| For the Copy Chip in the Archie Comics Mega Man series, see Special Weapon. Not to be confused with the Copy Damage Battle Chip. |
Axl using his Copy Chip to perform A-Trans.
The Copy Chip (コピーチップ)[1] is a technology in the Mega Man X series. It is the source of the copy ability (also referred to as chameleon ability in Mega Man X: Command Mission) used by Axl and the New Generation Reploids.
Characteristics[]
The Copy Chip is an internal component of a Reploid, and therefore is not physically seen. However, its effects are well-documented, and are all related to DNA manipulation.
Copy Ability[]
A Guardroid copying Gravity Antonion reverts to its original form before death.
Copy Chips give Reploids the ability to take on the appearance and abilities of another Reploid using their DNA data. This transformation causes the Reploid's body to glow brightly as they change into the new form. They can also freely cancel the transformation at will.
The completed version of the Copy Chip seen in Mega Man X8 is used heavily by the New Generation Reploids. This Copy Chip contains a database of DNA data of various Reploids, including fellow New Generation Reploids and even Sigma. Using it, they can freely take on the form of other Reploids, regardless of shape or size. However, the power they gain from transformation varies between models, with it being estimated that only one in every 10,000 New Generation Reploids can achieve perfect accuracy.[2] This is illustrated by the major difference of strength between the Copy Sigma boss encountered in the Gateway, and the weaker enemies in the Sigma Palace. When defeated, they revert to their original forms before dying.
Axl has a prototype version of the Copy Chip, which he accesses via A-Trans. His chip does not store a set DNA database, and he has a time limit for how long he can copy other Reploids. In order to transform, he must finish off an enemy with a Copy Shot to access their crystalized DNA Core - this gives him more freedom compared to the new generation's pre-set DNA collection. However, his transformation power is limited to bodies of a similar size and stature to his own, meaning he can only copy fellow humanoid Reploids. His copy ability is also stated to be why he can acquire the weapons of Mavericks after defeating them, similar to X's Variable Weapon System. Unique to Mega Man X7, Axl is also capable of temporarily altering his physical traits using the DNA of Mechaniloids, such as increasing his speed or defense.
In Mega Man X: Command Mission, Axl's copy ability is often referred to as a "chameleon ability" or simply "shapeshifting" instead. Here, his transformation is no longer limited to humanoid Reploids, allowing him to transform into large Reploids such as Silver Horn and Mad Nautilus.
Immunity[]
The Copy Chip is also notable for making New Generation Reploids completely immune to electronic viruses, including the Sigma Virus. This immunity is a result of the Copy Chip's ability to not only copy but completely change DNA, since New Generation Reploids have total control over their DNA.[1] Therefore, New Generation Reploids do not suffer the effects of infection. However, it is revealed in Mega Man X8 that New Generation Reploids can still turn Maverick of their own accord, including by accessing the DNA in their Copy Chips.[3]
Invisibility[]
It is implied that the Copy Chips in Mega Man X: Command Mission allow Reploids to enter an invisible form. Both Axl and Spider's Hyper Modes (Stealth Mode and Trickstar, respectively) temporarily render them invisible, and they are the only two Reploids in the game known to possess Copy Chips.
History[]
Mega Man X series[]
The Copy Chip is first introduced as the mysterious source of Axl's shapeshifting abilities in Mega Man X7. Since Axl has no memory of his past, the origins of the Copy Chip remain a mystery. Axl's abilities help Red Alert become a force to be reckoned with, which draws the attention of Sigma. He then begins manipulating Red Alert, using the DNA data which Axl collects to power up Red Alert and putting them under his control. Sigma plans to use Axl's powers to obtain the DNA of X and Zero, but the plan is foiled when Axl defects to the Maverick Hunters and helps them defeat Sigma instead.
In Mega Man X8, Axl is revealed to be a prototype for the New Generation Reploids manufactured for the Jakob Project. These New Generation Reploids have advanced Copy Chips that allow them to take on various forms based on their duties, but this comes into question when X learns that they also contain the DNA of Sigma. The New Generation Reploids eventually stage an uprising against humanity and take the Jakob Project for their own - despite initial concerns that they were corrupted by Sigma's influence, it is revealed that they all chose to go Maverick on their own and were not under any sort of viral infection. Lumine believes that this means the desires of the New Generation Reploids are inherently correct.
The news of Lumine turning Maverick causes the world to completely cancel development of any Reploids with Copy Chips still in production, as well as terminate all manufacture and use of Copy Chips. However, the new space race keeps demand strong for these advanced Reploids and production of Copy Chips is allegedly resumed years after the incident.[4]
Mega Man X: Command Mission[]
In the alternate continuity, Axl investigates the Ulfat Factory in Giga City after hearing rumors that his chameleon ability might have been invented there. The investigation leads nowhere for Axl, but Marino becomes interested in the power and wants to acquire it herself. She later learns that Spider once went to a place that researched chameleon abilities.[5]
It is also revealed in the final battle that Colonel Redips also has a chameleon ability, which he used to masquerade as Spider. He planned to use Supra-Force Metal to enhance his shapeshifting abilities and become the most powerful Reploid in the world, but he was defeated by X and the party.
Trivia[]
Armor Soldier after destroyed by Sigma in Mega Man X DiVE
- The A-Trans from Mega Man ZX Advent functions in exactly the same manner as the Copy Chip. It is the special ability of Biometal Model A, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Axl.
- During cutscenes in Mega Man X: Command Mission where Axl is transformed, he speaks with his own voice rather than the voice of the Reploid he is copying (i.e. Mach Jentra). This is the only time this phenomenon occurs.
- Although the Copy Chip is supposed to make the bearer immune to viruses, Axl is still susceptible to the "Virus" status effect from Mega Man X: Command Mission.
- In Sigma's Hunter Program display animation from the game Mega Man X DiVE, he destroys several enemies before stabbing "X" in the chest. After "X" is killed, it is revealed he was actually an Armor Soldier copying his form with a Copy Chip.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Alia: I've completed the analysis of the Maverick data acquired so far. What makes new generation Reploids resistant to viruses is their copy chip. The copy chip can actually change a Reploid's DNA.
--Mega Man X8 - ↑ Rockman X8 Hisshou Kouryakuhou - pp. 108-109
- ↑ X: "Lumine! What are you doing? Don't tell me you've gone Maverick, too..." Lumine: "Maverick? You don't really think that's the case, do you? That's why you can't finish me off, right? You don't have it in you..." X: ".........!" Lumine: "The copy chips we new generation Reploids possess... They were derived from data from hundreds of old model Repolids. That means, of course, that Sigma was also included in the mix. Do you understand what I'm getting at here?" Axl: "Copy chip? Sigma? That means that I'll go nuts like he did?" Lumine: "Sorry, but prototypes like you don't have the specs to cause something like that. Besides, was Sigma really crazy?" Axl: ".........?" Lumine: "He rebelled against your world. But he had his reasons... The rest of us new Reploids could turn like that at any moment..." - Mega Man X8
- ↑ Ending cutscenes, Mega Man X8. 2004.
- ↑ Marino: Well, goodbye, X. This was all pretty swell. By the way... I've been checking on that chameleon ability... And I found out that a long time ago, Spider was at a place where they researched copy abilities. Guess he wanted to become a shape-changing bounty hunter, right? The ol' fool...
--Mega Man X: Command Mission