Miniroid

Miniroid
A flock of Miniroids.
Featured in	Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Location	G.F.S. Valhalla, Phaaze
Homeworld	Unknown
Attacks	None
Weakness	All weapons
Life cycle	Preceded by: Metroid Egg (infused with Phazon) Followed by: Phazon Metroid
Stage	Stage 1: Infant

The Miniroid is the infant stage of a Phazon Metroid. These small, flying mutants are found in the derelict G.F.S. Valhalla and on planet Phaaze in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Miniroids are often found near Phazon Metroids, though contrary to their mature forms, they are entirely non-aggressive and rely on the latter for protection. They are extremely frail, thus they always travel in large swarms in order to further increase their chances of survival.

They bear a strong resemblance to the more resilient and aggressive Infant Tallon Metroids seen only in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.

Biology

Visually, Miniroids are highly distinct from mature Phazon Metroids. The infants' membranes have a baby blue color and are quite opaque, making it difficult to view the simple nucleus/nuclei within. They have yet to develop the bone-like ridge seen in Phazon Metroids that splits their membranes in the middle. The lower, flesh-like segment of their bodies with the four protruding fangs are a bright pink color. Miniroids inhabit the destroyed G.F.S. Valhalla, where they likely began to spawn from older Metroid mutants left on the ship after the Space Pirates' attacked it. They are also found on Phaaze, but in far greater numbers; due to the planet being the source of all Phazon, it is probable that the energy found there contributed to the massive increase of Metroid population.

Among the three breeds of infant Metroids seen in the entire series, which includes the original SR388 Infants and the Infant Tallon Metroids, the Miniroid is by far the weakest and most fragile of them all. Due to having yet developed any of their mature stage's powers (such as long-range electric discharges and becoming intangible) nor fully hardened fangs for disabling foes and siphoning life energy, they are completely harmless and never display any hostile actions against Samus. In fact, the Miniroids show complete indifference to whatever potential threat is nearby; these behaviors are exclusive this strain of Infant Metroid. The only way for Miniroids to inflict any sort of damage on Samus is if she walks/jumps towards them, damaging her on contact but due to the severe frailty of their bodies, the organisms will simultaneously explode against Samus' armor. They can also die from a single shot of any weapon in Samus' Power Suit. Despite their very poor combat capacity and inability to rapidly grow like Infant Tallon Metroids, their tiny Phazon-filled bodies will eventually become not only the far superior Phazon Metroids, but also molt beyond that stage and radically transform themselves into either a Metroid Hatcher or a Hopping Metroid. Through the mutagen's radioactive properties, this particular Metroid breed was capable of acquiring a unique and complex life cycle without the need to inhabit the species' homeworld of SR388.

Their in-game scan states Miniroids fly in search for sustenance, however due to their lack of attacks, it is possible they simply absorb free forms of energy in the environment, such as the electricity sparking out of short-circuiting machinery near flocks of Miniroids in the G.F.S Valhalla and ambient Phazon radiation on Phaaze.

Although never shown in-game, Miniroids presumably hatch from blue, highly irradiated eggs seen mostly on Phaaze. These eggs are very inconsistent in size which insinuates multiple Miniroids may grow in a single egg. Other types of eggs are seen, some hatched open, in a Space Pirate lab; these ones display a greater similarity to the naturally laid eggs of SR388. Only Phazon Metroids are found nearby, though it can be assumed they were once Miniroids when they hatched from these. It is unknown what exact breed of mutated Metroid is capable of laying any of these eggs.

Locations

• Hangar A Access
• Repair Bay
• Landing Site
• Hatcher Tunnel
• Genesis Chamber (flies up from Sanctum)

Logbook entry

Miniroid

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Temporary scan

Morphology: Miniroid
Combat rating negligible. Infant has not developed powers.

Logbook entry

Miniroids, tiny and weak, will travel in a flock for protection. They float and fly about in search of sustenance. Those that survive will grow quickly, becoming the feared parasites known throughout the cosmos as Phazon Metroids.

Trivia

• The eggs resembling those from SR388 may in fact be imported eggs from said planet. This would suggest that a natural Metroid egg exposed to Phazon will mutate the Infant Metroid within into a Miniroid (or several).
• In several areas where the previously mentioned blue eggs are located, unknown cocoons can be found near them; these are possibly the next step in their life cycle, from which Phazon Metroids or more heavily mutated breeds will emerge.
  • The Japanese version of Metroid Prime 3 states that the Phazon Hopper is an older Hopping Metroid that has reached a reproductive stage. If this is taken as canon, then it is possible some eggs containing Miniroids are laid by Phazon Hoppers.
• Metroid Hatchers are capable of spawning mature Phazon Metroids. This suggests that Miniroids are first created within the Hatcher's hardened shell and are released when the former grow to their adult stage, unless the Hatcher is capable of making its Phazon Metroids skip the infant stage altogether.