- "Hmm... yes... the energy readings are still the same... and there is no Maverick reading, is there... you are reading my normal data. This is the true form of me..."
- ―Awakened Zero, Mega Man X5
Awakened Zero (覚醒ゼロ Kakusei Zero) is a form of Zero that is fought as a boss in Mega Man X5, if Sigma succeeds to flood Zero's body with the Zero Virus by dropping the Eurasia colony. It is said to be the "true form" of Zero, as his creator Dr. Wily originally intended him: a robot made to destroy X and throw the world into chaos.[1][2]
However, even if the player foils Sigma's plan and avoids Zero's awakening, Zero is still fought as a boss by X in Zero Space, due to other circumstances.
Appearances[]
Mega Man X5[]
If Eurasia crashes or the Space Shuttle mission is a failure, Zero is corrupted by the resulting Zero Virus and awoken to his original nature. The chance of Zero awakening increases if he gets the "Virus" condition from the Sigma Virus enemies multiple times before Eurasia's crash. He hides within Zero Space and becomes unplayable, forcing the player to only use X.
When playing as X in the Zero Space Stage 3, X confronts Zero. If he has awakened, Zero revels in the fulfillment he feels by returning to his intended purpose, and declares he will complete his mission and destroy X.
Even if Zero has not awakened to his true nature, X still confronts him about how his power levels are increasing with his exposure to the Zero Virus, demanding he return to base. Zero takes this personally and is offended X doesn't trust him, leading to a fight between the two. If the player is using Zero, they fight X as the boss of this stage instead.
Mega Man X Legacy Collection[]
This section requires expansion. |
Awakened Zero appears alongside Ultimate Armor X as the final battle in Hard Mode from X Challenge in Mega Man X Legacy Collection and Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2. Should Ultimate Armor X be defeated, Awakened Zero will transform into Black Zero, upon which he will attack with the Zero Buster, Hyoroga, Ensuizan, and Rekkoha.
Unlike Ultimate Armor X, Awakened Zero fights identically to his appearance in X5 with the sole exception of his later invincibility and Genmu Zero being removed.
Other appearances[]
- Awakened Zero appears as a DiVE Festival exclusive Hunter Program in Mega Man X DiVE. He can use the Genmu Zero and the Shingetsurin.
- Awakened Zero is a transformation of Zero in Tower of Saviors, his Active Skills becoming Blood Moon and Flames of Illusion.
Strategy[]
Zero has a predictable but dangerous attack pattern. If the player is on the floor, he is likely to use his Z-Buster and Z-Saber combo. If the player is on the walls or in the air above him, he is likely to use his Shin Messenkou. He has no strict elemental weakness, though the X-Buster and Nova Strike deal sufficient damage.
Awakened Zero is noticeably more difficult. He deals increased contact damage, and his Z-Buster move is replaced by Shingetsurin, a circular variant that lingers before flying at the player. Additionally, if he is Level 20 or above and the battle goes on for 2 minutes, he uses Genmu Zero to kill the player instantly.
Z-Buster (ゼットバスター Zetto Basutā)[3] | |
---|---|
Zero fires two shots from his Z-Buster. Always followed by Saber Shot. Only used by normal Zero. | |
Damage: 6:8:10 | |
Saber Shot (セイバー弹 Seibā Dan)[3] | |
Zero slashes his Z-Saber, emitting a cutter projectile in the player's direction. Used after Z-Buster or Shingetsurin. | |
Damage: 12:16:20 | |
Shin Messenkou (真・滅閃光 "True Destroying Glint")[3] | |
Zero performs an altered Messenkou, punching the ground to launch a series of projectiles upwards. He is likely to use this if the player moves above him. | |
Damage: 6:8:10 | |
Shingetsurin (真月輪 "True Moon Ring")[3] | |
Zero fires two spinning shots from his Z-Buster, which stop in place before flying in the player's direction. Only used by Awakened Zero. | |
Damage: 6:8:10 | |
Genmu Zero (幻夢零 Genmurei)[3] | |
Zero enlarges his saber and slashes, sending two giant crescents across the arena. This attack causes instant death, is used multiple times in a row, and Zero is invincible while using it. Only used by Awakened Zero, if he is Lv. 20 or above, and the battle has been prolonged for 2 minutes. | |
Damage: Instant Death |
Damage data chart[]
Mega Man X5[]
X-Buster | C-Shot | Goo Shaver | Tri-Thunder | F-Laser | Dark Hold | Wing Spiral | Ground Fire | Spike Ball | Nova Strike | |
Zero (Normal) |
1:1:6 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 8 |
Zero (Awakened) |
1:1:6 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 | 8 |
Armor Parts[]
Arm Parts (Falcon Armor) |
Free Move | Giga Attack (Falcon Armor) |
Arm Parts (Gaea Armor) |
Giga Attack (Gaea Armor) | |
Zero (Normal) |
1:1:6 | 0 | 8 | 2:6 | 8 |
Zero (Awakened) |
1:1:6 | 0 | 8 | 2:6 | 8 |
Notes[]
- All damage values listed here are the same regardless of difficulty level.
- Damage values listed on these charts assume the player does not have the "Buster Plus" part equipped for X.
- For X-Buster, the three damage values are listed according to how long the weapon is charged. The first number is damage done with uncharged shots; the second number is when the weapon is charged slightly; third number is when the X-Buster is fully charged.
- Damages values for the X-Buster field are the same whether the player plays as X without any armor, or is equipped with the Fourth or Ultimate Armors.
- For the eight Special Weapons, the first number is damage done when the weapon is used in normal fire; the second is when the weapon is used in its charged state.
- Because Dark Hold cannot be charged and therefore has no secondary fire, only one number is listed instead of two.
- For Special Weapons that are capable of striking more than once, damage values on this chart are listed according to how much a weapon inflicts per hit, not the total amount of damage done.
Other media[]
Rockman X5 IF[]
Zero fought against X in his awakened form, and returns to normal after the battle.
Rockman X5 (manhua)[]
While not an appearance of Awakened Zero, per-se, it was alluded to in the sense that Zero went maverick at one point in the manhua like in the bad ending of the game. A notable difference, however, was that Zero going maverick had been due to Spike Rosered biting into his neck and infecting him.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The name of Awakened Zero's techniques are similar to the techniques he can learn in Mega Man X5:
- Mikazukizan ("Crescent Moon Slash") and Shingetsurin ("True Moon Ring").
- Messenkou and Shin Messenkou.
- Sougenmu and Genmurei / Genmu Zero.
- The aura behind Awakened Zero's sprites seems to be referenced from Akuma's aura from the Marvel vs. Capcom series, featuring a similar pattern of energy tendrils.
- Awakened Zero's headshot for X Challenge uses the official Zero artwork from X5, but with added purple to represent Awakened Zero's aura.
- Although Awakened Zero doesn't make any direct appearances in other games (X Challenge and DiVE notwithstanding), it is to be noted that Omega was a similarly evil and powerful being made from Zero's body, making him somewhat similar to Awakened Zero.
- On a similar note, Awakened Zero's hair being fanned out in his DiVE artwork may have been derived from a concept art for Omega's third form.
References[]
- ↑ Dr. Wily: "After him! He is my nemesis. Our rivalry is what gives me motivation in life. Now go! Destroy him! That's an order." - Zero's opening cutscene, Mega Man X4.
- ↑ Mega Man X: Command Mission Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames. pg. 78.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Boss File: Zero / Awakened Zero, Compendium of Rockman X. p. 85.