Golzuna

is a boss in Metroid Dread. It appears in Ghavoran after the X Parasites are unleashed across ZDR.
==Appearance==
Golzuna is an arthropod-like alien that is the result of an X Parasite infesting and replicating traits of presumably multiple species, most notably the Muzby. It initially takes on the appearance and behavior of a Muzby, but it transforms into the larger, rock-armored Goliath variant after taking some damage. When that form fails, it transforms again into an even bigger, more monstrous version mostly covered in spiked black armor; the cracks on the armor glow with energy when it summons a Cross Bomb. Its face has been largely subsumed by a mass of pink flesh, which is slightly luminescent and dotted with black spikes on its underside. This form also lacks the four atrophied limbs exhibited by its previous two stages.
==Battle==
Initially, Golzuna looks and behaves exactly like any other X-infected Muzby; it turns its backside towards Samus Aran and aggressively marches towards her, trying to smash her with its oversized hind legs. In this form, it can be easily dispatched with a single Counter Hit or Screw Attack; alternatively, a few shots with the Plasma Beam or an Ice Missile will do the trick.
After its Muzby form is defeated, Golzuna's X Parasite will rise into the air and quickly morph into a Goliath. In this state, it still attacks with its legs, but they are charged with red electricity and cannot be parried with the Melee Counter. Its new armor makes it immune to rear attacks; Samus should Slide under the boss or Flash Shift over it as it approaches, then shoot its vulnerable head.
The fight begins properly once Golzuna transforms again. Its larger size makes Flash Shifting over it more difficult, but it can still be slid under when it rears up; it also turns around slightly faster than its previous form. In addition to the claw slamming attack (which has slightly increased range), it can charge up and release Cross Bomb projectiles from its back; it usually does this when Samus gets in front of it to attack its weak point. The bombs release small energy waves in the cardinal directions (up, down, left, and right) when they explode; Golzuna's body surges with electricity before they detonate, telegraphing its impending attack. The creature is stationary and crouches slightly while releasing the bombs, allowing Samus to Flash Shift over it. The color of the bombs denotes how they act:
*Pink bombs will hover in place before exploding, and are released in one of two formations; a box or a diagonal line. Samus can avoid the former by jumping into the middle of the "box" just before the bombs detonate, but the latter will generally require her to get to Golzuna's other side, letting the boss's body block the incoming explosions.
*Purple bombs track Samus until a second before they explode. These bombs linger until they have exploded three times.
When Golzuna's health is depleted for the third time, it transforms into a Core-X and attempts to ram into Samus. Aside from hitting it with normal Missile fire, Samus can easily destroy the membrane with a single salvo from the Storm Missile, allowing her to collect the internal X and gain the Cross Bomb.
Golzuna takes severe damage from the Shinespark, and its arena happens to be just long enough for Samus to build up a charge with the Speed Booster. The boss's body normally blocks her path, but she can charge a Shinespark in between forms (where Golzuna reverts to its X Parasite form and hovers in the air for a moment). If she can hit its vulnerable point with the Shinespark, she can instantly kill its Goliath and Core-X forms and severely damage its Golzuna form.
==Development notes==
Golzuna's internal filename is Supergoliath-X. Its name may be a pun on Goliath and the Japanese term , which refers to the highest rank in sumo.
The animation bone for Golzuna's rear end is internally named "C01_HardAss".Arcanox (ArcanoxDragon). "This reminds me of something the Dread community discovered, which is that the animation bone for Golzuna's rear end is named "C01_HardAss"" 25 January 2023 8:21 p.m. Tweet. https://twitter.com/ArcanoxDragon/status/1618418732438814721
==Trivia==
*Golzuna's three-stage transformation is reminiscent of an event in Metroid Fusion, wherein a single X Parasite must be repeatedly defeated as it shapeshifts between a Yard, a Gerubus, and a Gold Space Pirate.
*When defeated as a Muzby and a Goliath, Golzuna reverts to a single yellow X Parasite; when defeated in its third form, it inexplicably becomes a Core-X. This trait is only shared with the SA-X, which likewise starts as a single yellow X mimicking a Hornoad and later becomes a Core-X after infecting Samus.
*If Samus returns to Golzuna's arena after defeating it, she will find the boss replaced by a regular X-mimicked Muzby. The two X released by this Muzby do not transform into anything else upon defeat.
==Gallery==
Golzuna Muzby.png|Golzuna as a Muzby.
Golzuna Stronger Muzby.png|Golzuna as a Goliath.
Golzuna.png|Samus Flash Shifts over Golzuna.
Golzuna front view.png|Golzuna's armored backside.
Golzuna Cross Bomb.png|Several Cross Bombs go off in front of Golzuna.
Golzuna tracking bomb detonates.png|Golzuna detonates one of its homing bombs while another tracks Samus.
Golzuna Core-X.png|Golzuna's Core-X.
==References==
Category:Bosses
Category:ZDR
Category:Ghavoran
Category:X
Category:Core-X Bosses