Praetorian

The Praetorian is perhaps one of the most interesting strains within the Xenomorph biology. Its primary role within the Hive is to guard key locations of importance or interest, and if nothing else, to protect the Queen herself.

Anatomy and Genetics
The Praetorian it is "pure born", meaning it is born to take form as such and protect the hive and does not steal genes from the host making it pure, or that evolves from the basic caste drone in a molting process or both.

However most seem to believe that the Praetorian is a premature queen, a princess if you will. That only becomes a queen if no queen is alive in the hive.

The physical features of the Praetorian is very pristine: its appearance looks very similar to the King; it has a crown-like head crest, large size and great strength.

In most references it is the last stage of a xenomorphs life cycle before it molts into a king.

However, it could always be a large and mature drone, or male xenomorph.

There has been various reports of this such a strain evolving massive shield-like growths on their forearms.

Another theory is that because there are always 4 praetorians in a hive it is possible that 2 are male and the other 2 are female. 1 pair act as spares and will only evolve when the current king or queen is dead. The other pair simply set out to find a new hive and make it there own.

Behavior
The behavior of the Praetorian is possibly one of the most graphic and intense of all the strains, excluding the Queen. Not only is it 'programmed' to automatically become hostile to any foreign intruder of the Hive, but also with the molting process, in which it emits pheromones that somehow enrage other strains. The Praetorian, along with all the other xenomorphs in the hive, can sense any victim's pheromones through any wall or surface.

The Praetorian could be seen as smarter than most xenomorphic castes although a Praetorian is considered the guards of the queens and will molt when the pheromones of a queen are not present but sometimes in desprate times the Praetorian will be forced to mate with the Queen if the king is no where to be found.

Facts

 * "Praetorian" is a special force of skilled and celebrated warriors used by Roman emperors, perhaps defined as "Guard".
 * Praetorians are featured in the following games: Aliens vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Aliens vs. Predator: Extinction, AVP Arcade, and various console titles.
 * The Praetorian is depicted in different ways throughout various games. In Aliens vs. Predator, the strain walks on all fours, and pounces most of the time. In Alien vs. Predator 2, the strain is massive, and has no ability to wall-walk.
 * The Praetorian makes an appearance in Aliens vs. Predator 2010 for the X-Box 360, PS3 and PC. It retains the intricate head-crest, is roughly twice the size of a Drone, and is notably more difficult to dispatch.

Physical abilities
The Praetorian Xenomorph has more or less the same Phyiscial abilities as a Warrior or Drone. Despite their large size, they still have the ability to climb on any surface. Speed is still present within a Praetorian, but cannot be compared to the speed of a Warrior. Strength is a key factor of the Praetorian. Thick, amoured skin and a fairly large head ( Also covered with thicker skin ) provide excellent protection. The tail of any Xenomorph will naturally increase in size as it goes through different stages of it's life. The tail of a Praetorian isn't that much longer of a Warrior, but has still increased. Large spines also stick out of the back. The Praetorians camoflauge is still exactly the same as any other Xenomorph, with the exception of Runners or Reds.

Appearances and Sources

 * Aliens Vs. Predator
 * Aliens Vs. Predator 2
 * Aliens Vs. Predator: Extinction
 * Alien vs predator Requiem game
 * Alien Vs. Predator (2010)

Other Strains

 * Acid Alien
 * Arachnid Alien
 * Arachnoid
 * Bodyburster
 * Bull Alien
 * Carrier
 * Chrysalis
 * Commander Alien
 * Defender
 * Empress
 * Flying Alien
 * Flying Queen
 * Gorilla Alien
 * Infectoid
 * Jock-Alien
 * K-Series
 * Killer Crab Alien
 * King Alien
 * Leech Alien
 * Mantis Alien
 * Night Cougar Alien
 * Panther Alien
 * Predalien
 * Queen Facehugger
 * Queen Mother
 * Ravager Xenomorph
 * Razor Claws
 * Rhino Alien
 * Rogue Alien
 * Runner
 * Scorpion Alien
 * Smasher
 * Snake Alien
 * Super-Evolution Alien
 * Swarm Alien
 * Swimmer
 * White Hybrid
 * Wild Boar Alien
 * Xenoborg
 * Stalker Alien