The Swarm

For the similarly named weapon, see Sw.A.R.M..

The Swarm
Distinctions	Composed of evolved Crawlers.
Primary Attack	Teeth
Games featured	Resistance 2

"Hurry! It's out here! Let me in! It's coming!"

―A scientist begging for help before being torn to pieces by The Swarm.

The Swarm is a highly evolved form of Crawlers and boss that appears in Resistance 2.

Overview

The Swarm is a newly evolved form of the Crawler strain in which its existence was made known in Station Genesis. Likely due to the Spinner strain that replaced the role of the Crawlers, the Chimera reutilized the Crawlers into a more deadlier entity. The Swarm is able to digest metals that then become infused into its exoskeleton, which their bodies composed of approximately 80% titanium-silver alloy by weight. As a result the Swarm is highly resilient against human firearms. However, due to its metallic exoskeleton, the Swarm is highly electrically conductive and therefore vulnerable to electrical weaponry. Dr. Fyodor Malikov feared the possibility of more Swarms and recommended SRPA in investing hand-held electrical weaponry against the species.

Resistance 2

The Swarm serves as a boss enemy in Bryce Canyon. Nathan Hale first encounters the Swarm after he and his team reactivated the controls to the elevator, finding a helpless scientist begging for their help before he is torn into pieces by the Swarm. The Swarm then proceeds by entering the air vent and killing all of Hale's men while he races back to the elevator. Shortly after, the creature tracks down Hale through the air vents and tries to kill him. Hale successfully outruns the creature where he runs into Dr. Fyodor Malikov and Daedalus. The final time Hale encounters the Swarm is when he tries to escape with Dr. Malikov while they are pursued by the Swarm. Malikov soon discovers the Swarm's weakness as it evades the generator shields. With the aid of Malikov, the Swarm is repeatedly trapped in three shield generators and weakening it to allow Hale to kill the Swarm with a Pulse Cannon.

Strategy

The Swarm is unable to get to Hale and Malikov in the generator.

Generally, the Swarm is invincible. In order to destroy it, players must lure it to the three generators near the end of the level. Lure the Swarm inside a generator and Malikov will activate it, trapping the Swarm inside and allowing the player to blast it with a Pulse Cannon. Repeat these steps with the remaining generators (the generators will disable when the player hit The Swarm with the Pulse Cannon) and the Swarm will be dead for good. Each time the Swarm will be less eager to attack the player, requiring them to wait longer before retreating past the generator core.

While fighting the Swarm, the player can use their weapons to slow down the Swarm. If the player do not do this, The Swarm will catch up and kill the player in a matter of seconds. The HVAP Wraith has been proven to have the most catastrophic damage to the Swarm, though it is not the most optimal weapon to use as firing it slows the player's movement.

Gallery

Concept art of the Swarm.

The Swarm chases Hale down the hallway.

Trivia

• Dr. Malikov referred to the Swarm's scientific name, neuroptera spiculus; "spiculus" means 'sharp point' while "neuroptera" is an order of insects having biting mouth-parts and four large membranous wings with netlike veins. This order includes antlions, green lacewings, and brown lacewings.
• The Swarm's concept and appearance bear an incredible resemblance to the Tetramites from Insomniac Games' Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Just like the Swarm, the Tetramites are invincible.
• Amusingly, if the player is killed by the Swarm while trapped in the first generator, the last thing they hear will be Malikov saying "Good job, Nathan!"
• If the player uses the L23 Fareye to zoom in on the Swarm, it appears the Swarm is made up of tiny Chimeran Drones.
• It is one of the most difficult bosses in the game as it can kill the player easily. 
• After reaching the second generator before the boss fight with the Swarm, it's stopped from reaching Hale and Malikov by a closed door, only for a Ravager to come and open the door for it. The door doesn't reach the ceiling, and there is a large open area above it, suggesting that the Swarm cannot fly very high off of the ground.