| ! | This is a rare creature/object. It may only be scanned in one or few encounters. |
An Alpha Sandigger is the alpha specimen of a Sandigger pack, with larger mandibles and much longer body length. It shares most of the physical characteristics, weaknesses, and abilities that its smaller counterparts possess, and does not seem to have any unique abilities or qualities beyond its size.
One Alpha Sandigger resides in Aether's Agon Temple in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Samus Aran battles it when attempting to reach the Agon Energy Controller. The battle is not a lengthy one, however, as an Ing with Samus's Morph Ball Bomb ability possesses it seconds into the fight, transforming the Alpha Sandigger into the more powerful Bomb Guardian. Both the Alpha Sandigger and the Ing possessing it are killed by Samus, returning to her the use of the Bombs.
Battle[]
The Alpha Sandigger is one of the simplest and easiest bosses in the game; the creature does not last long, and the fight serves as the setup to the Bomb Guardian battle. Samus must shoot either of the eyes until the Alpha Sandigger becomes possessed by an Ing, converting it into the Bomb Guardian and increasing the difficulty.
Official data[]
Logbook entry[]
Alpha Sandigger
Morphology: Alpha Sandigger
Large tunneling bioform.
Extremely well-armored. Target exposed eyes to damage this creature.
This appears to be a Sandigger pack leader, larger and stronger than the normal members of its kind. Target both of its heads to damage it.
Trivia[]
- The Alpha Sandigger, like the Alpha Splinter, becomes possessed by the Ing. Unlike the Alpha Splinter, however, which is programmed to receive a certain amount of damage before the Ing arrives to possess it, the Alpha Sandigger is set on a timer; the Ing will eventually arrive, regardless of the Alpha Sandigger's health.
- On a related note, the Alpha Sandigger is the only "alpha" form of a Light Aether denizen to become a Guardian (the Bomb Guardian) upon Darkling-possession, as the other alpha creatures either never become possessed at all (the Alpha Blogg) or otherwise become ordinary Darklings (the Alpha Splinter).
- If Power Bombs are obtained via hacking, the Alpha Sandigger can be killed instantly. However, after a few seconds, the Ing-possession cutscene will still play and the Bomb Guardian fight ensues.
- In the Trilogy version, with enough firepower, it is possible to destroy one of the Alpha Sandigger's eyes before the creature becomes possessed. In doing so, its behavior is revealed to be identical to that of a normal Sandigger.
Gallery[]
