The best alien race in Sci-fi

Gunhead · Post by **Gunhead** » 2005-05-09 01:00pm

Since there's a thread for the most cliche one, I think it's just fair to have one for the best one's too.

So what's the best or most original alien in sci-fi?

My choice would be the kafers from 2300AD. They're well thought off and rise well above the normal monster races menacing the humans in sci-fi.
I know it's a RPG, but I still rank them high on the list.

-Gunhead

Junghalli · Post by **Junghalli** » 2005-05-09 01:12pm

If I had to pick one I'd say Vulcans (or maybe just Spock) as they were originally concieved, before the hack writers started fucking them up. It takes talent to create something of a convincingly alien mindset and have it be a major character it on TV.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2005-05-09 01:13pm

I will say the Berg from Jodorowsky and Moebius' L'Incal, or John DiFool as it's called here in Denmark.

Say, the Berg consist of Barbarah, this shapeshifter who each 5 years holds a gladiatorial contest where 27000 members of a specific species compete and the winner gets to fuck this shapeshifter, who will then give birth only to clones of the last winner of the tournament. As a result, the Berg literally get an entirely new look every 5 years.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2005-05-09 01:26pm

The Pak'ma'ra from B5. They're a species of scavengers that wear their wives on their backs and are so ugly and numerous that people go out of their way not to notice them.

Gunhead · Post by **Gunhead** » 2005-05-09 01:37pm

How could I forget. The Ur-Quan. "THE WORDS!... the Words... the words
alien, you have spoken the Words. You have spoken them rightly."
^--- always gives me a kick.

-Gunhead

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2005-05-09 01:42pm

How about the 'Nester' from Battle Beyond the Stars? Like a pussiefied version of the borg.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-05-09 01:49pm

Junghalli wrote:If I had to pick one I'd say Vulcans (or maybe just Spock) as they were originally concieved, before the hack writers started fucking them up. It takes talent to create something of a convincingly alien mindset and have it be a major character it on TV.

Ugh. Frankly, they always came off as space-elves to me.

The Affront were always nicely alien to me.

Darth Sephiroth · Post by **Darth Sephiroth** » 2005-05-09 02:13pm

Wookies, I just love playing them in the RPG at least, psycho berzerkers with lightsabers are just so fun

Diamedes · Post by **Diamedes** » 2005-05-09 03:00pm

Pierson's Puppeteers. I always love how cockamamie Niven makes his aliens.

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2005-05-09 03:41pm

The Ousters.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2005-05-09 03:42pm

I always liked the way Hamilton does aliens. Like the Tyrathca or the Kiint.

Junghalli · Post by **Junghalli** » 2005-05-09 03:53pm

Crossroads Inc. wrote:How about the 'Nester' from Battle Beyond the Stars? Like a pussiefied version of the borg.

That reminds me, chalk up the Borg for one of my favorite aliens. The TNG Borg that is, not the Voyager Borg, who are a disgrace to the species. For menacing you can't beat a civilization that consumes everything and everyone useful it comes into contact with.

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2005-05-09 04:01pm

The Shadows from B5. Very cool looking and each one with the mind of a little Palpatine.

Junghalli · Post by **Junghalli** » 2005-05-09 04:33pm

Falkenhayn wrote:The Ousters.

Could you give me some information on them, I have no idea who they are?

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2005-05-09 05:01pm

Junghalli wrote:
Falkenhayn wrote:The Ousters.
Could you give me some information on them, I have no idea who they are?

They are from the Hyperion universe, and I don't think it's much of a spoiler since it's mentioned right away, but they're technically human.

I like the moties (from The Mote in God's Eye) and the Pierson's Puppetiers myself. I also like the Race from the Turtledove series, even if they are a bit clicheed.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2005-05-09 05:15pm

Pak Protectors (if they count as alien). They are a really slick attempt at an almost completely alien psychology, and they are just about the most dangerous alien race in all the Sci-Fi I've read.

dworkin · Post by **dworkin** » 2005-05-09 05:56pm

The Chtorr.

Hands down. Who are they? What are they? What do they look like?

No-one knows. You can't fight what you can't even identify.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2005-05-09 06:03pm

The Skothians

They defy the generic stereotype of “Benevolent Elder Race” ((See Protoss, see Minbari, see Vulcans)) by not only looking damn ugly but by rubbing the fact that there about 10,000 years ahead of you in your face when ever they meet.

Neko_Oni · Post by **Neko_Oni** » 2005-05-09 06:53pm

Since the first sci-fi I read was Niven and Pournelle, I have a soft spot for their aliens. Not so much the Kzinti, but the Puppeteers, Pak Protectors and Moties are some of the more interesting aliens I've seen. Who doesn't love Nessus a manic-depressive two-headed, three-legged professional coward?

Tasoth · Post by **Tasoth** » 2005-05-09 07:18pm

The posleen, if not for the fact that they are supreme in a universe where being able to succesfully war without some major physiological backlash happening until they meet the humans. Then they get owned. Hard.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2005-05-09 07:26pm

I doubt many have hear of them, but i'll go with the First Breed, AKA The Rusties, from His Majestie's Starship by Ben Jeapes. They are so totally alien, and yet so like us in many ways.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2005-05-09 10:28pm

dworkin wrote:The Chtorr.
.

Those are the aliens from that series by David Gerrold, right? The one where every title is alliterative: A Matter for Men, A day for Damnation, A Rage for Revenge, a Season for Slaughter, A Business for Badasses, a Quandry for the Queer Eye, A Rebellion of Rambos, a Disaster for Doormats, A Victory for Vin Diesel, etc.?

KhyronTheBackstabber · Post by **KhyronTheBackstabber** » 2005-05-09 10:50pm

I've always been a fan of the Invid.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2005-05-09 11:44pm

The Spalthi. I utterly adore Spalthi. You'd have to if you're into StarCon. A race of total and utter cowards, who are hiding in preparating from the sure coming of THE ULTIMATE EVIL, which lies just beyond the most sensative of instruments. It's very prescence there, avoiding detection clearly shows it's malevolent intent.

And of course Vorlons. How can I never, ever mention Vorlons? Kosh I was memorable!

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2005-05-09 11:49pm

The Spathi get extra points for nuking the valley of the fluffy bunnies