A Flaming Enemy is an enemy variation in the Syphon Filter Franchise. Usually a masked character from one of various enemy factions, they have the unfortunate luck of being lit ablaze for no reason whatsoever. They generally sprint towards the player intending to light them aflame. These characters wield no weapons and some are even equipped with Flak Jackets, their only method of attack being to run at the player and should the player walk into their path, they will similarly catch fire (which could result in a quick death if the fire is not put out).
The easiest way to deal with a flaming enemy is to aim and shoot them in the head, which instantly kills them, and is the most effective way to ensure that Gabe does not succumb to the extreme heat. Many of them aren't equipped with armour so several body shots should do the trick. Alternatively, because the enemies are on fire, they are technically going to die anyways so the player can simply move out of their path and they will eventually stop at a predetermined point where they'll collapse and die, with the fire extinguishing itself shortly thereafter.
These characters always exist in destroyed locations or those that are under attack, such as the Destroyed Subway or Warehouse 76. If they were to appear elsewhere, it's due to an accidental ignition or one caused by another character.
Trivia
- Technically it's possible to create these characters from grenade explosions, especially the incendiary grenades introduced in The Omega Strain, the TH3 Blaster from the same game, or use of the Air Taser, however they are dead and incapable of charging towards the character.
- It's worth remembering that in the PS2 and Vita versions of Dark Mirror and Logan's Shadow, it is impossible to set victims aflame with the various tasers.
TV's Game Glitches 3 Flaming Batons (Syphon Filter)
- If a cheat device is used, it's possible to create these characters with the method above and they will run around aimlessly with their guns firing in the air (however, the bullets can still hit the player). Walking into said characters will result the same: the player will be ignited in flame and unless a cheat is active that enables invincibility, you will need to quickly roll to put out the flame.
- In Syphon Filter 2 with the use of cheats, any character (including allies) lit ablaze that can become frozen in place entirely. This even occurs with cutscenes but can a later cutscene can fix this or sometimes they will vanish after the scene ends. An example can be during Colorado Mountains, if igniting John Ramirez he will be frozen in place and even crushed by the boulders upon exiting. However, if Jason Chance is ignited he will remain frozen in the cutscene and suddenly disappear after.