Dark Hold

Dark Hold
X using Dark Hold.
Weapon Information
Script:	ダークホールド
Romaji:	Dāku Hōrudo
In-Game Information
Obtained from:	Dark Necrobat
Effective against:	Spiral Pegasus
User(s):	X, Zero
Cost:	Normal X/Zero: 2-4 shots per second Armored X: 2-4 shots per second? With W-Energy Saver 1-2 shots per second?
Capacity:	Normal X/Zero: 48 uses per flash approx. 12 seconds (if left active) Armored X: 72 uses per flash approx. 19 seconds (if left active) With W-Energy Saver: 96 uses per flash approx. 23 seconds (if left active)
Type:	Darkness, Time/Space, Immobilize
Series Information
In-game appearances:	Mega Man X5 Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Dark Hold (ダークホールド, Dāku Hōrudo) is a Special Weapon obtainable in Mega Man X5 by defeating Dark Necrobat. It can stop time in X and Zero's surroundings; the duration of the weapon depends on the Weapon Energy, and once active it can't shut off. Because it is activated as soon as the Special Weapon button is pushed, it cannot be charged. To deactivate Dark Hold, either simply go to the weapons screen and choose another weapon or use a Giga Attack.

Spiral Pegasus is the only boss that can be frozen by this weapon - all other bosses are otherwise immune to the Dark Hold. When used against Dark Necrobat in the boss rematches, it will only consume one unit, and the screen will only flash white for a split-second.

Besides Mega Man X5, Dark Hold also appeared in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars as Zero's level 3 hyper combo. After stopping time, he changes the shape of the Z-Saber as it grows in size for the finishing move (where he glides through his target into the air to impale them), making it resemble the saber from the Mega Man Zero series.

Damage Data Chart

Damage values in units in Mega Man X5.

Dark Hold
Boss	Damage
Magma Dragoon	--
Sigma Head	--
Crescent Grizzly	0
Tidal Whale	0
Volt Kraken	0
Shining Firefly	0
Dark Necrobat	0
Spiral Pegasus	*
Burn Dinorex	0
Spike Rosered	0
U-555 (Head)	0
U-555 (Tail)	0
U-555 (Top)	0
Prism Guardian	0
Pteranoid	0
Dynamo	0
Shadow Devil	0
Rangda Bangda W (Green Eye)	0
Rangda Bangda W (Red Eye)	0
Rangda Bangda W (Blue Eye)	0
Rangda Bangda W (Sun)	0
Mega Man X	0
Zero (Normal)	0
Zero (Awakened)	0
Sigma: 1st Phase	0
Sigma: 2nd Phase	0

• Spiral Pegasus is the only boss that is vulnerable to Dark Hold, thus more damage can be inflicted on him with this weapon using the X-Buster or Z-Saber than with other bosses.

Gallery

Zero using Dark Hold in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Trivia

• Upon activation, X and Zero's surroundings will invert colors.

• This weapon functions almost exactly like the Time Stopper, which stops all enemies from moving, the only difference is the inverted colors and being able to use the buster/saber without wasting energy, unlike in Mega Man 2 where the buster is not usable.
  • Coincidently, it stops the beams, see below for the example.
• This weapon is immensely helpful in successfully navigating through the latter half of the first Zero Space area, which contains lethal laser beams reminiscent of Quick Man's stage from Mega Man 2. Note that using Dark Hold is not absolutely necessary, as there are ways to dodge the laser beams successfully, even without Dark Hold. If skilled enough, it is possible for the player to even clear the area with Gaea Armor X, which cannot use special weapons.