The Mandíbula is a type of enemy that appears in both the original and remake versions of Resident Evil 4. It is a Plaga that has matured within a human host and emerged to control the body directly.
Biology[]
During nighttime, Ganados become more deadly as the Plagas within their bodies become more active. If severely injured, or reacting to a signal from an Illuminados cult leader, the Ganado's Plaga will emerge, destroying the host's head as it extends from the neck stump.
The Mandíbula (Spanish for "mandible") is the sub-adult stage of the Plaga's life cycle. When it erupts from its host body, it appears as a stalk consisting mostly of cartilage adorned with a series of small feelers. The top of the creature opens into a cross-shaped maw with each mandible lined with numerous sharp teeth. This powerful appendage is used to bite the heads off of victims.
Combat[]
Mandíbula will move towards prey steadily and with deadly purpose. However, if encountered in an enclosed area, they may also use their insect-like legs to latch onto ceilings and advance on the player faster. They will attempt to get close and use their mandibles to bite Leon's head off for a one-hit kill. They can also attack from a distance by spitting globs of black acid at the player.
While the Mandíbula can be killed with any weapon, they are more resilient than the Guadañas. Their skin is hardened and resistant to gunfire, but their mouths are softer and much more vulnerable to attack while they are open. However, like other Plaga variants, Mandíbula can be killed instantly with a flash grenade.
Trivia[]
- The Mandíbula did not have a cross-shaped mouth in the original Resident Evil 4. It also could not swing across ceilings or spit acid.
- The Mandíbula was only named in the 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4. Prior to this, it was known as "Plaga Type B".