Elite (title)

Wolf, one of the elites on BG-386.

Elite (also called a Veteran) is the rank of a Predator who has not only completed his basic training, but has successfully killed several dangerous species, such as Xenomorphs, River Ghosts and Humans. This means that Elites are the general foundation of the more dangerous Predators encountered, and are most likely the reason why the Predator race is seen as close to unbeatable by the humans that are forced to face them.

Overview

General

"Unlike the hunting parties of young males we'd captured before, this one was older, stronger; a veteran of battlefields we cannot imagine where only the strongest and most savage of killers survive."

― MOTHER, about Scarface

Elites sit just below the Clan Leader or Elder in terms of Yautja hierarchy; should the leader fall, a new Leader is chosen from their ranks. These hunters comprise the most deadly killers of the species, their prowess far eclipsing their simple Blooded brethren. Scarface, an elite from the Dark Blade Clan, toppled Borgia Industries by his lonesome, and annihilated Bruno Borgia and his thugs the century prior. The Predator Wolf effortlessly slew dozens of Warrior Xenomorphs whilst trying to contain a Xenomorph infestation in Gunnison, Colorado. Only the Predalien, a juvenile queen, proved to be a match for him. Elites pursue highly dangerous prey, such as Bad Bloods, River Ghosts, Humans, and the deadlier strains of Xenomorph such as Praetorians ,Queens, and even entire Hives. Only when a Yautja has successfully killed several of these foes or shows particular proficiency with one or more types of (usually melee) weapon is he considered an "elite" warrior.

Trials

Dark was shown obtaining Elite status by defeating several mature Drones, as a young blood. Typically, Youngbloods only slay one or two Xenomorphs, typically those of lower, less dangerous castes. His clan, the Elite Clan, referred to these as trials and upon completion he was officially seen as an Elite Warrior. This method has never been seen outside the clan, and may be unique to the Elite Clan.

Leaders

Scarface, a Dark Blade elite.

The Leader rank appears to be a specialized version of the Elite rank. Instead of hunting dangerous game for prestige, these hunters teach Un-Blooded, Young Bloods, or even Blooded warriors the finer points of combat; in the former case to help them ascend to adulthood. Elites also perform other tasks for the species at large, such as slaying criminal Yautja, and responding to threats to the Yautja race, such as Predaliens. Elites can be part of a clan or operate independently, as seen with Scarface and Wolf respectively.

Battlemasters

Out of a retinue of elites within a clan, the most skilled among them will be referred to as Battlemasters. These elites are entrusted with tasks of significant portent such as hunting down Bad Bloods, containing entire Xenomorph Hives, or retreiving stolen Yautja technology. Battlemasters are appointed by Elders and allowed to maintain a personal trophy rack either on the Mothership or on their home planet. The rank of Battlemaster is dually a hunting and a military position, as Battlemasters will lead groups of Blooded and Elites on hunting expenditions and those of the military-caste into war. Like the Temple Guard rank, however, a Battlemaster's duties disqualify him from ever becoming a Clan Leader.

Priveleges

Dachande, a Pack Leader.

Hunters that reach this rank enjoy privileges that other Yautja do not. Firstly, they attract female attention with ease and may sire nearly 100 pups. Secondly, an Elite may be granted a chance at redemption if he sullies his honor after a period of punishment; typically, Yautja who dishonor themselves must either die or be put to death to regain standing. Thirdly, they can succeed the current Clan Leader should he fall or be promoted to Clan Leader after being a simple Leader for a time and being noticed by an Elder. Finally, elites are entrusted with certain hunting tools not found in the general population, such as the Vanguard's Plasma scythe or the Spear Master's Plasma Glaive. It may be possible that Military Caste Yautja, who also are privileged to certain weapons, are selected from Elite Ranks.

Some Yautja come from a long line of Elite and Leader Yautja and may be given preferential treatment by their society in the form of more nuanced and advanced training. Shriek, Ta'roga, and Kata'nu are an example of elite-sired young hunters. These young hunters are held to a higher standard than typical Blooded warriors, especially by their fathers. The title 'elite', similar to the title 'blooded', appears to be distinguishing marker appended onto an existing rank. For example Tli'uukop was an Elite who excelled at, and taught, Wristblades related combat to Blooded warriors. However some elites do not have one defined skill, so this may not always be the case.

There exists a clan made entirely of elites; the Elite Clan.

Known Elites

• Dark
• Hunter
• Scarface
• Spartan
• Smiley
• Stalker
• Warrior (Yautja)
• Wolf (Earth)(deceased)
• Wolf (BG-386)(deceased)
• Unnamed Elite Predator (BG-386)(deceased)
• Long Spear (Formerly, deceased)
• Alien Head Predator
• Prince
• Bet-Karh

Appearances

• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
• Aliens vs. Predator (video game)
• Soldiers Inc.

Gallery

An Elite Predator clone in Soldiers Inc.

Wolf: An Elite Yautja.