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'''Necromorphs''' are the reanimated corpses of the dead, reshaped into horrific new forms by a recombinant extraterrestrial infection. The resulting creatures are extremely aggressive, and will attack any uninfected organism on sight.
'''Necromorphs''' are the reanimated corpses of the dead, reshaped into horrific new forms by a recombinant extraterrestrial infection. The resulting creatures are extremely aggressive, and will attack any uninfected organism on sight.
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The sole purpose of almost all Necromorphs is to create more bodies to infect and spread the infection. They are believed by [[Unitology|some]] to be the heralds of humanity's ascension, but on a more practical level are the extremely dangerous result of exposure to, and tampering of, presumably alien technology.
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The sole purpose of almost all Necromorphs is to create more bodies to infect and spread the infection. They are believed by [[Unitology|some]] to be the heralds of humanity's ascension, but on a more practical level are the extremely dangerous result of exposure to, and tampering of, presumably alien technology.
== Biology ==
== Biology ==
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=== Infection, Recombination and Reanimation===
=== Infection, Recombination and Reanimation===
: ''"Holy creatures, transform me into your humble servant. Show me the path to enlightenment as you alter my flesh and free my soul." - ''[[Samuel Irons]]
: ''"Holy creatures, transform me into your humble servant. Show me the path to enlightenment as you alter my flesh and free my soul." - ''[[Samuel Irons]]
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Once the host is dead, the recombinant properties of the infection take hold. The process is extraordinarily rapid, and predictably violent. Cellular functions go into a self-destructive overdrive, creating new biologically active compounds which are then metabolized by reanimated flesh to fuel further mutation of once dead flesh. Bones are broken, put together in new configurations, or reshaped into entirely new forms. All of this takes place in a matter of seconds, and generates tremendous amounts of heat. More often than not, the violently spasming corpse becomes so hot that stagnant blood boils in the veins and arteries, rupturing the skin. Vital and digestive organs that are no longer needed are turned into additional musculature, giving all Necromorphs increased strength.
Once the host is dead, the recombinant properties of the infection take hold. The process is extraordinarily rapid, and predictably violent. Cellular functions go into a self-destructive overdrive, creating new biologically active compounds which are then metabolized by reanimated flesh to fuel further mutation of once dead flesh. Bones are broken, put together in new configurations, or reshaped into entirely new forms. All of this takes place in a matter of seconds, and generates tremendous amounts of heat. More often than not, the violently spasming corpse becomes so hot that stagnant blood boils in the veins and arteries, rupturing the skin. Vital and digestive organs that are no longer needed are turned into additional musculature, giving all Necromorphs increased strength.
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Pure Necromorph tissue is light pink and translucent; it is capable of independent movement and sticks to surfaces. The pink tissue is capable of consuming and reconstructing necrotic flesh, and can transform living flesh when injected directly into a living person's blood stream.
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Pure Necromorph tissue is light pink and translucent; it is capable of independent movement and sticks to surfaces. The pink tissue is capable of consuming and reconstructing necrotic flesh, and can transform living flesh when injected directly into a living person's blood stream.
The type of Necromorph created during infection largely depends on the location and circumstance. For example, [[Lurker]]s are created specifically from infant humans, Guardians are created from hosts who have been affixed to the Corruption, and [[Stalker]]s are believed to be created from dogs. However, some Necromorphs are clearly composed of more than one human (see [[Brute]], [[Tripod]] or [[Graverobber]]), which is an indication that some form of intelligence is at work allocating biomass for specific use. This is especially troubling, as it shows a degree of planning and forethought not found in simple creatures.
The type of Necromorph created during infection largely depends on the location and circumstance. For example, [[Lurker]]s are created specifically from infant humans, Guardians are created from hosts who have been affixed to the Corruption, and [[Stalker]]s are believed to be created from dogs. However, some Necromorphs are clearly composed of more than one human (see [[Brute]], [[Tripod]] or [[Graverobber]]), which is an indication that some form of intelligence is at work allocating biomass for specific use. This is especially troubling, as it shows a degree of planning and forethought not found in simple creatures.
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All Necromorphs are extremely hardy and capable of surviving in lethal environments such as the vacuum of space. This implies a total lack of respiration or reliance upon vascular activity, which explains the Necromorphs' resistance to wounds that would cause massive blood loss or hemorrhaging in uninfected humans.
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All Necromorphs are extremely hardy and capable of surviving in lethal environments such as the vacuum of space. This implies a total lack of respiration or reliance upon vascular activity, which explains the Necromorphs' resistance to wounds that would cause massive blood loss or hemorrhaging in uninfected humans.
The Necromorph infection is not only limited to humans. ''[[Dead Space: Martyr]]'' describes a Necromorph fish which behaves like all other Necromorphs, as it attacks another fish in order to kill and infect it. There is also the new Lurker in Dead Space 3 that has been based off of a dog rather than a infant.
The Necromorph infection is not only limited to humans. ''[[Dead Space: Martyr]]'' describes a Necromorph fish which behaves like all other Necromorphs, as it attacks another fish in order to kill and infect it. There is also the new Lurker in Dead Space 3 that has been based off of a dog rather than a infant.
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Necromorphs are highly aggressive; they attack any non-Necromorph being on sight, regardless of species or age. The sole purpose of this behavior is to spread the infection quickly. Despite being viewed as mindless killing machines, the creatures sometimes display tactical planning and cooperative behavior. They commonly hunt in small packs (see [[Pack]]) of mixed individuals with semi-specific roles, and use stealth, ambush, or group tactics to outsmart their victims. This requires a degree of strategic thinking, and points to a certain amount of individual intelligence and communication. Examples of this include using ventilation shafts to sneak up on prey, playing dead, not attacking until the victim is well within striking range or their back is turned, or using a lure to draw known threats into an ambush.
Necromorphs are highly aggressive; they attack any non-Necromorph being on sight, regardless of species or age. The sole purpose of this behavior is to spread the infection quickly. Despite being viewed as mindless killing machines, the creatures sometimes display tactical planning and cooperative behavior. They commonly hunt in small packs (see [[Pack]]) of mixed individuals with semi-specific roles, and use stealth, ambush, or group tactics to outsmart their victims. This requires a degree of strategic thinking, and points to a certain amount of individual intelligence and communication. Examples of this include using ventilation shafts to sneak up on prey, playing dead, not attacking until the victim is well within striking range or their back is turned, or using a lure to draw known threats into an ambush.
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It is strongly implied that the Necromorphs share some form of collective intelligence; on Aegis VII, a Necromorph known as the Hive Mind was encountered, and it was believed to be the central "brain" of the Necromorphs' group consciousness.
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It is strongly implied that the Necromorphs share some form of collective intelligence; on Aegis VII, a Necromorph known as the Hive Mind was encountered, and it was believed to be the central "brain" of the Necromorphs' group consciousness.
Creatures not currently engaging a non-Necromorph target have been observed as performing several different behaviors. Many will wander aimlessly, almost passively, with no real destination, until they are aware of a new victim to kill that they will immediately engage. Some will drag bodies to a different location, possibly to make it easier for an [[Infector]] to find. Some will hide themselves inside ventilation shafts, setting up new or resetting previous ambush sites. Some will simply stand in place, waiting for a new victim to come to them. When a target is present but out of range, they will often watch the victim and attempt to intimidate them with loud growls and threatening poses.
Creatures not currently engaging a non-Necromorph target have been observed as performing several different behaviors. Many will wander aimlessly, almost passively, with no real destination, until they are aware of a new victim to kill that they will immediately engage. Some will drag bodies to a different location, possibly to make it easier for an [[Infector]] to find. Some will hide themselves inside ventilation shafts, setting up new or resetting previous ambush sites. Some will simply stand in place, waiting for a new victim to come to them. When a target is present but out of range, they will often watch the victim and attempt to intimidate them with loud growls and threatening poses.
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The scope of their behaviors is expanded upon in ''Dead Space 2'' with the introduction of Stalkers. Outside of the Hive Mind, Stalkers seem to have the strongest sense of pack cohesion and individual intelligence shown from Necromorphs, as they will often peek around corners to lure Isaac while another will charge from a different direction. They are also the only known Necromorphs to directly communicate with one another. The noises they make seem to hold some significance, e.g. the Stalkers will make a noise while or just after Isaac has moved his location, alerting the other [[Stalkers]]. It is also possible that they communicate with each other, such as the [[Pack]] and [[Stalkers]].
The scope of their behaviors is expanded upon in ''Dead Space 2'' with the introduction of Stalkers. Outside of the Hive Mind, Stalkers seem to have the strongest sense of pack cohesion and individual intelligence shown from Necromorphs, as they will often peek around corners to lure Isaac while another will charge from a different direction. They are also the only known Necromorphs to directly communicate with one another. The noises they make seem to hold some significance, e.g. the Stalkers will make a noise while or just after Isaac has moved his location, alerting the other [[Stalkers]]. It is also possible that they communicate with each other, such as the [[Pack]] and [[Stalkers]].
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In ''Dead Space 3'', it can be seen that when Necromorphs are left idle for years at a time, they curl up in a hanging patch of the [[Corruption]] to conserve their energy and wait for unsuspecting prey. An example of this is seen when Isaac enters the dilapidated CMS Roanoke, a 200-year old ship in orbit over Tau Volantis[http://youtu.be/jRh4fvYPZlI .] A form of Necromorphs called [[Fodder]] are seen carrying snow axes, something that is odd for Necromorph behavior as they never wielded man-made tools before. This could mean that some Necromorphs may have gained a slight form of intelligence or quite simply, the snow axes froze into their decaying flesh as they died and become Necromorphs.
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In ''Dead Space 3'', it can be seen that when Necromorphs are left idle for years at a time, they curl up in a hanging patch of the [[Corruption]] to conserve their energy and wait for unsuspecting prey. An example of this is seen when Isaac enters the dilapidated CMS Roanoke, a 200-year old ship in orbit over Tau Volantis[http://youtu.be/jRh4fvYPZlI .] A form of Necromorphs called [[Waster|Wasters]] are seen carrying snow axes, something that is odd for Necromorph behavior as they never wielded man-made tools before. This could mean that some Necromorphs may have gained a slight form of intelligence or quite simply, the snow axes froze into their decaying flesh as the hosts died and became Necromorphs.
== Dismemberment ==
== Dismemberment ==
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As said in the previous section, Necromorphs do not suffer from the vulnerabilities associated with a body that needs interconnected vital organs, centralized nervous system, respiration, or vascular support. Injuries that would kill an ordinary human, such as a shot to the cranial cavity containing the brain, have little effect on them.
As said in the previous section, Necromorphs do not suffer from the vulnerabilities associated with a body that needs interconnected vital organs, centralized nervous system, respiration, or vascular support. Injuries that would kill an ordinary human, such as a shot to the cranial cavity containing the brain, have little effect on them.
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Countless have died due to not knowing the Necromorphs' only vulnerability: [[Wikipedia:dismemberment|dismemberment]]. The only quick and effective way to kill the creatures is to literally chop them to pieces by removing the head, arms, legs, and other appendages until the creature is killed. Some Necromorphs like [[The Hunter]] and [[The Ubermorph]] cannot be killed by dismemberment as they are able to regenerate all of their body parts after dismemberment.
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Countless have died due to not knowing the Necromorphs' only vulnerability: [[Wikipedia:dismemberment|dismemberment]]. The only quick and effective way to kill the creatures is to literally chop them to pieces by removing the head, arms, legs, and other appendages until the creature is killed. Some Necromorphs like [[The Hunter]] and [[The Ubermorph]] cannot be killed by dismemberment as they are able to regenerate all of their body parts after dismemberment.
The act of strategically removing the limbs from the creatures is dubbed "''Strategic Dismemberment''" by the ''Dead Space'' game team.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOlpoG-rZXI '''Dead Space Dev Diary #4:''' ''Strategic Dismemberment'']
Each creature has its own strategies when it comes to dismemberment: some creatures will simply die after enough limbs have been removed, some creatures will die instantly if a specific limb is cut off, while some creatures will become even more of a threat if [[Pregnant|shot in the wrong place.]] Learning how to dismember creatures is mostly done through trial-and-error. However, dismemberment is the only effective way to truly stop the reanimated horrors in their tracks and is the best way to survive.
The act of strategically removing the limbs from the creatures is dubbed "''Strategic Dismemberment''" by the ''Dead Space'' game team.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOlpoG-rZXI '''Dead Space Dev Diary #4:''' ''Strategic Dismemberment'']
Each creature has its own strategies when it comes to dismemberment: some creatures will simply die after enough limbs have been removed, some creatures will die instantly if a specific limb is cut off, while some creatures will become even more of a threat if [[Pregnant|shot in the wrong place.]] Learning how to dismember creatures is mostly done through trial-and-error. However, dismemberment is the only effective way to truly stop the reanimated horrors in their tracks and is the best way to survive.
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'''The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranids Tyranids]: '''From the tabletop game, and later video game adaptation, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_40000 Warhammer 40K], the Tyranids are a race of alien creatures that amass as massive fleets that consume planets. With similar mutation patterns seen in the Necromorphs and the Zerg, the Tyranids were likely one of the primary sources of inspiration in the creation of both. They are capable of mutating into several different variations, each with a specific purpose. Once a Tyranid fleet arrives at a new planet, it begins growing a sort of vegetation similar to the [http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Creep Creep] and the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/The_Corruption Corruption] with the purpose of draining the life from local life forms; both plants and animals. While the Tyranids possess a [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Hive_mind Hive Mind], it is not a unique being. Each Tyranid fleet possesses its own Hive Mind, and the overall behavior is different from Necromorphs and Zerg in that there is no conscious goal of total domination. Instead, the act of consuming a planet is seen only as a way for the fleet to continue to survive.
'''The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranids Tyranids]: '''From the tabletop game, and later video game adaptation, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_40000 Warhammer 40K], the Tyranids are a race of alien creatures that amass as massive fleets that consume planets. With similar mutation patterns seen in the Necromorphs and the Zerg, the Tyranids were likely one of the primary sources of inspiration in the creation of both. They are capable of mutating into several different variations, each with a specific purpose. Once a Tyranid fleet arrives at a new planet, it begins growing a sort of vegetation similar to the [http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Creep Creep] and the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/The_Corruption Corruption] with the purpose of draining the life from local life forms; both plants and animals. While the Tyranids possess a [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Hive_mind Hive Mind], it is not a unique being. Each Tyranid fleet possesses its own Hive Mind, and the overall behavior is different from Necromorphs and Zerg in that there is no conscious goal of total domination. Instead, the act of consuming a planet is seen only as a way for the fleet to continue to survive.
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'''The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_%28Alien_franchise%29 Xenomorphs]: F'''rom the Alien movie series. Of all the inspiration sources, the Xenomorphs are the only species that does not mutate itself to form different variations (not taking into consideration the environmental "vegetation" that is commonly seen around Alien nests or the queens). The most notable characteristic taken for use in the Necromorphs is the species' need to "infect" or "impregnate" members of other species as hosts for more Aliens. As seen with the Necromorphs, without a continuous stream of living hosts, the species cannot expand. Expansion here does not refer to the ability of the species to merely survive, as both the Aliens and Necromorphs survived for extended periods of time without any external hosts to expand with. Although possessing a characteristic similar to a [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Hive_mind Hive Mind], the Aliens simply have a single queen that guides the behavior of the group. Similarly to the Tyranids and Zerg, the Aliens have a form of instinctive telepathy that allows them to communicate without vocalization. Also, the names "Necromorph" and "Xenomorph" bare some similarities.
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'''The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_%28Alien_franchise%29 Xenomorphs]: F'''rom the Alien movie series. Of all the inspiration sources, the Xenomorphs are the only species that does not mutate itself to form different variations (not taking into consideration the environmental "vegetation" that is commonly seen around Alien nests or the queens). The most notable characteristic taken for use in the Necromorphs is the species' need to "infect" or "impregnate" members of other species as hosts for more Aliens. As seen with the Necromorphs, without a continuous stream of living hosts, the species cannot expand. Expansion here does not refer to the ability of the species to merely survive, as both the Aliens and Necromorphs survived for extended periods of time without any external hosts to expand with. Although possessing a characteristic similar to a [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Hive_mind Hive Mind], the Aliens simply have a single queen that guides the behavior of the group. Similarly to the Tyranids and Zerg, the Aliens have a form of instinctive telepathy that allows them to communicate without vocalization. Also, the names "Necromorph" and "Xenomorph" bare some similarities.
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'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(film) The Thing]: '''From John Carpenter's The Thing. The alien in the movie is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology) cell]-sized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite parasite] that mutates the body of it's host into grotesque forms, much like the Necromorphs. Once the alien consumes and assimilates a person, the alien becomes the perfect physical and mental imitation until its exposed as an imposter. Throughout the film, the Thing would "assimilate" multiple bodies into larger forms much like the larger Necromorph forms, like the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Brute Brute]. The Thing could also make smaller forms out of heads or limbs, like the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Divider Divider] parts.
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'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(film) The Thing]: '''From John Carpenter's The Thing. The alien in the movie is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology) cell]-sized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite parasite] that mutates the body of it's host into grotesque forms, much like the Necromorphs. Once the alien consumes and assimilates a person, the alien becomes the perfect physical and mental imitation until its exposed as an imposter. Throughout the film, the Thing would "assimilate" multiple bodies into larger forms much like the larger Necromorph forms, like the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Brute Brute]. The Thing could also make smaller forms out of heads or limbs, like the [http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Divider Divider] parts.
== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==