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The Hunter is one of the Special Infected in Left 4 Dead 2. It is an infected enemy, not one of the four human Survivors, and players can take control of it in Versus mode.
What the Hunter is in the game
In Left 4 Dead 2, the Hunter belongs to the Special Infected, a group of mutated enemies that stand apart from the common infected the Survivors fight in large numbers. Valve’s official 2010 post on Steam names the Hunter within its Special Infected section, listing it alongside the other infected types.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Left 4 Dead 2 - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $60.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Left 4 Dead 2 | $55.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Left 4 Dead 2 | $9.76 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Left 4 Dead - Xbox 360 | $42.59 | Buy on Amazon |
How it fits into play
The game’s Steam store listing, which Valve publishes as both developer and publisher, says players can fight Special Infected or play as them in Versus. That means the Hunter is an enemy the Survivors face in campaign play, and in Versus it is one of the infected roles a player can take on the other side of the match.
Valve’s update notes confirm that player-controlled Special Infected are a live part of the game. The December 9, 2009 update changed how they behave when they crouch and attack. It states: “Player controlled Special Infected are no longer forced to un-crouch and lock strafe when they crouch attack.” The same update also mentions the Hunter in a note about a cinematic flashlight effect, which is the only Hunter-specific detail in that post.
#1 Best Overall
- On day one, Left 4 Dead 2 features more co operative campaigns, more campaigns and maps for the versus game modes than the original Left 4 Dead did, plus support for Survival Mode right out of the box
- Left 4 Dead 2 features quality next generation co op action gaming from the makers of Half life, Portal, Team Fortress and Counter Strike
- Updated “AI Director 2.0 technology expands players’ ability to customize level layout, world objects, weather, and lighting to reflect different times of day, creating fresh gameplay every time
- Put a whole slew of melee weapons including axes, chainsaws, frying pans and baseball bats to use which allow you to get up close with the zombies
- The game features four different survivors, a new storyline and new dialog
What the sources do not say
Valve’s official material does not give the Hunter a personal name, a human identity, or a detailed origin story. The Hunter is a designed enemy type, not a named character in the sense of a Survivor, and no official source reviewed here frames it as one. If you have seen a backstory for the Hunter, treat it as fan material unless it is attributed to Valve.
The 2010 Special Infected poll
In a May 28, 2010 Steam post, Valve reported results from its “Special Infected Love” poll. The post said: “The results from last week’s poll are in and the Hunter clawed his way to the top.” Valve did not name an individual author, and the post did not give sample sizes or a methodology.
Rank #2
- Officially Licensed Product
| Platform (poll) | Hunter share reported | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| PC | 20% | Valve Steam post, May 28, 2010 |
| Xbox 360 | 22% | Valve Steam post, May 28, 2010 |
The same post also listed Charger, Tank, Spitter, Smoker, Witch, Boomer, and Jockey as other choices. These figures are a single poll from 2010 and say nothing about how popular the Hunter is today.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line on the Hunter
The Hunter is a Special Infected enemy in Left 4 Dead 2, and it is one of the infected types players can control in Versus. Valve’s official sources establish that role, and they do not establish a name or backstory beyond it.
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Rank #4
- Co-operative gameplay in epic struggle between survivors and zombies
- Choose to play as survivor or 4 types of infected mutants
- Set across 4 massive campaigns
- Game creates a unique and dramatic experience based on players' actions
- Multiplayer games for 1-to-8 players
Rank #3
- On day one, Left 4 Dead 2 features more co-operative campaigns, more campaigns and maps for the versus game modes than the original Left 4 Dead did, plus support for Survival Mode right out of the box.
- Left 4 Dead 2 features quality co-op action gaming from the makers of Half-life, Portal, Team Fortress and Counter-Strike.
- Updated “AI Director 2.0" technology expands players’ ability to customize level layout, world objects, weather, and lighting to reflect different times of day, creating fresh gameplay every time.
- Put a whole slew of melee weapons including axes, chainsaws, frying pans and baseball bats to use which allow you to get up close with the zombies.
- The game features four different survivors, a new storyline and new dialog.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
