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


There are many theories as to where the Praetorian originates from, whether 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 frankly it 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 turns into a queen.

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

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 could be seen as smarter then most xenomorphic castes, as it is quite possibly the next in line for the role of the queen.

Facts

 * Praetorian is a special force of skilled and celebrated warriors used by Roman Emperors, perhaps defined as "Guard" in term.
 * Praetorians are featured in the following games: Aliens Vs. Predator, AvP2, Aliens vs. Predator: Extinction, AVP Arcade, and various console titles.
 * In various games, the Praetorian is depicted in different ways, in Aliens Vs. Predator the strain walks on all fours, and pounces most of the time. In AvP2, the strain is massive, and has no ability to wall walk.
 * It could be said that the term "strain" does not suit the Praetorian, seeing how it is a base form of the Drone.
 * The Praetorian makes an appearance in Alien vs. Predator for the X-Box 360, PS3 and PC- though it retains the intricate head-crest and is notably more difficult to dispatch, it is roughly twice the size of the Drone in the marine campain but in multiplayer it is about the same size as a Drone because they just used it as a skin.

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