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==Biology and Characteristics== |
==Biology and Characteristics== |
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| − | For the most part, Tallon Metroids are nearly identical to the larvae from [[Zebes]], [[Talvania]], [[SR388]], the [[BOTTLE SHIP]] and [[BSL Station]]: they have red, four-lobed nuclei enclosed by a translucent membrane, with a mass of flesh underneath featuring two pairs of curved mandibles. They also behave similarly when hunting, such as using their larger pair of fangs for gripping onto their prey's head and the smaller pair for sapping energy. They are vulnerable to cold, and will be instantly frozen by weapons possessing [[Ice beam| |
+ | For the most part, Tallon Metroids are nearly identical to the larvae from [[Zebes]], [[Talvania]], [[SR388]], the [[BOTTLE SHIP]] and [[BSL Station]]: they have red, four-lobed nuclei enclosed by a translucent membrane, with a mass of flesh underneath featuring two pairs of curved mandibles. They also behave similarly when hunting, such as using their larger pair of fangs for gripping onto their prey's head and the smaller pair for sapping energy. They are vulnerable to cold, and will be instantly frozen by weapons possessing [[Ice beam|low temperature]] [[Dark Beam|attributes]]. If they latch onto [[Samus Aran|Samus]], the only way to dislodge them is by dropping a [[bomb]] in [[Morph Ball]] form. |
The dissimilarities begin in the strength of their defenses: while Metroid larvae commonly require being frozen before wounding them with [[missile|concussive]] [[Super missile|weapons]], Tallon Metroids can readily be damaged by any weapon in Samus' arsenal without freezing them, though an extensive amount of firepower is required to kill a single one. When frozen, a Tallon Metroid can be shattered by one [[Missile]] instead of the usual five. Similarly, while typical Metroids can withstand three [[Power Bomb]]s, the Tallon-grown breed will be obliterated with the first detonation. |
The dissimilarities begin in the strength of their defenses: while Metroid larvae commonly require being frozen before wounding them with [[missile|concussive]] [[Super missile|weapons]], Tallon Metroids can readily be damaged by any weapon in Samus' arsenal without freezing them, though an extensive amount of firepower is required to kill a single one. When frozen, a Tallon Metroid can be shattered by one [[Missile]] instead of the usual five. Similarly, while typical Metroids can withstand three [[Power Bomb]]s, the Tallon-grown breed will be obliterated with the first detonation. |
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Revision as of 18:06, 23 May 2017
Tallon Metroids are a strain of Metroids that originated from a batch of specimens multiplied by Space Pirates on planet Tallon IV. These flying, life energy-draining predators are encountered in both Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. They are not as resilient as most breed of Metroid larvae seen elsewhere in the series, but they retain other traits of the species that make them highly dangerous.
Though the Tallon strain is not seen in an active role in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, several mutated Metroids in the game are stated to derive directly from the former.
Biology and Characteristics
For the most part, Tallon Metroids are nearly identical to the larvae from Zebes, Talvania, SR388, the BOTTLE SHIP and BSL Station: they have red, four-lobed nuclei enclosed by a translucent membrane, with a mass of flesh underneath featuring two pairs of curved mandibles. They also behave similarly when hunting, such as using their larger pair of fangs for gripping onto their prey's head and the smaller pair for sapping energy. They are vulnerable to cold, and will be instantly frozen by weapons possessing low temperature attributes. If they latch onto Samus, the only way to dislodge them is by dropping a bomb in Morph Ball form.
The dissimilarities begin in the strength of their defenses: while Metroid larvae commonly require being frozen before wounding them with concussive weapons, Tallon Metroids can readily be damaged by any weapon in Samus' arsenal without freezing them, though an extensive amount of firepower is required to kill a single one. When frozen, a Tallon Metroid can be shattered by one Missile instead of the usual five. Similarly, while typical Metroids can withstand three Power Bombs, the Tallon-grown breed will be obliterated with the first detonation.
Tallon Metroids also appear to be smaller (about the size of Samus's Morph Ball) than their other counterparts, which are almost as tall as Samus. However, Tallon Metroids are capable of expanding their mass: After absorbing energy from prey or attacks, they will briefly shrink before expanding greatly in size. During this process, the Metroid's body will be enveloped in energy, and briefly invulnerable to all weaponry. The Tallon Metroid's fangs will also spasm as the creature shudders erratically. This event has never been seen to occur in other breeds of Metroids.
Dissected Tallon Metroids in the Metroid Processing Room on Pirate Homeworld.
Scans in a research lab on the Pirate Homeworld indicate that these differences result from exposure to different environments and stimuli during maturation. For example, Tallon Metroids exposed to the atmosphere of planet Aether will have red membranes instead of the usual green. There is a possibility that the presence of Phazon in Tallon IV's environment played a role in the creation of this breed.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of a Tallon Metroid is far different from that of a normal SR388 Metroid, which, after hatching from an egg laid by the Queen Metroid, goes through the normal, Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, and Omega phases.
Cocoon
Metroid Cocoons are used by the Space Pirates to sustain Infant Metroids and transport them. A cocoon can support numerous infants for several cycles, and the Metroids are usually content to remain in the cocoons as long as necessary. If they sense Phazon, however, they emerge to seek it. The cocoons are very resilient to damage. The cocoon is not the actual natural cocoon used to sustain Metroids, as the Space Pirates bio-engineered them for this purpose.
Infant
Infants
Infant Tallon Metroids are used by the Space Pirates as an energy source. The creatures are small and quite docile when compared to adult Tallon Metroids, making them efficient organic batteries. Their only attack consists of ramming themselves into enemies. Exposure to Phazon will cause the infants to mature rapidly, reaching adulthood in a matter of seconds. A similar species appeared in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption called the Miniroid, although this relative was largely harmless.
Mature
A normal-colored mature Tallon Metroid.
Tallon Metroids spend most of their lives in this form. Adult Tallon Metroids are the most common variety of Metroids from the Prime series, and are identical to the larval Metroids from the side-scrolling games. The Space Pirates enslave the Tallon Metroids and attempt to use them as bioweapons and energy sources, especially by exposing them to Phazon energy. A free Tallon Metroid attacks by latching onto its target with its pincers and proceeding to siphon all the energy from its prey. A Morph Ball Bomb will cause them to detach. They are vulnerable to all types of weaponry, but are particularly weak to the chilling effects of cold and dark energy. They have had two appearances, on both Tallon IV (their homeworld) and Aether. An explanation for their different colour in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes can be attributed to some factor in Aether's environment or atmosphere that caused the red pigmentation to occur in the species.
Three variants of the species can be created from this form. The first occurs from heavy exposure to Phazon on Tallon IV, causing them to mutate into Fission Metroids. The second is the Dark Tallon Metroid, a creature born from a fusion of the Ing and a Tallon Metroid. The third is another Phazon mutation, the Phazon Metroid.
Hunter
Hunters
Tallon Metroids eventually mature to the adolescent "Hunter" stage, becoming Hunter Metroids. These have long-range tentacle attacks, but cannot disable their targets by latching on like younger Metroids. It is unknown if Hunter Metroids have any further natural mutations. They have exactly the same colouring as the Aetherian Tallon Metroids. It is currently unknown if the Hunter form is attained by Phazon exposure or natural process, although the Hunter form was never seen on Aether. Interestingly, another strain of Metroid mutated by Phazon bearing many similarities to the Hunter strain appeared in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the Metroid Hatcher.
Locations
Logbook entry
Tallon Metroid
Morphology: Tallon Metroid
Energy-craving parasite.
Taken from planet Tallon IV. Target leeches bioenergy from its victims.
Stunned by concussive blasts, vulnerable to dark energy.
Space Pirates harvest and enslave Metroids for use in their operations. The Tallon Metroid will latch onto prey with powerful pincers, then proceed to drain its life energy. This causes the creature to grow in size and mass. The creatures are vulnerable to the chilling effect of dark energy, and can be detached by entering Morph Ball mode and deploying a Bomb.
Gallery
| Phazon Organisms | |
|---|---|
| Native to Phaaze | Hyper Grapple blocker • Leviathan • Leviathan womb • Leviathan Infant • Phazon Core • Phaz-Ing • Jelsac • Liquid Phazon • Maw • Phazon Grub • Phazon Leech Phazon Fungus • Phazon tendril • Phazon vine • Glow Stem • Aazelion • Tangle Weed • Massive Tentacle • Parasitic fungus • Fungus • Protozoan • Seed platform Missile Blocker • EyeballBlocker |
| Corrupted Creatures | Phazon Hopper • Phazon Nightbarb • Phazon Shriekbat • Phazon Puffer • Phazon Pillbug |
| Space Pirates | Aurora Unit 313 • Elite Pirate • Phazon Elite • Omega Pirate • Berserker Knight • Berserker Lord |
| Phazon Metroids | Class I Energy Harvester • Tallon Metroid • Hunter Metroid • Fission Metroid • Miniroid • Phazon Metroid • Hopping Metroid • Metroid Hatcher |
| Leviathan Core Guardians | Metroid Prime • Emperor Ing • Mogenar • Helios • Omega Ridley |
| Born of Phazon | Phaazoid • Red Phaazoid • Ing • Dark Samus |