Bulwark

The Bulwark is an amalgamation of organic bodies and twisted flesh. These Variants are created from the total biomass of a corpse pile through a primitive interaction from the virus itself. They are considered as strong living tanks, built for defense – hence their namesake.

Bulwarks are extremely resistant to damage because of their collected biomass, reinforced bone structure, and interlinked Distortion hosts - increasing their tissue regeneration to astonishingly high rates.

This type of variant is considered rare as corpse piles are not often seen within compromised servers; or derelicts, as the Distortion will eventually successfully turn each individual into a suitable host. Whether the host is dead or alive before the virus takes over is irrelevant, as all Distorted will eventually resurrect if the bodies are not damaged beyond repair, and not disposed by fire. A Bulwark cannot be created from a single body nor by forcing a mutation from a Lieutenant alien walker.

Bulwarks are often used by fellow Distorted as living cover; or a big distraction for unsuspecting victims.

## Appearance

   The Bulwark is a malformed amalgamation made of flesh, viscera and bone. This variant is covered in a shell made of hardened flesh and bone, acting as organic armor. The armor is enveloped mostly on the creature’s front, while the sides and back have very little of it – until the creature reaches complete “maturity”.

Since a Bulwark is made up of living tissue and living bodies, it is not uncommon to see many limbs of former mercenaries sticking out of the creature, alive and with perception of what’s going on.

The main head of the Bulwark is usually of the strongest body of the amalgamation. The very first Bulwark seen in the series has a Heavy as the main head of the body, with a lack of skin while still having the same familiar distorted face.

The main body of the Bulwark is made up of the aforementioned strongest body, where the arms will be used and eventually morphed with the organic armor as it reaches full “maturity”. The legs are usually disposed of and are merely hanging onto the creature’s brand new appendages that function as the main legs. The back of the creature has appendages with claws or blades which look very similar to human arms. These limbs act as a self-defense mechanism should someone be near the Bulwark’s sides or back.

## Abilities & Weaknesses

### Healing Factor

The Bulwark’s healing factor is very overwhelming for unprepared or lacking firepower, as the creature can absorb massive amounts of damage and still be able to passively regenerate its living tissue mid-battle. Continuous and escalating damage can and will stop the Bulwark in its tracks and force it to regenerate itself using the full healing mechanism. During this time, the creature is vulnerable for more damage.

However, to make a Bulwark reach a critical stage of damage is extremely difficult without several large sources of continuous damage. Even with Crush’s punch barrage and strong hooks; Switcheroo’s flaming arrows and American Myth’s continuous ranged damage, it was not enough to force the creature to a complete halt – if only momentarily.

A Bulwark can and will regenerate itself even while on fire if the flame’s damage is not enough to trespass the healing factor’s threshold.

### Charge

The charge attack is extremely powerful but slow and somewhat predictable, gets stunned momentarily if it hits solid foundations.

The Bulwark’s charge is its main ability – dealing extreme damage to anyone caught in it; and destroying fortifications or props of various sizes trivially. The attack requires a build-up from the Bulwark before it can successfully charge.

The variant’s behavior can be comparable to of a raging bull, so the charge is rather slow and somewhat predictable. If the creature hits solid foundation, it will be stunned momentarily but also get enraged further, making it probable for a consecutive amount of charges before eventually resorting to different attacks.

### Acidic Spit

The Bulwark has a ranged spit projectile with acidic properties. This spit will deal lethal damage on normal mercenaries while heavily damaging ones that survive with armor – should they withstand the upcoming acidic melting damage. The acidic elements of the spit will corrode the armor and melt exposed flesh.

Fortunately, the Bulwark has to prepare the spit inside its body’s main head, so it can be predicted and dodged beforehand. If the main head is destroyed, the spit cannot be produced until regenerated to a usable degree once again.

## Trivia

* Their overall design is inspired and makes use of the Dead Space series' Brutes;