Spitter — avp

The Spitter was a Xenomorph caste specialized for ranged attacks. As its name would suggest, it preferred to stay out of fights, attacking foes from a distance with its acid spit. The Spitter was first encountered on LV-895 by Colonial Marines from the UAS Endeavor.^[1]

Characteristics

"We've seen Spitters before, but not often - and this head shape is unique."

―Olivia Shipp on the Spitter (from Aliens: Fireteam Elite)

The Spitter's general morphology was very similar to that of a Runner, although it possessed a pale grey-colored mesoskeleton and typically stood bipedally in a horizontal posture similar to a Queen, though it would often move around on all fours. It also possessed four spindly backwards-curving dorsal tubes and its tail notably lacked any form of blade or barb that was typical of other castes.

The most notable characteristics of the Spitter concerned its head, which featured a distinctively shaped pointed skull, covered by a smooth translucent black dome. Along the sides of its head and neck were glowing yellow-green acid pouches, much like those of the Ranger caste.^[1] Also like those of the Ranger, the Spitter possessed an acid spray gland, which allowed it to spit concentrated globs of the same kind of molecular acid that made up the Xenomorph's blood. Reports indicate that it was capable of doing this at ranges up to 25 meters,^[2] though it was weaker and less accurate than the Ranger.^[3]

Irradiated Spitters

"Nuclear xeno. What comemierda thought leaving this out was a good idea?"

―Alex Herrera on the mutated Spitter (from Aliens: Fireteam Elite)

Irradiated Spitters, also known as Nuclear Spitters, were Spitters that became irradiated by toxic barrels brought by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation during their excavations on LV-895. As a result of their exposure, Irradiated Spitters were stronger, larger, and more resilient than the average Spitter. Irradiated Spitters could also spit clusters of acid, leaving large pools of acid where they impacted. They could be distinguished at a glance by the extra glowing areas on their dorsal tubes and chest.^[4]

Trivia

The Spitter that appears in Aliens: Fireteam Elite is not the first caste to be named the Spitter.
Irradiated Spitters first appeared in Aliens: Fireteam Elite's second campaign, being one of the first mission's two possible outcomes with the other being the game spawning multiple Drones instead of Irradiated Spitters.