Zero (Mega Man): Difference between revisions

|caption = [[File:MegaManSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert]]<br>Official artwork of Zero from ''Mega Man X DiVE''.

Conceptually, Zero was one of the earliest characters Keiji Inafune designed for ''Mega Man X''. He initially intended for the design to be used as the main protagonist, but upon reasoning that players would have a hard time recognizing such a different-looking protagonist, he got fellow artist Hayato Kaji to design one closer to the original Mega Man; thus {{b|X|Mega Man}} was born. Meanwhile, Zero's design was repurposed into a supporting character.  

Zero debuted in ''Mega Man X'' as X's mentor in the Maverick Hunters, eventually sacrificing himself to help X defeat Vile and continue to stop the leader of the evil Mavericks, Sigma. In ''Mega Man X2'', Zero's body was repaired and split into pieces by the villainous X-Hunters, forcing X to face them to retrieve his parts so he could be rebuilt. If the player failed to do so, Zero would be revived as a violent Maverick and have to be fought in a boss battle. It began to be implied that Zero was created by the evil [[Dr. Wily]], which would be built upon in later games. In ''Mega Man X3'', Zero returned as an ally of X who could be summoned to trade places, letting the player temporarily play as Zero in certain situations.

In ''Mega Man X4'', Zero became a fully playable character alongside X for the first time. His usage of his iconic beam sword, the Z-Saber, was elaborated upon with special Techniques gained by defeating Maverick bosses. His past was also explored, as Sigma revealed that Zero was once a Maverick whom Sigma fought and was almost defeated by; in the process, Sigma was infected by a virus created by Dr. Wily that helped him become a Maverick in the first place. In ''Mega Man X5'', it becomes Sigma's plan to return Zero to his original purpose as intended by Dr. Wily, forcing him to destroy X. Depending on the player's actions, Zero may "awaken" and challenge X as a boss. Despite the battle, X and Zero then work together to defeat Sigma, and Zero is thought to have died in the process. He later returns in ''Mega Man X6'' under mysterious circumstances, and remains a playable character in the series all the way until ''Mega Man X8''.

*Kuenzan is another of Zero's Techniques in ''Mega Man X4'', obtained by defeating Split Mushroom. This rolling slash also returns in another forms across the games.

Zero's double jump and air dash, which he uses in ''Ultimate'', were originally special techniques in ''Mega Man X4'', known as the Kuenbu and Hienkyaku (respectively), that had to be obtained by defeating Mavericks (Split Mushroom and Jet Stingray). In certain later games, they have been available to him from the beginning.

[[File:SSBUWebsiteZeroMM1.jpg|thumb|left|Zero on [[Luigi's Mansion]].]]

[[File:SSBUWebsiteZeroMM2.jpg|thumb|Zero attacking {{SSBU|Ridley}} with Genmu Zero on [[Midgar]].]]

Upon being summoned, he says "Fight's on!" and chases opponents to attack them using a variety of techniques:

*A series of three slashes with his Z-Saber, much like playable characters' [[neutral attack]]s, with the slashes linking into each other. However, opponents are able to [[air dodge]] inbetween the second and third slashes. The slashes deal 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively, for a total of 21% damage, and the third slash has enough knockback to KO at around 125% from center stage.

*'''Ryuenjin''' ({{ja|龍炎刃|Ryūenjin}}, ''Dragon Flame Blade''): Zero jumps and slashes above himself with his Z-Saber engulfed in [[flame]]s. Much like {{SSBU|Roy}}'s [[Blazer]], it drags opponents along in multiple hits, then launches them upward at the peak of the jump. It deals up to 5 hits, with the first dealing 6%, the second to fourth dealing 1.2%, and the fifth dealing 10%, for a total of 19.6% damage. The final hit is powerful enough to KO opponents under 100% if all hits connect.

*'''Kuenzan''' ({{ja|空円斬|Kūenzan}}, ''Air Circling Slash''): Performs three quick somersaulting slashes in midair with the Z-Saber. The first two hits deal 4%, then the third hit deals 12%, for a total of 20% damage. The third hit is powerful enough to KO under 100% from center stage.

*'''Genmu Zero''' ({{ja|幻夢零|Genmurei}}, ''Phantasm Zero''): Holds the Z-Saber up, then slashes with it to fire a large, green blade beam forward. The Z-Saber itself deals 15%, while the beam deals 20%. This is Zero's most powerful attack, with the beam KOing opponents as low as 70% from center stage. He often uses it when opponents are at a long distance away from him, especially if they are at high percentages. The beam can be [[reflect]]ed and [[absorb]]ed.

Much like in his series, Zero has a [[double jump]], and can move with high-speed dashes both on the ground and in the air. He is also one of the Assist Trophies capable of performing directional air dodges. For all his techniques except the triple slash, Zero shouts their names when using them. He will then say "Back to base!" when departing. He also can be defeated, when he is defeated he gets blast KO'd but also explodes into orange orbs, a reference to his death animation in some of his appearances.

KuenzanMMX4.png|Sprite of Zero using Kuenzan in ''Mega Man X4''.