Pirate Aerotrooper

Pirate Aerotroopers are aerial varieties of Space Pirates. They first appeared in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and later several varieties were seen in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
==Description==
Aerotroopers would be assigned the most dangerous missions, and would rather die than be captured. They used jetpacks, and could be set on fire using the Light Beam in Echoes. Later on in Corruption, a combination of a charged Plasma Beam shot and the use of the Grapple Lasso could separate an Aerotrooper from their jetpack, sending them to the ground. The explosion of the jetpack would kill them if they did not fall to their doom.
When critically injured, Aerotroopers would attempt a swirling suicide attack on their opponent, hoping to take their attacker with them to the grave. The Dark Beam, Ice Missiles and Phazon-based weaponry could prevent the Aerotrooper from executing this maneuver.
===Metroid Prime===
Pirates of a similar nature appeared in Metroid Prime, but these were much different in design and were called Flying Pirates. Flying Pirates also return in Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes===
The Aerotroopers seen in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes are scarce, but well-armed and armored. They are equipped with modified green Galvanic Accelerator Cannons, swirling homing Missiles and as a final resort can use their suicide techniques. However, they can be shot down with three missiles from Samus (six on Hard Difficulty). A Super Missile will take down a Pirate Aerotrooper on Hard mode, spares the use of an extra Missile, and will prevent kamikaze attacks by detonating the jet pack. They have a large, bulky structure protruding from the left side, which serves as the jetpack. This device produces a lot of smoke, and sparks can be seen from the thrusters. Overall their appearance is crude, and their armor looks large and inelegent. They have long, beak-like heads, and two blue glowing eyes.
The animations, attacks and sounds of the Aerotroopers were recycled from the Flying Pirates of Prime.
===Metroid Prime 3: Corruption===
The Metroid Prime 3: Corruption variations of Aerotroopers use a Remote Attack Pod system rather than the bulky pack-mounted weapon system seen on Aether. The pods make use of Particle Cannons and Helix Missiles/Gel Bombs. The system allows for a greater maneuverability, and can break a target lock from Samus. The disadvantage to this lighter system is the weaker armoring, and a flaw: If the pack is ignited, it can be separated from the flier. If this happens, the Aerotrooper will either get killed when the jetpack explodes, or fall to the ground and die. The first time Samus does this, she will get a Friend Voucher. The technique can be repeated with any Aerotrooper, but Samus will not get any more Friend Vouchers from this technique after she has used it once already.
Gandrayda can transform into an Aerotrooper, in a form known as Aerotrooper-G.
====Varieties====
Several types of Aerotrooper exist in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
*Armored Aerotroopers are armed with a standard, Echoes-style armorsuit that provides adequate protection against beam weapons, but can be breached with missiles. These units are often deployed in harsh combat zones.
*Advanced Aerotroopers are armed with additional layer of armor that can only be breached with missiles.
*Assault Aerotroopers are equipped with resistant armor that deflects all Missile fire, but is still damaged by beam attacks. Only the best Aerotroopers can join this rank.
==Locations==
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes===
*Mining Station A
*Mining Station B
*Biostorage Station
*Bioenergy Production
*Torvus Temple
*Grand Windchamber
*Sanctuary Entrance
*Watch Station
===Metroid Prime 3: Corruption===
*Cargo Dock A
*Generator A (escapes)
*Jousting Field
*North Jungle Court
*Spire Dock
*Transit Station 0203
==Official data==
===Echoes Logbook entry===
===Dark Pirate Aerotrooper===
There is unused data for a Dark Pirate Aerotrooper within the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc. An unused Logbook entry can be seen via hacking of the Disc. Within the Data Network, the creature is listed as a Dark Flying Pirate, though its entry and internal temporary scan text mentions the name Dark Aerotrooper. Its model is shared with the "Flying Pirate" entry also from the Bonus Disc. Like similar darkling creatures, the Dark Pirate Aerotrooper may have been scrapped as an enemy for being too similar to the light version or due to time constraints.http://tcrf.net/Metroid_Prime_2:_Echoes
===Corruption Logbook entries===
==Trivia==
*No matter how low to the ground the Aerotroopers from Corruption are when they fall to the ground if separated from their jetpack, they will still die.
*Aerotroopers have yet to be seen teleporting despite the description on their scans.
*The equipment worn by Aerotroopers from Corruption is very similar to that of the Kyratians.
*Gene Kohler stated in an interview that they strived to make all Pirate variations from the first Prime look different, because "it would have been pretty boring to simply see a regular pirate with a jet pack on for the Flying Pirate." Despite this, Corruption's Aerotroopers are just that. However, it should be noted that Kohler only worked on the original Prime.
==Gallery==
===Echoes===
Aerotrooper crop.png|An Aerotrooper in Grand Windchamber
Sketches4.png|Samus facing off two Aerotroopers in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes concept art.
Spacepirate concept4.png|Concept art.
Spacepirate concept5.png
Echoes Frozen Pirate Aerotrooper.jpg|A Pirate Aerotrooper frozen with the Entangler.
Bonus Disc Dark Pirate Aerotrooper Logbook.png|Unused Logbook entry of the Dark Aerotrooper in the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc.
Bonus Disc Pirate Aerotrooper Logbook.png|Unused Pirate Aerotrooper entry in the same.
===Corruption===
Pirate Aerotrooper at Norion.jpg|Samus battles a standard Aerotrooper at Cargo Dock A, Norion.
Assault Aerotrooper.jpg|Assault Aerotrooper at the Craneyard, Pirate Research.
Gandrayda-Aerotrooper.jpg|Gandrayda as an Armored "Aerotrooper-G" at the Proving Grounds.
==References==
de:Luftpirat
ru:Пиратский Воздушный Десантник
Category:Space Pirates
Category:Aerotroopers
Category:Pirate Classes
Category:Aether
Category:Agon Wastes
Category:Torvus Bog
Category:Sanctuary Fortress
Category:Norion
Category:Bryyo
Category:Bryyo Fire
Category:Bryyo Thorn Jungle
Category:Elysia
Category:Eastern SkyTown
Category:Pirate Homeworld
Category:Pirate Research
Category:Pirate Command
Category:Recurring Species
Category:Offworld
Category:Teleporters