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Surviving's not enough! We've got to fight!

Elijah Walker

Elijah Walker, who is referred to simply as Walker, is one of the eleven playable Cleaners in Back 4 Blood. He is a seasoned veteran who brings his vast experience in warfare to the table, and shoulders the responsibility of ensuring that everyone he cares about makes it out alive.

Official description[]

The oldest of five siblings, Elijah Walker was born in Evansburgh to a hardworking, blue collar family. The former Army Ranger and war-torn veteran is highly skilled with a wealth of front-line combat experience. Walker is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he commands the attention of his fellow Cleaners, who all respect his commitment to the fight.[2]

Traits[]

The following traits are being granted to Walker with his Cleaners card:

INCOMING!
Mutations that Walker pings are highlighted and deal 10% reduced damage.

PRAGMATIC Team Effect
+ 10 Team Health

MODEL SOLDIER
+ 10% Damage

EQUIPPED
Start with a Frag Grenade

Appearance[]

Elijah Walker's appearance include black short hair and a medium-length beard. He wears a red baseball cap, worn backward, with black eyelets, closure, and button. A black E-letter is stitched onto the front panel. A scar runs from the bridge of his nose across his right cheek.

On his upper body, he dons a blue long-sleeved shirt featuring a prominent Army Ranger logo print on the front. The right sleeve displays a mirrored US flag print. A desert-colored scarf loosely hangs around his neck, adding a casual touch that complements the overall ensemble. Additionally, he wears two dog tags imprinted with the name "Pete Walker", prompting speculation about whether this deliberate choice reflects intention or an inadvertent oversight concerning his real name. Desert-colored combat gloves with black accents cover his hands. His back carries a desert-colored combat backpack with patches—a US flag, a Special Forces sniper, and a Valkyrie in front of a spade sign. An olive green flashlight is attached to the left backpack strap.

On his lower body, Elijah wears a desert-colored combat belt with magazine pouches, a combat knife attached to the back and featuring a holster. Below, he wears black cargo pants and his kness are protected by black knee pads. Completing the ensemble, he sports desert-colored combat boots.

Developer comments[]

In the video "Back 4 Blood - Breakdown of All 8 Playable Characters (Meet the Cleaners)"[3] by media news outlet IGN lead writer Simon Mackenzie and co-founder and creative director Phil Robb at Turtle Rock Studios did a breakdown of all eight playable Cleaners in Back 4 Blood.

The following quotes are shortened versions of the comments they've made about Walker's character:

Walker was one of the first characters I was actually started writing and I wanted him to be "the rock".

He's the one who will have the plan, he'll see the way through and he'll guide people and make sure his team get there.
And he cares deeply about everybody on his team and some ways I wanted to avoid that hard macho guy and I wanted him to be there for everybody. Him and Mom are basically the de facto leaders of our cleaner team and that kind of caring goes through both those characters. Simon Mackenzie, Lead Writer at Turtle Rock Studios


It's safe to say he's like the warrior archetype, ex-military. He was actually on leave whenever the apocalypse happened.

So he brings the skill and the experience from "real world combat". Phil Robb, Co-Founder/Creative Director at Turtle Rock Studios


In the recent "Turtle Rock Studios Back 4 Blood Art Blast"[4] on artstation.com character concept artist Gue Yang shared information about the design of Walker's appeareance.

Walker is one of the First Cleaners I designed with Direction from Phil Robb and Mike Brainard.
We initially had more civilian/casual designs in the early version but found middle ground.

Gue Yang, Character Concept Artist


Journal entry[]

Walker's journal entry has been shared on the Back 4 Blood 𝕏 account on August 19th, 2021.[5]

My parents worked their assess off to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. They always told me how lucky we were. At the time I didn't get it.

Wasn't until they were gone that I realized they were talking about us. About FAMILY. Lost my mom at 13, Dad to cancer just before I graduated. I had nothing, but I'd been given plenty and wanted to give back. So I enlisted.

I trained, trained HARD. I threw myself into the life and was rewarded by becoming an army ranger.

I was on leave, visiting my stomping ground the "The Collapse" hit. Training SAVED MY LIFE. Helped me save others. My parents never gave up, their spirits are in my blood so I won't either.

Sometimes family can be where you find it and I found mine again at HOPE. Together we're going to fight and take back what was ours. For those that are here and for the generations yet to come. Walker's journal


Notes[]

  • His dog tags have the name "Pete Walker" stamped on them instead of "Elijah Walker", which suggests whether this was implemented intentionally or accidentally by the development team.

    The following was stamped on the dog tags:
    WALKER
    PETE
    PC-071916
    O POS
    CHRISTIAN

Gallery[]

Sources[]

  1. William Christopher Stephens on IMDb.
  2. Official description from the official Back 4 Blood website.
  3. "Back 4 Blood - Breakdown of All 8 Playable Characters (Meet the Cleaners)" by IGN article and YouTube video.
  4. "Turtle Rock Studios Back 4 Blood Art Blast" on artstation.[1]
  5. Walker's journal entry release (𝕏)
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