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The Infected are the main antagonists of the horror FPS video game Left 4 Dead, and its sequel, Left 4 Dead 2. There are several types of infected in the games. And some loosely based from The Infected from the 28 Days Later film franchise.
History[]
They were infected with a mutant rabies virus that CEDA dubbed "Green Flu". Since the virus itself is volatile, it could spread across the East Coast within two weeks, infecting countless people. Additionally, the virus began to mutate and some people dubbed "Special Infected" received a series of changes to their bodies.
In the Left 4 Dead universe, there are 8 survivors who are completely immune to the virus, meaning they can become infected with the virus, but won't suffer from it and won't transform. Despite this, they are said to be carriers of the Infection
When the infection invaded the cities, CEDA and the military tried to contain the growing situation, but it did not help much as all checkpoints were taken over by the infected and abandoned. CEDA agents and the military themselves also fell victim to the virus. Even small villages and towns away from the cities, although they managed to survive much longer, have fallen victim to the virus anyway, which shows that no one is safe.
Behavior[]
Contrary to appearances, the Infected in Left 4 Dead are not exactly zombies, but rather infected people, who are kind of aware of the disease because when they do not attack anyone, they often sit in a sitting position with their heads down, hold their heads or lean against walls. Some even lie motionless, which shows that the virus is not designed to keep the victim alive, but to slowly kill him/her. Infected people often hold their heads, which indicates the accompanying headache, and vomit. Some also show aggressive behavior towards each other because they attack each other.
In aggressive mode, infected are extremely agile and fast, and special infected have additional skills. However, they have one thing in common - they cannot swim, so they sink when they fall into rivers or deep lakes.
The best way to kill Infected is headshots because Infected ignore pain in rage mode and continue to attack survivors even with missing limbs or gunshot wounds. Powerful weapons such as melee weapons or the Magnum pistols can make a short work of them.
Types[]
Common Infected[]
Common Infected are the most frequently faced members of the Infected, and the easiest to defeat. Their strength lies in the fact that they attack in groups, more commonly referred to as the Horde, sometimes as large as several dozen. They don't retain much of the intelligence as they willingly run towards hazards such as fires or ravines. In the idle state they are rather calm but whenever they see an uninfected person they come into big frenzy.
As for the appearance of Common Infected, they are look like normal human beings but with some differences. First of all their skin is very gray and have many blood splaters on their bodies. Apparently they are bleeding through their noses, mouths and ears. Some of the Common Infected lack noses which is a sign that the virus decomposes the body of the infected. Their skeletal system has become weakened as they can be sliced in half with a chainsaw within seconds but on the other hand they are capable of surviving from droping from windows on higher floors. In the dark areas, the eyes of the common infected glow with yellowish light. In idle state they are very slow and wander around without apparent reason or simply lay around but when spotting the survivor they can run for long distances without getting tired. Common Infected wear different clothes depending on where they occur, typical urban clothes like suits, shirts, skirts, trousers and jackets in cities or more rular ones like t-shirts, jeans or undershirts in rural areas. The Common Infected are distinguished by their constant moaning when in idle state, small grunts when they hears something suspicious or scream when they see the survivors.
Special Infected[]
Special Infected have been heavily mutated by the Infection, giving them "special abilities." Each generally has a unique ability that a Survivor cannot face alone, making them the true teamwork testers in this game. They are not attracted by car alarms or loud noise and have a higher degree of intelligence than Common Infected. Except the Witch, they are the only infected that are playable in Versus mode.
The origins of what created such an infection is never revealed.
- Boomer - An obese Special Infected that can either puke or explode on the Survivors, covering them with bile which attracts the Horde. Boomers also come in two genders.
- Charger - A bulky Special Infected with an abnormally-large right arm. As his name implies, he can charge at incredible speed against the Survivors, grabbing one of them and ramming the others.
- Hunter - This Special Infected wears a hoodie jacket and specializes in attacking the lone survivor. His incredible speed and reflexes make him a formidable foe.
- Jockey - A small Special Infected with a hunch back. He will jump at a survivor, and steer them in nearby danger while also clawing their heads.
- Leaker (cut) - The Leaker was an infected that supposedly acts like a "landmine" by planting itself on the ground.
- Screamer (cut) - This Special Infected wearing a straitjacket was cut in the final version. He can run away from survivors and emit a loud screech which can attract the horde, thus foreshadowing the Boomer bile.
- Spitter - A female Special Infected that can spit a puddle of acid, dealing gradually increasing damage against the survivors.
- Tank - The ultimate boss of the Left 4 Dead series. This large Special Infected had developed an abnormal muscle mass which grants him superhuman abilities.
- Witch - The only non-playable Special Infected. This is a female Special Infected that will attack those who startled her.
- The Smoker - A tall male Special Infected covered in growths to his face and arms. His signature ability is his long tongue that can ensare the target survivor. Upon death, he releases his namesake cloud of smoke.
Uncommon Infected[]
The Uncommon Infected are new forms of the Common Infected introduced in Left 4 Dead 2. They have the same general weaknesses but have slightly higher health than most Common Infected and have an immunity to a certain weakness (such as fire or headshots) of a Common Infected. Like the common infected, they also attack in hordes but in smaller numbers and always mix with the commons. They don't retain much of the intelligence as they willingly run towards hazards such as fires or ravines. In the idle state they are rather calm but whenever they see an uninfected person they come into big frenzy.
CEDA Worker[]
CEDA Workers are the first chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. As CEDA invaded the cities to contain the infection, many CEDA agents were dispatched to evacuation points to tell the public where to go while taking precautions. Unfortunately, they themselves fell victim to this infection while still wearing Hazmat suits to prevent them from becoming infected. Because CEDA Workers wear Hazmat suits in different colors, they are completely fireproof and can easily run through large flames to catch up with survivors. However, if they stay in flames for too long, they will die of overheating. Additionally, some of them have a Jar of Boomer's Bile.
Fallen Survivor[]
Fallen Survivors are the second chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. As the infection began to spread through towns and villages, many survivors began stockpiling weapons, ammunition, medicines, food, and first aid kits in the hope of survival. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they became infected because they were not immune to the strain of the virus. Fallen Survivors now roam like any infected, still carrying first aid kits, weapons, grenades, and painkillers. However, when a Fallen Survivor takes damage, he will immediately start fleeing the survivors to some secluded place, and his armor and additional protection measures make him very difficult to kill.
Clowns[]
Clowns is the third chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. Formerly, they were employees of Whispering Oaks Amusement Park, who often entertained children and adults with their tricks, but when the infection hit the fairground, it turned them into infected. Clowns wear colorful clothes and squeaky shoes, and have facial makeup and red wigs. Due to their squeaking shoes, the Clowns can very quickly create a horde of infected because the sounds their shoes attract the infected, so the survivors have to defeat them as soon as possible before they can create a horde.
Mudmen[]
Mudmen are the fourth chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. Formerly, they were residents of a wetland settlement called Village En Marias in the Louisiana swamps who tried to survive the infection. They survived longer than the others, but unfortunately fell victim to the killer virus in the end. Due to the fact that they very often submerged in mud and marshy water, their whole body is covered with mud and silt, thanks to which they can blind a survivor when they hit him or her and stick with mud. In addition, they run on four limbs, which makes them harder to hit and in deep water they are invisible while running on all fours.
Construction Workers[]
Construction Workers are the fifth chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. In the past, they were ordinary construction workers at the sugar mill in Milltown Ducatel. But when the infection hit the town, all the Construction Workers at the sugar mill were infected while still wearing their work clothes. Thanks to their construction helmets, they are more immune to attacks to the head, and their ear muffs prevent them from hearing, thus they completely ignore thrown pipe bombs. Additionally, thanks to their reflective vests, they are very easy to spot in dark places or during thunderstorms.
Riot Officers[]
Riot Officers are the sixth and last chronologically encountered Uncommon Infected. When the infection began to spread in cities, riots broke out very often, which was why the riot officers were tasked with breaking up such riots and setting people where they were supposed to be so that CEDA employees could scan them and send them to a suitable place. However, they also fell victim to the virus and are now wandering around some cities. Due to the fact that they wear armor intended to give them protection against Protestants and aggressive civilians, they are completely immune to weapons fired at them from the front. However, their backs are exposed, so to kill them you have to shoot them in the back. Additionally, some of them carry a Nightstick.
Known Infected Individuals[]
- Sandra: Francis' girlfriend, turns into a Common Infected (period of time unknown).
- Carolyn: Zoey's mother, turned into common infected after minutes of being bitten by an infected guy.
- Jimmy Gibbs Jr.: A Famous race car driver. Turned into common infected (period of time unknown).
- News Chopper 5 Pilot: Turned into Common Infected in mid-air after rescuing and encountering the Survivors. He was bitten prior to rescuing the Survivors, which resulted in Zoey shooting him as soon as he turned.
- The Church Guy: turns into either a Special Infected (Boomer, Hunter or a Smoker) after one hour of being bitten.
- Lt. Mora: Turned after a few minutes, he was in transition of turning and was still able to hold a gun and speak some English; however, he sees survivors as monsters (might not have been completely turned).
- Helicopter Pilot (Left 4 Dead 2): Turned into Common Infected in mid-air after rescuing the Survivors from Dark Carnival, causing Nick to shoot him similarly to the News 5 pilot.
- Survivors: Whilst it is unsure about the L4D2 Survivors, the L4D Survivors are confirmed in the comic to be Carriers - people with the virus but show no symptoms. Bill Overbeck, Francis, Louis, Zoey, Zoey's dead father, and an unnamed doctor are known to have the Carrier gene.
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Villains | ||
The Infected Special Infected Common/Uncommon Infected Others |