. Rodriguez and Baldwin apparently planned to use Nyx as evidence to help incriminate the Umbrella Corporation. To protect Umbrella's "confidentiality" and prevent the situation from going public, one B. Lowell ordered Nielsen to recover Nyx and kill Rodriguez, under sever threats. Nielsen took a group of U.B.C.S. led by a man named Arnold to stop Nyx from being taken out of the city, but Nyx escaped confinement as a result of Nielson firing a rocket at the helicopter. Nyx devoured the U.B.C.S. group along with the Tyrant R, and transformed into a bizarre amalgamation as a result. It was destroyed by a group of civilian survivors who damaged its vital organ.
Nyx was named after the Greek goddess of night, a primordial entity born from Chaos that lived in Tartarus. Nyx was feared even by Zeus, and incidentally was also the mother of Nemesis, Hypnos and Thanatos. Fitting its shadowy namesake, Nyx is the most mysterious creature in the entire series. All that is known for certain is that Umbrella was responsible for it. The base organism used and its purpose are completely unknown. Despite being in this analysis, it is not even known if it was created by the t-Virus. It was supremely powerful and impossible to control, and so was normally kept sealed in a container made of a special alloy.
Nyx's default form was that of a fleshy blob with no discernable shape or form, besides being covered in many tentacles and having a vital organ at its core. Its countless tentacles were thin, extremely long, and capable of piercing body armor and flesh. Nyx consumed organic matter by pulling it inwards using its tentacles, followed by absorbing it into its skin
Nyx developed a humanoid shape after consuming humans, suggesting it was able to incorporate the biology of its food into its own body. It could do this not only with humans, but "living creatures" in general. In its humanoid form it stood on three legs (with one of these legs growing from the side of its right leg), and had a single arm and head. The head lacked any sensory organs such as eyes, and it is unknown how Nyx was capable of detecting prey. Despite not having a mouth or nose, it was capable of producing roaring and screeching sounds. The skin of Nyx's humanoid form became vaguely human-like, and was covered in wart-like bumps and large blood vessels. Its body was generally solid in this form, but it could bend and move its body in ways that suggested it was only partially so. Nyx could retract its limbs in order to turn around, and bend backwards in order to crawl on all of its limbs (moving much faster this way). Nyx only retained two of its tentacles in this form, which extended from its back. It had human buttocks as well.
The arm of Nyx ended in a mass of human body parts. The arm was essentially unfinished, as it did not fully convert the tissue of its food into Nyx tissue yet. It is possible that Nyx intentionally did not absorb this tissue fully, so as to save the biomass for when it was damaged and needed to regenerate. It used the mass of body parts like a club, and could absorb living humans by grabbing them with its “hand”. The Tyrant R Nyx devoured also extended from its side, and twitched and thrashed, unable to free itself.
Nyx seemed to contain digestive fluids used to quickly break down organic material. When Nyx was ruptured, this acid poured from its body, alongside the remains of undigested humans. These corpses were still emitting steam, burning from the acid. While potent, this acid was not immediately lethal, or at least did not immediately reach its food, as some survivors were absorbed into its mass only to be rescued before it managed to digest them.
While the body of Nyx was seemingly impervious to both gunfire and explosions (or it simply regenerated tissue rapidly), its central organ was not. This organ was usually protected by a layer of flesh. Despite being nearly indestructible, Nyx reacted to pain, and could be dropped to its knees. While in a stunned sate, its central flesh would recede and its organ would be visible. It is possible that this receding was a pain response, or that the flesh was damaged as a result of being shot at. Regardless, after a short period of time the flesh would regenerate and cover the organ again, making the window of time in which it was vulnerable small. Once its organ was damaged beyond a certain point, it lost all color and turned black, and the surrounding tissue burst as Nyx died.
Nyx developed a humanoid shape after consuming humans, suggesting it was able to incorporate the biology of its food into its own body. It could do this not only with humans, but "living creatures" in general. In its humanoid form it stood on three legs (with one of these legs growing from the side of its right leg), and had a single arm and head. The head lacked any sensory organs such as eyes, and it is unknown how Nyx was capable of detecting prey. Despite not having a mouth or nose, it was capable of producing roaring and screeching sounds. The skin of Nyx's humanoid form became vaguely human-like, and was covered in wart-like bumps and large blood vessels. Its body was generally solid in this form, but it could bend and move its body in ways that suggested it was only partially so. Nyx could retract its limbs in order to turn around, and bend backwards in order to crawl on all of its limbs (moving much faster this way). Nyx only retained two of its tentacles in this form, which extended from its back. It had human buttocks as well.
The arm of Nyx ended in a mass of human body parts. The arm was essentially unfinished, as it did not fully convert the tissue of its food into Nyx tissue yet. It is possible that Nyx intentionally did not absorb this tissue fully, so as to save the biomass for when it was damaged and needed to regenerate. It used the mass of body parts like a club, and could absorb living humans by grabbing them with its “hand”. The Tyrant R Nyx devoured also extended from its side, and twitched and thrashed, unable to free itself.
Nyx seemed to contain digestive fluids used to quickly break down organic material. When Nyx was ruptured, this acid poured from its body, alongside the remains of undigested humans. These corpses were still emitting steam, burning from the acid. While potent, this acid was not immediately lethal, or at least did not immediately reach its food, as some survivors were absorbed into its mass only to be rescued before it managed to digest them.
While the body of Nyx was seemingly impervious to both gunfire and explosions (or it simply regenerated tissue rapidly), its central organ was not. This organ was usually protected by a layer of flesh. Despite being nearly indestructible, Nyx reacted to pain, and could be dropped to its knees. While in a stunned sate, its central flesh would recede and its organ would be visible. It is possible that this receding was a pain response, or that the flesh was damaged as a result of being shot at. Regardless, after a short period of time the flesh would regenerate and cover the organ again, making the window of time in which it was vulnerable small. Once its organ was damaged beyond a certain point, it lost all color and turned black, and the surrounding tissue burst as Nyx died.
Based on its overall appearance and many of its qualities, Nyx may have been the result of Umbrella performing experiments on an amoeba or a similar organism. The evidence to support this theory is significant:
If Nyx was indeed an amoeba, it would appear it was modified using the t-Virus, and as a result grew gigantic. Some forms of fungi actually spend part of their lifecycle as an amoeba, and grow into a macroscopic body. In this case however, instead of multiplying and forming more cells, the amoeba cell just grew into a gigantic form itself.
A couple of alternative theories as to the identity of Nyx, made by fans over the years:
- The vital organ at the center of Nyx greatly resembled the nucleus at the center of a single cell organism. Since a nucleus holds most of a cell’s genetic material and serves as the “brain”, this would explain why Nyx could only be harmed by destroying this organ. It is likely the “head” of humanoid Nyx served no particular function, as the center organ was its brain and it lacked sensory organs.
- The fleshy, shapeless mass that Nyx was comprised of prior to it gaining a humanoid form was reminiscent of amoebas, which lack a cell wall. Testate amoebas are a type that manage to create hard shells around their formless bodies using various found materials like grains of sand. The way Nyx uses found materials (namely, humans and the Tyrant R) in order to create a body for itself could be compared to the way an amoeba forms a shell. In this case, the humanoid body of Nyx could actually just be a covering, protecting and transporting the true body of Nyx. This is supported by the semi-solid state of humanoid Nyx, which when killed ruptures, causing the oozing body to pour out. The purpose of creating such a shell would be protection (most of the time its central organ was covered), mobility, and possibly even intelligence, if it developed human brain characteristics.
- The tentacles Nyx used to grab prey in its initial form also resembled the finger-like protrusions of an amoeba, and this resemblance is heavily supported by the fact amoebas use these “fingers” in much the same way – not just to move, but to grab food, including organic matter.
- One of Nyx’s attacks involved it shooting pieces of flesh from its back, which arced upwards and rained down on targets like mortar fire. These blobs could actually have been related to the way an amoeba reproduces – by dividing its body. These projectile blobs immediately dissolved upon hitting the ground, likely as a result of Nyx not splitting its nucleus, leaving its “offspring” brainless.
If Nyx was indeed an amoeba, it would appear it was modified using the t-Virus, and as a result grew gigantic. Some forms of fungi actually spend part of their lifecycle as an amoeba, and grow into a macroscopic body. In this case however, instead of multiplying and forming more cells, the amoeba cell just grew into a gigantic form itself.
A couple of alternative theories as to the identity of Nyx, made by fans over the years:
- It is a variant form of the Nemesis parasite. This is supported by its tentacles, growth, and tendency to devour Tyrants.
- It is a creature created from the G-Virus. This is supported by its similarities to the fifth form of G-Birkin, including the partially devoured body parts sticking out of it.
D.I.J.

D.I.J. was a rat that lived at Rockfort Island for a long time, until he escaped in December of 1998. Despite having the outward appearance of an ordinary rodent, D.I.J. had the intelligence of a human being. While he may not have been capable of speech, he was able to write his thoughts in a diary. D.I.J. was insightful with a knowledge of geography and Norse mythology. He had strong political opinions, and bemoaned the state of a world that was governed by power and money. His only weakness was his timid nature, causing him to flee when surprised, but this should not be mistaken for cowardice.
D.I.J. noted the imprisonment of Claire Redfield and attempted to aid her on numerous occasions. His small size and fast speed allowed him to work behind the scenes, and he somehow aided her during her fight with a Tyrant. He attempted to rescue Claire from Albert Wesker as well, but fortunately for Wesker, he left before the rodent was able to interfere. When D.I.J. noted the alarms signaling the imminent destruction of the island, he made his way to the transport hanger and boarded Claire's plane headed for Antarctica. Noting the South Pole outbreak that transformed the residents into Zombies and the extreme environmental conditions, D.I.J. parted from Claire and searched for something to help aid him in his escape. He eventually discovered Wesker's submarine and stowed away just before Wesker departed. His whereabouts after this are unknown, but there have been numerous rat sightings following 1998. Any one of these rats could have been D.I.J., further enveloping himself in important events.
D.I.J. noted the imprisonment of Claire Redfield and attempted to aid her on numerous occasions. His small size and fast speed allowed him to work behind the scenes, and he somehow aided her during her fight with a Tyrant. He attempted to rescue Claire from Albert Wesker as well, but fortunately for Wesker, he left before the rodent was able to interfere. When D.I.J. noted the alarms signaling the imminent destruction of the island, he made his way to the transport hanger and boarded Claire's plane headed for Antarctica. Noting the South Pole outbreak that transformed the residents into Zombies and the extreme environmental conditions, D.I.J. parted from Claire and searched for something to help aid him in his escape. He eventually discovered Wesker's submarine and stowed away just before Wesker departed. His whereabouts after this are unknown, but there have been numerous rat sightings following 1998. Any one of these rats could have been D.I.J., further enveloping himself in important events.
According to the Kaitai Shinsho Guide for Code:Veronica:
However, it doesn't seem like a rat would leave such a diary. There are two possible positions. Either the rat was given "something" (possibly preyed on?) and gained human-like intelligence, or a former human was given "something" and turned into a rat. Because Umbrella would have administered it, the "something" would be the T-Virus or a newly developed virus. We have yet to hear of the T-Virus enhancing intelligence, but it's more likely than the latter.
D.I.J. was most likely created as a result of an Umbrella experiment. The t-Virus has the ability to increase the intelligence of a host (despite the statement in the quote above claiming otherwise; at the time of the release of that guidebook, the t-Virus had not yet been shown to increase intelligence in any animals). The Ashford family was known to discover the element of the human brain that determines intelligence as well, which was used in the creation of Alexia. As rats are expendable test subjects with minimal risk when compared to humans, yet are relatively intelligent mammals, a rodent may have been chosen as the base for intelligent experiments for this reason. The goal of this experiment may have been to try and increase intelligence in creatures other than humans, or to better understand how these elements influence the brain. The results would potentially allow Umbrella to create more intelligent B.O.W.s.
While some have postulated that D.I.J. may stand for "Developer's Inside Joke", this is an objectively bad take and completely misses the point of the character. It is much more likely that D.I.J. represents "Damnatio, Immundus, Judicium", or "Condemnation, Unclean, Judgement". D.I.J. possessed the intellect and wit to understand human nature, yet as a rat he was not actually held back by such a nature. Therefore when he "judges" humanity he will find it "unclean" and worthy of "condemnation". D.I.J. may have been the means by which Oswell E. Spencer planned to wipe away the human race. The fact that the human race continues to survive despite D.I.J. escaping could means that D.I.J. actually deemed it worthy of living. However, a darker possibility exists: It may be that the rise of bioterror with the chaos it brought was actually perpetrated by D.I.J., who is merely prolonging the destruction of humanity as punishment for its avarice.
A number of countermeasures to both the t-Virus and the creatures created from it were invented over the years, both by those opposed to the use of B.O.W.s and by those who manufactured them.
Treatments and Preventatives
Several vaccines and other treatments were developed to combat t-Virus infection. As there are many strains of the t-Virus with different properties, no one cure or vaccine will reliably combat every strain, and the possibility of the virus evolving to circumvent known treatments is always a constant threat.
Several vaccines and other treatments were developed to combat t-Virus infection. As there are many strains of the t-Virus with different properties, no one cure or vaccine will reliably combat every strain, and the possibility of the virus evolving to circumvent known treatments is always a constant threat.
- Herbs - The Herbs that grew naturally in the Arklay Mountains region could temporarily boost the immune system to prevent low doses of the virus from spreading in the body. In the case of higher doses, or when the virus had already spread, it would only slow its spread and postpone the onset of deadly symptoms. Drugs synthesized using these Herbs, like Recovery Pills, retained this ability, and the Herb-derived Anti-Virus pills amplified this trait to a degree. Some of the survivors of the Raccoon City Destruction Incident managed to resist infection long enough to find a more permanent treatment using these Herbs and drugs. Afterwards, when the fear of bioterror became commonplace in the world, Herbs became a popular household item for this reason.
- Prototype Antibodies - Umbrella produced experimental antibodies that helped prevent infection with the t-Virus to a limited degree. Many employees of the company who worked in high-risk areas were given these antibodies, as were their paramilitary units sent into outbreak zones. These antibodies could be circumvented if "environmental infection" was severe enough, or by entirely new strains: the latter happened on one such occasion when the t-Virus mutated at the Incineration Disposal Plant P-12A, causing employees stationed there to become infected and turn into Zombies.
- t-Vaccine (Resident Evil 3) - The doctors at Raccoon General Hospital frantically sought to find a successful treatment to the t-Virus in the midst of the outbreak that ravaged Raccoon City. The "Medical Device Manuel", which was written by the head of Umbrella Medical Devices North America, was used for reference data. They succeeded at reaching the testing/preliminary stage for a working vaccine, but they all died due to the spread of the virus and the Leech Men stalking the halls before it could be put to use to save the city. Carlos Olivera used the Medical Device Manuel to pick up where they left off, and created a single vaccine sample using a prepared vaccine mixing agent, culture fluid, and a synthesizer machine provided by the Umbrella Corporation. Carlos administered this sample to Jill Valentine, who had been infected with the t-Virus by the Nemesis-T Type B.O.W. It was shown that the vaccine was capable of curing Valentine, although some dormant traces of the virus survived in her body for nearly a decade. This could indicate that the vaccine was not entirely successful, although the virus inside of Valentine was particularly potent due to chemicals secreted by the Nemesis Parasite, and she had been infected for a good deal of time. This vaccine was only ever used on Valentine, and was afterwards lost due to the detailed development data being destroyed by Nikolai Zinoviev, along with the hospital. Umbrella had the ability to create an identical vaccine due to it being based on their own know-how in the first place, but they didn't mass-produce it or distribute it to civilians during the outbreak due to their priorities being to destroy evidence, not to save lives.
- KT-W-0002 - In Resident Evil 3 Reimagined, the vaccine used to treat Jill Valentine was depicted as a serum called "KT-W-0002". In this depiction, the vaccine was instead developed by the Umbrella Corporation. Dr. Nathanial Bard developed KT-W-0002 at NEST2, a facility underneath Spencer Memorial Hospital. The base for the vaccine was created using a t-Virus antigen (to produce an immune response in users) and an adjuvant (to increase the effects of such a response, to increase the production of natural antibodies that could fight off the virus). The resulting vaccine base would then have to be processed with proprietary equipment. The ingredients used in this vaccine yielded "unprecedented rates of antibody production, producing 1,000 times the yield of traditional materials". KT-W-0002 could both immunize the user and treat existing infections with the t-Virus. Bard kept one sample on him in the Hospital, and tried to use it as a bargaining chip with US Senator Greg Tester to get out of the city during the outbreak. Carlos recovered this sample and used it on Jill to treat her infection. Bard had ordered another staff member to manufacture mass quantities of the vaccine, and this person prepared a culture of antigen before being killed. Jill managed to pick up where he left off and finish the vaccine, but the resulting sample (which would have been enough to save all surviving citizens of Raccoon City) was destroyed by Nikolai Zinoviev. The vaccine and all its development data were subsequently lost.
- Daylight - Developed by Greg Mueller and Peter Jenkins at Raccoon University, Daylight was a trial drug capable of effectually treating t-Virus infection, thanks to Mueller's intimate knowledge of the t-Virus as a chief researcher for the Umbrella Corporation. At least one sample of Daylight was recovered before Raccoon City was destroyed, and was apparently reproduced later. It was primarily comprised of P-Base, V-Poison, and T-Blood, which could be used to synthesize Daylight using a special, high-speed cultivation machine. 2500ml of P-Base was needed to produce a batch of the drug, and care had to be taken in transportation due to P-Base deteriorating when exposed to air. V-Poison was an auxiliary cultivation liquid created using wasp venom (as noted by News Bot, the "V" in "V-Poison" may have stood for Vespidae, the name of a large family of wasp species), while T-Blood was blood taken from an organism infected with the t-Virus (such as a Tyrant). Daylight was stored in a glowing fluid, and when administered to a person infected with the t-Virus, it was capable of either curing the user or delaying the virus' spread indefinitely. Injection of Daylight into a host that was already transformed by the t-Virus could cause a fatal chemical reaction in the host, leading to glowing cracks appearing along the surface of the body. Daylight was given its name due to both its illuminated appearance and its intended purpose - to undermine and frighten the Umbrella Corporation ("That which eliminates the need for an Umbrella... the light of day") by providing a foil to its products. Daylight not only worked on the t-Birkin strain of the virus, but appeared to be effective against other variant strains as well, as it was still in use as late as 2012.
- AT1521 - An Umbrella research team developed an agent in Umbrella's above-ground laboratory in Raccoon City, which was to dramatically delay and suppress pathogeneses of the t-Virus. This research team included Michael Jenkins and Linda Baldwin. The agent, an antiretroviral drug called "Trial Agent AT1521" (shortened to "AT") was not a cure or an effective means of immunization, but only delayed the spread of the virus in the host (presumably for a longer period of time than Herbs-based drugs). AT only worked so long as a host was still asymptomatic and in the earlier stages of infection, and in experiments with mice it worked 99.1% of the time. It essentially had the same effects as Daylight, but was produced by Umbrella itself, much like KT-W-0002. AT was the only known means of resistance against an existing infection with the t-Virus at the time of its creation (with Daylight being produced in secret, outside of the company). The only known sample of AT was destroyed by the T-0400TP, but Baldwin escaped Raccoon City with the knowledge on how to replicate it. Baldwin may have used this knowledge to help mass produce the Daylight sample recovered from the city by other survivors.
- t-Vaccine (2005) - Umbrella employee Fredrick Downing stole a sample of the t-Virus (presumably t-Birkin) from Raccoon City prior to its destruction in 1998. He then joined the WillPharma Corporation and supplied them with the virus along with research. Downing also sold the virus to General Miguel Grandé in India, who used it to create bioterror incidents in the country. WillPharma then conducted trials on the local infected in 2004, and with this research managed to create a vaccine to the t-Virus by 2005. Most samples of the vaccine were destroyed by Downing, who intended to sell the only surviving samples to Grandé. Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Angela Miller recovered the vaccine, and it was presumably reproduced and made widespread following the disbandment of WillPharma. As this vaccine was developed using research gleaned from t-Birkin, it is unknown if it would have an effect on later strains such as Perfected T. Since other vaccines already existed that could combat t-Birkin, it is likely WillPharma's vaccine was more potent.
- Antiviral Spray - In Operation Raccoon City lore, the USS would use an "Antiviral Spray" that was capable of curing them of t-Virus infection in the field. Antiviral Sprays worked much like the medicinal "First Aid Sprays": they were contained within an aerosol spray can, and could be applied to wounds created by t-Virus-infected organisms in order to immediately combat the virus. Antiviral Sprays may have worked like disinfectants, killing any infected cells or vectors of infection like Zombie saliva, before the virus could come in contact with the bloodstream. Antiviral Sprays could also have been Umbrella's official vaccine for internal use, developed using the Medical Device Manuel and synthesizer machine.
Weapons
B.O.W.s could become uncontrollable during field tests, and accidents where researchers and equipment were destroyed were frequent. While Umbrella had its own paramilitary units on standby for this very reason, conventional weapons were highly ineffective against B.O.W.s due to their extreme vitality and athletic capabilities. For this reason, Umbrella performed extensive research on creating weapons specialized for anti-B.O.W. use. Military groups that were later formed for the express purpose of suppressing B.O.W. activity also performed similar research, to reduce human casualties on the field and to help make cleanup operations more efficient. Many guns and melee tools were designed for this very purpose, but some chemical and mechanical weapons were produced with unconventional effects as well:
- V-JOLT - It was discovered by Arklay researchers during the Mansion Incident that a drug, "UMB No.20", was capable of annihilating the cells of plants infected with the t-Virus, due to it targeting properties common in all said plants. This dark-brown/auburn herbicide was discovered during experiments with the UMB and VP series of drugs, in the hopes of finding a sufficient countermeasure to the newly-created Plant 42. UMB No. 20 was originally named due to it being created by mixing UMB No.3 with VP-017. It was afterwards renamed to "V-JOLT". V-JOLT was to be administered to the roots of the oversized plants, where it was calculated it could destroy the creatures in a maximum of 5 seconds. A report was written on V-JOLT and a copy presumably submitted to Umbrella, as it was reproduced and used on other t-Plants at later dates. The creation of V-JOLT was relatively simple, although dangerous as improper mixing of its ingredients could result in the creation of a gas toxic to humans (a characteristic of UMB series drugs).
- P-ε Gas - "P-Epsilon Gas" was an experimental substance produced by the Umbrella Corporation following the Mansion Incident. P-ε was developed as a weapon to weaken the resistances of B.O.W.s. It was intended to be used as a dispersal gas for emergency situations where B.O.W.s went out of control. P-ε worked by suppressing cellular activity in B.O.W.s, harming their ability to regenerate from wounds and making them easier to combat. It was discovered that when certain B.O.W.s were continually exposed to P-ε, their enhanced immune systems could allow them to adapt and produce antibodies capable of fighting off the effects of the gas. Even worse, said B.O.W.s could sometimes even absorb and disintegrate the gas for use as nourishment, and use it to develop poisons that the B.O.W.s could use in combat (see "Poison Ivy" in the second part of this Analysis for more information). Because of this, further experiments were required to perfect the gas. Umbrella may have also been inspired by this development to actually try and improve the capabilities of certain B.O.W.s using gases (as pointed out in the "Poisonous Zombies" and "Poison Ivy" sections). The "P" in P-ε may have stood for "Pesticide", while the "ε" was certainly meant to denote its usefulness in harming creatures created by the Epsilon strain of the t-Virus (and by derivatives, such as t-Birkin). It is implied that P-ε may have been based on "V-JOLT", following the report given from the Arklay Mansion on the efficiency of this drug in harming the cells of plants infected with the t-Virus. In this case, it is likely that P-ε was actually just a weaponized form of V-JOLT, meant to target the cells of animals in addition to those of plants. This was later supported by Resident Evil 2 Reimagined, which referred to P-ε as also being called "UMB No.21" (with "UMB No.20" being the name of V-JOLT). It was also added by Resident Evil 2 Reimagined that P-ε needed to be cooled before use, and it was specifically referred to as an herbicide in this depiction. Unlike V-JOLT, which only weakened Plant 42, UMB No.21 outright killed and withered Plant 43.
- B.O.W. Gas Rounds - By December of 1998, after the fall of Raccoon City, Umbrella managed to create another gas that was capable of harming B.O.W.s. "B.O.W. Gas Rounds" were capsules containing "anti-B.O.W. gas", for use in grenade launchers. It is likely that the gas used in these rounds was simply P-ε, or that it was an improved version of P-ε that eliminated the possibility of B.O.W.s resisting and adapting in response to exposure. B.O.W. Gas Rounds only worked on t-Virus hosts, and were not effective against hosts to the t-Veronica Virus. They were especially useful against Tyrants, which may have actually been what they were created for use against. A crate containing B.O.W. Gas Rounds was damaged in the Antarctic Facility and contaminated the area, potentially killing Black Widow B.O.W.s in the area.
- Anti-T Bullets - At one point in time, Umbrella was in the process of developing bullets capable of acting on the genes of B.O.W.s and "disabling" them. This is similar to the "Anti-G Bullets" used by Annette Birkin on G-Birkin. These "Anti-T Bullets" would likely contain some kind of chemical substance harmful to B.O.W.s, which would disperse inside of wounds created by the bullets. Umbrella was working on creating these rounds using .44 Magnum cartridges, as they had penetration and stopping power that was sufficiently strong for anti-B.O.W. use. These bullets were to be created in particular for usage against out-of-control Tyrants, for use in the Umbrella Magnum Revolver.
- B.O.W. Grenade and Decoy Grenades - By 2005, the BSAA had successfully developed special hand grenades for use in anti-B.O.W. combat. "B.O.W. Grenades" would repeatedly let out a beeping sound before detonating, which attracted certain kinds of B.O.W.s to them. The beeping noises created by the grenades included high frequencies that attracted various mutated creatures. These sounds seemed to particularly affect the hearing of ears mutated by both the t-Virus and the t-Abyss Virus. The "Decoy Grenades" used in Revelations 2 had a very similar function, but worked with very different mechanisms. They were formed using chemicals and empty wine bottles. These chemicals attracted B.O.W.s by scent, before causing a chaotic reaction that resulted in an explosion. Decoy Grenades worked on creatures created by the Uroboros and t-Phobos viruses.
- FOUR EYES' Tools - In Operation Raccoon City, USS member FOUR EYES carried specialized equipment of her own design that had unique effects on t-Virus-infected-creatures, such as "Attraction Pheromones" and "Program Darts". When FOUR EYES threw Attraction Pheromone vials at a target, they burst, releasing a gas containing said pheromones. These pheromones attracted t-Virus-infected creatures, and anyone who came into contact with the gas became a primary target for the infected. This could be related to the mechanisms at work with B.O.W. Grenades and Decoy Grenades. Program Darts were projectiles loaded into FOUR EYES' hypo gun. When a dart was fired at a t-Series creature, the monster would somehow be put under the control of FOUR EYES. The creature would not attack her, and could be directed to instead attack those targeted by FOUR EYES. This could have potentially worked by using the same mechanisms at use with the T-0400TP or T-A.L.O.S.: digital command programs loaded into a microchip synced to FOUR EYES' equipment. Program Darts worked longer on "weaker" creatures, such as Zombies, but not as longer on "stronger" creatures such as Lickers. This may have actually had to do with the intelligence of the host, and how able they were to resist control. FOUR EYES also used "Biometric Vision", which allowed her to pick out infected organisms in an environment. Biometric Vision even pointed out the "weak points" of organisms by using color markers.
- Zombie Jammer - Developed by Blue Umbrella, the Zombie Jammer was a large device worn on the back of users like a backpack. It emitted electromagnetic radiation that confused the brains of Zombies, disabling their ability to perceive prey. This made them docile towards the person wearing a Zombie Jammer so long as they were in proximity to the device. However, it was theorized that the Jammer could have negative effects on the human brain as well, and so extensive testing was required.