SA-X

SA-X Samus Aran's X-mimicked form, SA-X

Game(s) Metroid Fusion Attacks Ice Beam Screw Attack Weakness(es) Charge Beam Screw Attack Location(s) Main Deck Rewards Ice Beam

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 was created by the infected sections of Samus's Power Suit when she visited SR 388 as an escort for Galactic Federation researchers. An SA-X awakens in the Quarantine Bay and escapes using a Power Bomb, and begins wreaking havoc throughout the B.S.L Research Station. 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 ship.

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 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 Plasma Beam).

The First SA-X

The SA-X is originally detected by B.S.L's systems when it Super Missiles 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. Samus encounters Samus in this Sector briefly, where it displays its Ice Beam to open a simple 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 Diffusion Missile. 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 Samus's armor. By absorbing an 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

Game	SA-X	SA-X facing forward	SA-X's mutated form
Metroid Fusion	File:SA-X Sprite.png	File:SA-X Sprite 3.png	File:SA-X Sprite 2.png

Trivia

• SA-X can be trapped in several locations by having Samus stay in particular locations. The SA-X will then continue to repeat an action such as somersaulting repeatedly.

Gallery

• File:SA-X Super Missile.png

  An SA-X firing a Super Missile

• File:SA-X TRO.png

  An SA-X in Sector 2 (TRO)

• File:SA-X TRO 2.png

  An SA-X attacking Samus in Sector 2 (TRO)

• File:SA-X ARC.png

  An SA-X in Sector 5 (ARC)

• File:SA-X Attacked by Metroids.png

  An SA-X attacked by Metroids

• File:Samus vs SA-X.png

  Samus battling an SA-X

• File:SA-X Part 2.png

  Samus battling an SA-X

• 

  An SA-X attacking an Omega Metroid