Launch Octopus

"Even my explosion is beautiful..."

- Launch Octopus

Launch Octopus, known in Japan as Launcher Octopuld (ランチャー・オクトパルド), is an octopus-type Maverick in Mega Man X. He was a Maverick Hunter from the 6th Marine Unit under Sigma who followed his revolt. He was a friend and/or brother to Squid Adler, depending on translation, and his name was translated as "Octopardo" in Mega Man X5.

His Homing Torpedo, though his main weapon, is the least of your worries, as he can pull X toward him in a whirlpool and drain his energy... but if you use Boomerang Cutter on him, he loses his tentacles, and thus cannot use the ability. But his main weakness is the Rolling Shield or Chameleon Sting since it ruptures his internal buoyancy/pressure system.

In Mega Man Xtreme 2, his weakness is Ray Claw, the weapon wrested from Neon Tiger in said game, and the weapon you get is Marine Tornado, which is perhaps a nod to his whirlpool ability.

Launch Octopus has also a short appearance in the opening scene of the CD versions of Mega Man X3, where X makes a Utuboros fall on him, exploding both.

He also reappears in Maverick Hunter X in the same role as before, and he was given a slightly effeminate personality.

Maverick Hunter X Bio
MILITARY GENERAL OF THE DEEP

Maverick Hunter formerly of the 6th Armada. With plenty of firepower and military knowledge to match, this intellectual uses brains over brawn to outwit Mavericks. Seeking to achieve beauty in combat and strategy, he gains the ultimate pleasure from fighting elegantly and gracefully. Having taken over the ocean cities, he is planning to cut off all shipping routes.

Homing Torpedo

Fires a torpedo capable of tracking enemies. As it picks up speed, it homes in on the closest enemy and pursues it.

Data
Mega Man X stats:

Launch Octopus (Launcher Octopuld)

Height: 7.80 ft (238 cm)

Weight: 348 lb (182 kg)

Attacks: Homing Torpedo, E. Drain (Homing Torpedo, Energy Drain)

Stage names:
 * Ocean Stage (from Mega Man X credits)
 * Sea Stage (海中ステージ, from Rockman X2: Soul Eraser on Capcom's site)
 * Subterranean Base (from Mega Man Maverick Hunter X stage select screen)

Stage enemies
Enemies in Launch Octopus' stage:
 * Amenhopper
 * Anglerge
 * Blowfish (Gulpfer)
 * Cruiziler
 * Mega Tortoise
 * Sea Attacker
 * Sky Claw
 * Utuboros

Amenhopper and Mega Tortoise don't appear in Mega Man Xtreme 2.

When Playing as X (Before finishing the game)
X: Your antics stop here, Launch Octopus!

Launch Octopus: I only take orders from Sigma. There's no way I'll let you boss me around!

X: Face it... You've gone Maverick!

Launch Octopus: Maverick? How dare you call my artistic battle style by that name!

===When Playing as X (In Free Play or Hard Mode) ===

X: Launch Octopus... How could you do something like this?

Launch Octopus: I am an artist, you see, X. An artist of underwater combat! But no one has recognized that fact. Not until now.

X: But Sigma recognizes that?

Launch Octopus: That's right. And now I'm fighting to create an entire world that does, too! This is a vey important battle for me.

When Playing as Vile
Launch Octopus: Well, well, well... Look what the catfish dragged in. You plan on betraying Sigma, do you?

Vile: I'll tell you one thing... I don't like working for others.

Launch Octopus: A tough guy, hm? Ha ha ha! You're not half bad. I like you.

Vile: I don't care if a pitiful fool like you likes me or not!

Other media

 * Launch Octopus is the seventh Maverick that X fights in the Rockman X manga, who tricked Marty, a mermaid Reploid, into helping him.
 * In the Carddas Mega Mission 3, Launch Octopus is revived as "Launcher Octopuld HL" (Launch Octopus HL), and disguises himself as a recruit Maverick Hunter named "Blau Launcher" to attack the Maverick Hunter base with other three Mavericks. Some of Launch Octopus' changes include his colors changed to blue and black, the top of his head has a transparent red color, and he uses a trident.

Trivia

 * His mugshot is similar to his artwork since the faces are in the same direction.