Warriors, AKA "the normal ones", are perhaps the most famous strain of Primal Mutation, as it is them that most would visualize whenever the curse is mentioned.

Typically, Warrior mutants have no distinction or predisposition to what species of Fauna they inherit, in fact they are famous for taking on by far the largest variety of the kingdom animalia's traits. Their most common manifestations are that of canines, specifically wolves or wild dogs, but just as often they could appear as felines, bovines, rodents, reptiles, or even, on rare occasions, freshwater amphibians.

This massive range of variations in the Warrior strain's gene pool seems to be somewhat by design, as this has often been cited as the most glaring evidence to Warriors being "The default state" of the mutation. Behind the Scavengers, the Warrior strain boasts the highest quantity of known infectants, trouncing the numbers of Brutes, Hunters, Chieftains, and even harpies, combined. This is commonly believed as such, due to the popular theory amongst the spiritual side of our scholar societies, known as "The chosen strain theory". This theory, (further elaborated on in Topic 2: "What the curse turns us into", Penned by: Dr. Minerva Talos, freelance Zoologist), claims that each of the currently known strains have a bizarre sense of preference for what kind of host they inhabit. This can include claims such as "The Brute strain demands the courageous", "The Scavenger Strain seeks the greedy", "The Harpy strain targets those with high intellect", or "Only those with a strong enough will can become Chieftains". The Warrior strain however, is often believed to have no such preference, it will take whatever the other strains will not, it is the average middle ground, the filler, the jack of all trades. Whilst the chosen strain theory is often mocked for its rather unnecessary poetic jargon, it is still the most widely used explanation for the nature of a mutant Warrior, and strain's complete lack of significant traits.

For Warrior mutants are perhaps the most straightforward and well-known of the hordes. Though strong, fast, perceptive, and somewhat still intelligent, none of these aspects individually compare to a Warrior's peers. Brutes will always be bigger, stronger, and tougher. Hunters will always be faster, smarter, and more energetic. Scavengers will always be more talented at deduction and scouting, the list goes on. In essence, they are the equivalent to the basic soldiers of a standard, modern-day army. They operate as the common fighting force of the mutant hordes, lacking unique specialities or distinction in favour of reliability. Hence why the strain is so common and why it incorporates so many species of beast, Warriors are the blank slate which any unfortunate victim can fall into. If an infected victim has nothing of significance to their human form, has no greater aspirations, or knows nothing of the curse itself, then their most likely end is the transformation into a Warrior Mutant.
This lack of individuality is perhaps the Warrior's greatest strength however, as next to the Harpy strain, Warrior mutants have the highest recorded number of random episodes of additional mutations. Many rangers that have assisted in this study claim that every 2 out 5 Warrior mutants would suddenly undergo intense growth spurts, sprout additional eyes, have hands and/or feet swell to monstrous size, have tails that would double or triple in length, became engulfed in bone-like spikes, develop thick and leather-like biological armour, or even, in rare cases, spontaneously gain spellcasting abilities. Warriors are biological nightmares, their bizarre sense of normality and trait-devoid strain lending their bodies perfectly to sudden and rapid deformities. This is possible in all strains of the mutation, (and covered further in Topic 6: "THEY CAN GET BIGGER", Penned by Dr. Minerva Talos, freelance Zoologist.), but in the case of Warriors, it is to be expected, and planned for.

Fortunately however, though this trait makes them physically imposing, psychologically is where Warriors falter.
Per there namesake, combat is all that truly matters to a Warrior mutant, and that is all they are structured for. As such, Warrior mutants often have their intellects very poorly preserved by their mutations, to the point where they are essentially just animals with the ability to stand and use tools. They tend to retain combat experience and knowledge with exceptional clarity, should the infected possess such, but outside of fighting styles and pack tactics, Warriors are considerably dim-witted. Some encounters even detail how they behave almost identically to the animals they're based upon, such as feline Warriors being anti-social and hygiene-obsessed, cervid Warriors sighted just standing around like they've completely forgotten where they were, and even canine Warriors falling for the same "Fetch" trick that only the most airheaded of domestic dogs would be affected by. Warriors are simply beasts with weapons, nothing more, and thus outside of the spontaneous mutations, this makes them incredibly predictable.

To effectively face one is to believe you're facing either an aggressive wild animal, or a well-trained but poorly educated thug, depending on what kind of weapon or fighting style they boast. Like the Scavengers, Warriors will tend to prefer grouping up and forming smaller hordes, often with other strains, though more often than not, many Warriors will sport a notable sense of overconfidence, and would instead try to face opponents alone, in some cases even demanding their comrades to cease assistance. Almost all Warriors possess this heavily enhanced bravery, but it is not something to be threatened by, as again, Warriors are not very intelligent. The best technique most rangers would find, is to meet a Warrior's challenge at an equal level. Many Warriors fight with a mixture of martial craft and bestial savagery, and thus a master swordsman may find themselves at a decent, but far from insurmountable challenge. Warriors are capable of using ranged weaponry, but not the firearms of the modern day, and their hides can be shredded with gunpowder just like any beast. If fought in groups, a squad or a veteran knight need only to pay attention. The trick is to treat the Warriors like, well, Warriors. They have no sense of honour, or code of conduct, and may even retain knowledge of underhanded fighting tricks. But once again, they are beasts vaguely acting like men, guided along only by instinct and scrambled memories, and thus you need not feel remorse for disposing of them as such.
Use underhanded tactics yourself, bring higher calibre rifles, treat the monstrosities like you would treat a rabid wolf.
And you will find little difference between the two.

Addendum: If you are not a trained soldier and instead a desperate survivor, then try the "go fetch the stick" trick on the canine-breed Warriors, they will fall for it easily. If there are no canines present, and neither is armed assistance, then you have our sincere condolences.I mean, werewolves on their own are fiiiine, but like, if they can still use swords or crossbows or other medieval weapons, then we're talking.