Phazon

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In the Metroid Prime video game series, Phazon is a radioactive material that emits ionizing radiation and possesses life-like qualities, though the exact specifics of these life-like qualities are never explicitly stated in the games. Some speculate that one of the qualities is an ability to actually self-replicate, producing more Phazon over time. Phazon is extremely lethal in large doses, and incredibly harmful to both biological and inorganic objects, causing a slow, painful death to any creatures unfortunate enough to get close. The ionizing radiation emitted is so strong that direct contact will liquify and dissolve organic material within seconds. Any unshielded or unprotected organism that approaches a concentration of the substance will expire almost instantly. However, slow, limited exposure to the material causes rapid mutation.

Metroids are an example of this: Once exposed to Phazon, a Metroid's life cycle changes, causing it to become a much more efficient and dangerous predator as a Fission Metroid, a Metroid that can split into two and is only vulnerable to certain energy attacks. Phazon also caused a subspecies of Metroid larvae to be produced: these Metroids are similar to regular larvae in appearance, but can feed off Phazon directly for energy. Phazon mutation varies from creature to creature, but it generally causes the organism to become stronger, faster, tougher, and more agressive.

It is possible that mutated creatures develop a dependency on Phazon once they are infected by it, though this has not been proven. This is, however, supported by a Pirate Log in the Phazon Mines that mentions the abilities of the Omega Pirate, and that the only weakness they believe the Omega Pirate has is potential overdependence on Phazon, though this could be a tactical weakness due to the Omega Pirate's Phazon-healing ability rather than a dependency. Dark Samus also shows a dependency for Phazon: her only main task seems to be to collect more Phazon.

As revealed in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Phazon seeds are one way (if not the only way) to produce Phazon. However, little details have been released.

Phazon was first discovered on Tallon IV where much of it was presumably produced by Metroid Prime, and later found on Dark Aether.

Consistencies and Types

Phazon has been known to resemble a lava-like liquid. There are two types: the "regular," less-potent Blue Phazon, and the highly radioactive and deadly orange/red Phazon. The orange/red Phazon has an 86% increase in its mutagenic capabilities, and any unshielded organism exposed to it without protection will suffer death within seconds. Phazon also has two consistencies: the first is a sticky, gel-like substance (possibly even a solid) that tends to emit electric charges that arc along its surface, or from its surface to an object in the substance. This type also tends to be brighter than the second. The second consistency of Phazon is known to be a less sticky substance that acts more like a complete liquid, with no visible electric charges. (Blue Phazon in this state almost appears to be water.)

It is unclear as to what the difference is between the two consistencies, or exactly why there are two consistencies in the first place.  There is no known difference in radiation output or mutagenic qualities between the two consistencies.

Phazon Madness

One aspect of Phazon exposure appears to be mental degradation, causing the affected creature to become increasingly violent. In intelligent beings, this begins by way of mental illness. The phrase "Phazon Madness" was coined by the Space Pirates, who observed its most common symptoms to be loss of equilibrium, erratic behaviour, and hallucinations. In more severe cases, the subjected became psychotic and violent. Phazon Madness was the source of the insanity of the Chozo on Tallon IV.

See also

• Dark Samus
• Metroid Prime

 

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