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Xenopedia

Wristblades,[1][2] also known as Gauntlet Knives,[3] are the most basic of Yautja weapons and arguably the species' signature armament. The blades take the form of retractable, serrated blades between six and eighteen inches in length and two to eight inches wide that extend over the back of the hand from a gauntlet worn on the Predator's wrist. Generally, Yautja wear a single gauntlet on one wrist fitted with a pair of parallel blades, but there are a number of stylistic variations to this basic arrangement.

Despite their relative simplicity, Wristblades are the weapon of choice for most Predators. The deadly blades are sharp enough to cut through bone and are intended for use against unarmored combatants or those who have been disarmed. As a last resort, they can sometimes be fired as a projectile from their gauntlet.[4]

The wristblades are among one of the first weapons a Yautja youth obtains.[5]

Overview[]

Wristblades, owing to their exclusively close-range nature, are considered among the most honorable weapons a Predator can use when killing prey.[2] As a point of pride, the Brawlers arm themselves exclusively with these melee weapons, inflicting a crippling amount of damage without using ranged weapons.[6]

Wristblades are not without drawbacks. For one, some longer blades are not covered by a hunter's Cloak and even when they are, they will sometimes be visible through the cloak if covered in large amounts of blood or gore.[4] Not all Wristblades are resistant to the acidic effects of Xenomorph blood and will consequently melt during combat with Xenomorphs, though this problem seems to apply only to Young Bloods, possibly to encourage them to use their more acid resistant weapons, as the Yautja evidently possess the means to forge metals that are immune to Xenomorph acid.

On BG-386, Dark was able to open doors in ancient Yautja ruins by inserting his Wristblades into specific slots, indicating they have been in use for centuries and also carry non-combat uses, at least in ceremonial temples.[7]

Variants[]

Several variations of the standard Wrist Blade design have been seen.

  • The Jungle Hunter had slightly prehensile Wristblades that could extend outwards away from each other to pin prey between the blades without damaging them.
  • Un-Blooded Predators are often armed with far smaller Wristblades that barely extend past the wearer's fingers.[2] Scarface was forced to use such Wristblades as a form of punishment after being dishonored in New Way City.
  • Dark, Spartan, Wolf (BG-386), Claw and many Predators of the Elite Clan carried Wristblades on both of their arms.
  • Celtic possessed Wristblades that could reverse direction.[4]
  • Scar was able to fire the Wristblades out of his gauntlet as projectile weapons during the fight against the Xenomorph queen.
  • Stone Heart possessed Wristblades with triple blades, as does Ahab and the Bad Blood Predator. A Predator encountered in Cambodia in 2000 BC wore a similar triple Wristblade.[8]
  • The Super Predators used a singular Wristblade design that featured only one, extended blade (similar in principle to the Scimitar).
  • The Fugitive utilized an advanced pair of wristblades that could completely retract into his right wrist gauntlet.
  • The Upgraded Predator’s Wristblade can also fully retract, can be fired like a harpoon, and are approximately the size of a Scimitar.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

  • Scimitar - A single, lengthy blade carried on the forearm, similar to Wristblades in function.

References[]

  1. Aliens versus Predator 2, Microsoft Windows version, Monolith Productions, 2001.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Predator: Concrete Jungle, PlayStation 2, Xbox version, Eurocom, 2005.
  3. John RosengrantThe Making of Predator 2: Weapons of Choice — Gauntlet Knives (2005), 20th Century Fox [DVD].
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Paul W. S. Anderson (writer and director). Alien vs. Predator (2004), 20th Century Fox [DVD].
  5. AVP:THB - Predator Weapons.
  6. Aliens versus Predator: Extinction, EA Games, 2003.
  7. Aliens vs. Predator, Microsoft Windows version, Rebellion, 2010.
  8. Marc Cerasini. Alien vs. Predator, p. 8 (2004), HarperEntertainment.

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