10 Fictional Species Designed for Battle

War is generally not something to aspire to. It’s a desperate measure to resolve one’s differences when all other options fail. Fighting forgoes people’s evolutionary intelligence and reduces them to their baser instincts. Such barbarism leaves both sides licking their wounds, coping with the pain and death that their actions have wrought. Granted, combat is necessary in some situations, but most civilized societies consider it a last resort. Then again, they don’t all see it that way.

Certain fictional species prize the art of fighting. Their biology, instincts, and tools often help them excel as warriors. That inherent prowess might go hand-in-hand with a cultural justification—viewing warfare as a way of life. Discovering where these qualities originate and intersect is an intriguing process in itself. In that sense, the battles become an engaging bit of world-building. Audiences must slowly determine whether these species are frightening foes, powerful allies, or both.

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10 Klingons

Star Trek is a utopian universe of interspecies cooperation. The Klingons stand out in that crowd. These hairy aliens make their name through conquest instead of peace. Their culture revolves around battle. Combatants strive for great deeds to prove their valor, thereby achieving honor for themselves and their dynasties. Luckily, their bodies are more than up for that challenge.

Klingons are tough cookies. They’re inherently stronger than other sentient species, and their bulging craniums basically serve as built-in helmets. Complementing that biology is a plethora of blades and techniques prioritizing close-quarters combat rather than long-range phaser fire. There’s no glory in killing foes from a distance, after all. This behavior doesn’t do much to assuage their bestial reputation, but Klingons couldn’t care less what outsiders think.^[1]

9 Saiyans

Dragon Ball revolves around fighting. The martial arts series sees countless characters push their limits in search of greater power. Even by that standard, though, the Saiyans are a breed apart. Although they look human, these space warriors are anything but. On top of having godlike strength, endurance, and durability, they come with a wealth of transformations to further enhance their abilities. These aspects perfectly complement their capacity for growth.

The Saiyans’ entire biology serves to boost their might. Their insatiable appetite for combat causes them to seek out powerful opponents. Their own power then increases after every bout, particularly if they sustain grievous injuries. This perk consequently prompts them to face tougher enemies. The cycle continues indefinitely, meaning Saiyans have virtually no limit. As scary as that prospect sounds, it fits Dragon Ball’s themes to a tee.^[2]

8 Krogan

War is a recurring event in the Mass Effect series, and few species are better suited than the Krogan. These reptilian aliens are the fiercest fighters in the galaxy. Their bulky frames and hardened structures mean they can take insane amounts of abuse. In fact, they often use these gifts to charge their enemies, like rampaging rhinos. No wonder other species frequently call on their aid against overwhelming forces. Unfortunately, this reliance walks harbors a healthy fear.

The Krogan’s penchant for pugilism scares their allies and enemies. Not only does their territorial mindset decimate their native planet in a nuclear war, but they breed at an exorbitant rate. These offspring then emerge from the womb with the same deadly demeanors. Surrounding species worry they could expand throughout the galaxy, paving an unstoppable path of conquest. Thus, the Krogan are Mass Effect’s double-edged swords.^[3]

7 Krill

As a Star Trek substitute, The Orville has its own antagonistic species in the Krill. No, not the tiny sea creatures. These Krill are galactic reptiles with horned heads, bad attitudes, and a slew of weapons. They use these traits to ruthlessly slaughter anyone infringing on their territory. As appalling as these acts are, they don’t stem from instinct.

Krill aggression comes down to nurture over nature. These armored lizards worship a vengeful god called Avis. This dark deity decrees that all other species are soulless abominations who are unworthy of life. That xenophobic doctrine puts the Krill in a perpetual state of war against the rest of the galaxy. Even their children must forego a normal education in favor of military school. With such ironclad beliefs, peace is a pipe dream.^[4]

6 Orcs

Orcs are nasty customers in most fantasy tales, with the most imposing examples coming from the Warcraft universe. The towering legions of the Horde are monumental in size. Not only are they taller than most races, but every muscle also rivals a grown man’s body weight. These solid walls of beef can shatter steel in a single blow. Despite their intimidating image, however, the Warcraft Orcs start as shamans. They don’t become the Horde until a demonic intervention.

The immortal Kil’jaeden of the Burning Legion corrupts the Orcs into monsters. On top of turning their skin green, he persuades them to drink demon blood. This ritual fills the Orcs with an endless appetite for warfare. Their newfound bloodlust prompts them to conquer their native world before advancing on others. Though tasting their share of defeat, the Orcs’ incorrigible need to kill never fades, making them the most enduring foes in Warcraft.^[5]

5 Uruk-hai

The Lord of the Rings mirrors many fantasy works in its portrayal of Orcs. This epic odyssey, however, concocts a fresh breed of these creatures. After throwing in with the Dark Lord Sauron, the treacherous wizard Saruman must build an army for his new master. He doesn’t settle for recruitment, though, opting instead for a grotesque breeding program.

By crossing standard Orcs with “goblin-men,” he crafts a subspecies called Uruk-hai. These monsters have their predecessors’ bloodlust with the bodies to back it up. In addition to larger frames and greater muscle mass, they can run and fight for days on end. The icing on the cake is their ability to walk in sunlight, overcoming the crippling weakness of their forebears. The Uruk-hai quickly rise to the top of the food chain, turning once-proud kingdoms into charred wastelands.^[6]

4 Kree

Most Marvel characters gain their powers through external accidents. The Kree buck that trend by being extraordinary from birth. Though human in appearance, these blue and pink aliens enjoy increased strength thanks to their planet’s heavier gravity. In addition, many specimens gain abilities like flight, energy blasts, telepathy, and life draining. Such gifts rival any superhero, but their uses aren’t nearly as noble.

On the contrary, the Kree construct their empire through imperialism. They serve the Supreme Intelligence: a supercomputer comprised of their people’s greatest minds. This ancient entity strives to jump-start the Kree’s evolution, and its methods usually involve military offensives. As such, these cosmic warriors conquer planets across the universe, their religious devotion driving them to please their master. This supposed “Intelligence” sounds like a brainless bully.^[7]

3 Thanagarians

Speaking of deceptive appearances, the Thanagarians are DC’s offenders. With their heightened senses, superhuman strength, and majestic wings, these aliens could easily pass for angels. Their true personas aren’t nearly as heavenly, though. A history of slavery and plague forges them into hardened warriors who take whatever they can get.

The Thanagarians soon move from a scientific people to a military mob. Fashioning their native Nth metal into unrivaled weapons and ships, they violently expand their territory to neighboring worlds. They no longer worry about their advancement; they simply co-opt the tech of conquered races. This tactic, in turn, lets them overcome stronger forces. Such dirty methods are how the Thanagarians soar ever higher.^[8]

2 Mandalorians

The Star Wars galaxy is rife with exotic aliens, so the humanoid Mandalorians seem quaint. However, this tribal race has a storied history of warfare. United under a leading Protector, these tribes have a strict code of honorable victory, standing with their fellows and keeping their word. Embodying that code is their ceremonial armor. On top of sporting jet packs and an explosive arsenal, the impregnable armor can resist most conceivable attacks. Obviously, this equipment gets plenty of use.

Like several species on this list, the Mandalorians embrace their warrior culture through expansion. Their offensives are so formidable that it takes both the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order to beat them back. True, Mandalore eventually adopts a policy of pacifism. Still, extremist groups like Death Watch soon return their culture to its former glory. The right to rule only comes through the purity of battle. Next to these armored aggressors, Stormtroopers don’t seem so bad.^[9]

1 Narn

Circumstances often shape a culture. That’s certainly true of the Narn. One of the many alien races of Babylon 5, this species starts as a society of farmers. Unfortunately, a 100-year occupation by the imperialist Centauri forces the Narn to change with the times. Although they eventually repel the invaders, their culture is forever warped.

Thereafter, the Narn exist as distrustful warriors. They often focus on overcoming foes through military means. Any perceived wrongdoing yields a bloody vendetta, affecting both offended parties and their families. Their large frames, durable skin, and deadly armada can usually satisfy those vendettas, but that’s still not enough for some. The Narn routinely experiment with gene manipulation to gain biological perks like telepathy. In essence, they try to fast-track their evolution in pursuit of supremacy. Never again will they submit to being stepped on.^[10]