The "Jolly Roger" Drone is a lightweight, speedy combat drone used by the Space Pirates. It was originally based on Federation designs and technology, but has been modified from its original plans. Powered by Phazon, it is very quick and maneuverable, at the cost of any significant armor. The Drone's weapon is a laser cannon mounted on the front of it, which resembles an eye. In some cases, it can warp short distances to avoid attacks or circle around its target at fast speeds, but it does not do either maneuver frequently. Also, its warp capability is so limited that in some cases it will only move a short distance from its original location or reappear in the same spot. It is first seen on Norion, and are then found in many areas after that.
Because of their light and fragile armor, the mechanoids require only a few Power Beam shots (less with more powerful Beams) to be dispatched, causing them to crash into the ground. If Samus is near them as they fall, the resulting explosion can harm her. "Jolly Roger" Drones are often deployed in large groups, perhaps to compensate for their lack of armor.
Their cannon can seemingly be modified to fire different Beams, as one is seen utilizing the Nova Beam technology on the Pirate Homeworld. However, in this instance the modification was purely for maintenance purposes. A Drone with a different Beam is also seen in the Morph ball maze in the Cargo Hub. The drone seems to use a light to target its victim and also seems to charge its beam before firing. Drones switch from their normal Phazon three-shot attack to this targeting charge attack if they have been slightly damaged.
Jolly Roger Drones bear resemblance to the Sentry Drones used during the Space Pirates' occupation on Tallon IV.
Locations
- Generator A
- Conduit C
- Generator C
- Gel Processing Site
- Gel Hall
- Temple Reservoir
- Field Access
- Generator Hall North
- South Jungle Hall
- Spire Dock
- Command Station
- Drill Shaft 1
- Creche Transit
Logbook entry
"Jolly Roger" Drone
Mechanoid: Jolly Roger Drone
Fast and fragile aerial drone.
Fires bursts of Phazon energy.
The 'Jolly Roger' Drone is designed for quick aerial maneuvers, but this comes at the cost of survivability. The fragile armor of the unit is vulnerable to weapon fire of any type. The Jolly Roger is based on Federation tech, but has been considerably upgraded. Powered by Phazon, the mechanoid can be a serious threat in battle, especially in groups.
Unused entry
"Jolly Roger" Drone
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2006 prototype)
Mechanoid: "Jolly Roger" Battle Drone
Cloak equipped. Hull composed of Phazite.
Phazon power unit can be overloaded.
The "Jolly Roger" Drone is based on Federation tech, but has been considerably upgraded. Powered by Phazon and encased in a Phazite hull, the mechanoid is a serious threat in battle. Only missile systems can damage the unit. The drone has a cloaking system, and will use it to evade foes. If highly damaged, the Jolly Roger will overload its power system, elevating its battle capability. This leads to the unit's destruction, however.
Don Hogan animation
Etymology
Jolly Roger is the name given to any of various flags flown to identify a ship's crew as pirates. The one most often identified as the Jolly Roger today is the skull and crossbones. The flags were flown to frighten victims into surrendering without a fight, as it conveyed the message that the attackers were outlaws who would not consider themselves bound by the usual rules of engagement—and might slaughter those they defeated. (Since captured pirates were usually hanged, they didn't have much to gain by asking quarter if defeated.) The same message was sometimes conveyed by a red flag.
Trivia
- These drones can be shot when they are about to warp, unlike most teleporting enemies.
- It is recomended to scan one of them as soon as the first one appears, as after Drill Shaft, they are never seen for the rest of the game.
- Sylux's Power Suit, Shock Coil, Lockjaw and Delano 7 were also stolen Federation prototypes.
Gallery
