Bullsquid



Bullsquids are a fictional alien species in the science fiction computer game Half-Life (Valve Software, 1998). They are bipedal, highly aggressive creatures that appear throughout the Black Mesa Research Facility due to a dimensional rift. Bullsquid appear to be able to survive, if not thrive, in environments that are unfriendly or even toxic to humans, including sewers and pools of radioactive, chemical or biological waste. In its native dimension, called Xen, bullsquid are sometimes found near pools of an unknown liquid that has healing properties to humans. Note, that the bullsquid is referred to as the bullchicken in the console, i.e. "give monster_bullchicken".

Physical description


The body of a bullsquid is vaguely similar in appearance to that of a small sauropod, with two short, muscular legs and a thick tail that tapers to a point. The thorax abruptly joins the creature's head with no neck or other visible separation. A typical specimen stands roughly one metre tall and about two metres in length. Two slit-pupiled eyes are mounted on either side of its head.

The bullsquid's most striking feature, however, is the collection of bright red, tentacular protrusions which surround its mouth and allow it to grasp prey. The bullsquid can also charge an opponent with surprising speed and force; these two attributes (tentacles and a tendency to charge) lend the creature its portmanteau name.

The bullsquid's overall coloration is roughly comparable to that of a spotted cat: its skin is a sandy brown covered on its upper surfaces with dark spots. The creature's skin appears to be slimy and viscous, however, similar to that of a terrestrial amphibian such as a frog.

Bullsquids display a very territorial disposition, as they have often been seen attacking other creatures and even members of their own species.

Offensive abilities
The bullsquid has quite an impressive set of offensive capabilities: At close range, a hostile bullsquid can maw an opponent with its set of teeth(located in it's mouth at the base of it's tentacles) and toss it with great force. When the object of hostility is beyond the range of this methods of aggression, the bullsquid can "spit" a yellowish, highly corrosive secretion with quite decent accuracy. Bullsquids will also deliver "death blows" when they sense their opponents are weak enough by performing a round-house with their heavy tail, often gibbing them.

Bullsquids in Half-Life 2
While not in Half-Life 2 itself, the book Raising the Bar explains that the creatures were, at least, going to be visible or mentioned during it. Dr. Eli Vance's lost leg was to be explained as a result of a bullsquid attack, and one of the scenes during a plot-reveal scene would have shown bullsquids frollicking outside a supermarket. The Half-Life 2: Substance mod incorporates the bullsquid by placing it in modified versions of existing Half-Life 2 maps.