Mega Man X (character)

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Mega Man X (alternatively spelled "Megaman X") is a video game character and the main hero of the Mega Man X series created by Capcom. Within the game series, he is commonly referred to as X and sometimes referred to as Maverick Hunter X. He was designed by Keiji Inafune, and in Japan the game is known as Rockman X, with the character still being referred to as X. While fans still appreciated the light and fun tone of the original Mega Man, the original 8-Bit NES system began to fade into obscurity on the face of its successor, the Super Famicom. Along with the improved graphics engine, Keiji developed a darker character design and plot, and according to him, he believes that such designs will continue with each new generation of technology. In line with the new "X" series developed, two characters were created, one being the main character of Mega Man X, and the inclusion of his partner, Zero. ^{[#endnote_His2]}

Throughout the series, Mega Man X has been depicted as a robot that can think and feel human emotions. This has caused many to speculate he has a human soul, as well as the fictional species called "Reploids" modeled after him. However, when these abilities became standard for robots in the Mega Man X series, this causes crimes and damage caused by similar irrational beings in human society. These Reploids who behaved in a unacceptable manner were named Mavericks.

History

Keiji introduced the design and character for Mega Man X on December 17th, 1993 in Japan, in his first game, Mega Man X. This game and its iterations received later distribution dates in America, with the first game being released to North America a few days later, on December 28th. Since then, X has appeared in every iteration in the Mega Man X series as the title and main character of the story, which takes place on a fictional Earth mirroring our own.

Keiji Inafune has stated that originally, X's partner in the series, Zero, was meant to become the title character of the next series.^{[#endnote_His2]} However, in an interview conducted in 2004, he has stated that the idea was scrapped and he made Zero into a supporting role, as the similarities were few between his original Mega Man design and for fear fans of the series might not relate to the new character. Also, despite the design, he has stated that Mega Man X and the original Mega Man are two different entities, although it is unknown how the first Mega Man disappeared in the series due to lack of storyline elements not introduced in late Classic iterations. It is believed this will become clear later in the series.

Video Game History

Mega Man X is an advanced robot created in the year 20XX by Dr. Thomas Light (of Mega Man series fame). He was to be Dr. Light's final project; an new advanced robot that could think for itself and make its own decisions. Fearing the ramifications of a robot that could be dangerous to society, Dr. Light chose to seal X inside a capsule for 30 years to test the integrity of X's systems. The 30 year diagnostics test was to confirm his reliability.

Dr. Light died before X's diagnostics were complete, and X was discovered still in his capsule 100 years later by Dr. Cain, who attempted to replicate X's technology and, with X's help, produced the Reploid. When the Reploids began to rebel against humanity (and became termed Mavericks), the Maverick Hunters group was created to combat them, under the leadership of Sigma, the most advanced Reploid then. Later, Sigma went Maverick along with most of the Hunters and started a massive revolt. X, feeling guilty because he had a part in creating the Reploids, joined the remaining Hunters, then led by Zero. The truth was that Sigma became infected with a computer virus deemed the "Maverick Virus" (which originated from Zero), leading many other reploids to follow him. However, they were eventually stopped by X, at the cost of Zero's life.

In the next six months, the Hunters tracked down the remaining Mavericks. This led to the X-Hunters, a group of Mavericks that wished to destroy X, using the parts of Zero as bait. X gathered Zero's parts and destroyed the X-Hunters (a team of Mavericks), eventually discovering Sigma was behind the plot all along. X once again destroyed Sigma as his newly reconstructed friend Zero went to destroy the central computer that Sigma had been using.

At this point in the game Mega Man Xtreme, a hacker named Techno had invaded the Hunters' Mother Computer and was using the data of previous Mavericks against the organization. With the help of Middy, the latter's brother, X went into cyberspace to wipe out this threat and discovered that Sigma had "influenced" Techno. When X accidentally destroyed Techno, the revelation came that Middy was his twin brother. Destroying Techno wiped out Middy as well, which was a crushing blow to X's emotions. For vengeance, he challenged Sigma once again and defeated him.

In Mega Man X3, There was a period of peace afterwards, as a Reploid scientist named Dr. Doppler (supposedly) found the cure for the Maverick Virus. But just as the Hunters were starting to rest easy, Doppler's anti-virus was revealed as a placebo and there was a large-scale Maverick outbreak. X once again combatted the Mavericks alongside Zero, and (after once again dispatching Vile, now upgraded to Vile MK-II) discovered from Doppler himself that Sigma's true form is that of the virus, and that is the reason Sigma never dies. Doppler had been infected with the virus, and constructed a huge battle body for Sigma. X once again faced Sigma and defeated him, despite Doppler's battle body. It was then revealed that it would be X's destiny to destroy his friend Zero one day.

In the events of Mega Man Xtreme 2, X's next battle took him to the area of Laguz Island in the South Ocean, where together with Zero, he tracked down and hunted the Soul Erasers, Berkana and Gareth. As he did battle with Berkana, he showed faith in his friend's ability to defeat Gareth. After the two Soul Erasers were defeated, Sigma showed himself and X and Zero battled him together to defeat him once again.

After this, the Repliforce War broke out, because the Maverick Hunters judged a faction of Reploids as Mavericks without good reason. X, though, was led away from the real targets by a spy of Sigma named Double and it was Zero this time who foiled Sigma's plan by hunting down the Repliforce and destroying its top officers and Sigma himself, killing a good friend named Colonel and the love of his life Iris in the process. Realizing that he (X) was tricked and discovering that Sigma had set up the entire plan, X became very frustrated and swiftly disposed of Double. This time, though, he was beginning to doubt his ability to remain sane, and he told Zero that if he ever were to go Maverick that Zero would have to take care of him.

With the Repliforce wiped out and peace restored, the Hunters hired several new officers. With their help, the next plan of Sigma was handled well. A new member called Alia spotted X as he hunted down the Sigma Virus, and accidentally spread it all over Earth. It turns out this was Sigma's plan all along. In addition, Sigma attempted to send the space colony Eurasia into the Earth, thus spreading the virus further, in order to awaken Zero's true self. Under one story possibility, X faced off with Zero after he ignored orders to report back to Base for a full physical check on his virus readings. In the other story possibility, the overwhelming amount of the virus caused Zero to go Maverick, exposing his true self. In both possibilities, Zero saved X once again as Sigma tried to destroy him. Sigma retreated, and X went after him. Sigma revealed to him that Zero's true form is the infected one with the Maverick Virus; that's how he began. Zero, it turned out, had spread the virus to Sigma during a fateful battle in the cave prior to the events of Mega Man X. Sigma also spoke of a mysterious new ally who built a body for Sigma. This ally sounded like Dr. Wily, but X seemed ignorant of who this person was. Once beaten, Sigma claimed he would take down Zero with him. As X and Zero both lay damaged from Sigma's massive explosion, X stood over Zero's battered body, hoping for signs of life. Sigma's remains then fired a blast straight through X and Zero. Zero revived for just a moment, destroying Sigma's remains and then passing away. X was badly injured, and Dr. Light miraculously healed him.^{[#endnote_His]}

During the Nightmare Outbreak, X was still coping with the loss of his friend, unaware that Zero was still alive. The Zero Nightmare, a creation (and clone of Zero) of an infected Reploid researcher named Gate, smeared Zero's name and was promptly defeated by X. Upon doing this, Zero showed himself again and X was elated. Together, they swore to eliminate the evil source of the Nightmares, and did so with Alia's help. Once Sigma revealed himself, X defeated him as well and claimed that he had more important things to do such as rebuilding the Earth. If Sigma were to come back, X would defeat him again and again, as many times as it takes. After the battle he saved the remains of Gate for Alia to repair, because he knew what it was like to lose a colleague and didn't want to see any more innocent Reploids die. Alia thanked him for this, and they swore to try to rebuild the Earth.

Months later in the events of Mega Man X7, the Maverick Hunters were severely crippled as X retired from active duty to pursue more peaceful means to end the constant fighting. In his absence, a new Maverick-hunting faction known as "Red Alert" began hunting Mavericks, often with questionable tactics. Zero was summoned to the scene of a rampage in the city and found a young Reploid named Axl trying to flee Red Alert. He rescued Axl, and what ensued resulted in a harsh custody battle between the Hunters and Red Alert. X eventually returned to the Hunters and fought alongside Axl and Zero, eventually discovering Sigma back at it again, manipulating the whole fiasco from behind the scenes. The trio confronted the maniacal Reploid and defeated him once more.

During the Jakob elevator incident, X is back once again investigating a crab-like Maverick in a forest. This time, he seems to have much more resolve for fighting, although there are times where he contemplates the need for peaceful resolutions. Along with Zero and Axl, he was able to travel to the Moon and stop Sigma and a new villain known as Lumine. This entelled the plans to replace every Reploid with "New generation Reploids", which have a built in copy chip and are claimed to go "Maverick at will." However, the battle with Lumine left X dejected as his companion Axl was left comatose and the fact that the Reploid race would always be Mavericks. However with Zero's words, X is somewhat comforted and the duo returned to the Maverick Hunter base.

In the Mega Man Zero series, X was moved to more of a supporting role. Having used his physical body to seal the Dark Elf after the Elf Wars a century ago, he exists as a Cyber Elf. However, unlike most Cyber Elves, he has the ability to project an image of himself. Even though his body is not available to help Zero, he still has incredible power and can aid Zero information-wise. X's powers as a Cyber Elf are revealed a few times in the games; for example in Zero 3 when Dr. Weil used the power of Omega and the Dark Elf to take control of all Reploids on Earth, X used his powers to protect the entire Resistance Base from being controlled as well (apparently, X and Zero were not affected by Omega or the Dark Elf, as they are not Reploids, but rather advanced robots). It is said, though, that his only reason for existing as an elf outside his body was due to the fact that his original body was intact. Elpizo later destroyed this body and X now claims that he has only a little time left. According to the booklet Vile's Incident, Cyber X and Cyber-Phantom, alongside the other guardians, watched Ragnarok as it fell apart. X's fate is unknown.

Weapons and abilities

Being a Maverick Hunter, and a upgraded model from the original Mega Man designed for battle, Mega Man X is a powerful robot equipped with various abilities and powers to aid in his persucution of Mavericks and their threat to the peace and stability of the Earth. His most distinguished ability is the X-Buster, an arm cannon, that is able to transform from Mega Man X's arm to attack. ^{[#endnote_All2]}

• Super strength

Like most Reploids, X has strength well above the normal human capacity. He can lift in the proximity of several thousand pounds, although the exact maximum is never revealed in the games. ^{[#endnote_All]}

• X-Buster

X's primary weapon is the X-Buster, also called the Mega Buster mark-17. The Mega Buster was Mega Man's primary weapon, so the lineage of mark-17 is direct. The X-Buster focuses energy from X's fusion reactor into a plasma bullet that causes physical impact. Dr. Light continues to upgrade the X-Buster throughout the series, via hidden armor capsules. ^{[#endnote_All2]}

• Variable Weapons System

Like Mega Man before him, X has the ability to adapt the weapons systems of powerful Reploids that he has defeated into weapons he can use. These weapons come in many varieties, often providing additional mobility as well as offense. Of course, the Mega Man series convention of janken applies, and each boss character is weak to a different boss character's copied weapon.

• Wall kick

X has the ability to cling to vertical surfaces (e.g. walls). On a wall, X normally slides downward slowly, but by kicking off the surface of the wall he can gain height, and even rebound back to the wall to climb it.

• Emergency Acceleration System (Dash)

Though X, believing that power corrupts, has made it a point to relieve himself of any and all upgrades discovered in each episode of the series, he has kept the ability to dash short distances at a high speed - gained in the first game. This ability is similar to Mega Man's slide maneuver in that it makes X a smaller target while simultaneously increasing his speed, but unlike the slide, X is capable of using the ability to leap further than normal in a "dash jump," as well as dash from objects to which he is clinging.

• Air dash

In Mega Man X2, and most subsequent games, X's armor unlocked the ability to dash in mid-jump. By Mega Man X7, he had internalized the technique, greatly enhancing his mobility. Some armor systems go even further, allowing him to dash upwards, glide, or even dash multiple times in the air.

Armor systems

X has the ability to equip specialized "armor parts", which enhance his natural abilities. The vast majority of these parts are provided in capsules apparently created by Dr. Light; a hologram of Dr. Light greets X and explains the capabilities of the part in question before granting it to him. Amazingly enough, in some of the games the hologram often has knowledge of current events and can carry on full conversations. Whether the capsules were built by Dr. Light and whether Dr. Light is still alive, by artificial intelligence or other means, is yet unresolved. ^{[#endnote_Armor1]}

• Light Armor

Dr. Light's first armor upgrades for X, featured in Mega Man X and Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, enhanced his basic abilities. The theme of white-colored armor with detailed trim began here. Though Capcom has not officially named this armor, fans have dubbed it the "Light Armor." ^{[#endnote_Armor2]}

Part	Ability
Leg	Gives X the "dash" ability and allows him to break certain blocks by kicking off of them while wall-climbing. It is impossible to avoid acquiring this upgrade without cheating.
Head	Gives X the ability to break some ceilings with a head-butt.
Body	Reduces damage taken by X to 50%.
Arm	Adds a third charge level to X's buster, and allows X to charge special weapons.

In addition to these abilities, there is also a hidden capsule which grants X the ability to perform the "Hadouken" maneuver featured in Ansatsuken karate in the Street Fighter series.

• Giga Armor

This armor is acquired in Mega Man X2. It also has no official name; in honor of its Giga Crush ability, fans have taken to calling it the "Giga Armor."

Part	Ability
Leg	Gives X the ability to perform a lateral air dash.
Head	Gives X the Item Tracer, a tracking system to find hidden passages.
Body	Reduces damage taken by X to 50% and converts enemy fire into weapon energy for the powerful Giga Crush.
Arm	Allows X to "stock charge", storing a second charged shot. It also allows X to charge special weapons.

This armor also has a hidden ability, Ansatsuken's "Shouryuuken." (Specifically, Ken's version of the maneuver.)

• Max Armor

Acquired during the Doppler incident in Mega Man X3. The Max Armor is the most complicated; it includes both basic parts and special chip upgrades, only one of which may be active at a time.

Part	Ability	Chip
Leg	Gives X the ability to perform an air dash, either laterally or vertically.	X can now dash twice in the air.
Head	Gives X access to a mapping system to help him find hidden items.	Provides an auto-repair system that regenerates X's health, also auto-refill sub tank.
Body	Creates a force field around X whenever he takes damage.	Improves the defensive force field.
Arm	Allows X to stock charge as before, with the added ability to combine the shots in a "cross-shot." It also allows X to charge special weapons.	Grants the "Hyper Cannon", which charges as X takes damage.

A hidden Hyper Chip unlocks all four chip abilities and transforms the Max Armor into the golden Hyper Armor. The Hyper Chip's version of the Hyper Cannon also uses less weapon energy per shot than the Arm Chip's version.

• Force/Fourth Armor

Acquired during the Repliforce War in Mega Man X4. This armor has two Arm Parts, only one of which can be installed at a time. Both Arm Parts can charge special weapons.

Part	Ability
Leg	Allows X to air dash and use the Hover Dash for a short time.
Head	Allows X to use special weapons without consuming weapon energy unless the weapon is charged.
Body	Gives X a one-shot Nova Strike attack, a powerful mid-air dash.
Arm 1	An improved "stock charge" which stores four charged shots.
Arm 2	An improved charge shot which creates a plasma "damage field".

The armor was damaged heavily and lost at the end of Mega Man X4; Alia attempted to replicate the armor's data to give X added protection during the Sigma Virus outbreak in Mega Man X5, but was only able to retain the abilities to air dash, hover, and use the Plasma Shot attack. It is called the Fourth Armor in-game in Mega Man X5. Some Japanese merchandise also labels it the "4th Armor". Its true name is unknown, and it will most likely have to wait for a remake to be clarified.

• Falcon Armor

Acquired during the Sigma Virus outbreak of X5. For security reasons, Dr. Light chose to give this armor to X in program installments which Alia would need to decode. The armor is only usable when complete; giving it in individual pieces, he claimed, was too dangerous. Nonetheless, each of the four pieces provides its own abilities to the completed armor.

Part	Ability
Leg	Allows X to fly for a short time, and grants temporary invulnerability.
Head	Economizes special weapon use, reducing the expenditure of weapon energy.
Body	This part somewhat reduces damage to X's systems.
Arm	Maximizes the damage potential of X's buster, but lacks the ability to charge special weapons.

When Alia replicated it during the Nightmare outbreak of Mega Man X6, the armor lost its ability to fly, but gained an air dash and the ability to charge special weapons. The Falcon Armor's Giga Attack conjured up a storm of vertical lasers that hit the whole screen.

• Gaea Armor

Also acquired during the Sigma Virus outbreak of X5, this armor similarly is unusable until complete. Dr. Light claimed he originally created this armor long ago; fans have speculated that this may be a reference to the durable armor given to the original Mega Man in Mega Man VI.

Part	Ability
Leg	Gives X the ability to walk on spikes without taking damage and to move certain blocks by dashing into them.
Head	The "Head" part of the Gaea Armor has no effect.
Body	This part reduces damage to X's systems considerably.
Arm	A short-range shot called the Gaea Shot that can erase enemy fire; it is very powerful, but disables special weapons.

The Gaea Armor's Giga Attack throws a concentrated energy ball, which causes quite a bit of damage on a small area. The armor also allows X to cling to walls without sliding down them.

• Blade Armor

Given to X during the Nightmare outbreak of X6, this armor is also given in program installments and is unusable until complete. The armor bears a close resemblance to the Falcon Armor before it, continuing the "white armor" tradition.

Part	Ability
Leg	Enables the "Mach Dash", a multi-directional air dash that provides limited invulnerability.
Head	Special weapons use less energy with this part equipped.
Body	Damage is reduced and converted into energy for the Giga Attack.
Arm	Charged energy can be redirected through the Z-Saber to enhance its power. If used as a regular attack, it unleashes a type of plasma drill that burrows itself into an enemy and deals successive damage until it disappears. It also allows X to charge special weapons.

The Giga Attack is a blast of energy from the Z-Saber. When using the Z-Saber with this armor, the Saber comes out of the Buster.

• Shadow Armor

Given to X during the Nightmare outbreak of X6, this armor is also given in program installments. As opposed to the Blade Armor, the Shadow Armor is very specialized, perfect for some situations and poor for others.

Part	Ability
Leg	X can cling to ceilings as well as walls for limited amounts of time; he can also dash while clinging to ceilings. He is also immune to spike traps and doesn't slide down while when clinging to them
Head	Gives X better control of the Z-Saber, letting him use it faster and more effectively.
Body	Damage is reduced and converted into energy for the Giga Attack.
Arm	The buster fires shuriken in a 30-degree radius rather than plasma bullets.

The armor also provides complete immunity to spikes and an all-around mobility boost, though special weapons cannot be used at all. The Giga Attack uses the Z-Saber to create a double-crescent-moon wave which encircles X, dealing massive damage to nearby enemies.

• Glide Armor

Acquired during the Red Alert crisis of Mega Man X7, this armor returns to the older system of X equipping the parts as he finds them, rather than having to complete the armor before use.

Part	Ability
Leg	Gives X the Glide Dash, which allows him to glide slowly through the air.
Head	Allows X to retrieve recovery items from further away.
Body	Enables the Giga Crash. (The Giga Crush with a one letter difference).
Arm	Powers up X's charged shots and allows him to charge special weapons.

• Neutral Armor

Given to X during the Jakob incident of Mega Man X8, the Neutral Armor is a special armor that can mix-and-match Hermes and Icarus parts to X's liking. When all four parts of the same type are combined, the appearance of the armor changes and an additional ability is unlocked.

• Icarus Armor

When all four Icarus (red) parts are attached to the Neutral Armor, it becomes the Icarus Armor.

Part	Ability
Leg	Allows X to jump higher.
Head	Surrounds X in energy when he jumps, damaging nearby enemies.
Body	All damage taken can be recovered, but the Recovery Gauge drops with time.
Arm	Changes X's fourth level shot into a laser beam. Both his normal shot and his next level shots become upgraded one level, and X can charge special weapons.

The Icarus Armor, with all parts together, also has the Giga Crash from the Glide Armor.

• Hermes Armor

When all four Hermes (blue) parts are attached to the Neutral Armor, it becomes the Hermes Armor. The Hermes Armor, with all parts together, also has the X-Drive, which temporarily supercharges the armor.

• Ultimate Armor

The strongest kind of armor X can acquire, the Ultimate Armor has appeared multiple times in the series, each time in a slightly different form. Most versions, however, share the Force Armor's "Nova Strike" ability.

• Force Version

A modification of the Force Armor, this armor appears in X4, X5, and X6, even though it has a different coloration in each game. It allows X to perform the Nova Strike maneuver an infinite amount of times. The armor's powers are otherwise the same as the Force Armor, but in X5 and X6, it loses the ability to use special weapons infinitely.

• Neutral Version

Appearing in X8, this armor differs from the Force Ultimate Armor in looks only (it is a purple version of the Neutral armor). Otherwise, it functions more or less the same. It still retains the ability to use the Plasma Charge shot, take 50% damage, and use special weapons infinitely including the charged versions. It gains some new abilities such as jump higher, Shadow Dash, and use the Shouryuuken attack. However, it loses the ability to Hover Dash. In addition, the Nova Strike uses weapon energy (although the weapon energy refills itself rather quickly). To compensate this, the Nova Strike is incredibly powerful, for it can leave most bosses at 1 energy after only one hit.

• Gunner Version

Appears in [[Mega Man X: Command Mission]]. This armor can initiate a "Final Strike" as its Action Trigger, in which it uses powerful missiles that lock onto their targets. The three standard attacks of this armor are "Impact Cannon", "Strike Bullet", and "Ultra Crusher."

• Other armors

While these armors are the result of Dr. Light's capsules, X receives some armor upgrades from other sources in less canonical installments of the series.

• X Limited

Also known as "EX Armor". Appears in the Rockman X Megamissions series.

• Return X Armor

Also known as "All-X Armor". Appears in the Megamissions series.

• X - Fire

A darker armor which enhances close-range combat abilities. Designed similarly to Ultimate Armor - Force Version and uses a claw charging named "X Collider". This move can be charged to Full Power into "Charge Collider", instead of Charge Shot. It also comes with its own subweapons "Power Charge" and "Shell Buster", the latter of which causes fire-elemental damage. Appears in Command Mission.

Personality and traits

Mega Man X

X has arguably shown the most development of any character in the series. His inner conflict about fighting has always been a nagging doubt. Over time, he's turned this conflict into a sense of duty towards fighting Mavericks, that wouldn't exist were it not for Dr. Cain's attempt to copy him. Still, he remains compassionate. His rank in the Hunters remains a B Class rank despite his great skill, simply because of this conflict. Despite being B Class, he has amazing power.

No mechanics or programmers can fully understand his inner workings. He's one of the most complicated of all robots, despite the fact that he is the original; Light's design is superior to Cain's interpretation. With his great remorse for Reploids comes great trust, sometimes too much so. He trusted Mac and Magma Dragoon, both of whom betrayed him. He first shows a bit of mistrust in Mega Man X4, in which he questions the integrity of Colonel and asks him to disarm. In Mega Man X5, he shows more distrust, being wary of all the Reploids he faces on his hunt for the Enigma and Shuttle parts, even if he's not sure that they're infected.

He's grown in maturity and ability to distinguish a need for distrust. Still, he shows great compassion for those he must destroy, and especially those who were needlessly destroyed. He's seen it several times, and while other Hunters have grown cold to witnessing this, X has not. He remains compassionate no matter what. ^{[#endnote_All]}

References

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