Arachnids

The name or term "Arachnids" should not be confused with Pseudo-Arachnid.

Main

Chronicles

The Arachnids, commonly referred to as Bugs and Archies, represent a hostile alien species that has subjugated numerous planets throughout the galaxy, establishing an empire diametrically opposed to the human-dominated United Citizen Federation. Initially perceived as mindless entities lacking sentience, further examination, revealed the Arachnids to possess millions of years of evolutionary development, rendering them an exceptionally adapted species in terms of survival. Their capacity to colonize planets through the dispersion of their spores into space, coupled with a social structure finely attuned to their mental acumen, underscores their formidable capabilities.

	The only good Bug is a dead Bug!
—Starship Troopers (1997 film)

As the conflict with the Arachnids unfolded, it became evident that they operate under a structured caste system, wherein each subspecies fulfills a distinct role within Arachnid society. Notably, Brain Bugs and the God Bug exhibit formidable psychic capabilities, enabling them to exert control over all bugs within a colony and facilitate communication with allies across interstellar distances.

The majority of Bug types exhibit intelligence levels below that of an average human, with exceptions found among leadership castes including the Brain Bug, Control Bug, God Bug, and the Queen.

History

As the United Citizen Federation expanded its territorial reach across the Galaxy, encounters with the Arachnid Species became inevitable, as they had established a vast empire of their own. Initially perceived by the Federation as a less advanced civilization, deemed unworthy of attention from higher beings, such as themselves, measures were taken to avoid direct confrontation. Consequently, the region of space colonized by the Arachnids was placed under quarantine, prohibiting human settlement within its bounds. Despite these precautions, unauthorized colonies were established on Arachnid planets, often resulting in retaliatory attacks by the Arachnids, swiftly decimating the settlements. Numerous such colonies met a grim fate, exemplified by the tragedy at Port Joe Smith, where inhabitants were ruthlessly slaughtered, leaving the streets desolate and macabre.

When a meteor breached the Arachnid Quarantine Zone, obliterating Buenos Aires, the Federation attributed the catastrophe to the Arachnids, interpreting it as an unmistakable declaration of war. This event marked the onset of the First Bug War, subsequently followed by the Second Bug War.

Species

Name	Image	Notes
Chariot Bug		While not inherently posing a lethal threat, these insects serve primarily as laborers rather than combatants within the Arachnid hierarchy.
Sentinel Bug		Serves as a small, non-combative support unit capable of emitting bright light to disorient adversaries, primarily inhabiting dark or subterranean environments. Despite lacking offensive capabilities and armor, their strategic role lies in blinding foes rather than direct combat engagement.
Worker Bug		Fulfills essential labor duties within Arachnid colonies, including tunnel construction and maintenance, showcasing a non-aggressive disposition and a tendency to flee when threatened. Despite their physical resemblance to Warriors, their focus on non-combat tasks differentiates them, leading to initial confusion among Mobile Infantry forces.
Rhino Worker		Two distinct types of Arachnids are categorized as Rhino Bugs: the worker and the warrior. Rhino Warriors are powerful and heavily armored units of the arachnid forces, capable of charging and delivering devastating horn attacks. The Rhino Worker is a shortsighted worker bug that becomes dangerous if provoked.
Drone Bug		The juvenile stage of Warrior Bugs. Possess smaller frames and less durable shells compared to adults, usually residing near brood hives and tunnels, attacking only when provoked.
Warrior Bug		The foundational infantry unit among the Arachnid species, omnipresent across battlefronts and conflicts, distinguished by its sheer numerical superiority and adaptability in fulfilling diverse combat roles. Serving as the quintessential general-purpose infantry, Warriors outnumber other Arachnid types and contribute to the bulk of ground forces in engagements against their adversaries.
Tiger Bug		A robust iteration of Warrior Bugs that features distinctive tiger-like stripes and formidable chitinous armor, rendering it impervious to conventional weaponry with limited piercing capabilities. Its heightened aggression and resilient exoskeletons demand specialized armaments like the Morita Assault Rifle for effective neutralization on the battlefield.
Tiger Spit		An evolved version of the Tiger Bug that can attack from a distance by spitting an acid-like plasma and is protected by armor plating. Its weaknesses include difficulty tracking moving targets and identifying friend from foe, leading to potential friendly fire.
Tiger Shard		An evolved version of the Tiger Bug that combines powerful long-distance attacks with formidable close-range capabilities. Equipped with armor plating and the ability to fire calcified plasma shards, it can adapt its strategy based on the situation. However, it can be provoked into charging, leaving it vulnerable to coordinated attacks.
Frost Warrior		A new variant of warrior bug adapted to the tundra climate of Boreas. Nothing is currently known about these warrior variants outside of what is known about the base arachnid warrior.
Heavy Bug		A large Warrior variant encountered during the Battle of Fort Casey
Fire Warrior Bug		Possesses remarkable resilience, exhibiting similar abilities to the standard Warrior but with an added immunity to lava pools and all fire-based weaponry employed by the Federation.
Royal Guard Bug		Evolved from the Tiger Bug; serves as a highly resilient protector of the Hive core and eggs, often found near Brain or Queen Bugs. Larger and stronger than its predecessors, this variant becomes exceptionally ferocious and enters a frenzied state when critically injured.
Royal Warrior Bug		The Royal Warrior Bug, an intelligent, fast, and heavily armored arachnid, serves as a general or Brain Bug protector, and delivers powerful attacks with its legs, jaws, and possibly ranged plasma shards. Though its eyes might be a weak point, there are no well-established recommended weapons for combating it.
Super Tank Bug		A massive iteration of the Warrior Bug, it takes on the role of the Tanker species' primary frontline unit, marked by its imposing size and distinctive red markings. Its formidable presence on the battlefield is underscored by the discharge of a unique purple-hued corrosive liquid, posing a significant threat to adversaries.
Rhino Warrior		Two distinct types of Arachnids are categorized as Rhino Bugs: the worker and the warrior. Rhino Warriors are powerful and heavily armored units of the arachnid forces, capable of charging and delivering devastating horn attacks. The Rhino Worker is a shortsighted worker bug that becomes dangerous if provoked.
Spitter Bug		A variant of the Warrior Bug equipped with a ranged attack capability, observed during the Battle of Fort Casey.
Spitter Bug		Encountered during the Battle of Kwalasha, these bugs discharged a ranged green spray at their adversaries.
Cliff Mite		Cliffmites, or Rock Spitters, are a species of slow, almost static bugs that exhibit sniping capabilities
Gunner Bug		Encountered during Battle of Valaka. A large bug with projectile weapons.
Chameleon Bug		A silent deadly soldier; capable of turning invisible.
Hopper Bug		Executes hit-and-run tactics and offer aerial support, akin to Warrior Bugs but with wings. Swift and agile in flight, they utilize stingers and claws in combat, though their lightly armored bodies make them vulnerable to countermeasures.
Firefly		Equipped with a flamethrower, this is a variant of the Hopper Bug utilized by the Arachnids in the First Bug War. It discharged a corrosive substance similar to that of the Tanker Bug, offering lethal air support to Arachnid forces.
Rippler Bug		An explosive aerial attacker, known for its yellow glow. It was eradicated after the Battle of Hesperus following the capture of the Brain Bug.
Bomber Bee		A small airborne Arachnid that dives towards enemies, detonating upon impact. Its explosion can cause severe bodily harm and penetrate armor plating.
Pyrofly		An airborne Arachnid that hovers and disperses a combustible substance. Its robust exoskeleton makes it resistant to conventional rifle fire, rendering it challenging to neutralize.
Hornet Bug		These flying bugs lived in Nests attached to the backs of some Tanker Bugs.
Blaster Bug		Small infiltration specialists of the arachnid forces, known for their surprise attacks and erratic movements, which make them difficult targets. They are frail and less effective alone, relying on medium-ranged plasma attacks in groups.
Inferno Bug		Equipped with a fire-resistant carapace, it exhibits resilience against both fire-based assaults and conventional small-arms fire. Located near the posterior region of the insect, glands produce a highly viscous flammable liquid akin to napalm, which is subsequently ignited and launched from an internal organ.
Stinger Bug		Encountered on Gehenna
Immolator		Observed during the Battle of Gehenna, it uses an incendiary substance as its primary ranged attack and tends towards suicidal behavior when severely injured.
Burster		Equipped with a projectile that detonates after a brief delay, inflicting devastating damage to infantry and armor in its blast radius. Notably, it possesses a post-mortem explosion tendency, posing a threat to nearby allies and enemies, making strategic elimination paramount for battlefield advantage.
Scorpion Bug		A heavily armored insect used during the Second Bug War. Despite its slow mobility, its thick armor makes it nearly invulnerable to rifle rounds, with at least one engaging in the Battle of Roku San.
Ravager Bug		Larger and deadlier than its predecessor, the Scorpion Bug, it can launch explosive projectiles, posing a significant threat to armored units. When severely damaged, it sheds its tail and becomes a formidable melee combatant, using its powerful pincers to penetrate armor.
Tanker Bug		Emit a corrosive liquid from their heads through a nozzle-like spout. These creatures play a vital role in armored support, boasting resilient exoskeletons that provide substantial protection against gunfire but vulnerability to explosives, especially when targeting weakened areas.
Hornet Tanker Bug		Can spawn additional Hornets from a distance, posing a significant challenge to infantry and lightly armored vehicles. Neutralizing this threat requires careful planning and coordination to overcome the continuous swarm of Hornets.
Plasma Grenadier Bug		A smaller version of the Plasma Bug; excels in both close combat and ranged attacks, demonstrating surprising agility in battlefield maneuvers.
Plasma Bug		Fulfill crucial roles in planetary defense and anti-aircraft operations, launching powerful plasma bursts from their sizable abdomens. These bursts possess immense destructive potential, capable of deflecting asteroids and damaging capital ships, while also potentially serving as launch platforms for spore capsules.
Bombardier Bug		A spherical Arachnid engineered for self-destructive deployment. It transitions from a closed state upon launch to an open state upon detonation, functioning similarly to a grenade.
Chaser Bug		Acts as a suicide bomber but exhibits increased agility and intelligence compared to its predecessor. Encountered at Fort Casey, it participated in the battle against the Roughnecks K-12 Team.
Bug Larva		Infant bug. Limited perception.
Consort Bug		Breeder Bug. Indicates the presence of a Queen Bug.
Control Bug		Excels in subjugating human hosts, eliminating them to take control of their bodies, effectively utilizing them as puppets to advance Arachnid objectives.
Brain Bug		Holds a crucial command and control function within Arachnid armies, capable of extracting and utilizing the knowledge and possibly memories from brains, notably human ones.
Queen Bug		A pivotal figure in the Arachnid hierarchy. One was captured by Carl Jenkins and his Elite Guard to prevent her self-destruction. Despite initial underestimation of her intelligence, she orchestrated a massacre aboard the John A. Warden and seized control of the ship for an assault on Earth.
God Bug		The apex of Arachnid hierarchy. It is deeply rooted in the planet's surface, employing numerous appendages for capturing prey and generating crevices across vast areas. Its ability to manipulate lifeless organisms and absorb memories sets it apart, though the existence of multiple specimens remains uncertain.

UCF-controlled Bugs

Name	Image	Notes
X-Bug		A genetically modified Royal Warrior which is highly intelligent, fast, and heavily armored, surpassing its unaltered counterparts in strategic thinking. While its weaknesses and attack capabilities are classified, rumors suggest it might possess sonic or psychic abilities.
Intel Bug		A unique group of Bugs manipulated through brainwashing by Psi Ops. Marked with "FIB," they function as clandestine assets in intelligence operations, primarily composed of Warriors and Workers.

Notes

• The term "Arachnid," derived from the Greek word for "spider," is believed to have originated from the depiction of "Pseudo-Arachnids" resembling giant spiders in the novel. However, it's worth noting that none of the Arachnid species bear significant resemblance to actual spiders.
• Originally, "Arachnids" served as an alternative designation for the Pseudo-Arachnids in the Starship Troopers board wargame.
• In the Starship Troopers: The Miniatures Game, they are referred to as the Arachnid Empire.
• Within the Miniatures Game narrative, SICON Military Intelligence speculates that the Arachnid Empire might be a bio-engineered race designed to function as the military arm of another alien species, drawing parallels to the Zentradi from Robotech (also known as Macross in Japan).
• An arachnid-themed sticker is featured in "Match Masters," an iOS/Android game, within the "Area 51" sticker album, specifically on the third page, labeled with the number 504.

Appearance

• Starship Troopers film universe
• Starship Troopers: Terran Command

See also

• Weapons (film)