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— Orchid's victory quote |
Orchid, also called B. Orchid or the Black Orchid in homage to her dark beauty, is a female playable fighter and a major signature character of the Killer Instinct games, having featured prominently in all titles of the franchise to date. An elite secret agent who boasts mysterious powers, Orchid was dispatched by a shadowy organization to uncover the truth behind Ultratech's activities. In Killer Instinct (2013), she's a rogue counterintelligence operative who wages a vendetta against the megacorporation's CEO, ARIA, and leads a worldwide resistance against Ultratech known as the Disavowed. Along with her half-brother, Jago, Orchid is one of the main protagonists of the Killer Instinct series.
Biography
Appearance
In Killer Instinct (1994), B. Orchid is a prime and athletic young woman with tanned skin and raven black hair, who is wearing a green leotard with the word "HOT" written on each side in capital yellow letters. The ends of the leotard show yellow linings around her thighs, and she wears green gloves and high-heeled, ankle-length boots. The boots also have yellow cut-offs, and feature reserve weapons strapped to them. Orchid wears a green and yellow headband and she wields two plasma-based eskrima sticks.
B. Orchid's new character model in Killer Instinct (2013)
In Killer Instinct 2, the Black Orchid receives a pretty noteworthy aesthetic redesign that prominently features a thonged green bodysuit with yellow highlights. This (thonged) bodysuit shows part of her tanned skin through oval-shaped openings on each side of the chest and abdomen, and then cuts off sharply as a "V" shape in between Orchid's (flawless) thighs, unapologetically revealing her (perfectly) voluptuous booty to the world. Her high-heeled boots extend up to the thighs, and her eskrima sticks are replaced with electrified tonfas. Orchid's hairstyle is also more curly than before, and she wears a pair of large golden earrings.
In Killer Instinct (2013), B. Orchid's appearance reflects her secretive background in the US special forces while still accentuating her body's top athletic figure. Her iconic yellow headband has nightvision goggles added, and she features a green armored bustier over a white top, green shorts with a belt around them and black cut-off gloves, while on her left upper arm she has a green strap of cloth wrapped around her biceps. Bandages are wrapped around her wrists and a mini-computer is strapped to her right wrist. She wears a single shin-guard on her right knee along with another strap of cloth, and features ankle high, high-heeled combat boots. Orchid again uses her eskrima sticks seen in the original 1994 game.
Orchid's KI 2013 "retro" costume closely mirrors her 1994 arcade appearance, but does mix in some minor elements from her famous KI2 outfit, such as the high-heeled boots and its set of large gold earrings.
Personality
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— Orchid's story mode description |
A steadfast and intrepid servicewoman, B. Orchid's life changed dramatically when she was sent to investigate a RUMINT about the sinister ambitions and sprawling web of influence of the supposedly defunct Ultratech. Quickly uncovering that the notorious megacorporation not only remains active but in fact has never been as powerful, Orchid becomes targeted by Ultratech's enigmatic new CEO, ARIA; after she gathers information which threatens to expose the full extent of the company's hold over governments, mass media, financial institutions and the military-industrial complex.
Cougars–always watching, waiting for you to let your guard down
Soon disavowed by her organization and branded a psychotic rogue, the Black Orchid reacts by making Ultratech's smears her own, and establishes an underground network of operatives who similarly were ruined by the corporation. Bereft of all official support and now living in constant danger, ARIA expected Orchid to falter. But the elite secret agent begins to wage a personal vendetta against her instead, and starts to build up the "Disavowed" into a fully-fledged paramilitary resistance movement, bent on strategically sabotaging ARIA's operations across the globe.
Pitted in a contest of wills against what often seems an overwhelmingly powerful adversary, Orchid becomes unpredictable, until she is reunited with her long-lost half-brother, Jago; with the siblings resolving to support each other in their struggles, no matter the outcome.
Abilities & Powers
Trained for the entirety of her adult life as a top field agent for covert operations, black ops and wetworks by the Special Warfare Department of the US military, the mysterious and beautiful woman known as the Black Orchid combines the qualities of a special forces operative and an assassin, rendering her a deceptively capable and lethal asset. Orchid is versed in an advanced style of military CQC that emphasizes legwork, grappling and ground control to neutralize targets with quick efficiency; and mixes in forms of crowd control, such as flashbang grenades and stun batons, to disorient or control risky marks before engaging them.
Because of a classified government experiment performed on her paternal grandmother, the Black Orchid is capable of summoning a cat-like manifestation of energy (which she affectionately calls the "firecat"), that obeys her every command and which assaults anything that's threatening her. Orchid has been known to assume these cat-like forms of pure energy herself, implying the "firecat" phenomenon is in actuality the extension of her own life force.
Killer Instinct (1994)
Story
♫ Oh baby, she's a killer–such a killer! ♫ (KI, 1994)
B. Orchid is a secret agent, sent by an unknown group to investigate the mysterious disappearances that surround the Killer Instinct tournament. Her true identity and abilities are shrouded in secrecy.
Extended Story
For many years, Black Orchid has been amongst the code-named elite of a professional spy organization working for the greater good of society. Her past remains hidden, including some things of which even she is unaware; she won't find out for some time yet that Jago is actually her brother. Realizing that clear evidence of Ultratech's crimes and dark ambition is proving impossible to come by, she eventually decides that the only way into the company is also the most dangerous: straight through the open front door. Once her superiors are persuaded of the necessity, she goes ahead and enters the tournament.
Ending
♫ Such a feeling–killer feeling... ♫ (Orchid's retro costume in KI 2013)
Escaping unscathed with vital information about the corrupt future plans of Ultratech, Orchid rushes back to report. Informing her superiors of Ultratech's evil intentions, they can now act in bringing about the destruction of the corruption presiding there.
Stage
- Main article: Chicago Rooftop
Killer Instinct 2
Story
Eyedol’s death by Orchid’s hand freed massive energies, ripping Ultratech back in time. Now 2000 years in the past, Orchid must face a new challenge and an even greater foe.
Extended Story
The lethal secret agent remains as enigmatic as always. Had she been caught and detained in her infiltration of Ultratech, the authorities would eventually have exposed her as a valued asset of an international spy organization. However, Orchid's role in the tournament and ultimate victory over the warlord Eyedol yielded some very unexpected results, leaving not only her but most of Ultratech trapped two millennia in the past with rather more urgent concerns on their hands.
Endings
♫ Don't give in to fear–this is all you need to hear! ♫ (KI2, 1996)
Kill Sabrewulf, don't kill Jago:
- Gargos is defeated. The way stands clear for the forces of good to rid the world of Ultratech. Cursing Orchid as he is dying, Gargos reveals that Jago is her brother and they'd both soon be dead. Separated at birth, the orphaned brother and sister are reunited. A new fighting team has been formed.
Kill Sabrewulf and Jago:
- Gargos is defeated. The way stands clear for the forces of good to rid the world of Ultratech. With his dying breath, Gargos curses Orchid to the same fate that had befallen her brother Jago. She returns home, but her victory is hollow. For the rest of her life, she mourns the loss of the brother she never knew.
Don't kill Sabrewulf or Jago:
- Gargos is defeated. The way stands clear for the forces of good to rid the world of Ultratech. Cursing Orchid as he is dying, Gargos reveals that Jago is her brother and they'd both soon be dead. Reaching beyond the grave, Gargos possesses Sabrewulf and attacks. But Jago slays the wolf and the siblings return home to a new life.
Don't kill Sabrewulf, kill Jago:
- Gargos is defeated. The way stands clear for the forces of good to rid the world of Ultratech. With his dying breath Gargos curses Orchid to the same fate that had befallen her brother Jago, his spirit possessing Sabrewulf in a last desperate act. Gargos attacks. Taken by surprise, Orchid falls and Gargos has his vengeance.
KI Gold Ending:
- Amazed that her victory in the 1st tournament hadn't destroyed Ultratech, Orchid returned, but this time there can be no doubt, Ultratech has been destroyed, good has triumphed. But, in her heart Orchid knows this is not the last time she will be needed, for wherever there is good, evil must also exist, it is only a matter of time before she must return.
Stage
- Main article: Helipad
Killer Instinct (2013)
♫ Listen this is war–you are gonna hit the floor! ♫ (KI, 2013)
Story
Paranoid, unstable, and disavowed from her agency, Orchid is determined to carry out her crusade against the dismantled organization, Ultratech. In war-torn Eastern Europe, she sets out to build an underground network that will prove Ultratech is still active.
Extended Story
The Firecat’s Summoning:
- Main article: The Firecat's Summoning
Endings
Spare Sadira, ULTRA Fulgore:
- Gasping and defeated, Sadira reveals the identity of the one who sanctioned her: ARIA leads a reborn Ultratech. With renewed purpose, Orchid becomes a mercenary angel of vengeance, bent on burning Ultratech to the ground.
Spare Fulgore, ULTRA Sadira:
- Branded a rogue and psychotic, Orchid leaves behind a wake of death and terror in her single-minded campaign against Ultratech. As others are drawn to her cause, Orchid's network becomes an increasingly unstable and deadly global force to be reckoned with.
ULTRA Both Sadira and Fulgore:
- With only personal conviction to maintain her crusade against Ultratech, Orchid nearly falters-- until she is again reunited with her brother, Jago. Each grappling with inner demons, they are strengthened by mutual cooperation, resolved to aid each other to the end.
Shadow Lords
Loose Ends (before fighting Sadira)
- Orchid has never been one to leave things half-done, and finishing off Ultratech's assassin is an itch she's been waiting to scratch for far too long.
An Uneasy Alliance (before fighting ARIA)
- The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as the old saying goes. But when it comes to ARIA and the Ultratech empire, Orchid is willing to make an exception - just this once.
Stage
Orchid in her new Rebel Outpost stage for Killer Instinct (2013)
- Main article: Rebel Outpost
The rebel outpost is similar in theme to B. Orchid's Helipad stage from Killer Instinct 2. During an Ultra Combo, the apartment building in the background will be destroyed by army helicopters, who demolish it with a missile barrage. If both characters remain idle on this stage for a while, a remix of Orchid's classic theme, "K.I. Feeling", will begin to play in the background.
Gallery
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Quotes
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— Orchid's Killer Instinct (2013) intro quote |
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— Orchid derides Ultratech's assassin Sadira, after taking her out during the events of Shadow Lords |
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— Orchid finally tracks down the location of ARIA's mainframes (Shadow Lords) |
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— B. Orchid unleashing her Ultra Combo (presumably on ARIA's robotic form) |
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— B. Orchid in the Killer Instinct comics (1996) |
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— Orchid being her usual self during the End Times |
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— Orchid takes on Shadow Jago during Shadow Lords |
Boys, want some candy?
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— B. Orchid activating her Instinct Mode in KI 2013 |
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— Orchid lets her "firecat" loose |
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— B. Orchid's air leg grapple |
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— Orchid throwing her "lasaken" projectile in Killer Instinct (1994) |
Trivia
- B. Orchid's "retro" costume for Killer Instinct (2013) was to be modeled after her noted looks from Killer Instinct 2, but this idea (unfortunately) became shelved, and the costume instead was largely based on her original 1994 arcade appearance.
- Orchid's famed "boobs flash" Ultimate in Killer Instinct (1994) appears to induce a fatal case of Stendhal's syndrome in all of her male opponents.
- Conversely, if the opposing character is another B. Orchid, she'll stomp her heels on the ground a few times in a fit of frustrated jealousy.
- Orchid's mysterious ethnicity is a source of much conjecture among KI's fans, who have claimed she's anything from a Caucasian (KI 2013) to a (Eur)asian (1996 comics) to a Latina or Black woman (KI2). However, the only official details about B. Orchid's private background is that she's American-born, that Jago is her younger half-brother, and that their mutual father was a soldier named Jacob.
- With Orchid's personal file being classified as a state secret of the United States government, her real name or true identity are yet to be revealed.
♫ Never gonna break me, never gonna shake me! Show me what you got, I'm puttin' you on the spot! ♫
- Throughout the KI games, Orchid has consistently been portrayed as the nemesis of the megacorporation Ultratech. In KI (2013), this character arc is taken to the next level with the introduction of ARIA: Ultratech's "woman" CEO and Orchid's greatest adversary, with the frontally colliding alpha females having just a tiny little bit of enmity between them.
- Several of the lyrics to Orchid's new pop music theme for KI 2013, called "Touch Me And I'll Break Your Face", seem to be directed at ARIA specifically (and the colorful line ♫ You'll never see me coming, b*tch! ♫ in particular), as they sing into words Orchid's fearless defiance of Ultratech.
- Similarly, the line ♫ Please man, I'm outta your league! ♫ appears to be a jab at Cinder, ARIA's lieutenant and enforcer, who like B. Orchid has a distinguished service record in the US special forces in his backstory for KI 2013.
- During Orchid's intro cinematic in KI (2013), a voice from an unseen communication device is heard, saying "Orchid, confirm visual." and "What's your time estimate?". This is one of the secret agents of the Disavowed, her underground network engaging in global asymmetric warfare against ARIA.
- During the pre-alpha development of Killer Instinct (1994), then under the placeholder "Brute Force", the Black Orchid's design wasn't yet finalized, and there was a cancelled and more generic prototype of Orchid called Roxxy or Wanda.
- B. Orchid's animation while shape shifting into the "firecat" in Killer Instinct 2 is recycled from the first game. If watched closely, her sprite can briefly be seen to revert to its original 1994 arcade model.
External Links
- Orchid's character page at the official Killer Instinct Website
- Orchid's gameplay profile at Infil's The Complete Killer Instinct Guide
Media
- Killer Instinct arcade playthrough (1994) - Playthrough of the original 1994 arcade game with B. Orchid
- Killer Instinct 2 playthrough (KI Classic) - Playthrough of Killer Instinct 2 with Orchid (1996 arcade)
- Orchid's 1994 arcade Ultimate Combo - Showcase of B. Orchid's original Ultimate Combo (for historical purposes)
- CrazySkateNate (Orchid) vs. UA Bass (Cinder) - Video compilation of pro gamer matchups with B. Orchid (KI 2013)
- Orchid patch 3.7 advanced juggles (TDB Ki4Life) - Exhibition of advanced combo juggles with Orchid (KI 2013)
- Orchid's 137 hit Ultra Combo in Killer Instinct (2013)
| Killer Instinct (1994) Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playable | Jago ·Black Orchid ·TJ Combo ·Glacius ·Chief Thunder ·Sabrewulf ·Spinal ·Cinder ·Riptor ·Fulgore | |||
| Boss | Eyedol | |||
| Killer Instinct 2/Gold Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playable | Jago ·Black Orchid ·TJ Combo ·Glacius ·Sabrewulf ·Spinal ·Fulgore ·Maya ·Kim Wu ·Tusk | |||
| Boss | Gargos | |||
| Killer Instinct (2013) Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Jago ·Sabrewulf ·Glacius ·Thunder ·Sadira ·Orchid ·Spinal ·Fulgore ·Shadow Jago | |||
| Season 2 | TJ Combo ·Maya ·Kan-Ra ·Riptor ·Omen ·Aganos ·Hisako ·Cinder ·ARIA | |||
| Season 3 | Kim Wu ·Tusk ·Arbiter ·Rash ·Mira ·Gargos ·General RAAM ·Eyedol | |||
| Season 3+ | Kilgore ·Shin Hisako ·Eagle | |||
