Aqua Pirate

This article is about the enemies in Metroid Prime. For the enemies in Metroid Fusion, see Zebesian (Aqua).

Aqua Pirate
An Aqua Pirate in the Crashed Frigate
Featured in	Metroid Prime
Knownlocales	Sunken Frigate Orpheon; otherwise in underwater areas
Known worlds	Presumably the Pirate Homeworld
Attacks	Missiles adapted for underwater combat
Weakness	Jet pack can be tracked easily with the Thermal Visor

An Aqua Pirate is a Flying Pirate adapted for underwater combat. It has an aquatic jetpack, and has the same attack patterns as the Flying Pirates do, complete with the suicide strike attack it commences once critically injured or when the jetpack malfunctions. Like the Flying Pirates, the Aqua Pirates have jetpacks that produce a great amount of heat, so using the Thermal Visor is key to killing them quickly. Using the Wave Beam prevents them from performing their suicide strike. The only difference besides being underwater is that it is slightly slower and lacks their modified Galvanic Accelerator Cannon that the Flying Pirates usually equip. In addition, if they are defeated with the Wave Beam or the Wavebuster, the Aqua Pirates will simply float around and harmlessly explode without even commencing the suicide strike. Aqua Pirates only appear in Metroid Prime. This suggests the Space Pirates either see no further use for them, or find them inadequate in combat and cease pursuing the idea. It is also possible that they may still exist, but the Pirates are unable to deploy them on Aether because of the dangerous wildlife in the Torvus Bog, the only aquatic region on the planet explored by Samus, and none of the conflict during the Leviathan invasion take place in aquatic areas.

It is possible that like the Trooper Pirates seen within Prime, Aqua Pirates may be using reverse-engineered technology deriving from Samus's Power Suit, specifically in this case, the Gravity Suit (as hinted by the creature's Logbook entry). Evidence of this fact would be the increased defensive shielding of the Aqua Pirates when compared to Flying Pirates, as unlike the latter, the former is able to survive a direct blast from a Super Missile (easily seen on Hard Mode/Hypermode). Both creatures, however, still similarly share the same weaknesses.

The Pink Space Pirates located in Maridia in Super Metroid could be the continuation of this technology.

Oddly, Aqua Pirates have translucent blue skin. No other Pirate demonstrates this feature.

Aqua Pirates can be found in the Orpheon's Reactor Core and Biotech Research Area 1.

Official data

Logbook entry

RemasteredOriginal

Aqua Pirate

Metroid Prime

Temporary scan

Morphology: Aqua Pirate
Space Pirates with exoskeletons modified for underwater use.

Logbook entry

Using modified thruster-packs and Gravity Suit technology, the Space Pirates have armorsuits for use in liquid environments. Thermal tracking is still very useful against these units, as the Pirate engineers have yet to eliminate the thruster-pack's high heat signature.

[Remastered][Original]

Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Aqua Pirate

"Aqua Pirates are much like Flying Pirates, except they're able to move about in water. Blast them with your Ice Beam to freeze them, then finish them off with a missile."

Aqua Pirate

Found In: Tallon Overworld

Recommended Weapon: Missile Launcher

"The aquatic version of the Space Pirate is just as dangerous as its relatives. Very similar to the Flying Pirates you'll encounter in other areas, it's just as maneuverable. Aqua Pirates are best destroyed with a couple missiles, or an Ice Beam attack followed by a missile. If you really want to take them out fast, try Super Missiles."

Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide

AQUA PIRATE

"Aqua Pirates are built for undersea combat. A combination gravity suit and modified jet pack makes them agile, and the murky water makes them tough to spot. Use the Thermal Visor and Super Missiles to eliminate the waterborne threat."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide

AQUA PIRATE

MORPHOLOGY

"The Aqua Pirate is a Space Pirate with an exoskeleton that has been modified for underwater use. Using modified thruster-packs and Gravity Suit technology, the Space Pirates have armor suits for use in liquid environments. Thermal tracking is still very useful against these units as the Pirate engineers have yet to eliminate the thruster-pack's high heat signature."

COMBAT TIPS

"Aqua Pirates are best tracked with the Thermal Visor, and missiles are the most effective weapon to use against them."

Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide

AQUA PIRATE

"Aqua Pirates possess all the traits you've grown to despise in the Flying variety, except transplanted to marine geographies."

Development Data

Internally, their name is listed as FlyingPirate. This is most likely contributed to shared behavior between them and the Flying Pirates. Other similar Pirates would later share the same internal name (an example being the Pirate Aerotrooper from Echoes).

Trivia

• On Hard Mode/Hypermode, when hit with only a Super Missile, an Aqua Pirate will float dazed in the water for a few brief moments, allowing Samus a moment to either escape or finish it off with ease. An Aqua Pirate may also recoil into a wall if blasted near one.
• Unlike Flying Pirates, an Aqua Pirate will not perform a suicide strike when hit with a Super Missile. However, if the creature is at full health on Hard Mode/Hypermode, two Super Missiles will be required to defeat it.
• Oddly, Aqua Pirates never seem to use their cannons.

Gallery

Model (front).

Model (back).

Samus battles an Aqua Pirate in the Reactor Core from Metroid Prime Remastered.

Character Gallery model in Metroid Prime Remastered.