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Predators are a fictional species featured in the films Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Alien vs. Predator (2004) and the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). The creatures also feature heavily in various other media including comic books, graphic novels and video games. They are mostly known in the fictional expanded universe as Yautja but the race was also referred to as the Hish in the novel Predator: Forever Midnight by John Shirley. Originating as the antagonist in the Predator sci-fi horror films, they are vaguely humanoid aliens who hunt the aggressive members of other species for sport.

Predators are depicted as an extraterrestrial race whose civilization values individual strength, as demonstrated by stalking, hunting and killing the most dangerous prey in the galaxy. They are depicted as excellent warriors and use various weaponry. They prefer low-tech blades and spears and also carry hi-tech plasma shoulder-guns. Once they have defeated an opponent, they collect its skull as a trophy and mark themselves with the symbol of their clan (mark of honor). Predators have a long and involved history with many of the species that they hunt, including Xenomorphs. Although the morals and customs of the species are unknown, they appear to have a vague but consistent form of honor. They frequently acknowledge and show respect toward skilled and/or powerful adversaries as well as a demonstrated unwillingness to stalk weak, sick, pregnant, or unarmed opponents, or opponents they see as "in training."

Contents 1 Biology and Culture 1.1 Physiology 1.2 Hunting Methods 1.3 Homeworld 1.4 Social Information/Honor 2 Notable Predators 3 Armour/Equipment 3.1 Mask/Helmet 3.2 Cloaking device 3.3 Medicomp 3.4 Sat-Com 3.5 Plate Armor 3.6 Mesh Jumpsuit 4 Weapons 4.1 Weapons depicted in film 4.1.1 Wrist blades 4.1.2 Plasma Caster 4.1.3 Combi Stick 4.1.4 Spear gun 4.1.5 Smart Disc 4.1.6 Shuriken 4.1.7 Netgun 4.1.8 Gauntlet Plasma Bolt 4.1.9 Scatter gun 4.1.10 Ceremonial Dagger 4.1.11 Wire 4.1.12 Whip 4.2 Glove 4.3 Self-destruct Device 4.4 Weapons depicted outside of film 4.4.1 Maul 4.4.2 Glaive 4.4.3 Plasma pistol 4.5 Throwing charges/mines 4.6 Burner 4.7 Chemical Sprayer 5 Appearances in film and print 5.1 Movie appearances 5.2 Design of the hunter 5.3 Special effects and creature evolution 5.4 Film portrayals 5.5 Spin-offs 5.6 Crossovers 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

While Predators are humanoid, many features of their anatomy differ markedly from that of humans. Notably, they have four mandibles surrounding their mouths. These mandibles appear to be the source of audible clicks and chirps used in communicating, although Predators can also understand and mimic human speech reasonably well. It has also been suggested in the films that their mask provides translation capabilities. Predators have rubbery tube-like "hair" strands which appear as thick long "dreadlocks" surrounding their heads. Some older specimens also exhibit spike-like facial hair. It is unknown if they can shave these hairs or whether the facial hair is just a matter of genetic expression, present in some individuals and absent in others. In addition to their alien exterior, Predators also have notably luminescent green blood. The blood of a Predator is able to neutralize the acid from an alien xenomorph's blood (from novel Alien vs Predator). Male Predators are estimated to be 6.5 to 7.5 feet tall (2.13m to 2.44m) and weigh approximately 300-400 pounds (136.08-181.44 kg). It is unknown how large the females are (although in the first Alien versus Predator novel it was estimated they are possibly much larger and stronger than the males). According to recently produced toy lines, the Predator in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem might be scarred horribly on the left half of his face.

Physically, the Predators are remarkably resilient. Physical trauma that would otherwise maim or kill a human being is typically little more than a nuisance or a temporarary incapacity for a Predator. Lesser injuries may have no noticeable effect at all. Predators have demonstrated that they can continue to engage opponents even after suffering the most grievous of injuries, such as chest impalement or limb amputation (though these wounds may ultimately prove fatal). They are highly resistant to small caliber arms fire and stabbing weapons, although such attacks do physically injure them. The species is also adaptable to extremes of heat and cold as illustrated in Predator 2 when a warrior was repelled but not noticeably harmed by weaponized liquid nitrogen (reference from comic/novel book, Predator: Cold War.). In Alien vs. Predator, where three Predators land on an island near Antarctica and seem unaffected by the intense cold to the point where they don't even shiver. The novilization specifies that their net-like shift-suits have heating capabilities. In addition to their natural defenses, Predators carry with them advanced medical technology that greatly aids them in combat. In the film Predator 2, a wounded warrior applied a paste-like substance from its med-kit to the stump of its severed arm. The substance appeared to cauterize the wound and solidify into a bandage.

Predators possess great physical strength in comparison to humans; they are able to lift tree trunks, break down walls, and throw a large-sized human 15-20 meters with enough force to incapacitate or kill. They are remarkably agile and athletic for creatures their size, often jumping vast distances and surviving drops from significant heights. A Predator is also surprisingly fast. In Predator 2, the warrior ran from the cemetery to the subway in mere minutes, and was able to overtake a speeding subway train. They also seem to possess great stamina, as they are able to cover great distances and perform continuously without the need for rest.

Predators have developed natural infrared vision which has both advantages and disadvantages, foremost among them being a profound inability to distinguish between objects of equal temperature, such as walls, furniture and other non-living things. To counteract these deficiencies the Predators have developed masks fitted with complicated cybernetic optics, that enhance their natural infrared vision. The mask also has many different visual frequency options, as seen in Predator 2, where the creature switches between a great variety of different optical systems. These different visual modes include sensors tuned to radioactive sources and an X-ray function that can distinguish between the specific layers of an object. In Alien vs Predator, the Predators use an EM sensor specially tuned for tracking xenomorphs, which can't be tracked using standard infrared detectors. The mask's optics also allow the creature to zoom in and out at will.

In the film Predator 2, the creature uses a breathing apparatus after Detective Michael Harrigan removes the Predator's mask. The Predators seem able to breathe earth-standard air for limited periods of time but need their masks (or other breathing aids) to provide them with their own native blend of gases after extended exposure. Additionally, the Predator fighting Harrigan was wounded, which would explain its need to supplement itself with its native atmosphere.

One of the most pronounced differences between humans and Predators is their longevity. Predators often live as long as 1000 years. It is unknown what mental effect (if any) such advanced age has on a Predator. Life-spans measured in millennia may be typical for the species.

(Predator: Forever Midnight) In this novel Predators have a "kill gland" located between their neck and collarbone which secretes powerful hormones into their blood stream and which drives them to hyper-aggression. When this gland is over-stimulated, it sends the creature into a frenzied rage. When in such a state, the Predator will attempt to kill any living thing in sight, including members of its own species. This "kill rage" can be contagious and spread from one Predator to another, driving them all to attack each other. The Predators as a species barely survived their kill glands-- entire clans were wiped out when the elders nuked each other while in the throes of the kill rage-- and they have learned to control the gland's secretions with artificial hormone regulators.

The hunting style of individual Predators varies depending on the specific script requirements of the narrative, however, a typical Predator hunt usually begins in the following fashion:

A Predator spacecraft, enters the atmosphere from outer-space, and covertly lands near the territory in which it intends to hunt. The creatures usually target areas of extreme strife and hostility, such as an ongoing guerrilla war (Predator), or a crime-ridden urban ghetto (Predator 2). A lone Predator, while cloaked, will then conduct reconnaissance and analyze the area for worthy targets and potential prey. In Predator, the creature does not attack at all for the first 40 minutes of the film until it settles on the American Special Forces squad as the prey for its hunt.

A Predator will usually hunt alone, without the assistance of any of its kind. An exception to this solitary behavior occurred in the novel Predator: Forever Midnight, where a senior Predator clan-member led a hunting expedition numbering over three-dozen (including a half-dozen juvenile Predator "spawnlings") to a jungle planet which had been recently colonized by humans. Another exception was seen in Alien vs. Predator when a trio of Predators landed in Antarctica for their coming-of-age hunt. However, although they arrived as a group, they avoided common team/pack-hunting tactics and focused more on individual strategy.

Once a Predator decides on prey worthy of the hunt, the creature will stalk it relentlessly, studying the victim, it also seems that It likes to taunt the prey, until either the prey or itself is dead. The Predator waits for the optimum moment to strike swiftly and efficiently and uses roughly-analogous guerilla tactics. The Predator prefers to attack from a distance using stand-off weapons and striking at lone targets whenever possible. It is obvious that their civilization is most likely millions of years older than ours and thus have technology far superior making it nye impossible to kill it. This does not mean, however, that the creature will never attack an enemy in numbers. The Predator will also attack with melee weapons if the situation warrants.

After the kill, the Predator will drag its defeated opponent’s corpse away into hiding, if possible, so that the head can be severed at the creature's leisure and cleaned as a trophy. If the opponent's body cannot be acquired safely (Predator), the creature will retreat into hiding and wait for another opportunity to take the corpse.

If the Predator deems the kill unrewarding or unremarkable, it will string the victims up by the feet, bleed them out, skin the body and remove the internal organs. Although in Alien vs. Predator, the bodies were not skinned, simply strung up, most likely because the Predator's were participating in a manhood ritual, not a game hunt. Also, in Alien vs Predator: Extinction, some bodies were headless and hung by the feet but not skinned. Having completed this ritual, the Predator will proceed to its next target until the hunt is over.

When fighting a Xenomorph, a Predator will usualy refrain from cutting or rupturing the creature's head, but not always. A Xenomorph head can be seen in the Predator ship in Predator 2

There is almost no information about the Predator homeworld in the films. An issue of one of the various Alien vs. Predator comic book series made reference to the Tribeworlds, suggesting that the species originates from an entire star system instead of a single planet. A possible clue about the nature of the Predator homeworld provided by both the Predator films is that the creatures are attracted to hot, humid climates. (The heat may also help with the Predators' visual equipment.) This quality is remarked upon by Anna in the first film, and later reinforced by Peter Keyes in the sequel. This suggests a homeworld whose climate is much warmer than that of the Earth. On the other hand, in the video game Aliens versus Predator: Extinction, it is revealed that Predators have (somewhat) fire-resistant skin because they live on an arid death world. This resistance to fire is reinforced in the film Alien vs. Predator, when a Predator is attacked with a makeshift flamethrower. It turns away unhurt, but with smoke/steam streaming off its body and head. This made the creature angry enough to kill the human that attacked it, even though it had already left him alone due to his terminal illness.

It is also possible they live on a much colder world, where their infrared vision would be much more effective, and because they were so easily able to withstand the bitter cold of Antarctica in Alien vs. Predator, temperatures that would have easily killed a person. Hunting Predators may choose extremely hot climates for the challenge they provide by reducing the effectiveness of their IR vision and sensors.

A TV-spot for AVP-R, and the first five minutes of the film, features a sequence which shows the main character, a Predator dubbed "Wolf", leaving the Predator homeworld for earth to deal with an infestation of alien xenomorphs. The planet appears to be encircled by an asteroid belt and orbits a binary star system.

In the films, the Predator culture is based almost exclusively on the hunt. In the novel Predator: Forever Midnight, the species values "The Joy of Hunting" above all else. All other considerations are secondary. That same novel as well as the film Predator 2 indicates that the Predators have hunted humans since at least the 18th century, as well as Xenomorphs and other unknown species.

Alien vs. Predator explained that Earth had been set up as a type of training ground by a Sect of Predators, that these hunted Xenomorphs, not Humans, and that they were responsible for the technological advancements that created the Egyptian and Aztec pyramids as well as the ancient Cambodian temples. The viewer learns that these Predators have been visiting Earth for centuries, where they were worshipped as gods. At one hundred-year intervals, they would visit Earth to take part in a rite of passage in which several humans would sacrifice themselves as hosts for the Xenomorphs, creating the "ultimate prey" for the Predators to hunt. It should be noted, however, that this was a claim made by a human interpreting ancient hieroglyphs. If overwhelmed, the Predators would activate their self-destruct weapons to eliminate the Xenomorphs along with themselves. In this rite, a young Predator would earn a mark of honor, a hieroglyph burned into the Predator's face with Xenomorph acid, once it had killed one of the Xenomorphs. The book series which predated the film contradicts this "ultimate prey" idea by portraying the Xenomorphs as easy prey for the Predators, used more for leisurely (for the predators) hunts, while humans are the ultimate prey due to their ability to plan and improvise.

In Predator and Predator 2 the Predators are portrayed not with an honor system per se, but instead a sense of sportsmanship and a respect for the "rules of the hunt." Predators seem primarily interested in aggressive game, and will often completely ignore and spare the weak and helpless. In Predator 2, one Predator aims his plasma cannon at the head of a child that has a toy Uzi, but relents when a scan identifies the gun as a toy. When the Predator found itself witness to a confrontation between armed civilians, gang members and police officers, the Predator attacked all three sides without distinction due to their weapons. They were all prey. Later, the same Predator scans a disarmed female prey, and upon discovering a fetus within her, spares her life. The sense of sportsmanship can sometimes extend to when the prey bests the Predators, as demonstrated when Detective Harrigan finally kills his Predator opponent onboard the Predator's vessel. A group of Predators confronts Harrigan. However, rather than attacking him, the most senior of them tosses Harrigan an old flint-lock pistol as a trophy for Harrigan's victory. Such recognitions are rare, however, due to the largely solitary nature of a Predator's hunt and their preferred use of a self-destruct device when facing defeat. (Which Harrigan's opponent did attempt to use, only to have the self-destruct device destroyed before it could explode, by Harrigan himself.) The novels generally support the idea that the more senior Predators place a greater value on sportsmanship, rules and challenge of prey, while younger hunters are only interested in amassing kills and trophies.

In Alien vs. Predator, a Predator neutralizes and is about to kill an elderly character (Weyland), then detects terminal lung cancer within the man and ignores him. It is only when the man attacks the departing Predator with a makeshift flamethrower (a portable oxygen tank and a flare) that the Predator actually kills him. This suggests that Predators will only kill a seemingly weak target if they threaten the Predator or otherwise show worth as prey. Also at the end of Alien vs. Predator, when Alexa meets the Predator that ritually scarred itself on the forehead, it was about to kill her when it itself is attacked by a xenomorph. Alexa kills the alien with the Predator's spear, and the predator uses the xenomorph acid to mark her face with a glyph as proof of her kill. When the predators decloak to collect the fallen Predator after the Queen kills him, the clan leader sees the mark on Alexa's face and gives her his spear, acknowledging her, at the very least, as a fellow warrior. Trading trophies to fellow warriors may be common in Predator society for skilled warriors.

They also appear to believe in honorable suicide, similar to the samurai ritual of seppuku, preferring to die rather than being slain or captured. The game Predator: Concrete Jungle states that one of the Predators' highest laws is to be anonymous to their prey species, and breaking such a law can lead to a 100-year banishment to a far-off planet, which, if they have managed to survive to the end, they will be given a chance to redeem themselves afterwards. Alien Versus Predator: Extinction also shows that those Predators who fail to commit suicide after dishonoring themselves are hunted and killed by their comrades. They will also use their wrist-mounted bomb if they find themselves in a situation where their technology will be captured by another species.

• 'Jungle Hunter' - The rogue warrior who killed most of the special forces team in the original film, before being defeated by Dutch

• 'Urban Hunter' - Another hunter in Predator 2 who was killed in his ship by Los Angeles police officer Lieutenant Michael Harrigan.

• Scar Predator - The primary Predator and protagonist in Alien vs. Predator

• Elder Predator- The leader of the Predators that hunt the humans on Earth. He appears in Predator 2 and Alien Vs. Predator.

• Scarface - The protagonist of Predator: Concrete Jungle.

• Celtic and Gill Predators- The Scar Predator's "brothers at arms". they were both killed by the Grid Alien in Alien Vs. Predator

• Wolf (Predator) - The protagonist of Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.

• Dachande - From first Alien vs. Predator comic.

• Broken Tusk - From the first Alien vs. Predator comic.

• Topknot - Appears in several Alien vs. Predator comics.

• Clan Leader - From the Kenner toyline, depicted using his whip-like dreadlocks as weapons.

• Night Stalker - From the Kenner toyline, depicted wearing glowing armor.

The Predators are a highly advanced technological species, evident through their capacity for interstellar travel and their vast array of weapons and equipment. One example of this technology is the mask (Bio-helmet) that they routinely wear during a hunt. Various mask types and designs are used by the Predators; the variation in design seems to result from individual preference rather than necessity. These masks contain a variety of functions which the Predator may require during a hunt. Some functions are listed here, with further details below:

A gas mask, respirator, possible translator, voice/sound amplifier, multiple vision modes, a zoom function, some diagnostic capabilities and some type of communication with other predators and/or mother ship. These functions are in addition to serving as protection for the Predator’s heads. It is unknown if the masks have an enclosed breathing system for uninhabitable environment (liquids, certain gas mixes etc).

The masks have been shown to have several different vision modes. These vision modes vary depending on the mask, and the origin of the Predator fiction. The most commonly seen vision mode is an enhanced thermal vision that greatly increases the contrast between objects from the Predator's natural sight, as seen in the first movie, when the Predator removes its mask. This is the mode the Predators are seen to use to track humans. Another reason for using this vision mode may be due to the use of the cloaking device. The cloak works by reflecting light away from the eye, which could prevent it from shining on the retina of the Predator, effectively blinding it. The enhanced thermal vision may be a way of combating this. In Alien vs. Predator, the Predator again has multiple vision modes, the two it uses primarily are the thermal vision for tracking humans and an "alien vision" it uses to detect Xenomorphs (in the film Aliens it was established that Xenomorphs are not visible using thermal vision). In Predator 2, the Predator switches between multiple spectral modes when it finds itself under attack from opponents who are wearing thermal camouflage, the movie suggests (due to screen colouring) that this mode could be some form of Ultraviolet spectrum; other explanations for this mode are Low-Light Amplification and Air Density Pressure (movement); but this is not specifically explained in the movie. Additional vision modes are available to determine the health condition of targets, suggesting that the Predators have a thorough understanding of human anatomy. This is shown in Predator 2 and Alien vs. Predator. The visual setting may also be modified for X-rays and Microwaves, with a built-in Magnetometer and a Geiger Counter.

Housed within the helmet is a targeting and tracking system for any shoulder-mounted weaponry. The shoulder mounted Plasma caster uses this laser target designator which comprises three sides of an open triangle, this also has a zoom capability so the Predator can see and aim over great distances. This tracking system also allows the Predator to plot trajectories of thrown objects. In Predator an object (a rock) thrown by Arnold Schwarzenegger 's character "Dutch" was tracked back to him in this manner. There is also an extensive array of surveillance equipment within the mask including a Waveform Analyzer which can analyze and imitate previous words spoken to it in an effort to communicate with, or ambush, other life forms such as humans. The mask also is used to analyse the materials or density of a toy gun a child was holding in Predator 2, meaning the Predator was able to mark the child as harmless. The mask also seems to affect hearing as well; in Predator, when the Predator took its mask off, it heard things at a much higher pitch than before and slightly more distorted. The mask possibly has the ability to provide protection from a Xenomorph facehugger as well though it is highly unlikely as there is no protection given in the Aliens versus Predator PC games, as it may have be the case as Kane was face-hugged despite his head being inside a space suit helmet in the first Alien film. The helmet does have its weakness; a large EMP signature will interfere with the vision modes, potentially leaving the Predator vulnerable.

In the Aliens vs. Predator PC games, the Predator has four vision modes, regular vision (to fit in with the first-person shooter genre), thermal (spotting regular beings like humans), electric (gives a red background, used spotting Xenomorphs by their white outline), and Predator vision (gives a bright green background, helps spot other Predators by a white body, and other Predator-related technology such as smart discs). In Predator: Concrete Jungle, the predator's mask offered four types of vision and varying diagnostic functions for each: Normal Vision, which was the same as a human and had no diagnostic; Thermal Vision, which highlighted heat signatures and could analyze health and armour weaknesses in prey; Tech vision, which contrasted energy sources and Xenomorphs and analyzed a prey's weapon systems and Neuro Vision, which exposed the prey's current emotional status (Calm, Panicking, Hostile, etc.) and, on scan, would show the target's affiliation and rank.

Other equipment includes a cloaking device to provide active camouflage, bending light around the wearer and projecting a semi-transparent image in front of the Predator, making it very hard to see, though not completely invisible. The overall effect is similar to that of light being bent by heat on a hot day (the mirage effect) The technology is also used to mask Predator ships moving within enemy territories. However, contact with water renders the device inoperable. The only exception to this rule is when the Predator faces off against a drug lord while standing in a puddle of water; the Predator briefly appears, but is subsequently shown cloaked in the next angle. It also doesn't seem to work against Xenomorphs, possibly because the Xenomorphs use their scent sense to "feel" the pheromones given off by the Predator. This is seen in Alien vs. Predator, when a camouflaged predator is impaled through the chest by a Xenomorph's tail, and in the games Aliens versus Predator and Aliens versus Predator 2. Also, a Predator's cloak can be identified when the predator is seen at close distances. Movement by the predator tends to break up the distortions (Unless the Predator is moving slowly, like when he crawled past Dutch).

In the Aliens vs. Predator PC game, the cloaking device works by making its user transparent; this is because it has been found by the developers that the game engine made the light-bending cloak too ineffective to be useful. It is also done this way so the player can still see what the he/she is doing when playing as the Predator in cloak.

The medicomp is not a weapon, but a small case that contains various medical equipments should the Predator ever be injured. (Although most if not all of these equipments seem to hurt as much as they help, as All the Predators that have used these tools on themselves have roared in pain soon after.) One of the medical gadgets in it resembles a spike with a handle and contains a material that is either a powerful stimulant or a form of artificial plasma. It also contains a burner and a vial of liquid that when mixed with other materials (in Predator 2, the Predator uses broken glass and wall-tile fragments), creates a healing compound that can be used to treat and cauterize almost any wound, from minor to mortal, that a Predator may have. It has made various appearances throughout the Predator franchises including the games.

This healing kit contains enough tools to perform minor surgery and repair superficial wounds. The healing kit also contains a shrapnel extractor, two wound clamps, which snap open and pin the wound closed with small spikes, (One of these is used to close a bullet wound in Predator, although this wound later reopens.) one stimulant shot, and one antiseptic tube, (also used in Predator.) as well as a DeTox probe, a hypospray and 15 drug vials. Typical lists of drug vials include three each of: bone coral, counteragent, healing booster, stabilizer and stim. The whole kit is extremely compact and takes up an area 4”x5”x9”. The kit can come in a small version, a medium version, or a heavy version, the heavy version has all of the above inside of it.

A computer which shows plans/schematics of some determined object or building, as well as working like GPS-style positioning unit. This device is seen in use in the first Aliens Vs. Predator movie.

Most predators wear a breastplate which doesn't cover the midsection. It is made of a very durable unknown metal able to stop bullets as well as delay the corrosive effect of Xenomorph blood long enough for it to be taken off. In Alien vs. Predator, when Xenomorph blood is splashed onto the plate, the predator simply rips it off, suggesting that the plate is held together by clips attached to the backpack which release when pulled. The plate also appears to be made of several layers resulting in better durability. Pauldrons and tassets are also featured on a predator as well as greaves and foot armour made of the same unknown alloy. Though very light and strong, most types of predator armor will dent if hit with a strong enough blow and can be pierced by a Xenomorph tail blade. Although some armor and weapons may differ from the ones described above, the metal on the weapons in the film Alien vs. Predator which is commonly referred to as plasma forged or acid resistant, is Xerenium. Xerenium is an ultra hard metal whos forging techniques are held secret only to Yautja clans. This metal is completely acid resistant and can be forged into any metallic item in the predator's arsenal. Distributed or earned only by the fiercest hunters, as well as those who are going on a perilous hunt, where they will need it.

The Aliens vs. Predator PC games portray the plate armor as being indestructible as a game play element, making the Predator the most durable player-controlled character. The plate armor won't keep a determined chestburster from erupting from the inside however; the armor shatters from the birth.

Almost all predators wear what seems to be a mesh jumpsuit made of an unknown wire. It appears to warm the Predator body by means of electrically generated warmth. Besides this, it has also been suggested that the mesh is a part of the camouflage system. However when neither camouflage nor warmth is needed the mesh suit serves as a jumpsuit during the hunt. Another possible method of use is that the mesh may act as a storing device for trophies or weapons.

Predator weaponry varies from hunter to hunter. It is possible that the difference in weapons between the various movies and games is more an indication of preference than anything else. Differences in clan culture may decide the difference in equipment a Predator may carry, as different clans may have different amounts of discipline in specific areas of combat, skill, or just possess a greater level of wealth or available technology. The idea of difference in wealth in a Predator clan would explain the amount of equipment carried and the advanced levels of each piece of equipment (for example, length and material of wristblades) however, may not necessarily account for the variety carried by them throughout their encounters. It has never been officially stated that they have specific reasons for using certain weapons.

Some or all predator weapons are rumoured to be based on promethius technology (in Predator: Concrete Jungle), it is uncertain whether this means they are made with promethium or the phrase is unrelated to the element. Another element of the yautjas weapons/armor is xerbinium, this is most commonly referred to as "plasma forged" or "acid immune" metal. Xerbinium is made for yautjas who have earned or received great honor durring great hunts, or if the yautja is about to perform a great hunt.

The Wrist Blade is the weapon of choice for most Predators and their iconic symbol. Twin or triple blades with jagged double edges are effective against prey. Using the Wrist Blades shows pride because Predators prefer melee combat.

The blades range from 12 to 18 inches long and retract from a wristband. They are forged from an unknown alloy which is almost unbreakable, but not totally immune to Xenomorph blood. In the first AVP film, a Predator cuts off the tip of a Xenomorph's tail and his wristblades melt. In the first Predator film, the Predator uses lasers to heat the blades for more powerful blows. How they are sharpened is not shown. The Blades can be fired from the housing/slide in case of emergency, or reversed to execute a back-handed slash, or have them spread apart to make attacks with larger (more spread-out) wounds or to 'dissaude' prey from moving by trapping their head between the blades. These blades are often serrated to cause maximum damage when stabbing and/or pulling the blades free, double-edged, and occasionally both top and bottom are edged, removing the need for the reversing blades gimmick. Some Predators (like the Urban Hunter in Predator 2,) will opt for a spear gun rather than firing their blades. (Which must be a last resort, unless the blades are later recovered and replaced.)

In the computer game Aliens Versus Predator 2, a scientist's medical report of a Predator indicates that the Wrist Blades' wristband was grafted to the Predator's arm and removing it caused pulmonary arrest in the Predator being studied. The researcher speculates that the cardiac arrest may be an anti-tampering mechanism and comments, "What kind of society would rather have its warriors die than be disarmed?" However in Alien vs. Predator a Predator removes his wrist bomb, though his wristband was still attached to his arm. It should be noted that the film appears to ignore all of the background information established in the numerous AvP games, novels, and comics up to that point. This may explain the numerous differences between the two depictions.

In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Wolf`s Acid-resistant claws are almost identical to normal Wrist blades. In fact, the housing is the same. These new blades are only an inch longer, and are immune to all forms of damage including alien acid.

In Alien vs. Predator, the wrist blade used by the predator "Celtic", was reversed so that the sharper end could be used more effectively in an outward swing that he used against a Xenomorph, which ended up in his wrist blades being melted in half by the Xenomorphs acidic blood.

The Plasma Caster (also known as the "tri-cannon", "Plasma cannon" and sometimes "shoulder cannon"), is a shoulder-mounted cannon. A three-dot laser sight, which appears as a triangle in the Predator's HUD, is used to show the Predator where the shot will go. The Plasma Caster will automatically lock on a target if corresponding vision is activated. The three-dot laser sight can be part of the Predator's helmet. In both set-ups the Plasma Caster moves with the Predator's field of vision. It fires a bright, usually blue, pulse of plasma in a straight line. The pulse can be controlled to fire with more powerful charges, and the shots can burn through flesh, wood, metal, etc. There are at least two calibers, with the larger one mounting its own laser sight. The sound made when firing changed in Alien vs. Predator from a single whip-like striking sound, to a more mellow blast with a reverbing deep pulse as the shot travels. Of course, the only caster to fire in Alien vs. Predator was a larger caliber than the first two. In Alien vs. Predator, this appeared to be the objective of the training pyramid, as none of the Predators were dropped off with one. The three-dot sight has become the iconic symbol of the Predator films. The plasma caster can also work as part of the wrist computer. It is also removable.

In the new film Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, the Predator "Wolf" wields two plasma casters. According to the production team, the Predator takes a second plasma caster from the corpse of another Predator killed by the xenomorphs. When Wolf uses two plasma cannons he can fire from both at the same time on different targets at once.

As a game play element in the Aliens versus Predator computer games, when used in conjunction with the correct vision mode, the Plasma-caster automatically targets an enemy and the shot is normally a guaranteed hit, (especially against human targets) provided that said enemy doesn't take cover in such situations, although fast xenomorphs may escape.

In the movies the Combi Stick closely resembles a spear. It has the ability to cut through many materials such as body armour and steel. It is swung by the Predator and used to deliver crushing or piercing blows. The Combi Stick is also telescopic, presumably for easy storage when not in use. Both this and the Shuriken are made of materials that are somehow resistant to the acidic traits of Xenomorph blood.

A Spear gun which fires small metal darts at high velocity. The spear is said to look like a "Spear Tip". The spear gun shoots the dart at such a high velocity that it completely eliminates the need for leading. It can fire in two modes: in semi and spread (fires like a shotgun). This weapon was briefly seen in Predator 2 and is available in the Aliens versus Predator PC games as well as in Predator: Concrete Jungle.

The Smart Disc (also known as throwing disc, angry Frisbee, razor disk, or simply “disc”) is an extremely sharp circular weapon that is thrown like a discus and returns to the user like a boomerang. This weapon is extremely powerful, shown to cut through half a dozen cattle carcasses and a man in Predator 2 in quick succession without any effort. It also has a hand grip for use as a slashing melee weapon as well. In the film Alien vs. Predator, the smart disc was replaced by a shuriken-like throwing star.

It is stated in the video game Aliens versus Predator: Extinction that the disc is mentally controlled by the Predator; Predators who train their mental capacity are able to do this. Also in the first-person shooter Aliens vs. Predator games, the Disc had a homing device when used in conjunction with an appropriate vision mode, and could be retracted at will. Whether this is the case in the movies has never been stated, but it is most likely technological. Although it has also been stated that the predator has a ring on one of the fingers on his hand, which is said to allow the smart disc, shuriken, ect. to return to the predator via technology, not mentally. Some of the technology that allows the weapon to cut its way through multiple objects is a hyper vibration system built into the disc. In Predator 2, at the scene where Keys is fighting the predator, when the predator throws the disc you can hear the disc make a saw like noise, that is the vibro blade portion of the disc in action.

A Shuriken, as seen in Alien vs. Predator, behaves much like the Smart Disc, however it is constructed with retractable blades. This weapon is less technologically advanced than the Smart Disc, lacking a hyper vibration motor, at the cost of being far more hazardous to catch, due to the rate at which it spins. (Or perhaps the center remains stationary while the blades spin.) In Alien vs. Predator (film) a Predator also uses it as a slashing weapon. It is immune to Xenomorph's acid blood. It would appear from product images that this will return in the movie's sequel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, except far larger. The blade is also available as an upgrade to the Smart-Disc in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle. It is sharp enough and fast enough to cut itself 3 whole inches into solid stone. The blades are also strong enough to break a Queen's hardened head armor, though it cannot seem to actually cut it.

There are apparently two versions of the Predator Netgun. The first is seen in Predator 2, where it is a gun-like weapon that fires a man-sized net at its target, who is violently thrown and trapped against the nearest surface. The net then begins to constrict itself and cut apart the trapped individual inside.

A second version of the Netgun was seen in the movie Alien vs. Predator, where it is seen to be a smaller version mounted on the Predator's wrist gauntlet. The net is extremely strong, shown when a character tries to cut through the net with a knife, but the net cuts the knife's blade from the handle. It is not resilient to the Xenomorphs' acidic blood (as the "Grid" Alien in AVP escapes the net but retains the grid-shaped scars) or Smart Discs (as seen in Predator 2).

In the PC game Aliens Versus Predator 2, the Net only traps the victim to maintain the balance of game play. The opponents captured in nets are allowed to cut their way out with melee weapons (knives in the case of marines, claws in the case of xenomorphs, and wrist blades in the case of player-controlled Predators [the last being only in multiplayer matches]).

A wrist-mounted projectile weapon, seen in Predator 2, fires a small plasma bolt off the Predator's left wrist gauntlet, which seems to be only effective against un-armored opponents, but still causes a reasonable amount of damage as the protagonist of Predator 2, Mike Harrigan had to hastily remove his body armor.

In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem the Scatter gun is part of the Plasma Caster. It is a last resort hand-held plasma gun that fires a net of energy out to a long range.

The Ceremonial Dagger is a relatively new discovery, appearing in the Aliens vs. Predator film. Associated with the Blooding Rites of young warriors, Its primary use is to remove the protective layer of skin of a Xenomorph, but could also be used as a close-contact weapon if need be. The Blade itself is made of either the bones or the carapace of a Xenomorph, making it resistant to their acid blood.

In the AVP film, after snagging a Xenomorph in his wrist-net, the Predator closed-up on the Xenomorph, and drew it's ceremonial dagger and prepared for the killing thrust. So, in fact, it's primary use seems to be not for removing the 'skin' of Xenomorph's, but rather for administering the killing blow to them - as the blade is specially treated (as is their spear) to withstand erosion from Xenomorphic acid-blood.

Wire is commonly used by a Predator. The Scar Predator in the AVP film uses some form of wire to kill one of the mercenaries when the team is walking down a corridor. The Predator hangs it down from above, the mercenary's head gets caught in it, and the Predator pulls him up. Also, predators use wire to hang defeated prey upside down by the ankles.

In the movie AVP-R Wolf uses a form of the razor wire, although it is a completely new weapon. This new weapon appears to be a whip, it has razor edges and appears to be acid resistant.

In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Wolf has a new armoured 'Glove' weapon. It's unfolding armour that encases his hand allowing him to punch through concrete etc.

Each Predator carries a self-destruct device mounted on their wrist computer. Once activated this device begins a countdown. Red LEDs of extraterrestrial numerals (which may be possible to translate by simply counting the number of dashes in each figure) in the Predator's gauntlet serve as a warning. After a short delay, the device sets off a large-scale explosion, and is normally used as a final resort when a Predator's defeat is guaranteed in a desperate attempt to maintain its honor. The self-destruct device appears to be nuclear or anti-matter based in nature.

The Maul is a very long, barbed, arrowed, blade that the Predator holds in its hands or slips onto its arm. They appeared in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle. These blades are very powerful and can easily slice humans in half. The blades can be held upside down and are longer in the back, which makes them perfect for a backwards stab. In the game, they can be used in combination with the wrist blades to make a sort of dual wielding blade. The blade is about 2 1/2 feet long.

A similar weapon made a brief appearance in Alien vs. Predator, being attached to the forearms of the predator called "Gill" (after the ribbing on his helmet) or "Chopper" (because of the two large blades on his forearms) by the crew of the film. Though they were seen attached to his arms through his part in the film, he never had the chance to use them as he was killed from behind by an Alien.

This weapon appeared in the game Predator: Concrete Jungle. It can be used as an alternative for the Combi-stick. It looks very similar to the Combi-stick, but with a large blade on the each end rather than strong pointed tips. In this respect it is used much like a sword with cutting blows rather than a bone crushing powerful spear like the Combi Stick. It can be used as a single-handed or double-handed weapon.

A Plasma Pistol that acts like a hand-held mid-range version of the Plasma Caster but with a large area of affect. The firing mechanism differs between the two games. In the first game, the mechanism is fired in a parabolic arc like an M203 grenade, while the second game portrays it as firing in a straight line. In the second game, the secondary fire fires a burst in an arced trajectory, capable of stunning Xenomorphs and even jamming electronic equipment temporarily.

In the games that feature the Predator, various mines, traps, and charges are shown to be used. These include:

• Fire trap: An explosive mine. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
• EMP mine: Disables mechanical devices. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
• Sonic trap: Used to stun and temporarily paralyze an enemy or prey. Effective when needed to disable the victim without hurting the innocent or weak nearby. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
• Plasma mine: Vaporizes the flesh off the enemy, leaving just the skeleton. Featured in Predator: Concrete Jungle.
• Remote bomb: Detonated by the Predator or it explodes when in contact with a target. Can be stuck to surfaces. Featured in Aliens versus Predator 2.

Meant for mass-effect attack strategy, this weapon eliminates multiple aliens or humans with a 5-foot-wide, 90-foot-long line of flame which burns almost everything.

Almost identical to the burner, the chemical sprayer can project hazardous toxins or sprays of acid towards a nearby foe. Predators usually use this weapon with the intent to capture rather than kill their prey. It is most used when energy weapons are too dangerous to use, (i.e., a caustic atmosphere).

1. Predator (1987) — Directed by John McTiernan
2. Predator 2 (1990) — Directed by Stephen Hopkins
3. Alien vs. Predator (2004) — Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
4. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) - Directed by Brothers Strause

The design of the Predator, especially that of their mouthparts, was a suggestion from James Cameron. While flying to Japan with Cameron, Stan Winston, who had been hired to design the Predator, was doing concept art on the flight. Cameron saw what he was drawing and said, "I always wanted to see something with mandibles". Winston then included them in his designs.

Stan Winston's studio created all of the physical effects for Predator & Predator 2, creating the body suit for actor Kevin Peter Hall and the mechanical facial effects. They were hired after attempts to create a convincing monster (including Jean-Claude Van Damme wearing a much different body suit) had failed. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommended Winston after his experience working on The Terminator.

The Predator's blood was originally made from a combination of the liquid out of glow sticks mixed with K-Y Jelly. The mixture would dry up quickly, so on set new batches had to be quickly made between takes. The technique is still used.

The camouflage effect was designed by R/Greenberg Associates, under the direction of Joel Hynek. The idea for the effect came in a dream one of the Thomas brothers (who wrote the film) had in which there was a chrome man who was inside a reflective sphere. The man blended in, perfectly camouflaged, reflecting from all directions and only visible when in motion. It took quite a while before they figured out how to do it, which was basically an image repeated in a pattern of ripples in the shape of the Predator's body. It proved very effective and was a new way of presenting an "invisible man." Before there was digital technology all of the camouflage was done optically using photo-chemical means. This meant that you would never get the same result twice from combining the pieces of film.

After the original movies, Amalgamated Dynamics took over from Stan Winston Studio in creating the props for the Predators in the Alien vs. Predator movie and a number of effects houses worked on the various other effects. The design of the Predator and its attributes including the cloaking technology and self-destruct device have changed over the years because of the advances in effects technology and will surely continue to vary in design in coming years.

Kevin Peter Hall played the Predator in the first and second movies (though originally Jean-Claude Van Damme was slated to play the creature), having been in many suits before that, including Harry and the Hendersons. He was trained in the art of mime and used many tribal dance moves in his performance, such as during the fight between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Predator at the end of the first movie. In Predator 2 according to a "making of" featurette, Danny Glover suggested the Lakers to be the other Predators because Glover himself was a big fan. Hall persuaded some of the Lakers to play background Predators because they couldn't find anyone on short notice. Hall died not long after Predator 2 was released in theaters.

In Alien versus Predator, Welsh actor Ian Whyte, a fan of the Predator comics and movies, took over as the man in the Predator suit.

There have been a number of spin-offs in a range of media:

• Novels
• Comic books
• Video games including Predator: Concrete Jungle

Since Predator, the Predators have appeared in many crossovers (including a large number of intercompany crossovers) in comic books and other media such as novels and video games.

The largest of these crossovers is the Alien vs. Predator franchise, in which the Predators hunt the Xenomorphs. This was an idea that came to comic book artist Chris Warner in early 1989. He and other people at Dark Horse Comics were trying to come up with a good character combo for a new comics series. Dark Horse had been publishing Aliens comic book under license from 20th Century Fox since 1987. In 1990, the first depiction of the idea in film appeared in Predator 2, when a Xenomorph skull appeared as one of the trophies in the Predator ship.

At Warner's suggestion, Dark Horse head publisher Mike Richardson phoned the head of Fox licensing Pam North with their idea, expecting to have a long negotiation ahead. Instead, North was immediately enthusiastic about the concept.^{[citation needed]}

The deal that brought the two characters together was credited as "Deal of the Year" by Capital City Distributors^{[citation needed]}, even though it only took a few phone calls (a fact Dark Horse somehow neglected to contradict).

Alien vs. Predator, released in 2004 with director Paul W. S. Anderson at the helm, incorporates several elements from the comic books although it had a completely different story.

As well as Alien-franchise cross-overs, there have also been many other comic book crossovers with Superman, The Darkness, Witchblade, Magnus Robot Fighter, Green Lantern, Judge Dredd, Tarzan and Batman. In the comic Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator they are also shown as a force of balance on a cosmic level, working to stop a flood of Terminator androids from decimating the population of the galaxy. A Predator who was constantly in stealth mode appeared in an episode of the late night animated series Sealab 2021 in the episode entitled "Predator". A Predator was also seen in the South Park episode Imaginationland Episode 2 as one of the evil imaginary creatures released from the bad side of Imaginationland. And is formally recognised by the character Butters, with him yelling "AAGGHH! A PREDATOR!". Butters had encountered one earlier (unseen) in Butters' Very Own Episode.

On page 2 of Green Lantern #24, where the entire Sinestro Corps head for earth, one of the members at the bottom of the page is obviously a take on a Predator. It features the iconic mandibles, elongated head, dreadlocks, and even a shoulder cannon, along with the Sinestro corps uniform & Qwardian Power ring. A Xenomorph member of the Sinestro Corps also appears fighting another Lantern elsewhere in the spread.

In Robot Chicken the Predator and Alien are parodied twice. Once in playing chess (as in the title 'Alien VS Predators') and a "male" predator going on a date with a "female" alien on an episode of Blind Date (US TV series) .

• List of fictional anti-heroes

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• Predator: Concrete Jungle (2004)
• Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Aliens versus Predator (computer game)
• Aliens versus Predator 2

• Predator: Special Edition
• Fan site Predator: The Hunted covers the entire Predator/Yautja universe
• Predator collectibles & kit guide
• Predator World Online hub for predator information

v • d • e Alien, Predator and Alien vs. Predator
Alien films	Alien • Aliens • Alien³ • Alien: Resurrection
Predator films	Predator • Predator 2
AvP films	Alien vs. Predator • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Film characters	Bishop • Hicks • Hudson • Newt • Ripley • Ripley clone • Predator • Alien characters • Predator characters
Comics	Aliens • Aliens versus Predator • Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator • Aliens/Predator/Witchblade/The Darkness: Mindhunter • Batman/Aliens • Batman versus Predator • Green Lantern versus Aliens • JLA vs. Predator • Judge Dredd vs. Aliens • Predator • Predator vs. Judge Dredd • Predator vs. Magnus, Robot Fighter • Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator • Superman/Aliens • Superman vs. Predator • Tarzan vs. Predator • WildC.A.T.s/Aliens • Aliens/Predator: Deadliest of the Species
Novels	Aliens (Earth Hive) • Aliens vs. Predator • Predator
Alien games	Alien (1982) • Alien (1984) • Aliens: The Computer Game (Activision) • Aliens: The Computer Game (Software Studios) • Aliens (MSX) • Aliens (arcade) • Alien³ • Alien³ (SNES) • Alien³ (Game Boy) • Alien³: The Gun • Aliens: A Comic Book Adventure • Alien Trilogy • Aliens Online • Alien: Resurrection • Aliens: Thanatos Encounter • Aliens: Colonial Marines (cancelled) • Aliens: Unleashed • Aliens: Extermination • Aliens (First Person Shooter) •
Predator games	Predator • Predator: Soon The Hunt Will Begin • Predator 2 • Predator 2 (Perfect 10) • Predator (mobile) • Predator: Concrete Jungle
Alien vs. Predator games	Alien vs Predator (SNES) • Alien vs Predator: The Last of His Clan • Alien vs. Predator (arcade) • Alien vs Predator (Jaguar) • Alien vs Predator (Lynx) (cancelled) • Aliens versus Predator / Gold Edition • Aliens versus Predator 2 / Gold Edition • Aliens versus Predator 2: Primal Hunt • Aliens versus Predator: Extinction • Alien vs. Predator 2D • Alien vs. Predator (mobile) • Alien vs. Predator 3D • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (video game)
Alien & Predator Universe	Derelict • Fiorina "Fury" 161 • LV-426 • M41A pulse rifle • M56 Smart Gun • M577 A.P.C. • Castes from the Alien expanded universe • Nostromo • Predator • Predator language • Space Jockey • Sulaco • United States Colonial Marines • USM Auriga • Val Verde • Weyland-Yutani • Xenomorph
Miscellaneous	Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual • Alien Loves Predator • The Alien Legacy • Alien Quadrilogy • Alien War • Batman: Dead End • Alien 2