The Octanian Zealot is a heavy Octanian soldier that serves in Mental's army. It wields a large hammer that it uses as its main form of attack. It is introduced as an enemy in Serious Sam 4, and makes a second appearance in Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem.
A tougher version of this enemy, the Octanian Legionnaire, is exclusive to Siberian Mayhem.
Overview[]
The Octanian Zealot belongs to a race of humanoid polyp-controlled creatures originating from an unnamed planet in the Sigma Octantis system. They have allied themselves with Mental during the Mental War as part of his goal to eradicate all knowledge from the universe.[1] Trained from youth, Zealots were bred for iconoclasm. They wield a mighty hammer blessed by the Octifex Maximus himself, and are devoted to smashing all that offends Mental. When they are not smashing things, they self-flagellate to punish themselves for not smashing enough things.[2]
Appearance-wise, the Zealot is a large humanoid creature equipped with medieval-style armor that covers most of its body except for its back. Its face is covered in a mask that reveals two small glowing eyes.
Application[]
Zealots serve as heavy assault units due to their endurance and frightening speed, with the intention of charging straight into enemy lines and crushing opposing forces with their hammer. Depending on the threat, Mental will send a few out at a time or spawn in multiple Zealots at once.
Appearances[]
Serious Sam 4[]
Octanian Zealots seldom appear on their own, and are often seen in small or medium groups. After they first appear in Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, they become even more frequent. When they do appear, they usually appear alongside weak enemies like Processed Anthropolyps.
Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem[]
Zealots are first encountered in A Smell Of Petroleum Prevails in small numbers, and become more common in the later levels. They are soon mainly replaced by Octanian Legionnaires.
Behavior and skills[]
The Zealot is shielded with heavy armor plating that protects its front and flanks when being attacked, which grants some protection from small-arms fire. Its back, however, is not armored, which can allow the player to quickly turn around and fire at the Zealot's back when it is exposed. Its armor can also not withstand the strength of explosives like grenades, C-4 Demolition Charges, or rockets, but can it still resist them, since their damage output is halved. However, if a Zealot is shot in the head with a rocket or grenade, this will result in an instant kill.
When the Zealot spots the target, it will behave in a similar manner to both Cucurbito the Pumpkin and the Porcine Berserker and charge towards the player in a straight line. If the player manages to dodge it, the Zealot will turn around and resume charging again. It runs very quickly; as such, it is difficult to outrun a Zealot. At close enough range, the Zealot will smash the ground with its hammer, which deals moderate damage. The Zealot has a 'charge-up' period each time it attacks with its hammer. At closer range, it will whack the player with its hammer, which deals twice as much damage.
Riding[]
The Zealot can be ridden by the player if they have unlocked the "Rodeo Time" S.A.M skill. This is easily achieved by pressing the USE key by sidestepping and going around its back after it attacks. The same controls for riding a vehicle apply when riding a Zealot. The player can use the primary fire key to use the Zealot's hammer for attacking enemies. The Zealot also has a health bar, and will die when its health bar runs out or if the player dismounts it.
Tactics[]
- Though it is recommended to go for its back, this makes it impractical against groups, as this leaves the player vulnerable to their attacks and the player won't be able to predict where each Zealot is coming from at once.
- Their hammer blows can be avoided by sidestepping or sprinting behind them.
- The Double Barrel Coach Gun can kill a Zealot in one shot at close range if all the pellets connect when shooting at its back.
- Several Zealots can easily be taken out with the C-4 Demolition Charge, GP-25 Kostyor, MK III Grenade Launcher, or XPML21 Rocket Launcher. It only takes two grenades or rockets to kill one. A single rocket or grenade can kill a Zealot if it is shot in the head with either projectile.
- The A-24 Devastator and TCC-2 "Perun" Crossbow are perfect anti-Zealot weapons. They can kill Zealots with a single shot (unlike other explosive weapons, which deal only half of their maximum damage) and can even penetrate large groups of them if they are lined up.
- The Zealot's armor isn't immune to the XL2 Lasergun and XPMR "Burner" Raygun, making them the only effective rapid-firing weapons to use against it while it charges towards the player. The Burner can even overheat a Zealot to the point of it exploding, severely damaging nearby enemies as well.
- Against massive groups of Zealots, the Burner, FRPCL, and SBC Cannon are extremely effective.
Trivia[]
- The Zealot's hammer bears the Mental's Horde insignia.
- The Zealot is called "Trooper_Brute" in the game files.
- The Zealot is very similar to the Pinky from the Doom series, as both are melee only enemies with a charge attack that have the front part of their body armored, requiring the player to usually shoot their back to deal damage.
- A Zealot is one who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of goals, especially if it's for religious purposes. This is a reference to the Octanians and the fact they view Mental as a god.[1]
- During classical antiquity, Zealots were a political movement in Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the First Jewish–Roman War.
Gallery[]
Serious Sam 4[]
List of appearances[]
- Serious Sam 4 (First appearance)
- Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem