Plated Puffer

A Plated Puffer is a Puffer in Metroid Prime that was mutated by Phazon. This species has a black, silver, and light blue coloration. It is found only in the Tower of Light. Only a Missile can destroy it, as other shots will be reflected. They act just like normal Puffers, otherwise. After destroying the Brinstone pillars they come out of holes in the walls. Only four Plated Puffers exist at a time. If one is destroyed, another takes its place.
A further mutated variety exists in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption called Phazon Puffer.
The Puffer family closely resembles the Bulls on Zebes and the Preed family that is found on Light Aether and Dark Aether (the Preeds seem to be of Space Pirate origin however).
==Official Data==
===Logbook entry===
===Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide===
;Plated Puffer
:"These creatures are simply a much stronger version of the Puffer. They can take a beating, and their poison is even more toxic. It's best just to avoid them, or pick them apart from long range."
;Plated Puffer
:Found In: Chozo Ruins
:Recommended Weapon: Missile Launcher
:"Plated Puffers are better armored than Puffers. Missiles are very effective on these floating creatures. The gas released as you destroy them stays in the air for a few seconds after they disappear." 
===Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;PLATED PUFFER
:"Plated Puffers are similar to regular Puffers, but only Missiles can destroy them. There are tons of them in the Tower of Light, and they will try to knock you off the platform you worked so hard to reach. The best strategy is to stay one step ahead. If you're on a higher level, the Plated Puffers can't reach you."
===Metroid Prime Official Strategy Guide===
;PLATED PUFFER
:MORPHOLOGY
:"A Plated Puffer is a mutated Puffer with a reinforced epidermis. Phazon exposure has created a mutant strain of Puffers on Tallon IV. They have developed plated skin, making them harder to burst. Concussive weapons can still do the job, however. The gas within the Plated Puffer is just as deadly as that within their 'cousins.'"
:COMBAT TIPS
:"The Plated Puffer is just like its lesser cousin the Puffer, with the exception that the Power Beam no longer cuts it when it comes to destroying this creature. Instead, of a Power Beam, a Charge Beam or Missile is required to take out the Plated Puffer, putting a more significant drain on ammunition. Target the Plated Puffers and lock on to them to be sure the Missiles find them on the first shot."
===Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide===
;PLATED PUFFERS
:"Plated Puffers are the same as regular Puffers, except they take a Missile to destroy."
==Trivia==
*In certain locations around the Tower of Light, Plated Puffers are infinitely spawned out of openings in walls, thus they can be considered as 'pipe enemies' (see Air Hole article).
*In the Tower of Light, Plated Puffers have a habit of rupturing when coming into contact with each other and/or the landscape even if Samus is nowhere near them, particularly when she is destroying the tower supports in order to reach the Wavebuster.
*Plated Puffers only drop Small Energy Capsules upon their destruction.
*The Preed found in Torvus Bog in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes uses the same model and texture as the Plated Puffer. What connection the two have, if any, is unknown.
Category:Tallon IV
Category:Chozo Ruins
Category:Puffer Family
Category:Air Hole enemies