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 formed as a last stage in a drone's life cycle. This theory states that there is a period that each drone who lives long enough goes through, which involves molting and growing to immense heights; while the process goes on however, it emits a strong pheromone that enrages the Hive, thereby making most inhabitants aggressive towards the outcast Drone, causing it to retreat to the outward world. Eventually it is said to return as a Praetorian, if it survived.

The physical features of the Praetorian is very pristine: its appearance looks very similar to the Queen; 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 queen.

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.

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, as it is quite possibly the next in line for the role of the queen, although a Praetorian is considered the guards of the queens and will molt when the pheromones of a queen are not present.

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.

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