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Zombie Classification
There are many differenttheorieson zombies out there, and many times people end up debating whether or not they are capable of climbing stairs, or wether or not they run or not. This section is dedicated to thesorting and classification of different versions of zombies from every movie, book, TV show, game, etc....
Slow-Moving Zombies:The Classic Zombie -
The Classic Zombie had various nicknames including a "shambler" or a "crawler"due to the creature's slow pace and inability to run. Famously portrayed in the Romero series of films,these zombies appear to be suffering from rigor mortis; their movements are labored and stiff. They aremany times portrayed to be dumb, slow-witted, with little or no ability to think and possessing limitedsensed, rotting, and having a taste for human flesh (sometimes brains).They have been portrayed in media to decay at various rates, but the true potential longevity of these typeof zombies is truely unknown. It has been suggested that they may have the capacity for limited use of tools, such as using debris and objects as bludgeons, and may or may not be able to navigate a flight of stairs, or able to "mantle" mid sized objects (small boulders, waist high walls, general obstructions);although these remain speculative assertions at best. More so, there have also been unsubstantiatedanecdotes that these creatures may attempt to re-enact common moments of their lives and to travel to adistinct, important location. It should be noted that there is no objective evidence of this.Depending on the (currently unknown) vector of infection and incubation time, this condition can still potentially propagate just as effectively as as faster-moving, intelligent creature of the same capacity.Personal risk from these infected individuals is still extreme; they seem to possess superior stamina andcomparable strength. They are of greatest threat in large numbers, in dense populations.A true scientist would regard these as the only kind of true zombie; all other variations require some kindof food, which indicates that they require energy and water to operate, which is used to grow andregenerate, and most of them react and adapt to their environment very quickly, thus fulfilling many of the characteristics of being biologically alive. The most fundamental trait of a zombie is that it is undead,or biologically dead, but still animate, so therefore a creature ceases to be a "true" zombie if it requiresfood. All zombies try to eat, but "classic zombies" do not seem to use the nutrients for anything, and thusdo not require energy, and thus do not grow or regenerate, and thus are medically dead.
Running Zombies:Berserker -
This classification of zombies is unique in the fact that they don't attempt to "infect" asurvivor. They instead love to maim their targets, as if they just take pleasure from injuring a person. It is believed that the Adrenal glands are still functioning in this type of zombie, which allows it to reach asprinting speed of up to 30 mph. They are partially intelligent in the fact that they have limited mimicryability e.x.-say they see a person open a door with the handle, instead of knocking down the door theywill use the handle to open it. They may choose to hide withing "mobs" of crawlers and then dead sprintwhen they spot a living.
 
Hunter -
This classification of zombie belongs to both categories (Running, Intelligent). This is one of the few types of zombies that will operate alone and avoid other types of zombies. They are fast, stealthy,and incredibly cunning almost to the point of near human though in a predation mode. They prefer tostick to urban environments where they can hide in abandoned building and descend upon unsuspecting prey. Tall grass and wooded areas are also danger areas. Since their bodies are in full hunt mode musclestrength isn't as much as the "classic" zombie, they will go for the neck and other vital areas fast, two or three handgun rounds to the chest will drop them.(all information here edited by Scout_Sergeant was taken from the zombie hunterscomic series, full credit to the author.)
Intelligent Zombies:Intelligent Classic Zombie -
The notorious zombie film-maker George Romero famously depicted in hisfilm, undead creatures who could emulate and copy human actions. The extent of this ability isquestionable. Most zombies observed to be undertaking some kind of complicated action, appear to betotally unaware of their surroundings and their actions seem to be ideomotor and not intentional.Although there is a division, in both Land Of The Dead and the original Day of the Dead, there werezombie characters who were depicted to learn, either through necessity or being taught. Both characters,Bub (from Day of the Dead), and the zombie known as "Big Daddy" (from land of the dead) were able tosuccessfully shoot a gun, think both strategically and mechanically, shown by their ability to reason and problem solve. Bub was depicted rather as a mindless dog-like creature, with an attachment to his master and who obeys simple commands with the offer of reward; near the end of the film he display self-motivation, but his final circumstances remain unknown. Alternatively, the character "Big Daddy" is portrayed as a zombie leader of sorts; other zombies seem to follow his example, as he leads themtowards Fiddler's Green, solving problems as they are encountered. His basis for learning seems to be avery primal sense of self-preservation as opposed to being conditioned or taught.
Lich Zombie -
These lesser-known pseudozombies are creations of David Wellington. Invoking either magic or undefined sci-fi, these creatures are cognitive beings, with full ability for language and thought.They have a limited capacity for fine dexterity and quickly loose touch with their humanity, as theyrequire the consumption of life to exist. These creatures are few and far between in David Wellington'sliterary universe, and are vastly outnumbered by the generic "classic zombie", both being because caused by the same unseen force. These beings will decay and loose influence and power if they fail to feed,otherwise they will appear as a freshly-decease corpse, free of decay. Not only can these Lich Zombieswield weapons, armor and can think as well as any living human, but Lich Zombies commonly havesupernatural powers of some form. These power vary greatly from individual to individual and their  personal circumstances. These abilities range from invisibility, super strength, ESP, telekineses, projectileenergy, psychoprojection, and much more. Although these Lich Zombie seem much more powerful, theyhave the same weakness as the classic zombie; the brain.
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RJ Gentry

This document will be getting a revision sometime soon

reply03 / 18 / 2009
Billi_Butcherson

I wonder where Billy Butcherson (from the movie, Hocus Pocus) would fall in this. He's intelligent, but slow-moving and stiff. He was resurrected by magic, and for awhile, was a slave to the witch who brought him back. He freed himself, joined the heroes as a "good Zombie", helped them defeat the witches, then returned to his grave. So what kind of Zombie is Billy?

reply01 / 21 / 2009
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