Pirate Aerotroopers are aerial varieties of Space Pirates. They first appeared in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and later several varieties were seen in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Pirates of a similar nature appeared in Metroid Prime, but these were much different in design and were called Flying Pirates. Gandrayda can transform into an Aerotrooper, in a form known as Aerotrooper-G.
Description
Aerotroopers would be assigned the most dangerous missions, and would rather die than be captured. They used jetpacks, and could be set on fire using the Light Beam in Echoes. Later on in Corruption, a combination of a charged Plasma Beam shot and the use of the Grapple Lasso could separate an Aerotrooper from their jetpack, sending them to the ground. The explosion of the jetpack would kill them if they did not fall to their doom.
When critically injured, Aerotroopers would attempt a swirling suicide attack on their opponent, hoping to take their attacker with them to the grave. The Dark Beam, Ice Missiles and Phazon-based weaponry could prevent the Aerotrooper from executing this maneuver.
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
The Aerotroopers seen in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes are scarce, but well-armed and armored. They are equipped with modified green Galvanic Accelerator Cannons, swirling homing Missiles and as a final resort can use their suicide techniques. However, they can be shot down with three missiles from Samus (six on Hard Difficulty). A Super Missile will take down a Pirate Aerotrooper on Hard mode, spares the use of an extra Missile, and will prevent kamikaze attacks by detonating the jet pack. They have a large, bulky structure protruding from the left side, which serves as the jetpack. This device produces a lot of smoke, and sparks can be seen from the thrusters. Overall their appearance is crude, and their armor looks large and inelegent. They have long, beak-like heads, and two blue glowing eyes.
The animations, attacks and sounds of the Aerotroopers were recycled from the Flying Pirates of Prime.
Logbook entry
Pirate Aerotrooper
Morphology: Pirate Aerotrooper
Airborne assault trooper.
Fast-moving and extremely well-armed. Jet packs can be overloaded with thermal damage.
Pirate Aerotroopers are known for their cold precision and utter cruelty. Armed with both beam and missile systems, the Aerotrooper can be a difficult foe to engage, especially at range. Their jet packs can be overloaded with heat-based attacks, however. These units prefer death before dishonor: an injured Aerotrooper will make a suicide attempt strike before allowing himself to be captured.
Gallery
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
The Metroid Prime 3: Corruption variations of Aerotroopers use a Remote Attack Pod system rather than the bulky pack-mounted weapon system seen on Aether. The pods make use of Particle Cannons and Helix Missiles/Gel Bombs. The system allows for a greater maneuverability, and can break a target lock from Samus. The disadvantage to this lighter system is the weaker armoring, and a flaw: If the pack is ignited, it can be separated from the flier. If this happens, the Aerotrooper will either get killed when the jetpack explodes, or fall to the ground and die. The first time Samus does this, she will get a Friend Voucher. The technique can be repeated with any Aerotrooper, but Samus will not get any more Friend Vouchers from this technique after she has used it once already.
Varieties
Several types of Aerotrooper exist in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
- Armored Aerotroopers are armed with a standard, Echoes-style armorsuit that provides adequate protection against beam weapons, but can be breached with missiles. These units are often deployed in harsh combat zones.
- Advanced Aerotroopers are armed with additional layer of armor that can only be breached with missiles.
- Assault Aerotroopers are equipped with resistant armor that deflects all Missile fire, but is still damaged by beam attacks. Only the best Aerotroopers can join this rank.
Logbook entries
Pirate Aerotrooper
Morphology: Aerotrooper
Jet pack provides aerial mobility. Homing attacks recommended.
Aerotroopers are dangerous foes, but their lack of armor leaves them vulnerable to explosive blasts. A weakness also lies in the jet pack: igniting it will allow the pack to be separated from the pilot. They use twin Remote Attack Pods to engage targets. The Attack Pods are capable of using a Particle Cannon or a Helix Missile Pod. They can tap their Phazon power unit to warp from point to point.
Armored Aerotrooper
Morphology: Armored Aerotrooper
Covered with a thin layer of armor. Susceptible to explosive attacks.
Armored Aerotroopers are deployed in harsh combat zones. Their armor is resilient, but susceptible to explosive blasts. In battle they use twin Remote Attack Pods to engage targets. They are equipped with a Particle Cannon and a Helix Missile Pod. They can tap their Phazon power unit to warp from point to point. A weakness lies in the jet pack: ignite and separate it from the pilot to neutralize the target.
Advanced Aerotrooper
Morphology: Advanced Aerotrooper
Armor resists Beam attacks. Vulnerable to explosive blasts.
When the going gets tough, the tough put on armor. Advanced Aerotroopers wear an extra layer of ablative armor that is susceptible to explosive blasts. Like regular Aerotroopers, they wield two Remote Attack Pods in combat. These are outfitted with a Particle Cannon and a Gel Bomb Rack. Gel Bombs stick to their targets until detonation. High-velocity movement can remove Gel Bombs.
Assault Aerotrooper
Morphology: Assault Aerotrooper
Armor deflects Missile attacks. Vulnerable to Beam weapons.
Only the best can join the ranks of the Assault Aerotroopers. Heavily armored, they are resistant to most weapon systems. Their unique armor is able to deflect all Missile attacks, but can still be damaged by Beam weapons. Like regular Aerotroopers, they wield two Remote Attack Pods in combat. One is equipped with a Particle Cannon, the other with a Gel Bomb Rack. Gel Bombs stick to their targets until detonation. High-velocity movement can remove Gel Bombs.
Gallery
Locations
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- Mining Station A
- Mining Station B
- Bioenergy Production
- Torvus Temple
- Grand Windchamber
- Watch Station
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Cargo Dock A
- Generator A (escapes)
- Jousting Field
- North Jungle Court
- Spire Dock
- Transit Station 0203
Trivia
- No matter how low to the ground the Aerotroopers from Corruption are when they fall to the ground if separated from their jetpack, they will still die.
- Aerotroopers have yet to be seen teleporting despite the description on their scans.
- The equipment worn by Aerotroopers from Corruption is very similar to that of the Kyratians.
- Gene Kohler stated in an interview that they strived to make all Pirate variations from the first Prime look different, because "it would have been pretty boring to simply see a regular pirate with a jet pack on for the Flying Pirate." Despite this, Corruption's Aerotroopers are just that. It should be noted, however, that Kohler only worked on the original Prime.
- Metroid Prime: Federation Force will feature Aerotroopers, though they are now called Jetpack Troopers.
Pirate Aerotroopers | |
---|---|
Classes | Flying Pirate • Aqua Pirate • Armored Aerotrooper • Advanced Aerotrooper • Assault Aerotrooper • Dark Pirate Aerotrooper • Aerotrooper-G |
Equipment | Gel Bomb Rack • Helix Missile Pod • Jet pack • Particle Cannon • Remote Attack Pod • Suicide strike |