Slam

Slams are large-statured Variants with an oversized arm. They are easily identifiable in a group due to their unique height. As their name suggests, they use their giant mutated arm to crush their victims. Because of their vastly increased muscle mass density, their skin has peeled off, showing the muscle tissue on their arms, hands and mangled faces.

This particular type of variant is considered rare, and thus will not be seen often amongst the Distorted by natural means, unless the mutation is forced upon by a Lieutenant alien walker.

## Appearance

Slams are Heavy class Distorted mercenaries that have been severely mutated: the muscular layer is exposed; the body itself has gone through an extensive but balanced growth of mass spread out through the limbs - excluding the one that will be used as a weapon, reaching colossal heights.

## Abilities & Weaknesses

The Slam is a Distorted that has gone through mutations, either by natural means or by a Lieutenant alien walker's flash. These specimens are known as Variants, and possess more diversified capabilities in comparison to a normal Distorted. A Slam is an incredibly strong abomination that is capable of killing groups of victims and destroy fortifications with little to no effort.

A Slam on its own is not a major threat because of its slow speed when approaching its victims, but care should be taken keeping a certain distance between each other, as to not cause the Slam to jump as the creature's mass when impacting with the surface can and will kill unfortunate victims in a reasonable radius. Slams attack by swinging or slamming their mutated arm. These motions require a wind-up before an attack due to its greatly increased weight, allowing the victims to escape should they be fast enough to avoid it.

### Muscle Mass

Slams are extremely resistant to bullet and melee damage on their upper bodies and often make use of their arms as a shield to guard their heads during their approach. They are practically immune to small arms as the projectiles cannot penetrate its thick and dense muscles. Constant gunfire on their heads with bigger and stronger calibers - such as sniper rifles or miniguns, or explosives can cause Slams to stumble or lose balance if the kinetic force was sufficient. As their upper bodies are nearly impervious to ballistic weaponry, mercenaries should take opportunities to break its legs so the Slam can lose its movement capabilities, rendering it susceptible and an easy target.

Like most Distorted, Slams are vulnerable to fire - including laser weapons. However, due to their bodies, it takes a lot more firepower to cause sufficient damage; and their venting ability will render the damage temporary.

### Venting

Most Slams acquire this ability on mutation or during a prolonged lifetime. When a Slam considers itself to be: in danger; on fire; on a regenerating status; or surrounded by mercenaries, it can control and emit large amounts of hot steam from its body. The pressure and force of the steam can burn and repel any individuals in close proximity, roasting and often killing the unfortunate victims.

Slams can also make use of venting as a cooling mechanism for their bodies after a certain threshold of physical effort was made. During this time, the Slam will be completely immobile. After the cooldown phase is finished, the Slam will return as normal.

### Volatile Death

When a Slam's body is rendered as expired and no longer usable for the Distortion, the body will convulse and pulsate violently before exploding in a large radius, showering the area with blood and hot steam. This behavior can catch mercenaries off-guard and result in their immediate deaths.

## Trivia

* The Slam's behavior takes inspiration from the Tallboy and the Wrestler, special zombies with massive arms and similar behaviors from *Back 4 Blood* and *Dead Island: Riptide*, respectively;
* The Slam's venting ability is inspired by the Colossal Titan from the *Attack on Titan* series;