Elite Pirate (2024)

This article is about the Elite Pirates in Metroid Prime. For the Elite Pirates in Federation Force, see Space Pirate (Metroid Prime).

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.^[1]

History and locations[]

Samus encountered three Elite Pirates in the Phazon Mines on Tallon IV, where they were contained in Cryosleep Tanks due to their short lifespans. They were a product of Project Helix, a program where Space Pirate embryos were infused with Phazon.^[2] 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.^[3] However, the Space Pirates saw how powerful a force of Elite Pirates would be, and hoped that one day they would make an army composed of them.^[4]

When Samus encounters them, they spontaneously break out of their stasis tanks and immediately set their sights on her, briefly clenching their large fists together as they do. Their energy siphon systems prevent them from being damaged while the shield is out, though their shockwaves can easily be avoided with either well-timed Space Jumps or by reaching an elevated location (if present). Should Samus stray too far from a monstrous Elite, it will fire off a grenade directly at her unless she destroys the equipped Plasma-Artillery Cannon. If she gets too close to one, it will unleash a powerful swipe combo, glowing with Phazon energy as it does. As far as weaponry goes against an Elite Pirate, both the Charge Beam from the Power Beam and Super Missiles can stun it while the Ice Spreader will freeze it for a few quick seconds. Firing off a Missile while it is frozen will result in the creature being briefly stunned. Enough continuous damage from the Wavebuster will also cause an Elite Pirate to be briefly knocked back.

The Space Pirates also created a Phazon Elite, a Space Pirate infused with energized Phazon, and the Omega Pirate, a very powerful Elite Pirate.^[5]

Elite Pirates are found in Elite Research, Elite Control, Omega Research, Quarantine Access A, Metroid Quarantine A and Dynamo Access. In total, Samus encounters and defeats three of them (five if both the Phazon Elite and the Omega Pirate count).

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

Official data[]

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."

Logbook entry[]

Pirate Data (Elite Pirates)[]

"Initial Project Helix experiments with Space Pirate embryos were disastrous. The Phazon-infusion process degenerated brain tissue even as it augmented muscle mass. None of what we have termed 'Elite Pirates' lived to maturity: the few that survived their infanthood suffered severe psychotic breakdowns as juveniles, killing anything within their zone of perception. Research from team Sclera made a recent breakthrough, in which parasite studies with a Phazon strain code-named 'Vertigo' were highly successful. Since then, we have fused Vertigo Phazon with Space Pirate DNA with great success. The latest batch of Elite Pirates have reached maturity successfully and are ready for field testing and training."

Scans[]

Elite Control

"A shipment of military-grade Plasma Artillery Cannons is en route to Tallon IV. The Egenoid Star Marines we 'acquired' them from were letting them sit in a warehouse. Our Elite Pirates, on the other hand, will put them to good use very soon."

"Test results from Battle Simulation 'Samus Aran' are promising. Elite units report a 74% success ratio against Aran in testing. High Command is pleased, but expects a higher ratio by project's end."

"Facility Command's request for Elite Pirate transfer to security forces granted. Prepare units EPG-8644 and EPG-8656 for field duty at once."

Dynamo Access

"Cryosleep Tank. Unit CS-4468R. Unit modified for Elite Pirate storage."

Elite Research

"Recommended battle systems for Elite Pirates are as follows: shoulder-mounted Plasma Artillery Cannon, Repulsion Shield, Wave Quake projector, energy-siphon system, and retractable Wrist Bayonets."

Central Dynamo

"An entire shift of Dynamo workers have been transferred following bouts of Phazon madness. Units have reported to Science Team for use in laboratory studies and the new Elite Pirate program. Their dementia will make them adequate training adversaries for the Elite team."

Metroid Quarantine A

"Scans indicate decreased aggression between Elite Pirates and irradiated Metroids. Science Team believes the infusion of Phazon in these units may be forming a type of symbiosis between them. Further studies are under way."

Omega Research

"Increased aggression levels observed in latest Elite Pirate units. Increasing Phazon feed by .07% per Science Team mandate."

"Phazon-infused fungal harvesting continues. Replacement of deca-triticale with Phazon-infused fungal matter in Elite Ration Mix has been authorized."

"Security requests deployment of Elite Pirates in Metroid Quarantine areas. The high casualties suffered by standard Pirate units deployed in Metroid areas is not acceptable."

"Security requests deployment of Elite Pirates in Metroid Quarantine areas. The high casualties suffered by standard Pirate units deployed in Metroid areas is not acceptable."

"Increase Phazon portion of Elite Pirate Ration by 18%."

"Unit ident-code EPG-8702, batch 01, field designation 'Elite Pirate'."

"Unit ident-code EPG-8701, batch 01, field designation 'Elite Pirate'."

"Our enemies will tremble before the might of our Elite forces."

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

Elite Pirate

"Space Pirate research into Phazon applications resulted in Elite Pirates. They attack with an electric wave by slamming their fists into the ground. When they aren't attacking, they hold their left hand out to absorb any beam weapon attacks. Double jump over their wave attacks and quickly blast them in the face with a Charge Beam while their defense is down. These are really easy battles once you get the timing down."

Elite Pirate

Found In: Phazon Mines

Recommended Weapon: Power Beam, Charge Beam

"Elite Pirates are well armored and well armed. Watch for them to pound on the ground, sending a wave of energy toward you. Double jump over this wave and fire your Power Beam or missiles at it. When it is not pounding the ground, the Elite Pirate holds up its hand and absorbs any beam weapon you fire at it. Avoid firing at it during this time and just charge your next shot. With just a little bit of practice, you'll be able to eliminate these creeps without much of a battle."

Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide[]

ELITE PIRATE

"The Elite Pirate is a by-product of Phazon experimentation run amok. As soon as the beast breaks out of its tank, scan both it and the Plasma Cannon on its back. Next, switch to the Thermal Visor and hit the cannon with Super Missiles. That should be enough to blow the cannon to pieces.
After the cannon is eliminated, target the Elite Pirate and let fly with a pair of Super Missiles. If you hit it in the head, the battle will be over in no time. If the monster traps you in a corner, use the Morph Ball to escape."

Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide[]

ELITE PIRATE

MORPHOLOGY

"The Elite Pirate is a Phazon-enhanced Space Pirate. It's incredibly strong, well-armored, and heavily 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. The Elite Pirate is effective in close combat and at a distance. Their massive size can be a weakness, and their sluggish speed allows for evasion and quick attacks."

COMBAT TIPS

"The key to dealing with Elite Pirates is to take advantage of their sluggish nature. Move quickly around them using the Dash ability and use concussive weapons such as Missiles to attack them. They can also be frozen with the Ice Beam and hit from a Missile salvo for an extra punch."

Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide[]

MINI-BOSS: ELITE PIRATE

"When the Elite Pirate uses his bizarre Energy Siphon attack, anything you blast at him will be absorbed; target, wait until he executes the Wave Quake Projector attack, and fire a Super Missile - it only takes two to destroy him."

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 last encountered Elite Pirate in Dynamo Access doesn't wear a Plasma Artillery Cannon, and scanning it does not update the Logbook in any way. The scan has also been edited to remove the line referring to an Elite's Plasma-Artillery Cannon.
  • This scan was reused in Metroid Prime Trilogy for all Elite Pirates fought. Because of this, their scan no longer mentions the Plasma-Artillery Cannon, making it seem unknown if the energy-siphon system fuels the Plasma-Artillery Cannon.
• Two of the Elite Pirates in Omega Research are never fought throughout the course of the game.
• 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.^[6]
• In the GameCube version of Prime, it is possible for one of the Elites fought to become stuck near a tunnel, allowing Samus to hide under it and attack it without damage.
• Due to a bug in their AI programming, both the Elite Pirates and the Phazon Elite can be exploited to not attack Samus if she stays on the periphery of their field of view.
• Unlike other enemies, a frozen Elite Pirate can still adjust its head to face Samus's position.
• It is possible to skip the two Elite Pirates utilizing Plasma Cannons. The first one can be avoided if Samus uses a series of Space Jumps on certain platforms. The second one only will trigger after obtaining Power Bombs, which can be skipped if Omega Pirate is defeated and Samus takes another way out of the Mines bypassing the Elite Pirate's room (meaning early Power Bombs is needed to get the X-Ray Visor for this skip to work).
• "Elite Pirates" appear in Metroid Prime: Federation Force. However, these are not the same Elite Pirates from Metroid Prime. They instead appear to be stronger, standard Space Pirates.

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