Predator (fictional species)

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The creature as seen in Predator (1987)

Predators (known in the fictional expanded universe as Yautja) are a fictional species featured in the films Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Alien vs. Predator (2004) and the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). The creatures also feature heavily in various other media including comic books, graphic novels and video games. Originating as the antagonist in the Predator sci-fi horror films, they are vaguely humanoid aliens who hunt the aggressive members of other species for sport.

Predators are depicted as an extraterrestrial race whose civilization seems to focus on individual strength, exemplified in the concept of hunting. They are depicted as excellent warriors, pursuing the most dangerous species in the galaxy. Predators stalk and kill prey using various armaments, ranging from high technology smart weapons to low-tech blades and spears. Once they have defeated an opponent, they collect the skulls as trophies and mark themselves with the symbol of their clan (mark of honor). Predators have a long and involved history with many species they hunt, including Xenomorphs. Although the morals of their race are unknown, they appear to have some consistent form of honor. This is usually depicted showing respect and acknowledgment to powerful adversaries as well as an unwillingness to stalk weak, sick, pregnant, or unarmed opponents, or opponents they see as "in training."

Biology and Culture

Physiology

While Predators are humanoid, many features of their anatomy differ markedly from that of humans. Notably, they have four mandibles surrounding their mouths. These mandibles appear to be involved in the production of audible clicks and chirps used in communication, although they can mimic human speech reasonably well and appear to understand it (or have a translator in their mask). They also have a rubbery tube-like "hair", usually seen as thick long "dreadlocks" around their heads. Spike-like "facial hair" is sometimes seen as well as they get older (though it is unknown if they can shave these hairs off or not but as a result of experimentation,some are seen without it in Predator: Concrete Jungle ). In addition to their odd exterior, Predators also have notably luminescent green blood. Male Predators are estimated to be 7 to 71/2 feet tall (2.13m to 2.31m) and weigh 300-400+ pounds(136-181 kg). It is unknown how large the females are (although in the first "Alien versus Predator" novel it was estimated they are possibly much larger and stronger than the males).

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The Predator's mandibles are one of the features that make it distinct.

Physically, the Predators are remarkably resilient. Physical traumas that might maim or kill a human are typically depicted as being little more than merely temporarily disabling to a Predator, while lesser injuries may yield no noticeable negative effects at all. Predators have demonstrated that they can continue to combat opponents even after suffering the most grievous of injuries, such as being impaled through the chest (though these wounds may prove fatal afterwards). They are highly resistant to small arms fire and stabbing weapons, although it has been shown that such attacks can yield wounds. The species is also adaptable to heat/cold extremes as illustrated in Predator 2 when a warrior was attacked with weaponized liquid nitrogen and was not noticeably harmed but seems to dislike it (Reference from comic/novel book : Predator : Cold War.). This is also demonstrated in Alien vs. Predator, where three Predators land on an island near Antarctica and don't even shiver, despite being barely clothed. In addition to their natural defenses, Predators carry with them advanced medical technologies that greatly aid in combat. In the film Predator 2, a wounded warrior applied a mysterious unnamed paste to a severed arm and the substance appeared to cauterize the wound while solidifying to act as a bandage.

They possess great physical strength in comparison to humans; they are able to lift massive logs, break down walls, and throw a large-sized human at least 15-20 meters with enough force to incapacitate or kill. They are remarkably agile and athletic for creatures their size, often seen jumping vast distances and surviving drops from high altitudes. A Predator is also surprisingly fast. In Predator 2, the warrior ran from the graveyard to the subway in mere minutes, and was able to catch up with a speeding subway train. They also seem to possess great stamina, since they are able to cover great distances and perform continuous activity without needing to rest often.

Predators have developed natural infrared vision...which has its weaknesses. To counteract possible problems, most of Predators are equipped with a mask with complicated cybernetic optics, that helps to regulate their natural infrared vision. The mask has also many different selective vision-types, as seen in Predator 2, it is switching between a great selecton of different optic systems. Different vision-types include one used for tracking radioactive sources and one X-ray that can focus on specific layers of an object. In Alien vs Predator, the Predators are using a vision-type specialized for tracking xenomorphs. All of the vision-types can zoom in and out, as can be noted in the films.

Predator 2, after the character Detective Michael Harrigan removed the Predator's mask, it is seen using a breathing apparatus. Specifically, this apparatus was used for the Predator to breath its native air as it is less likely possible for the Predators thrive in the air readily available on Earth. Another theory supposes that the native atmosphere of the Predators is higher in Carbon Dioxide, when Harrigan entered the Predator vessel, he didn't seem to be bothered by the atmosphere but actually he didn't mind the stench that was present, because in Predator : Cold War, Schaefer and Ligacheva complained about the stench they smelt in the ship, possibly rotting plants which gives a similar effect in their home world (Thus explains the Predator's ability to breath in the jungle of Movie Predator).

One of the most pronounced differences between humans and Predators is longevity, sometimes as long as 1000 years. It is unknown what effects this has to a Predator, especially mentally, once they attain such an elevated age. The Predators that seem to have lived to 1000 years appear not to be suffering any ill-effects (they may be used to it, as it is apparently the average life expectancy for them).

Hunting Methods

Though the portrayal of how a particular Predator will behave during a hunt varies depending on the specific script of the narrative which the creature is appearing in, a typical Predator hunt usually commences in the following fashion:

A Predator spacecraft, entering from the reaches of outer-space, will covertly land within hostile territory where it intends to hunt. Such a territory for example may be a guerrilla war zone as seen in the film Predator, or perhaps a crime ridden city as seen in Predator 2. A lone Predator then, while cloaked, will spy on and analyze any potential targets for hunting which it deems as being threatening enough to be worthy of hunting. For instance, in Predator, the Predator does not attack anything for the first 40 minutes of the film while it is deciding whom to stalk, eventually coming to the conclusion to hunt the military squad.

A Predator will usually hunt on its own, without the assistance of any allies. The only exception to this so far in the Predator movie series was in Alien vs. Predator when the Predators appeared in a group of three, but even so, they seemed to avoid working together as a team using pack hunting tactics, but one did attempt to avenge one of its fallen comrades, rather than finishing off the remaining humans. Though it could also be said that the Predator saw the Xenomorph as the more threatening (or more challenging) adversary in that situation.

Once a Predator has decided whom it deems worthy of hunting, the creature stalks its prey. The Predator waits for the optimum moment to strike swiftly and efficiently with what can be compared to a guerilla attack. The Predator prefers to attack from afar with its projectile weapons, striking at lone targets whenever possible. This does not mean however, that the Predator will never attack an enemy who is in numbers, as the Predator often does throughout the series when the situation requires it. The Predator will also attack with melee weapons if it feels that the situation necessitates it. In Predator 2, it burst through a roof of a subway train and literally cut through at least ten armed people with very little difficulty. But this predator used his cloak as much as possible, even when 'challenged' by several people, until water from a fire extingiusher system rendered it inoperative, so it was somewhat lacking in predator 'honor.'

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The skinned and hung bodies of a Predator's victims, as seen in Predator (1987)

The Predator will then, if possible, capture its defeated opponent’s corpse and drag it away into hiding. If the opponent's body can not be acquired such as in the first film, Predator, the Predator will go back into hiding and wait for another chance to take the corpse.

Once the Predator has acquired the corpse, it will resolve the kill in one of two ways. If the kill was deemed unrewarding, the Predator will skin the body (and, in the first film, remove the internal organs) and, using cord, hang it upside down from its feet, although in Alien vs. Predator, the bodies were not skinned, simply hung by the feet. Also,in Alien vs Predator: Extinction,some bodies were headless and hung by the feet but not skinned.Otherwise, the Predator will take the corpse's skull and/or spine to keep as a trophy of its hunt. Having completed this ritual, the Predator will proceed to its next target until the hunt is over.

A Predator may kill anything without acid blood without any precautions, but when fighting a xenomorph it avoids cutting it with any close-combat weapons to avoid being doused with acid. Instead it will either strike the alien or throw blades at it from a suitable distance.

Homeworld

There is almost no information about the Predator homeworld in the films. A possible clue about the Predator homeworld provided by both the Predator films is that the Predators are attracted to heat (The heat may also help with the Predators visual equipment.) This hint is remarked upon by Anna in the first film, and later reinforced by Peter Keyes in the second movie. This suggests a homeworld much warmer than the current climate of the Earth. On the other hand, in the video game Aliens versus Predator: Extinction, it is said that Predators have (somewhat) fire resistant skin because they live on an arid death world. This seems to be reinforced in the film Alien vs. Predator when a Predator was attacked with a makeshift flamethrower. It turned away visibly unhurt, but with a smoking head. This made the Predator angry enough to kill a sick human with a vicious stab from its wristblades.

It is also possible they live on a much colder world, where their infrared vision would be much more suited, and because they were able to withstand the cold of Antarctica in Alien vs. Predator, temperatures that would have killed a human, with not so much as a shiver. Hunting Predators may choose extremely hot climates so they will have much more of a challenge when their mask is removed, due to the lack of the mask's thermal screening.

Social Information/Honor

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Three Predators are seen here aboard their scout ship in Predator 2. The older, veteran leader can be seen in the middle.

In the Predator movies, the Predator society is not depicted. It is left a mystery, but it is hinted that their entire society, or at least a very great portion of it, revolves around hunting. It is also depicted that the predator species do not sleep but simply hunt as much as possible. Predator 2 shows that they have hunted humans since at least the 18th century, as well as Xenomorphs and other unknown species.

Alien vs. Predator explained that Earth had been set up as a type of training ground by a Sect of Predators, that these hunted Xenomorphs, not Humans, and that they were responsible for the technological advancements that created the Egyptian and Aztec pyramids as well as the ancient Cambodian temples. The viewer learns that these Predators have been visiting Earth for centuries, where they were worshipped as gods. At one hundred-year intervals, they would visit Earth to take part in a rite of passage in which several humans would sacrifice themselves as hosts for the Xenomorphs, creating the "ultimate prey" for the Predators to hunt. If overwhelmed, the Predators would activate their self-destruct weapons to eliminate the Xenomorphs along with themselves. In this rite, a young Predator would earn a mark of honor, a hieroglyph burned into the Predator's face with Xenomorph acid, once it had killed one of the Xenomorphs.

In Predator and Predator 2 the Predators are portrayed not with an honor system per se, but instead a sense of sportsmanship and a respect for the "rules of the hunt." Predators seem primarily interested in aggressive game, and will often completely ignore and spare the weak and helpless, aka the unarmed. In Predator, the Predator seemingly violated these rules, when it killed a seriously injured and helpless man, but the man (Poncho) was holding a gun--and his injuries were the result of an earlier battle with the Predator--so this was presumably within the rules' boundaries. In Predator 2, one Predator aims his plasma caster at the head of a child that has a toy Uzi, but relents when a scan identifies the gun as a toy. When the Predator found itself witness to a confrontation between armed civilians, gang members and police officers, the Predator attacked all three sides without distinction due to their weapons. They were ALL prey. Later, the same Predator scans a disarmed female prey, and upon discovering a fetus within her, spares her life. The sense of sportsmanship can sometimes extend to when the prey bests the Predators, as demonstrated when Detective Harrigan finally kills his Predator opponent onboard the Predator's vessel. A group of Predators confronts Harrigan. However, rather than attacking him, the most (presumably) senior of them tosses Harrigan an old flint-lock pistol apparently as a trophy for Harrigan's victory. Such recognitions are rare, however, due to the largely solitary nature of a Predator's hunt and their preferred use of a self-destruct device when facing defeat. Make it seem as if you were never there. The novels generally support the idea that the more senior Predators place a greater value on sportsmanship, rules and challenge of prey, while younger hunters are only interested in amassing kills and trophies.

In Alien Vs. Predator, a Predator neutralizes and is about to kill an elderly character (Weyland), then detects terminal lung cancer within the man and ignores him. It is only when the man attacks the departing Predator with a makeshift flamethrower (a portable oxygen tank and a flare) that the Predator actually kills him. This suggests that Predators will only kill a seemingly weak target if they threaten the Predator or otherwise show worth as prey.

Also at the end of Alien Vs. Predator, when Alexa meets the Predator that ritually scarred itself on the forehead, it was about to kill her when it itself is attacked by a xenomorph. Alexa kills the alien with the Predator's spear, and the predator uses the xenomorph acid to mark her face with a glyph as proof of her kill. It also gives her the xenomorph's skull to use as a shield and attaches the tail to a pole to create a makeshift spear for her to use. This Predator with the aid of Alexa, drops its wrist bomb into the Alien birthing chamber and they both head to the surface and the bomb explodes. Unfortunately the Xenomorph Queen also escapes the blast and a fight ensues between Queen and the Predator and Alexa. The Xenomorph Queen falls into the sea and is seen sinking into the black depths. When the predators decloak to collect the fallen Predator after the Queen kills him, the clan leader sees the mark on Alexa's face and gives her his own retractable spear, acknowledging her, at the very least, as a fellow warrior.

They also appear to believe in honorable suicide, similar to the samurai ritual of seppuku, preferring to die rather than being slain or captured. The game Predator: Concrete Jungle states that one of the Predators´ highest laws is to be anonymous to their prey species, and breaking such a law can lead to a 100-year banishment to a far-off planet, which, if they have managed to survive to the end, they will be given a chance to redeem themselves afterwards. Alien Versus Predator: Extinction also shows that those Predators who fail to commit suicide after dishonoring themselves are hunted and killed by their comrades.

Armour/Equipment

Mask/Helmet

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A reconstruction of a Predator mask. This is an example of the Predator Bio mask.

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Thermal vision. The Xenomorph on the right side does not show up while the human on the left is highly visible

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EM vision. The Xenomorph on the right hand side is now very visible while the human on the left is much less distinguished

The Predators are a highly advanced technological species, evident through their capacity for interstellar travel and their vast array of weapons and equipment. One example of this technology is the mask (Bio-helmet) that they routinely wear during a hunt. Various mask types and designs are used by the Predators; the variation in design seems to result from individual preference rather than necessity. These masks contain a variety of functions which the Predator may require during a hunt. Some functions are listed here, with further details below:

A gas mask, respirator, possible translator, voice/sound amplifier, multiple vision modes, a zoom function, some diagnostic capabilities and some type of communication with others predators and/or mother ship. These functions are in addition to serving as protection for the Predator’s heads. It is unknown if the masks have an enclosed breathing system for uninhabitable environment (liquids, certain gas mixes etc).

The masks have been shown to have several different vision modes. These vision modes vary depending on the mask, and the origin of the Predator fiction. The most commonly seen vision mode is an enhanced thermal vision that greatly increases the contrast between objects from the Predator's natural sight, as seen in the first movie, when the Predator removes its mask. This is the mode the Predators are seen to use to track humans. Another reason for using this vision mode may be due to the use of the cloaking device. The cloak works by reflecting light away from the eye, which could prevent it from shining on the retina of the Predator, effectively blinding it. The enhanced thermal vision may be a way of combating this. In Alien vs. Predator, the Predator again has multiple vision modes, the two it uses primarily are the thermal vision for tracking humans and an "alien vision" it uses to detect Xenomorphs (in the film Aliens it was established that Xenomorphs are not visible using thermal vision). In Predator 2, the Predator switches between multiple spectral modes when it finds itself under attack from opponents who are wearing thermal camouflage, the movie suggests (due to screen colouring) that this mode could be some form of Ultraviolet spectrum; other explanations for this mode are Low-Light Amplification and Air Density Pressure (movement); but this is not specifically explained in the movie. Additional vision modes are available to determine the health condition of targets, suggesting that the Predators have a thorough understanding of human anatomy. This is shown in Predator 2 and Alien vs. Predator. The visual setting may also be modified for X-rays and Microwaves, with a built-in Magnetometer and a Geiger Counter.

Housed within the helmet is a targeting and tracking system for any shoulder-mounted weaponry. The shoulder mounted Plasma caster uses this laser target designator which comprises three sides of an open triangle, this also has a zoom capability so the Predator can see and aim over great distances. This tracking system also allows the Predator to plot trajectories of thrown objects. In Predator an object (a rock) thrown by Arnold Schwarzenegger 's character "Dutch" was tracked back to him in this manner. There is also an extensive array of surveillance equipment within the mask including a Waveform Analyzer which can analyze and imitate previous words spoken to it in an effort to communicate with, or ambush, other life forms such as humans. The mask also is used to analyse the materials or density of a toy gun a child was holding in Predator 2, meaning the Predator was able to mark the child as harmless. The mask also seems to affect hearing as well; in Predator, when the Predator took its mask off, it heard things at a much higher pitch than before and slightly more distorted. The mask possibly has the ability to provide protection from a Xenomorph facehugger as well. There is no protection given in the Aliens versus Predator PC games, this may have been a balance issue with the game however. In the first Alien movie, Kane was face-hugged despite his head being inside a space suit helmet, this may have been possible because his helmet was not made of the metal that the Predator masks are. Due to the experience that the Predators seem to have with dealing with the Xenomorphs, it is likely the mask were designed/re-designed to prevent a facehugger from being effective. The helmet does have its weakness; a large EMP signature will interfere with the vision modes, potentially leaving the Predator vulnerable.

In the Aliens vs. Predator PC games, the Predator has four vision modes, regular vision (to fit in with the first-person shooter genre), thermal (spotting regular beings like humans), electric (gives a red background, used spotting Xenomorphs by their white outline), and Predator vision (gives a bright green background, helps spot other Predators by a white body, and other Predator-related technology such as smart discs). In Predator: Concrete Jungle, the predator's mask offered four types of vision and varying diagnostic functions for each: Normal Vision, which was the same as a human and had no diagnostic; Thermal Vision, which highlighted heat signatures and could analyze health and armour weaknesses in prey; Tech vision, which contrasted energy sources and Xenomorphs and analyzed a prey's weapon systems and Neuro Vision, which exposed the prey's current emotional status (Calm, Panicking, Hostile, etc.) and, on scan, would show the target's affiliation and rank.

Cloaking device

A Predator's stealth cloak is invaluable, but it short circuits when it comes into contact with water

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Cloak in action

Other equipment includes a cloaking device to provide active camouflage, bending light around the wearer and projecting a semi-transparent image in front of the Predator, making it very hard to see, though not completely invisible. The overall effect is similar to that of light being bent by heat on a hot day (the mirage effect) The technology is also used to mask Predator ships moving within enemy territories. However, contact with water renders the device inoperable. The only exception to this rule is when the Predator faces off against a drug lord while standing in a puddle of water; the Predator briefly appears, but is subsequently shown cloaked in the next angle. It also doesn't seem to work against Xenomorphs, possibly because the Xenomorphs use their scent sense to "feel" the pheromones given off by the Predator. This is seen in Alien vs. Predator, when a camouflaged predator is impaled through the chest by a Xenomorph's tail, and in the games Aliens versus Predator and Aliens versus Predator 2. Also, a Predator's cloak can be identified when the predator is seen at close distances. Movement by the predator tends to break up the distortions (Unless the Predator is moving slowly, like when he crawled past Dutch).

In the Aliens vs. Predator PC game, the cloaking device works by making its user transparent; this is because it has been found by the developers that the game engine made the light-bending cloak too ineffective to be useful. It is also done this way so the player can still see what the he/she is doing when playing as the Predator in cloak.

Medicomp

The medicomp is not a weapon, but a small case that contains various medical equipments should the Predator ever be injured. One of the medical gadgets in it resembles a spike with a handle and contains a material that is either a powerful stimulant or a form of artificial plasma. It also contains a burner and a vial of liquid that when mixed with other materials (in Predator 2, the Predator uses broken glass and wall-tile fragments), creates a healing compound that can be used to treat and cauterize almost any wound, from minor to mortal, that a Predator may have. It has made various appearances throughout the Predator franchises including the games.

Sat-Com

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SAT-COM/Self-destruct Device located on the Predator

A computer which shows plans/schematics of some determined object or building, as well as working like GPS-style positioning unit. This device is seen in use in the first Aliens Vs. Predator movie.

Plate Armor

Most predators wear a breastplate which doesn't cover the midsection. It is made of a very durable unknown metal able to stop bullets as well as delay the corrosive effect of Xenomorph blood long enough for it to be taken off. In Alien vs. Predator, when Xenomorph blood is splashed onto the plate, the predator simply rips it off, suggesting that the plate is held together by clips attached to the backpack which release when pulled. The plate also appears to be made of several layers resulting in better durability. Pauldrons and tassets are also featured on a predator as well as greaves and foot armour made of the same unknown alloy. Though very light and strong, most types of predator armor will dent if hit with a strong enough blow and can be pierced by a Xenomorph tail blade.

The Aliens vs. Predator PC games portray the plate armor as being indestructible as a game play element, making the Predator the most durable player-controlled character. The plate armor won't keep a determined chestburster from erupting from the inside however; the armor shatters from the birth.

Mesh Jumpsuit

Almost all predators wear what seems to be a mesh jumpsuit made of an unknown wire. It appears to warm the Predator body by means of electrically generated warmth. Besides this, it has also been suggested that the mesh is a part of the camouflage system. However when neither camouflage nor warmth is needed the mesh suit serves as a jumpsuit during the hunt.

Weapons

Predator weaponry varies from hunter to hunter. It is possible that the difference in weapons between the various movies and games is more an indication of preference than anything else. Differences in clan culture may decide the difference in equipment a Predator may carry, as different clans may have different amounts of discipline in specific areas of combat, skill, or just possess a greater level of wealth or available technology. The idea of difference in wealth in a Predator clan would explain the amount of equipment carried and the advanced levels of each piece of equipment (for example, length and material of wristblades) however, may not necessarily account for the variety carried by them throughout their encounters. It has never been officially stated that they have specific reasons for using certain weapons.

Some or all predator weapons are rumoured to be based on promethius technology(in Predator: Concrete Jungle), it is uncertain whether this means they are made with promethium or the phrase is unrelated to the element.

Weapons depicted in film

Wrist blades

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Predator Wrist blades, normal and extended mode

The Wrist Blade is the weapon of choice for most Predators and their iconic symbol. Most Predators carry these lethal weapons. Twin or triple blades with jagged double edges are effective against prey. Using the Wrist Blades shows pride because Predators prefer melee combat.

The blades range from 12 to 18 inches long and retract from a wristband. They are forged from an unknown alloy which is almost unbreakable, but not totally immune to Xenomorph blood. In the first Predator film, the Predator uses lasers to heat the blades for more powerful blows. How they are sharpened is not shown.

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 pulmonary arrest in the Predator being studied. 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?" It's doubtful that this is the case in the movies, however, since Alien vs. Predator shows a Predator removing a wrist bomb, though this may be because he kept his Wrist Blades.

The Wrist Blades in Alien vs. Predator were longer than the Wrist Blades in its prequels.

In Alien vs. Predator. Scar has a variation with firing blades, when the slide on top is pulled back, the weapon arms. It fires the blades by extending the arm completely.

In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Wolfs Acid-resistant claws are almost identical to normal Wrist blades. In fact, the housing is the same. These new blades are only an inch longer, and are immune to all forms of damage including alien acid. The blades are nearly indestructible. The damage is only slightly more though. Those who have fought for many battles usually have made this simple upgrade.

Plasma Caster

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The Plasma Cannon as seen in Predator 2.

The Plasma Caster (also known as the "tri-cannon", "Plasma cannon" and sometimes "shoulder cannon"), is a shoulder-mounted cannon. A three-dot laser sight, which appears as a triangle in the Predator's HUD, is used to show the Predator where the shot will go. The Plasma Caster will automatically lock on a target if corresponding vision is activated. The three-dot laser sight can be part of the Predator's helmet. In both set-ups the Plasma Caster moves with the Predator's field of vision. It fires a bright, usually blue, pulse of energy/overheated plasma in a straight line. The pulse can be controlled to fire with more powerful charges, and the shots can burn through flesh, wood, metal, etc. There are at least two calibers, with the larger one mounting its own laser sight. The sound made when firing changed in Alien vs. Predator from a single whip-like striking sound, to a more mellow blast with a reverbing deep pulse as the shot travels. Of course, the only caster to fire in Alien vs. Predator was a larger caliber than the first two. In Alien vs. Predator, this appeared to be the objective of the training pyramid, as neither of the Predators were dropped off with one, and one opened a chest and picked one of three up to use. In the movies, the Predator was able to fire the Plasma Caster while using his cloaking shield generator. In the games, using the Plasma Caster deactivates the cloaking field. The three-dot sight has become the iconic symbol of the Predator films. The plasma caster can also work as part of the wrist computer. It is also removable.

In the new film Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, the Predator, who is evidently the main character, wields two plasma casters. According to the production team, the Predator takes a second plasma caster from the corpse of another Predator killed by the xenomorphs.When the Predator use two plasma cannons he can fire from both at the same time on different targets at once.

As a game play element in the Aliens versus Predator computer 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 doesn't take cover in such situations, although fast xenomorphs may escape.

Combi Stick

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The Predator from Predator 2 holding his Combi Stick

In the movies the Combi Stick closely resembles a spear. It has the ability to cut through many materials such as body armour and steel. It is swung by the Predator and used to deliver crushing or piercing blows. The Combi Stick is also telescopic, presumably for easy storage when not in use. Both this and the Smart Disc are made of materials that are somehow resistant to the acidic traits of Xenomorph blood.

Spear gun

A Spear gun which fires small metal darts at high velocity. The spear is said to look like a "Spear Tip". The spear gun shoots the dart at such a high velocity that it completely eliminates the need for leading, it can fire in two modes: in semi and spread ( fires like a shotgun). This weapon was briefly seen in Predator 2 and is available in the Aliens versus Predator PC games as well as in Predator: Concrete Jungle.

Smart Disc

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Model of a Smart Disc.

The Smart Disc (also known as throwing disc, razor disk, or simply “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 cut through half a dozen cattle carcasses and a man in Predator 2 in quick succession without any effort. It also has a hand grip for use as a slashing melee weapon as well. In the film Alien vs. Predator, the smart disc was replaced by a shuriken-like throwing star.

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. Also in the first-person shooter Aliens vs. Predator games, the Disc had a homing device when used in conjunction with an appropriate vision mode, and could be retracted at will. Whether this is the case in the movies has never been stated.

Shuriken

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The Shuriken disc from Alien vs. Predator (film).

A Shuriken, as seen in Alien vs. Predator, behaves much like the Smart Disc, however it is constructed with retractable blades. In Alien vs. Predator (film) a Predator also uses it as a slashing weapon. It is immune to Xenomorph's acid blood. It would appear from product images that this will return in the movie's sequel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, except far larger. The blade is also available as an upgrade to the Smart-Disc in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle.

Netgun

There are apparently two versions of the Predator Netgun. 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. The net is extremely strong, shown when a character tries to cut through the net with a knife, but the net cuts the knife's blade from the handle. It is not resilient to the Xenomorphs' acidic blood or Smart Discs (as seen in Predator 2).

In the PC 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 (knives in the case of marines, claws in the case of xenomorphs, and wrist blades in the case of player-controlled Predators [the last being only in multiplayer matches]).

Gauntlet Plasma Bolt

A wrist-mounted projectile weapon, seen in Predator 2, fires a small plasma bolt off the Predator's left wrist gauntlet, which seems to be only effective against un-armored opponents, but still causes a reasonable amount of damage as the protagonist of Predator 2, Mike Harrigan had to hastily remove his body armor.

Scatter gun

In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem the Scatter gun is part of the Plasma Caster. It is a last resort hand-held plasma gun that fires a net of energy out to a long range.

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The Predator Scatter gun.

Ceremonial Dagger

The Ceremonial Dagger is a relatively new discovery, appearing in the Aliens vs. Predator film. Associated with the Blooding Rites of young warriors, Its primary use is to remove the protective layer of skin of a Xenomorph, but could also be used as a close-contact weapon if need be. The Blade itself is made of either the bones or the carapace of a Xenomorph, making it resistant to their acid blood.

In the AVP film, after snagging a Xenomorph in his wrist-net, the Predator closed-up on the Xenomorph, and drew it's ceremonial dagger and prepared for the killing thrust. So, in fact, it's primary use seems to be not for removing the 'skin' of Xenomorph's, but rather for administering the killing blow to them - as the blade is specially treated (as is their spear) to withstand erosion from Xenomorphic acid-blood.

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The Predator's Ceremonial Dagger as seen in AVP (the film).

Wire

Wire is commonly used by a Predator. The Scar Predator in the AVP film uses some form of wire to kill one of the mercenaries when the team is walking down a corridor. The Predator hangs it down from above, the mercenary's head gets caught in it, and the Predator pulls him up. Also, predators use wire to hang defeated prey upside down by the ankles.

Self-destruct Device

Each Predator carries a self-destruct device mounted on their wrist computer. Once activated, this device starts off a countdown, red LEDs of extraterrestrial numerals (which may be possible to translate by simply counting the number of dashes in each figure), in the Predator's gauntlet serve as a warning. After a short delay, the device sets off a large-scale explosion, and is normally used as a final resort when a Predator's defeat is guaranteed in a desperate attempt to maintain its honor. The self-destruct device appears to be nuclear or anti-matter based in nature, capable of destroying anywhere between a few hundred yards (depicted in the movie, Predator, where Dutch narrowly escapes the explosion) to a large kilometric range (depicted in Alien Vs. Predator, where the blast was initiated shortly after their defeat),though this could be that because the Predator in the movie "Predator" was for simply an avarage hunt and against humans, while the one in the movie Alien Vs. Predator was for a highly secret ritual hunt and also against xenomorphs, a very dangerous and elusive prey that was able to escape almost any detruction; as seen in the Alien Quadrillogy; it would require quite more wiping out power should the coming of age Yuat'ja fail. However, this attempt is not always successful, as in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle the Predator survived (although this was described as the highest dishonor). Also, the game Predator: Concrete Jungle shows that the Predator scout ship might also have a destructive device upon it, or the main one located on the Predator's arm was left inside the ship and was detonated by a remote device.

Weapons depicted outside of film

Maul

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Predator holding a Maul in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle.

The Maul is a very long, barbed, arrowed, blade that the Predator holds in its hands or slips onto its arm. They appeared in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle. These blades are very powerful and can easily slice humans in half. The blades can be held upside down and 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 2 1/2 feet long.

A similar weapon made a brief appearance in Alien vs. Predator, being attached to the forearms of the predator called "Gill" (after the ribbing on his helmet) or "Chopper" (because of the two large blades on his forearms) by the crew of the film. Though they were seen attached to his arms through his part in the film, he never had the chance to use them as he was killed from behind by an Alien.

Glaive

This weapon appeared in the 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.

Plasma pistol

File:Plasmapistol.jpg

The Plasma Pistol from Aliens vs. Predator 2.

A Plasma Pistol that acts like a hand-held mid-range version of the Plasma Caster but with a large area of affect. The firing mechanism differs between the two games. In the first game, the mechanism is fired in a parabolic arc like an M203 grenade, 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.

Throwing charges/mines

In the games that feature the Predator, various mines, traps, and charges are shown to be used. 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. Effective when needed to disable the victim without hurting the innocent or weak nearby. 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.

Appearances in film and print

Movie appearances

1. Predator (1987) — Directed by John McTiernan
2. Predator 2 (1990) — Directed by Stephen Hopkins
3. Alien vs. Predator (2004) — Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
4. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) - Directed by Brothers Strause

Design of the hunter

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Variations of the Predator design.

The design of the Predator, especially that of their mouthparts, was a suggestion from James Cameron. While flying to Japan with Cameron, Stan Winston, who had been hired to design the Predator, was doing concept art on the flight. Cameron saw what he was drawing and said, "I always wanted to see something with mandibles". Winston then included them in his designs.

Stan Winston's studio created all of the physical effects for Predator & Predator 2, creating the body suit for actor Kevin Peter Hall and the mechanical facial effects. They were hired after attempts to create a convincing monster (including Jean-Claude Van Damme wearing a much different body suit) had failed. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommended Winston after his experience working on The Terminator.

Special effects and creature evolution

File:Peekaboo!!!.JPG

The first Predator encountered on film

The Predator's blood was originally made from a combination of the liquid out of glow sticks mixed with K-Y Jelly. The mixture would dry up quickly, so on set new batches had to be quickly made between takes. The technique is still used.

The camouflage effect was designed by R/Greenberg Associates, under the direction of Joel Hynek. The idea for the effect came in a dream one of the Thomas brothers (who wrote the film) had in which there was a chrome man who was inside a reflective sphere. The man blended in, perfectly camouflaged, reflecting from all directions and only visible when in motion. It took quite a while before they figured out how to do it, which was basically an image repeated in a pattern of ripples in the shape of the Predator's body. It proved very effective and was a new way of presenting an "invisible man." Before there was digital technology all of the camouflage was done optically using photo-chemical means. This meant that you would never get the same result twice from combining the pieces of film.

After the original movies, Amalgamated Dynamics took over from Stan Winston Studio in creating the props for the Predators in the Alien vs. Predator movie and a number of effects houses worked on the various other effects. The design of the Predator and its attributes including the cloaking technology and self-destruct device have changed over the years because of the advances in effects technology and will surely continue to vary in design in coming years.

Film portrayals

Kevin Peter Hall played the Predator in the first and second movies (though originally Jean-Claude Van Damme was slated to play the creature), having been in many suits before that, including Harry and the Hendersons. He was trained in the art of mime and used many tribal dance moves in his performance, such as during the fight between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Predator at the end of the first movie. In Predator 2 according to a "making of" featurette, Danny Glover suggested the Lakers to be the other Predators because Glover himself was a big fan. Hall persuaded some of the Lakers to play background Predators because they couldn't find anyone on short notice. Hall died not long after Predator 2 was released in theaters.

In Alien versus Predator, basketball player Ian Whyte, a fan of the Predator comics and movies, took over as the man in the Predator suit.

An interesting fact, all Predators portrayed in the films thus far (excluding Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem) are mortally wounded by impalement, with the exception of one (this would be the Predator known as "Celtic" in the film AVP). in Predator 2, the main Predator is impaled by Mike Harrigan with its own smart disk; in AVP the first Predator "Chopper" is impaled by a Xenomorph before being finished off with a head bite; and the main Predator "Scar" is impaled by the Queen Xenomorph. Only "Celtic" is killed by just a head bite. Whether the main predator "Wolf" in AVP: R will suffer a similar fate as the rest of his kind remains to be seen.

Spin-offs

There have been a number of spin-offs in a range of media:

• Novels
• Comic books
• Video games including Predator: Concrete Jungle

Crossovers

A Xenomorph and Predator meet for the first time on the big screen

Since Predator, the Predators have appeared in many crossovers (including a large number of intercompany crossovers) in comic books and other media such as novels and video games.

The largest of these crossovers is the Alien vs. Predator franchise, in which the Predators hunt the Xenomorphs. This was an idea that came to comic book artist Chris Warner in early 1989. He and other people at Dark Horse Comics were trying to come up with a good character combo for a new comics series. Dark Horse had been publishing Aliens comic book under license from 20th Century Fox since 1987.

At Warner's suggestion, Dark Horse head publisher Mike Richardson phoned the head of Fox licensing Pam North with their idea, expecting to have a long negotiation ahead. Instead, North was immediately enthusiastic about the concept.

The deal that brought the two characters together was credited as "Deal of the Year" by Capital City Distributors, even though it only took a few phone calls (a fact Dark Horse somehow neglected to contradict).

Alien vs. Predator, released in 2004 with director Paul W. S. Anderson at the helm, incorporates several elements from the comic books although it had a completely different story.

As well as Alien-franchise cross-overs, there have also been many other comic book crossovers with Superman, The Darkness, Witchblade, Magnus Robot Fighter, Green Lantern, Judge Dredd, Tarzan and Batman. In the comic Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator they are also shown as a force of balance on a cosmic level, working to stop a flood of Terminator androids from decimating the population of the galaxy. A Predator who was constantly in stealth mode appeared in an episode of the late night animated series Sealab 2021 in the episode entitled "Predator". A Predator was also seen in the South Park episode Imaginationland Episode 2 as one of the evil imaginary creatures released from the bad side of Imaginationland. And is formally recognised by the character Butters, with him yelling "AAGGHH! A PREDATOR!!!

On page 2 of Green Lantern #24, where the entire Sinestro Corps head for earth, one of the members at the bottom of the page is obviously a take on a Predator. It features the iconic mandibles, elongated head, dreadlocks, and even a shoulder cannon, along with the Sinestro corps uniform & Qwardian Power ring.

See also

• List of fictional anti-heroes

References

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• Predator: Concrete Jungle (2004)
• Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Aliens versus Predator (computer game)
• Aliens versus Predator 2

External links

• Predator: Special Edition
• Fan site Predator: The Hunted covers the entire Predator/Yautja universe
• Predator collectibles & kit guide
• Predator World Online hub for predator information