Space Pirate (Metroid)

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Pirate Trooper as seen in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Space Pirates are members of a fictional, Alien intelligent aggressor species that appear throughout the Metroid series. They are sometimes referred to as Alien Pirates Specie, or just Zebesians in the Super Metroid game manual, although later games have revealed that the Pirate Aliens are not native to the planet Zebes. The Alien Pirates were not present during the events of the original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus.

History

The Alien Pirates were first encountered shortly after the founding of the Galactic Federation. These Pirate Alien groups would attack and raid spaceships to search for loot and to instill fear in the people of the Galactic Federation. Their main goal is to take over as the dominant force in the Galaxy.

The Galactic Federation formed the Space Pirate organization to take down the Alien Pirates and destroy them, but were unsuccessful due to the Pirates own advanced technology and their intelligence to lose the Federation deep in space. They then created the pirate weapon organization; the greatest of the galaxy, equipped with powerful items, they would individually hunt down Pirates and receive money for their efforts.

During one particular Pirate raid led by Ridley, the Pirates targeted the colony K2-L in an attempt to raid it. During the raid, a small human child came upon Ridley amidst all the destruction. Ridley attacked the girl, but her mother took the blow for her. With the mother dead, Ridley planned to kill the small child, but an explosion destroyed his ship (caused by the girl's father in a suicide bombing) and he was forced to leave. This girl was later brought to Zebes by Chozo who she then lived with. This girl, Samus Aran grew up with the Chozo even as she developed a hatred for the Pirates.

On an expedition to SR388, The Federation discovered an organism known as a Metroid species. Studies showed that exposure to beta rays for twenty-four hours would cause them to multiply. This 'Metroid' is theorized to have wiped out an advanced civilization on SR388.

When the Pirates learned of it, they immediately set out and attacked the ship containing the capsule. They stole the hibernating Metroid and brought it to the fortress planet of Zebes . The planet, a confusing labyrinth underneath and an impregnable rock layer on top, Zebes was a prime selection for the Space Pirates. The Federation, knowing what destruction this creature could cause, sent out search teams to find the Metroid and return it to Federation authority.

Eventually, they tracked the Pirates down and began attacking the planet and the Pirate base, yet none of their forces could penetrate it. However, the Pirates in the base were successfully cloning the Metroids, and the Federation was now desperate. They then called in the greatest of the Space Hunters, Samus Aran, to stop the Pirates, destroy the Metroids, and eliminate the Pirate-controlled AI which ran the base on Zebes, Mother Brain.

Metroid / Metroid Zero Mission

During the events of Metroid, Samus Aran traveled the depths of Zebes in search of items and abilities, along with the Mother Brain. However, to reach Mother Brain, she would have to defeat two deadly leaders of the space pirates; Kraid and Ridley. After taking out both, she travelled to Tourian, home of the Metroids and Mother Brain. Defeating Metroids, she traveled on to Mother Brain, who was defeated in the battle. However, Mother Brain activated a time bomb meant to take out Samus and Samus was forced to flee up a shaft. Escaping, she witnessed the destruction of the Pirate base.

However, on departure she was shot down by the Pirates and crash landed in her old home, Chozodia, without her ship or power suit. There she was forced to enter the Pirate mother ship, stealthily avoiding the Pirates (whom she could not harm) and escaped to Chozodia, where she regained an improved Gravity Suit.

The Pirates had been building a mechanical version of Ridley, for unknown purposes (possibly as a backup commander). However, Samus, in need of a ship to escape, confronted Meta Ridley, whom she defeated. With another time bomb set off, she traveled to the hangar and stole a Pirate vessel, which she used to escape as the mother ship was blown up from inside.

Metroid Prime

After the destruction of their Zebesian base, the Pirates split into two groups; one would return to Zebes and attempt to rebuild their base and revive Mother Brain while the other searched for a powerful energy source to aid the Pirates. Not long after did the second group detect a massive energy supply emitting from the planet Tallon IV, a former home of the Chozo. The Pirates then landed there, and set up a base to find the energy and use it. When found, they named it Phazon , a radioactive substance directly responsible for the decline of Tallon IV's environment.

Building a base in Phendrana Drifts where it was colder making it easier to ship specimens and phazon and also creating the Phazon Mines, the Pirates began experimenting with Phazon. Once they learned of its potential, they began exposing Tallon's inhabitants to Phazon. However, initial tests were unsuccessful, and most third generation specimens died.

However, they eventually mastered Phazon exposure, and learned that if the creature survived the infusion process, muscle tissue would grow, though brain tissue degenerated, causing insanity. Eventually, with enough testing of different phazon types, the Space Pirates found a way to mutate organisms without much loss of brain tissue.

Eventually they brought Metroids to Tallon IV to see what a Metroids reaction to Phazon would be. After an initial problem at the landing site resulting in the death of 3 Metroids, they were safely transported to Phendrana Drifts, due to a new find that cold temperatures made them sluggish. They soon learned that Metroids could absorb this energy without limitation, resulting in a different evolutionary growth; they would evolve either into Fission Metroids or Hunter Metroids.

Once mastered, they even began experimenting on their own kind, which ended up being the creation of the Elite Pirates, the Phazon Elites, and the culmination of their efforts created the Elite Pirate Upsilon, or the Omega Pirate. Certain Phazon would bring a new age to the Pirates, they continued Phazon experimentation with various creatures, including parasites on an orbiting frigate, Orpheon.

Late in their operations they traced Phazon back to its source; the impact crater of the meteor that brought Phazon to Tallon IV. They sensed massive energy readings from within, and even detected bio signs of a giant creature located in the crater, absorbing high amounts of Phazon. However, they could not access said crater due to a powerful containment surrounding it. Tracing the field back to a Chozo Temple, they learned that in order to breach the shield, 12 Chozo artifacts would be needed. However, their data banks could not properly translate the clue left in the Temple, but they did understand certain Chozo Artifacts would be needed. Finding a few, they continued their search in hope of controlling both the Phazon and the creature in the crater.

The Space Pirates eventually found the creature, and named it Metroid Prime. They were amazed at its capabilities: not only could it absorb Phazon, but it could also produce it! They tried to contain it, but it escaped several times, at one point assimilating Space Pirate weaponry.

They also resurrected the defeated Ridley, and added cybernetic enhancements, making him an even fiercer opponent. They called their new creation "Meta Ridley". High Command also planned on allowing him to enforce the Pirates on Tallon IV. However, he could not enforce until his enhancements were complete on Orpheon.

In the Chozo Ruins while exploring for Chozo items, they encountered several Chozo-like entities, named Chozo Ghosts. Killing many personnel, the Pirates planned on destroying these apparitions which seemed to haunt several religious areas.

Eventually, Phazon exposure to the Parasites resulted in the birth of two Parasite Queens . One was killed, but the other one grew too large and powerful for the Pirates to stop. It and the mutated Parasites eventually eliminated or injured all Pirates on board, excluding Meta Ridley, who was just finishing up that last of his upgrades. A distress signal was sent out, but Samus Aran detected the distress call and went out to find its source. Finding the dead Pirates, she realized the nature of the ship. Eliminating the Parasite Queen, she was forced to flee as the body fell into the reactor. On the way out, Meta Ridley was spotted by her, where he summarily escaped. Samus, deciding to follow, attempted to leave the ship, but lost many items and abilities when an energy surge overloaded several abilities. Escaping into her gunship, she followed Meta Ridley down to the surface of the planet.

There, she began restoring weapons and items to her power suit, eventually gaining access to Phendrana Drifts, where she learned of their experiments. Causing havoc in their Phendrana base, she proceeded on through the crashed Frigate Orpheon to Phazon Mines, where she learned of the Pirates successful attempts to duplicate Samus's weapons (the Power Beam, Wave Beam, Ice Beam, and Plasma Beam) and used them against her. However, they were destroyed by using the weapon that corresponded with their own.

Traveling deeper into the Mines, she encountered the Elite Pirates and the Phazon Elite, proceeding all the way to the Elite Quarters, where the Omega Pirate dwelt. After defeating the Pirate, it crashed upon her, infusing her suit with massive amounts of Phazon, creating the Phazon Suit. With the defeat of the Omega and the Elites, the Pirates were all but finished.

After acquiring all the Chozo Artifacts, Samus traveled to the Artifact Temple where she could access the impact crater and destroy the Phazon and the creature there. However, Meta Ridley finally emerged and attacked Samus in an attempt to kill her and access the impact crater, which would turn the tides against the Pirates. Samus was able to defeat him though, and he was shot off the Temple by Chozo statues, which targeted him due to him destroying certain religious statures. Shot off, he fell off the cliff where an explosion was seen. Samus then proceeded to enter the Impact Crater, where she found Metroid Prime's lair and destroyed it by harnessing the power of Phazon to her own arm cannon. But Metroid Prime did not go quietly, as it absorbed the Phazon from Samus' suit as well as some of Samus' own DNA. Stripped back to her Gravity Suit, Samus escaped in her ship as the impact crater exploded.

Hunters

The Pirates played a very small role during the events of Metroid Prime Hunters, but Weavel, a former Pirate general was introduced. In a previous battle with Samus Aran, he was defeated and supposedly killed, but was found by fellow Pirates and restored to health. However, the damage was so extensive his brain and spine were implanted in a cybernetic suit. Although losing the rank of general, he quickly proceeded to the tops of the Pirate assassination force due to his unique physique and his prior training. Mastering the Battlehammer and utilizing his alternative form, the Halfturret, he proved himself to be a formidable foe. He was one of the many who received the telepathic message from the Alimbic Cluster, and took off in search of it. There he traveled the Cluster in search of Octoliths, which would lead him to the Ultimate Power spoke of in the message. However, whether or not he wanted the Ultimate Power for himself or for the Pirates is unknown.

Finally accessing the Oubliette when Samus Aran operated the Alimbic Cannon to find the Ultimate Power, he and the other Hunters joined together to open the seal holding what they believed the Ultimate Power was. However, when the seal broke, a monstrous creature known as Gorea emerged, who then drained them of energy and copied their weapons.

However, when Samus killed Gorea (she had witnessed the defeat of the other Hunters) the Hunters ships, along with Weavel's, were seen escaping the exploding Oubliette. Nothing more is known of Weavel.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

After their defeat on Tallon IV, the group of Pirates went off in search of more Phazon to compensate for their losses on Tallon IV. Finding energy readings on Aether, they traveled to what they presumed was a docile planet. They soon learned a terrible war was being waged between the natives, the Luminoth, and an unknown foe. Creating a base in Agon Wastes, they discovered a Portal that led to an unknown location. They also discovered a weapon, the Dark Beam which they hypothesized was used to access the Portal. Entering it, they stumbled upon the Dark World; Dark Aether. Learning of a Phazon meteor that caused the planet to split into a Light and Dark world and the birth of a race of dark creatures known as the Ing, they immediately requested more military support, as even the atmosphere in Dark Aether was poisonous.

Realizing that all planetary Phazon was found in Dark Aether, they began mining operations, which turned into a disaster. The Ing, believing the Pirates to be enemies, constantly attacked the Pirates, possessing and destroying them. Not only that, but planetary instability was high due to a large attack somewhere in the mountains, most likely the Ing's raid of Sanctuary Fortress.

Mutant sub-larvae Metroids were once again brought to Aether in artificial cocoons, which would house the Metroids during travels. Once again they were exposed to Phazon, becoming Tallon Metroids. Three Metroids were mysteriously stolen, however, with no signs of the bandit present.

And to their great horror, what they believed was Samus in a new suit arrived. However, they were confused as to why she held no grudge and only killed those who got in her way of Phazon, which she constantly leeched off. Raiding them several times, the Pirates failed time and again at holding her back. It was then assumed she was the one responsible for the Metroid theft as she was seen attempting to free them from their containment tanks. In one raid, she took out their stealth generator, exposing them to the eyes of the Federation. Hoping that they were far away enough to be undetected, they were soon found by a Federation ship in pursuit of a ship bringing supplies to the Pirates. The Pirate ship was shot down, but the Federation ship was struck by lightning on entering the atmosphere. Luckily for the Pirates, they could not contact the Federation, and were eventually decimated by possessed creatures.

Matters turned worse, when Pirate scouts reported seeing Samus Aran enter the planet in search of the Marines, but this Samus wore traditional colors. Believing their deaths imminent, they were pleased to see the Dark Samus and Samus seemed to be foes. The Pirates, desperate, offered an alliance with Dark Samus; Phazon in return for the death of Samus. When Samus came upon their base in Agon, she once again wreaked havoc upon the Pirates throughout Aether. With destruction of Dark Aether at the end of Samus's journey, the Pirates left Aether, defeated and humiliated. Dark Samus was presumably destroyed by Samus. If you unlocked the secret ending you see Dark Samus coming back to life.The war between the Luminoth and the Ing had ended, with Aether claiming the planets energy that had been fought over.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Although little is known, the Pirates have returned and are waging a war on the Federation. The Federation's computer network has also been frozen, although if it is the Pirates' doing is unknown. It is also known that Ridley has returned.

Super Metroid

Gone from the events of Return of Samus, they return once again in a second attempt to use Metroids for galactic conquest. At some point before this game, they allied themselves with the KiHunters, making them honorary Pirates as well. After resurrecting Kraid, Ridley, and Mother Brain (as well as their Zebesian base), Ridley goes out to steal a Metroid hatchling from a space colony that Samus had recovered on her expedition to SR-388, where she had eliminated all Metroids there. Ridley stole the hatchling shortly after it was brought there, and a distress signal was sent out quickly. Samus returned but Ridley escaped with the Metroid. Escaping the space station, she traveled after Ridley to Zebes.

There she learned the Pirates had re-built their base and moved Mother Brain to a more secure area. In order to access Mother Brain and the Metroid hatchling, she was forced to defeat 4 bosses while gathering the necessary equipment.

She accessed Mother Brain’s chambers, where she once again defeated her. Escaping, Samus saw the final destruction of Zebes, and a powerful blow to the Pirate organization. The Metroids had been hunted to extinction. Ridley, Kraid and Mother Brain were once again destroyed due to the complete destruction of Zebes. The galaxy was at peace for the Galactic Federation. The space pirates seemed well and truly defeated.

Metroid Fusion

Once again the Pirates played a small role during the events of Fusion. Samus stumbled upon the frozen corpse of Ridley on the B.S.L. station, though how it got there is unknown. X Parasites mimicking Pirate troopers also appeared, suggesting Pirates were on the station, although their goals were unknown. However, they were all killed (and subsequently mimicked) by the X.

Organizations

High Command

There are a number of references to "Command" or "High Command" in Pirate logs in both Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Command is apparently the head of the Space Pirates. Command apparently issues orders, troops, and supplies.

Science Team

There are several references to "Science Team" in Pirate Logs in both Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. It appears that they direct research. They are below Command in the hierarchy of Pirate society, but because they are not a military division, they have more leeway than the rest of the Pirates. Science Team appears at times to be rather detached from what actually goes on in the field; in particular, one major disaster involved their belief that Metroids could be domesticated; the creatures entered a rampage and killed some Pirates before being destroyed themselves.

Pirate society and laws

In the Space Pirate society, obedience is a strict law. Those who do not comply with orders from higher command officials will be met with strict and cruel punishment. The punishments range from simple ration and pay cuts to death; offenses punishable by death include any signs of cowardice in a battle or sympathy towards a victim, as well as inability to follow orders, which is count equal to treason. However, they do appear to allow free speech, as some computers in Echoes have messages that criticize High Command or Science Team; in particular, one log describes the Science Team as having "vapor for brains" for believing Metroids could be trained.

The true leader of the Space Pirates is the subject of some debate. The Mother Brain was assumed to fill that role for some time, but the Metroid manga revealed that the mother brain was an ally of the Chozo on Zebes before it is taken by the Pirates. Also, the repeated mention of a High Command in the Prime games indicate that many Pirate operations take their orders from another source. According to the last game to mention leadership, Metroid Zero Mission, Ridley is the leader.

While the Space Pirates appear to be very good at stealing and modifying technology and bioforms, they seem to have little regard for the safety of their researchers, soldiers or experimental subjects. Given the rate at which they seem to go through each of the above, as well as their willingness to experiment on their own species and young, it can be assumed that they have a vast existing population and/or a rapid breeding rate. The recurrence of certain powerful creatures (primarily Ridley, but also Kraid and Mother Brain) suggests that the Pirates possess some sort of resurrection or creature-duplication technology, which may also explain their willingness to let mass numbers of their own kind die.

In Prime, a message warning of Phazon madness in pets indicates that the Pirates keep domesticated animals, though no such animals are actually seen (but the creatures were named as Gronkats and Olbaps). Several messages in Echoes inform Pirates that Metroids should not be kept or considered as pets, implying that at least one Pirate has tried to tame a Metroid (and was likely killed by the creature.)

In Prime, it is noted that Pirates use live creatures for target practice, as one pirate log notes that a pirate attempted to use a Metroid as target practice, and only barely survived the encounter, the log saying that the pirate received severe brain damage from the metroid.

Technology

Galvanic Accelerator Cannon

The Galvanic Accelerator Cannon (GAC) is a weapon used by the Space Pirates stationed on Tallon IV in Metroid Prime. GACs are also equipped to Humility Class Turrets in Metroid Prime 2

Attached to the beings' right arm, the GAC's are fired by raising their single finger into an alcove containing a trigger. They fire small, reddish bolts of energy capable of dealing minimal damage, but they fire very fast and have extremely low recoil.

Quantum Assault Cannon

After the events on Tallon IV, the Pirates abandoned GACs for QACs, Quantum Assault Cannons, seen throughout the rest of the series — prototypes of these can be found in Lab Hydra, and a few are seen in the first story, depicted in Metroid: Zero Mission.

Scythes

The standard pirates stationed on Tallon IV had powerful scythe blades attached to their wrists, although they are more like bayonets or swords. These swiveled up alongside their arms when not in use, and rapidly swung out into attack position when situations called for close-range attacks. Troopers had their blades, dubbed Photonic Power Scythes, grafted directly onto their left arms, evidently replacing their hands, on both Tallon IV and Aether. Commandos on Aether had energy blades that emerged from the tips of their cannons, and some of the pirates in Corruption have similar blades that form from their left wrists.

Shields

Pirate commandos have energy shield generators carried on their left arms, which deflect all attacks. In Prime and Echoes, they are indestructible. However, in Corruption, one can "grab" a shield with the Grapple Beam and toss it away.

Space Frigates

The Space Pirates are seen to use gigantic spaceships to move around space, and two of these are visited by Samus throughout the series. In Metroid: Zero Mission, she sneaks into a huge purple spaceship. The actual name of the ship is not revealed, but the game refers to it as the Space Pirate Mother Ship. After recovering her Power Suit, she destroys it, steals a fighter ship, and escapes.

In Metroid Prime, Samus' adventure starts by attacking the space frigate Orpheon, which has been deserted due to failed experiments. Samus destroys the frigate and escapes, leaving the Orpheon crashing down on Tallon IV. Later in the game, she finds and revisits the wreckage of this ship.

These frigates usually appear alone and without aid of a larger fleet, and, when orbiting planets, seem to be the source of the many experiments and strongholds planetside. This seems to suggest that the Pirates are very independent of High Command, and this may also explain their wide range of appearances, since they may identify each other's position in physical appearance and personal experimentation. For example, Orpheon, in Metroid Prime, in-game (the official artwork reveals a far more insectoid figure), boasts Pirates with muscular, reptilian features under a scaly exterior with almost fleshy covering, and heads with clearly defined claw-like hands and mouths, also reptilian. However, the ship the GF troopers shoot down at the beginning of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes boasts the planetside Pirates with their distinctive claws, insectiod heads, and a clearly defined exoskeleton.

Space Pirate variants

Zebesian Pirate Troopers

The most basic alien specie of the reptile-like being. They contain moderate shielding and are the mainstay of the Alien Pirate crews. They are extremely common in Team Purpose Crock operations and activities. They wield either Galvanic Accelerator Cannons or Quantum Assault Cannons, and are quite agile. Some wield photonic energy scythes for a melee attack. They rapidly attack intruders with their accelerator cannons and will charge or jump over large distances to attack enemies with their scythes. Pirate troopers will often disable door systems in the rooms intruders are in so they cannot escape. Alien Pirates appear to be a vastly intelligent species and they use this intelligence to come up with battle tactics. Space Pirates will also cling to walls while firing or run up close for a melee attack. Space Pirates will also hide when on duty so as to not be seen. When intruders enter however they will attack with extreme aggression and prejudice. They are the only enemies seen in a Metroid game, other than an SA-X, capable of opening doors Samus has run through. It is unclear how they created log entries on computers, or exercised any fine motor skills whatsoever, without fingers, so it may be possible that the lobster-like appendages are merely a covering, and are removable. It is possible They type with the points of their claws using the points as fingers. It is also possible they create their logs orally, and that a computer converts their words into text. However the former option is given some credence as the troopers in the first Prime game simply have wrist mounted GACs and energy scythes while possessing fingers to manipulate objects. It may also be possible that a Pirate's fingered hands(or claws) are not natural, and are the results of genetic manipulation, Phazon mutation, or some other possibility to make handling and manipulating sensitive lab equipment or hazardous materials, i.e. Phazon.

Mutated Pirates

Phazon-induced variations include the hulking behemoths known as Elites, a solitary extra-mutated version called the Alpha or Phazon Elite, and an even larger Omega Pirate.

Elite Pirates

Elite Pirates were developed after many experiments with Phazon on Space Pirates. Elite Pirates are roughly two or three times the size of normal Pirates and are highly dangerous at any range. Prior to Samus Aran's arrival on Tallon IV, Elite Pirates were to be rushed into mass production to launch attacks on all of the Space Pirates' enemies—however, these plans were abandoned after she destroyed their labs. The Elite Pirates have an energy-siphon system, allowing them to absorb beam weapon energy with hand-produced shields. They use this siphoned energy to fuel their massive Plasma Artillery Cannons. Concussive weapons (Missiles) are more effective against Elites.

Phazon Elites

Phazon Elites were the Pirates' first experiments using Phazon. Not many Pirates survived the first tests because the Pirates overused the Phazon, but the ones that did survive were horribly mutated and much stronger than the Elite Pirates after them. They are the same size as the Elites but are much stronger and faster because of their extra mutations. The Phazon Elites were horribly disfigured and webbed with Phazon-filled veins. They were not given weapons except for the short-range shockwave generators but rather relied on brute strength to overwhelm enemies in combat. The reason for this is, according to scans, that the Phazon Elites did not want to carry vulnerable Plasma Artillery Cannons. Not many of the Phazon Elites lasted long after the beginning of Phazon infusion, and Samus destroyed the last of them in her attack on Tallon IV.

Omega Pirate

Elite Pirate Upsilon, codenamed 'Omega Pirate' by its creators, is the most powerful of the Elite Pirate forces. The Omega Pirate was the ultimate result of many experiments the Space Pirates conducted using the mutagenic Phazon. Most Elite Pirates either suffer from serious cases of Phazon Madness or die after such intense infusion, but Upsilon had a natural tolerance for these effects, allowing infusion to go far beyond standard safety restrictions. The Omega Pirate has shielding on its weak spots and can regenerate tissues by covering wounds with Phazon. It can render itself invisible to the naked eye with a cloaking device called the Chameleon Manta (though it can be traced with the X-Ray Visor). It is of great size, and also wields retractable wrist bayonets, an energy deflection shield, and a more powerful version of the Plasma Artillery Cannon, as well as a Wave Quake Generator that is faster and more powerful than that of basic Elite Pirates. The space pirates are said to consider the Omega Pirate the pinnacle of the phazon programme, with the only weakness they can see being its high dependence on phazon to heal itself. Omega can also summon Beam Troopers as a distraction, but ironically, most of its attacks can destroy any unlucky Trooper that is on the ground. Defeating the Omega Pirate gives Samus the Phazon Suit, which protects her from Blue Phazon damage (but not the Orange Phazon in the Impact Crater). She obtains the suit when the dead Pirate collapses on her, enhancing her suit with the huge amounts of Phazon stored in him.

Pirate Commando

Pirate Commandos are trained to "hunt the Hunter". Dangerous combatants at any range, they carry variable pulse cannons, EMP-grenade launchers, and energy scythes. They also have a portable shield generator which allows them to shield themselves from attack and jetpacks to travel quickly over any terrain. On the planet Aether, Ing warriors prized the few Commandos they could possess. These "Dark" Pirate Commandos could phase in and out of local time-space at will, due to the fact that only Hunter Ing, which also have the phasing abilities, are allowed to possess them.

Pirate Grenadier

Found in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, this is a standard Pirate capable of firing high-powered grenades at intruders. They have the same health amount as other Pirates, but often stay on high ground, due to the fact that they lack any other weapons. Although they are incapable of fighting adversaries at close range, they typically do so anyway, with no regard for their own safety. Oddly, they appear to have scythes but do not use them in combat.

Pirate Aerotroopers/Flying Pirates

Pirate Aerotroopers (a.k.a. Flying Pirates in Metroid Prime) are standard Space Pirates outfitted with missile launchers and jet packs. These Pirates often are the second most common Pirates in Space Pirate operations. They are quite agile and attack furiously with missiles and standard Pirate armaments to eliminate their targets. These jetpacks have a few significant flaws. First, they generate large amounts of heat, making them easy to track when using thermal imaging. Second, they generate, along with heat, loads of thick smoke trails that make their stealth capabilities fairly low. Third, the jetpacks can be overloaded by extreme heat, such as that caused by the Plasma Beam or Light Beam. When shot down (if not completely destroyed), Aerotroopers will attempt a last-ditch Kamikaze attack which consists of them spiraling toward their target which causes their jetpacks to explode.

A Pirate Aerotrooper from Metroid Prime.

Aqua Pirates

Aqua Pirates utilize many of the same weapons as their flying brethren. Along with their exoskeletons, their thruster-packs have been modified for aquatic use and they use technology similar to that used in Samus's Gravity Suit. As with Aerotroopers, the thruster-packs of Aqua Pirates are easily tracked with the Thermal Visor. These defects are partly apparent to the Space Pirates, who work to correct these problems.

Beam Troopers

Beam Troopers wield reverse-engineered versions of Samus's Chozo beam weapons. These copies are flawed, however. They are less powerful than the originals, and a flaw in their shielding leaves their users vulnerable to the same type weapon (i.e. the Power Beam is effective against Power Troopers). Power Troopers utilize the Power Beam, Ice Troopers use the Ice Beam, Wave Troopers carry the Wave Beam, and Plasma Troopers wield the Plasma Beam. The shots from all of these weapons look almost, if not exactly the same as Samus's ordinary Power Beam shots, and all of them act the same. These troopers will often swarm in large numbers on intruders and were quite common in the Phazon mines of Tallon IV.

Shadow Pirates

Only a select group of Space Pirates have access to cloaking technology; these are the Shadow Pirates. This cloaking technology drains large amounts of power, forcing them to rely solely on melee weapons (energy scythes) in battle. Thermal tracking is still effective for locating Shadow Pirates.Another way to fight Shadow Pirates is to fire toward the electical discarge caused be the cloking divce. Shadow Pirates and Beam Troopers both have a tendency to cling to walls and attack.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Space Pirates

File:MP3C Space Pirates.jpg

Pirates from the E3 2006 demo.

These Pirates are featured in the Metroid Prime 3: Corruption demos from E3 2006. Much like the Pirate Commandos before them, these enemies carry small energy shields. They also wield wrist-mounted energy blades and Galvanic Assault Cannons. Some of these Pirates have equipment that emits a blue-colored haze, suggesting that their new weaponry is Phazon-based.

X-Pirates

These are normal Space Pirates that have been infected by the X-Parasites. They are green skinned with purple armour. They usually cling to walls in shafts and attempt to shoot Samus as she climbs up the shaft. They are also encountered in water and when killed will sometimes transform into a mermaid-like version that is extremley fast, but can only live in water. The X-Pirates can absorb multiple X-Parasites and become "Gold Pirates". Entirely gold in color, these "Gold Pirates" are almost the same as regular X-Pirates, but they are much stronger and are only vulnerable from behind.

It is unknown how X-Pirates exist in Metroid Fusion, because the entire game takes place on a Galactic Federation starship.

Other

"Ninja" Pirates

Nicknamed "Ninja Pirates", "Kung Fu Pirates", or "Meta Pirates" by fans. In Super Metroid, they are encountered in lower Norfair, in a corridor, with monitor-like devices hanging from the ceiling. These two Pirates jump around at high speed throwing boomerang-like projectiles at Samus, while performing various punch and kick attacks, and are nearly impervious to Samus' arsenal: they can only be shot when resting, and only from behind.

In Metroid: Zero Mission, the Space Pirate mother ship had black Ninja Pirates scattered about. On every difficulty, the two black pirates in the hangar area had to be fought and defeated before Samus could escape.

Weavel

Weavel is a character from the Nintendo DS game Metroid Prime: Hunters.

Weavel is a former Space Pirate commander who was severely wounded by Samus Aran on Brinstar (according to the official Hunters strategy guide), leaving only his brain and central nervous system intact. Afterwards, he was fitted with a new robotic body, allowing him to separate his torso from his legs, which then become a stationary turret. It is unknown if he seeks the treasure of the Alimbic Cluster for the Space Pirates, or for himself, but he will remain with the Space Pirates as long as it's convenient. He enjoys missions that no other Space Pirate could accomplish because of his robotic physique. It should be noted that Weavel must have had some special value for the Space Pirates as he was saved and given a new body, when usually Space Pirates have little regard for the safety and/or death of their own kind (or any other beings for that matter).

Weapon of choice: Battlehammer - A powerful mortar beam that fires explosive shots rapidly in an arc with a very small splash radius. When Weavel wields it, it does more damage and has a far greater splash radius. According to the Nintendo Power guide, it has crude mechanics but is effective when properly used. The Battlehammer also makes Weavel more mobile if the player angles the shots correctly when against a wall.

Altform: Halfturret - Weavel's body is split into two separate parts at the waist, dividing his health in half and making his lower body become an autonomous, stationary turret that shoots non-affinity powered battlehammer shots, while the player retains control of his torso. In the event that the player only has one hitpoint, the two sections have one hitpoint each. His upper body continues to move about freely (controlled by the player) wielding an energy sword. Damage taken by the upper half will not do any harm to the turret, but if the turret is attacked, it damages Weavel as a whole. If the turret is destroyed, Weavel will be left with only one health point.

References

• Nintendo Power #201
• http://www.metroidhunters.com/

External links

• Metroid Database - Scans of Nintendo Power Metroid Comics