By VeVe Staff · January 22, 2026
The Predator – known as the Yautja to dedicated fans – is an iconic sci-fi alien hunter that has captivated audiences since the 1987 film. These extraterrestrial warriors aren’t a monolithic group; in fact, there are numerous Yautja types and variants seen across movies, comics, and games. From different clans and subspecies to various ranks in their society, each Predator type brings its own flavor to the hunt. Below, we break down 7 notable Yautja types – spanning canon films and expanded universe lore – to shed light on their unique characteristics, hunting styles, and the stories where they appear.
The Classic Predator is the iconic jungle hunter introduced in Predator (1987) and represents the standard Yautja archetype. Classic Predators adhere to a strict honor code and favor a minimalist approach to hunting. They wear minimal armor and typically rely on just a few signature weapons, usually the shoulder-mounted plasma caster and wrist blades. These traditionalist hunters often stalk human prey in hot climates and usually operate alone, following a “one-on-one” mentality in pursuing worthy game.
Despite their sparse gear, Classic Predators are formidable. The Jungle Hunter from the original Predator film is the most famous example – a nearly invisible menace who picked off an elite commando team one by one. Another instance is the City Hunter in Predator 2 (1990), who brought the hunt to Los Angeles. The City Hunter and his brethren (often called the Lost Tribe) had slightly different aesthetics with darker skin, an arsenal including smart discs and combi-sticks, and a more reckless streak. Whether in jungles or urban sprawls, the classic Yautja type embodies the honorable warrior image that made the franchise legendary.
Not all Yautja share the same physiology or tactics. The Super Predators, introduced in Predators (2010), are a different subspecies of Yautja – larger, fiercer, and less honor-bound than their classic cousins. Visually, they have a more reptilian look with elongated, almost dinosaur-like faces and distinctive red eyes. Even their dreadlocks are swept back differently. These brutes favor overwhelming force and cunning traps: Super Predators have been known to use snare traps and even alien “Hell-Hounds” to flush out prey.
In Predators, three Super Predators (nicknamed Berserker, Tracker, and Falconer) hunt a group of humans on a game-preserve planet. They prove to be physically stronger and more vicious than the regular Yautja, even capturing a classic Predator as bait. Each one sports specialized gear – for example, the Falconer operates a drone-like falcon to surveil prey. Ultimately, all three were defeated by their human targets, but not before showcasing how deadly this Yautja variant can be. The Super Predator type highlights the fact that Yautja types can vary internally, even to the point of inter-clan rivalry, with some breeds evolving distinct hunting philosophies.
One of the more unusual Yautja types to appear is the so-called Fugitive Predator from The Predator (2018). This Yautja breaks the mold by turning against his own kind. In the film, the Fugitive comes to Earth not to hunt humans, but to deliver precious technology to us – essentially a Predator defector. Lore-wise, it’s hinted he was once an elite hunter who “went rogue,” making him a target of his species’ wrath. What sets the Fugitive Predator apart is not physical traits (he resembles a typical Predator) but his motivations and gear. He sports unique armor and weaponry, allegedly enhanced by spliced DNA, suggesting experimental upgrades that differentiate him from other Yautja.
The Fugitive’s story is expanded in the prequel novel Predator: Hunters and Hunted and in comics like Archie vs. Predator II, which reveal he isn’t the only one of his kind. Other Yautja rebels with similar armor and purpose have emerged, indicating a subset of Predators willing to betray tradition for a greater cause. In The Predator, this defector is ultimately hunted down by a larger assassin Yautja, but not before he allies briefly with humans – a rare team-up in Predator lore. The Fugitive Predator even appears as a playable character in the Predator: Hunting Grounds video game, underscoring his popularity and distinct status. This variant adds a new dimension to the franchise: a Predator who isn’t simply a villain, but an unlikely ally with his own code.
If the Fugitive Predator represents defection, the Assassin Predator represents ruthless enforcement. Also dubbed the “Upgrade Predator” by fans, this giant Yautja introduced in The Predator (2018) is genetically enhanced and engineered to eliminate its own kind. Standing taller and bulkier than even the Super Predators, the Assassin Predator is the largest breed seen on screen – a product of Yautja experimentation using DNA from various species. Its skin is bullet-resistant, it regenerates injured tissue rapidly, and it forgoes a traditional metal mask (its bulky head doesn’t need one). In short, it’s a Predator designed to hunt other Predators.
In the film, a lone Assassin Predator is dispatched to track down and kill the Fugitive Predator, which it does with disturbing ease. This behemoth’s combat style is brute force: ripping apart obstacles (and victims) and shrugging off attacks that would fell a normal Yautja. It also employs Predator hounds – vicious alien dogs – to sniff out prey and sow chaos. The Assassin Predator’s lack of honor and single-minded goal (eradicating “traitors”) make it more monster than hunter. This variant reflects a dark turn in Yautja evolution, where some Yautja types have abandoned the traditional warrior code in favor of genetic domination and seek-and-destroy missions.
The newest film gave us a fresh twist on Yautja physiology: the Feral Predator in Prey (2022). Dubbed “feral” for its more primitive look and tactics, this Predator hails from a different hemisphere of the Yautja homeworld and is “a little bit of a different breed,” according to director Dan Trachtenberg. Unlike the heavily armored Predators of recent movies, the Feral Predator is leaner, faster, and more stripped-down. He forgoes the shiny metal bio-mask for a menacing skull-like bone mask, and his weapons mix old-school and new: from a folding shield and combat spear to a high-tech bolt-launching arrow (a Predator crossbow of sorts). His fighting style is almost tribal – relying on raw skill, agility, and a keen understanding of the environment.
In Prey, set in 1719, this Predator faces off against a Comanche warrior (Naru) and local wildlife, showcasing a less technologically dominant hunter compared to his successors. The Feral Predator still has advanced tools (invisibility cloak, thermal vision), but noticeably lacks the shoulder cannon, using projectile darts and blades instead. This back-to-basics loadout makes his battles feel like a savage duel of wits and ferocity. The Feral Predator demonstrates that bigger isn’t always better – in contrast to the trend of ever-larger Predators, this variant’s slim, cunning design has reinvigorated fan interest. It’s a reminder that among many yautja types, some may evolve to be strongest, but others thrive by being swiftest and most resourceful.
Predator culture is defined by codes of honor and rules of engagement – so what happens when a Yautja goes bad? Enter the Bad Blood Predator, a term from the comics denoting a Predator who has betrayed the code and become a criminal in Yautja society. Bad Blood Predators are essentially rogue killers: they no longer follow the honorable rules of the hunt, often murdering indiscriminately (prey and fellow Predator alike) for sheer bloodlust. They are typically mentally unstable by Yautja standards and extremely dangerous. One infamous example appears in the Predator: Bad Blood comic series – this renegade slaughtered his own clan, stole a ship, and went on a killing spree in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. This grisly behavior forced the Yautja to respond by sending one of their enforcers after him.
In expanded lore, Enforcer Predators act as a kind of Predator police, tasked with hunting down Bad Bloods and bringing them to justice (usually via execution). The enforcers are elite hunters distinguished by their white armor and spiked masks, singularly focused on stopping rogue Yautja. In the Predator: Bad Blood storyline, the Enforcer sent to kill the Pine Barrens renegade ultimately falls victim to the Bad Blood – illustrating just how lethal these outlaws can be. Other media have touched on the Bad Blood concept as well: for instance, the video game Predator: Concrete Jungle features corrupt human gangsters using stolen Predator tech, which a disgraced Yautja must violently reclaim to restore honor. Bad Blood Predators remind fans that not all Yautja stick to the script – some become unpredictable monsters that even other Predators fear.
At the opposite end of the spectrum from young hot-headed rogues are the Elder Predators – the wise, veteran Yautja who have hunted for centuries. An Elder Predator is typically a clan leader or tribal patriarch (or matriarch), revered for their experience and trophy count. They’ve survived countless hunts, honed their skills over lifetimes, and earned the respect of their kin. In Yautja society, Elders often oversee important hunts and ceremonies, intervening only when necessary to maintain honor. They embody the old school Predator traditions and often carry ancient weapons or relics as symbols of status.
Film fans will remember the Greyback Elder at the end of Predator 2: after Detective Harrigan defeats the City Hunter, Greyback uncloaks and presents Harrigan with an antique flintlock pistol as a trophy – a mark of respect from one warrior to another. Another Elder appears in Alien vs. Predator (2004), granting survivor Alexa Woods a spear in recognition of her skill and alliance. These moments highlight how Elder Predators observe and honor the outcomes of hunts, rewarding worthy adversaries. Elders usually sport more elaborate ornamentation (engraved masks, capes, and other clan regalia) befitting their rank. In expanded lore, some elders take on formal titles like “Clan Leader” or even “Predator King” – the latter being a near-mythical rank said to command multiple clans. Whether or not a true Predator King exists in canon, one thing is clear: Elder Predators stand at the pinnacle of Yautja hierarchy, guiding the next generation of hunters and preserving the legacy of the Predator species.
From the honorable Classic Predator stalking commandos in the jungle to the hulking Assassin Predator bent on exterminating its own kind, the Yautja species is as diverse as it is deadly. These distinct Yautja types – along with others in the lore – showcase the rich world-building behind the Predator franchise, spanning hot-blooded newcomers, outcast rogues, and ancient leaders. Each variant adds a new layer to what we know about Yautja culture, technology, and evolution.
Whether you’re a longtime fan who enjoys lore-savvy details or a casual viewer who just loves a great monster showdown, there’s a Predator type for everyone. On VeVe, Predator collectibles bring that legacy into focus through the Predator Movie Poster Series, celebrating the franchise’s most iconic films and eras. Alongside the films and Predator comics that helped expand the Yautja mythology, these digital posters capture the artwork, atmosphere, and storytelling that define the hunt, offering fans a new way to connect with the Predator universe beyond the screen.
Everything you read here is written by fans, for fans. This article was created by VeVe and is not officially affiliated with or approved by any licensor. All content referenced belongs to their respective rights holders.
Founded in 2018, VeVe was created for collectors by collectors to bring premium licensed digital collectibles to the mass market. With over 8 million NFTs sold, VeVe is the largest carbon neutral digital collectibles platform, and one of the top grossing Entertainment Apps in the Google Play and Apple stores. #CollectorsAtHeart
