It is notable that the Guardian is very similar to the Guard, both in name and appearance, but there are numerous differences: the Guardian often lives deeper within the nests, protecting and ruling over the Antlions and eggs within. Should someone enter the 'Nectarium' for larval extract, the Guardian will attack and may pursue the thieves for some distance (in Episode Two, a Guardian follows Gordon Freeman (whose Vortigaunt companion had taken the extract) outside and battles him).
Guardians are extremely protective of Antlion Grubs, the extract of which is used by Vortigaunts to manipulate the Vortessence, and will ferociously attack intruders in order to protect them. The Guardian patrols the 'Nectarium' (center of the nest), keeping watch for nest raiders. Antlion Guardians appear physically identical to Antlion Guards, but have a different coloration and are capable of bioluminescence.Īpparently, each Antlion hive has one Guardian that lurks near the larval clusters.
