Gaea Armor

The Gaea Armor is an armor found in Mega Man X5.

Characteristics
The armor grants X complete immunity to spikes at all times, as well as mitigating the damage he receives. Additionally, X is surrounded by a green field which pushes back blocks with a tell-tale "V" on them when he dashes, and his grabbing strength is increased, allowing him to hang onto walls indefinitely without sliding.

However, in exchange for the strength that the the armor offers, it has its own set of drawbacks. Due to the armors weight, it has a notably slower running and dashing speed, cannot air dash, and relinquishes the use of any Special Weapons.

The armor's buster functions differently from most others, as well. Its shots dissipate after a moderate distance, but are notably stronger than normal buster shots and a fully charged shot can destroy certain enemy projectiles by shooting them. Its charge time is also much faster, completely omitting a half-charged shot. The Charge shot is also capable of destroying the V Blocks. Its Giga Attack is extremely short in range, but also very powerful. When executed, X pulls his hands back and charges a large sphere of green and black energy, then thrusts it forward, severely damaging anything directly in front of him.

Functions

 * Note: Specific parts do not have effects as this armor can only be equipped when complete.


 * Head Parts - There's no known special effect.


 * Body Parts - Decrease received damage, and convert damage accumulation into Giga Attack energy. The Giga Attack releases a large energy shot forward.


 * Arm Parts - The X-Buster charges much faster, and the Charge Shot can become a destructive attack to destroy some blocks and enemies. The Charge Shot can also destroy enemy projectiles as well. But, the shot speed and the range are inferior in comparison with regular ones. He can only charge one level up. Special weapons are disabled.


 * Foot Parts - X can stand on spikes without receiving damage and can cling to walls without slipping. X's dash can be used to move some blocks. However, X's movement and dash speed are greatly decreased, limiting X's mobility.

Locations
You can reach this area even if you don't have any armor equipped. Before the boss area, there will be a pitfall. Go down. You will need to use the F-Laser to destroy a wall blocking the way by maneuvering the projectile into the capsule room and hit a large blue button on the back of the wall to destroy it.
 * Head Parts: Dark Dizzy's stage

You can reach this part easily if you have the Falcon Armor equipped. It is found above an open area with a small elevator that rises diagonally. Use the Falcon Armor to fly upwards to a high ledge to find the capsule.
 * Body Parts: The Skiver's stage

You can reach this area by following the upper path, or the bottom lava filled area using the Ride Armor. When you come to an open area with suspended rope leading upwards and Batton Bones, use either the Falcon Armor or Ride Armor to cross to the right side of the screen to a platform with the capsule.
 * Arm Parts: Mattrex's stage

You can only reach this part with the Falcon Armor equipped. It is found above a pitfall area more than half way through the stage. Carefully fly up into an opening with spikes on the walls.
 * Foot Parts: Axle the Red's stage

Production Notes
Developer Comments Once again, a ??? armor. (sweat) Finally, you could walk on top of the thorns. Once you make me crouch down on my heels, I've started my mad dash. (grin) Is it because the concept of X5 is a mad dash? (grin) I lie. In order to contrast it design-wise with the Falcon, I had it made with no projections and colored black. All sorts of ideas cropped up, like making the arms symmetrical, and I'm glad the design turned out as fantastic as it did. Actually, this will be the first armor the designer Sensei designed.

Designer Comments It was to look hard, heavy and strong, so I tried giving it a thudding, weighty feel. The chest is a point to note. I even tried making its color subdued, just using the vivid colors seen on armors to date as a point. This was to distinguish it from the other armors.

Trivia

 * The Gaea Armor's leg part is the very first item in a Mega Man game that offered protection against instant-death spikes.


 * The English language manual for Mega Man X5 labels this armor as the "Gaia" Armor. While probably a mistranslation/typo, technically still correct.