The Stormguard Stalker (also referred to as the "Oni Stalker") is one of the secondary antagonists of Tomb Raider. He is assumed to be the leader of Himiko's Stormguard after the Stormguard General committed Seppuku.
Personality[]
The Stormguard Stalker is a loyal soldier of Himiko and at the same time, a monstrous and inhuman beast. He displays unwavering dedication to the Sun Queen, fiercely protecting her decaying body alongside the other Stormguard for centuries on Yamatai.
The Stormguard Stalker appeared to lead the other members of the army following the death of the original leader. With his fellow samurai, the Stormguard Stalker attacked and kill humans residing on Yamatai. This happened to any who trespassed on areas the Stormguard protected or those they came across. He alongside the rest of the Stormguard appeared to be hostile to all outsiders and attacked any perceived threat; they even appeared to actively hunt and kill humans. Those dead were killed in a bloodthirsty and sadistic manner, having been mutilated by the Stormguard Stalker and other samurai who collected their corpses, presumably to devour them. This was done even to the Solarii Brotherhood despite the fact the cult worshiped Himiko like the Stormguard, and sought to revive her as well. The Stormguard Stalker and other samurai were either unaware of this fact or simply did not care, the latter if true would further show his merciless nature. Even when the Solarii were on the verge of bringing back Himiko, they were still attacked by the Stormguard Stalker and other samurai who did not hesitate to kill them, though he did still appear to protect the ritual instigated by the cult, showing his own loyalty to the Sun Queen.
True to his appearance, the Stormguard Stalker is a destructive monster and fights with great brutality. He wields a huge mace that he swings at his targets with full force and aside from that, uses his hands and feet to decimate them. The Stormguard Stalker does show intelligence at times though. He was able to effectively coordinate and lead his fellow soldiers in battle, all of whom were seen following his roaring and unintelligible commands without question. The Stormguard Stalker also shows an arrogant and/or boastful side; during his fight with Lara Croft, he could occasionally be heard laughing at his opponent. There was an unrelenting aspect to him as well, shown when he did not back down during his fight with Croft despite receiving multiple shots and other such injuries before being incapacitated and finally finished by her.
History[]
He first appears when Lara Croft attempts to rescue the co-pilot of the crashed rescue plane. When Lara arrives, the Solarii have taken the pilot hostage over the bridge. She is overpowered by them and is knocked out, but as her vision dims she glimpses men running past her, slaughtering the Solarii, and the Stormguard Stalker appears with his allies.
He is seen when Lara awakens in the larder, surrounded by corpses and captured yet again. She manages to escape through a hole in the wall, looking back as the Stalker is walking into the room. Lara continues into a chamber, where she is attacked by the Solarii. After killing them, Lara looks to see one of the cultists peering over the edge to ask why he's been hearing gunshots. He is ambushed by the Stalker, who doesn't notice Lara.
His next appearance is when Lara sneaks into the chasm to rescue Sam. He is preparing for battle, likely against the Solarii, as the Oni help put on his armor. He catches Lara and sends guards to attack. After a massive battle against the stormguards, she comes to face the stalker, however the strong winds blowing some wooden fences knock him out of the way for Lara to continue.
He is finally encountered when Lara nearly reaches Sam, there he appears to stop her. He first kills two Solarii cultists to later fight Lara. The Stalker is armored everywhere but his back, which she uses to best him. After fighting off waves of Stormguards and crippling the Stalker, Lara smashes his helmet and delivers the killing blow with her climbing axe.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Undead Physiology: It is possible he is undead, and has been alive for centuries, due to curses placed on them by the Sun Queen. He roars in an inhuman way, and has inhuman facial features underneath his mask.
- Enhanced Condition: He is far faster, stronger and more durable than any Solarii cultist or Oni soldier.
- Inhuman Strength: He has a certain degree of superhuman strength, being able to wield his giant club to full effect, crush enemies with just his bare hands, and kick open a massive sealed door.
- Inhuman Durability: He is far more resilient to damage than any human. He is able to sustain massive ballistic trauma, a few stabs to the head & falling off great heights without apparent injury.
- Stormguard Armor: His unique armored exterior is strong enough to be impervious to bullets.
- War Expertise: As most of his soldiers, he's probably been trained since birth in the arts of war, combat and swordsmanship.