Necromancers have always looked for a way to perfect their undead creations. One of the easiest types of undead for these evil beings to create have always been the zombie. The problem is most zombies are fairly easily dispatched, and sometimes they need a little more ‘bang’ for their necromantic buck.

With the help of less than ethical scientists, they discovered a way to cause a regular zombie to mutate into a more powerful version. By exposing a simple zombie to a strange cocktail of necromantic magic and chemicals, they are able to force the zombie to undergo a radical mutation. The end result is a zombie which can still infect others, still needs to feed, but is far more capable of defending itself and absorb more damage than the usual shambling corpse.

This particular type of undead is used as a ‘shock and awe’ troop, sent ahead of the regular zombies in order to pulverize resistance, destroy robotic units, take out vehicles and simply to absorb incoming fire.

These particular creatures undergo a massive metamorphosis. They easily increase in size by nearly fifty percent, and the weight is tripled. The musculature and bones toughen, making them far stronger than a regular human. What is terrifying is the long-dormant memories of the creatures are selectively ‘awakened’, allowing them to perform simple tasks and even use crude weaponry. Unlike regular zombies, these creatures are fully capable of climbing ladders, opening doors, and performing other tasks which would have usually stumped them in the past.

When engaged in combat, these creatures are more likely to slash and claw, and only after their victims have been reduced to bloody piles do they bother to feed. As a result, typically little remains of the victim to reanimate.

These creatures are likewise highly resilient and able to absorb an obscene amount of damage before finally succumbing to true death. And though their heart beats they are still dead.

Starfinder Creature Index