Hunters overview
No longer the sole bounty hunter at the center of the action, Samus will encounter rivals from all over the galaxy during her escapades in the Alimbic Cluster. Six bounty hunters have all managed to intercept the telepathic message containing the promise of ultimate power, so naturally the temptation was just too strong.
Some may have more noble cause in their search than others, but it's clear that Samus can't expect a friendly association with any of them. Initially you'll face each hunter in battle in a specific order, and once all the regions of the Alimbic Cluster become available the six will randomly travel around each world. Every hunter has a weakness, but until you've scored the right weapon to use you'll need to resort to regular weaponry to deal with them.
Read on to learn of each hunter's origin, purpose, and what to expect from each in the heat of battle.
Kanden
- Initial encounter: Celestial Archives (Data Shrine 03)
- Alternate form: Stinglarva
- Weapon of choice: Volt Driver
An experimental disaster, Kanden was genetically grown to be the ultimate super solider - that is until he destroyed his creators and wiped all trace of his origin from history. Now a rogue agent with no clear purpose, Kanden seeks the promise of ultimate power for his own agenda.
Kanden wields the Volt Driver in battle, and is vulnerable to weapon fire from the Battlehammer. His alternate form is the Stinglarva, a small slug-like form capable of deploying small homing explosive mines.
Spire
- Initial encounter: Alinos (High Ground)
- Alternate form: Dialanche
- Weapon of choice: Magmaul
Spire is the last of his ancient rock-like race, the Diamonts. Carrying the legacy of his people, he hopes to solve the mystery of the Alimbic Cluster to ultimately find salvation for his own.
Spire commands the Magmaul in battle and is a highly skilled marksman with the often unruly weapon. His alternate form is the Dialanche, of which he uses to great effect by rapidly spinning toward targets while two long rock blades extend to deliver the pain.
Weavel
- Initial encounter: Alinos (Echo Hall)
- Alternate form: Halfturret
- Weapon of choice: Battlehammer
Naturally the Space Pirates would take extreme interest in the promise of ultimate power. To that end, they send Weavel as their ambassador. A cybernetic warrior with a personal score to settle with Samus, Weavel hopes to succeed where all his brethren failed.
Weavel uses the Battlehammer in battle while in biped form. His cybernetic body allows him to literally split in two to activate his alternate form - the Halfturret. In this state his legs convert to a formidable turret while his upper body lunges at targets with energy scythe extended.
Sylux
- Initial encounter: Vesper Defense Outpost (Weapons Complex)
- Alternate form: Lockjaw
- Weapon of choice: Shock Coil
A serious rival to Samus, Sylux is an unknown bioform well-known for his extreme hatred of the Galactic Federation. Using stolen prototype technology from the Federation, Sylux is a remorseless force to be reckoned with.
Sylux uses the stolen Federation-prototype Shock Coil in battle. He can also summon his starship, the Delano 7, to use for aerial bombardments. His alternate form is the Lockjaw, a nasty weapon capable of laying up to three electrically-charged mines.
Noxus
- Initial encounter: Arcterra (Sic Transit)
- Alternate form: Vhoscythe
- Weapon of choice: Judicator
A noble warrior of the mysterious Vhozon race, Noxus is risking his life to secure the ultimate power so that those unworthy or with evil intent can never take it for themselves.
Noxus uses the Judicator to great effect in battle. His favourite pastime is to simply freeze opponents and get up close and personal with his frozen prey. Noxus should be engaged with the Magmaul, as its intense heat can melt even the coldest of beings. His alternate form is the Vhoscythe, a deadly vortex of spinning blades just itching to shred the opposition.
Trace
- Initial encounter: Arcterra (Sic Transit)
- Alternate form: Triskelion
- Weapon of choice: Imperialist
Trace is a spidery member of the Kriken race, a warring species with a nasty reputation across the galaxy. He hopes to secure the ultimate power to further the Kriken empire's galactic goals and bring supreme honour upon himself.
Trace enjoys observing the battlefield from afar with his deadly accuracy of the Imperialist. Lightly armoured, Trace is susceptible to close proximity attacks, especially those from the Shock Coil. He reverts to a three-legged alternate form with the Triskelion, a sure sign to keep one's distance as his long-range pounce often doesn't miss.