Editing SA-X

{{Boss-infobox
|image=[[File: SA-X(Dread).png|SA-X]]
|caption=[[Samus Aran|Samus Aran's]] [[X Parasite|X-mimicked]] form, SA-X
|games=''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', ''[[Metroid Dread]]''
|attacks=*[[Ice Beam]]
*[[Screw Attack]]
*[[Super Missile]]
|weaknesses=*[[Charge Beam]]
*Screw Attack
|vulnerableareas=
|location=[[Main Deck]]
|room=
|rewards=Ice Beam
}}
{{Quote|ONE? ...Are you saying there is more than one SA-X?|[[Samus Aran]]}}
{{sources}}
The '''SA-X''', presumably an abbreviation for '''Samus Aran-X''', are a group of X that mimicked [[Samus Aran]]. This particular strain of [[X Parasite|X parasites]] was created by the infected sections of [[Samus Aran|Samus's]] [[Power Suit]] when she was on an escort mission for [[Biologic Space Labs]] researchers on [[SR388]]. The first SA-X awakens in the [[Quarantine Bay]] and escapes using a [[Power Bomb]], and begins wreaking havoc throughout the [[Biologic Space Labs Research Station|B.S.L research station]].<ref name="First Sighting">{{cite|I have named it the SA-X. I believe the SA-X came from the capsule containing your infected suit parts. It used a Power Bomb to escape the Quarantine Bay. That explosion breached the capsules containing all the X that started this disaster. But the SA-X is definitely our biggest worry right now. The SA-X is mimicking you at full power. You can't face it. If you see the SA-X, just run. Don't think about fighting... You are still very vulnerable to cold, an unexpected side-effect of the Metroid vaccine. Like Metroids, you can be frozen by an Ice Beam. Of course, the SA-X is armed with the Ice Beam. Stay away. If you see it, just run. HQ says they have Bomb data ready in the Data Room. Bombs will help you find a way out if the SA-X traps you. The Data Room is here, but... it's sealed by a Level 1 hatch. You'll have to find the Security Room and release the Level 1 locks. But per safety protocols, it's not marked on the map. You'll have to find it on your own somehow, Samus. So, first find the Security Room and unlock Level 1 hatches, then go to the Data Room and get that Bomb data.|[[Adam Malkovich]]|[[Metroid Fusion]]}}</ref> Though it was originally believed that there was only one powerful SA-X, like all X, SA-X can reproduce asexually and produced several copies of itself. As a result, there were at least 10 SA-X on board the station towards the end of events on the B.S.L station.

==Encountering the SA-X==
Throughout the events of ''Metroid Fusion'', Samus is instructed constantly to avoid any SA-X encountered, since they are stronger than Samus in her weakened state. The SA-X's most powerful weapon against Samus is the [[Ice Beam]] due to the crippling effect of the [[Vaccine "Metroid"]]. Samus stood little chance of victory, let alone survival, against an SA-X until she obtained the [[Varia Suit]] to protect her from the Ice Beam and powerful weapons that can return heavy fire (namely the [[Ice Missile]] and [[Wave Beam]]).

===The First SA-X===
The SA-X is originally detected by B.S.L's systems when it [[Super Missile]]s its way through a wall in the [[Main Deck]]. Samus's AI navigator gathered data that implied that this SA-X had set off a Power Bomb in the [[Quarantine Bay]] that released itself and the X that were originally released on the Research Station. The SA-X continued to Super Missile various doors in [[Sector 2 (TRO)]] forcing Samus to find ways around them using her newly recovered [[Morph Ball Bomb]]. Samus encounters it in this Sector briefly, where it displays its Ice Beam to open a simple [[Door|Blue Door]]. Samus then encounters it while she is in a vent as a Morph Ball. This time, the SA-X uses its fearsome Power Bomb to overcome a barrier.

The SA-X continues to complicate events by hacking into [[Sector 3 (PYR)]]'s heating systems. This incredible display signifies that the X seems to gain the cognitive ability of the creatures' whose DNA it absorbs, if it didn't already have it. Samus then encounters it in [[Sector 5 (ARC)]], where she has now gained many of her abilities to protect herself against the powerful foe with, but not yet the ability to defeat it. Samus and the X in Sector 2 (TRO) again, shortly prior to her battle against [[Nettori]]. The SA-X chases Samus until it loses sight of her.

===Other SA-X===
An SA-X is seen destroying barriers around Metroids and attempting to fend them off and failing in the restricted areas of [[Sector 6 (NOC)]]. Its destruction triggers the ignition of fires, creating a hazard reaction to detach the restricted area from the rest of the ship for self-destruction. 

As Samus returns to the Main Deck, an SA-X (probably the first SA-X) challenges her to a final match. Without the option of fleeing, Samus fights the creature armed with the [[Wave Beam]]. Even with these weapons, Samus at first only manages to damage the SA-X to the point where it transforms to a grotesque, mutated form. Once this creature is injured, the SA-X reverts to a blue Core-X, but escapes before Samus can break its protective shell. This Core-X is later absorbed by Samus after an [[Omega Metroid]] devastates its armor. By absorbing the SA-X, Samus regained her abilities and upgrades at her peak strength, including her original Varia Suit and the Ice Beam, which she uses to defeat the powerful Omega Metroid.

==Sprites==
{{sprite table
|header2=SA-X facing forward
|header3=SA-X's mutated form
|header4=The Hard Core-X of the SA-X
|mf=[[File:SA-X mf Sprite 1.png]]
|mf 2=[[File:SA-X mf Sprite 2.png]]
|mf 3=[[File:SA-X mf Sprite 3.png]]
|mf 4=[[File:SA-X Hard Core-X mf Sprite.png]]
|bottomright=mf 4
}}

==Trivia==
* SA-X despite its supposed intelligence, is often infamous among fans for its poor AI coding during its encounters:
** Out of many examples, it can be "trapped" in several locations by having Samus stay in particular locations (such as hiding in specific corners with the Morph Ball). The SA-X will then continue to repeat an action such as somersaulting repeatedly with the [[Screw Attack]], trying to hit Samus to no avail.
** There are times where Samus can easily take rest on a high ledge inside certain rooms during specific encounters (Sectors 6, 5 and the second encounter at Sector 2), and the SA-X will always try to hit Samus physically, instead of jumping a bit higher than needed and occasionally trying to shoot her if she's further away.
*** Depending on the distance Samus is close towards the SA-X, it may always use a normal standing Ice Beam shot; an example is that during the encounter at Sector 5, if Samus attracts its attention with a Power Bomb and hides near the opening of the tunnel in Morph Ball form, the SA-X will never aim upward when close enough despite the height difference.
** When hiding from it, the SA-X may also have its attention attracted when Samus does something to do so; most of the time the SA-X will not bother to search around extensively and will peacefully walk on. Doing so repeatedly will always cause the SA-X to keep looking around, but will not cause it to make a move unless Samus reveals herself.
*** Thus, the SA-X will normally stop repeating its actions when Samus leaves its sight.
* The SA-X was named by Adam.<ref name="First Sighting" />

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==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:SA-X vs Samus.jpeg|Artwork of Samus against the SA-X.
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 1.png|Close Up.
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 2.png|An SA-X firing a [[Super Missile]]
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 3.png|An SA-X in [[Sector 2 (TRO)]]
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 4.png|An SA-X attacking Samus in [[Sector 2 (TRO)]]
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 5.png|An SA-X in [[Sector 5 (ARC)]]
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 6.png|An SA-X attacked by [[Metroid (species)|Metroids]]
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 7.png|Samus battling an SA-X
File:SA-X mf Screenshot 8.png|Samus battling an SA-X
File:Omega Metroid mf Screenshot.png|An SA-X attacking an [[Omega Metroid]]
</gallery></center>
===Video===
{{YouTube|cWUequTZTyE|300|left|The SA-X boss battle}}
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[[Category:Metroid Fusion Bosses]]
[[Category:Samus]]