Hunter α

The MA-121 Hunter α (alpha) can be regarded as the first fully functional and marketable built-from-scratch B.O.W. produced by Umbrella. It was created by injecting reptilian DNA into a human embryo and administering the t-virus as a bonding agent.

MA-121 Hunters possessed limited capability to follow orders, though retained a reasonable level of intellect. In combat, they were both ruthless and vicious, relentlessly pursuing their prey until either the Hunter or its prey ceased to live. The first of the alpha models were developed by Albert Wesker and William Birkin within the research facility, which was located under the Spencer Estate. Despite the positive results of the alpha model, Umbrella continued research in diverse variations of the Hunter, resulting in the future production of several Hunter variants.

In the midst of the t-virus outbreak in Raccoon Forest, a number of MA-121 αs were released by a resurrected James Marcus to eliminate Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen as they combed the Umbrella Corporation Management Training Facility. There were also a good deal of MA-121 αs still being stored in the Arklay Research Facility, where it appeared that they took to hunting across the estate with at least one of them reaching the estate and slashing at wallpaper, evident in one of the rooms. Although highly reliable, the alpha model eventually became obsolete with its newer variation; the MA-125 Hunter R.

These hunters also appeared in Raccoon City, and were encountered by boths U.S.S., and Government Spec Ops members trying to contain the incident and eliminate evidence. U.S.S. member Beltway was shocked that they would be deployed, seeing as how they would attack anything in range including the team.

Trivia

 * Originally they took two Colt Python shots to take down. But in the Director's Cut of Resident Evil, they only took one Colt Python shot to kill. They've only taken one magnum shot to kill ever since.
 * In the REmake, a red version of the MA-121 Hunter α does appear but doesn't seem to have the poison ability of CV's sweepers (still testing poison ability). The best place to see this variant is in the Kenneth hall after obtaining the Helmet Key. If you enter this hallway from either the Piano bar or the Kitchen, the red hunter will bust out of the door leading to the tiger statue hallway. Now if you enter the Kenneth Hallway from the dining room the red hunter will not burst out of the door.
 * In the Saturn version of Resident Evil, a brown Hunter variant with sickle-shaped hands and antennae called a "Tick" will appear in certain locations and replace the normal Alpha models.

Gallery
MA-121 ハンター α