“ | Dean Winchester: An Alpha? Like- Samuel Campbell: Like all monsters come from somewhere, right? (...) First one, who spawned all the others. |
” |
Alphas are the first monsters of each species created by Eve.
Characteristics[]
The Alphas are the children of Eve and the first of their respective species. As the first and oldest, they are also the most powerful monsters and are regarded as the parent of their respective race, since they were the ones who began populating each monster race once Eve had created them. According to Samuel Campbell, there is a ton of lore about the alphas, but until their emergence when Crowley started hunting for Purgatory, they were thought to be a myth.
Due to their close ties to Eve, the Alphas are aware of Purgatory and the location of Purgatory's gateway, as well as the existence of Leviathans, their ancestors.
Due to their age and power, they possess very few weaknesses, often being immune to or less affected by major weaknesses that hold true for their respective species.
History[]
Season 6[]
Two and a Half Men[]
The alpha shapeshifter appears before the Campbells to retrieve a baby shapeshifter; it was immune to everything the Campbells had to throw at it and was able to defeat the Campbells easily.
Live Free or Twihard[]
The alpha vampire showed all vampires of the nest Dean was currently occupying a vision of his location so that his army could gather to him.
Family Matters[]
The alpha vampire is kidnapped and taken by Samuel and Christian for interrogation, it reveals Samuel's motives of locating Purgatory. It seemed very interested in the fact that Sam had no soul. It escaped the Campbell's custody and snapped Christian's neck in a fight. It was about to turn Sam when Christian injected it with dead man's blood, which weakened it. Three demons then restrained the alpha, teleporting him away to Crowley's prison. Although snapping Christian's neck had no effect on the demon that was currently possessing him, the Alpha killed the actual Christian.
All Dogs Go To Heaven[]
The alpha skinwalker (off-screen) rallies an army of Skinwalkers who are ordered to turn the families of the pets they are posing as when directed. Also at the beginning of the episode, Crowley alludes to the existence of an alpha Werewolf.
Caged Heat[]
The alpha shapeshifter appears in the beginning of the episode taking the form of Crowley's host. He was being tortured by Crowley and was killed by a beheading because he would not tell him the location of Purgatory. Weapons made of iridium are capable of harming the alpha shapeshifter. At the conclusion of the episode, Castiel clears out Crowley's prison of all the monsters, of which it is mentioned at least a few alphas were there that were destroyed.
Season 7[]
There Will Be Blood[]
The Alpha Vampire returns, having escaped Crowley's prison before it was destroyed. The Winchesters need his blood to help stop the Leviathans as the blood of an alpha is one of the ingredients needed for the weapon that can kill them. After learning that the Leviathans intend to wipe out his race and when Sam and Dean save him from Edgar, the Alpha Vampire gives them his blood without a fight.
Season 12[]
The Raid[]
As part of their operations in America, the British Men of Letters begin Project V, aimed at exterminating all American vampires. Their operation kills 230 of 241 vampires in the Midwest alone and draws the ire of the Alpha Vampire who considers America his home. In retaliation, the Alpha Vampire leads a raid on the British Men of Letters compound aided by rogue hunter Pierce Moncrieff. Though most of the British operatives are killed, Sam Winchester is at the compound at the time and rallies the survivors. After learning that the British Men of Letters have the Colt, Sam teaches them to make bullets for the legendary gun. Though the Alpha Vampire bluffs that he is one of the five things the gun can't kill, Sam manages to shoot the Alpha Vampire through the head with the Colt with the help of Mary Winchester and Mick Davies, killing the Alpha Vampire.
Season 15[]
The Trap[]
A Leviathan in Purgatory reveals to Dean and Castiel that, amongst other things, Eve is seeking revenge for the deaths of the Alphas.
The Heroes' Journey[]
Dean mentions Alphas as one of the types of creatures the Winchesters have killed.
Powers and Abilities[]
As the creators of their specific species, each of them are much more powerful because of literally being the first of their kind.
- Telepathic Link - They possess a telepathic link to their children, allowing them to track or communicate with them over great distance. They can also learn knowledge their children possess.
- Super Strength - As the eldest, purest, and most endowed of their respective breeds, alphas possess far superior strength than any common member of their species. The strongest of them are at least stronger than a common demon or at most powerful enough to push a Leviathan away for a few moments though they are not strong enough to beat a Leviathan on their own. The Alpha Shapeshifter demonstrated strength great enough to rip an iron door off of its hinges with ease and the Alpha Vampire, along with holding his own momentarily against a Leviathan, was often seen throwing hunters around with just one hand when fighting them.
- Super Stamina - Their durability and pain thresholds are far superior to the rest of their species.
- Immunity - Alphas are more resistant to certain weapons that harm lesser members of their races. For example, the Alpha Shapeshifter is immune to silver and the Alpha Vampire demonstrated a high degree of resilience to dead man's blood though massive amounts weakened him enough for three demons to overpower him. Additionally, the Alpha Shapeshifter was only briefly slowed down by massive amounts of tranquilizer and quickly recovered.
- Immortality - Even if their species is not immortal, the alpha is, provided they are not killed. This is supported by the fact that while shapeshifters are not immortal, the Alpha Shapeshifter did not die until recently, when he was beheaded by Crowley, despite having been alive the last time Eve, the Mother of All, walked the Earth when all alphas were created.
- Invulnerability - Silver and powerful tranquilizers caused no harm to the Alpha Shapeshifter with only the rare metal iridium causing any harm to him. In the case of the Alpha Vampire, he withstood electrocution without an issue, even mocking his torturer and a weapon that could easily kill lesser vampires was noted to only be able to maybe be able to hurt him. The only confirmed methods of killing an Alpha are decapitation and the Colt as seen with the Alpha Shapeshifter and the Alpha Vampire respectively.
- High Endurance - The Alpha Vampire was not even phased by being electrocuted and the Alpha Shapeshifter withstood Crowley's torture without much trouble.
- Enhanced Abilities - All skills that are owned by their offspring are owned by alphas on a considerably higher level.
Weaknesses[]
- The Colt - It can kill all but five things in all of Creation including the Alphas as seen with the death of the Alpha Vampire.
- Leviathans - They can kill any kind of monster, including the Alphas.
- Eve - As their mother, Eve can kill Alphas.
- Horde of Demons - A group of three black-eyed demons was able to capture a badly weakened Alpha vampire.
- Decapitation - Used by Crowley to kill the Alpha Shapeshifter. As a vampire, the Alpha Vampire was vulnerable to this weakness as well.
Known Alphas[]
- Alpha Phoenix (unknown)
- Alpha Vampire (deceased)
- Alpha Shapeshifter (deceased)
- Alpha Skinwalker (mentioned)
- Alpha Werewolf (mentioned by Crowley)
- Alpha Djinn (mentioned indirectly by Crowley)
- Alpha Khan Worm (deceased)
- Alpha Borderwalker (tie-in books only)
- Alpha Wendigo (mentioned in Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting)
- Alpha Ghoul (mentioned in Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting)
- Alpha Wraith (mentioned in Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting)
- Alpha Arachne (unknown)
- Alpha Dragon (unknown)
- Alpha Rugaru (Unknown)
Appearances[]
- Season 6
- Two and a Half Men (Alpha Shapeshifter)
- Live Free or Twihard (Alpha Vampire)
- Family Matters (Alpha Vampire)
- All Dogs Go To Heaven (Alpha Skinwalker, Alpha Werewolf and Alpha Vampire, mentioned only)
- Caged Heat (Alpha Shapeshifter; Alpha Djinn, mentioned only)
- ...And Then There Were None (Alpha Khan Worm)
- Season 7
- Meet The New Boss (soul forms)
- There Will Be Blood (Alpha Vampire)
- Season 8
- Bitten (Alpha Werewolf, mentioned only)
- Season 10
- The Things They Carried (Alpha Khan Worm, referenced only)
- Season 12
- Season 15
- The Trap (mentioned only)
- The Heroes' Journey (mentioned only)
- Non-Canon
- Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting (Alpha Werewolf, Skinwalker, Wendigo, Shapeshifter, Ghoul, Djinn and Wraith mentioned only)
- Supernatural: Coyote's Kiss (Alpha Borderwalker)
- Season Six The Official Companion Guide (Alpha Phoenix)
Trivia[]
- In Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting, Bobby confirms the existence of the Alpha Wendigo, which implies that they are descendants from Eve. This book is non-canon. However, the fact that Ellsworth was coordinating demons attempting to capture a Wendigo for Crowley in The Man Who Would Be King would suggest that they are indeed related to Eve.
- Through their mother Eve, the Alphas - as well as the descendants of each Alpha - are related to the Leviathans.
- The show has only shown the Alpha Vampire, the Khan worm, and Alpha Shapeshifter. While the alpha skinwalker, werewolf, and djinn were mentioned. Other alphas such as the alpha wendigo, ghoul, wraith, and borderwalker are non-canon. The only alpha's whom status is unknown is the alpha arachne and rugaru