Freakers

**Freakers**, or known as the **infected** or simply **Freaks**, are mutated humans and animals that fell victim to a viral infection referred to as the "Freaker Virus," turning them into ravenous cannibalistic monsters. They are a major antagonistic force, and catalyst for events in *Days Gone*.

## History

Two years prior to the events of the game, the Cloverdale Corporation secretly developed a bio-weapons program disguised as a bio-botany project. Among those who unknowingly worked in the company's secret project was Sarah Whitaker, whose work was partly used in the creation of the Freaker virus. One of Whitaker's co-workers, David Gorman, was suspicious of Cloverdale's research and correctly deduced their intent. Gorman stole a sample of the virus and brought it to an environmental convention in Portland in an effort to publicly expose the company's unethical research. However, Gorman unwittingly infected himself with the stolen sample and further exposed the convention attendees, whom in turn returned to their homes all over the world and spread the virus even more. Within two weeks, the virus had spread throughout the world, killing 2 and a half billion people and turning millions of people and animals into Freakers. In the USA East to the Missisippi river, all was invaded in barely two days. The less populated West Coast fared better. As a result, civilization fell, and cities were abandoned in favor of smaller settlements in the wilderness, while the world is left at the mercy of the Freakers.

As they migrate through the highways, any major settlement or refugee camp nearby those was quickly overrun. By comparison, however, in the most remote areas their numbers are -relatively- limited.

## Creation

Freakers are the result of living creatures being infected with the Freaker Virus. The virus grants them superior strength, speed, and agility to that of a normal creature of their species, but become feral, cannibalistic, and aggressive. All Freakers appear to have their skin covered in bloody sores, and the infected humans seem to have gone hairless.

It's also known to infect certain species other than humans, most notably wolves, bears, and crows. Other species seem to be immune to the virus.

## Types of Freaker

There are multiple different types of Freakers. Each type has unique attributes that set it apart from the others.

### Human

**Swarmer:** Homo sapiens mūtans, the basic variation of the infected adults, make up the majority of the Freakers. They generally travel in groups. Alone they are relatively minor threats, but in swarms, they can easily overwhelm their prey. The most dangerous variation of the swarmer is the Homo sapiens mūtans Turba, or “Horde”, which is a mutation that causes swarmers to stick together and communicate via pheromones, creating a form of hive mind amongst the individuals within each group.

**Bleacher:** The Homo sapiens mūtans albino is a slightly stronger mutation of average Swarmers. They characteristically lack skin pigment and retain a higher level of durability than the average swarmer.

**Newt:** Homo sapiens mūtans adolescens, or Infected adolescents, are generally less active and will only attack when Deacon's health is low or if he gets too close to them. There are two identified variations of Newt: mūtans adolescens habitator-tectum (roof dwelling) and mūtans adolescens speluncta-tectum (cave dwelling), otherwise known as the ”loot newt”.

**Screamer:** Homo sapiens mūtans-Female, are female-only infected capable of stunning Deacon and alerting hordes with their high-pitched scream. They should be killed as quickly as possible, otherwise they will scream and draw in surrounding Swarmers.

**Breaker:** The Homo sapiens mūtans corporosus is a freaker mutation capable of withstanding a vast amount of trauma and easily penetrating military grade armor.

**Reacher:** A Reacher is a more highly evolved mutation of Swarmer with greater speed, strength, and intelligence than the average infected, as well as appear to have retained, or regrown their body hair.

**Intelligent mutation:** Freakers that still maintain human intelligence while gaining the enhanced strength of Breakers and agility of Newts. The only known intelligent Freaker is James O'Brian, but he implies very heavily that there are a significant number of others and that N.E.R.O. is under their control.

### Animal

**Runner:** Canis Lupus Mūtans, are infected wolves that are incredibly fast, capable of outrunning Deacon's motorcycle.

**Rager Bear: Ursus americanus mūtans**, are infected bears that have massively increased durability, and are able to take a lot of trauma, as seen with one having barbed wire and weapons embedded in its flesh, and being completely unfazed by it.

**Crier:** Corvus coral principalis mūtans, are infected ravens that will swarm and attempt to overwhelm Deacon.

**Infected Bats**: Briefly mentioned in Researcher Field Note - 0701. It is noted they tore each other to shreds, explaining why none are encountered in the game.

## Behaviour

Freakers when unprovoked or unaware of the presence of non-infected human or fauna will merely wander around in search of them. When they find one they will chase them down in a furious frenzy, usually alerting other freakers with their increased movement and vocals, creating a horde that will run down the human, unless they can be deterred somehow. It would be very difficult to outrun a horde, or to hide from one. It is recommended to attempt to cull their numbers, and then finish them off or make an escape.

Freakers will behave differently depending on the Weather. Rain can silence some sounds more, dulling their senses of sight and sound. Snow will grant them a strength boost, but decreased visibility.

Freakers are actually still living beings, and behave as such. They also seem to retain base primal instincts, such as hunting and as seen where the Freakers corner Deacon on a tower at the sawmill, and also where Deacon blew up a wall, allowing the Freaker horde to rush through.

While the Freakers are known to travel in packs and work together, this behavior is only found among the same mutations, as the infected will attack each other if they come within the vicinity of other types of Freakers.

Freakers eat humans, animals and also some roots and plants. They can be seen drinking water from rivers and lakes. They migrate in hordes at night, hibernating during day inside caves. Their little groups construct "nests" with branch trees and trash. Their nests can be smelled from their shit stench.

## Weaknesses

Ballistics, blunt force trauma, fire and crushing are very effective. It is worth noting that some Freakers can survive longer than most humans when fatally wounded, as some are seen still moving for a little while after losing their limbs.

## Use to Humans

At some point, survivors began to use Freakers to their advantage. They have been seen as alarms systems and guard dogs to deter would-be intruders, while also being left as a preferred bait for other Freakers that would normally destroy a human camp, thus allowing time for escape and resettlement.

## Trivia

* The Freakers are living creatures that makes them similar to the Infected from *Left 4 Dead* and *The Last of Us*, as opposed to more traditional undead zombies.
* Many of the Freakers were voiced by Travis Ryan, the lead singer of the American death metal band Cattle Decapitation.
* It is unknown if Sarah meant killed as in infected.
* It is stated by NERO that around 12 different mutated infections are present during the game, meaning we don't know what the other 8-9 mutations are.
	+ It’s also stated by O’brian that they’re maybe more mutations currently developing in the freakers.