In The Walking Dead, the different types of zombie variants can be categorized based on their abilities and how they came to be. Generally, the zombies in this series are characterized by their slow movements, lack of cognitive reasoning, and a singular focus on devouring human flesh.
Over time, however, AMC’s portrayal of the zombie apocalypse has unveiled more advanced forms of the undead, known as “variants.” While there are still many unanswered questions regarding these enhanced zombies, distinct categories of variants are starting to become evident across the various series within The Walking Dead franchise.
All 6 Zombie Variants In The Walking Dead
1. Artificial Super-Zombies
In the series Daryl Dixon, viewers encounter various zombie variants that bear resemblance to those found in World Beyond, although these have been artificially engineered. The primary antagonistic faction in Daryl Dixon, known as Genet’s Pouvoir du Vivant, has formulated a serum capable of transforming ordinary zombies into enhanced super-zombies.
These artificial creations share some characteristics with the naturally occurring variants seen in the French laboratory of World Beyond. Developed by Dr. Lafleur, this specific type of zombie exhibits remarkable speed, increased strength, and sharpened senses, making them much tougher to eliminate.
However, rather than developing intelligence, they fall under a relentless urge for blood. Consequently, Pouvoir’s variants often turn on one another, focusing more on aggression than on satisfying their hunger.
The specific mechanics of how Dr. Lafleur’s serum operates remain unclear in The Walking Dead universe, though it might be linked to severed heads. The laboratories at Pouvoir’s Maison Mère headquarters and the boat that detained Daryl featured preserved zombie heads that were linked to test subjects through tubes.
This suggests that a critical component in the variety of zombie variants seen in The Walking Dead could originate from the reanimated brains. It’s possible that a chemical released in the brain at the time of death is essential for maximizing the capabilities of a reanimated body.
2. Natural Super-Zombies
One of the most uncommon and potentially lethal types of zombie variants in The Walking Dead is the one that exhibits a range of unusual abilities right after it comes back to life. The most definitive instance of this naturally occurring super-zombie within the series was showcased at the conclusion of The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
Not long after being shot, a nameless French scientist came back to life and charged toward the entrance of the facility, causing dents in the door with his relentless pounding. This particular variant showcased remarkable speed, strength, and a level of intelligence that allowed him to quickly locate the exit without wandering around aimlessly for an extended period.
The origins of this specific variant of zombies are still somewhat mysterious, but The Walking Dead: World Beyond provided some important hints. A shooter targeted a scientist, blaming her and her research team for developing the zombie virus and then allegedly exacerbating it.
This suggests that the mutation of this variant may have been an unintended outcome of researchers grappling with their own culpability in attempting to find a solution for the outbreak. In The Walking Dead, Dr. Jenner referenced the presence of “variant cohorts” in France, implying that there is a naturally occurring variant strain that hasn’t yet made its way to the United States.
This suggests that such variants existed prior to the events of season 1, but they have not been seen globally. So far, Daryl Dixon has not encountered any zombies of this variant type, despite the storyline’s connection to France. The lack of these zombies may point to the fact that natural super-variants are either extremely uncommon or that the knowledge of them is confined to the scientists who studied the virus.
3. Burners
Among the various zombie variants in The Walking Dead, burner variants stand out as a particularly disturbing creation of Dr. Lafleur from Pouvoir. Although this type of variant lacks speed and exhibits no greater intelligence than the typical zombie, it has a unique defense mechanism: acidic blood.
This characteristic makes it significantly more challenging to eliminate, as survivors must ensure they don’t come into contact with any of its corrosive fluids. As these zombies decompose, their acidic insides tend to seep out, creating a hazardous situation. Daryl Dixon learned this lesson firsthand when he encountered one of these dangerous creatures.
One of the disturbing types of zombie variants in The Walking Dead is the burner variant, a sinister invention from Dr. Lafleur of Pouvoir. Unlike other zombies, this variant lacks speed and advanced intelligence, yet it presents a unique challenge with its corrosive blood.
This characteristic makes it particularly difficult to eliminate, as survivors must be careful not to allow any of its viscous blood to contact their skin. The decay of its flesh leads to the inevitable leakage of its acidic contents, and even the slightest contact can result in severe burns, a painful lesson learned by Daryl Dixon.
In her initial meeting with Daryl, Isabelle intriguingly mentioned “burners” as one of the distinct types of zombies found in France. However, the precise significance of this statement is not entirely clear. It’s possible that Isabelle was alluding to naturally occurring variants, similar to those observed in the French laboratory featured in World Beyond.
Alternatively, she could have been referencing other unsuccessful experiments that Dr. Lafleur unleashed upon France, or even the zombie variants that made appearances in the United States towards the conclusion of The Walking Dead.
4. Lurkers
In The Walking Dead, there are various zombie variants, and one of the most notable early types is the lurker. Survivors would likely choose to confront lurkers over other types if they had the option. True to their name, lurkers tend to stay in a fixed position, often lying still and making no noise. The primary threat posed by lurkers is their ability to blend in and be hard to detect.
While many zombies tend to announce their arrival with noise, lurkers in The Walking Dead present a different challenge due to their silent nature. This stealth can lead to unexpected bites for unprepared survivors.
A prime example of this occurs in the opening episode of season 11, where lurkers at a military base show no awareness of the humans around them until provoked by a loud sound or even a single drop of blood.
The various types of zombies featured in The Walking Dead include the lurkers, which seem to be a natural occurrence given their early introduction in the series. The reanimation process appears to dull the restlessness of these zombies, allowing them to remain still while still craving human flesh. Instead of actively seeking out prey, lurkers wait for food to come to them.
Notably, all the zombies within the military base were of the lurker type, suggesting that it is unlikely for them to become lurkers purely by chance. This leads to the conclusion that a standard zombie can eventually transition into a lurker if left undisturbed for an extended period.
5. Roamers
In the universe of The Walking Dead, various types of zombies are introduced, including lurkers and roamers, which are among the notable All Zombie Variants. Aaron describes roamers as a specific category of the undead, but they are more challenging to categorize than their more sluggish counterparts.
The key characteristic that sets roamers apart is their unusual behavior, which deviates from the standard actions of typical zombies. However, it’s still unclear if this behavior is a result of heightened intelligence or if they retain fragmented memories from their previous lives.
In The Walking Dead, various zombie variants exist, including the “roamer” type, which can be exemplified by Morgan’s wife. She tried to re-enter her former home despite being undead. This classification could also be applied to the young girl zombie that Rick first encountered, as she reached for her teddy bear before staggering ahead. Unlike typical zombies that move in packs, roamers display more personal characteristics, making them quite different from lurkers.
In The Walking Dead, all zombie variants play a crucial role in the narrative, particularly the distinction between lurkers and roamers. These two types have existed since the onset of the outbreak and have emerged organically.
Lurkers are characterized by their reduced mental and physical movements, while roamers demonstrate a more active presence. Although roamers may exhibit fleeting memories of their past lives, they have not shown any compassion towards those they once cared for. The remnants of their former identities are insufficient to overcome their primal urge to consume.
6. Climbers
Although the term “climbers” might suggest something specific, it has evolved into a broad label among the survivors in The Walking Dead, referring to zombies that exhibit enhanced cognitive and motor skills.
These abilities usually enable them to ascend ladders, navigate over vehicles, and climb walls. Interestingly, climbers have also demonstrated resourcefulness by utilizing nearby items to achieve their goal of capturing prey. For instance, some have armed themselves with rocks, and one even managed to thwart Lydia’s knife attack by blocking it.
Despite lacking the speed and strength found in other zombie variants, the intelligence of a climber poses a significant danger, making even a single one a formidable opponent. In the realm of The Walking Dead, various Zombie Variants have emerged, each with unique traits.
Among these, climbers share similarities with roamers but possess distinct abilities. While roamers seem to act based on fragmented memories from their past, climbers show a heightened awareness of their environment.
They can assess situations in a basic yet effective manner, allowing them to gain a tactical edge. What’s particularly intriguing about climbers is their sudden absence for nearly ten years within the timeline of The Walking Dead. Initially, zombies were seen utilizing rocks and scaling fences as early as season 1, but this behavior faded from the series until its revival in season 11.
The absence of variants in the early seasons of The Walking Dead can be attributed to the show’s initial lack of a well-defined virus framework. It wasn’t until later in the series that the concept of zombie variants was introduced.
Within the storyline, providing a clear explanation is challenging, and it remains uncertain whether climbers represent a minor segment of the entire zombie population, resulted from human experimentation, or evolved organically over several years.
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source: Gamerode