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Probably the biggest clusterfuck to arise from the BH4/BH5 era. In BH4, great importance is put on a "sample" which becomes pretty synonymous with every major story-driven scene in the game, and is mentioned so many times alone by Albert Wesker that Richard Waugh found it amusing during voice recordings. In Separate Ways, we learn that this is a "master Plaga" specimen. Ada escapes with it and gives it to another organization different from Wesker's (whether or not it is Umbrella's rival company "The 3rd Organization" or another one entirely is a contentious matter still to be looked into).
In BH5's files, we have the "control Plaga", very similar to the "master Plaga" previously. Different names though. Surely they're different? No. They're the same fucking thing, just translated differently by the translators on each game (Shinsaku Ohara for BH4, Miguel E. Corti and SDL PLC for BH5). Both names it is given in the English versions of BH4 and BH5 are alternative and inaccurate translations. The original Japanese term is "shihaishu". The name of the parasite is actually most accurately translated as "dominant species" (or "dominant strain").
The origins of the dominant species are never actually explained in-game, however Krauser does mention that it was developed by Saddler (raised/cultivated in the Japanese version, same meaning). In the BH4 Kaitai Shinsho guide, it is revealed:
in Archives II, it is revealed that it was developed specifically by Luis.
Finally, what about the twist ending of Separate Ways where Ada betrays Wesker? It's also explained in Archives II.
So there we go. The "dominant species Plaga" is a genetically modified Plaga parasite designed to give the host control over the parasite.
Still working on trying to confirm if there was anything natural about the dominant parasite at all, or if only the "sample" was modified. There are some hints in various material that Saddler was somehow special from the rest and had control over other hosts of the dominant species Plaga. There is also the fact that he is the only dominant species host who is able to manipulate the Plaga within Leon and Ashley, none of the other hosts (Salazar, Mendez, Krauser) ever exhibit this ability. Ada calls it a "secret art" in her report, which seems to be tied with the Salazar family's ability to control them when they fossilized and sealed them centuries ago.
In BH5's files, we have the "control Plaga", very similar to the "master Plaga" previously. Different names though. Surely they're different? No. They're the same fucking thing, just translated differently by the translators on each game (Shinsaku Ohara for BH4, Miguel E. Corti and SDL PLC for BH5). Both names it is given in the English versions of BH4 and BH5 are alternative and inaccurate translations. The original Japanese term is "shihaishu". The name of the parasite is actually most accurately translated as "dominant species" (or "dominant strain").
The origins of the dominant species are never actually explained in-game, however Krauser does mention that it was developed by Saddler (raised/cultivated in the Japanese version, same meaning). In the BH4 Kaitai Shinsho guide, it is revealed:
The dominant strain Las Plagas was developed out of repeated genetic modifications, in order to maintain the awareness of the host human
The objective; obtain a sample of the 'dominant strain Plaga' being developed by Luis at the Los Illuminados cult. Ada intercepted an e-mail requesting medical assistance sent by Luis to a university friend, and from this correspondence learned that he wanted to leave the cult as a personal decision.
So, she decided to approach him and offer him a deal; she would protect him if he would steal a sample from the cult.
So, she decided to approach him and offer him a deal; she would protect him if he would steal a sample from the cult.
Upon hearing information about a parasite in Europe that gave superhuman strength to its host, Wesker planned a mission to steal a sample of this "Plaga" parasite from the cult of Los Illuminados. In 2004, he ordered Jack Krauser and Ada Wong to go there to steal a sample of the dominant strain Plaga. Although meticulously planned, Krauser was cut down by Leon and Ada betrayed him, resulting in only obtaining a subordinate strain Plaga sample. However, through another means of acquisition, he successfully obtained a "dead dominant strain Plaga."
Still working on trying to confirm if there was anything natural about the dominant parasite at all, or if only the "sample" was modified. There are some hints in various material that Saddler was somehow special from the rest and had control over other hosts of the dominant species Plaga. There is also the fact that he is the only dominant species host who is able to manipulate the Plaga within Leon and Ashley, none of the other hosts (Salazar, Mendez, Krauser) ever exhibit this ability. Ada calls it a "secret art" in her report, which seems to be tied with the Salazar family's ability to control them when they fossilized and sealed them centuries ago.
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