Tyrant (Resident Evil)

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The T-002 model Tyrant featured in the original Resident Evil, as illustrated by Shinkiro.

This article is about a kind of creature from the Resident Evil series. For other uses, see Tyrant (disambiguation).

A Tyrant is a fictional creature from the Resident Evil series. Tyrants make appearances in almost every Resident Evil game as antagonists. They are portrayed as biologically engineered super soldiers, that are used to carry out the Umbrella Corporation’s goals.

1 Background
2 Characteristics
3 Types of Tyrants
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Background

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The desire to create obedient, powerful, competent super soldiers started Resident Evil’s story line. Following the discovery of the Progenitor Virus, the Umbrella corporation’s founders, with the exception of Edward Ashford, were eager to create a biological weapon. Prior to the events of Resident Evil 0, Umbrella used the Progenitor virus to create the T-Virus, which they believed could be used to create powerful organisms. A problem with the virus’ compatibility with humans set the project back, as only certain humans were capable of mutating into potent and manageable life forms.

The events of the Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil reveal that the Umbrella Corporation had succeeded in creating a functional super solider, known as a Tyrant. Though the Tyrants are defeated in their first encounters, the Umbrella Corporation manages to use the battle data to produce other, more efficient Tyrants in the later installments of Resident Evil. Additionally, the Tyrant experiments in the Arklay Mountains region eventually led to the accidental release of the virus in Raccoon City, which set up the storyline for Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3.

[edit] Characteristics

Numerous Tyrants have been created throughout Resident Evil’s story line, each with their own defining characteristics. The games' creators have consistently depicted Tyrants as brutal, grotesque, and violent creatures. Additionally, the intelligence of Tyrants has varied; the first two Tyrants in Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil were depicted as unintelligent, while Nemesis and Mr. X in were shown to possess some intelligence and the ability to carry out specific instructions.

The weapons used by Tyrants have also varied. While most Tyrants in the Resident Evil series relied on sheer physical force to subdue opponents, Nemesis was able to use a rocket launcher and later a minigun. Other Tyrants, like the T-091, T-092, T-078 Tyrants from the Resident Evil: Dead Aim games were able to utilize tentacles, energy attacks, and battering rams.

[edit] Types of Tyrants

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Proto-Tyrant, an experimental subject that served as the predecessor of the latter Tyrants. While the Proto-Tyrant was scheduled to be destroyed, it was accidentally released by Rebecca Chambers during the events of Resident Evil Zero, and while classified as a failure, it was nonetheless a powerful opponent and more than a worthy adversary. Unlike its successors, the Proto-Tyrant’s spinal column was exposed due to its mutations, leaving it extremely vulnerable to small-arms fire from behind. Furthermore, its nervous system was more primitive than its successors, leading to the Proto-Tyrant's primitive behaviour and lack of co-ordination.

T-002 Tyrant served as a precursor to the T-103 models and was created within the depths of the mansion. During the events of Resident Evil, Albert Wesker ordered the Tyrant to slay the remaining members of Racoon City’s S.T.A.R.S. The Tyrant wounded Wesker, leaving him to die. The remaining S.T.A.R.S. members engaged the Tyrant in battle before escaping the mansion. Although it had great fighting capabilities, Umbrella didn't intended to mass produce it but only used this model as base to improve upon. It is stated in Wesker's Report, that in theory, only a small amount of people who were injected with refined T-Virus directly into their DNA could become a Tyrant, the rest would only become normal zombies.

T-103 Tyrants, also known as Mr. X, the first mass produced Tyrant, was created on Umbrella’s Sheena Island facility. They were originally created by using kidnapped children's frontal lobe secrections on test subjects. They were first deployed during the events of Resident Evil 2, on a mission to recover the G-Virus from William Birkin, a rogue Umbrella scientist. Unlike their predecessors, these Tyrants are known for their near-human appearance and mysterious silence. Also, they exhibit no visible mutations like the huge talons prominently featured on earlier models. This changes, however, if the T-103 suffers serious injury, after which it will mutate and display the features seen in other Tyrant models. This mutation includes talons on both hands, and increased muscle mass. The T-103 model could also be programmed to achieve specific goals, such as the acquisition of the G-Virus sample contained within Sherry Birkin's locket.

T-0400TP, a variation of the T-103, was programmed to protect humans rather than harming them, through the use of neurological inhibitors. Due to the Tyrant’s natural biological and mental instabilities, it developed an infamous reputation for betraying its client. As seen in Resident Evil Outbreak, if a T-0400TP Tyrant manages to remove its inhibitors, it will undergo a mutation very similar to that of the T-103 model but will also manage to produce more mass and become resistant to rockets, unlike the T-103.

T-104 Tyrant, another variation of the T-103, was characterized by its purple complexion and protruding facial horns. While the T-104 was more powerful and dexterous than the T-103, it lacked adequate endurance and stamina. The T-104 tyrant was only seen in the "Showdown 3" scenario in Resident Evil Outbreak: File 2.

B.O.W. Tyrant, was the name given to the Tyrant that was supposed to be killed by Barry Burton and Leon S. Kennedy aboard the Starlight Cruiser in the Gameboy game Resident Evil Gaiden. It has a similar appearance and attacks to the T-103, but it has tentacles protruding from its stomach. However Resident Evil 4 has suggested the events of Gaiden to be non-canon.

Nemesis T-Type, a new breed of Tyrant was the result of years of biological experimentation with Lisa Trevor. Unlike other Tyrants, the Nemesis type is characterized by its tentacles, increased intelligence and extreme resistance to damage.

T-078 Tyrant, a Tyrant developed on Rockfort Island, was specially produced to serve training purposes with Umbrella’s special forces. It is characterized by it’s blunted claws, which act as battering rams, and the fact that, unlike most other Tyrants, it doesn't have an exposed heart or any weak spot. This Tyrant bears unmistakable resemblances to the T-103 and T-002 model Tyrants, which this one was based on. It was defeated by Claire after she launched it out of a plane together with a large box of high-power explosives.

Thanatos Tyrant, an experimental breed of Tyrant, which gained an infamous reputation for managing to kill several members of the Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Squad with ease. During the events of Resident Evil Outbreak, Greg Mura, a rogue Umbrella Corporation scientist, released Thanatos to show his disapproval for the mass-produced Tyrant project. Thanatos is easily recognized by its agility, brute force, and keen survival instincts.

Thanatos-R, a mutation of the Thanatos Tyrant, characterized by its elongated and flexible left arm. The Thanatos Tyrant mutated after sustaining critical damage from the Raccoon City University's destruction. In order to compensate for the loss of its right arm, Thanatos-R's left arm and upper body experienced a prodigious amount of growth. The "R" in Thanatos' name is short for the word "Rebirth".

Hypnos T-Type, a special Tyrant native to Sheena Island, was characterized by its array of overgrown muscles. Doctor Klein created the Hyponos Tyrant by implanting modified cells into a normal host’s body, in an attempt to cause the stronger cells to reproduce and take over the others through natural selection. Furthermore, the Hypnos Tyrant features a more primitive appearance as opposed to the other Tyrants. The only known Hypnos Tyrant was destroyed during the events of Resident Evil Survivor.

T-091 Tyrant, a rare Tyrant that inhabited the Spencer Rain, was characterized by its tentacle-like digits. Unlike other Tyrants, the T-091 featured an exposed tumor within its cervical region, that later proved to be its weak point. Bruce McGivern encountered the creature during the events of Resident Evil: Dead Aim.

T-092 Tyrant, was originally born from what was once Morpheus D. Duvall. Prior to mutating, Duvall, a former Umbrella scientist, injected himself with the T/G Virus. The effects of the virus dramatically altered his physical build. T-092 Tyrant is characterized by its ability to manipulate the electromagnetism, allowing it to summon bolts of electricity at will, and seemingly retains its intelligence and coherent thought. While the it can deflect small-arms fire, Resident Evil: Dead Aim revealed that T-092 Tyrant can be harmed by attacks from a Charged Particle Rifle.