The most iconic, widely known, widely used, and most referenced virus in the entire series, the Tyrant Virus AKA t-Virus (sometimes capitalized) revolutionized modern warfare in the same fashion gunpowder did. While t-Veronica is technically a t-Virus, this analysis will focus on Umbrella's primary t-Virus developed at Arklay.
Overview
t-Virus Project
The secret main goal of the pharmaceutical corporation Umbrella was the secret production of living bioweapons called Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) using the capacity of the Progenitor Virus to rewrite genes. But Progenitor was far too lethal to establish itself in host bodies. The need for an artificial variant strain thousands of times weaker was apparent, both to produce B.O.W.s and to achieve the founders' ultimate goals of immortality and forced evolution. This was the aim of the t-Virus Project.
The t-Virus Project was the central focus of Umbrella, and had three stages conceptualized:
1. Creation of a new, ideal virus.
2. Stabilization of this virus.
3. B.O.W. production.
Any virus created from Progenitor as a part of this Project was given the moniker "t", or referred to as a "Clay Virus". While many t-Viruses were created under this project, the virus that accomplished all three stages would be officially called "the t-Virus". The completed t-Virus needed to be able to infect any host, and give animals traits ideal in a weapon (ferocity, vitality, and controllability). The ideal B.O.W. would be called the Tyrant, named after the Virus (a trend reused with the G-Virus).
In 1977, Umbrella Co-founder Dr. James Marcus created what would become the successful base for the finished t-Virus. This strain, unofficially dubbed t-Marcus, was created by injecting Progenitor into leeches. When a virus successfully establishes itself in a host, it mutates due to recombination with the host's cells. It not only changes the host, but is changed itself. The key to weakening Progenitor was to find hosts it could infect without killing, then extracting the recombinant strain from the host.
Leeches, like the Stairway to the Sun flower, were highly resistant to the damaging effects of the virus, allowing them to adapt and mutate.
t-Marcus was weak enough to infect other hosts, such as humans, accomplishing the first goal of the Project. While Marcus performed his own experiments with t-Marcus, Oswell Spencer (Umbrella's President and CEO) ordered Marcus' best students, Albert Wesker and William Birkin, to steal t-Marcus.
The duo were afterwards made the head researchers of the laboratory located under the Arklay Mansion, which became the primary t-Virus development facility.
Stabilization
Tasked with finishing T, Wesker and Birkin became fascinated with the Ebola Virus. What makes Ebola so dangerous is it's incubation period: a host will not display symptoms immediately, and will inadvertently spread the virus to others. This inspired the duo, as T was originally envisioned as merely a tool to create B.O.W.s, not a deadly weapon on it's own.
While the Zombie mutation of t-Marcus was not suitable for the Project's goals, it could outdo Ebola: instead of creating carriers who accidentally and indirectly spread the virus, T hosts would actively seek out others and infect them. As a precaution, T was modified to grow less infectious over time, to prevent a pandemic.
Wesker and Birkin sought out a sample of Ebola to incorporate into T.
t-Marcus was weakened and modified over the years by infecting a wide variety of hosts. By injecting t-Marcus into spiders (tarantulas), they created t/Clay Alpha. Alpha had greater results in arthropod hosts, and created the Webspinner B.O.W..
Alpha was also used with Great White Sharks to enhance it's abilities with marine life. While results were minimal, they were not in vain, and the Neptune B.O.W. was created.
After injecting Alpha into dogs (Dobermans), the Beta strain was created, as was the Cerberus B.O.W.. Beta had enhanced abilities in mammalian hosts, but humans still left much to be desired. Beta was further modified to create Beta II, which allowed for greater powers of genetic manipulation. bII created genetic hybrids such as the Hunter B.O.W..
While bII could produce favorable results in many organisms, the ideal B.O.W. Tyrant needed to be based on a human host for it to possess enough intelligence to effectively follow complex orders. However, the virus was too damaging in human brains, and could not create Tyrants in it's current state. Birkin refined the virus further, and managed to create a strain that could minimize brain damage in human hosts with a certain genome. But such hosts would be exceedingly rare. So rare, in fact, that Umbrella could not find such a host. The Project reached a standstill, and Birkin moved on with the G-Virus Project in a lab (called NEST) built beneath the nearby Raccoon City, while Wesker, feeling his limitations as a researcher, transferred to the Intelligence Division and plotted against Spencer and Umbrella.
T progress stagnated for years, until former USSR Colonel Sergei Vladimir sought employment at Umbrella. He passed the requirements for becoming a Tyrant, and rather than waste such a valuable find, Umbrella gave Sergei an executive position in exchange for ten clones of Sergei formerly created by the Soviets.
By incorporating the genome of these clones into the Virus, the Epsilon Strain was created, which could turn more hosts into Tyrants.
Two test subjects were used to create the first two Tyrants (the T-001 and T-002), and with the first Tyrants created Epsilon was officially made the Umbrella t-Virus. While Tyrants were costly and difficult to create from scratch, not to mention infertile, they could easily be mass produced via cloning.
Mansion Incident
During the administration of Epsilon into the host who became the T-002 in 1998, the Arklay Laboratory was attacked by the Queen Leech (a mutant with the memories of the deceased Dr. Marcus), resulting in Epsilon leaking as an airborne strain. While the researchers attempted to prevent a biohazard with protective suits, the virus reached the water supply. This led to the outbreak incident known as the "Mansion Incident".
Umbrella quarantined the Mansion and forced the staff within to study the effects of the virus as it spread. Any results were then recovered using the underground railway and used for B.O.W. development in other facilities. Birkin also used the railway to recover cloned B.O.W. embryos and virus samples, including a cloned embryo of the T-002, which became the base for the mass production model.
The outbreak went on for two months before the facility was eradicated by Rebecca Chambers from S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Service; a unit belonging to the Raccoon City Police Department, which had been lured to the Mansion by Wesker to collect combat data on the B.O.W.s and irregular mutants there) using the self-destruct system.
During the incident, the virus mutated and a new strain of Epsilon surfaced. This strain utilized a process called V-ACT to create Crimson Heads. The V-ACT strain was recovered by Birkin, who used it to create t-Birkin, which took V-ACT further and created Lickers. During these experiments, another mutant strain was discovered, t-Wesker, which restored the Progenitor ability to create super humans.
t-Birkin was mass produced by Umbrella, and sent to it's facilities all over the world for further developments. It caused multiple outbreaks, such as the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, the Sheena Island Incident, and the Spencer Rain Incident.
It was also used with the G-Virus to create t+G, and with t-Veronica to create t-02.
Another strain was created and leaked at Rockfort Island: t-Alfred. This strain could infect corpses. It afterwards contaminated the Umbrella Antarctic Lab.
Bioterror
Five years after it's creation, t-Birkin was refined further to create Perfected T, a strain which harnessed the full potential of the t-Virus. As such, it is likely it could infect corpses (like t-Alfred) and create super humans from adapters (like t-Wesker). Perfected T was stolen from the Umbrella Caucasus Facility (a massive facility built to mass produce B.O.W.s) in 2003 and leaked to the black market by Wesker, who defected from Umbrella some time prior. This resulted in the global age of bioterror, and Perfected T is now widely available to terrorist groups, corporations, and governments all over the planet. Umbrella itself was rendered defunct the same year due to it's involvement in B.O.W. production becoming public knowledge, although it was reestablished four years later under special conditions as a PMC called Blue Umbrella.
Perfected T was used during the Harvardville Outbreak in 2005, and in it's aftermath a vaccine developed by the Willpharma Corporation was recovered. This vaccine has rendered the direct use of Perfected T pointless. However, new strains have been developed by many different groups and new mutant strains are common. Rather than eliminate the problem, the vaccine complicated it by motivating bioterror groups to bypass the vaccine by continuing Umbrella's dark legacy. These groups include TRICELL, A-gua Industries, Neo-Umbrella, Shen Ya Pharmaceuticals, and even Blue Umbrella.
Most post Perfected T strains have only minor differences between them, but evolved strains have begun to eliminate necrosis and toxicity, resulting in smarter Zombie breeds and Tyrants created from simple injection. While many t-Viruses in the age of bioterror are not named, some are different enough to be given new titles. These include:
· t-Abyss
· t-Phobos
· t-Howard
· Kodoku
· A-Virus
As T is thousands of times weaker than Progenitor, and because it's mutations are tailored towards creating living weapons, it serves as the perfect base for new viruses.
Symptoms and Effects
The vast majority of T effects actually originate in Progenitor. Like eye growths with G, certain traits are simply more prominent in T. The trait that makes T different from any other weakened Progenitor strain is the Tyrant mutation, and all instances of this mutation come from T (for example, Ultimate Abyss, Morpheus, Diego, and Ustanak all get their traits from T). I cover the details of Tyrant creation and each type of Tyrant later.
T is actually an airborne strain naturally, but does not stay that way for long. It will quickly mutate into forms better suited to dispersal through water, saliva, blood, and even touch. After a sufficient amount of time has passed, it will become less and less virulent, until even Zombie bites will no longer spread it.
As late as 1998, 10% of hosts are immune to infection.
T has vastly different effects on different types of organisms, and this will be demonstrated as I cover each mutant animal. But certain effects are universal, such as:
· Increase in size
· Heightened aggression
· Increased vitality
· Lack of fear
The incubation period for the Virus varies wildly, and is affected by a number of factors. Namely:
· Environment
· Host resistance (being severely wounded affects this)
· Dosage
The strain of T used is also a factor. Epsilon could take many days before the onset of transformation, while Perfected T only took seconds.
I cover every known mutant created by the t-Virus in the following pages, in this order:
1. Zombies (Mammalian Hosts)
2. V-ACT Zombies (Crimson Heads, Lickers, etc.)
3. Tyrants
4. Arthropods (Spiders and Insects)
5. Annelids (Worms)
6. Reptiles, Fish, Amphibians, and Tunicate
7. Hybrids (Hunters, Chimeras, etc.)
8. Super Humans (Wesker, Mary Gray, etc.)
9. Miscellaneous (Undertakers, Nyx, etc.)
The most common byproduct of the t-Virus is the Zombie mutation. While commonly associated with T, this effect actually originates in Progenitor, and is a fairly universal symptom in all RE viruses. These creatures were named Zombies due to their resemblance to the Romero creatures in pop culture, hence why many characters call them as such despite not being aware of their official designation.
Zombies are the result of virus hosts being simultaneously weakened and strengthened, putting them in the middle ground between hosts who survive and die from infection. Necrosis (cell death) from the virus results in host bodies resembling walking corpses, and despite their sickly appearance the virus has also granted them vitality far exceeding natural animals. A recent source also claims they are capable of regeneration, although this may be limited to V-ACT or a specific strain of T.
Before Zombification, infected hosts undergo a number of symptoms:
· Intense Itching
· Fever
· Rash
· Increased appetite
· Psychosis
· Aggression
· Coma
Hosts will slowly lose their minds, and will be driven by hunger to attack and consume others (such as the infamous Keeper. "Itchy, tasty"). This symptom immediately precedes coma, and is short, but in the case of t-Phobos, this stage of infection lasts far longer before Zombification occurs (see Virus Analysis: t-Phobos).
During coma, the host will enter a state of suspended animation. Damage from the virus reaches a critical point, and vital signs drop so low they become undetectable. This gives the illusion Zombies rise from the dead, which is technically not true, as the brain never fully shuts down.
After a period, the virus strengthening reaches a critical point, and hosts regain consciousness as Zombies.
Zombies created from T are not as weak as Progenitor Zombies due to the weakened nature of T. Outward necrosis appears more severe, but it actually doesn't affect muscle strength. An increase in growth hormone causes Zombies to grow taller - the average Zombie height is 6 feet, 5 inches.
Zombie skin is most heavily damaged, turning pale and cracking. Exposed muscle is commonly seen as skin rots and peels. A common area to peel away is the skin surrounding the mouth, causing Zombies (and sometimes Tyrants) to lose their lips. The eyes become glazed over and turn a milky white, and any hindrance to vision is compensated with extra-sensitive hearing (which is used against them with the Zombie Jammer device).
Internal organs are heavily affected as well. The circulatory and respiratory systems are completely destroyed, making Zombies clinically dead. They no long breathe, allowing them to survive being buried or submerged in water (seen in RE3 and RE1, respectively). How they survive without oxygen is a mystery, although the Biology of Evil attributes it to leech genes in the virus.
The reproductive system is also destroyed, making all Zombies infertile.
Unlike other bodily systems, the digestive system is heavily strengthened to accommodate the intense hunger of Zombies. They begin to produce large amounts of highly corrosive stomach acid able to quickly break down flesh. They produce so much, in fact, that Zombies periodically vomit excess amounts from the body. They will attempt to direct this acid at prey, giving Zombies a valuable weapon against out of reach targets.
Zombie brains are devastated by necrosis, leaving much of the brain completely inactive. The parts of the brain still active will develop abnormally (sections of the thalamus, midbrain, limbic system, and hypothalamus) in order to compensate for the lost sections. Motor control is heavily affected, making Zombie movement slow, clumsy, and erratic (although some are capable of uncommon bursts of speed, such as the infected anatomist at Rockfort Island). All former personality and higher reasoning is wiped away entirely, as are most memories. Zombies often retain enough muscle memory to open doors, and commonly mill about places familiar to them as humans. Most Zombies are incapable of articulating speech, and will instead moan and growl. Advanced Zombies in modern times sometimes mutter simple phrases.
Zombie pain receptors are also inactive. Losing limbs, being shot, or being set on fire will not deter them. Instead, all they feel is hunger.
Zombies are in a constant state of starvation due to their metabolism being critically high. In order to support their oxygen deprived bodies, they must eat constantly. As infected flesh is stripped bare of nutrients, Zombies prefer to devour the flesh of uninfected hosts. As they grow more desperate, they will however resort to cannibalism. No Zombies beyond Crimson Heads are ever seen attacking each other, and they instead feed on dead or prone Zombies (the latter of which don't even seem to notice).
To conserve energy, Zombies will lie on the ground and play dead, biting the ankles of unsuspecting victims.
Due to their outstanding vitality, Zombies are impossible to kill unless the brain itself is destroyed/removed, or the body is totally incinerated. Zombies can also starve to death. A simple bullet to the brain is not always a guaranteed kill, as much of the brain is dead anyway. Destroying the brain stem is the safest and most reliable way to cease activity in a Zombie.
Zombie Variants
There is usually a great deal of consistency regarding how each individual Zombie will operate, but some alternate types have existed due to differences in how they were created:
Early strains of T could not revive corpses, but more advanced strains unlocked this ability. Undead Zombies are indistinguishable from living ones. These were encountered by Claire Redfield on Rockfort Island, when t-Alfred was carried by rainwater into shallow graves, causing the corpses there to reanimate.
Improved Zombies (aka Naked Zombies) were created at Arklay and NEST, which had even greater vitality. These were created via body strengthening surgery and primary injection of T.
During the Raccoon City destruction incident, Umbrella provided the RPD survivors with a special gas called P-Z, which was supposed to harm Zombies. Instead, this gas caused mutations in Zombies that heightened their combat abilities. It seems Umbrella either wanted to further compromise the survivors' safety, or they wanted to field test a new product despite the consequences. Poisonous Zombies created by P-Z constantly exhaled a purple gas that could poison prey. It seems the otherwise inactive lungs were repurposed to produce this gas. Some would expel a large poison cloud when the body was ruptured. Poisonous Zombies were distinguishable by their purple skin and glowing eyes.
It's possible this reaction is related to the Poison Ivy, which was also created by a t-Virus B.O.W. being exposed to a weaponized gas. This demonstrates the general adaptability of virus hosts.
Advanced Zombies have also been created by other strains of the Progenitor Virus, such as G, C, A, and Kodoku. The only Progenitor-based virus that hasn't been shown to create Zombie-like mutants is t-Veronica, although it's effects on corpses (if any) have yet to been seen.
Zombie Animals
The Zombie mutation is not limited to humans, and is actually common in mammalian hosts. These animals are considered Zombies due to severe necrosis giving them the appearance of undead creatures, and due to their ravenous appetite for uninfected flesh.
Dog - Virus activity in canine hosts is less lethal than in humans. Canine host brains are left intact, allowing infected dogs and wolves to hunt and run as they did prior to Zombification. Outward signs of decay are just as dramatic as in human hosts, but internal damage is limited. In REmake, dogs can be seen breathing.
Zombie Dog muscle mass is strengthened along with general vitality, although their bodies are not quite as resistant to damage as the larger Zombie humans. Their extreme aggression makes them very dangerous to humans and Zombies alike.
Dogs retain not only their hunting instincts after infection (like group tactics and ambush techniques), but training as well, making them controllable as B.O.W.s. This has made them desirable weapons even now, as they were used during the attack on TRICELL HQ. But their intense hunger must be maintained if control is to be asserted.
Canines created for use as B.O.W.s are called Cerberus (MA-39), named after the guardian of the gates to Hades in Greek mythology.
Ape - Marcus created B.O.W.s by injecting a pregnant Barbary Macaque ape with the t-Virus. It's offspring were called Eliminators due to their efficient ability to seek out and destroy targets. Like Zombie Dogs, Eliminators retained their intelligence and could be trained to follow orders. Their muscle mass increased until their skin ripped, and they were highly athletic. They even experienced an increase in intelligence.
They were effective, but were scrapped for further development due to their relative weakness. However, the Queen Leech created a small army of them, and the desperate Umbrella approved them for mass production many years later.
Rat - Zombie Rats were partly responsible for the incident at Raccoon City. They were lethal in swarms.
Bat - These include a wide variety of bat breeds, including herbivore fruit bats, which alter their diet after infection to become carnivores. Bats retain enough intelligence to fight in swarms, and sometimes retain a fear of open flames.
Two bats suffered a unique mutation and grew monstrous in size. Tyrant bats?
South American Fruit Bats encountered during Operation: Javier developed large growths on their heads.
Elephant - Oscar, a performing elephant at the Raccoon Zoo, became a Zombie and escaped confinement. Its diet became carnivorous, like infected bats, and it's heightened metabolism drove it to devour both humans and Zombies. It retained enough memory to be lured with music used during performances. Oscar's tusks developed abnormally due to mutation.
Hyenas and Lions at the Raccoon Zoo also became Zombies. They were similar to Zombie Dogs, in that they retained their muscular integrity and fine motor control even as their flesh rotted. Their ferocity and hunting abilities were greatly enhanced.
Many Zombie Hyenas were created, while only three Zombie Lions were present (two females and one male). The sole male Lion, originally named Max by the Zoo, was especially strong.
Besides mammals, birds also become Zombie-like after infection. Infected crows are the most commonly encountered in the series, although exotic Hornbill birds were also seen at the Racoon Zoo. Birds commonly become infected after eating the flesh of infected corpses. Necrosis is indeed present, but is undetectable due to feathers covering the body. The only discernable changes to appearance are in a small increase in size, and the development of red eyes. Infected bird behavior is unpredictable, and some flocks will only attack when provoked or disturbed while others are so desperate as to attack through windows. This may be dependent on how well fed the birds are.
V-ACT (Virus Activation) is a process inherent to all viruses derived from Progenitor, including T. While commonly associated with Crimson Heads, V-ACT is responsible for most monster transformations after sustaining damage. When a mutant is severely wounded or even killed, the virus, which ceases activity after the initial transformation, resumes activity and infects the body a second time, causing further mutations. This may be caused by stress pathways which open in response to trauma that the virus uses to travel further. Creatures created by the G-Virus may practice V-ACT continually, while creatures created by the t-Virus can only undergo V-ACT once.
Initial Zombie mutations are minimal, as dead or damaged cells lack the energy to reproduce and alter form. However, during V-ACT, the increased virus activity causes extensive cellular repairs surpassing those from initial transformation. In a sense, Zombies can be "brought back to life" this way, causing further cellular changes in the process and altering their form.
Crimson Head
During the Mansion Incident, the Epsilon Strain mutated and harnessed V-ACT to turn damaged
Zombies into creatures called Crimson Heads, named for their red skin and the blood baths they create. The first encountered Crimson Head, the Crimson Head Prototype 1, was frozen and placed in a suspended coffin by the surviving researchers, who were unwilling to destroy it due to it's promise as a B.O.W.. After this strain was recovered by Birkin, Crimson Heads were studied and kept at the Caucasus Facility to be sold as products.
As V-ACT occurs in Zombie bodies, they enter suspended animation once again. Internal organs are repaired and the host circulatory and respiratory systems are restored. As a result, Crimson Heads very noticeably breathe, and their hearts pump blood. This blood becomes reoxygenated and turns a bright red. The skin remains damaged, and the now running blood seeps through the damaged skin cells, resulting in their red skin.
Extensive neurological repairs undoes prior brain damage, giving Crimson Heads more intelligence, and their motor control is restored, allowing them to run quickly.
Aside from repairs, Crimson Heads also mutate further, gaining several Tyrant traits. Muscle mass increases somewhat, and bone growth is promoted at the tips of fingers, creating claws. Crimson Heads are extremely deadly, and will kill other Zombies in their way as they pursue prey.
Forest Speyer, as a Zombie, displayed the ferocity and speed of a Crimson Head, but without the claws and red skin. It has been speculated he was attacked by both Zombies and infected Crows, based on bloody handprints leading to his location. This excessive damage during his initial transformation could have triggered premature V-ACT.
Javier Hidalgo performed primitive experiments on the Zombies he used as "guard dogs". He forced them into suspended animation, and as a result they underwent V-ACT and developed some Crimson Head traits.
Licker
After using the V-ACT strain of Epsilon to create t-Birkin, William Birkin created a more dramatic V-ACT mutation in damaged Zombies. After their bodies are repaired, t-Birkin Zombies will mutate into Lickers, named by the surviving Raccoon City Police for their elongated tongues.
Lickers undergo two stages of maturation. After V-ACT, Zombies awaken as Young Lickers, which will continue to develop into Adult Lickers. Like Crimson Heads, Lickers breathe.
The damaged skin of Young Lickers peels away, causing their smooth muscle tissue to become exposed. The brain, while it is repaired, swells in size. This gives them greater intelligence than Crimson Heads, but to make room for the brain, the upper section of the skull is destroyed, causing it to become exposed. Along with the skull, the already damaged eyes are completely destroyed, making Lickers blind. To compensate, the already considerably high hearing of Zombies is strengthened even further.
The skeletal system is completely mutated, forcing Lickers to become quadrupeds. Their heightened agility and sticky muscle tissue gives them incredible climbing abilities. The tongue is lengthened greatly, and Young Lickers control it with great dexterity, using it like a whip.
As Young Lickers develop into Adults, muscle mass increases greatly. This includes the tongue, which grows into a shape resembling a lance. Adult tongues are strong enough that they become piercing weapons rather than whips, and can ensnare or even decapitate humans.
Adult Lickers develop large bone claws far larger than those seen on Crimson Heads, which resemble talons. These have caused some Umbrella researchers to mistake them for "wild Tyrants". The similarities to Tyrants are simply due to the fact both were created with T.
Adult Licker teeth grow into sharp fangs.
Lickers are not only intelligent, but social. Young Lickers will stay together in a "nest", like the Apple Inn, and will venture out by themselves to hunt once they have matured into Adults.
Lickers are also intelligent enough to be trained to follow specific commands, issued with specific noises.
The Improved Zombies developed at NEST developed into Improved Lickers. Improved Lickers had a green surface that was more resistant to gunfire, and they had longer claws. These were also developed at Sheena Island.
Other
V-ACT is a generally unpredictable process with varying effects. While most Epsilon Zombies become Crimson Heads, and most t-Birkin Zombies become Lickers, random mutations can result in alternate effects. Three unique examples are listed below:
One female Zombie in Raccoon City developed a unique mutation during V-ACT, and became the Suspended. This creature resided at the Apple Inn, and was protected by Young Lickers.
As it's name suggests, the Suspended hung upside down from it's legs. It had red skin and exposed intestines. It's tongue was especially long, and it's scream could attract more Lickers to aid it if it was in danger.
Some Zombies created from t-Birkin experienced a unique mutation and transformed into Pale Heads. Pale Heads were distinguishable in appearance by their pale white skin, which was heavily damaged and appeared to "melt" in spots. Pale Heads moved slightly faster than typical Zombies, and had the ability to quickly regenerate from most wounds. The only way to kill them was to inflict massive damage faster than they could regenerate.
Due to the name being similar to "Crimson Head", I'm going under the assumption that these hosts were the result of V-ACT, and due to random mutation became Pale Heads instead of Lickers.
Another possibility is that Pale Heads are actually G-Zombies. This is supported by their regenerative potential, and the fact they were first created at NEST. However, it was implied Pale Heads were the result of an unplanned mutation, while G-Zombies are the result of injecting G into corpses.
A third, almost impossible theory is that they are somehow related to the White Molded. They could simply be a reimagined form of Improved/Naked Zombies.
Some Zombies at the remains of the Umbrella Antarctic Lab also developed a unique V-ACT mutation. These creatures, simply called "Mutant Zombies", greatly resembled the Bloodshot created by the C-Virus Gas strain. They were immune to the Zombie Jammer produced by Blue Umbrella.
Other t-Virus mutants besides Zombies underwent V-ACT as well, but I'll cover them along with their original forms.
The primary purpose and main function of the t-Virus is to create "immortal soldiers" that are able to disguise themselves as humans. These B.O.W.s are Tyrants, named after the virus and for their extreme power and ferocity.
Tyrants are essentially enhanced Zombies, which have minimized necrosis and exhibit mutations artificially tailored to make them killing machines. These mutations include an increase in size and muscle mass, claw growths, unmatched speed and strength, and almost supernatural vitality. Tyrant intelligence is almost equal to human intelligence, but reduced enough to make them compliant. Their single-minded mentality to follow orders is comparable to a machine, and they will sometimes put themselves in harm's way to achieve a goal.
Most Tyrants lack the extensive physical decay of Zombies, although skin and eye damage is still present.
Tyrants are faster and more agile than any natural animal on the planet. Their hardened bodies can survive extreme damage like gunshot wounds or exposure to extreme elements, and they can heal from most non-fatal wounds (although they can be rendered unconscious).
While Tyrants are the intended effect of human infection with T, there are two problems which cause hosts to become Zombies instead:
1. Only 1 in 100 million hosts could originally resist brain damage.
2. Host bodies could not endure the drastic mutations, instead causing Necrosis.
The first issue was solved with the research gleaned from Sergei's clones. The second issue was solved by regulating the activity of the virus as it spread, and by putting hosts through extensive body strengthening surgeries. As only hosts strengthened in a lab could survive transformation, it was impossible to create Tyrants by injecting unaltered humans. Instead, Umbrella only created a handful of "new" Tyrants, and mass produced them via cloning.
Advanced strains of the virus, like t+G or Kodoku, could create Tyrants from simple injection, and did not require host augmentation.
All instances of Tyrant mutation come from viruses related to t-Epsilon. Uroboros, G, and t-Veronica can therefore not create Tyrants. Tyrants created with new viral strains are covered in my other Analyses.
T-001 and T-002
The first two Tyrants created by Umbrella were created with healthy young male prisoners. They were strengthened with surgeries, injected with Epsilon, and then placed in special capsules. These capsules were filled with a liquid that regulated how the virus spread in their bodies.
The first host became the T-001, also known as the Proto Tyrant. This host developed superior combat abilities, but suffered too much necrosis, giving it decayed flesh, an exposed spine, a serious twitch, and limited intelligence which hindered it's ability to follow orders. As a result, it was deemed a failure and sent to be disposed of, although it's unprecedented vitality allowed it to survive chemical disposal. It roamed the Water Treatment Plant and fought with Rebecca Chambers, Billy Coen, and Albert Wesker before being killed in the facility's self-destruct sequence.
The second host became the T-002. This Tyrant suffered the same mutations as the Proto Tyrant, but withstood necrosis and brain damage, making it a success. It was equipped with a device called a power limiter on the inside of it's body, which suppressed runaway mutation in order to keep it stable. This device might work by administering regular doses of antibodies to suppress excessive virus activity. If the limiter detected that the Tyrant's vital signs dropped too low, it would disengage, allowing the full potential of the virus to work in it's body to preserve it's life.
The T-002 was left alone in it's capsule due to the chaos of the Mansion Incident. Without training or mental programing, it began to reclaim it's free will, rendering it uncontrollable. When it was released, it exacted revenge by impaling one of it's creators, Albert Wesker, on it's giant claw. It then attacked the surviving members of S.T.A.R.S. in a blind rage, but was subdued and rendered unconscious. It's power limiter disengaged, and it became a "Super Tyrant". It's skin reddened due to increased blood flow and it's speed and agility increased greatly. It was soon after destroyed by a hit from a rocket launcher, instantly killing it before it could regenerate.
Both the T-001 and T-002 grew much larger, and developed a single giant claw (the claw of the T-001 was more deformed in shape, and resembled a trident. It developed very small claws on some of the fingers on it's other hand as well). In order to reduce aggression and keep them controllable, they were castrated to reduce testosterone. Their skin and eyes suffered some damage and lost color.
The Tyrants had exposed hearts. While heart expansion is a symptom of the virus, these appear to be secondary hearts grafted onto their bodies to support their expanded cardiovascular system. As these hearts are secondary, they are not vital enough to serve as a lethal weak point.
T-103 and Variants
Birkin recovered a cloned embryo of the T-002 and modified it further, creating the T-103. This Tyrant retained a more stable form, and was outfitted with an advanced power limiter during development which limited mutation enough to give it a human form. While it was smaller than the T-002, it's large size and damaged skin meant it's ability to disguise itself as a human was limited. It's power limiter was built into a special, explosion-resistant trench coat. As of the reimagining of RE2, the T-103 was also outfitted with a hat (to help disguise it) and an antenna-like device implanted into it's left temple. The exact purpose of this device is unknown, although it may have been used to relay orders directly into the brain (similar means of control were used with other variant Tyrant types at the same time).
When it's power limiter was removed, it, like the T-002, would develop into a Super Tyrant. This is actually it's default form.
The Super T-103 had large claws on both arms (except in one depiction, where it only has one), and even greater muscle mass. It's other abilities were also enhanced, although it became uncontrollable in this form. It also developed an exposed heart. In RE2make, the Super Tyrant's irises develop into reptilian slits, which is a trait inherited from Progenitor.
Many T-103s were cloned by Umbrella for use as body guards, soldiers, and assassins. Six were deployed to Raccoon City to kill the military team sent after Birkin and to recover the G-Virus sample in Sherry Birkin's pendent, and to kill any survivors along the way.
But before the Tyrant could be mass produced, combat data was required to work out any kinks.
A special variant clone of the T-103 was created to guard Sergei Vladimir. This custom model was called "Ivan". It was specifically modified to appear more human, and had a visor grafted on to it's face which featured a heads-up display that fed it orders. Ivan was faster and more intelligent than a standard T-103. A second Ivan was later created, called Ivan B. Both Ivans were slain by Albert Wesker.
After combat data was gathered from the Arklay Mansion from the fight between S.T.A.R.S. and the rampant T-002, further improvements were made to the T-103. Control and recovery ability was improved, and the updated model was mass produced at the plant on Sheena Island. Many of these T-103 (mass production type) B.O.W.s were evaded by Ark Thomson.
The Super Tyrant form of the mass production type lacked any exposed organs.
One mass production model (batch number T-078) was sent to Rockfort Island by a team led by HUNK for use as a training model for Umbrella paramilitary units. This Tyrant was deployed without a combat limiter, and had it's claws blunted. Despite this, it used it's strength to it's advantage and used it's arms like battering rams. After sustaining damage in a fight with Claire Redfield, it underwent V-ACT and grew new claws from it's right hand. It was destroyed after being launched from a plane by a missile.
Larger versions of the T-103 were later developed by an unknown group, and were deployed during the Eastern Slavic Republic's Civil War. These Tyrants were 5 meters tall, and were controlled by using a command program, perhaps like the antenna attached to the RE2make version of the T-103, or like the chip used with the T-0400TP (see directly below). Their coats were hardened with high pressure gas, while their power limiters injected their bodies with a static muscle relaxer. These only had one small claw in their Super Tyrant form.
Two variant T-103-based products were experimented on by Umbrella after it's mass production, which experimented with alternative methods of control:
T-0400TP - The T-0400TP or Tyrant R was created in the Raccoon above-ground laboratory. It's primary purpose was to exert control by downloading preset commands from an MO disk into a computer chip infused into the base of the skull. This method of control was presumably a more refined method than the one used for other Tyrants. It was a failure, as during deployment it was able to resist control when it overheard that it's life was in danger. It seems it's intellect was not reduced to make it compliant, as the researchers probably assumed the chip was enough to control it.
Other modifications resulted in it gaining even greater vitality. It survived multiple encounters with armed humans and Hunters, the explosion of it's neck bomb collar, and it's attempted absorption by Nyx, before it was defeated by Ada Wong and destroyed in the bombing of Raccoon City.
It's Super Tyrant form was referred to as "Tyrant Reborn", and in this stage it developed rock-like growths.
Nemesis-T Type - The Nemesis-T Type, also simply called Nemesis (Greek embodiment of vengeance, an apt name considering it's purpose to destroy S.T.A.R.S.) or the Pursuer, was created by injecting a T-103 with the Ne-alpha parasite (also called Nemesis). This B.O.W. was released in Raccoon City, but was destroyed by Jill Valentine and/or the bombing of the city. A second model was deployed at Rockfort Island to act as security. No further models were produced, as it's development was costly and it's appearance too far removed from humans.
The Nemesis parasite was an artificial organism created long before using the t-Virus. The Biology of Evil speculates it could have been a clump of cancer cells modified with the t-Virus and which contained genes from both parasites and human brains. After being injected into a host at the cellular level, the parasite works it's way to the spinal cord and attaches itself, bending the spine as it grows. It develops tentacles with sharp ends that worm their way throughout the body, feeding on t-Virus-infected cells from the host to sustain it's growth and life. These tentacles will emerge from certain points in the body, and can be used as weapons.
The tentacles secrete a liquid containing highly concentrated amounts of the t-Virus, which cause "cell activation" and aid in host regeneration. These secretions also make the tentacles a dangerous transmission vector for the virus. One tentacle will make it's way across the face and penetrate the front of the skull. From there it will destroy the frontal lobe of the host and enter the brain itself. It will hijack control of the body from there, taking over the host as a second brain. This eliminated the weakness of humanoid B.O.W.'s, the head, with the new brain protected inside the ribcage.
In short, the Nemesis Parasite is a parasitic brain that controls the host and enhances it's regenerative potential. The Nemesis brain is both highly intelligent and open to commands, and it's entire purpose as a B.O.W. is to control and enhance other B.O.W.s.
The invasive and destructive behavior of the parasite kills the vast majority of hosts, and the only known creatures strong enough to survive infection are Tyrants and Lisa Trevor. Even then, Tyrants infected with the parasite are torn apart by the growing tentacles, and must be stitched and stapled back together. The Nemesis secretions also cause the skin to become deformed.
The Pursuer sent to Raccoon was given a rocket launcher and a power limiter coat which helped suppress runaway parasite growth. It was capable of speech, but only repeated the name of it's targets: S.T.A.R.S.. It had superior comprehensive abilities, and expertly tracked and ambushed it's prey. It was also almost completely indestructible, surviving countless gun fights, explosions, and falls, in addition to being set on fire, electrocuted, bathed in acid, and even decapitated.
After sustaining enough damage and losing it's limiter, the parasite's tentacles expanded further as it mutated into it's second form. The heavy tentacles growing from it's arms rendered the use of firearms impossible, but were formidable weapons themselves. The parasite, attempting to adapt in response to excessive damage, grew in size and eroded both the central nervous system and the medulla oblongata. The Tyrant’s aggressiveness also increased.
After the destruction of the Tyrant’s original brain, the Tyrant host died and the parasite's survival instincts took priority (although it didn't forget it's orders). The parasite replenished biomass by consuming a slain T-103, and the dead host and living parasite merged into a form which functioned as a giant digestive organ, with the parasite and Tyrant cells competing for dominance. It became a quadruped to support it’s bulk, and it's ribs pointed outwards. It sprayed digestive fluids at it's prey from a bleb on it's swollen shoulder, which was actually an acidic pus containing toxins that it created in response to absorbing waste fluid.
After being blown to pieces by an experimental railway cannon, it still clung to life as a small shapeless blob before being gunned down and utterly destroyed with the city.
Here's an obscure yet disturbing piece of lore regarding the Nemesis-T Type: http://projectumbrella.net/articles...-Official-Guidebook-Complete-Conquest-Nemesis
"In addition, an interesting report was made about a "Nemesis-T Type" test subject in which this was transplanted into the latest Tyrant. In the case of the Nemesis culture process, it gained a sense of self and attempted to escape from the facility with others. That shows that the intelligence of the test subject drastically improved, and suggests a risk that a B.O.W. could become a new intelligent organism and rebel against humanity.
At that time, can mankind survive---?"
Alternate Tyrant Models
Some newer Tyrant models were created using new human hosts, and thus were not created from T-103 clones. These models represented the fierce internal competition at Umbrella once the Tyrant was created to outdo one another:
Thanatos - The Thanatos Tyrant (named after the Greek embodiment of death) was created by Umbrella scientist Greg Mueller at Raccoon University as a superior alternative to the mass production type. This Tyrant retained a more human form, although even with an internal limiter it still developed claws (albeit very small ones) and needed a secondary heart like the T-002. This heart was protected by a metal case. The vitality, speed, and overall combat abilities of Thanatos were greatly enhanced, and control seems to have been improved, meaning it gets to keep it's "member" (which is covered in stylish underwear) without fear of over-aggressiveness compromising control. It survived multiple firefights, electrocution, being crushed by the collapsing university, and being hit with two rockets, before it was killed by being injected with the Daylight Vaccine.
Like the T-0400TP, Thanatos' super Tyrant form was instead called "Thanatos Reborn". In this stage it's right arm grew in size and elasticity to compensate for the loss of it's left arm.
Hypnos-T Type - The Hypnos-T Type, or simply Hypnos, was developed at Sheena Island under the supervision of Island Commander Vincent Goldman. Hypnos was the closest and final attempt by Umbrella to create Tyrants that could be disguised as humans. It was created by introducing two special substances into gene culture: the Hypnos gene and a chemical called "Beta Hetero Nonserotonin".
Similar to the Kodoku Project, the Hypnos gene was discovered by pitting hundreds of thousands of cells against each other until only a single cell remained. This was to discover a gene that promoted genetic perfection for B.O.W. development. This experiment went on for three weeks, and the final cell showed itself as the researchers slept. As such, the genes extracted from this cell were called Hypnos, after the Greek embodiment of sleep.
Beta Hetero Nonserotonin could only be harvested from adolescent male brains. This chemical would secrete in response to adrenaline and noradrenaline, which regulate fear and extreme stress. In order to extract the vast amounts of the chemical needed to create the Hypnos-T Type, many young males were brought to Sheena Island, where their heads were cracked open without anesthetic. The traumatic nature of this operation generated large amounts of Beta Hetero Nonserotonin.
The Hypnos-T Type prototype had blue skin, green blood, and a single claw. It's height and size were equal to that of a normal human. As it was damaged it underwent two separate mutations, unlike most Tyrants. The first transformation could have been due to it disengaging a power limiter, and the second transformation could be due to V-ACT. In it's second form, it grew in size and developed fangs. In it's third form, it grew further, and became very animalistic, losing it's human appearance. It developed a stooped posture due to increased upper body mass, and it's heart expanded to the point it emerged from the body through a flap of skin. It was eventually destroyed by Ark Thompson using an attack helicopter. It's destruction along with the destruction of Sheena Island forced Umbrella to abandon it's goal of creating human-looking Tyrants.
Bandersnatch - The Bandersnatch B.O.W. was a prototype alternative to the Tyrant model. It was to abandon perfection as a weapon and a human form in favor of being a low-cost alternative. It was created by injecting a fertilized human ovum with T, and avoided the expensive maintenance and surgeries required for the T-103. As a result, it is deformed and far weaker. It's left arm failed to develop, with biomass instead shifted to the right arm. This arm was especially strong and elastic, like the Thanatos Reborn. It's face did not develop skin, and it's small legs made movement difficult. It used it's arm as a grappling hook, and could quickly transverse environments this way. It used it's arm to protect it's sensitive head, but could not attack, defend, or quickly move at once due to it's dependence on just one arm.
A group of cloned Bandersnatch were sent to Rockfort Island to collect combat data, and they were all destroyed there. However, the Rival Org used them as inspiration to create the Jabberwock S3.
The Bandersnatch was named after a creature with no discernable form from Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.
T-A.L.O.S. - The Tyrant Armored Lethal Organic System, or T-A.L.O.S. was the most advanced Tyrant created by Umbrella. Talos was the name of a mythological bronze giant automaton that served as guardian of Crete. The development of T-A.L.O.S. actually began at the Arklay Lab, immediately following the success of the T-002. A third Tyrant was in development called the "T-A.L.O.S. body T-011", which would be controlled via computer chip. The outbreak halted further development, and the T-011 was recovered by Sergei and moved to the Caucasus Facility. While the T-0400TP continued the idea of using a computer chip to establish control, T-011 would be controlled not with preset commands, but live ones sent via a wireless connection to the chip.
Tyrant effectiveness against armored vehicles such as tanks and helicopters left much to be desired. As such, an evolved model that used heavy weapons and armor was envisioned with T-A.L.O.S.. While Tyrants performed best when unburdened by heavy equipment, it was decided cybernetic enhancements would ensure no combat prowess was lost. The recovered T-011 was modified over the course of just under five years, and was outfitted with a Synapse Connector, Cranial Unit, Sensory Unit, Circulatory Unit, Structural Unit, and a Control Unit. It was wirelessly connected to the Umbrella mainframe AI Red Queen, which controlled T-A.L.O.S. in real time. It was covered in an eight-piece set of white armor made from a special alloy that both protected the Tyrant without compromising mobility, and acted as a power limiter. It was given a special, oversized rocket launcher over it's shoulder. In order to support the launcher, one of it's arms was enlarged to balance the creature. Under the armor, significant biological enhancements were also present. It's skin was a unique dark shade, and it had glowing red eyes, like Progenitor sometimes does. It's spine was outfitted with cybernetics that enhanced it's nervous system.
Once it was completed, it was hoped the raw power of T-A.L.O.S. would bring Umbrella enough success to revive itself following it's financial troubles after Racoon. During a raid of the Caucasus Facility, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine engaged the Tyrant in combat. By destroying the rockets before they ejected from the launcher, they destroyed it's armor and power limiter, resulting in mutation. The Super Tyrant form of T-A.L.O.S. was more severe than with other Tyrants. It lost it's lower body, and it's mutated spinal cord attached itself to the ceiling, hoisting T-A.L.O.S. above the ground. It sprouted tentacles which used the energy from it's cybernetic parts to create dangerous laser beams. It's other arm grew claws to match it's left one, and it's mouth split and tore into a vertical shape. As it's muscle mass increased, tears in the skin exposed vital organs which served as weak points, which Chris and Jill exploited to kill it.
Mutant Sergei - Before his final confrontation with Albert Wesker, Sergei Vladimir injected himself with the t-Virus. After a brief conversation with Wesker, he mutated into a Tyrant-like creature, and was afterwards destroyed. The virus he used was "enhanced". It could have been an experimental new strain, or simply the recently created Perfected T. If it was the latter, then that means Perfected T can create Tyrants from injection alone. Whether or not his transformation was timed or triggered through will is unknown, although the Umbrella Chronicles novelization implies the latter (in the book, it also gave Sergei powers prior to his final Tyrant transformation).
Sergei's mutant form had a Tyrant body, with a mouth gagged with a strange growth and arms conjoined into a single clawed tentacle. He developed some insect characteristics, strangely, such as insect limbs from his back and the ability to generate larvae. Sergei retained his intelligence following transformation due to his special resistance to T's brain damage symptom.
His grotesque and unique mutations seem to have been intented to reflect his tortured mindset, and Wesker used this experience to form a theory regarding the relationship between host mindset and mutation.
Overview
t-Virus Project
The secret main goal of the pharmaceutical corporation Umbrella was the secret production of living bioweapons called Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) using the capacity of the Progenitor Virus to rewrite genes. But Progenitor was far too lethal to establish itself in host bodies. The need for an artificial variant strain thousands of times weaker was apparent, both to produce B.O.W.s and to achieve the founders' ultimate goals of immortality and forced evolution. This was the aim of the t-Virus Project.
The t-Virus Project was the central focus of Umbrella, and had three stages conceptualized:
1. Creation of a new, ideal virus.
2. Stabilization of this virus.
3. B.O.W. production.
Any virus created from Progenitor as a part of this Project was given the moniker "t", or referred to as a "Clay Virus". While many t-Viruses were created under this project, the virus that accomplished all three stages would be officially called "the t-Virus". The completed t-Virus needed to be able to infect any host, and give animals traits ideal in a weapon (ferocity, vitality, and controllability). The ideal B.O.W. would be called the Tyrant, named after the Virus (a trend reused with the G-Virus).
In 1977, Umbrella Co-founder Dr. James Marcus created what would become the successful base for the finished t-Virus. This strain, unofficially dubbed t-Marcus, was created by injecting Progenitor into leeches. When a virus successfully establishes itself in a host, it mutates due to recombination with the host's cells. It not only changes the host, but is changed itself. The key to weakening Progenitor was to find hosts it could infect without killing, then extracting the recombinant strain from the host.
Leeches, like the Stairway to the Sun flower, were highly resistant to the damaging effects of the virus, allowing them to adapt and mutate.
t-Marcus was weak enough to infect other hosts, such as humans, accomplishing the first goal of the Project. While Marcus performed his own experiments with t-Marcus, Oswell Spencer (Umbrella's President and CEO) ordered Marcus' best students, Albert Wesker and William Birkin, to steal t-Marcus.
The duo were afterwards made the head researchers of the laboratory located under the Arklay Mansion, which became the primary t-Virus development facility.
Stabilization
Tasked with finishing T, Wesker and Birkin became fascinated with the Ebola Virus. What makes Ebola so dangerous is it's incubation period: a host will not display symptoms immediately, and will inadvertently spread the virus to others. This inspired the duo, as T was originally envisioned as merely a tool to create B.O.W.s, not a deadly weapon on it's own.
While the Zombie mutation of t-Marcus was not suitable for the Project's goals, it could outdo Ebola: instead of creating carriers who accidentally and indirectly spread the virus, T hosts would actively seek out others and infect them. As a precaution, T was modified to grow less infectious over time, to prevent a pandemic.
Wesker and Birkin sought out a sample of Ebola to incorporate into T.
t-Marcus was weakened and modified over the years by infecting a wide variety of hosts. By injecting t-Marcus into spiders (tarantulas), they created t/Clay Alpha. Alpha had greater results in arthropod hosts, and created the Webspinner B.O.W..
Alpha was also used with Great White Sharks to enhance it's abilities with marine life. While results were minimal, they were not in vain, and the Neptune B.O.W. was created.
After injecting Alpha into dogs (Dobermans), the Beta strain was created, as was the Cerberus B.O.W.. Beta had enhanced abilities in mammalian hosts, but humans still left much to be desired. Beta was further modified to create Beta II, which allowed for greater powers of genetic manipulation. bII created genetic hybrids such as the Hunter B.O.W..
While bII could produce favorable results in many organisms, the ideal B.O.W. Tyrant needed to be based on a human host for it to possess enough intelligence to effectively follow complex orders. However, the virus was too damaging in human brains, and could not create Tyrants in it's current state. Birkin refined the virus further, and managed to create a strain that could minimize brain damage in human hosts with a certain genome. But such hosts would be exceedingly rare. So rare, in fact, that Umbrella could not find such a host. The Project reached a standstill, and Birkin moved on with the G-Virus Project in a lab (called NEST) built beneath the nearby Raccoon City, while Wesker, feeling his limitations as a researcher, transferred to the Intelligence Division and plotted against Spencer and Umbrella.
T progress stagnated for years, until former USSR Colonel Sergei Vladimir sought employment at Umbrella. He passed the requirements for becoming a Tyrant, and rather than waste such a valuable find, Umbrella gave Sergei an executive position in exchange for ten clones of Sergei formerly created by the Soviets.
By incorporating the genome of these clones into the Virus, the Epsilon Strain was created, which could turn more hosts into Tyrants.
Two test subjects were used to create the first two Tyrants (the T-001 and T-002), and with the first Tyrants created Epsilon was officially made the Umbrella t-Virus. While Tyrants were costly and difficult to create from scratch, not to mention infertile, they could easily be mass produced via cloning.
Mansion Incident
During the administration of Epsilon into the host who became the T-002 in 1998, the Arklay Laboratory was attacked by the Queen Leech (a mutant with the memories of the deceased Dr. Marcus), resulting in Epsilon leaking as an airborne strain. While the researchers attempted to prevent a biohazard with protective suits, the virus reached the water supply. This led to the outbreak incident known as the "Mansion Incident".
Umbrella quarantined the Mansion and forced the staff within to study the effects of the virus as it spread. Any results were then recovered using the underground railway and used for B.O.W. development in other facilities. Birkin also used the railway to recover cloned B.O.W. embryos and virus samples, including a cloned embryo of the T-002, which became the base for the mass production model.
The outbreak went on for two months before the facility was eradicated by Rebecca Chambers from S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Service; a unit belonging to the Raccoon City Police Department, which had been lured to the Mansion by Wesker to collect combat data on the B.O.W.s and irregular mutants there) using the self-destruct system.
During the incident, the virus mutated and a new strain of Epsilon surfaced. This strain utilized a process called V-ACT to create Crimson Heads. The V-ACT strain was recovered by Birkin, who used it to create t-Birkin, which took V-ACT further and created Lickers. During these experiments, another mutant strain was discovered, t-Wesker, which restored the Progenitor ability to create super humans.
t-Birkin was mass produced by Umbrella, and sent to it's facilities all over the world for further developments. It caused multiple outbreaks, such as the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, the Sheena Island Incident, and the Spencer Rain Incident.
It was also used with the G-Virus to create t+G, and with t-Veronica to create t-02.
Another strain was created and leaked at Rockfort Island: t-Alfred. This strain could infect corpses. It afterwards contaminated the Umbrella Antarctic Lab.
Bioterror
Five years after it's creation, t-Birkin was refined further to create Perfected T, a strain which harnessed the full potential of the t-Virus. As such, it is likely it could infect corpses (like t-Alfred) and create super humans from adapters (like t-Wesker). Perfected T was stolen from the Umbrella Caucasus Facility (a massive facility built to mass produce B.O.W.s) in 2003 and leaked to the black market by Wesker, who defected from Umbrella some time prior. This resulted in the global age of bioterror, and Perfected T is now widely available to terrorist groups, corporations, and governments all over the planet. Umbrella itself was rendered defunct the same year due to it's involvement in B.O.W. production becoming public knowledge, although it was reestablished four years later under special conditions as a PMC called Blue Umbrella.
Perfected T was used during the Harvardville Outbreak in 2005, and in it's aftermath a vaccine developed by the Willpharma Corporation was recovered. This vaccine has rendered the direct use of Perfected T pointless. However, new strains have been developed by many different groups and new mutant strains are common. Rather than eliminate the problem, the vaccine complicated it by motivating bioterror groups to bypass the vaccine by continuing Umbrella's dark legacy. These groups include TRICELL, A-gua Industries, Neo-Umbrella, Shen Ya Pharmaceuticals, and even Blue Umbrella.
Most post Perfected T strains have only minor differences between them, but evolved strains have begun to eliminate necrosis and toxicity, resulting in smarter Zombie breeds and Tyrants created from simple injection. While many t-Viruses in the age of bioterror are not named, some are different enough to be given new titles. These include:
· t-Abyss
· t-Phobos
· t-Howard
· Kodoku
· A-Virus
As T is thousands of times weaker than Progenitor, and because it's mutations are tailored towards creating living weapons, it serves as the perfect base for new viruses.
Symptoms and Effects
The vast majority of T effects actually originate in Progenitor. Like eye growths with G, certain traits are simply more prominent in T. The trait that makes T different from any other weakened Progenitor strain is the Tyrant mutation, and all instances of this mutation come from T (for example, Ultimate Abyss, Morpheus, Diego, and Ustanak all get their traits from T). I cover the details of Tyrant creation and each type of Tyrant later.
T is actually an airborne strain naturally, but does not stay that way for long. It will quickly mutate into forms better suited to dispersal through water, saliva, blood, and even touch. After a sufficient amount of time has passed, it will become less and less virulent, until even Zombie bites will no longer spread it.
As late as 1998, 10% of hosts are immune to infection.
T has vastly different effects on different types of organisms, and this will be demonstrated as I cover each mutant animal. But certain effects are universal, such as:
· Increase in size
· Heightened aggression
· Increased vitality
· Lack of fear
The incubation period for the Virus varies wildly, and is affected by a number of factors. Namely:
· Environment
· Host resistance (being severely wounded affects this)
· Dosage
The strain of T used is also a factor. Epsilon could take many days before the onset of transformation, while Perfected T only took seconds.
I cover every known mutant created by the t-Virus in the following pages, in this order:
1. Zombies (Mammalian Hosts)
2. V-ACT Zombies (Crimson Heads, Lickers, etc.)
3. Tyrants
4. Arthropods (Spiders and Insects)
5. Annelids (Worms)
6. Reptiles, Fish, Amphibians, and Tunicate
7. Hybrids (Hunters, Chimeras, etc.)
8. Super Humans (Wesker, Mary Gray, etc.)
9. Miscellaneous (Undertakers, Nyx, etc.)
Zombies
The most common byproduct of the t-Virus is the Zombie mutation. While commonly associated with T, this effect actually originates in Progenitor, and is a fairly universal symptom in all RE viruses. These creatures were named Zombies due to their resemblance to the Romero creatures in pop culture, hence why many characters call them as such despite not being aware of their official designation.
Zombies are the result of virus hosts being simultaneously weakened and strengthened, putting them in the middle ground between hosts who survive and die from infection. Necrosis (cell death) from the virus results in host bodies resembling walking corpses, and despite their sickly appearance the virus has also granted them vitality far exceeding natural animals. A recent source also claims they are capable of regeneration, although this may be limited to V-ACT or a specific strain of T.
Before Zombification, infected hosts undergo a number of symptoms:
· Intense Itching
· Fever
· Rash
· Increased appetite
· Psychosis
· Aggression
· Coma
Hosts will slowly lose their minds, and will be driven by hunger to attack and consume others (such as the infamous Keeper. "Itchy, tasty"). This symptom immediately precedes coma, and is short, but in the case of t-Phobos, this stage of infection lasts far longer before Zombification occurs (see Virus Analysis: t-Phobos).
During coma, the host will enter a state of suspended animation. Damage from the virus reaches a critical point, and vital signs drop so low they become undetectable. This gives the illusion Zombies rise from the dead, which is technically not true, as the brain never fully shuts down.
After a period, the virus strengthening reaches a critical point, and hosts regain consciousness as Zombies.
Zombies created from T are not as weak as Progenitor Zombies due to the weakened nature of T. Outward necrosis appears more severe, but it actually doesn't affect muscle strength. An increase in growth hormone causes Zombies to grow taller - the average Zombie height is 6 feet, 5 inches.
Zombie skin is most heavily damaged, turning pale and cracking. Exposed muscle is commonly seen as skin rots and peels. A common area to peel away is the skin surrounding the mouth, causing Zombies (and sometimes Tyrants) to lose their lips. The eyes become glazed over and turn a milky white, and any hindrance to vision is compensated with extra-sensitive hearing (which is used against them with the Zombie Jammer device).
Internal organs are heavily affected as well. The circulatory and respiratory systems are completely destroyed, making Zombies clinically dead. They no long breathe, allowing them to survive being buried or submerged in water (seen in RE3 and RE1, respectively). How they survive without oxygen is a mystery, although the Biology of Evil attributes it to leech genes in the virus.
The reproductive system is also destroyed, making all Zombies infertile.
Unlike other bodily systems, the digestive system is heavily strengthened to accommodate the intense hunger of Zombies. They begin to produce large amounts of highly corrosive stomach acid able to quickly break down flesh. They produce so much, in fact, that Zombies periodically vomit excess amounts from the body. They will attempt to direct this acid at prey, giving Zombies a valuable weapon against out of reach targets.
Zombie brains are devastated by necrosis, leaving much of the brain completely inactive. The parts of the brain still active will develop abnormally (sections of the thalamus, midbrain, limbic system, and hypothalamus) in order to compensate for the lost sections. Motor control is heavily affected, making Zombie movement slow, clumsy, and erratic (although some are capable of uncommon bursts of speed, such as the infected anatomist at Rockfort Island). All former personality and higher reasoning is wiped away entirely, as are most memories. Zombies often retain enough muscle memory to open doors, and commonly mill about places familiar to them as humans. Most Zombies are incapable of articulating speech, and will instead moan and growl. Advanced Zombies in modern times sometimes mutter simple phrases.
Zombie pain receptors are also inactive. Losing limbs, being shot, or being set on fire will not deter them. Instead, all they feel is hunger.
Zombies are in a constant state of starvation due to their metabolism being critically high. In order to support their oxygen deprived bodies, they must eat constantly. As infected flesh is stripped bare of nutrients, Zombies prefer to devour the flesh of uninfected hosts. As they grow more desperate, they will however resort to cannibalism. No Zombies beyond Crimson Heads are ever seen attacking each other, and they instead feed on dead or prone Zombies (the latter of which don't even seem to notice).
To conserve energy, Zombies will lie on the ground and play dead, biting the ankles of unsuspecting victims.
Due to their outstanding vitality, Zombies are impossible to kill unless the brain itself is destroyed/removed, or the body is totally incinerated. Zombies can also starve to death. A simple bullet to the brain is not always a guaranteed kill, as much of the brain is dead anyway. Destroying the brain stem is the safest and most reliable way to cease activity in a Zombie.
Zombie Variants
There is usually a great deal of consistency regarding how each individual Zombie will operate, but some alternate types have existed due to differences in how they were created:
Early strains of T could not revive corpses, but more advanced strains unlocked this ability. Undead Zombies are indistinguishable from living ones. These were encountered by Claire Redfield on Rockfort Island, when t-Alfred was carried by rainwater into shallow graves, causing the corpses there to reanimate.
Improved Zombies (aka Naked Zombies) were created at Arklay and NEST, which had even greater vitality. These were created via body strengthening surgery and primary injection of T.
During the Raccoon City destruction incident, Umbrella provided the RPD survivors with a special gas called P-Z, which was supposed to harm Zombies. Instead, this gas caused mutations in Zombies that heightened their combat abilities. It seems Umbrella either wanted to further compromise the survivors' safety, or they wanted to field test a new product despite the consequences. Poisonous Zombies created by P-Z constantly exhaled a purple gas that could poison prey. It seems the otherwise inactive lungs were repurposed to produce this gas. Some would expel a large poison cloud when the body was ruptured. Poisonous Zombies were distinguishable by their purple skin and glowing eyes.
It's possible this reaction is related to the Poison Ivy, which was also created by a t-Virus B.O.W. being exposed to a weaponized gas. This demonstrates the general adaptability of virus hosts.
Advanced Zombies have also been created by other strains of the Progenitor Virus, such as G, C, A, and Kodoku. The only Progenitor-based virus that hasn't been shown to create Zombie-like mutants is t-Veronica, although it's effects on corpses (if any) have yet to been seen.
Zombie Animals
The Zombie mutation is not limited to humans, and is actually common in mammalian hosts. These animals are considered Zombies due to severe necrosis giving them the appearance of undead creatures, and due to their ravenous appetite for uninfected flesh.
Dog - Virus activity in canine hosts is less lethal than in humans. Canine host brains are left intact, allowing infected dogs and wolves to hunt and run as they did prior to Zombification. Outward signs of decay are just as dramatic as in human hosts, but internal damage is limited. In REmake, dogs can be seen breathing.
Zombie Dog muscle mass is strengthened along with general vitality, although their bodies are not quite as resistant to damage as the larger Zombie humans. Their extreme aggression makes them very dangerous to humans and Zombies alike.
Dogs retain not only their hunting instincts after infection (like group tactics and ambush techniques), but training as well, making them controllable as B.O.W.s. This has made them desirable weapons even now, as they were used during the attack on TRICELL HQ. But their intense hunger must be maintained if control is to be asserted.
Canines created for use as B.O.W.s are called Cerberus (MA-39), named after the guardian of the gates to Hades in Greek mythology.
Ape - Marcus created B.O.W.s by injecting a pregnant Barbary Macaque ape with the t-Virus. It's offspring were called Eliminators due to their efficient ability to seek out and destroy targets. Like Zombie Dogs, Eliminators retained their intelligence and could be trained to follow orders. Their muscle mass increased until their skin ripped, and they were highly athletic. They even experienced an increase in intelligence.
They were effective, but were scrapped for further development due to their relative weakness. However, the Queen Leech created a small army of them, and the desperate Umbrella approved them for mass production many years later.
Rat - Zombie Rats were partly responsible for the incident at Raccoon City. They were lethal in swarms.
Bat - These include a wide variety of bat breeds, including herbivore fruit bats, which alter their diet after infection to become carnivores. Bats retain enough intelligence to fight in swarms, and sometimes retain a fear of open flames.
Two bats suffered a unique mutation and grew monstrous in size. Tyrant bats?
South American Fruit Bats encountered during Operation: Javier developed large growths on their heads.
Elephant - Oscar, a performing elephant at the Raccoon Zoo, became a Zombie and escaped confinement. Its diet became carnivorous, like infected bats, and it's heightened metabolism drove it to devour both humans and Zombies. It retained enough memory to be lured with music used during performances. Oscar's tusks developed abnormally due to mutation.
Hyenas and Lions at the Raccoon Zoo also became Zombies. They were similar to Zombie Dogs, in that they retained their muscular integrity and fine motor control even as their flesh rotted. Their ferocity and hunting abilities were greatly enhanced.
Many Zombie Hyenas were created, while only three Zombie Lions were present (two females and one male). The sole male Lion, originally named Max by the Zoo, was especially strong.
Besides mammals, birds also become Zombie-like after infection. Infected crows are the most commonly encountered in the series, although exotic Hornbill birds were also seen at the Racoon Zoo. Birds commonly become infected after eating the flesh of infected corpses. Necrosis is indeed present, but is undetectable due to feathers covering the body. The only discernable changes to appearance are in a small increase in size, and the development of red eyes. Infected bird behavior is unpredictable, and some flocks will only attack when provoked or disturbed while others are so desperate as to attack through windows. This may be dependent on how well fed the birds are.
V-ACT in Zombies
V-ACT (Virus Activation) is a process inherent to all viruses derived from Progenitor, including T. While commonly associated with Crimson Heads, V-ACT is responsible for most monster transformations after sustaining damage. When a mutant is severely wounded or even killed, the virus, which ceases activity after the initial transformation, resumes activity and infects the body a second time, causing further mutations. This may be caused by stress pathways which open in response to trauma that the virus uses to travel further. Creatures created by the G-Virus may practice V-ACT continually, while creatures created by the t-Virus can only undergo V-ACT once.
Initial Zombie mutations are minimal, as dead or damaged cells lack the energy to reproduce and alter form. However, during V-ACT, the increased virus activity causes extensive cellular repairs surpassing those from initial transformation. In a sense, Zombies can be "brought back to life" this way, causing further cellular changes in the process and altering their form.
Crimson Head
During the Mansion Incident, the Epsilon Strain mutated and harnessed V-ACT to turn damaged
Zombies into creatures called Crimson Heads, named for their red skin and the blood baths they create. The first encountered Crimson Head, the Crimson Head Prototype 1, was frozen and placed in a suspended coffin by the surviving researchers, who were unwilling to destroy it due to it's promise as a B.O.W.. After this strain was recovered by Birkin, Crimson Heads were studied and kept at the Caucasus Facility to be sold as products.
As V-ACT occurs in Zombie bodies, they enter suspended animation once again. Internal organs are repaired and the host circulatory and respiratory systems are restored. As a result, Crimson Heads very noticeably breathe, and their hearts pump blood. This blood becomes reoxygenated and turns a bright red. The skin remains damaged, and the now running blood seeps through the damaged skin cells, resulting in their red skin.
Extensive neurological repairs undoes prior brain damage, giving Crimson Heads more intelligence, and their motor control is restored, allowing them to run quickly.
Aside from repairs, Crimson Heads also mutate further, gaining several Tyrant traits. Muscle mass increases somewhat, and bone growth is promoted at the tips of fingers, creating claws. Crimson Heads are extremely deadly, and will kill other Zombies in their way as they pursue prey.
Forest Speyer, as a Zombie, displayed the ferocity and speed of a Crimson Head, but without the claws and red skin. It has been speculated he was attacked by both Zombies and infected Crows, based on bloody handprints leading to his location. This excessive damage during his initial transformation could have triggered premature V-ACT.
Javier Hidalgo performed primitive experiments on the Zombies he used as "guard dogs". He forced them into suspended animation, and as a result they underwent V-ACT and developed some Crimson Head traits.
Licker
After using the V-ACT strain of Epsilon to create t-Birkin, William Birkin created a more dramatic V-ACT mutation in damaged Zombies. After their bodies are repaired, t-Birkin Zombies will mutate into Lickers, named by the surviving Raccoon City Police for their elongated tongues.
Lickers undergo two stages of maturation. After V-ACT, Zombies awaken as Young Lickers, which will continue to develop into Adult Lickers. Like Crimson Heads, Lickers breathe.
The damaged skin of Young Lickers peels away, causing their smooth muscle tissue to become exposed. The brain, while it is repaired, swells in size. This gives them greater intelligence than Crimson Heads, but to make room for the brain, the upper section of the skull is destroyed, causing it to become exposed. Along with the skull, the already damaged eyes are completely destroyed, making Lickers blind. To compensate, the already considerably high hearing of Zombies is strengthened even further.
The skeletal system is completely mutated, forcing Lickers to become quadrupeds. Their heightened agility and sticky muscle tissue gives them incredible climbing abilities. The tongue is lengthened greatly, and Young Lickers control it with great dexterity, using it like a whip.
As Young Lickers develop into Adults, muscle mass increases greatly. This includes the tongue, which grows into a shape resembling a lance. Adult tongues are strong enough that they become piercing weapons rather than whips, and can ensnare or even decapitate humans.
Adult Lickers develop large bone claws far larger than those seen on Crimson Heads, which resemble talons. These have caused some Umbrella researchers to mistake them for "wild Tyrants". The similarities to Tyrants are simply due to the fact both were created with T.
Adult Licker teeth grow into sharp fangs.
Lickers are not only intelligent, but social. Young Lickers will stay together in a "nest", like the Apple Inn, and will venture out by themselves to hunt once they have matured into Adults.
Lickers are also intelligent enough to be trained to follow specific commands, issued with specific noises.
The Improved Zombies developed at NEST developed into Improved Lickers. Improved Lickers had a green surface that was more resistant to gunfire, and they had longer claws. These were also developed at Sheena Island.
Other
V-ACT is a generally unpredictable process with varying effects. While most Epsilon Zombies become Crimson Heads, and most t-Birkin Zombies become Lickers, random mutations can result in alternate effects. Three unique examples are listed below:
One female Zombie in Raccoon City developed a unique mutation during V-ACT, and became the Suspended. This creature resided at the Apple Inn, and was protected by Young Lickers.
As it's name suggests, the Suspended hung upside down from it's legs. It had red skin and exposed intestines. It's tongue was especially long, and it's scream could attract more Lickers to aid it if it was in danger.
Some Zombies created from t-Birkin experienced a unique mutation and transformed into Pale Heads. Pale Heads were distinguishable in appearance by their pale white skin, which was heavily damaged and appeared to "melt" in spots. Pale Heads moved slightly faster than typical Zombies, and had the ability to quickly regenerate from most wounds. The only way to kill them was to inflict massive damage faster than they could regenerate.
Due to the name being similar to "Crimson Head", I'm going under the assumption that these hosts were the result of V-ACT, and due to random mutation became Pale Heads instead of Lickers.
Another possibility is that Pale Heads are actually G-Zombies. This is supported by their regenerative potential, and the fact they were first created at NEST. However, it was implied Pale Heads were the result of an unplanned mutation, while G-Zombies are the result of injecting G into corpses.
A third, almost impossible theory is that they are somehow related to the White Molded. They could simply be a reimagined form of Improved/Naked Zombies.
Some Zombies at the remains of the Umbrella Antarctic Lab also developed a unique V-ACT mutation. These creatures, simply called "Mutant Zombies", greatly resembled the Bloodshot created by the C-Virus Gas strain. They were immune to the Zombie Jammer produced by Blue Umbrella.
Other t-Virus mutants besides Zombies underwent V-ACT as well, but I'll cover them along with their original forms.
Tyrants
The primary purpose and main function of the t-Virus is to create "immortal soldiers" that are able to disguise themselves as humans. These B.O.W.s are Tyrants, named after the virus and for their extreme power and ferocity.
Tyrants are essentially enhanced Zombies, which have minimized necrosis and exhibit mutations artificially tailored to make them killing machines. These mutations include an increase in size and muscle mass, claw growths, unmatched speed and strength, and almost supernatural vitality. Tyrant intelligence is almost equal to human intelligence, but reduced enough to make them compliant. Their single-minded mentality to follow orders is comparable to a machine, and they will sometimes put themselves in harm's way to achieve a goal.
Most Tyrants lack the extensive physical decay of Zombies, although skin and eye damage is still present.
Tyrants are faster and more agile than any natural animal on the planet. Their hardened bodies can survive extreme damage like gunshot wounds or exposure to extreme elements, and they can heal from most non-fatal wounds (although they can be rendered unconscious).
While Tyrants are the intended effect of human infection with T, there are two problems which cause hosts to become Zombies instead:
1. Only 1 in 100 million hosts could originally resist brain damage.
2. Host bodies could not endure the drastic mutations, instead causing Necrosis.
The first issue was solved with the research gleaned from Sergei's clones. The second issue was solved by regulating the activity of the virus as it spread, and by putting hosts through extensive body strengthening surgeries. As only hosts strengthened in a lab could survive transformation, it was impossible to create Tyrants by injecting unaltered humans. Instead, Umbrella only created a handful of "new" Tyrants, and mass produced them via cloning.
Advanced strains of the virus, like t+G or Kodoku, could create Tyrants from simple injection, and did not require host augmentation.
All instances of Tyrant mutation come from viruses related to t-Epsilon. Uroboros, G, and t-Veronica can therefore not create Tyrants. Tyrants created with new viral strains are covered in my other Analyses.
T-001 and T-002
The first two Tyrants created by Umbrella were created with healthy young male prisoners. They were strengthened with surgeries, injected with Epsilon, and then placed in special capsules. These capsules were filled with a liquid that regulated how the virus spread in their bodies.
The first host became the T-001, also known as the Proto Tyrant. This host developed superior combat abilities, but suffered too much necrosis, giving it decayed flesh, an exposed spine, a serious twitch, and limited intelligence which hindered it's ability to follow orders. As a result, it was deemed a failure and sent to be disposed of, although it's unprecedented vitality allowed it to survive chemical disposal. It roamed the Water Treatment Plant and fought with Rebecca Chambers, Billy Coen, and Albert Wesker before being killed in the facility's self-destruct sequence.
The second host became the T-002. This Tyrant suffered the same mutations as the Proto Tyrant, but withstood necrosis and brain damage, making it a success. It was equipped with a device called a power limiter on the inside of it's body, which suppressed runaway mutation in order to keep it stable. This device might work by administering regular doses of antibodies to suppress excessive virus activity. If the limiter detected that the Tyrant's vital signs dropped too low, it would disengage, allowing the full potential of the virus to work in it's body to preserve it's life.
The T-002 was left alone in it's capsule due to the chaos of the Mansion Incident. Without training or mental programing, it began to reclaim it's free will, rendering it uncontrollable. When it was released, it exacted revenge by impaling one of it's creators, Albert Wesker, on it's giant claw. It then attacked the surviving members of S.T.A.R.S. in a blind rage, but was subdued and rendered unconscious. It's power limiter disengaged, and it became a "Super Tyrant". It's skin reddened due to increased blood flow and it's speed and agility increased greatly. It was soon after destroyed by a hit from a rocket launcher, instantly killing it before it could regenerate.
Both the T-001 and T-002 grew much larger, and developed a single giant claw (the claw of the T-001 was more deformed in shape, and resembled a trident. It developed very small claws on some of the fingers on it's other hand as well). In order to reduce aggression and keep them controllable, they were castrated to reduce testosterone. Their skin and eyes suffered some damage and lost color.
The Tyrants had exposed hearts. While heart expansion is a symptom of the virus, these appear to be secondary hearts grafted onto their bodies to support their expanded cardiovascular system. As these hearts are secondary, they are not vital enough to serve as a lethal weak point.
T-103 and Variants
Birkin recovered a cloned embryo of the T-002 and modified it further, creating the T-103. This Tyrant retained a more stable form, and was outfitted with an advanced power limiter during development which limited mutation enough to give it a human form. While it was smaller than the T-002, it's large size and damaged skin meant it's ability to disguise itself as a human was limited. It's power limiter was built into a special, explosion-resistant trench coat. As of the reimagining of RE2, the T-103 was also outfitted with a hat (to help disguise it) and an antenna-like device implanted into it's left temple. The exact purpose of this device is unknown, although it may have been used to relay orders directly into the brain (similar means of control were used with other variant Tyrant types at the same time).
When it's power limiter was removed, it, like the T-002, would develop into a Super Tyrant. This is actually it's default form.
The Super T-103 had large claws on both arms (except in one depiction, where it only has one), and even greater muscle mass. It's other abilities were also enhanced, although it became uncontrollable in this form. It also developed an exposed heart. In RE2make, the Super Tyrant's irises develop into reptilian slits, which is a trait inherited from Progenitor.
Many T-103s were cloned by Umbrella for use as body guards, soldiers, and assassins. Six were deployed to Raccoon City to kill the military team sent after Birkin and to recover the G-Virus sample in Sherry Birkin's pendent, and to kill any survivors along the way.
But before the Tyrant could be mass produced, combat data was required to work out any kinks.
A special variant clone of the T-103 was created to guard Sergei Vladimir. This custom model was called "Ivan". It was specifically modified to appear more human, and had a visor grafted on to it's face which featured a heads-up display that fed it orders. Ivan was faster and more intelligent than a standard T-103. A second Ivan was later created, called Ivan B. Both Ivans were slain by Albert Wesker.
After combat data was gathered from the Arklay Mansion from the fight between S.T.A.R.S. and the rampant T-002, further improvements were made to the T-103. Control and recovery ability was improved, and the updated model was mass produced at the plant on Sheena Island. Many of these T-103 (mass production type) B.O.W.s were evaded by Ark Thomson.
The Super Tyrant form of the mass production type lacked any exposed organs.
One mass production model (batch number T-078) was sent to Rockfort Island by a team led by HUNK for use as a training model for Umbrella paramilitary units. This Tyrant was deployed without a combat limiter, and had it's claws blunted. Despite this, it used it's strength to it's advantage and used it's arms like battering rams. After sustaining damage in a fight with Claire Redfield, it underwent V-ACT and grew new claws from it's right hand. It was destroyed after being launched from a plane by a missile.
Larger versions of the T-103 were later developed by an unknown group, and were deployed during the Eastern Slavic Republic's Civil War. These Tyrants were 5 meters tall, and were controlled by using a command program, perhaps like the antenna attached to the RE2make version of the T-103, or like the chip used with the T-0400TP (see directly below). Their coats were hardened with high pressure gas, while their power limiters injected their bodies with a static muscle relaxer. These only had one small claw in their Super Tyrant form.
Two variant T-103-based products were experimented on by Umbrella after it's mass production, which experimented with alternative methods of control:
T-0400TP - The T-0400TP or Tyrant R was created in the Raccoon above-ground laboratory. It's primary purpose was to exert control by downloading preset commands from an MO disk into a computer chip infused into the base of the skull. This method of control was presumably a more refined method than the one used for other Tyrants. It was a failure, as during deployment it was able to resist control when it overheard that it's life was in danger. It seems it's intellect was not reduced to make it compliant, as the researchers probably assumed the chip was enough to control it.
Other modifications resulted in it gaining even greater vitality. It survived multiple encounters with armed humans and Hunters, the explosion of it's neck bomb collar, and it's attempted absorption by Nyx, before it was defeated by Ada Wong and destroyed in the bombing of Raccoon City.
It's Super Tyrant form was referred to as "Tyrant Reborn", and in this stage it developed rock-like growths.
Nemesis-T Type - The Nemesis-T Type, also simply called Nemesis (Greek embodiment of vengeance, an apt name considering it's purpose to destroy S.T.A.R.S.) or the Pursuer, was created by injecting a T-103 with the Ne-alpha parasite (also called Nemesis). This B.O.W. was released in Raccoon City, but was destroyed by Jill Valentine and/or the bombing of the city. A second model was deployed at Rockfort Island to act as security. No further models were produced, as it's development was costly and it's appearance too far removed from humans.
The Nemesis parasite was an artificial organism created long before using the t-Virus. The Biology of Evil speculates it could have been a clump of cancer cells modified with the t-Virus and which contained genes from both parasites and human brains. After being injected into a host at the cellular level, the parasite works it's way to the spinal cord and attaches itself, bending the spine as it grows. It develops tentacles with sharp ends that worm their way throughout the body, feeding on t-Virus-infected cells from the host to sustain it's growth and life. These tentacles will emerge from certain points in the body, and can be used as weapons.
The tentacles secrete a liquid containing highly concentrated amounts of the t-Virus, which cause "cell activation" and aid in host regeneration. These secretions also make the tentacles a dangerous transmission vector for the virus. One tentacle will make it's way across the face and penetrate the front of the skull. From there it will destroy the frontal lobe of the host and enter the brain itself. It will hijack control of the body from there, taking over the host as a second brain. This eliminated the weakness of humanoid B.O.W.'s, the head, with the new brain protected inside the ribcage.
In short, the Nemesis Parasite is a parasitic brain that controls the host and enhances it's regenerative potential. The Nemesis brain is both highly intelligent and open to commands, and it's entire purpose as a B.O.W. is to control and enhance other B.O.W.s.
The invasive and destructive behavior of the parasite kills the vast majority of hosts, and the only known creatures strong enough to survive infection are Tyrants and Lisa Trevor. Even then, Tyrants infected with the parasite are torn apart by the growing tentacles, and must be stitched and stapled back together. The Nemesis secretions also cause the skin to become deformed.
The Pursuer sent to Raccoon was given a rocket launcher and a power limiter coat which helped suppress runaway parasite growth. It was capable of speech, but only repeated the name of it's targets: S.T.A.R.S.. It had superior comprehensive abilities, and expertly tracked and ambushed it's prey. It was also almost completely indestructible, surviving countless gun fights, explosions, and falls, in addition to being set on fire, electrocuted, bathed in acid, and even decapitated.
After sustaining enough damage and losing it's limiter, the parasite's tentacles expanded further as it mutated into it's second form. The heavy tentacles growing from it's arms rendered the use of firearms impossible, but were formidable weapons themselves. The parasite, attempting to adapt in response to excessive damage, grew in size and eroded both the central nervous system and the medulla oblongata. The Tyrant’s aggressiveness also increased.
After the destruction of the Tyrant’s original brain, the Tyrant host died and the parasite's survival instincts took priority (although it didn't forget it's orders). The parasite replenished biomass by consuming a slain T-103, and the dead host and living parasite merged into a form which functioned as a giant digestive organ, with the parasite and Tyrant cells competing for dominance. It became a quadruped to support it’s bulk, and it's ribs pointed outwards. It sprayed digestive fluids at it's prey from a bleb on it's swollen shoulder, which was actually an acidic pus containing toxins that it created in response to absorbing waste fluid.
After being blown to pieces by an experimental railway cannon, it still clung to life as a small shapeless blob before being gunned down and utterly destroyed with the city.
Here's an obscure yet disturbing piece of lore regarding the Nemesis-T Type: http://projectumbrella.net/articles...-Official-Guidebook-Complete-Conquest-Nemesis
"In addition, an interesting report was made about a "Nemesis-T Type" test subject in which this was transplanted into the latest Tyrant. In the case of the Nemesis culture process, it gained a sense of self and attempted to escape from the facility with others. That shows that the intelligence of the test subject drastically improved, and suggests a risk that a B.O.W. could become a new intelligent organism and rebel against humanity.
At that time, can mankind survive---?"
Alternate Tyrant Models
Some newer Tyrant models were created using new human hosts, and thus were not created from T-103 clones. These models represented the fierce internal competition at Umbrella once the Tyrant was created to outdo one another:
Thanatos - The Thanatos Tyrant (named after the Greek embodiment of death) was created by Umbrella scientist Greg Mueller at Raccoon University as a superior alternative to the mass production type. This Tyrant retained a more human form, although even with an internal limiter it still developed claws (albeit very small ones) and needed a secondary heart like the T-002. This heart was protected by a metal case. The vitality, speed, and overall combat abilities of Thanatos were greatly enhanced, and control seems to have been improved, meaning it gets to keep it's "member" (which is covered in stylish underwear) without fear of over-aggressiveness compromising control. It survived multiple firefights, electrocution, being crushed by the collapsing university, and being hit with two rockets, before it was killed by being injected with the Daylight Vaccine.
Like the T-0400TP, Thanatos' super Tyrant form was instead called "Thanatos Reborn". In this stage it's right arm grew in size and elasticity to compensate for the loss of it's left arm.
Hypnos-T Type - The Hypnos-T Type, or simply Hypnos, was developed at Sheena Island under the supervision of Island Commander Vincent Goldman. Hypnos was the closest and final attempt by Umbrella to create Tyrants that could be disguised as humans. It was created by introducing two special substances into gene culture: the Hypnos gene and a chemical called "Beta Hetero Nonserotonin".
Similar to the Kodoku Project, the Hypnos gene was discovered by pitting hundreds of thousands of cells against each other until only a single cell remained. This was to discover a gene that promoted genetic perfection for B.O.W. development. This experiment went on for three weeks, and the final cell showed itself as the researchers slept. As such, the genes extracted from this cell were called Hypnos, after the Greek embodiment of sleep.
Beta Hetero Nonserotonin could only be harvested from adolescent male brains. This chemical would secrete in response to adrenaline and noradrenaline, which regulate fear and extreme stress. In order to extract the vast amounts of the chemical needed to create the Hypnos-T Type, many young males were brought to Sheena Island, where their heads were cracked open without anesthetic. The traumatic nature of this operation generated large amounts of Beta Hetero Nonserotonin.
The Hypnos-T Type prototype had blue skin, green blood, and a single claw. It's height and size were equal to that of a normal human. As it was damaged it underwent two separate mutations, unlike most Tyrants. The first transformation could have been due to it disengaging a power limiter, and the second transformation could be due to V-ACT. In it's second form, it grew in size and developed fangs. In it's third form, it grew further, and became very animalistic, losing it's human appearance. It developed a stooped posture due to increased upper body mass, and it's heart expanded to the point it emerged from the body through a flap of skin. It was eventually destroyed by Ark Thompson using an attack helicopter. It's destruction along with the destruction of Sheena Island forced Umbrella to abandon it's goal of creating human-looking Tyrants.
Bandersnatch - The Bandersnatch B.O.W. was a prototype alternative to the Tyrant model. It was to abandon perfection as a weapon and a human form in favor of being a low-cost alternative. It was created by injecting a fertilized human ovum with T, and avoided the expensive maintenance and surgeries required for the T-103. As a result, it is deformed and far weaker. It's left arm failed to develop, with biomass instead shifted to the right arm. This arm was especially strong and elastic, like the Thanatos Reborn. It's face did not develop skin, and it's small legs made movement difficult. It used it's arm as a grappling hook, and could quickly transverse environments this way. It used it's arm to protect it's sensitive head, but could not attack, defend, or quickly move at once due to it's dependence on just one arm.
A group of cloned Bandersnatch were sent to Rockfort Island to collect combat data, and they were all destroyed there. However, the Rival Org used them as inspiration to create the Jabberwock S3.
The Bandersnatch was named after a creature with no discernable form from Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.
T-A.L.O.S. - The Tyrant Armored Lethal Organic System, or T-A.L.O.S. was the most advanced Tyrant created by Umbrella. Talos was the name of a mythological bronze giant automaton that served as guardian of Crete. The development of T-A.L.O.S. actually began at the Arklay Lab, immediately following the success of the T-002. A third Tyrant was in development called the "T-A.L.O.S. body T-011", which would be controlled via computer chip. The outbreak halted further development, and the T-011 was recovered by Sergei and moved to the Caucasus Facility. While the T-0400TP continued the idea of using a computer chip to establish control, T-011 would be controlled not with preset commands, but live ones sent via a wireless connection to the chip.
Tyrant effectiveness against armored vehicles such as tanks and helicopters left much to be desired. As such, an evolved model that used heavy weapons and armor was envisioned with T-A.L.O.S.. While Tyrants performed best when unburdened by heavy equipment, it was decided cybernetic enhancements would ensure no combat prowess was lost. The recovered T-011 was modified over the course of just under five years, and was outfitted with a Synapse Connector, Cranial Unit, Sensory Unit, Circulatory Unit, Structural Unit, and a Control Unit. It was wirelessly connected to the Umbrella mainframe AI Red Queen, which controlled T-A.L.O.S. in real time. It was covered in an eight-piece set of white armor made from a special alloy that both protected the Tyrant without compromising mobility, and acted as a power limiter. It was given a special, oversized rocket launcher over it's shoulder. In order to support the launcher, one of it's arms was enlarged to balance the creature. Under the armor, significant biological enhancements were also present. It's skin was a unique dark shade, and it had glowing red eyes, like Progenitor sometimes does. It's spine was outfitted with cybernetics that enhanced it's nervous system.
Once it was completed, it was hoped the raw power of T-A.L.O.S. would bring Umbrella enough success to revive itself following it's financial troubles after Racoon. During a raid of the Caucasus Facility, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine engaged the Tyrant in combat. By destroying the rockets before they ejected from the launcher, they destroyed it's armor and power limiter, resulting in mutation. The Super Tyrant form of T-A.L.O.S. was more severe than with other Tyrants. It lost it's lower body, and it's mutated spinal cord attached itself to the ceiling, hoisting T-A.L.O.S. above the ground. It sprouted tentacles which used the energy from it's cybernetic parts to create dangerous laser beams. It's other arm grew claws to match it's left one, and it's mouth split and tore into a vertical shape. As it's muscle mass increased, tears in the skin exposed vital organs which served as weak points, which Chris and Jill exploited to kill it.
Mutant Sergei - Before his final confrontation with Albert Wesker, Sergei Vladimir injected himself with the t-Virus. After a brief conversation with Wesker, he mutated into a Tyrant-like creature, and was afterwards destroyed. The virus he used was "enhanced". It could have been an experimental new strain, or simply the recently created Perfected T. If it was the latter, then that means Perfected T can create Tyrants from injection alone. Whether or not his transformation was timed or triggered through will is unknown, although the Umbrella Chronicles novelization implies the latter (in the book, it also gave Sergei powers prior to his final Tyrant transformation).
Sergei's mutant form had a Tyrant body, with a mouth gagged with a strange growth and arms conjoined into a single clawed tentacle. He developed some insect characteristics, strangely, such as insect limbs from his back and the ability to generate larvae. Sergei retained his intelligence following transformation due to his special resistance to T's brain damage symptom.
His grotesque and unique mutations seem to have been intented to reflect his tortured mindset, and Wesker used this experience to form a theory regarding the relationship between host mindset and mutation.
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