Talk:Reviver

	This is the talk page for Reviver. Click here to start a new topic.
	This page is reserved for discussion about the article itself, not for discussions about the subject. If you haven't yet, please read our Talk page policy for information and help on how to comment on talk pages.

Headcrab discussion

Is reviver actually a headcrab? In my opinion they are too different. — Unsigned comment by MrPrisen

The sounds for this creature are stored in the folder "sounds/creatures/headcrab_reviver/". This appears to be the most accurate name we have for it right now. Marphy (talk) 20:38, 26 March 2020 (MSK)

Could we just call it "lightning dog" and mention "Reviver Headcrab" in the behind the scenes section? Similar to how "Jeff" is technically a "blind zombie", but he's no longer related to headcrab zombies. They just have such radical differences in terms of behavior and appearance than even a Poison Headcrab from a Normal Headcrab. We could even just call it "unknown electrical xenian" Ihonnyboy (talk) 07:01, 18 April 2020 (MSK)

This creature is called the "Reviver" in the subtitles. That omits the "Headcrab" part, but it still stands as the officially stated name rather than the "lightning dog" nickname. As for this article title, it will likely be moved to "Reviver" unless something else comes up, but I have yet to get around to reviewing and cleaning up this article. Marphy (talk) 07:05, 18 April 2020 (MSK)

Additional observations: The Reviver being classed as a "headcrab" accounts for hundreds of references internally. Here are just a few examples:

Model directory and model name:

models/creatures/headcrab_reviver/headcrab_reviver.vmdl_c

Internal model animation names (headcrab_reviver.vmdl_c):

rhc_scorpion_idle (likely stands for "Reviver Headcrab")

Sound file directory:

sounds/creatures/headcrab_reviver/

Footstep surface properties (surfaceproperties_footsteps.txt):

npc_headcrab_reviver =
walkleft = "Step_Headcrab_Reviver.Default"

Map sound events (soundevents_ambient_a3_hotel_lobby_basement.vsndevts):

AmbientTenement.HeadcrabReviverDistantCalls =

Creature sound events (soundevents_creature_hc_reviver.vsndevts):

Headcrab_Reviver.Bite_Player =
soundevent_02 = "Headcrab_Reviver.Bite"

Physics sound events (soundevents_physics_npc.vsndevts):

PhysImpact_NPC.Headcrab =
{
base = "PhysImpact_NPC.Base_Small"
}
PhysImpact_NPC.Headcrab_Black =
{
base = "PhysImpact_NPC.Base_Small"
}
PhysImpact_NPC.Headcrab_Reviver =
{
base = "PhysImpact_NPC.Base_Small"
}

Note that the Reviver is grouped here with the rest of the Headcrab types.

And at least 500 instances more of the same.

Additionally, the commentary frames the Reviver as being a Headcrab variant throughout the entirety of its development. The specific mentions:

"Reviver Introduction" (a3_02_reviver_intro): "We began prototyping with a fast headcrab variant we called the Runner"

"Reviver Animation" (a3_02_reviver_animation): "In our initial Reviver prototypes, we simply used a blue-tinted headcrab model with rudimentary electrical effects."

The commentary never suggests that the Runner's evolution into the Reviver also indicated dropping its status as a Headcrab. In fact, they describe the initial change simply as being "the Runner could revive a fallen zombie", which is essentially all the Reviver ended up being relative to the Runner.

Given the overwhelming notion that the Reviver is classed as a Headcrab and nothing to the contrary, we will stick with what Valve has conveyed to us. Marphy (talk) 00:02, 27 May 2026 (UTC)