Post by Admin on Jan 9, 2014 14:15:39 GMT -7
A special strand of mutated Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis has spread across the world attacking the human race. The fungus attacks the brain and starts to take over the behavior of the host. As the fungus progresses the form of the host will also change. There are four stages in which the host remains alive: Runner, Stalker, Clicker and Bloater. Each stage is more dangerous than the last.
The fungus spreads by contact with spores or being wounded by an infected host. However, in order for the fungus to take over a host, the host must be living. Spores are not active in the host until the final stage which is the death of the host. When the host is about to die it slips away into a dark, moist, condensed area in which the body then burst open and realizes millions of infected spores. Survivors in the Quarantined Zone are safe because air flow is greater which allows spores to fan out and be less condensed. Places in which spores can be found may be tunnels or closed rooms that have little air flow.
In time the physical appearance of the host will change. The longer the host is infected the more growth protrudes out of orifices. Their teeth are horribly rotten and jagged. At later stages, the host’s body will bulge and more fungi growth can be seen on their skin. When the host is killed or dies the fungus continues to grow.
As the fungus grows, the host will gradually become blind and rely on echolocation to locate pray. The infected have a higher pain tolerance than the ordinary human but are still susceptible to injuries. In the case of Runners they moan in pain due to the fungal growth deforming their body. Sometimes they have a sad or worried look on their face as they attack. This implies that they are aware of their actions, but cannot control themselves. In the case of all infected, gunshots are capable of startling them.
Runners
The first form of the fungus after it has taken over a host. Runners are the weakest stage and are the most human of all stages. Since the eyes are targeted by fungus, runners have poor eyesight. A way to tell runners apart from survivors is by the runners glowing red eyes. Their body language is also sluggish and sometimes they are passive, suggesting they are resisting the fungus. Any non-aggressive runners will attack however, when attacked first or have objects thrown towards them. Runners are never alone, they travel in small groups and have been known to form packs that try to trample survivors. When trying to kill a runner, a survivor can use anything from fist to guns. However don’t let them swarm you in large numbers. Runners can also be strangled from behind like any living survivor.
Stalkers
The second stage of the infection. Stalkers have the vision and speed of Runners but also a slightly weaker enhanced echolocation of Clickers. This stage of infection still looks a bit human but their moan has been replaced with a distinct clicking noise. Stalkers are rare which suggest the stage does not last long before changing into a clicker. A Stalker’s strength is equal to a fit human and they are the fastest infected to notice survivors. Stalkers earned their name because of their tendencies to strafe and take cover which eventually allows them to close in on a victim. A Stalker can by shives, melee weapons and guns.
Clickers
The third stage of infection. Clickers have no vision and find prey with the use of advanced echolocation which sounds like croaking. Their strength surpasses that of the average human which in turn makes them deadlier. However, due to the fungal infection having taken over their face can be sneaked around if a survivor walks very lightly as well as avoids the Clickers echolocation. Clickers appear less human because of the skewed and scarred faces that developed because of the fungus. They no longer retain their humanity and when provoked enter into a “berserk mode,” aggressively flailing their arms. If a survivor is spotted the Clicker will attack head on and not flinch unless shot with high power rounds. Once grabbed by a clicker a survivor can only save themselves if they have a shiv, if not the survivor is killed by a fatal bite to the neck. The only effective ways to kill a clicker is by shiv, melee, or guns. Clickers are easy to outrun because their echolocation as a short rage.
Bloaters
The fourth and final stage in which the fungus infects a living host. Bloaters take the longest to develop and have shown to be a rare form of infected. Their body is covered in thick fungus which doubles as armor plates. Thus, Bloaters can withstand multiple hits from high caliber weapons and melee attacks. Like Clickers, they ‘see’ using echolocation but the Bloaters echolocation is less refined. Bloaters are the strongest infected and a survivor has no way to escape once grabbed. The Bloater brutally rips the survivors jaws apart which results in an instant kill. Another factor about bloaters is their ability to throw spore grenades from their own body, which eventually damages the health of anyone in the immediate area, even if they are wearing a gas mask. Like all infected, Bloaters have a weakness to fire. Once a blaze the Bloater will thrash wildly trying to put out the flames and their body becomes charred black and smoking. Their armor is brittle after this point and makes them weaker to weapons, thus making a bloater easier to kill.
The story and infected are copy righted to NaughtyDog. The Last Of Us © NaughtyDog.
The fungus spreads by contact with spores or being wounded by an infected host. However, in order for the fungus to take over a host, the host must be living. Spores are not active in the host until the final stage which is the death of the host. When the host is about to die it slips away into a dark, moist, condensed area in which the body then burst open and realizes millions of infected spores. Survivors in the Quarantined Zone are safe because air flow is greater which allows spores to fan out and be less condensed. Places in which spores can be found may be tunnels or closed rooms that have little air flow.
In time the physical appearance of the host will change. The longer the host is infected the more growth protrudes out of orifices. Their teeth are horribly rotten and jagged. At later stages, the host’s body will bulge and more fungi growth can be seen on their skin. When the host is killed or dies the fungus continues to grow.
As the fungus grows, the host will gradually become blind and rely on echolocation to locate pray. The infected have a higher pain tolerance than the ordinary human but are still susceptible to injuries. In the case of Runners they moan in pain due to the fungal growth deforming their body. Sometimes they have a sad or worried look on their face as they attack. This implies that they are aware of their actions, but cannot control themselves. In the case of all infected, gunshots are capable of startling them.
Runners
The first form of the fungus after it has taken over a host. Runners are the weakest stage and are the most human of all stages. Since the eyes are targeted by fungus, runners have poor eyesight. A way to tell runners apart from survivors is by the runners glowing red eyes. Their body language is also sluggish and sometimes they are passive, suggesting they are resisting the fungus. Any non-aggressive runners will attack however, when attacked first or have objects thrown towards them. Runners are never alone, they travel in small groups and have been known to form packs that try to trample survivors. When trying to kill a runner, a survivor can use anything from fist to guns. However don’t let them swarm you in large numbers. Runners can also be strangled from behind like any living survivor.
Stalkers
The second stage of the infection. Stalkers have the vision and speed of Runners but also a slightly weaker enhanced echolocation of Clickers. This stage of infection still looks a bit human but their moan has been replaced with a distinct clicking noise. Stalkers are rare which suggest the stage does not last long before changing into a clicker. A Stalker’s strength is equal to a fit human and they are the fastest infected to notice survivors. Stalkers earned their name because of their tendencies to strafe and take cover which eventually allows them to close in on a victim. A Stalker can by shives, melee weapons and guns.
Clickers
The third stage of infection. Clickers have no vision and find prey with the use of advanced echolocation which sounds like croaking. Their strength surpasses that of the average human which in turn makes them deadlier. However, due to the fungal infection having taken over their face can be sneaked around if a survivor walks very lightly as well as avoids the Clickers echolocation. Clickers appear less human because of the skewed and scarred faces that developed because of the fungus. They no longer retain their humanity and when provoked enter into a “berserk mode,” aggressively flailing their arms. If a survivor is spotted the Clicker will attack head on and not flinch unless shot with high power rounds. Once grabbed by a clicker a survivor can only save themselves if they have a shiv, if not the survivor is killed by a fatal bite to the neck. The only effective ways to kill a clicker is by shiv, melee, or guns. Clickers are easy to outrun because their echolocation as a short rage.
Bloaters
The fourth and final stage in which the fungus infects a living host. Bloaters take the longest to develop and have shown to be a rare form of infected. Their body is covered in thick fungus which doubles as armor plates. Thus, Bloaters can withstand multiple hits from high caliber weapons and melee attacks. Like Clickers, they ‘see’ using echolocation but the Bloaters echolocation is less refined. Bloaters are the strongest infected and a survivor has no way to escape once grabbed. The Bloater brutally rips the survivors jaws apart which results in an instant kill. Another factor about bloaters is their ability to throw spore grenades from their own body, which eventually damages the health of anyone in the immediate area, even if they are wearing a gas mask. Like all infected, Bloaters have a weakness to fire. Once a blaze the Bloater will thrash wildly trying to put out the flames and their body becomes charred black and smoking. Their armor is brittle after this point and makes them weaker to weapons, thus making a bloater easier to kill.
The story and infected are copy righted to NaughtyDog. The Last Of Us © NaughtyDog.