Hunter

, just like Tyrant, is a genetic mutant created by the T-virus.



Hunters are bipedal reptilian-like creatures with large claws and teeth, and are noted for their loud shriek. They are actually B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons) designed by the Umbrella Corporation by combining a fertilized human ovum with reptilian DNA and then implanting the T-virus into the resulting creature.

The original Hunters (or the Alpha models, as they've been retroactively coined) appeared in the original Resident Evil, when the player returns to the main mansion after exploring the Guesthouse thoroughly, replacing many of the zombies in the mansion. First-time players are normally taken surprise by the Hunters, with their agility and resistance to regular firearms (in contrast to the slow zombies). Moreover, a Hunter is capable of killing the player's character by decapitation (or by swallowing whole, by the Gamma Hunters). As a result, the Hunters have become one of the best-known creatures in the series.

Several kinds of Hunters have appeared in virtually every Resident Evil game (with Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 being two of the few, if not only, exceptions), although they're considerably easier to defeat in later game due to the player being better-equipped in those titles. The Licker seems to have replaced it in Resident Evil 2. The Resident Evil 2 exception may be denounced completely due to a deceased Hunter 121 in the Nintendo 64 port of the game.

MA-121 Hunter α


Hunter model featured in Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil, as well as in Resident Evil: Survivor. The first successful Hunter model, the Alpha model was developed by Albert Wesker and William Birkin within the Spencer Mansion in the Arklay Mountains. During the T-virus outbreak in Raccoon Forest, the Hunters were released by the resurrected James Marcus to eliminate Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen when they were in the facility. There were also a good deal of these Hunters stored in the Arklay Research Facility, where they were released by Wesker in an attempt to eliminate the surviving members of S.T.A.R.S.. There were also some Sweeper variants of this type of Hunter. This creature is believed to be the "skinned gorilla" mentioned in the keeper's diary.

Originally they took two Colt Python shots to take down. But in the re-release of Resident Evil, they only took one shot to kill. They've only taken one shot to kill ever since.

Appears in: Resident Evil Ø, Resident Evil, Resident Evil Remake, Resident Evil Survivor and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

MA-121 Hunter β


A variation of the standard Hunter, based on battle data collected from the Alpha model in the Arklay mansion. These were being transported to Raccoon City, via truck, in order to obtain their final combat data before they were mass-produced. With the viral outbreak taking over town, the truck never left Raccoon City, and eventually the Hunters escaped to several city areas. One of the most notable aspects of the Beta model was their large left arm, making them left-handed. Though they were significantly quicker than the Alpha model and had an improved nervous system that helped them to evade bullets, they lacked fighting prowess and further research was carried out to improve the model.

Appears in: Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

MA-124 Hunter γ


An amphibian version of the Hunter, nicknamed Frogger/Blocker due to its frog-like appearance. The Gamma model has no eyes or teeth. Instead, it has a large mouth that allows it to swallow its prey whole and small claws on their webbed hands. They were secretly being harvested in tubes within a small lab in the Raccoon General Hospital, and make their home in the watery areas of the basement of the hospital. Due to their amphibious nature, they are exceedingly difficult to transport and maintain. Therefore, the only existing Gamma models were experimental ones, as they were not mass-produced. Additionally, another factor that adds to their weaknesses is the fact that they cannot resist dry air or heat, and thus must be kept in strict watery environments only to ensure its survival. Another version of the Gamma appears in the Outbreak series, where it lacks claws and has a slightly more human appearance, walking on two legs. The research on the model was not continued due to its multiple weaknesses and lack of effective fighting prowess.

Appears in: Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil: Outbreak File

MA-125 Hunter R


A sub-variation of the Alpha model. Similar to the Alpha model in terms of appearances. Some of its distinguishing characteristics includes smaller claws and spikes on its back. It is thought that this Hunter variation was developed under the orders of William Birkin himself, and that the mutations come from increasing the amount of human material in their systems. They are also able to form a pack instinct, shown in Umbrella Chronicles, with a large group all attacking together.

This seems to have been the mass-produced version of Hunter. This is explained by their appearance in 1998 Raccoon City in the Subterraneum facility owned by Birkin, and in the public-aware Umbrella facility near the heart of the town. Even more-so, they also appeared in the Russian Facility in 2003.

A miniature version (called Hunter Mu) can be found in the "Nursery" room of the Umbrella Facility seen in End of the Road. The Hunter mu's have exactly the same attacks and firepower resistance as the larger versions.

Appears in: Resident Evil: Outbreak, Resident Evil: Outbreak File, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

Enhanced Hunter


The Enhanced Hunter featured in Resident Evil Code: Veronica. Also known as the Hunter II model, it was not developed by Umbrella, but by The Agency, Albert Wesker's mysterious employer after leaving Umbrella. It is used by one of it's Special Forces unit, the HCF. Apparently an enhanced version of the original MA-121 Hunter Alpha, this model was more intelligent than any of Umbrella's models, as it could track down its target through an automated surveillance device called a Seeker, which directed the Hunter directly against the target received by the device with a special frequency.

Appears in: Resident Evil Code: Veronica, and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X

Sweeper


A variation of the Enhanced Hunter, the Sweeper has purple veins and scales that are a light purple color, with red eyes that separate them from the common Enhanced Hunter. They attack in the same manner of the Enhanced Hunters, but their claws have an additional poison effect, making them considerably more dangerous.

Appears in: Resident Evil Code: Veronica, and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X

Hunter Elite


Hunter model appearing in Resident Evil: Dead Aim. The Hunter Elite is said to be faster and more powerful than the standard Hunter. As well, they are far more agile and powerful, requiring larger amounts of ammunition to be taken out due to their more resilient nature. Oddly, one hand was bare while the other had a claw.

Appears in: Resident Evil: Dead Aim

In other media
In addition to the Hunter models listed, S.D. Perry's series of Resident Evil novelizations also feature two unique Hunter models that are not in any of the games. The MA-7 appears in the novel Caliban Cove and another species of Hunter (known as the '3k' model) is mentioned in the novel Underworld. The '3k' has a chromatophoric capability which made them disappear into their surroundings, similar to a chameleon. They are hyper-sensitive to light exposure and seemed to feel pain when sudden flashes occurred.

The general profile of the Hunters would be transferred into Devil May Cry(a game that started off as a Resident Evil 4 concept). They are renamed "Blades", and retain a good portion of strength and speed from their predecessors. They have the ability to pressurize the blood near their claws, and fire them as weapons.