Watchdrones are Luminoth mechanoids that were found on Dark Aether. They are three-legged spheres that do not serve any combat functions, but are blocking the way to the Key of G-Sch in the Dungeon of the Dark Torvus Bog. They only appear in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
The Luminoth created the Watchdrones to guard important locations, however they were corrupted by the Ing, turning them against their former masters. They proved to serve a similar purpose to Ingworms, blocking access to areas. The Ing may have used them as a more "portable" blocking mechanism, for use guarding small tunnels rather than passageways and Doors.
Watchdrones are virtually indestructible, and as such are invulnerable to all of Samus' weapons. They have one weakness: they dislike the light of Light Beacons, and will move out of the way when light beacons above them are activated. Samus used this method to get around them when she was searching for the Sky Temple Keys.
When Dark Aether was destroyed, it is likely that all the Watchdrones went with it.
Logbook entry[]
Watchdrone
Mechanoid: Watchdrone
Rogue sentry mechanoid. Indestructible, but irritated by bright light. Target can be herded out of place by exposing it to light.
Watchdrones were built by the Luminoth to guard key areas and hinder Ing armies. Most of these units have betrayed their masters, and now serve the Ing. Watchdrones are indestructible and reluctant to move, but can be forced into quitting their posts by exposing them to bright, pure light. Once the light fades, the mechanoid will return to its original resting site.
Unused Data[]
Non-canon warning: This article or section contains information that may not be considered an official part of the Metroid series in the overall storyline by Nintendo.
In the data of the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc, the Watchdrone was called a Stone Guardian, and was stated to be a creation of the Ing. Despite being classified as a mechanoid, the Logbook text constantly refers to it as a "creature". Its placeholder sprite in the Logbook reuses the Stone Toad's model from Metroid Prime, albeit T-Posed.
Watchdrone
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc
Stone Guardians were placed in front of key areas by the Ing to hinder Luminoth armies. The creatures are indestructible and reluctant to move, but can be forced into quitting their posts by exposing them to bright, pure light. Once the light fades, the creature will return to its original resting site.
Trivia[]
A Watchdrone in gameplay.
- Watchdrones are similar in appearance to the Crawltanks used by the Space Pirates in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, although are vastly different in behaviour and durability.
- Watchdrones slightly resemble elephants.
- Within the data of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the alternate name used to set up the files for the Data Network hierarchy lists the Watchdrone as Stone Toad. Combined with the above info from the Bonus Disc, it is possible the Stone Toad was an inspiration for the Watchdrone. Both creatures play a similar role in blocking passages from their respect appearances.[1]
Gallery[]
| Indestructible Creatures | |
|---|---|
| Non-hostile | Aurora Unit 217 • Baby • Dachora • Databot • Etecoon • Fleet Admiral Castor Dane • Fleet Mechanic • Pow • Septogg • Tatori • Tatori, Jr. • U-Mos Training Drone • Watchdrone • Work Robot |
| Hostiles | Aazelion • Airthorn • Autom • Big Metroid • Cannon • GMX-04 Halberd-class turret (if provoked) • Polyp • Proboscum Puromi • Ring Beam Unit • Ripper II • Samus Eater (Bud) • Seed platform • Unfreezable Metroid • ZipNMEBomber |
| Misc. | Bloatsac • Blueroot Tree (Dark) • Butterfly • Chomper Fish • Durable plantform • Fish • Fungus • Glow Stem • Great Tree Massive tentacle • Moth • Parasitic fungus • Protozoan • RedGrass • Sandgrass • Sbug • Scarp • Scatterbug • Tallon fern • Mantha |