Elite Pirate

Elite Pirates are Phazon-enhanced Space Pirates. They are incredibly strong, armored, and well-armed. They are very potent foes, having a powerful Wave Quake Generator to produce shockwaves, bayonets in their wrists, and an energy siphon system that absorbs beam shots. The shots are then used to fuel their massive Plasma Artillery Cannon. Due to this system, they are vulnerable to concussive weapons. The Plasma Cannon is particularly vulnerable and can be targeted separately by switching to the Thermal Visor. They are very effective at both close combat and at long range. However, their immense size can be a weakness, along with their sluggish speeds, allowing their opponents to easily evade their attacks.

Samus encounters three Elite Pirates in the Phazon Mines on Tallon IV. They live in stasis tanks due to their short lifespans. They are part of Project Helix, a program where Space Pirate embryos are infused with Phazon. Initial results were horrific; most died, and the few that survived their infanthood suffered severe psychotic breakdowns as juveniles, killing anything within their zone of perception. However, the Space Pirates saw how powerful a force of Phazon Elites would be, and hoped that one day they would make an army composed of them. It is unknown whether the Elite Pirates volunteered for their enhancements, were in some way coerced, or if the exact method of recruitment varied from Pirate to Pirate.

When Samus encounters them, they break out of their stasis tanks and immediately engage in combat. Their energy siphon systems prevent them from being damaged while the shield is out.

The Space Pirates also created a Phazon Elite, a Space Pirate infused with energized Phazon, and the Omega Pirate, a very powerful Elite Pirate.

After continued Phazon research it is believed that the Elites were replaced by the more advanced Berserker Knights and Berserker Lords.

Official website
"Homeworld: Unknown

Civilization Type: Mercenary

''Elite Pirates are bio-enhanced Space Pirates. They are incredibly strong, armored, and well-armed. Elite Pirates are potent foes. Their energy siphon system absorbs Beam weapon shots, which they use to fuel a massive Plasma Artillery Cannon. The nature of this system makes them vulnerable to concussion-based weapons. Well armed, the Elite Pirates are equally effective in close combat and at long range. Their massive size can be a weakness, and their sluggish speed allows for evasion and quick attacks."''

Trivia

 * The Elite Pirate's battle theme is also used for the Chozo Ghosts and during Metroid infestations in Prime, and in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for the Phazon Metroids, with the name Metroid Battle Theme.
 * The Elite Pirates can be stunned easily with a Charged Power Beam or Super Missile, other Beams don't share this ability.
 * The last encountered Elite Pirate doesn't wear a Plasma Artillery Cannon.
 * Though the Elite Pirates were not present in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, hacking of the game has revealed unused data for them. They were likely replaced by the very similar Ingsmashers.