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Grappler Biographical information Homeland Hollow Physical description and equipment Species Drone Gender Male Height 6.6 Weapons Hammerburst II Lancer Gnasher Shotgun Chronological and political information Era(s) Locust War Notable Facts Used for boarding actions Affiliation Locust Horde

The Grappler^[1] Drone was the Locust shock trooper used in boarding actions during the Assault on Landown and the Siege of Jacinto. They appear to be like normal Drones with the exception of a unique helmet and grappling hook. This helmet may be used to help the Grappler adjust to the rapid change of light from their home in the Hollow to the surface, as they are only seen whenever they come out of openings. Though it could also possess distance measuring equipment, needed to judge how far to throw their grappling hooks.

HistoryEdit

Evacuation of IlimaEdit

When Zeta-Six tried to Evacuate Ilima city to prevent the city from been taken over by the Kryllstorm, General RAAM led a personal attack on the city so the Kryll could devour the city of its human population, many Locust Drones including Grappler's helped assist the General carry out his attacks given out by Queen Myrrah. They first appear trying to defend some Seeders when they were attacked by Zeta-Six, they climbed to their position and tried to kill them but they were all killed. Another one appeared trying to kill Zeta-Six with a One-shot as they were trying to reach Dr. Wisen's office, more locust headed towards them but was defeated with the rest of his companions.

Grapplers would later guard the area around Ilima City Hall trying to prevent Zeta from reaching the Hammer of Dawn Outpost inside the building. At the end of the evacuation they would lay siege to Dr. Wisen's School of Hope from North and East corners climbing to the orphanage as the Kryllstorm arrived and would also give support to both The Theron Elite and General RAAM

Assault on LandownEdit

Grapplers were first encountered in battle during Operation: Hollow Storm, where they attacked the Assault Derrick convoys on the main route to south Landown. When convoy was ambushed by multiple emerging E-Holes, scores of Grapplers poored out of the holes heading for the derricks, Sgt. Fenix was able to cut down many of the Grapplers with the chain gun on board Rig 314, but was unable to stop them hijacking Rig G53, as Fenix and the rest of Delta were distracted by Multiple targets trying to board their own rig. Further down the road to Landown, Delta fought off the hijacked rig, killing the crew and the driver and destroying it by pushing it over a cliff. Grapplers continued to be encountered olong the route to the Drill-Zone.

The COG Convoy successfully navigated to the Drill-ZOne located in the Pendulum Wars Graveyard south of Landown. While preparing for the drop, The convoy was attacked again, and Grapplers tried one more time to board 'Betty', but were again beaten back by Delta Squad.^[2]

Siege of JacintoEdit

24 hours after the failed attack on the Inner Hollows,^[3] Grapplers assaulted the city of Jacinto, from both the giant sinkhole and the coastal sections of the city. They first assaulted the COG CIC building in the city, Attacking the South platform, and other King Raven landing pads with assistance from Reavers. They killed many Gears, until Delta-One including the defiant Colonel Hoffman, with close air-support from KR Three-Six, recaptured the platforms.^[4]

Later in the defense of the city, Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago counterattacked the Locust forces on the rooftops of Jacinto City as they fought their way back into the Hollow. At one point they were attacked by multiple Grappler squads on a tower block, the only let up in the attacks happened when the building colapsed, killing the remain Grapplers.^[5]

Military tacticsEdit

Grapplers are deployed in small strike teams and often used for quick insertions on enemy positions or ambushes. Heavily fortified positions such as the deck of the Assault Derrick or the roof of multistory buildings are not enough to stop their onslaught. They can quickly scale vertical surfaces with their grappling hooks, this also allows them to be used as very effective snipers, being able get to the highest pounts on the battle field. They even carry the One-Shot on occasion.

Behind the ScenesEdit

• Based on the picture of the Grappler with the Boomshot (shown at the very top), which is a pre-release screenshot from Gears of War 2, the Grappler was going to be a usable multiplayer character but is not available in the retail version because Grapplers don't wield Boomshot Grenade Launchers in campaign, and the screenshot is taken from the multiplayer map River.
• The Grappler has been released as a figure, in Series Three of the NECA range, they have also featured in the Locust Hive Figure Set and in a double pack with the Cyclops.

  

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ http://www.necaonline.com/article/detail/259
2. ↑ Gears of War 2: Act 1: Tip of the Spear: The Big Push
3. ↑ Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant pg 3
4. ↑ Gears of War 2; Act 5: Aftermath: Desperate Stand
5. ↑ Gears of War 2: Act 5: Aftermath: Closure