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Xenopedia




A Predalien (or PredAlien) is a Xenomorph spawned from a Yautja. A more obvious result of the Xenomorph's DNA Reflex, the Predalien takes more clearly after its Yautja host, sharing physical features such as dreadlocks, mandibles and lighter skin coloration. They are lethal combatants, often seen to possess strength far in excess of human-spawned Xenomorphs owing to the greater physical prowess of their hosts, a trait the Predalien subsequently inherits and enhances. They are apparently rare and are regarded by the Yautja as abominations and an insult to their species.[1]

The Predalien is notable for being the only Xenomorph caste created in the expanded universe to have subsequently crossed over into the official film franchise, first appearing on-screen (in Chestburster form) at the end of Alien vs. Predator. The adult creature was then seen in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. Predaliens had previously featured extensively in the video games and comic books of the Alien vs. Predator franchise.

Characteristics

While the Predalien's physical form has varied quite widely throughout its many appearances, the most common physicality is that of a bulkier, heavier-built Xenomorph Warrior or Drone incorporating several traits taken from its Yautja host, most notably dreadlock-like appendages on the head, which tends to be less elongated than on typical Xenomorphs, and similar mandibles around the mouth. Precisely why the creature adopts these distinct characteristics is unclear, especially as they appear to serve little purpose, although some Predaliens' have been known to use their mandibles to crush a victim's skull.

Predaliens are taller than both Predators and human-spawned Xenomorphs, standing around 10', and possess greater physical strength than both aforementioned species. They have a paler skin color than most other Xenomorphs, and have been known to produce similar vocalizations to the Predators. The creatures are incredibly strong and fast in battle, combining the lightning-fast strikes typical of Aliens with the brute force of the Yautja, making them deadly opponents to even Elite Predators. Physically, they are incredibly robust, even able to survive being submerged in magma for a short time.[1] Their hide is tough enough to shrug off a uncharged blast from a Plasmacaster at point-blank range without displaying any visible damage,[2] a characteristic it does not lose even when struck with a fully charged shot.[1]

Intelligence and trophy claiming

Predaliens have variously been displayed as being an integral part of the Xenomorph's societal hierarchy, or acting as lone creatures totally independent of any Hive. The Earth Predalien, a juvenile Queen, was shown to be actively building a Hive and establishing an army of Drones or Warriors to protect it once it matured to the Egg-laying stage.[2] Conversely, the Abomination on BG-386 did not interact with the Hive on the planet in any way whatsoever, instead hunting humans independently with no apparent higher goals or motive.

Predalien removing spine-1-

The Abomination with a human's skull and spinal column.

Much like the Yautja, Predaliens have been known to mutilate their victims[2] and claim trophies from them, usually the skull.[1] However, it is unlikely this is done in pursuit of perceived honor, as with the Predators. More likely it is an after-effect of genetic memory or instinct inherited from the host, a theory backed up by the fact that Predaliens have not been shown to display or otherwise respect any trophies they claim; in other words, while a Predalien feels a basic urge to perform these ritualistic mutilations on its prey, it has no higher knowledge of why it is doing so.

Molting

Predaliens have been known to molt after receiving significant damage.[3] This is caused by a forced evolution induced by the resident Queen, making the Predalien possibly one of the few Xenomorphs that continue to molt after maturing during the reign of an existing Queen. Once they abandon their current exoskeleton, the new one is stronger, making the creature physically more durable. A Predalien's exoskeletal strength can be discerned based on how many Dorsal tubes are present, with fewer signifying a weaker Xenomorph and more meaning a stronger one. There is no known limit to this molting ability, giving the Predalien caste the possibility to be strongest Xenomorphs in the hive, even over the Queen or heavy assault castes such as the Ravager.

Predaliens with this evolutionary advantage are reddish in coloration. Their mandibles are larger and their tails, typically tipped with a stinger-like barb, resembles a four-pronged trident. When a Predalien molts, it stretches itself out, goes down on all fours, then roars as its skin falls off.

Behind the Scenes

The Predalien was first depicted in a painting by Dave Dorman, commissioned as a piece of concept artwork for Peter Briggs' unproduced Alien vs. Predator script, titled The Hunt: Alien vs. Predator. The creature subsequently featured in the comic Aliens vs. Predator: Duel, a sequel to the original Aliens vs. Predator comic miniseries and the short story Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time. It follows a squad of United States Colonial Marines that come to the planet Ryushi to investigate a distress signal.

Trivia

  • The look of the Predalien has varied greatly between appearances. While in reality this can be ascribed to artistic license, in-universe it has never been explained.
  • The name Predalien is a portmanteau of "Predator-Alien".
  • In the 1999 video game Aliens versus Predator, the Predalien is red in color and looks more like an Alien than a Predator. It has two characteristic Predator mandibles.
  • Predaliens take more after their host than human-spawned Xenomorphs. This is possibly because the Predators' genes are more potent.[citation needed]
  • In the Abomination's first scene in the 2010 video game Aliens vs. Predator, it is seen "de-spining" a human corpse in the same manner as the Predators. This behavior is also seen in deleted scenes from Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. Stills of Predators skinned by the Predalien are included in Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr.'s book, AVPR: Inside the Monster Shop. This behavior is thought to be inherited genetically. Furthermore, in the final fight in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, the Predalien appears to wait while Wolf removes his Bio-Mask, as Predators are known to do. This, however, caused a lot of debate among fans.
  • Predaliens are often mistakenly referred to as hybrids, which is not accurate. As with the Runner, they are merely a result of the Xenomorph's natural ability to adopt the characteristics of their host.
  • Predaliens in some media have been shown to have the non-acidic, fluorescent-green blood of Yautja, although this depiction is far from universal and others posses the dull yellow acidic blood typical of more common Xenomorphs.
  • The Predalien was added as a playable character to AVP: Evolution via an update.
  • In Mortal Kombat X, if the Alien uses the "Alien Baby" Brutality finishing move on the Predator, a Predalien Chestburster will emerge from the Predator's body.

Appearances

Gallery

See also

References

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