Chryssalid (EU2012)

Chryssalid Autopsy

Chryssalid Autopsy Even after years of research and study, until now I had never encountered something that is quite as beautiful, yet equally as deadly, as this species. Unlike the other aliens we've encountered thus far, it is arthropodal in nature, plated in a sleek, black exoskeleton. The "Chryssalids," as we're calling them, based on their reproductive habits, measure over three meters long from nose to tail, and stand almost two meters high when perched on their hind legs. Their attack is not only extremely deadly, but also necessary for their reproduction, as the intended victim is not immediately killed, but instead turned into what can only be described as a mindless shell, akin to a zombie, which serves as host to its offspring. When a human is bitten, an embryo is injected into the host and immediately begins to gestate. Once gestation is complete, which remarkably lasts only minutes, a newborn Chryssalid will emerge, destroying its host in the process. One can only wonder why the aliens would utilize what appears to be a savage, unpredictable creature... in any case, this is certainly not a creature to be trifled with, and our troops would do well to exercise extreme caution when engaging this species. Targeting another example in the field through the Unit Analysis View may provide additional information as to its combat capabilities.

Source: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) Research Archives

The Chryssalid is a savage murderous insect. Standing at about 5 feet, Chryssalids serve the alien forces as terror agents, though sometimes they can be seen defending structures of importance to the aliens. They are the fastest ground units in the game and they use their deadly claws to tear up your squad members.

Chryssalid

Stats

1st Appearance	{{{appears}}}
HP	8/8/8/8
Aim	Melee
Defense	10
Will	120
Movement	20
Easy/Normal/Classic/Impossible

Abilities:

• Impregnate Unit - They can inject a venom into your operatives that effectively zombifies them, turning them into a thrall for the aliens, though that is not all. They also inject the victim with a Chryssalid egg. After 3 turns the egg will hatch and the new, fully adult Chryssalid will tear its way out of the zombie ready to inject more of your soldiers. (Or civilians where present.)
• Leap - Chryssalids are able to jump to higher locations at their leisure. This is quite unlike the original game, where it was possible to blow up the stairs and shoot at them from above.

Notes

• Chryssalid corpses can be used to create Chitin Plating, which protects against melee damage, this can help against Chryssalids a lot. Unfortunately it has no visual effects on the soldier wearing it, wearing Chryssalid shells would probably look really cool.
• The removal of time units have severely crippled Chryssalids as they can no longer rely on their movement speed alone. This has slightly hurt their reputation as the most iconic alien of X-COM as they are very foolhardy and defiant of the new movement mechanics. They are at their full glory in the 1994 original X-COM.
• Mind-Controlled Chryssalids that kill an enemy alien do not produce a zombie afterwards.