Steelhead

Steelhead
Distinctions	Steelhead body structure similar to Hybrids, taller than standard Hybrids.
Rank	Vary (Basic field commander, Primarch, Overseer)
Weapon	Auger Rifle (R:FoM) Auger Mark II (R2, R:Retribution, R3 and R:BS) Hedgehog Grenade
Games featured	Resistance: Fall of Man Resistance 2 Resistance: Retribution Resistance 3 Resistance: Burning Skies

The Steelhead is a powerful strain of Chimera that are a superiorly engineered version of the Hybrid variant.

Overview

The Steelhead strain can be easily recognised from the metallic headgear they wear, hence their name. Steelheads possess heavy armor which allows them to be at the forefront of any battle where they lead lower Chimeran strains in combat. They are capable, and even willing, to endure any form of punishment to advance the Chimeran invasion, even if they must die in the process.

Steelheads are taller than a Hybrid, though their stooped posture means they do stand somewhat shorter in practice. They are often considered the Chimeran equivalent of a commissioned officer and act as commanders that lead allies into battle, especially Hybrids. Hybrids are also noticeably more aggressive when led by a Steelhead. Considered much more durable then a standard Hybrid, they can even survive a direct hit from a grenade.

By 1957, Steelheads have taken on a more supportive role as they stay in the rear of the Chimeran group instead of the front, which allows them to spot and open fire at enemies with their Augers, safely behind the ranks of other Chimera. Their role of leading the charge in battle appears to have been given to Hybrids, Ravagers and Brawlers.

Resistance: Fall of Man

Steelheads are first encountered in Manchester - "The Cathedral" after Nathan Hale has killed the huge swarm of Leapers that attacked and killed several British soldiers. In combat, Steelheads make use of Auger Rifles which are capable of tunneling through walls and other objects which makes an assault by Steelheads almost unstoppable. They appear frequently throughout the game, often seen leading Hybrids into battle, and are known to be one of the toughest enemy infantry types.

General strategies

• Steelheads often attack with a squad of Hybrids, and they can prove to be very problematic, so they should be the player's primary target. Because of their size, they are often underestimated in terms of speed, however they move roughly the same speed as the smaller Hybrids.
• Their Auger Rifles will become an incredible annoyance, but the player can see where they're tunneling through the wall from, so move before they get through to the player. Taking cover is not an option due to their tunnel walling weapons. Continuously moving and shooting with the M5A2 Folsom Carbine or Bullseye will prove effective. Another way is to equip the L23 Fareye and use the concentrate ability on their head for a quick and easy kill.
  • Alternatively, the player can use the "up close and personal" technique with the Rossmore 236.
  • A safer technique is to tag them with the Bullseye when you first see them, then run away and even if you lose sight of them, your shots will nonetheless connect.
• The Backlash Grenade serves as a valuable countermeasure against Steelheads.

Intel

“	Clever, calculating, and extremely powerful, Steelheads are a superior variant of the Hybrid strain. Their heavy armor is usually seen at the forefront of battle as they lead Hybrids and Hardfangs into combat. They willingly endure any punishment to advance the Chimeran invasion. Steelheads wield the Auger rifle, a weapon which tunnels through walls, making their relentless attacks virtually unstoppable.	”

Resistance 2

Steelheads are first encountered in the town of Orick, where Hale travels in, in order to reach the Chimeran battleship.They appear more slimmed down and have a different type of armor on their head. They are however, much better fighters in close quarters than in Fall of Man, and have a powerful kick in the Co-op campaign. If within close-quarters, Steelheads will fight with their hands rather than using their Augers. They are armed with the newly standard Auger Mark II, and are seen leading even Titans into battle. Their size also varies, as seen in the co-op mode, with Steelhead Overseers being as large as Ravagers. They are often seen fighting alongside Ravagers, who probably command and lead the Steelheads. Like Hybrids, they now have full access to their weapon's features, including the energy shield, which they deploy often.

Steelheads are also the most common elite Chimera (Primarchs and Overseers) seen in co-op. The highest ranked command structure yet encountered in Resistance 2, was comprised of 5 Steelhead Overseers, in Holar Tower, Iceland. However, they were assassinated by Specter Team.

Strategy

• The fastest way to kill a Steelhead is with a slow-motion headshot from the Fareye. This should allow you to drop them before they can fire off too many shots from their Auger.
• Another good tip is to use their Auger Mark II against them. The Auger's thermal scope should allow you to counter the Steelhead's own ability to shoot through walls.
• Due to their size, it should not be very hard for the player to hit a Steelhead with a couple of grenades or rockets, sure enough this amount of force will take these Chimera down.

Resistance: Retribution

Steelheads are first encountered in Bonn level of "Waterfall Chamber", where James Grayson attempt's to rescue Raine Bouchard by following the tubes in the conversion facility in Bonn of Germany, appearing sparingly and usually alongside other enemies to maximize their lethality.

Strategy

• Unlike in the console games, the Steelheads are not quite as strong defensively. It won't take much more ammunition than it would for a normal Hybrid to defeat a Steelhead.
• Recommended weapons are the Razor, Fareye, and Storm Rifle.

Resistance 3

The Steelheads made their first appearance when they attacked Joseph Capelli and Tommy Dean in Haven when they tried to return back to their underground base. The Steelheads also have a different kind of head gear. If a player shoots the Steelhead's head, the helmet might get knocked off and you are able to see that the head is similar to a Hybrid's head and unlike the ones in Resistance 2.

Strategy

• Due to constantly using its Auger's shield barrier, it is recommend in outflanking a Steelhead and attacking from multiple sides or the player can shoot its cooling pack if the player can't flank it.
• EMP Grenade can disable the shield.
• The Deadeye is more effective than the Marksman, when taking on a Steelhead at a distance.
• The HE.44 Magnum is surprisingly very effective as it only takes 2 rounds, provided the rounds are detonated, to kill a Steelhead.
• In certain situations, the Sledgehammer is also a good weapon to use against Steelheads.
• In close quarters, the Rossmore is decent in taking down these Chimera, especially if done with the element of surprise.

​Enemy Journal

“	A heavily-armored advanced variant of the Chimeran Hybrid. The Steelhead tends to stay in the rear of a fight and attack from a distance using a matter-penetrating Auger rifle. Steelheads have a heightened sense of self-preservation, and will use Auger shields to protect themselves when attacked. Primary Weapon - Auger. Secondary Weapon - Hedgehog. Survival Tip: Flank them when they deploy a shield.	”

Resistance: Burning Skies

Steelheads make their first appearance in the Dry Docks of New York, where they attack the naval base in Military Ocean Terminal. Tom Riley is able to acquire an Auger from any of the Steelheads in the level and use it. They are easy to defeat as their AI exclusively deploys a shield and fires from their current position; the shield does not cover their head or upper body, leaving them vulnerable to most weapons, and they have no response to being flanked. They will use melee attacks if the player gets too close, but otherwise they will maintain their distance.

Strategy

• Since the Auger's force barrier protect the Steelhead from any weapon, all except the Auger. Only the upper body or the head becomes very vulnerable to weapons.
• Tag and shoot the Steelhead with the Bullseye or headshot with the Sixeye where the head remain's unprotected.

Intel

“	Lessons learned the hard way, by Lester S. Ever wonder why Steelheads wear brain buckets? The reason is simple. That's the only place their shields don't protect! So don't waste ammo on on their shields. Try for a head shot. That's the best way to put them down. Oh, and one more thing: Never spit into the wind. Never give up, and never give in. - Lester S.	”

Gallery

Resistance: Fall of Man

An early concept of a Steelhead.

A journal of the Steelhead.

A Steelhead running towards the player.

Resistance 2

Nathan Hale face to face with a Steelhead.

Advanced Hybrid and Steelhead action figures.

Resistance: Retribution

Resistance 3

A Steelhead wielding the Auger.

Steelhead from Malikov's journal.

Resistance: Burning Skies

Trivia

• The name could refer to the Rainbow trout, also known as steelheads, that live in the Pacific Ocean and the Great Lakes.

Resistance 2

• The Steelhead skin is unlocked by reaching level 20 in online competitive mode and the Steelhead variant skin at level 23.
• In the campaign and Co-op, the Steelhead along with the Hybrid have the same maneuver and trademark of diving into the ground to dodge an incoming grenade, doing a ridiculous and rather humorous face-first dive.
• In Co-op if a player gets too close, the Steelhead will run and kick them in the face, killing them instantly.
• Strangely, in Competitive Mode, the Steelhead does not wear head armour, so ironically it is a Steelhead without the Steel-Head.
• Most of the voice lines of the Steelhead are English in reverse.

Resistance 3

• The Steelhead skin is unlocked after reaching level 50 in online multiplayer.