New Types of Infected?

[Eris Kale]

I wanted to discuss this all with you because even though we're playing this forum based on the game, it doesn't mean we cant' change anything. So I am putting this topic up to discuss new potential enemies we could deal with that could make the infected even more of a threat than previously thought. When it comes to viruses, they often mutate to adapt to the situation and their host. After 25 years or so of being in the world, it can be very likely the cordyceps has advanced in some way, even if only minor.

Discuss any ideas you may have about adding some special infected to our forum that could fit in with The Last of Us.

Infected Animals

This could make things that much more terrifying. An infected human runner with glowing eyes is enough to bring nightmares..but what of an infected canine? Perhaps even infected birds that attack in swarms like humans or even infected bears. Or even infected cattle. Imagine having your cows have fungus grow out of their eyesockets and charge toward you. To see a herbivorous creature turn carnivorous would be devastating. This would also make the infection extremely dangerous as it could wipe out animal populations. Perhaps the mutation that spreads to animals is rare so only animals that have ingested a cordyceps infected human can carry the infection themselves. It could be very possible the spores spread from host to host internally.

Stalkers

Mentioned in the game, they are apparently infected runners who use more tactical advantages to capture their prey such as remaining quiet and using cover. They show more intelligence than runners and are thus more of a threat since they have the ability to hide and ambush more effectively than normal infected. Perhaps a progressed stalker might be even more silent and slinky. Like their bodies contort to become more lithe. Bloaters have obviously swollen from the infection so it is possible to have an opposite reaction. Stalkers could be lanky, skinny infected that use stealth to hunt down unwary survivors, making them silent and deadly.

Spitters

Similar to bloaters, spitters could throw spores at enemies. However the spores they would throw could be vastly different. Such as they might be slightly corrosive and burn the airways, eyes of anyone who breathes in the infectious fumes. Or perhaps the globs of spores attach to any target it's thrown against and releases a pheromone that attracts more infected, thus making them trackable.

Fighter

The fungus on a fighter has grown and hardened, literally becoming living armor. Tough and resistant, the fighter uses the natural weaponry to their advantages, usually to pummel survivors, bash down doors and take in more damage than most infected. Their hands can become club-like, allowing them to stun targets and give them an opening to seize their prey. Even their head may take on the growth, making them extremely difficult to kill but also unable to access areas other infected can.

[Ellie]

Oooh, I really like the idea of the Spitter's pheromones release--the infected's hearing is obviously heightened, but the idea that it could provide ample opportunity to track its prey is real appealing to me. If they shoot out globs of sorts, maybe the pheromone could both attract other infected as well as burn the flesh of whatever it's attached itself to. Secreting some sort of acid? It wouldn't result in infection, but it could paralyze/numb the nerves for a short while.

At one point, Ellie asks about the echolocation, to which Tess provides that it's like bats. While there are the echolocating microbats, there's also the megabats, whom rely primarily on smell. Their eyes are pretty big and they don't share the echolocation trait, but I reckon the sense of smell could create a decent enemy, y'know? Their sight wouldn't be too stellar, but enough so that if you were near their line of sight they could attack (as opposed to the clickers where many a time I've just crawled right in front of 'em to shiv lol). The real kicker is obviously the smell though, and they'd be real good at tracking you without the pheromone attached. Players could cover themselves in some sort of grease or musk to keep from being scented.

Infected animals sound real cool too, and we've already seen that they can pass the infection back to humans (Firefly at the lab whose sympathy for the tainted monkeys resulted in omnom). Eating the remains of an infected individual could definitely pass it to the animals, and if you ate one, you'd be in for a world of stomach pain.

[Bryce McCauley]

I had the thought the other day while murdering a Banshee in Mass Effect with Taiya, of some sort of infected that would screech or scream to attract the more sound-oriented segments of the horde. Perhaps, this variation of the infected could have eyesight/better eyesight than other infected, but little to no hearing (hence, uncontrollable screams of dismay sort of make sense) and very few physical capabilities, making it not quite as dangerous as some of the other infected when by itself. Basically, though, it could be just as dangerous by instantly attracting clickers or other sound-oriented infected, acting as a sort of beacon and spotter for them and making the typical survivor tactic of "just move around quietly" a little more difficult.

I was looking at information on the actual fungal infection - the one that affects ants - and noticed that the ants seem to find some sort of plant once they've been "quarantined" from the colony, climb onto it, and latch onto it as if maddened. Why not have an infected type do the same? A special type that perhaps turns into somewhat of a primate-like state and latches itself into the branches of trees. No other infected really use the element of surprise to their advantage, so it could be interesting to have a variation that could potentially land on someone's head (sort of like a jockey in Left 4 Dead, I suppose) and try to nom up the survivor's brain.

[Kaylee Price]

So I personally really think infected animals could go over really neat. As a rancher, it's obviously her job to tend to animals, so she would probably notice before most people. However, at first mutation in the cows maybe they don't show any outward signs, so some people in the area could eat them and either have severe stomach issues like Jay suggested, or actually get infected and run around within the dam or by people infected. That could cause some chaos and they'd have no idea, but on the flip side, having the animals show outward signs would make for some interesting times being attacked by crazed cows.

I like the other ideas that have been mentioned, stalkers too. I know the last thing people want is a somewhat more intelligent infected stalking them through the night, so that could be interesting to have a sort of hunt between people and infected. All in all I do agree with you, after twenty five years I do think the infection would have mutated and did different things to people.

[Evalyn Autenburg]

I thought an infected dog along the lines of this would be a terrifying to encounter. Especially at a distance or in the dark, since they sound like an animal in need because of their labored breathing and incessant whining.

stage 1. Normal canine after ingesting infected flesh. non-aggresive stage.

Stage 2. Canine experiences mild discomfort and itching, self induced hair loss and a mild form of mange set in. Hair within ears begins to fall out, redness of inner ear is present but not exceptionally noticeable. Build up of earwax in canines ears, causes extreme itching. Canine may foam at the mouth or drool uncontrollably, milky coloration of the eyes similar to Pannus or cataracts. behavior mimics that of dumb rabies, canines facial muscles begin to droop and occasional sounds of labored breathing may be heard. Non-aggressive stage.

 Stage 3. Canine will experience an extreme itching of the skin, self induced mange will be far more apparent. Hair within both ears will fall out and redness of inner ears will be noticeable. White growth can be seen barely protruding the cusp of the canines ear. Exposed skin will begin to harden and develop a crust of dead skin. Sores will be visible from skin cracking, white fluid and minimal white crusting will be seen around open sores. Eyes will become increasingly clouded and reduce vision. Canines coat becomes increasingly oily due to dry skin and irritation. Jowls droop more as muscle control of the face is lost. Canine can be seen drooling constantly along with labored breathing. Behavior still mimics that of dumb rabies although canine will have a loss in apatite and consistently roll in anything damp or wet to relieve itching of the skin as well as aggressively rubbing against rough objects such as rocks and trees. Canine will not respond to it's name or commands. Canine can be heard whining constantly, barking is reduced to a gargling yelp or chortling. Early aggression stage, Canine will become aggressive and prone to biting if touched.

 Stage 4. Canine will display extremely aggressive behavior similar in nature to ferocious rabies. Canine is highly responsive to movement, light and sound. White crusting growths are easily seen erupting out of the sores that resulted from dry skin. Hair loss continues at a rapid rate. White fungal growths on skin resemble maggots. White and yellow fungus growth can be easily seen within the ear, perhaps heightening hearing as it does not obstruct the ear canal. Olfactory glands become useless, canine loses all sense of smell. Fungus manifests internally more then externally, resulting in a damaged respiratory system. Breathing sounds incredibly labored and loud, similar in sound to a canine choking. Only small bursts of sprinting can be executed, excessive strain in the fourth stage can result in respiratory failure and seizures. Canine loses ability to swallow and begins to starve. Due to hunger canine will constantly follow any sound available and usually attempt to eat carrion or drink which is not possible. Canine whines occasionally but due to nerve death caused by the fungus canine begins to lose feelings of discomfort and pain. Canine at this stage is highly infectious to humans but will not produce spores upon death. When near death, stage four canine will find a water source to die in, potentially contaminating the water supply with it's rotting carcass.

Of course it would be very rare but I'm not 100% on whether or not they would become spores or if the strain of cordyceps could infect humans even though it's included. I was also reading about an interesting concept someone else made about another stage alternate to bloaters, after clickers. They're called wanderers, something similar to that might be a terrifying opponent. 

dannyquesada.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/the-wanderer-a-new-infected-for-the-last-of-us-2.html

Perhaps since animals don't have readily available dark/moist areas to die and spore in, they seek out other means to spread infection, which could be through a water supply or possibly infecting other living things? Maybe they could be infectious from the touch and have spores coat their fur/skin.