Carriers are one possible evolutionary finality of a Praetorian and the second most expensive of the three, the others being the Queen and the Ravager.
Function
A Carrier.
The Carrier spreads the Alien infestation to outlying regions by serving as a Facehugger transport. While riding a Carrier, Facehuggers do not expend energy, enabling them to reach farther areas than their limited energy supply would otherwise allow. In combat, the Carrier is an extraordinarily dangerous enemy, since its cargo does not hesitate to leap on nearby targets when threatened. Like all purebreed Aliens, the Carrier comes from a morphed Praetorian.
Biology
A Carrier with facehuggers
The Carrier resembles an outsized Drone, standing roughly the same height as the Queen or it's "sibling" caste, the Ravager. It's a bit more durable, however, able to withstand as much punishment as a Warrior. Colored brownish-grey tones, it is considerably less armored than those other two variations, as combat isn't really it's niche in the Hive. It has specially evolved back spines designed to hold the vulnerable Facehugger, offering them protection, nutrients (called Exadrenaline), and transportation to areas on the map they wouldn't be able to reach on their own.
Facehuggers can leap upon a Carrier at will or be called.
However, although offense isn't their strong suit, the Carrier is anything but defenseless. Its arms terminate into sharp, hook-like scythes which it uses to slash at victims. If the enemy is organic, any facehuggers it may be harboring will incapacitate and kill them before the fight truly begins.
Variants
Super Carrier
An upgraded Carrier
When upgraded, Carriers develop the ability to hold 12 facehuggers instead of just 6. Upon death, their bodies explode apart, showering enemies with both painful acid and deadly facehuggers.
Physically, Carriers develop several markings along the dome of their heads, similar to an upgraded Queen or Praetorian. They also grow brownish chitinous pads on their shoulders, offering a light boost in armor.
Trivia
- Despite having developed from a Praetorian, the Carrier's cranium is more similar to that of a Drone instead of the broad-crested Praetorian.
