Predator

The Predator aliens are an extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterized by their trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and Aliens. First introduced in 1987 as the Predator, the main antagonist of the film Predator, further members of the species were subsequently represented in a sequel, numerous novels, video games, comic books, and a crossovers with Aliens, Batman, Superman, The Darkness (Top Cow) .

The predators have gone to great length to keep the secrecy of their race from the universe, lest they should be discovered.

Predator culture revolves around the hunting and stalking of dangerous lifeforms. After making a kill, Predators typically skin or decapitate a carcass, converting it into a trophy. Failure in a hunt results in the Predator involved committing an honorable suicide. It is often alluded to that the reason Predators hunt is not for sustenance or elimination of threats, but as entertainment, as they will only attack life forms that have the ability to provide them with a challenge.

Predators made contact with early human civilizations such as the Ancient Egyptians, Cambodians, and Aztecs, as well as a fictitious culture inhabiting what is now modern day Bouvetøya. Upon arriving on Earth, the Predators were worshiped as gods by humans, and they taught many of the civilizations how to build pyramids (an explanation as to why many of these different ancient societies had distinctly similar cultures and architecture), but in return expected sacrifices of humans for use as hosts for hunt-able Aliens. The Predators returned to Bouvetøya every century to consummate the bargain, until at one point in the ritual, the Aliens spread out of control, resulting in the Predators destroying the entire area of the infestation. Relations with humans deteriorated, with the Predators from that time on viewing humans as little more than another quarry to hunt. Predators feature prominently in the folklore of certain cultures, with some Latin American people referring to the species as, "El Diablo que hace trofeos de los hombres," meaning in Spanish, "The Demon who makes trophies of men." When hunting humans, Predators normally avoid certain individuals such as children and some adults if they are unarmed, though they will spare armed ones if they happen to be pregnant or sickly. A human who has managed to kill a Predator in single combat or has fought alongside one is usually given a gift (often a rare or exotic weapon) as a sign of respect. Predators have a deep respect for Aliens and consider them to be worthy as hunting trophies. Warrior Aliens are used to train and test young Predators by fatally weeding out the weaker initiates. A learner's first successful Alien hunt is completed with the marking of his forehead with the acidic blood of his kill. Predators apparently keep Alien Queens in captivity in order to obtain an easily accessible supply of eggs. It is shown in a brief scene in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem that Predators have had prior contact with the Space Jockeys. This is confirmed in the film's DVD commentary. Language The language of the Predators is expressed in the films and other media through written patterns of dashes. These written symbols appear on the creatures' gauntlet displays, their helmets, architecture, and many other surfaces. Predators will mimic human language on occasion. Author Steve Perry designed a specific language set for the Aliens vs. Predator novel series.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Predators are physically distinguished from humans by their greater height, arthropod-like mandibles and long, hair-like appendages on their heads. Their bodies are resilient to damage, capable of recovering from multiple gunshot wounds and radiation doses which would be fatal to humans. They have superhuman strength, having been portrayed as being easily capable of outmatching a conditioned adult human male. They are also skilled climbers, and will readily move through trees or across rooftops in pursuit of prey. Though capable of surviving exposed in Antarctic temperatures for an extended period of time, it is implied that Predators have a preference for hot equatorial climates. Their blood is dark phosphor green in color. Their vision operates mainly in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; they can easily detect heat differentials in their surroundings but are unable to easily distinguish among objects of the same relative temperature. A Predator's hunting helmet increases its ability to see in a variety of spectra, ranging from the low infrared to the high ultraviolet, and also filters the ambient heat from the area, allowing them to see things with greater clarity and detail. They are capable of breathing Earth's atmosphere, though they show visible discomfort breathing air from heavily urbanized areas.Their dietary habits are mentioned in Predator 2, where it is revealed that the creature regularly visits a slaughter house every two days to feed on the stored meat there.

Abilities

High amount of natural painkillers (enough to be able to withstand amputation of a major limb).

Strength level

Unknown.

Weaknesses

none known

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: Weapons Predator weaponry varies from hunter to hunter. Older warriors tend to disdain the use of firearms, preferring to use melee weapons in order to increase the challenge. A forensic scientist in Predator 2, upon examining one such weapon, found that it did not correspond to any known Earth element. Ceremonial dagger The ceremonial dagger appears in the Alien vs. Predator film, attached to the right shins of all three starring predators. It is treated to resist Xenomorph blood. Combi stick The combi stick closely resembles a telescopic spear. It can pierce through many materials such as body armor and steel. There are two variants; a large, bronze coloured version, and a sleeker, silver version with protruding blades. Both this and the shuriken are made of materials that are somehow resistant to the acidic traits of xenomorph blood. The original combi stick was designed by Mark McCreery. The combi-stick prop used in Predator 2 was apparently stolen after production finished. Gauntlet plasma bolt Featured in Predator 2. It fires a small plasma bolt from the Predator's left wrist gauntlet, which seems to be only moderately effective, but still causes a reasonable amount of damage as the protagonist of Predator 2 had to hastily remove his body armor, as it was glowing red. Power Glove A strength enhancing gauntlet which releases some form of kinetic energy with explosive force on impact. Used as a means of demolishing objects such as concrete from all directions, it provides quick access to the path wanted. The power glove was originally drawn by production designer Farzad Varahramyan to encompass the Predator's whole arm, and have a retractable shield. Laser nets The laser net is a flat triangular-shaped device that, when deployed, automatically secures itself against a solid surface. When activated by remote, the device will produce multiple laser beams stretching across a special void until they make contact with an adjacent surface. The lasers do not damage or cut into the adjacent surfaces they touch, but do cut and slice through organic material. When two or more laser nets are placed across from each other on parallel surfaces and activated, a laser "grid" results, disallowing all but the smallest creatures to pass through. A Predator places these devices behind himself to prevent any possible attack from behind while tracking prey and also has the added, if unintentional, effect of providing contrast against the surrounding area making prey easier to see. Sword In Predator 2, the Elder Predator is holding a sword. It is unknown if this is a Predator weapon or another trophy like the pistol he gives to Harrigan. Netgun Two versions of the netgun appear. The first is seen in Predator 2, where it is a gun-like weapon that fires a man-sized net at its target, who is violently thrown and trapped against the nearest surface. The net then begins to constrict itself and cut apart the trapped individual inside. A second version of the netgun was seen in the movie Alien vs. Predator, where it is seen to be a smaller version mounted on the Predator's wrist gauntlet and can load three nets in the three barrels alongside each other. Though resistant against edged weapons, it is not resistant to a xenomorph's acidic blood or Predator weapons. In the video game Aliens versus Predator 2, the net only traps the victim to maintain the balance of game play. The opponents captured in nets are allowed to cut their way out with melee weapons. Plasma caster The plasma caster is a shoulder-mounted energy weapon. A triangular laser rangefinder is used to assist aiming the shot. The laser sight can be part of the Predator's helmet, although some casters have their own laser sights without need of a helmet. In both set-ups the plasma caster moves with the Predator's field of vision. It fires a bright blue or gold plasma pulse in a straight line. The pulse can be controlled to fire with more powerful charges ranging from minor stunning/wounding blasts or powerful enough to sunder the atmospheric plating of interstellar aircraft. The plasma caster and respective tracking servos are some of the most vulnerable articles of equipment carried by the Predator, being easily damaged. The plasma caster can also be used as a hand held weapon. As a gameplay element in the Aliens versus Predator video games, when used in conjunction with the correct vision mode, the plasma caster automatically targets an enemy and the shot is normally a guaranteed hit, (especially against human targets) provided that said enemy does not take cover in such situations, although fast xenomorphs may escape. The original Predator plasma caster was designed by Steve Wang and was redesigned by Farzad Varahramyan for subsequent appearances. Self-destruct device Each Predator carries a self-destruct device mounted on their wrist computer. Once activated this device begins a relatively short countdown. Red LEDs of Predator numerals on the Predator's gauntlet serve as a warning that the bomb is about to explode. The detonation of the bomb results in a small nuclear-like explosion which destroys an area equivalent to 300 city blocks. The device is usually used as a means of retaining honor, much like Japanese sepukku, allowing the hunter to commit suicide when he has been mortally wounded or inescapably trapped, in order to preserve his honor and remove any evidence of his existence. A similar device is found on Predator starships. Smart disc The smart disc is an extremely sharp circular weapon that is thrown like a discus and returns to the user like a boomerang. This weapon is extremely powerful, shown to easily cut through flesh and bone. It also has a hand grip for use as a slashing melee weapon as well. It is stated in the video game Aliens versus Predator: Extinction that the disc is mentally controlled by the Predator; Predators who train their mental capacity are able to do this. The discs may also be upgraded to have a rotating laser covering the edge. Also in the Aliens versus Predator first-person shooter games, the smart disc had a homing device when used in conjunction with an appropriate vision mode, and could be retracted at will. The smart disc was designed by Mark McCreery. Shuriken The shuriken behaves much like the smart disc, however, it is constructed with retractable blades, and can also be used as a melee weapon. It is immune to a xenomorph's acid blood. The blades are strong enough to break a xenomorph Queen's head armor, though it cannot seem to actually cut it. The blades extend and retract by a Predator holding it at his finger-tips and flicking his arm. Solvent A highly potent, corrosive blue chemical which dissolves organic material, including xenomorph carcasses. This substance is used to eliminate evidence of a Predator's presence, such as corpses, and can also be used as a weapon. The substance reacts violently with water. A small amount of the solvent can vaporize large quantities of water and any other material in it. Spear gun A spear gun which fires small bifurcated metal darts at high velocity. This weapon was briefly seen in Predator 2 and is available in the Aliens versus Predator video games as well as in Predator: Concrete Jungle. Although the rifle itself is barely visible in Predator 2, the spear gun is designed in a shape of a rifle in the Aliens Versus Predator games, but it is more pistol-like in Concrete Jungle. Whip A segmented hand held bull whip capable of cutting targets in half, after it wraps around them and is pulled taut. It is made of acid resistant material. Concept art by Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem production designer Farzad Varahramyan show that one original concept for the whip had it sporting an amputated alien stinger on its tip.

Wire

In Alien vs. Predator, the Predator uses some form of a noose to garrot a mercenary when the team is walking down a corridor. It is also used to hang defeated prey upside down by the ankles.

 Wrist blades

Wrist blades are a common melee weapon for most Predators. The blades range from 12 to 18 inches (460 mm) long and retract from a wristband. They are forged from an unknown alloy which is almost unbreakable, but not totally immune to xenomorph blood. Some wrist blades can be reversed so that the sharper end can be used more effectively in an outward swing. In the first Predator film, the Predator uses lasers to heat the blades for more powerful blows. The blades can be fired from the housing/slide in case of emergency, or reversed to execute a back-handed slash, or have them spread apart to make attacks with larger (more spread-out) wounds or to dissaude prey from moving by trapping their head between the blades. These blades are serrated to cause maximum damage when stabbing and/or pulling the blades free, and occasionally double-edged, removing the need for the reversing blades.In Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, Wolf's wristblades were treated to resist the effects of Xenomorph acid. In the computer game Aliens versus Predator 2, a scientist's medical report of a Predator indicates that the wrist blades wristband was grafted to the Predator's arm and removing it caused a pulmonary arrest. The researcher speculates that the cardiac arrest may be an anti-tampering mechanism and comments, "What kind of society would rather have its warriors die than be disarmed?" Arm blades Arm blades are similar to wrist blades, but are much longer than most wrist blades. In Alien vs. Predator, only the Predator nicknamed Chopper has these arm blades.The arm blades are extented by the Predator flicking his arm backward and tensing his hand. Weapons and equipment in expanded universe Bolas Used once in the Predator: Big Game comic, the bolas carry a powerful electrical current, which instantaneously kills victims on impact. Burner Confusingly, this term has three definitions. The first refers to a flamethrower like weapon, meant for mass-effect attack strategy, that eliminates multiple aliens or humans with a 5-foot (1.5 m)-wide, 90-foot (27 m)-long line of flame which burns almost everything. It also refers to a long rifle with a button for a trigger in the Alien vs. Predator novels. This weapon is highly effective against anything up to and including a xenomorph queen, taking its head off with one shot to the neck. It is too powerful to be issued for normal hunts and is only used for warfare or queen stealing raids on alien hives. Finally, burner seems to be a blanket term for any plasma based ranged weapon as Noguchi's shoulder cannon is referred to as a shoulder-burner in Alien vs. Predator: War and Alien vs. Predator: Hunter's Planet]. Chemical sprayer Almost identical to the burner, the chemical sprayer can project hazardous toxins or sprays of acid towards a nearby foe. Predators usually use this weapon with the intent to capture rather than kill their prey. It is most used when energy weapons are too dangerous to use, (i.e., in flammable or explosive atmosphere). Energy fletchette A rapid fire, wrist mounted energy weapon that fires golden plasma projectiles that do little damage but take up a considerably small amount of energy. Featured in the game Aliens versus Predator 2. Glaive This weapon appeared in the video game Predator: Concrete Jungle. It can be used as an alternative for the combi stick. It looks very similar to the combi stick, but with a large blade on the each end rather than strong pointed tips. In this respect it is used much like a sword with cutting blows rather than a bone crushing powerful spear like the combi stick. It can be used as a single-handed or double-handed weapon. In effect, it's a double-edged axe that can fold away, like the maul.

"Hard Meat" armour Seen in Aliens versus Predator, "Hard Meat" armour is fashioned from the acid-proof exoskeleton of a xenomorph drone. It is worn by the veteran warrior Dachande (known as "Broken Tusk" to his human comrades). Though highly resistant, it offers little protection against the savage attacks of a xenomorph queen. Katana Seen in the Predator 2 comic prequel Predator: 1718, the katana has an extremely sharp, retractable blade that can cut through bone. Maul The maul is a very long, barbed blade that the Predator holds in its hands or slips onto its arm. When held, the direction of the user's arm is the same direction is the blade, like a tonfa. They appear in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle. These blades are very powerful and can easily slice humans in half. The blades can be folded in half with a 'snapping' action and when they are held upside down, they are longer in the back, which makes them perfect for a backwards stab. In the game, they can be used in combination with the wrist blades to make a sort of dual wielding blade. The blade is about 5 1/2 feet long. Plasma pistol A hand-held weapon featured in the Alien vs. Predator video game series. The firing mechanism differs between the two games. In the first game, the mechanism is fired in a parabolic arc, while the second game portrays it as firing in a straight line. In the second game, the secondary fire fires a burst in an arced trajectory, capable of stunning xenomorphs and even jamming electronic equipment temporarily. Tag Used in the Predator: Concrete Jungle comic, the tag is a small circular tracking device that is used on prey which the Predator wishes to continuously bait rather than kill outright. The bottom portion of the tag is coated with hook-like barbs which are inserted beneath the target's skin to prevent removal. Throwing mines In the games and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, various mines, traps, and charges are shown to be used by the Predators. These include:

Fire trap: An explosive mine. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
EMP mine: Disables mechanical devices. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
Sonic trap: Used to stun and temporarily paralyze an enemy or prey. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
Plasma mine: Vaporizes the flesh off the enemy, leaving just the skeleton. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
Remote bomb: Detonated by the Predator or it explodes when in contact with a target. Can be stuck to surfaces. Featured in Aliens versus Predator 2.
Laser trap: Creates a laser field that can easily cut through flesh (See above laser net).

Notes

No special notes.

Trivia

No trivia.

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Predator

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