Arachnus

Template:Enemy-infobox Arachnus-X is the first boss Samus encounters aboard the BSL Research station which orbits SR388, the setting of Metroid Fusion. It guards the Morph Ball ability.

It resembles a maroon or purple armadillo with a chitinous green shell. Its mouth is leech-like, and it has three long green claws on each hand and foot.

As is the case with many of the organisms mimicked by the parasite known as X, its appearance and attack methods differ slightly from its host species.

Manual Description

Native life-form of SR388. They will roll themselves into balls and attack. Dodge and attack with missiles.

Differences from Host Species

Arachnus-X appears to be stockier and thicker set than Arachnus, and its slower movements and inability to jump may be a result of this new build. It is also more vulnerable to attack than its predecessor; while Arachnus could not be harmed by anything but bombs, Arachnus-X is weak to both the Power Beam and Missiles (though this may be due to pragmatic gameplay reasons, as neither the Morph Ball or bombs have been obtained by this portion of the game).

Enhancements over Arachnus include an improved Fire Spit, which now ignites a trail of fire on the floor as opposed to being a simple projectile weapon, and a new attack resembling a "sonic boom" (see below).

It is unknown whether changes in color between Arachnus-X and Arachnus are intended, as Arachnus' only other appearance is in black and white. If Metroid II is played on a Super Gameboy then Arachnus appears a similar purple and green color; if official art is to be taken as canon over the recolored Gameboy game, however, then Arachnus-X's purple and green color scheme is a new feature as a result of the X.

The Battle

Attacks

Slash: A standard melee attack which requires no special skill to dodge. The movement is

File:SONICBOOM.png

Arachnus-X using its Sonic Boom, while Samus jumps to dodge.

somewhat similar to the Sonic Boom, and this may catch the player out if unfamiliar with the animations.

Rolling Charge: Inherited from its host species, Arachnus-X is able to curl itself into a ball, and hurtle towards Samus. It is easily avoided by jumping over as it approaches. Upon exiting ball-form, it will often quickly follow with a slash or Sonic Boom. It is theorized that this attack is the reason why its Core-X is able to restore Samus' Morph Ball ability.

Fire Wave: An upgraded Fire Spit, Arachnus-X will shoot a fiery ball from its mouth in an arc towards the ground, where it will cover half the floor of the room in flames. It is recommended that Samus clings to the notches in the arena walls to avoid being damaged by the flames, though it is possible to jump over them if timed well.

Sonic Boom: A new attack for the Arachnus species, Arachnus-X slams the ground with its claws causing a blue shock-wave to shoot along the floor. In itself this is easy to dodge by jumping, but a Rolling Charge may follow requiring Samus to execute two very well timed jumps in a row to avoid being caught in the wake of either attack.

Defences

Arachnus-X has a very tough green shell which is inpenetrable by any of Samus' attacks. When facing away from Samus or in ball-form, therefore, it is invulnerable to attack.

Weaknesses

When its purple underside faces Samus, Arachnus-X is vulnerable to projectile fire of any kind, though with the relative weakness of the Power Beam in the early stage of the game, Missiles are the weapon of choice for the most effective defeat.

Core-X

Being a boss creature, Arachnus-X reveals, upon defeat, a Core-X. As the ability guarded is not a beam upgrade, the Core-X revealed will attempt only to ram Samus, having no projectile attacks. It is, however, only able to be damaged by Missiles or the Charge Beam.

Trivia

• Arachnus-X was seen in the first trailer for Metroid Fusion, and was amongst the first enemies to be revealed from the game pre-release.
• In the official soundtrack of Metroid Fusion, Arachnus-X's battle theme is referred to as VS. Mulcalah. It is unknown why the name "Mulcalah" is used in this instance when all other media refers to the creature as "Arachnus-X".
• A remix of Arachnus-X's theme is used in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption during the boss battle with the Berserker Lord. Both bosses are the first in their respective games.
• It is theorized that Arachnus-X's ability to roll into a ball is the reason for its Core-X holding the key to Samus' Morph Ball ability. This theme can be seen in several other bosses in Metroid Fusion; the boss having a variant of the ability to be recovered (this is comparable to the similar convention in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, in which Ing have possessed Samus' abilities and use them against her).