Arachnus: Difference between revisions

{{Enemy-infobox|Arachnus-X

|games=[[Metroid Fusion]]

|habitats=[[BSL Research Station Main Deck]]

|weaknesses=[[Power Beam]]; [[Missiles]]

'''Arachnus-X''' is the first [[:Category:Bosses|boss]] [[Samus Aran|Samus]] encounters aboard the [[BSL Research station]] which orbits [[SR388]], the setting of [[Metroid Fusion]]. It guards the [[Morph Ball]] ability.

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 [[Arachnus|host species]].

''Native life-form of SR388. They will roll themselves into balls and attack. Dodge and attack with missiles.''<ref>{{Cite manual|Native life-form of SR388. They will roll themselves into balls and attack. Dodge and attack with missiles.|Metroid Fusion|38}}</ref>  

'''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 [[Morph Ball Bombs|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 [[Morph Ball Bombs|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' [[Metroid II|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]].

'''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 [[Power Grip|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.

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.

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 [[:Category:Bosses|boss creature]], Arachnus-X reveals, upon defeat, a [[Core-X]]. As the ability guarded is not a [[Power Beam|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]].

*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".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://musicbrainz.org/show/release/?releaseid=150460 |title=Metroid Fusion OST |publisher=MusicBrainz |accessdate=2010-02-09 }}</ref>

*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)''.