Molded

Prime universe
(Capcom's primary storyline)

Molded
jp name	モールデッド
Biological information
Based:	Mold; Primarily human biomass
Development information
Date of creation:	c. 2014
Created via:	Mold, by contracting the fungus via an E-Type subject
Purpose:	Experimental bioweapon Accidental creation
Gameplay information
Hitpoints:	3000 (Easy)
Attacks:	Arm Swinging, Arm Thrusting/Extending, Biting

The Molded (モールデッド, Mōrudeddo) are enemies that appear in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.

History

The Molded are mobile colonies of the Mold, a hyper-evolved fungus generated by E-001 and presumably other E-Type bioweapons.

Biology

They are not reanimated corpses; rather, any corpses fed to the Mold provides enough fuel to construct the filaments of a Molded from its biomatter; enough Mold in an area can be reshaped into a Molded without a body, in this way, they are similar to the Leech Man. They are animalistic and relentless monsters who exist only to serve and protect their E-Type creator.

The Molded are tall, humanoid monsters, whose mutated bodies are incredibly flexible and are covered with (if not comprised of) the black, veined fungus that mutated them - beneath the flesh, bone structures and reddish organs can still be faintly seen. The head in particular melted into an incomprehensible, misshapen mass, save for two eye sockets and the massive, gaping mouth taking up most of the head. Said mouth can stretch to unnatural size, and is filled with enormous, spike-like teeth (and, if one looks closely, also contains what appears to be human eyes, possibly left over from the recycling process). Molded also have similar claws on the ends of their arms, which can slice through humans and even infect them. Their neck structure is heavily disproportionate to its head and has limbs that can stretch out from their bodies, which provide them with significantly more flexibility than humans.

The Molded have a significant degree of intelligence. Though they cannot facilitate communication through speech or writing due to their radically altered anatomy, they can sense and track down non-Molded even work in groups. Molded also have a degree of craftiness and resourcefulness, as they are known to navigate through vents and narrow openings to circumvent obstacles and utilize heavily molded environments as camouflage to ambush their prey. They lack the intelligence to interact with tools and contraptions, including basic functions such as opening doors; when confronted with closed/locked doors, they will swing wildly at the door instead of opening it or end their pursuit entirely.

The black mold that holds the Molded together is also very durable, capable of taking large amounts of damage and remaining intact. Despite this, a Molded is also much more inferior in internal bodily composition than that of a general Mutamycete infected human, as vital fluids, skeletal composition, and musculature have been irreversibly contaminated and mutated beyond healthy composition, and in turn has become reliant on the mold exterior to remain intact; should their exteriors reach their limits of damage, their internal organs are unable to maintain their structural pressure and immediately burst into a gunky composition.

The transformation of a corpse into a molded can be interrupted by removing the affected body part. This is best demonstrated with David Anderson, the deputy who was murdered by Jack Baker: He had been in the process of turning into a Molded, but Lucas decapitated Anderson's corpse before the Mold could fully consume his body.

During Chris Redfield's mission to capture Lucas Baker, "white" variants of Molded appear, immune to normal bullets, fire and explosions because of their higher than usual regeneration. This type is called a Fumer, they often release steam of mutamycete spore that can suffocate Chris and can be only destroyed by anti-regen ramrod ammunition. It is later found out that they are the creation of Lucas Baker with assistance of The Connections, who supplied him with a fully operational laboratory and research staff in the hopes of improving upon the E-Type.

Gameplay

The Molded are encountered in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard as well as the expansions Not a Hero, End of Zoe and Nightmare. They are also encountered in the minigames Ethan Must Die and Jack's 55th Birthday, and one is encountered in Resident Evil 7 Teaser Demo: Beginning Hour's Midnight Update.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Regular Molded have various forms of attack. The most basic attack is an overhead swing using either their right or their left arm. The Molded can also, in a display of flexibility, prime and then rapidly extend their claw-tipped arms several feet in front of them, often resulting in a grab-and-bite quick-time event if the player does not sidestep or crouch under the attack. Similarly, the Molded can also bare their claws and then quickly lunge at the player to initiate a grab. The Molded is capable of getting up quickly if knocked down on its back, as it will end up rolling backwards onto its feet if it is downed. The Molded are also capable of various counterattacks depending on the player's action. They can trigger these counterattacks if the player aims at them for a long period of time, if the player makes them flinch and they are close to the Molded, and if the Player sprints near them (much like Resident Evil 4's sprint counter that the enemies have). The first two counterattacks can be dodged, but the sprint counter is very fast and impossible to dodge, so the player will have to not sprint near them and rely upon blocking or dodging to get past them.

• The basic overhead swing can be dodged if the player crouches and strafes in the direction of the attacking arm.
• Some variations of Molded can spawn missing their arms or legs, limiting their attack options.
• Molded will despawn if the player enters a save room although they may reappear upon exiting.
• Molded can be crippled by destroying their arms and legs with concentrated attacks although they will still attempt to lunge and bite the player.
• Several unique attacks prompt distinct audio cues and vocalizations from the Molded.

Not a Hero

The regular variants of the Molded are also prevalent in the Not a Hero campaign. Their attack patterns are identical to the main campaign variety. Chris can block right before any of their attacks can connect to deflect and stun a Molded, resulting in the opportunity to execute a punch. Knocked-down and legless Molded can also be executed efficiently with a stomp attack.

End of Zoe

The standard variants are again the standard enemy of the final expansion. The player should be cautious of the attack and counter-attack patterns given the bare-fisted fighting style of Joe Baker. Like in Not a Hero, Joe can stomp downed Molded, and can execute an instakill if a Molded is stunned from repeated blows. One deviation from the other Molded encounters is that they can be steath-killed if the player approaches from behind undetected. The Molded also possess new idle sounds and animations, as well as vocalizations for when they detect Joe.

Resident Evil 7 Teaser Demo: Beginning Hour

It is first heard before the player can access the basement and subsequently heard as the player traverses the same basement up until the player finally comes to the bottom.

The Molded is encountered in the basement of the Dulvey Haunted House. It will spawn either by attempting to walk up to the Attic Window Key in which it comes out of a wall by simply smashing through it while elongating its arm (which can cause damage to the player), taking the Valve Handle or pointing to the grave with the Dummy Hand and then attempting to leave the room in which it will drop from the ceiling vent.

When enough damage is dealt to it, a scripted event will play where the lights turn out and it disappears and will not appear for the rest of the game.

The Molded will not follow the player past the door. If the player leaves before defeating it, it will physically despawn, and then respawn when the player enters the room again either by dropping through same vent or by walking out from the back end of the room where the key is.

If the player avoids being attacked by the Molded, using the Attic Key on the window will lead the player to the True Ending. Getting hurt by the molded will lead to scripted events where the protagonist slowly becomes infected and using the key will lead to the Infected Ending.

Strategy

When first encountering the creature in the demo, the player should plan carefully when to kick the body bag to slow it down. Kick it too early, the creature will only stagger for a moment but not giving enough time to kick the door. The best outcome is to wait for the Molded to try and lunge at you, which can be noticed by the creature snarling at the player before doing its attack (It usually does this after dropping down from the vent). The player can kick the body bag to make the creature fall backwards, giving the player enough time to kick the door open. Do note that the body bag is only effective once, This can be solved by making the creature despawn by leaving the room and then going back into the room again.

After retrieving the M19 Handgun, the creature can be severely damaged with 5 well placed shots to the head. Do be careful however, after one shot to the head, the creature can reel back and then close the distance in response. After enough damage has been dealt, the Molded retreats (which is signified by the momentary blackout) but not without doing one last attack should the player get careless.

Gallery

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Ethan fighting a group of Molded

Chris Redfield encounters a Fumer (White notes in its body)

Other Appearances

a Molded head accessory as it appears in Resident Evil 2 remake

Icon

Bibliography

• (in Japanese) BIOHAZARD 7 resident evil kaitaishinsho. Famitsu. 2017. ISBN 978-4-04-733236-2.