Cylon Centurion

For Centurions from the Original Series, see Centurion (TOS).

The basic unit of Cylon ground forces, the Cylon Centurion appears to be an upgrade to the Cylon Centurion Model 0005. They have long, talon-like fingers with multiple joints and have a double barreled automatic projectile weapon mounted on the end of each arm. These newer, fiercer Centurions are capable of moving extremely fast via bipedal locomotion and are capable of jumping over obstacles. The projectile guns built into each arm are so powerful that they make counterattacks very difficult by Colonials since the barrage is, in effect, much like a gatling gun. Unlike the Model 0005, a single Centurion is more than enough to terrorize a squad of Colonial fighters. They also use mortars in combat. In addition, their fingers can be used as bladed close combat weapons.

It is unknown whether the Centurions can "speak." It is certainly possible that they communicate with each other via some sort of computer network, and thus have no need for verbal speech.

The Cylon Centurions may also have different armor options. For instance, a small number of them wreaked havoc when boarding Galactica, and could only be destroyed using explosive rounds (Valley of Darkness).

Centurions encountered on Caprica reacted more slowly, acted less intelligently, and were more easily destroyed by small arms fire. This may be due to the Cylons' plans for Helo and the copy of Sharon Valerii with him; killing them would render their experiments worthless. Centurions on Kobol on the other hand displayed an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery out of parts of their Heavy Raider (Fragged).<br\> It may be that the Centurions are very simple soldiers that, despite their menacing statistics, are limited in their evolution and programming. Centurions are not sentient, and are not downloaded upon destruction.

On New Caprica, the Centurions are used for a variety of jobs. Among them guards, soldiers and executioners.

While primarily mechanical, as opposed to the biomechanical Raiders and basestars, it has been hinted by humanoids during a discussion of the viral infection that the Centurions have at least some biomechanical components. However their adverse affect to the virus could also be a result of a wireless link to the Hybrid when it died, as a Number Three states, that the Centurions started shutting down as soon as the ship's Hybrid became infected (Torn).

When the Cylons created their new Centurions, they did not give them sentience, making them rely solely on programming. Ironically this was done, according to information from Sharon Agathon, to prevent another robotic rebellion similar to the one the Cylons themselves originally orchestrated. Moreover, the Centurions are programmed to not harm any of the 12 humanoid Cylon models and they cannot distinguish one copy from another (Precipice). However, if ordered to do so they can terminate humanoid Cylon models and have the logs ordered erased to prevent the discovery of this act or unit knowledge of the act (Hero).

"Bullethead", "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs.

Cinematic Notes

The creators of the Re-imagined Series decided that using actors in an elaborate Cylon robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the series. They decided to make fully computer-generated Cylon Centurions for the new series.

Inaugural director Michael Rymer wanted the new Cylon warrior to blend in and avoid detracting from the live actor's performances. However, the new designs were eye-catching, and the new robot became a popular addition to many scenes. The virtual Cylons are designed with full articulation in the hands and joints that gives a realistic appearance to the viewer. Initially the new warrior was built with more human movement, such as swaggering. However, the movements did not fit the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey and were later discarded.

Actors interact with a life-size cardboard stand-in when filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon warriors inserted. Some times human actors (production assistants in reality) stand in for the CG Centurions in more complex shots. As revealed in a Video Blog entry on SciFi's Galactica website, stand-ins portraying Centurions are made to wear thick black vests with the word CENTURION printed across them. Much like the cardboard stand-ins the "actors" are then digitally painted out of the shot and replaced with virtual Centurions.