Chryssalid Autopsy (EU2012)

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

Notes

• Research completion allows production of new item = Chitin Plating.
  • On the Enemy Within DLC it also allows to build the Needle Grenade item at Engineering and the Bioelectric Skin Gene Mod at the Genetics Lab.
• Research benefits from South America's continental bonus "We Have Ways...".