X and Zero (Mega Man Maverick Hunter X boss)

X and Zero
In-Game Information
HP:	16 (each)
Attack Damage:	Zero: 3 (contact) 3 (Z-Buster) 3 (Charge Shot) 6 (Divekick) 5 (Giga Attack) X: 3 (contact) 3 (X-Buster) 5 (Charge Shot) 3 (Homing Torpedo) 5 (Charged Storm Tornado) 6 (Cross Charge Shot)
Main Stage:	Sigma Palace Stage 3
Series Information
In-game Appearances:	Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
Theme Music

X and Zero are the final bosses of Vile’s story in Mega Man Maverick Hunter X. Having infiltrated Sigma’s Palace 3 simultaneously, X and Zero head Vile off before he can reach Sigma. X is surprised to learn that Vile is not loyal to Sigma, but they fight nonetheless. Despite going two-against-one, X and Zero are initially defeated. Vile tortures X until Zero grabs Vile’s leg, distracting him long enough for X to fire a Charge Shot to subdue him.

Strategy

X and Zero's fight consists of two boss characters with a shared Life Energy pool. While one fights, the other waits to tag out with a combination attack, during which both are invincible. Once one is defeated, the other gains a power boost that makes him much more dangerous until he too is defeated.

Zero

Zero is always the first to engage Vile. He is not particularly aggressive at first, launching Charge Shots and other attacks from the far sides of the arena. He occasionally changes sides, and may also perform a dangerous Giga Attack at the center of the arena.

	Charge Shot
	Zero charges and fires a slow-moving Charge Shot. He may follow this attack with one of several actions: another Charge Shot, Z-Buster shots, a Divekick, or a jump or dash to the other side of the arena.
	Damage: 3
	Z-Buster
	Zero fires three shots from his Z-Buster. He may jump while firing as well.
	Damage: 3
	Divekick
	Zero jumps to perform a flaming diagonal divekick towards Vile. He only performs this after a Charge Shot.
	Damage: 6
	Giga Attack
	Zero dashes to the center and punches the ground, causing pillars of flame to sequentially erupt along the floor and ceiling. The lower Zero's health, the longer the sequence will be.
	Damage: 5
	Guard
	Zero defends himself with his arms, deflecting any repeated attacks.
	Damage: 0
	Pincer Buster Attack
	Zero begins charging his Z-Buster and moves to one end of the arena while X teleports to the other. He begins firing Charge Shots while X fires triplets with his X-Buster. Zero then tags out and teleports away.
	Damage: 3
	Overdrive
	If X was defeated first, Zero is enveloped with a red aura. In this state, Zero will now only fire Charge Shots and he may fire up to 4 consecutive shots after an initial Charge Shot. His Giga Attack's changes to summon four pillars per wave instead of three. Zero's dash is also much faster in this state.
	Damage: 5 (Charge Shot)

X

X's strategy is more defensive and less predictable than Zero's. He always arrives with a charged Rolling Shield as protection, which must be dispelled with a strong attack. He stays away from Vile and fires triplets of X-Buster shots; if Vile comes too close, he begins crossing to the other side of the screen while attacking. He also has access to Homing Torpedo and can deploy a charged Storm Tornado. Once Zero is defeated, X gains a blue aura and begins firing Charge Shots at a rapid rate.

	X-Buster
	X fires three shots from his X-Buster. He may run or jump while firing as well.
	Damage: 3
	Charged Rolling Shield
	Whenever X enters battle, he will always have a Charged Rolling Shield up to protect him from Vile's attacks. While the shield will eventually dissipate on its own, it is much faster to use a weapon that pierces the shield.
	Damage: 3
	Homing Torpedo
	Turning brown, X jumps and fires two Homing Torpedoes that pursue Vile. They can be destroyed by any of Vile's weaponry.
	Damage: 3
	Charged Storm Tornado
	Turning purple, X charges and fires a Storm Tornado, summoning a giant tornado on the floor near Vile. It lingers for several seconds before dissipating.
	Damage: 5
	Cross Charge Shot
	X moves to one end of the arena and Zero teleports beside him. They both fire Charge Shots, which collide and split into four smaller homing projectiles. X then tags out and teleports away. The homing projectiles can be destroyed by Vile's weaponry.
	Damage: 6
	Overdrive
	When Zero is defeated first, X gains a blue aura that grants him immediate access to Charge Shots. He can also fire five Homing Torpedoes at once, and can summon two Storm Tornadoes. After enough time, X can also charge up his Rolling Shield.
	Damage: 5 (Charge Shots)

Trivia

• X and Zero share the same boss music as Sigma's first form in X Mode.
• Zero's attacks take inspiration from his other battles in the series, such as his Guard from Mega Man X2. His Giga Attack is inspired by his various Giga Attack Techniques, while his Divekick is inspired by Enkoukyaku.
• The Cross Charge Shot performed by X and Zero resembles the Cross Charge Shot of the Third Armor's, as it consists of two Charge Shots that split into multiple smaller shots.
• It is unknown how X acquired the Mavericks’ Special Weapons if Vile was the one to defeat them. A plausible explanation is X came upon the remains of the Mavericks and copied their abilities then.
• A similar fight against X and Zero is unlocked at the end of Mega Man X Legacy Collection's X Challenge in Hard Mode. X wears Armor Parts and after one of them is defeated, the other changes their tactics and becomes stronger.