Design Archetype Research

I've been researching some character archetypes that id like to explore for this design. I have chosen them based on the fact that these are some archetypes I have not really looked at before and I think they would make a good basis for this project.



Brute - Often portrayed as a Warlike race that value combat prowess above all else. They are portrayed with varying degrees of intelligence. From the warrior Castes of the "Skaarj" from the Unreal series, to the more intelligent and independent Krogan in the "Mass Effect" universe.
Some key design features of this archetype is a powerful body built for combat as well as built in natural weapons. Such as the Krogans armoured head-plate or the Skaarj's tusks.

Name: Skaarj
Series: Unreal (Videogame)

Notable Features: Powerfully built, thick skin, reptilian, tusks, dreads.
A deeply entrenched warrior culture is present in the Skaarj. The powerful build of them ensures they are seen as capable warriors. Whereas the tusks and teeth serve as a way to show their aggressive nature. The existence of their space technology also serves to demonstrate their level of intelligence. 

Name: Krogan
Series: Mass Effect (Videogame)
Notable features: Large imposing silhouette, thick skin, armoured head-plate.
Somewhat based off of a turtle, these creatures are an example of a somewhat intelligent brute. However they still form rudimentary "tribes" and find it hard to overcome their warlike tendencies. The turtle like design of these creatures are a good way to indicate the defensive characteristics their natural "shell" armour provides.

Name: Jiralhanae (Brute)
Series: Halo (Videogame)
Notable features: Primate like with a powerfully built body.
The Jiralhanae are a good example of this archetype as they do indeed exhibit a degree of intelligence. They are however prone to "Berserk" rage's when they are cornered or in trouble. The primate like design of these creatures is a visual shorthand for a lacking of intelligence. Also exhibited in the weapons they wield, particuarly the hammer. A blunt instrument that requires more strength than skill to wield.

Tank - A far more imposing enemy than the brute. Often portrayed as far less intelligent and a lot larger than average. These creatures are very often used within an army of smaller creatures as singular more powerful units. Or within a videogame as a pseudo "boss" style enemy.

Their lack of intelligence is combined with their size and strength to create a wildly unpredictable character that is capable of posing a serious threat.

Name: Tank
Series: Left 4 Dead (Videogame)
Notable features: Incredibly powerfully built, imposing size, not very nimble
This is perhaps the purest form of this archetype (as the name may suggest). The tank exhibits a total lack of intelligence and will always make a beeline for a player character and continue to smash them into the ground until they are dead. They can absorb a lot of punishment and make for a tough fight. Its smaller legs help to indicate the Tanks lack of nimbleness. Whereas its primate like stance also helps indicate a lack of intelligence. 

Name: Mgalekgolo (Hunter)
Series: Halo (Videogame)

Notable features: Large silhouette, imposing body, built in shield and cannon, heavily armoured.
The 12' tall Hunter crouches down in battle to create a more defensive position. Using its large shield to deflect shots and its cannon to fire back. The creature is incapable of speech and is a hive-mind composed of smaller "Lekgolo" worms. When close to a Hunter, it will always attack with its shield in an attempt to pummel the player.

Name: Mancubus
Series: Doom
Notable features: Large obese body, lack of mouth, large arm grafted cannons.
The Mancubus has the highest health of any non-boss Doom 3 enemy. This makes it very hard to take down. The visual shorthand for this is its large imposing silhouette, however instead of being well built the Mancubus is Obese which is a way to indicate its lack of mobility. The large cannons grafted to its arms are its only way of attacking. It has no mouth and is incapable of speech or any form of apparent intelligence or communication.  

The Swarm - Portrayed generally as an insectoid like creature. This archetype generally exhibits a lack of communication but a degree of intelligence (usually hive-mind like). More often than not they rely on numbers to overpower and destroy their enemies. They are usually used as an enemy as the behaviour of the archetype lends itself well to an insectoid design, and by nature insects are more inhuman and therefore make for an enemy we are less likely to sympathize with. 

Name: Shivan
Series: Freespace (Videogame)
Notable features: Hard carapace, five limbs, inbuilt weaponry (energy cannon, blades)
The Shivans are an enigmatic race. That is to say throughout the series you learn very little about their motives or their species. Their insectoid like fierce appearance extends to the design of their spacecraft aswell. They are portrayed as having a seemingly endless supply of ships and resources and despite being "defeated" they only come back stronger than could beimagined. My favourite thing about this design is the extra limbs and the configuration of them. I would assume it enables them to operate well in Zero gravity.

As its hard to tell form the picture I have included a clip of them in action.

Name: Formics
Series: Enders Game (Novel, Film)
Notable features: Insectoid species, advanced technology, hive mind.
The Formics of the Enders Game series are an example of using the insectoid, alienating appearance to create a seemingly unsympathetic villain. Only to have it revealed later that they have been trying to communicate peacefully all along. The Formics attack in giant swarms and have a centralized "queen" without which all other craft around it will cease to function. It is a very stereotypical insectoid design, the interesting part is in the use of this alienating design to create this villainous race and then to subvert that later on.

Name: Lost Soul
Series: Doom (Videogame)
Notable features: sharp teeth, flaming tail, mechanoid parts

An example of a non insectoid type of swarmer. These are a very simple enemy that are often thrown at the player character in swarms. They are slightly different to the other in that they have no apparent intelligence other than the ability to posses the living.They also lack a typical "queen" they are however controlled by the "Cyberdemon". They are designed to be scary, whereas the tail is a convenient way to help the player locate them when they fly into dark spaces.

Warrior - A very stereotypical archetype. Usually used as a standard combatant in an army. They are often portrayed as being capable of Civility and Intelligence and quite often have very established cultures that value things such as Honour and Nobility. They are a mainstay of countless games and films, generally used to provide a challenge to the hero, without being too overpowering.

Name: Luxan
Series: Farscape (TV Series)
Notable features: tribal markings, highly decorated weapon, powerful build.

The Luxans are a race of Warlike creatures that have an established culture and civilization stretching back many years. Due to their Warrior culture they value Honour in battle above all else. The tribal markings they posses are a good indication of a warrior background aswell as the braided hair (That echoes the designs of stereotypical Tolkien-esque dwarves). Formidable in combat and with a deeply entrenched warrior culture, they make a good example of this Archetype.

Name: Sangheili
Series: Halo (Videogame)
Notable Features: Armour Designating Rank, Split Jaw, Digitigrade legs.
A proud warrior race, the Sangheili are a mainstay of the Halo Series used as the Alien equivalent to the Spartans. They are a tall and imposing species that are physically very strong. While they generally favour advanced plasma weaponry they are often seen wielding a Ceremonial "energy sword" into combat. Their digtigrade legs are a way to indicate their mobility and nimbleness as they will often duck and dodge shots fired at them. Pictured is the ceremonial "Arbiter" armour. The fact their armour indicates rank is a clever way of weaving their Warrior like nature into the designs of the characters.

Name: Turian
Series: Mass Effect
Notable Features: avian like features, bony appendages, average build.
The Turians are another Warrior race, although they are far less aggressive than others they still are known for having a powerful and capable Military. They have a rather unremarkable physique and instead rely on their prowess with weaponry and technology in order to fight their battles.

Shaman - Creatures that often employ magic or mystic powers, either within combat or to aid their species. Quite often portrayed as wearing things more akin to robes than actual armour. They are often mixed with the Warrior archetype to create creatures that employ these powers along with more traditional weaponry.

Name: The Advent
Series: Sins of a Solar Empire (Videogame)
Notable Features: cool colouring, physically unremarkable, use of robes, lack of significant armour
A race of psychics that employ a mastery of Psionic abilities, either to manipulate foes diplomatically or to bolster their military prowess. The lack of armour or weaponry is a good indicator to show how much they rely on their mental abilities when in combat.

Name: Nihilus (Sith)
Series: Star Wars (Films)
Notable Features: Lack of armour, black robes, mask.
Nihilus is the epitome of this archetype as it applies to the Sith (many other Sith are a mix between Warriors and Shamans). Nihilus however relies on his unique ability to destroy all life around him. Only drawing his more traditional saber when he has too. His lack of features apart from his skull like mask is intentional to make him seem more imposing and more mysterious. The entire character is designed to be enigmatic, you never see his face or are able to understand his speech.

Name: Shadoon (Seer Priest)
Series: Brute Force (Videogame)
Notable features: Crown, lack of armour, robes, hovers
A race of generally peaceful priests, Shadoon however is the leader of a Cult that has been committing extreme atrocities. His crown is a symbol of his power aswell as his more ornate robes. While his ability to hover is a very clear indicator of his mental powers. One thing I like about these designs is the system used to designate different ranks of priests. From the small priests that must walk on their limbs, to Shadoon who has the most ornate robes and can hover.
As the picture isn't the most clear I have included a clip that shows a clearer image at about twenty seconds in.

Engineer - Often portrayed as being gifted with technology. Often creating more advanced devices than other races. They are not the most skilled in combat, and often make use of various devices to aid them when fighting. Such as drones or traps.

Name: Vasudan
Series: Freespace (Videogame)
Notable Features: large body frame, fragile appearing limbs
The Vasudans large frame is offset by its spindly limbs giving the appearance of it being weaker. They are portrayed as being proficient shipbuilders and often have more advanced ships than Terran's. 

Name: Huragok (Engineer)
Series: Halo (Videogames)
Notable Fetaures: Hovers, eel like head, lack of natural weapons
The engineer is a lifeform that has an innate ability to operate machinery at a microscopic level using its Cilia. The bladders on its main body are there so it can float. While I'm looking at mainly humanoid creatures I uncluded this as I like the idea of the way it operates machinery using its Cilia. 

Name: Quarian
Series: Mass Effect
Notable Features: Respirator suits, unremarkable physique

A race of engineers. They are responsible for the creation of the networked Geth AI. While humanoid in appearance it is the use of the suit & mask that intrigued me as a design feature. The creation of the Geth ultimately resulted in the Quarians exile and I like how some elements in the design appears to be nomadic in nature. The heavy use of fabrics and a design that is slightly less sleek than others in the series.