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Virus Las Plagas Analysis

Las Plagas (meaning Plague or Pest) is a parasitic animal with insect and plant characteristics which is capable of controlling the behavior of it's host organism. It is capable of creating B.O.W.s with intelligence and controllability with greater ease than the t-Virus.

Overview

Biology

Plaga have no consistent form, as they develop in different ways depending on outside factors, such as host and environment.
Their most common form is similar to an insect or scorpion, and they greatly resemble Facehuggers from the Alien franchise. Adult Plaga have legs used for movement, and can spray a venom/acid that may incapacitate other animals. Plaga have mandibles, and some are strong enough to decapitate adult humans. They also possess a tail for unknown purposes, and many thin tentacles which emerge from different areas (in particular from the mouth).

Plaga derive nutrition from their hosts to sustain themselves, and so cannot survive for long outside of a host. Plaga tissue is also destroyed when exposed to UV radiation, and they will die if they are directly exposed to sunlight or the blast of a flash grenade. Adult Plaga with no host will attempt to parasitize a host themselves, but due to their size this is almost impossible. Instead, their ability to temporarily operate and fight by themselves is probably simply to protect their queen, and perhaps to infect hosts with new Plaga.

Plaga are capable of reproduction through eggs, which can be injected into hosts with a syringe. How Plaga eggs infect hosts naturally is unknown, but here are some theories:
1. Egg infection is actually a leftover trait from parasitic wasps that developed into Las Plagas (see the "Origins" section). These wasps can inject eggs into hosts with their stinger. Las Plagas may have lost this stinger as it developed new reproductive capabilities, or the sharp end of the tail could actually be a stinger.
2. Eggs may be found in contaminated food, like other kinds of parasites. Plaga hosts tend to not be hygienic, and this may be to contaminate food.
3. Plaga or the Plaga Queen can transmit eggs into new hosts directly through an appendage or body fluid.
Plaga may also generate spores. These spores can survive for long periods of time even after the adult which created them has died. When a host breathes in these spores, they will mature into adult Plaga.

Once a Plaga egg enters a host, it will hatch and develop into an adult in less than a day. Plaga spores take much longer to develop. The baby Plaga will attach itself to the spinal cord, and use it's tentacles to infiltrate the central nervous system. Once it is at a certain point in development, the parasite will begin to use it's connection to manipulate the brain. Human hosts are referred to as Ganado (and later as Majini).

Plaga have the capacity to infect a wide variety of animals, such as humans, canines, bats, salamanders, crabs, and possibly even insects and spiders. Plaga seem unable or uninterested in infecting farm animals like cattle and chickens, and some individuals are not compatible with the parasite within otherwise suitable species of hosts.

Plaga are social creatures, and have organs capable of producing and receiving high pitch noises they are highly responsive to. Plaga use these sounds to communicate with one another, and live in perfect social harmony despite inhabiting various different species of host. Like some insects, each individual Plaga serves the overall collective, and they possess a Queen.

The Queen Plaga is a very large creature with plant-like characteristics, such as roots and petals. It is completely immobile, and contains organs at it's base capable of creating adult Plaga. As all Plaga can reproduce to some degree, the overall purpose and importance of the Queen is debatable. Plaga Queen tissue is stronger, giving them protection against sunlight. They possess a pair of strong tentacle "arms".

In addition to their resemblance to Facehuggers, the Plaga could have a similar lifecycle to the Xenomorph - a Queen creates adult Plaga which independently seek out hosts, and which inject eggs into animals before dying.
Somehow, Plaga are capable of infecting/affecting hosts on the cellular level, and of inducing both minor and profound mutations in themselves and in hosts. Some mutants appear to physically fuse with the parasite, and Plaga cells can unite cells from different organisms into a single hybrid creature.

History

An old cult existed in Spain called Los Iluminados (The Enlightened) that worshipped Las Plagas. This cult was persecuted (or prosecuted, considering their nature) by the Salazar Family, which ruled the region. The family took Las Plagas away, froze them, and sealed them beneath the Salazar castle.

Centuries later, the high priest of the cult, Osmund Saddler, convinced the last head of the Salazar Family (Ramon) to join Los Iluminados. The two hired men from the nearby village to excavate Las Plagas, but all they found were what appeared to be fossils. Either the Salazars somehow fossilized the parasite, the Plaga did it to themselves, or those specimens were much older. The miners breathed in Plaga spores contained in the remains, which led to the emergence of new, living Plaga. The Project Umbrella translation of Luis' Memo 2 says the Plaga remains with spores inside were mummified, not fossilized.

Saddler used Ramon Salazar's fortunes to hire researchers who performed experiments with Las Plagas on an old island nearby. The end goal of this research was to create a strain of the parasite which could control regular Plaga and allow the host to retain their free will. This led to the development of the dominant species Plaga, and many Plaga B.O.W.s were also created to destroy the cult's enemies.

Saddler infected himself and Salazar with the dominant strain, as well as another follower named Bitorez Mendez. Mendez was the chief of the large nearby village, and he convinced the villagers to join the cult. The villagers underwent a "blood purification ritual", which involved them being injected with the standard parasite. They, along with the lesser members of Los Iluminados and a group of militia, were used to create an army of Ganados controlled by Saddler, Salazar, and Mendez.
Saddler's ultimate ambition was to conquer the world, starting with the United States.

Bioterrorist Albert Wesker discovered the existence of Las Plagas and made plans to acquire the dominant strain for B.O.W. development. He ordered his subordinate Jack Krauser to infiltrate the cult. In order to gain Saddler's trust, Krauser kidnapped the US President's daughter Ashley Graham, whom Saddler planned to infect and use to get close to her father.
Krauser was invited into Saddler's inner circle and was at one point infected with the dominant strain, but he failed to acquire a sample for Wesker. Wesker sent agent Ada Wong to help, and Ada established contact with one of Saddler's researchers, Luis Sera. Luis wanted to leave safely, and offered to steal the dominant strain for Ada in exchange for his freedom.

Around the same time, US agent Leon Scott Kennedy was sent to rescue Ashley. Luis was killed by Saddler, but Leon and Ada managed to destroy the cult and kill Saddler, Salazar, Mendez, and Krauser. Ada betrayed Wesker and did not send him the dominant strain, but Wesker acquired a sample anyway from Krauser's corpse. Plaga continued to infest the area, and a new mutant type appeared in the wild that caused an outbreak years later.

Wesker gave the regular and dominant Plaga to the TRICELL corporation, who developed advanced bioweapons for sale on the black market. This included the Type 2 and Type 3 Plaga, which turned hosts into Majini. Even after the fall of TRICELL, Plaga remained a popular product for bioterrorists.

Svetlana Belikova, president of the Eastern Slavic Republic, had her Security company create a fifth variant type of Plaga, which was also stolen by Ada Wong. The remnants of Los Iluminados provided Plaga samples to bioterrorist Glenn Arias, who used it in conjunction with the t-Virus to create the A-Virus.

Origins

While Las Plagas appear to be a natural organism, they are unlike any other animal in existence. In particular, their ability to mutate themselves and their hosts, their ability to reproduce via spores, and their social nature as parasites are traits not typically seen in animals.
A significant clue as to their origins can be found in the Ndipaya temple containing the Stairway to the Sun, in West Africa. A mural inside contains images which clearly depict Las Plagas.

Based on these murals, a theoretical narrative can be created. First, it can be seen that the Ndipaya people had access to Las Plagas. This likely predates their discovery in Spain. It has been stated in the lore that the parasite previously existed in an isolated ecosystem, yet it has been in both Africa and Europe. I believe this can be explained rather easily - the parasite was simply discovered by the Ndipaya, and all known surviving Plaga were brought to Spain.

As Las Plagas is depicted in murals inside a temple dedicated to the Stairway to the Sun, the same place the Progenitor Virus was discovered, I believe the Plaga were actually created by the virus.

The original host species that was infected by the Progenitor Virus and subsequently transformed into Las Plagas was likely an insect of some sort. Ampulex Compressa, a parasitoid wasp found in Africa, is a likely candidate.
Las Plagas may also be related to Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, a fungus which alters ant behavior. The fungus will sprout from the head of the ant, similar to how Plaga can erupt from Ganado heads. The creation of spores is a more obvious connection.

The virus is capable of creating chimera organisms by carrying genetic material from one host into another, and using these genes to rewrite the host's genome. This is seen with creatures such as the Hunter B.O.W.. As Las Plagas prominently displays plant characteristics (the appearance of the queen, spore reproduction, petal-like mandibles), I believe the original creature Plaga descend from inherited plant traits by coming into contact with the Progenitor Flower.

Other evidence from many different games supports a connection between Plaga and Progenitor:
Leeches are another parasite infected with the Progenitor Virus, which display extremely similar traits. Marcus Leeches developed a weakness to sunlight, an advanced eusocial nature (with a queen and sound-based communication), and the ability to mutate. The infected leeches at the Raccoon Hospital were actually capable of completely controlling a human corpse. Taking these into account, the idea of Las Plagas developing the exact same traits from Progenitor is not only plausible, it's likely.

The fact Plaga can infect such a wide variety of animals despite it's isolated upbringing can be explained by Progenitor. It's ability to spontaneously mutate and to create hybrid organisms is also reminiscent of the virus. The similarities to Nemesis are even more noticeable. Other virus symptoms are seen in Plaga hosts, but I'll go into those as I cover each individual creature.

The Ndipaya mural also depicts a tree-like thing with people beside it. These people have their hands cupped, as if they are retrieving something from the "tree". There are also many circles.
I believe the "tree" is either a Progenitor plant containing the first Plaga, or a Plaga Queen. The circles may be Plaga eggs, which the Ndipaya take from the "tree".

Other murals depict a pit filled with animals. These animals have tentacles sprouting from their backs and enlarged teeth, like the Plaga-infected canine Collmilos. I believe the Ndipaya created primitive B.O.W.s from the Plaga they harvested. These creatures are also shown infecting humans and destroying the kingdom.

Similar murals found in RE4 with the Iluminados insignia may imply a further connection.

Plaga Type 1 (Subordinate)

This breed of Plaga was the natural form of the parasite, before Los Iluminados or TRICELL modified it. The following creatures are the result of normal Plaga infection, without direct human modifications:

Ganado

Ganados (Spanish for "cattle") are human hosts under the control of normal Plaga. Technically speaking, Ganados are still human beings, and their biology is relatively unaltered when compared to Zombies or J'avo. As such, Ganados have less vitality than virus mutants, and cannot recover from wounds such as limb removal or organ failure.

Once a human is first infected with a Plaga, symptoms will only begin after the egg has hatched and the baby parasite moves it's way onto the spinal cord. The host will retain their free will until the parasite has reached a certain stage of development. As it develops, hosts begin to cough blood, and will periodically lose consciousness and enter into trance-like states where they display Ganado behavior. The iris of the eye will shift in color to red, indicative of blood pooling in the eyes from burst vessels. During this period, removing the developing parasite can be accomplished while preserving the life of the host using surgical applications of UV radiation, although the pain inflicted onto the Plaga will be transferred to the host's nerves. Once the transition into a Ganado is complete, removal of the parasite will always be fatal to the host due to the deep connection the parasite makes with the central nervous system.

Ganado eyes commonly stay red, and will glow in dark environments. Ganado skin may become pale as well, although the albino skin of cultist Ganados is due to a lack of exposure to sunlight. Both symptoms (glowing red eyes and pale skin) are likely mutations inherited from the Progenitor Virus. Aside from the eyes, Ganados display no changes in appearance.

Ganados lose their free will and become violent towards the uninfected (whom they recognize due to the ability of Las Plagas to communicate), but the brain is actually left intact, with no loss in motor function, memory, or intelligence. Habits, skills, and even distinct personality traits all remain after assimilation with the parasite. The exact mental state of Ganados is not entirely understood, and exactly how sentient they are is open to debate. Two major possibilities exist, and the most likely explanation probably fits somewhere in the middle:
1. Ganados retain their individuality and most of their mental facilities. But Las Plagas causes them to enter a sort of trance where they obsess over thoughts and behaviors that directly benefit the parasite. The introduction of different chemicals like dopamine could facilitate this. Or:
2. Ganados are, for all intents and purposes, brain dead. The parasite simply uses it's connection to the brain to replicate and imitate human behavior, like Mimicry Marcus or the Queen Leech.

Plaga mainly affect the parietal lobe of the brain, which is mainly responsible for processing sensory information.
The host’s frontal lobe (which among other things is responsible for emotion, reasoning and suppressing socially unacceptable behavior) is largely paralyzed, leading to a lapse in judgment and morality. It may also lead to confabulation, which is a memory error that causes subjects to believe in misinterpreted or false memories. This could be a factor in how Plaga influence the ideology and personality of the host.

Ganados will continue to behave as they did prior to infection in order to camouflage themselves amongst normal humans. This behavior includes farm chores, driving, religious chanting, and even writing. Their ability to operate machinery, communicate via speech, and to use weapons and tools are all intact. The biggest difference in behavior is a lack in hygiene, which may be due to the parasite changing host priorities, to facilitate further infection with contaminated food, or a result of the frontal lobe paralyzation.

When the Plaga decides it is time, Ganados will drop the act and attack any threats. Due to their parasites communicating, Ganados use advanced group and ambush tactics in combat, similar to how a military unit would use wireless ear pieces on the battlefield. They resign the use of self-preservation if it means better serving the Plaga collective. Ganados will follow any order if their Plaga are controlled through the use of special sounds produced by some bells, dominant species Plaga, and possibly Zombie Jammers.

Ganados experience some degree of body strengthening, and might have slightly greater vitality than uninfected humans. While they can be stunned by inflicting pain on the body (unlike Zombies), they are less affected than an uninfected human would be. Las Plagas could partially numb pain receptors, or this could be due to an increase in adrenaline.

Some hosts are said to have differing levels of perfection in regards to parasite assimilation. Why this is exactly is never specified, although it could indicate genetics play a role somehow. Children and some women are rejected and killed by the parasite, as well as around 8% of adult men. On the other end of the spectrum, some male and female hosts are more successfully assimilated than most other hosts, resulting in more powerful Ganados. These hosts include the Chainsaw Man, Chainsaw Sisters, and Gatling Gun Ganado. These hosts are even more aggressive than regular Ganados due to greater Plaga influence, and are less prone to imitate regular human behavior (including speech), yet they still have the coordination and intelligence to use chainsaws and guns. These hosts experience a considerable increase in strength and vitality. They can easily lift massive weapons too large for excessive human use, and can even withstand multiple gunshot wounds to the head. This is because Plaga are capable of releasing chemicals that promote the development of muscle mass and fatty tissue capable of absorbing damage. In addition, due to the parasite's connection to the brain, Plaga could potentially "tell" the body to release certain natural chemicals like growth hormone to promote the development of strengthened traits.

If a Ganado is killed, the parasite within might survive. In this case, Plaga will commonly destroy the head of the Ganado and emerge from the gaping neck. Still attached to the nervous system, Plaga in this state will take direct control over the Ganado body like a puppet. The movements of the body become slow and mechanical, and are devoted to simply transporting the Plaga, which attacks targets itself. This state cannot exist for long, or in the presence of sunlight.

The way the exposed parasite attacks is dependent on it's stage in development, and it mutates itself to perform more effectively.
Exposed Plaga that are still adolescent are called Plaga A. These lack legs and have many writhing tentacles. The remains of the Ganado's original eyeballs have fused with the parasite, perhaps due to the underdeveloped vision of young Plaga. Shortly after emerging, Plaga A will split open and sprout a new tentacle tipped with a bone which may have been recycled from the host body. This bone is very sharp, and the Plaga will trash it around violently. Plaga A are most commonly seen sprouting from the more recently infected villagers and militia.
Plaga in mid-development emerge as Plaga B. A mutation causes them to grow in size, extending their reach and giving them deadly biting capabilities. Plaga B have begun to develop legs, yet they cannot yet separate from the host. Plaga B have also begun to develop the acid spray of adults.
Plaga C are the adult form of the species, and do not require mutations like Plaga A and B to fight. Plaga C can separate themselves from the host and temporarily survive independently. High ranking Iluminados monks sprout these Plaga due to being infected the longest, as well as some militia.

Colmillos

Aside from humans, canines are also subject to Plaga infection and control. Los Iluminados caught them in bear traps, then infected them with the parasite for use as B.O.W.s. A common symptom in wolves was the enlargement of their teeth, probably due to the hormonal changes caused by Plaga. This led to their name "Colmillos", which means "fangs".

Colmillos are cooperative with Ganados due to their Plaga, and are more easily controlled than the Cerberus B.O.W. created with the t-Virus. They retain their pack instincts and prior abilities as canines, and their social nature made them ideal Plaga hosts, like humans. The parasite is capable of slightly emerging from the back to whip at prey with it's tentacles. Like Ganados, Colmillos eyes glow red in darkness.

The Colmillos may have been first used by the Ndipaya, using what appear to be hyenas. They escaped confinement at some point, and started a Plaga outbreak that destroyed the Ndipaya kingdom.

Armadura

Some Plaga lacking hosts in the Salazar castle preserved their life by incubating in old suits of armor. When a potential new host approached, the parasite used it's tentacles like human muscles to operate the armor, as if a human were wearing it, and attacked the host in an effort to subdue them. The Plaga could also remove the helmet and emerge from the neck like Ganado hosts with exposed Plaga. These strange "creatures" are named after the Spanish word for armor: "Armadura".

The behavior of Plaga with the Armadura, and the ability to imitate muscle with their tentacles, is a bizarre trait for a natural organism. It could be an adaptive mutation. Plaga are known to quickly adapt due to environmental factors.
Some parasitic insects will burrow into hosts, hollow out their insides, and use the remaining shell as an incubator for themselves or their offspring. The behavior with the Armadura could be related in some way.

Dominant Species Plaga

Dominant Plaga (AKA Control or Master Plaga) were created by Los Iluminados at their island base. This artificial strain of the parasite allowed it's host to retain their free will and to control lesser Plaga. While dominant Plaga still attach themselves to the central nervous system, the master/slave relationship between the parasite and host is reversed. The host is capable of controlling the Plaga inside them, and through them controls other Plaga.

The Dominant Species produces high frequencies similar to the ones used by regular Plaga to communicate. However, these sounds are especially tuned to manipulate Plaga and their hosts. Ada Wong compared it to a dog whistle, in that it is unperceivable to human ears. This ability could have originated in the Plaga Queen, and may have been simply spliced into the dominant strain.

The relationship between Ganados and the dominant hosts is very similar to the relationship between Veronica Humans and Veronica Mutants (see "Virus Analysis: t-Veronica").

Aside from it's primary abilities of control, hosts of the dominant strain experience extreme mutations themselves. If the host body is capable of it, they will acquire super human strength, speed, agility, and vitality, similar to hosts who adapt to viruses derived from Progenitor. These abilities seem to be an amplification of those seen in well-assimilated Ganado hosts, like the Chainsaw Ganados.

Even more remarkable, dominant hosts can trigger dramatic, seemingly random mutations in themselves at will. While these triggered transformations are also similar to t-Veronica, they cannot be reversed, unlike Veronica hosts such as Alexia or Steve.
In their transformed states, the hosts appear to fuse with their Plaga, and the line between the two organisms is blurred. It seems the Plaga itself does most of the mutating, while the host is simply absorbed into the Plaga's body.

Even so, such dramatic mutations should not be possible unless a virus with Progenitor's "DNA mutation factor" is involved. This can be explained by Plaga containing trace amounts of Progenitor from the Ndipaya days, and the modifications by Los Iluminados simply "unlocked" and enhanced this mutagenic potential (regular Plaga mutate in relatively small ways too, as seen in the Type A and B).

Another theory is that in order to easily manipulate the genetic code of Plaga, the cult acquired the t-Virus from the black market and created the dominant strain with it. This is mainly supported by a line from Luis Sera in RE4, where he mentions seeing a sample of T at the department (he told Leon he was a cop). While Luis was lying about his profession, the fact he mentions T at all is very suspicious, considering he was a researcher hired by Saddler. The fact he is immediately cut off too makes the line seem significant. It could be that Luis was slipping out small clues to Leon to gauge his reaction.

Personally, I think both theories can work together: the natural mutagenic abilities acquired from Progenitor in Plaga were strengthened by incorporating the t-Virus.
If that explanation isn't convincing enough, read what I have to say later about Type 3 and Svetlana's Plaga - the virus connection to the dominant strain becomes even more evident.

The actual dominant Plaga itself has a very hard bullet-proof exoskeleton, and it's weakness to UV radiation has been removed.

Dominant Hosts

At least five hosts of the dominant species Plaga have existed (perhaps six, if you count the Merchant):

Mendez - Chief Bitores Mendez was already a large, strong man prior to his infection with the dominant strain. His Plaga further heightened his strength, allowing him to bend steel and to easily overpower Leon on multiple occasions. His vitality was great enough to survive an explosion from a gas barrel, and even losing the lower half of his body.

Once Mendez triggered the transformation of his Plaga, the parasite became exposed and completely fused with his spinal cord. The Plaga legs/mutated ribs gave it the appearance of a centipede. A pair of Plaga legs sprouting from the back allowed him to swing from overhead poles, and to move when his original legs were removed. A soft spot of the parasite existed at the base of his spine which served as a weak point. The only actual change to Mendez's body aside from the spine was the development of long needle-like claws.

Salazar - Ramon Salazar's small body was incapable of supporting the enhanced abilities of the dominant strain, forcing him to rely on his two B.O.W. bodyguards (Verdugo) for protection. He suffered skin damage, giving Ramon the appearance of an old man despite only being twenty years old.

When Salazar transformed, he fused not only with his parasite like Mendez, but with the Queen Plaga and one of his Verdugo guards as well. He probably used his dominate Plaga to order the Queen to "eat" him, then triggered transformation, forcing the Queen to join in the fusion.
The resulting creature retained the two tentacle "arms" of the Queen, as well as the Plaga-producing organ at it's base. The only real difference following transformation was the development of a third tentacle which sprouted from the Queen's mouth. This tentacle was tipped with the enlarged head of the absorbed Verdugo. At the base of the tentacle was a large growth that connected it to the main body. This growth had a shell covering it which could open to reveal the remains of Salazar's body. Salazar acted as the brain of the creature.
The Verdugo head could split open down the middle, revealing a massive jaw with countless sharp teeth, big enough to devour an adult human. It's sole remaining eye was the only part of it still vulnerable to damage.
By destroying the Salazar growth, Leon separated the tentacle from the main body, killing the creature(s).

Krauser - Jack Krauser was already a deadly fighter as a normal human, and the dominant Plaga enhanced his abilities even further. When he finally triggered his Plaga transformation, he caused the parasite to fuse with one of his arms. The parasite seems to have repurposed Krauser's bones to create a sharp blade at the end of this "arm", and it could fold into a wing-like shield strong enough to deflect rocket blasts.
Leon blew a hole in Krauser's chest, and left his body to be engulfed in the explosive trap of Krauser's own making. Despite this, Krauser's enhanced vitality allowed him to survive, albeit with severe burns covering much of his body. He was finally killed by Ada Wong. Wesker recovered his corpse and extracted his Plaga, which he used to clone new samples of the dominant strain. Even if Krauser survived his fight with Ada, he wouldn't survive the removal of his parasite.

Saddler - Osmund Saddler was more powerful than his subordinates and fellow dominant hosts, suggesting his parasite was further enhanced. He developed strange and unearthly abilities, such as rapid movements without moving his legs, and the ability to eject bullets shot into his body. Underneath his robe was a sharp tentacle with amazing strength. Inside his mouth was a large eyeball. These traits all existed prior to his triggered transformation!

Once Saddler triggered transformation, his head fused with the parasite, and was attached to the Plaga's body with a long, tentacle-like neck. He developed sharp, mandible-like growths along his head, and his mouth eye growth fully emerged. The body of the Plaga emerged from his neck, and had four massive legs. In the joints of his Plaga legs were more eye growths, giving him a 360-degree view. Saddler's original body hung from the Plaga's base, and several tentacles were seen emerging from it.
In this form, Saddler was extremely nimble, and could jump massive heights. His exoskeleton was indestructible, but his multiple eyes served as weak points. Leon killed Saddler by firing a special rocket at the exposed eye in Saddler's mouth, destroying his head.

I have an admitably insane theory with Saddler. Supplementary material has pointed out how in his mutant form, Saddler looks like a reversal of the relationship between Plaga and hosts - the body hangs onto the parasite like a discarded shell or chrysalid. Prior to transformation, he had at least one tentacle, moved in an unnatural way, and already sported his eye growth. Maybe Saddler wasn't human anymore. I get the feeling that under his robe, he would not have a normal body, and his "transformation" is more like his true form. Perhaps, in his devotion to Las Plagas, Saddler underwent experiments to turn himself into a Plaga/human hybrid. Going even further, considering his sole motivation was to spread the parasite, maybe Saddler "the human" wasn't even in control...
Regardless, his eye growths may have been inherited from the Progenitor Virus.

Saddler also carried a staff with a live Plaga wrapped around it. If it's function was not purely symbolic, and if it was a dominate Plaga, perhaps Saddler used it to widen or strengthen his "influence".

Irving - After TRICELL acquired the dominant species Plaga, it was used in various experiments to produce new B.O.W.s. Control over other Plaga hosts was realized through more practical means, and so the dominate strain was used for it's combat effectiveness only.
TRICELL employee and bioweapons dealer Ricardo Irving was forced to inject himself with a dominant Plaga embryo after he was cornered by BSAA agents Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar.

The Plaga developed at an astounding rate, and transformation was immediately triggered. The Plaga began to expose itself from Irving's back, and soon grew dozens of times larger than Irving himself. It flung itself (and it's host) into a large body of water using worm-like tentacles, and then developed into an aquatic monster. In addition to it's enlarged worm-like tentacles (used for fast swimming and grabbing), it developed frontal tentacles tipped in claws. These clawed tentacles were stronger, but due to it's rapid development they were not completely covered in exoskeleton, revealing vulnerable orange flesh. Destroyed tentacles would quickly regenerate. The Plaga's mandibles were large enough to devour multiple adult humans, and more soft spots developed on the sides of it's head.
Irving's original body developed into the creature's tongue, and like Mutant Salazar acted as the brain. During it's battle with Chris and Sheva, the Plaga Beast accidentally bit off it's own tongue in pain. The main body immediately died, and Irving died soon after.

Irving's mutation was even more dramatic than the transformations seen in previous dominant hosts. The Biohazard 5 Kaitai Shinsho Guide speculates that his Plaga may have been further modified by TRICELL. The aquatic form it took may have been one of these modifications, in order to create a marine Plaga B.O.W. superior to Del Lago. It may also have been an adaptive mutation in response to environment, a result of Irving's will, or simply a random mutation.

Plaga Type 2

After Albert Wesker provided samples of Las Plagas to TRICELL in 2006, experiments were conducted to remove it's faults as a weapon. This resulted in the creation of the Type 2, which was first used in a product demonstration in the Kijuju Autonomous Zone in West Africa. Due to it's use in this region, Type 2 Plaga and their hosts are named using the native language: Swahili.

Type 2 Plaga are much less vulnerable creatures. Their weakness to sunlight has been removed, although they are still harmed by the intense blast of a flash grenade.

When fully grown, Type 2 Plaga can detach from hosts, like regular adult Plaga. However, Type 2 Plaga will develop into one of two different forms as they age: Bui Kichwa or Kipepeo. The reason for the difference could be due to mutation during development, or they could be engineered subspecies of the same type.

Bui Kichwa, which in Swahili means "head spider", are more spider-like in appearance, have a different coloration than most Plaga (perhaps a more resilient exoskeleton), and have developed hook-like claws
at the ends of their legs. These claws make them proficient diggers, and they will hide underground to ambush prey. While ordinary Plaga require a host to survive due to their dependence on host nutrients, Bui Kichwa can not only detach themselves like Plaga C, but can survive independent of their host indefinitely. This could be because Bui Kichwa might be capable of feeding themselves by latching onto prey and devouring them. Their powerful legs can hold the arms of humans still, leaving prey helpless unless aided by another. Bui Kichwa no longer possess tails.

Kipepeo ("butterfly") are capable of flight, with their legs replaced with wings made of thin involucrum. Kipepeo retain their tails, and their mandibles have developed at the bottom of it, forming a claw. Kipepeo have thin and slender bones making them capable of fast and graceful movements in the air. Once in proximity to prey, Kipepeo will grab prey with their clawed tails and lift them into the air, strangling them. While individual Kipepeo are relatively weak, in swarms they can take down helicopters. This makes them one of the only few anti-air B.O.W.s.
The flying capabilities of Kipepeo could be a hold out from the species Plaga might descend from, Ampulex Compressa. It could also be due to TRICELL researchers introducing new genes into the Plaga's genome.

Aside from improvements to the resilience and combat abilities of the Type 2 parasite, the main feature of this Plaga is it's enhanced reproductive and infection capabilities. While the maturation of normal Plaga is very fast, bioweapons customers want a transformation in hosts that is instantaneous. Ganados also lack the ability to infect other humans themselves. Compare this to the perfected t-Virus, which creates Zombies in seconds, which are also capable of quickly infecting others.

Instead of entering hosts as an injected egg or through the inhalation of spores, Type 2 Plaga can infect hosts as developed adolescents (the same stage in development as Plaga A). This is done through oral invasion of the host. The Plaga will force it's way down the throat, then tear through the esophagus and attach itself to the medulla oblongata, the part of the brain responsible for involuntary functions. The parasite will stay here instead of on the spine. From there, Type 2 will parasitize and control the central nervous system. Symptoms during this process include severe convulsions and bleeding through facial orifices. The entire process takes an average of around ten seconds.
Each Type 2 Plaga is capable of asexual reproduction, and will produce new developed adolescents inside of it's mouth. If my theory regarding the purpose of Plaga tails is correct, perhaps that is why Bui Kichwa no longer require them.

Majini

Human hosts of the Type 2 Plaga are called Majini (Swahili for "demon" or "evil spirit"). For the most part, regular Majini are identical to Ganados, and also possess red eyes and pale skin. There are some key differences, however.

Majini, like Ganados retain all of their intelligence and will continue to behave as they did as humans. The villagers of Kijuju were going through political shifts that led to widespread xenophobia. When transformed into Majini, these sentiments persisted (or were simply mimicked), but were far more violent and radical in nature. Some Majini, called Agitators, took on a leadership role and organized assemblies. The equivalent of this behavior in Ganados would be their adherence to Los Iluminados.

Majini behavior differs from Ganado behavior in that rather than just blindly attacking others, they are driven by instinct to reproduce. Majini will shove Plaga taken from the parasite inside themselves into the mouths of uninfected, creating new Majini. Other than that, Majini are slightly more aggressive than Ganados, resulting in sadistic and violent behavior such as ritual sacrifice, torture, beatings, public executions, and rarely even self-mutilation.

Due to the location of Type 2 Plaga on the medulla oblongata, and the hole left in the esophagus, the Plaga's mandibles and mouth are capable of emerging from the mouth of the Majini host. Majini use these mandibles to acquire new Plaga for infecting others. The mandibles are also capable of deadly biting, and considering the behavior of Bui Kichwa can perhaps be used for feeding.
If a Majini's head is destroyed, the Plaga will be partially exposed before dying.

Differing levels of assimilation with the parasite still exist with Majini. All children and some women are still killed, while other hosts are more compatible and develop into enhanced Majini. These enhanced types include Big Man, Chainsaw, and Executioner Majini:

Big Man Majini were already physically strong as humans, and due to greater Plaga assimilation are even stronger. They also possess greater vitality.
A side effect with this mutation is a drop in intelligence due to greater Plaga mental interference. They are especially aggressive, but lack the ability to verbally communicate, limiting their use as competent Majini B.O.W.s.

Chainsaw Majini are essentially identical to Chainsaw Ganados. They appear to suffer some eye damage. The many cuts seen on the bodies of Chainsaw Majini are not the result of self-mutilation or mutation, but come from constant chainsaw use.

Executioner Majini were used to execute those who resisted infection at public assemblies in Kijuju. They had the enhanced strength and vitality of other well-assimilated hosts, but developed extra layers of fat and muscle due to an increase in production of the chemicals secreted by Plaga. Their fatty tissue could withstand a hail of gunfire, and they were strong enough to wield an axe created from a guillotine blade (which usually weigh around 88 pounds) and to lift a very large human like Chris Redfield with one arm. Executioner Majini appear to mutilate their bodies with long metal spikes, giving them the appearance of human pin cushions.

A special type of Executioner exists called the Red Executioner Majini. Aside from even tougher tissue, it's skin is completely white, like an albino. it's Plaga is exposed on the back, like the Garrador B.O.W., which is covered in spikes. It's axe is set on fire.
While the Red Executioner type originally only appeared as a bonus Mercenaries enemy, like the Giant Chainsaw Man, it's reappearances in Desperate Escape and Heavenly Island confirm it is a canon creature. Desperate Escape and Heavenly Island also confirm that multiple Executioner Majini existed in Kijuju.

Like the same phenomenon seen in Ganados, if a Majini is killed the Plaga inside may destroy the head, emerge from the neck, and control the body completely using it's connection to the central nervous system. If the Plaga is fully developed, it will emerge as either a Bui Kichwa (which can separate or remain attached to the host, the latter of which is seen in Umbrella Corps) or a Kipepeo. If not fully developed, the parasite will mutate, grow in size, and transform into a Cephalo.
Cephalo may operate in the day due to their weakness to sunlight being removed. Their form is essentially a combination of Plaga A and B: they have a bone blade attached to the top for use as a weapon (A), with a body resembling Plaga B.
They greatly resemble the fruiting body of African plants belonging to the genus Cephalopentandra, from which they get their name. "Cephalo" also means "head".

Adjule

Adjule are canines infected with the Type 2 Plaga. Their initial symptoms are identical to the Colmillos, although they lack the enlarged fangs. Adjule do not sprout Plaga tentacles from the back, but instead reveal the Plaga mouth by splitting open their own heads. It seems that, like dominant Plaga hosts, Adjule fuse internally with the parasite.
Adjule Plaga mouths consist of two flaps made from the sides of the canine's head. These flaps are lined with sharp teeth, and are perfect for grabbing pinned prey. Sharp Colmillos-like tentacles emerge from the mouth, for use as stabbing weapons.

Adjule are named after an old cryptid dog with sightings in the Sahara Desert, in North Africa.

Plaga Type 3

While the Plaga Type 2 proved to be an effective B.O.W., the combat abilities of Majini were the same as Ganados, and barely greater than ordinary humans. This was the only major remaining drawback from using Plaga over the Virus. A "Plaga Type 3" was envisioned by TRICELL researchers during the development of Type 2, which would cause standard hosts to develop enhanced abilities.

The dominant species Plaga gave it's hosts physical abilities greater than any normal human, but it's lack of infectious potential, random mutations, and the free will of hosts made it unsuitable as a B.O.W.. However, by splicing genes from dominant Plaga into regular Plaga, the creation of a hybrid parasite with enhanced host capabilities was envisioned. This was Type 3.

While it is said the base used was "common Plaga", I believe it was the Plaga Type 2, due to a variety of similarities to that strain. The hosts of Type 3 were also simply called "Majini".

The modern Ndipaya people living in the Kijuju wetlands were used as test subjects for this strain. Ricardo Irving told the Ndipaya that in order to avoid a disease spreading in the area, the villagers needed injections of a special vaccine, which all of them took. This "vaccine" was actually Type 3 Plaga eggs, and the remains of the Ndipaya became the "Wetlands Majini".

While the experiment with the Ndipaya revealed severe flaws in the Type 3, the results were used by TRICELL to create a more refined version. The advanced Type 3 was used on armed guards/militia/military/mercenaries to create an army of "Base Majini", which were used to guard the African Lab and Uroboros.

Type 3 Majini

The Wetlands Majini suffered severe necrosis from the genes of the dominant Plaga. This resulted in a severe drop in intelligence due to brain damage. They also suffered superficial decay similar to that seen in Zombies. The skin of the lips, nose, chest, etc peeled away, while the rest of the skin became severely pale, taking away their ability to blend in amongst humans. These Majini also suffered from heart expansion, and their eyes turned orange.

In addition to the drop in intelligence, Wetlands Majini also experienced a rise in aggression, leading to primal and violent behavior even amongst themselves. They were therefore completely uncontrollable.
The deranged villagers donned the tribal attire and weapons of their ancestors (which were normally only used in festivals).

The only actual improvement seen in the Wetlands Majini was an increase in agility. Like dominant hosts such as Krauser, Type 3 hosts could jump incredible heights with little effort. When knocked over, these Majini could immediately leap back onto their feet.
This improvement did not justify the loss of controllability and subterfuge, requiring TRICELL to further improve this strain.

The advanced Base Majini still suffered necrosis which distorted their appearance, but due to improvements brain damage was avoided, allowing them to be controlled. While Base Majini were inferior products compared to Type 2 Majini due to their appearance, they served as superior combatants when used in areas where a human appearance was irrelevant, such as secret labs. Base Majini retained the ability to use automatic firearms, being based on human soldiers with gun training.

Adaptability was even lower in Type 3 hosts. Children and all women were killed following infection. Hosts with a higher assimilation rate, like well-assimilated Type 1 and 2 hosts, developed unnatural vitality and strength, becoming the Giant and Gatling Gun Majini.

Giant Majini grew in size due to the host's tolerance level and the dominant Plaga genes. These Ndipaya hosts were approximately three meters tall, and carried a club made from human skulls.

Gatling Gun Majini were extremely similar to Gatling Ganados, but with even greater vitality. Unlike other Type 3 hosts, this Majini seems to completely resist necrosis. It is possible these are actually Type 2 Majini, although their appearance among Base Majini seems to imply they they are Type 3. Gatling Majini retain their former habits/addictions, and constantly smoke cigars.

When a Type 3 Majini is killed, it's Plaga may emerge and either take control of the body or detach itself and operate separately, like Type 1 and 2 hosts. If their Plaga are young, they may develop into Cephalo, and if fully developed may become Kipepeo or (presumably) Bui Kichwa. Plaga mandables may also emerge from Type 3 mouths, suggesting they are attached to the medulla oblongata, not the spine. These factors support Type 3 being directly based on Type 2, not Type 1.

Due to dominant Plaga genes in Type 3, two new, more dramatic mutations may occur in the Plaga when the host is damaged. Type 3 Plaga may grow into the massive Duvalia, or they may continue to expand until they - and their host - explode, damaging nearby opponents.

Duvalia are so large that, rather than emerge from the host neck like Ganado Plaga or Cephalo, they emerge from the waist, destroying the upper half of the host. The former ribcage of the host hangs from the Duvalia's body. The Plaga's exoskeleton develops into a shell strong enough to render it almost invulnerable to damage, like dominant Plaga. The Duvalia's main body is dominated by it's massive mandibles, which are large and strong enough to devour a human torso in a single bite.
Duvalia are named after a South African, star-shaped flower, which is in turn named after French botanist and physician Henri Auguste Duval.

In the "Dominant Species Plaga" section of this analysis, I proposed a theory regarding the t-Virus being used in the creation of the dominant strain. This theory is further supported with Type 3 Plaga, which causes necrosis, brain damage, and an increase in growth in hosts due to dominant Plaga genes. These symptoms are the primary effects of the t-Virus.

Type 3 necrosis could also simply be due to the severe mutations of the dominant type breaking down tissue, like the mutations caused by Progenitor. An increase in size could be a latent Plaga trait, which I will cover later.

Plaga Type 4 (Slav Republic)

Svetlana Belikova was president of the Eastern Slavic Republic, and was a shrewd business woman. During her country's civil war between government loyalists and rebels, she hatched a plan to end the war, and in the process destroy her enemies, gain access to oil-rich land occupied by the rebels, and to gain the country support and recognition from the UN. Her security company's research team acquired Plaga samples and Licker Betas, both products leaked to the black market by TRICELL, and secretly began the development of a new Plaga Type (tentatively called "Type 4").

Type 4 Plaga, like Type 3, appear to be a hybrid of Type 2 and the dominant species. These Plaga have a very different form, and look more like annelids than arthropods. The mandibles remain, but have skin connecting each appendage. They are covered in what resembles scales. The Type 4 are again located on the spine, yet their mandibles may still reach and emerge from the host's mouth.

During development inside the host, when injected in egg form, this Plaga functions as a dominant type. The host can control the baby Type 4 and the sounds it produces. Once the Plaga fully develops, it gains control of the host, unlike the regular dominant type. This led to Ada Wong declaring it to be detective, and it was an inferior product that essentially killed the user.

The only positive modification to Type 4 was that it produced sounds capable of manipulating Lickers. During the stage of development when the host is left in control, the host may completely control when and who Lickers attack.
This control is achieved due to the highly sensitive hearing of Lickers, which allows them to receive and be affected by the special frequencies produced by Plaga.

It was also observed that Type 4 Plaga caused cellular changes over time.

Svetlana had this Plaga created for the sole purpose of wiping out the rebels from the inside. Think of it like selling guns to your enemies, filled with hidden explosives. The Plaga, once fully developed, would reproduce like the Type 2, and start an outbreak of the parasite in the heart of enemy territory. The use of B.O.W.s by the rebels would also gain Svetlana support by the UN. Her plans were eventually uncovered, and her country raided by a joint US/Russian operation.

Ada was contracted to steal this Plaga due to it's ability to control Lickers. As she seemed to refuse delivering it, it is unknown if Type 4 still exist.

Type 4 Ganados

Hosts fully assimilated by Type 4 Plaga are simply called Ganados, despite their apparent relationship with Majini. This may be due to their first being used in Eurasia, while Type 2 and 3 hosts were first used in Africa.

As Type 4 Plaga develop from eggs to babies to adolescents, despite being in control of their Plaga, hosts display the same symptoms as regular hosts in the early stages of infection. This includes a change in eye color to red. Once their Plaga is developed enough, dominant hosts lose their free will and become Ganados.

Like Majini, Type 4 Ganados produce fully developed adolescents from their mandible which they shove down the throats of others. Ganados created through oral infection turn just as quickly (10 seconds), suggesting second generation Plaga are attached to the medulla oblongata.

While Type 4 Ganados retain some speech and are cooperative, their behavior is even more simplistic. They appear to lose some motor control, resulting in clumsy and erratic movements, like Zombies. They have extremely pale skin, and develop darkened veins similar to hosts of the Progenitor Virus.

Their uncanny resemblance to Zombies (like Type 3 Majini) may be due to dominant Plaga genes, which I theorized might contain the t-Virus. These traits could also be inherited from Progenitor, or Svetlana's team may also have used the virus to create Type 4. This would also explain the cellular changes caused over time by Type 4 Plaga.

Type 4 Plaga may also emerge from the necks of Ganados like previous Types. Adolescents which emerge will grow in size, and resemble Plaga A from Type 1. Unlike Plaga A, these Plaga do not develop a tentacle tipped in bone. Instead, the existing tentacles grow into whips.
It is unknown what form adult Type 4 will take.

Giants

Some hosts of Las Plagas can be modified to grow far larger in size. These hosts are commonly far more aggressive than regular Plaga hosts, to such a degree they may no longer be controlled. All of the specimens in this category were created in a lab as B.O.W.s, and this does not include the Giant Majini (covered above, under "Plaga Type 3"), dominant Plaga mutations (covered in "Dominant Species Plaga"), or the U-8 (which will be covered later).

Exactly how Las Plagas enables the creation of giant B.O.W.s is never stated, although certain observations and theories can be formed based on what we know of the parasite. A real-life precedent also exists: Fasciola Hepatica. Also known as the common liver fluke, this parasite can cause gigantism in snail hosts.

Regular Plaga release chemicals that enact changes in the host's body, leading to the development of stronger tissue and extra layers of fat. Highly adaptable hosts, such as the Executioner and Giant Majini, develop large muscles and increase in size. Adding to that the general over-aggressiveness of these and other advanced hosts, and it can be theorized that these chemicals released by the Plaga act as hormones similar to testosterone and growth hormone. It's also possible that Plaga use their connection to the brain to cause the body to develop more natural hormones in excess. This could possibly explain why females and pre-pubescent males are less compatible with Las Plagas.
By manipulating how much hormone-related chemicals are released by Plaga or by modifying the chemicals themselves, perhaps researchers were able to achieve severe gigantism in hosts this way, with their increased aggression being an unavoidable symptom.

The ability of Las Plagas to increase host size could also be due to trace amounts of the Progenitor Virus within the parasite, considering that is an almost universal symptom of the virus. If Los Iluminados used the t-Virus to create the dominant strain, it is also possible T was used to enhance Plaga in this aspect as well.

All giant hosts also have giant Plaga. Either the parasite is also affected by whatever causes the host to grow, or Plaga grow in proportion to their hosts, like the Malacoda B.O.W.. As Plaga seem capable of infecting insect life, the latter seems more likely.

Giant Plaga seem to be more resistant to UV radiation, and can survive exposure to sunlight and flash grenades.

Human-Based

El Gigante - Humans were infected by Plaga and modified to grow at the island base of Los Iluminados. They were called "Giant" or "The Giant" in Spanish by the cult. Gigantes were extremely aggressive, and were violent towards both Ganados and uninfected humans in equal measure. Impossible to control even with dominant species Plaga, only four or five were created, and they were restrained, only to be released in emergencies.

El Gigantes were larger than any Tyrant, and possessed enough strength to uproot trees, break stone, and swat humans like flies. Despite their extreme aggression, they were intelligent enough to use objects as weapons.
While very resistant to damage, if a Gigante experienced enough pain, it would curl up, and it's enlarged Plaga would emerge from the back, which was more vulnerable. Why the parasite exposes itself like this is unknown. It could be an involuntary jerk reaction to pain, as Plaga and host pain is shared.

Ndesu - TRICELL recreated the Gigante B.O.W. using the more advanced Plaga Type 2, and made further improvements to practicality and combat performance. This improved version of El Gigante was named Ndesu, after a giant cryptid hominid from the Republic of Congo that devours humans. A single Ndesu wiped out the BSAA Delta team in Kijuju, and hung the corpse of an operative from it's waist to promote fear. This specimen was killed by Chris Redfield and Sheva Allomar using vehicle-mounted, high-caliber gun turrets.

TRICELL improved the Gigante model in two ways with Ndesu. The first improvement was in control: due to the use of Type 2 Plaga with Ndesu, they were far more manageable, making them much better bioweapons that could be used safely.
The second improvement was to vitality: Ndesu B.O.W.s could not be killed without powerful weaponry, and even then, it was extremely difficult to combat it. This was achieved by implanting four more giant Plaga into the body of Ndesu, in addition to the main (even larger) parasite on the spine. Like Regeneradors, Ndesu could only be killed by destroying all five parasites in it's body. The Ndesu body itself was also more durable, likely due to increased Plaga chemical output with the extra parasites.

Garrador - Garradors were Ganados modified using the capabilities of Las Plagas. They grew in size (although not much, relatively speaking), and developed enhanced strength and vitality. Their parasites were exposed on their backs, possibly creating a link to Red Executioner Majini, and possibly due to Plaga growth. Their over-aggressiveness meant they were impossible to fully control, and they were highly prone to indiscriminately kill anything in sight. To keep them pacified, their eyes were sewn shut to reduce stimuli, and this resulted in extremely sensitive hearing.

At least five Garradors were created by Los Illuminados and used as sentries at the Salazar castle. They were equipped with varying levels of armor and restraints. They were given retractable metal claws, earning them their name, which in Spanish roughly means "clawer".

I believe Garradors were possibly prototypes for El Gigante, or the intermediary point point between Ganado and Gigante. This idea is based on their behavior, appearance, and exposed Plaga location.

Animal-Based

Del Lago - Los Iluminados performed growth experiments with a Plaga-infected salamander, creating an effective aquatic B.O.W.. While the salamander experienced the same improvements as the human-based Gigante, it also experienced the same increase in aggression, rendering it uncontrollable. In addition, the salamander's limbs did not grow in proportion to it's body. While it's swimming capabilities were intact, it could no longer move on land. It's Plaga was partially exposed inside of it's mouth.

The salamander was placed in the lake near the cult's village to guard it against intruders seeking passage across, and it was accordingly named Del Lago (Spanish for "The Lake"). Del Lago was fed by the Ganados in the region using human corpses, perhaps to distract it while they crossed the lake. Del Lago was killed by Leon Kennedy, who threw harpoons into it's mouth and destroyed it's Plaga.

Popokarimu - Created by TRICELL to be an airborne B.O.W., Popokarimu was based on a bat infected with a Type 2 Plaga. It was extensively modified to both grow in size, and to display enhanced combat abilities exceeding the Giant Bats created with the t-Virus. In Swahili, popo means "bat", while karimu means "hospitable" or "noble". Popokarimu is likely meant to mean "Noble Bat".

Popokarimu had extreme vitality, and their bodies could withstand sustained gunfire. A single specimen survived multiple encounters with Chris and Sheva, and showed considerable tracking abilities when it sought them out over a day after their first encounter. In addition to being proficient flyers, Popokarimu could quickly crawl on the ground using it's wings as legs. They developed enlarged claws which could be used as dangerous weapons, and an extra pair of wings.

The lower body of Popokarimu is replaced with it's enlarged Plaga. This Plaga resembles a tail, and is protected by a hard shell similar to the exoskeleton of Duvaili. The shell does not cover the bottom of the parasite, which is instead covered in a weak membrane which serves as a weak-point. Similar to how regular Plaga may eject acid at targets, Popokarimu Plaga can eject a sticky adhesive at prey to immobilize them.

Hybrids

Like the t-Virus, Las Plagas is capable of creating a single creature formed from multiple different species of animal. The t-Virus does this by rewriting the cells of hosts with genetic material carried from other animals. Las Plagas, on the other hand, joins the entire cells of different organisms into a single animal. Plaga cells act as a sort of micro-adhesive, and remove the segregation between cells. This, combined with the fact Plaga are also capable of fusing with the host and causing mutations, and reject certain hosts possibly based on genetics, suggests Plaga can parasitize hosts on the cellular level, like a virus. This could also be another trait derived from Progenitor.

Plaga hybrids can be controlled in the same manner as other Plaga hosts, and avoid issues such as brain damage caused by the virus. This gives Plaga hybrids an edge over many virus hybrids, especially since their creation is simpler. However, while the t-Virus can infect any organism, Plaga are presumably pickier, meaning cellular fusion is limited to creatures compatible with the parasite.

Insect/Human

Los Iluminados performed many experiments with insect cells. Insect capabilities such as rapid breeding, strong chitin shells, flight, and camouflage could be easily "transplanted" onto a human host of the parasite, without sacrificing control or intelligence. This also demonstrates that Plaga cells are compatible with some insects.

Novistador - The earliest insect experiments performed by Los Iluminados using Plaga produced the Novistador B.O.W.. Novistadors resembled giant insects, but were actually based on adult human hosts. Their arms and legs were severely warped, forcing them to walk on all fours, although their agility and climbing abilities were on par with an insect. Their jaw splits open to form mandibles, and they possessed multiple glowing eyes. Their bodies were covered in a carapace strong enough to provide some protection from gunfire. Novistadors attacked using sharp claws, and like some insects such as flies, they would vomit acid onto prey to kill them and to possibly aid in digestion. Novistadors preferred dark, damp environments, like caves and sewers. Their full intellectual capabilities are not known.

The Novistador carapace was capable of instantly changing color to match it's surroundings, to such a degree it almost appeared to be invisible. They used this ability to expertly ambush prey.

While Novistadors were weaker than other Plaga hybrid B.O.W.s, they were still deadly creatures that could be controlled by a dominant Plaga. Even more important, Novistadors were capable of rapid reproduction. Los Iluminados did not have the resources to mass produce B.O.W.s via cloning like Umbrella, and so breeding was an invaluable trait. The original Novistador specimens created at the cult's island base were transported to the Salazar castle, where they established a hive in one of the towers. Many Novistador offspring were produced, and the original specimens were moved to the castle sewers.

Second generation Novistadors born at the castle were considered defective due to their being weaker and lacking the ability to camouflage themselves. However, they developed wings and were capable of flight. Many defective Novistadors stayed at their hive, while many others migrated to caverns beneath the castle.

Novistadors were named after the original specimens' ability to almost turn invisible. In Spanish, "vista" means "vision". Therefore "No vista" means "no vision" or "unseen". "Dor" is a common Spanish noun.
"Novistador" is a combination of words meant to mean "Unseen Ones".

Verdugo - The Verdugo B.O.W. was the culmination of all the insect experiments performed by Los Iluminados. In a sense, Novistadors could be considered prototypes of the Verdugo. Only two specimens were created, indicating they were difficult to create and incapable of reproduction.

Like Novistadors, the Verdugos were based on humans originally, and specific traits were produced in their bodies by fusing them with insect cells using Las Plagas. Verdugos maintained a humanoid shape (although they were taller than most humans), and were primarily bipedal. They were very intelligent, and were able to clothe themselves, wield weapons, and to use strategic ambush tactics. Their bodies were almost completely covered in a chitin-like exoskeleton, which was dark enough to blend into shadows. The top of the head, from the eyes to the dome, was exposed, revealing human-like skin, and their eyes glowed intensely. They developed insect mandibles as well.

Verdugos developed a long tail they could manipulate with extreme dexterity, which was tipped in a billhook-like blade. Verdugos used their claws, bladed tails, and immense strength to easily kill targets and to destroy doors, blocking off any escape routes. Their speed when crawling and running was enough to outpace any human, and their exoskeleton was flexible enough to allow them to use narrow passageways and ventilation shafts to quickly transverse environments. The most noticeable strength of Verdugos was that despite their flexibility, their exoskeleton was as strong as steel. Bullets were incapable of harming their bodies.

The only real drawback of the Verdugos was that they no longer appeared human. Besides that, Verdugos were the most effective B.O.W.s produced by Los Iluminados, and they were greater than most B.O.W.s produced by Umbrella.
The only Verdugos in existence were used as the "right and left hand" of Ramon Salazar. They served as his bodyguards and executioners (Verdugo means "executioner" in Spanish. Interestingly, it can also mean "tyrant"). Each Verdugo was clothed in a soft silk rope, in contrast to their indestructible bodies.

One Verdugo was sent to assassinate Leon Kennedy. Leon managed to kill it by using canisters of liquid nitrogen to make it's exoskeleton brittle. The second Verdugo fused with Salazar and the Queen Plaga, and was also destroyed by Leon.

"Ultimate" Type

Two Plaga-created chimeras were made using more than two different species. These creatures are named "U" (for Ultimate), followed by a number representing the amount of creatures used as a base. The Ultimate may represent the fact these B.O.W.s possess only the greatest aspects of the different animals.

U-3 - The Ultimate 3 was yet another hybrid B.O.W. created by Los Iluminados. It was developed using cells from three different creatures - human, reptile, and insect - and contained an enlarged mutant Plaga attached to it's spine.

Due to limited technology and researcher expertise, it's characteristics from each individual species were not adjusted properly. This resulted in it having a distorted, disproportionate, and ugly appearance. It's vitality was outstanding. Due to reptile cells, U-3 developed sharp claws and slit eyes. Due to insect cells, it's lower body was morphed into a large, insect abdomen with an extra set of legs. These legs could stick to and climb steep walls. It's upper body remained primarily human. The left arm of U-3 mutated into a strong tentacle capable of movement so rapid it could not be seen by the human eye. It's split jaw could not contain it's elongated tongue, and it is unknown if U-3 could use it's human mouth to feed. Along it's head and neck were surgical scars.

During it's battle with Leon Kennedy aboard a suspended cargo container, it's Plaga exposed itself from the back to act as a further means of attack. The U-3 Plaga resembled a worm with a fanged mouth. At the sides of it's mouth were enormous pincers sharp and strong enough to sheer a human in half. The appearance of this Plaga suggests it too incorporated foreign cells into it's body.

During it's continued battle with Leon, U-3 perished, although it's Plaga survived. Similar to the phenomenon seen in Ganados and Majini, the Plaga used it's connection to U-3's central nervous system to take control of it's dead host. At this time, the Plaga used it's mandibles to dig underground and ambush Leon from below. The U-3's Plaga was eventually killed as well.

U-8 - The Ultimate 8 was created by TRICELL based on the concept used for U-3 by Los Iluminados. Like other Plaga B.O.W.s such as Ndesu and Popokarimu, U-8 was modified to grow into a monstrous size.

U-8 was formed using cells belonging to eight different creatures along with Las Plagas. The exact identity of all the creatures used are unknown, but the identity of three are apparent: a crustacean, an arachnid, and a flying insect. It was the only Plaga Hybrid to not be based on a human. The main body of U-8 greatly resembled a crab, while it's legs resembled those on a spider. It had considerable climbing abilities, and claws strong enough to pierce tank armor. U-8's body was covered in a hard, black shell which, like the Verdugo exoskeleton, was almost completely indestructible.

Countless new creatures called Drones were produced and stored Inside of U-3's abdomen. These drones resembled flying insects, and as soon as the U-3 unleashed them, they flung themselves at prey in a suicide attack. Drones are not actually U-8 offspring, as they do no mature into more U-8s. Rather, they are separate organisms created by the U-8 to distract prey.

U-8's defensive and offensive capabilities made U-8 an extremely effective B.O.W., especially when used for base protection. However, it's large size presented several flaws. In addition to being difficult to transport, U-8 required immense amounts of energy to remain in operation. It's size also made fighting multiple smaller opponents difficult, a problem partially solved through the use of it's Drones.
Due to it's increase in size being so rapid, U-8's shell did not grow in perfect proportion with it's body. Severely joints were left exposed, and while these points were not vital, they could be used to stun or even incapacitate U-8.

TRICELL produce dozens of U-8 B.O.W.s and sold them on the black market. Two subtypes were produced which eliminated different faults seen in the original model: one had extra layers of shell to cover exposed areas, while another was made smaller to make transport easier and to increase operation time. An older model was released on Chris Redfield and Sheva Allomar at the Africa lab. The agents managed to kill it by throwing grenades into it's open mouth.

Regeneradors

Regeneradors (Spanish for regenerators, meaning "one who regenerates") were peculiar creatures created using Las Plagas and human hosts. Los Iluminados created these creatures at their island base, and Regeneradors roamed the halls aimlessly, attacking intruders. It is unknown if Regeneradors could be controlled by a dominate Plaga, or if they were aggressive towards Ganados. Regeneradors are the most mysterious Plaga-related B.O.W.s, and their nature and abilities are unlike any other.

All that can be said regarding their creation for certain is that Los Iluminados infected the base human with multiple Plaga, and whether or not other modifications were made is unknown. These Plaga appear to be stuck in the earlier stages of development, as they lack pronounced limbs and resemble Plaga A. The tentacles of each Plaga have extended and interconnected with the host and each other, creating a sort of network throughout the body. These tentacles become exposed when tissue is destroyed, revealing how widespread they are in the body.

Regeneradors retained a humanoid shape, but the body had been so drastically morphed that, unlike Ganados, they could no longer be called human. They appeared to slightly grow in size, to around 7 feet tall. Their skin turned grey, giving them the appearance of corpses, and they lacked any body hair (whether the lack of hair was due to transformation or not is unknown, although the test subject used as a host was likely shaved, like El Gigante). The ears, nose, and genitalia of Regeneradors completely atrophied, leaving only three orifices on it's smooth body: the eyes and mouth. Like Ganados, Regenerador eyes glowed red/orange, although even brighter. The mouth lacked lips, and the teeth changed into sharp weapons capable of easily tearing flesh. The lack of a nose caused Regeneradors to create raspy breathing noises.

Regenerador bodies gave off very little heat, except for their Plaga.

Regeneradors were extremely flexible, and could bend and contort their bodies in unnatural ways. The jaw could completely open as if detached, they could bend their spines backwards, and their arms could stretch forward to grab prey from a distance.

Regeneradors had no human intelligence. Their movements were clumsy, slow, and erratic, although they could quickly "hop" around when their legs were destroyed. Their bodies contained a strange yellow liquid.

Regeneradors are named for their ability to heal severe wounds entirely within seconds, to such a degree they are almost immortal, unless their Plaga are destroyed. The arms, legs, and even head can be replaced in under 30 seconds. They can also survive being entirely frozen. While their Plaga can still be destroyed in order to kill the host, they are undetectable unless Infared is used. Regeneradors only require a single Plaga to continue to function.

Los Iluminados continued experiments with Regeneradors, and created a variant called the Iron Maiden. Iron Maidens possessed extremely long, sharp spikes along their bodies capable of retracting. These spikes could be used to completely impale prey in the vicinity by shooting out of the body. Iron Maidens lacked eyes, and their mouths developed a vertical, intersecting opening along the face with more teeth. Their perception appeared to be unaltered, despite the loss of their eyes.
Iron Maidens were named after a device designed to execute people in one of the most painful ways. Iron Maidens resembled a sarcophagus, with the inside lined with many sharp points. The victim placed inside would be impaled, although blood loss was slowed due to the wounds being compressed, resulting in a prolonged death.

Theories and Explanations

How and why Regeneradors function the way they do is a mystery, but certain characteristics can be explained away with careful observations and speculation:

The skin, lack of intelligence (it can even function with the top of the head destroyed), and low body heat suggests the host is essentially dead. Like Ganados/Majini with exposed Plaga, the dead host is pulled around like a puppet by the parasites inside it, causing it to have clumsy movements and the bare minimum of intelligence.

Regenerador elasticity seems to suggest the host's bones are no longer present, and the body is now supported by the network of Plaga tentacles. Like the bones, nose, ears, etc, many internal organs have also been absorbed into the body. The host is essentially a mass of fat, muscle, and skin, with the Plaga propping up the mass themselves. This provides a solid link to the Armadura, where Plaga use their tentacles like bone and muscle in order to "wear" armor.

Plaga heat suggests they act as the Regenerador's organs, and absorb any energy gained from eating and breathing themselves. Once the tentacle network is fully established, only a single Plaga is required to operate it.

The healing capabilities of Regeneradors could be due to the relocation of energy along with heightened metabolic functions. The simple, fatty tissue of Regeneradors is also much easier to reconstruct than the bones and organs of humans.

It could be that all Plaga hosts aquire some small degree of enhanced healing potential, explaining the enhanced vitality of hosts such as the Chainsaw Man or Saddler. Having multiple Plaga could simply multiply this ability. The Ndesu B.O.W. also gained enhanced vitality from having multiple Plaga.
Plaga regeneration could be a trait inherited from Progenitor, which can reconstruct hosts from a tissue fragment.

The spikes of Iron Maidens may extend from the network of tentacles. The same phenomenon that causes Regeneradors to develop sharp teeth and Mendez to develop needle-like claws could be at work.
 
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mert20004

Mert_BIO_6
Between re4 and re5; ı prefer re4's plaga and monsters more fun to fight and they look more interesting / better designed than re5's.

I really wished they made plaga more connected to progenitor in re5. I guess umbrella and los illuminados made deals with each other and the cult obtained the parasite from africa.

I dont think they should remake / reimagine re4 just to make it more connected to lore if they are planning to cut stuff from the game just like they did in re2 2019 and re3 2020.

Create a different game rather than recreating an old one that's not faithful at all.

Will drop this here too:

 
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