You can't kill a xenomorph with a flamethrower

[HEXEN]

Xenomorphs in the Alien series are supposed to be impervious to extreme temperatures. The AvP series has it otherwise but it isn't canon in the Alien series. It's weird seeing xenomorphs being calcinated via flamethrower in the screenshots.

Edit : It appears a lot of people coming in the thread get the sense that I'm campaigning against this game which is not the case at all. It's only a game after all and having the flamethrower kill adult xenomorphs is an alright gameplay mechanic, although not a very lore friendly one in my opinion. I fully intend to buy this game on release. The intent of this thread is to have a discussion/debate on the subject.

[Herald_UK]

VIDEOGAMES \o/

[Echorion]

I mean we've seen them survive molten lead which has a melting point of 327.5°C however it shattered when rapidly cooled with sprinklers so we know that the sudden temperature change was enough to kill them.
So they might be able to withstand a flamethrower, which can put out heat as high as even 1000°C.
However given the rapid cooling of sprinklers shattered one then it could be argued that a flamethrower; in the future where it has been engineered to be even MORE powerful than what exists in our current world, could be putting out enough to cause some damage even to a xenomorph. We know they modify the fuel and other things with the ones they use if they expect xeno encounters as well.

It's enough to destroy the eggs at least and clean the place out we know that as well as that they can kill chest bursters. It's also been shown to be very unpleasant to the Aliens enough to even make them retreat.

I assume we are only using movies as the reference point here however, as in games like Aliens: Colonial Marines (which I am quite happy to just ignore) and some comics (Such as newts tale) and such, flamethrowers have been fairly effective at killing aliens to some degree.

In the weyland yutani report, they say that the fire shows little physical effect but it does appear to deter them a fair bit.


All in all, It would be cool to have someone like hit it with liquid nitrogen or something after you hit it with fire, to deal critical damage or even insta kill lesser units. That would be some cool coop play action.....

[Cannonball]

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by Echorion:

I mean we've seen them survive molten lead which has a melting point of 327.5°C however it shattered when rapidly cooled with sprinklers so we know that the sudden temperature change was enough to kill them.
So they might be able to withstand a flamethrower, which can put out heat as high as even 1000°C.
However given the rapid cooling of sprinklers shattered one then it could be argued that a flamethrower; in the future where it has been engineered to be even MORE powerful than what exists in our current world, could be putting out enough to cause some damage even to a xenomorph. We know they modify the fuel and other things with the ones they use if they expect xeno encounters as well.

It's enough to destroy the eggs at least and clean the place out we know that as well as that they can kill chest bursters. It's also been shown to be very unpleasant to the Aliens enough to even make them retreat.

I assume we are only using movies as the reference point here however, as in games like Aliens: Colonial Marines (which I am quite happy to just ignore) and some comics (Such as newts tale) and such, flamethrowers have been fairly effective at killing aliens to some degree.

In the weyland yutani report, they say that the fire shows little physical effect but it does appear to deter them a fair bit.


All in all, It would be cool to have someone like hit it with liquid nitrogen or something after you hit it with fire, to deal critical damage or even insta kill lesser units. That would be some cool coop play action.....

Yes such thermal shock can kill them as their mesoskeleton cannot withstand such a level of expansion followed rapidly by contraction. But it's not the temperature as-is that kills them it's the thermodynamics of such a scenario. Remember that in the first movie, Big Chap gets blasted by the ship's engine exhaust flame, much like what @Cannonball is describing, and it doesn't seem to cause him any damage. It just propels him into space.

Furthermore, Ash is the one to suggest that the crew should use a flamethrower against it and Ash doesn't want to damage the xenomorph. He suggested that it would scare it rather than kill it ("I mean...most animals retreat from fire, yes?"). And that's after suggesting that the facehugger "has a funny habit of shedding his cells and replacing them with polarized silicon, which gives him a prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions.". He knows what up.

But I do agree with your suggestion though. It would be great to be able to induce thermal shock in xenomorphs using fire and liquid nitrogen!

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

You're right! Good catch!

[Echorion]

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Originally posted by Echorion:

I mean we've seen them survive molten lead which has a melting point of 327.5°C however it shattered when rapidly cooled with sprinklers so we know that the sudden temperature change was enough to kill them.
So they might be able to withstand a flamethrower, which can put out heat as high as even 1000°C.
However given the rapid cooling of sprinklers shattered one then it could be argued that a flamethrower; in the future where it has been engineered to be even MORE powerful than what exists in our current world, could be putting out enough to cause some damage even to a xenomorph. We know they modify the fuel and other things with the ones they use if they expect xeno encounters as well.

It's enough to destroy the eggs at least and clean the place out we know that as well as that they can kill chest bursters. It's also been shown to be very unpleasant to the Aliens enough to even make them retreat.

I assume we are only using movies as the reference point here however, as in games like Aliens: Colonial Marines (which I am quite happy to just ignore) and some comics (Such as newts tale) and such, flamethrowers have been fairly effective at killing aliens to some degree.

In the weyland yutani report, they say that the fire shows little physical effect but it does appear to deter them a fair bit.


All in all, It would be cool to have someone like hit it with liquid nitrogen or something after you hit it with fire, to deal critical damage or even insta kill lesser units. That would be some cool coop play action.....

Yes such thermal shock can kill them as their mesoskeleton cannot withstand such a level of expansion followed rapidly by contraction. But it's not the temperature as-is that kills them it's the thermodynamics of such a scenario. Remember that in the first movie, Big Chap gets blasted by the ship's engine exhaust flame, much like what @Cannonball is describing, and it doesn't seem to cause him any damage. It just propels him into space.

Furthermore, Ash is the one to suggest that the crew should use a flamethrower against it and Ash doesn't want to damage the xenomorph. He suggested that it would scare it rather than kill it ("I mean...most animals retreat from fire, yes?"). And that's after suggesting that the facehugger "has a funny habit of shedding his cells and replacing them with polarized silicon, which gives him a prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions.". He knows what up.

But I do agree with your suggestion though. It would be great to be able to induce thermal shock in xenomorphs using fire and liquid nitrogen!

You say that like your arguing with me but are just confirming what I just said haha I was really confused for a sec lol.

But yeah, I feel some kind of hyper heating/cooling team play mechanic would make more sense and be better for the gameplay coop experience; but honestly I worry because the game doesn't look all that uh...deep so to speak. I don't really expect in depth mechanics like that.

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

About twice that of what a flamethrower heat is at least yeah.

The only thing flamethrowers have been outright stated to kill in cannon are Facehuggers, eggs, and chest bursters. Soon as it comes game time though, suddenly xenomorphs become fragile as hell for some reason.

[GothMommy]

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

i cant because we saw them in aliens get burned by ripley to death by a flamethrower ..

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by Lilith:

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

i cant because we saw them in aliens get burned by ripley to death by a flamethrower ..

Only the eggs get burned. You never see a drone, warrior, runner, etc get burned in any of the movies.

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by Echorion:

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Yes such thermal shock can kill them as their mesoskeleton cannot withstand such a level of expansion followed rapidly by contraction. But it's not the temperature as-is that kills them it's the thermodynamics of such a scenario. Remember that in the first movie, Big Chap gets blasted by the ship's engine exhaust flame, much like what @Cannonball is describing, and it doesn't seem to cause him any damage. It just propels him into space.

Furthermore, Ash is the one to suggest that the crew should use a flamethrower against it and Ash doesn't want to damage the xenomorph. He suggested that it would scare it rather than kill it ("I mean...most animals retreat from fire, yes?"). And that's after suggesting that the facehugger "has a funny habit of shedding his cells and replacing them with polarized silicon, which gives him a prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions.". He knows what up.

But I do agree with your suggestion though. It would be great to be able to induce thermal shock in xenomorphs using fire and liquid nitrogen!

You say that like your arguing with me but are just confirming what I just said haha I was really confused for a sec lol.

But yeah, I feel some kind of hyper heating/cooling team play mechanic would make more sense and be better for the gameplay coop experience; but honestly I worry because the game doesn't look all that uh...deep so to speak. I don't really expect in depth mechanics like that.

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I agree with OP. And even more - in Covenant xenomorph passes through the plasma stream, which is much hotter than the fire, whithout any damage.

But hey - it is a game and flamethrower is very very fun weapon. Relax and enjoy.

About twice that of what a flamethrower heat is at least yeah.

The only thing flamethrowers have been outright stated to kill in cannon are Facehuggers, eggs, and chest bursters. Soon as it comes game time though, suddenly xenomorphs become fragile as hell for some reason.

Sorry it came out that way I was just adding other points to the argument!

[kordelas]

If we assume that they are similar to bugs, then high temperature can negatively impact their protective moisturizing lipid layer. Thus killing them. Even if their exoskeleton does not burn.

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by kordelas:

If we assume that they are similar to bugs, then high temperature can negatively impact their protective moisturizing lipid layer. Thus killing them. Even if their exoskeleton does not burn.

Possibly but I doubt it since we never see anything like that happen in the movies. What we do see in the movies is Xenomorphs resisting extreme temperatures such as a direct blast from a rocket engine exhaust and that's definitely leagues hotter than what a flamethrower can spit. In this here game we'll be able to burn xenomorphs to a crisp in a matter of seconds using a flamethrower which is absolutely not lore friendly.

[kordelas]

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Originally posted by kordelas:

If we assume that they are similar to bugs, then high temperature can negatively impact their protective moisturizing lipid layer. Thus killing them. Even if their exoskeleton does not burn.

Possibly but I doubt it since we never see anything like that happen in the movies. What we do see in the movies is Xenomorphs resisting extreme temperatures such as a direct blast from a rocket engine exhaust and that's definitely leagues hotter than what a flamethrower can spit. In this here game we'll be able to burn xenomorphs to a crisp in a matter of seconds using a flamethrower which is absolutely not lore friendly.

However the game is not trying to be a movie simulator. And it is just a fantasy based on fantasy. Even if we try to put logic into it. Some things work better for movies, some for video games.

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by kordelas:

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Possibly but I doubt it since we never see anything like that happen in the movies. What we do see in the movies is Xenomorphs resisting extreme temperatures such as a direct blast from a rocket engine exhaust and that's definitely leagues hotter than what a flamethrower can spit. In this here game we'll be able to burn xenomorphs to a crisp in a matter of seconds using a flamethrower which is absolutely not lore friendly.

However the game is not trying to be a movie simulator. And it is just a fantasy based on fantasy. Even if we try to put logic into it. Some things work better for movies, some for video games.

Yes of course. It is probably for the best in a game like this. But I'd like to see xenomorphs get respect and their abilities acknowledged more often like what we got in Isolation (even though the Sevastopol drone was atypically large). Lore-wise, to effectively kill xenomorphs you need armor piercing explosive rounds and nothing less.

[kordelas]

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Yes of course. It is probably for the best in a game like this. But I'd like to see xenomorphs get respect and their abilities acknowledged more often like what we got in Isolation (even though the Sevastopol drone was atypically large). Lore-wise, to effectively kill xenomorphs you need armor piercing explosive rounds and nothing less.

Let's leave it for another game in a style of A:I. There is a fan which develops ALIEN: Hope For The Future, if you have not heard about it yet.

[HEXEN]

Originally posted by kordelas:

Originally posted by HEXEN:

Yes of course. It is probably for the best in a game like this. But I'd like to see xenomorphs get respect and their abilities acknowledged more often like what we got in Isolation (even though the Sevastopol drone was atypically large). Lore-wise, to effectively kill xenomorphs you need armor piercing explosive rounds and nothing less.

Let's leave it for another game in a style of A:I. There is a fan which develops ALIEN: Hope For The Future, if you have not heard about it yet.

Oh wow I was not aware of this. Thanks for the heads up!