Hunter (resident Evil) Article Index for
Hunter
Website Links For
Hunter
 

Information About

Hunter (resident Evil)




Hunters are bipedal reptilian-like creatures with large claws and teeth, and are noted for their loud shriek. They are actually B.O.Ws (Bio Organic Weapons) designed by the Umbrella Corporation by combining a fertilized human Ovum with reptilian DNA and then implanting the T-Virus into the resulting creature.

The original Hunters (or the Alpha models, as they've been retroactively coined) appeared in the original '' Resident Evil '', when the player returns to the main mansion after exploring the Guesthouse thoroughly, replacing many of the zombies in the mansion. First-time players are normally taken surprise by the Hunters, with their agility and resistance to regular firearms (in contrast to the slow zombies). Moreover, a Hunter is capable of killing the player's character by Decapitation . As a result, the Hunters have become one of the best-known creatures in the series.

Several kinds of Hunters have appeared in virtually every ''Resident Evil'' game (with '' Resident Evil 2 '' and '' Resident Evil 4 '' being two of the few, if not only, exceptions), although they're considerably easier to defeat in later game due to the player being better-equipped in those titles. The Resident Evil 2 exception may be denounced completely due to a deceased Hunter 121 in the Nintendo 64 port of the game.


TYPES OF HUNTERS



MA-121 Hunter Alpha

'').]]
Hunter model featured in ''''. The first successful Hunter model, the Alpha model was developed by Albert Wesker and William Birkin within the Arklay Research Facility in the Arklay Mountains . During the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon Forest, the Hunters were released by the resurrected James Marcus to eliminate Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen when they were in the facility. Due to their large numbers, they eventually escaped the manor and later found their way into Spencer State , where they went after the surviving members of S.T.A.R.S.



MA-121 Hunter Beta

'')]]
A variation of the standard Hunter (featured in '''') based on battle data collected from the Alpha model in the Arklay mansion. These were being transported to Raccoon City, via truck, in order to obtain their final combat data before they were mass-produced. With the viral outbreak taking over town, the truck never left Raccoon City, and eventually the Hunters escaped to several city areas. One of the most notable aspects of the Beta model were their large left arm, making them left-handed. Though they are significantly quicker than the Alpha model and had an improved nervous system that helped them to evade bullets, they lacked fighting prowess and further research was carried out to improve the model.




MA-124 Hunter Gamma

'').]]
An amphibian version of the Hunter (featured in ' and '' Resident Evil Outbreak ''). Nicknamed Frogger/Blocker''' due to its frog-like appearance. The Gamma model has no eyes or teeth. Instead, it has a large mouth that allows it to swallow its prey whole. They were secretly being harvested in tubes within a small lab in the Raccoon General Hospital, and make their home in the watery areas of the basement of the hospital. Due to their amphibious nature, they are exceedingly difficult to transport and mantain. Therefore, the only existing Gamma models were experimental ones, as they were not mass-produced. Additionally, another factor that adds to their weaknesses is the fact that they cannot resist dry air or heat, and thus must be kept in strict watery environments only to ensure its survival. The research on the model was not continued due to its multiple weaknesses and lack of effective fighting prowess.




MA-125 Hunter R

'').]]
A faster variation of the Alpha model (appearing in '' Resident Evil Outbreak ''). Similar to the Alpha mode in terms of appearances. Some of its distinguishing characteristics includes smaller claws and spikes on its back. It is thought that this Hunter variation was developed under the orders of William Birkin himself, and that the mutations come from increasing the amount of human material in their systems. Though, it is dubious this model will ever be mass-produced, as the test combat data on it was not recorded and all related data was consumed in the laboratories of William Birkin.




Enhanced Hunter

'').]]
Hunter model featured in '. Also known as the Hunter II''' model. This model was not developed by Umbrella, but by Albert Wesker's mysterious employer after leaving Umbrella. This model was more intelligent than any of Umbrella's models, as it could track down its target through an automated surveillance device called a '''Seeker''', which directed the Hunter directly against the target received by the device with a special frequency.



Sweeper


A variation of the Enhanced Hunter, the Sweeper has purple, reptilian scales, as well as venomous claws to distinguish it from the regular Enhanced model.



Hunter Elite

''.]]
Hunter model appearing in '. The Hunter Elite''' is said to be faster and more powerful than the standard Hunter. As well, they are far more agile and powerful, requiring larger amounts of ammunition to be taken out due to their more resilient nature. Oddly, one hand was bare while the other had a claw.



IN OTHER MEDIA

In addition the Hunter model listed, S.D. Perry 's series of Resident Evil novelizations also featured two unique Hunter models that were not in any of the games. The MA-7 in Caliban Cove and Fossil in Underworld. Fossil was bigger than the other hunters, and lacked the ability to tell friend from food. Its metabolism was so advanced that it was impervious to grenades. Fossil was tall, had pale white scales and resembled a humanoid dinosaur. Fossil actually could think. The creature was released by Leon to destroy the "planet" it wanted, the closest thing to an emotion that it had. Not much is known about MA-7 than it was supposedly advanced versions of the MA-121 Alpha Model.

In addendum, another species of Hunter is mentioned in Underworld with a chromataphoric capability which made them disappear into their surroundings. They were hyper-sensitive to light exposure and seemed to feel pain when sudden flashes occured.