X's armors

Armors used by X in the Mega Man X series.

X's standard armor
This is the body X was created with. It is blue, with lighter blue at the joints. In Mega Man X4, if X uses the Ultimate Armor code, X's joint areas will be purple, rather than light blue.

New Armor
The New Armor allows X to equip the Booster Parts he finds in the mines, as well as multiple Busters. It is a stockier armor than X's original. The most notable difference are the openings in the back, which, while X is moving, produce energy trails referred to in-game as a "scarf" ("Beam Muffler" in Japan). While X's armor isn't traditionally exchangeable (excluding X Fire and Ultimate Armor), the scarf's color can be replaced with different colors.

Mega Man X Armor
Functions:
 * Foot Parts: Allows X to dash at high speeds. This ability was retained through the rest of the series, regardless of X's armor collection in those games. This enhancement also allows X to destroy certain blocks by kicking off of them. The SNES version is the only game where an armor part is absolutely mandatory (as it is in the way on Chill Penguin's level). This was remedied in the PSP remake. In fact, all of the capsules were re-arranged.
 * Body Parts: X receives only 50% of the damage normally taken.
 * Arm Parts: X can charge up to a third charge level, and charge special weapons as well. Both it and the Foot parts are unmissable in the SNES versions.
 * Capsule Version: This version is gotten from one of Dr. Light's Capsules. When X charges up to his highest level and releases, a long string of small, pink shots is fired, hitting multiple times.
 * Z-Buster: This version is obtainable from Zero if you don't have the Capsule version by the time you encounter Vile in Sigma Stage 1. In the SNES version, the Z Buster is the same as the Capsule version. In the PSP remake, this version is vastly different, firing a large red shot that does more damage singularly.
 * Head Parts: X can jump into certain blocks and destroy them.


 * Hadouken: This was thrown into the game as an Easter Egg. If the player has all Sub Tanks, Heart Tanks, and Armor parts, X can receive this item. This is found in Armored Armadillo's stage, and can take out most enemies and bosses, including Velguarder and Sigma's first form, in one hit.

Mega Man X locations:
 * Head Part: In Storm Eagle's stage.
 * Body Part: In Sting Chameleon's stage. Move up in the cave's entrance and fight against RT-55J.
 * Arm Part: In Flame Mammoth's stage.
 * Foot Part: In Chill Penguin's stage. The capsule is in the middle of the stage, and can't be missed, or avoided for that matter.

Mega Man Maverick Hunter X locations:
 * Head Part: In Chill Penguin's stage.
 * Body Part: In Storm Eagle's stage.
 * Arm Part: In Sting Chameleon's stage.
 * Foot Part: In Flame Mammoth's stage.

Mega Man Xtreme locations:
 * Head Part: In Storm Eagle's stage.
 * Body Part: In Flame Stag's stage.
 * Arm Part: In Spark Mandrill's stage.
 * Foot Part: In Chill Penguin's stage.

Mega Man X2 Armor
Functions:
 * Head Part: The Item Tracer is made available. X sends out a cursor, which zooms to concealed passages and items. (In Mega Man Xtreme 2, this just grants X the ability of breaking bricks with his head.)
 * Body Part: Enables the "Giga Crush" technique; as X takes damage, a gauge fills. When this gauge is completely full, X can use the aforementioned attack, which damages all enemies on screen. All energy is used after the attack, and unlike X's normal weapons, it doesn't refill after completing a stage. Additionally, X receives only 50% of the damage normally taken.
 * Arm Part: X gains a second X-Buster, and can attain three charge levels. When the third is reached, X fires out super-shots from each arm cannon, though the shots cannot be crossed as they do in Mega Man X3. It also allows him to charge special weapons. (In Mega Man Xtreme 2, it acts more like the Max Armor's Arm Parts.) This function is re-used in Mega Man ZX's "Model X."
 * Foot Parts: X can perform an air-dash technique. However, he cannot utilize both an air-dash and a dash jump in the same jump. (in Mega Man Xtreme 2, it also allows an upwards dash.)


 * Shouryuken: Another armor bonus for gathering all upgrades, this grants X a flaming uppercut that he can use at full strength. It cannot one-hit kill any enemy. Instead, it does massive damage if it grazes part of the boss' hitbox.
 * Note: This is the first Armor to begin the tradition of reducing Weapon energy usage. Completing the full set of armor grants the secret benefit of reducing X's Weapon Energy usage by half.

Mega Man X2 locations:
 * Head Part: In Crystal Snail's stage.
 * Body Part: In Morph Moth's stage. Near the beginning of the stage, just after entering the building, use the Spin Wheel to cut through a portion of the floor. The Head Part will make this easier.
 * Arm Part: In Wheel Gator's stage. In the first vertical passage upon entering the tank. X must use the Leg Part to air-dash onto a vertical beam jutting out of the ceiling, and then air-dash off of that to the vertical passage. Climb up the wall to reach the Capsule.
 * Leg Part: In Overdrive Ostrich's stage. Perform a dash jump to reach a ledge above the last hallway leading to the boss room. Use the Spin Wheel to destroy the cubes blocking the way.

Mega Man Xtreme 2 locations:
 * Head Part: Neon Tiger's stage.
 * Body Part: Launch Octopus's stage.
 * Arm Part: Flame Mammoth's stage.
 * Foot Part: Volt Catfish's stage.

Mega Man X3 Armor

 * Note: The armor lacks an official name in the game itself, but the respective Bandai model kit is named "Max Armor", and the golden version is named "Hyper Special".

Max Armor (マックスアーマー) is the armor from Mega Man X3. When X obtains the Hyper Chip, it gains a golden color and becomes the Hyper Special (ハイパースペシャル) armor.

Functions:
 * Foot Parts - X can use an air-dash; however, this time he can also dash straight upward.
 * Foot Chip - allows X to air-dash twice, or dash jump and air-dash in the same jump.
 * Body Parts - Damage is reduced by half. When X is struck by an enemy's attack, a blue force field is generated and additional damage is reduced. The amount of damage reduced with the force field active is 25% (approx. 62.5% total damage reduction). The Force field vanishes as soon as X takes another hit, or after 5 seconds.
 * Body Chip - In addition to a 50% reduction in damage, an orange force field is projected rather than a blue one. Additional damage is reduced even further. The amount of damage reduced with the force field active is 50% (approx. 75% total damage reduction). This force field remains active for the full 5 seconds no matter how many times X is hit during it's protection.
 * Arm Parts - X gains a second X-Buster, and can charge up to four charge levels. At the fourth, X can fire out a crossover shot by shooting both arm cannons in rapid succession. When the Max Armor is fully assembled, X uses half the weapon energy for his Special Weapons, including the Hyper Charge if he has it.
 * Arm Chip - gives X access to the Hyper Charge, which enables unlimited charge attacks as long as it has weapon energy.
 * Head Parts - a map of the stage appears when X beams in. Life-ups, Sub Tanks, Ride Armors, and Armor Capsules are highlighted. These are also indicated on the stage select screen, color-coded to show which ones have not been found yet.
 * Head Chip - X can stand still and regenerate energy at a slow rate. This can also be used to fill Sub-Tanks. Energy recovers at a rate of 1 bar after the first 5 seconds of standing still, then 1 bar every 3 seconds onward.


 * Hyper Chip - Assuming X did not get any of the upgrading chips in any of the boss stages, he can gain all of them in a Sigma stage with the Max Armor turning into gold.


 * Beam Saber - Though technically not a part of the armor, it still goes here. If you destroy Vile Mk-II with the Ray Splasher or the Spinning Blade, the midboss in Doppler Stage 2 (Vile) is replaced with a mosquito boss. If you call Zero before entering the Room, he will be able to fight his boss (all other doors prevent you from doing this). After defeating it, it will land on Zero, seriously damaging him. Zero will give his Saber to X. Without the Arm parts, X will simply swing the Saber, much like Zero. If the Arm parts are received, X's final charge level (Red) is replaced with a green one, much like Zero. After firing the two shots, X can swing the Saber, this time creating a devastating shockwave that can hit enemies at a distance.

Locations:
 * Head Part: Tunnel Rhino's stage. Requires the Triad Thunder to be obtained.
 * Body Part: Volt Catfish's stage. Use a charged Gravity Well in the vertical spiked area to reach it.
 * Arm Part: Neon Tiger's stage. Requires the Tornado Fang and the Foot Part.
 * Foot Part: Blizzard Buffalo's stage.


 * Head Chip: Blast Hornet's stage.
 * Body Chip: Crush Crawfish's stage.
 * Arm Chip: Gravity Beetle's stage.
 * Foot Chip: Toxic Seahorse's stage.
 * All 4 enhancement chips require the use of a Ride Armor from a nearby Ride Armor platform to find them.

Mega Man X4 Armor
The Fourth Armor (フォースアーマー), sometimes called the "Force Armor", is an all-around armor first found in Mega Man X4. In its debut game, it was collected in four parts and slowly became more powerful as the parts were collected, similar to armors found in the previous games.

The armor can also be obtained in Mega Man X5. If X is chosen at the Character Select screen at the start of a new game, he will begin the game with the armor equipped. The second Arm Capsule ability is in effect, enabling the Plasma Shot, but the effects of the Helmet Part are disabled for the duration of the game. The Nova Strike is also unavailable. If Zero is chosen instead, the armor will become damaged in the first stage and made unusable for the remainder of the game.

Since the Ultimate Armor is the most recurring armor in the series (and the fact that it is essentially an upgrade to the Fourth Armor), most of the Fourth Armor's abilities (Plasma Shot, Nova Strike and Hover) are also the most recurring abilities in the series.

Functions:


 * Head Parts: Increases X's special weapons capacity, allowing him to fire endless uncharged special weapons and use less energy when firing charged weapons. This ability is disabled in Mega Man X5. However, it still increases the weapon energy by 50%, granting him more shots. It should be noted that this 50% increase effect becomes the standard helmet function from Mega Man X5 onward -- the Fourth, Falcon, Blade, and Ultimate Armors all grant this effect.


 * Body Parts: Allows X to use the Nova Strike, a rushing, invincible, damage-inducing Giga Attack, with limited energy that is restored over time. Also, the damage X receives is halved, and taken damage is absorbed to replenish the Nova Strike's energy. This armor can't use the Giga Attack in Mega Man X5.


 * Arm Parts: These upgrade X's arms, changing his standard charge shot, while allowing him to charge weapons.
 * Stock Charge Shot: X can charge up and store up to four charged shots. These shots aren't like X's original, being smaller and blue. These shot images are apparently re-used with Zero's Z-Buster.
 * Plasma Charge Shot: X can charge up to fire a massive shot. When this shot strikes an enemy, an orb of plasma is generated and causes continuous damage. This version is applied to the armor in X5, although it will generate a plasma orb only for the first enemy it hits. The arm part is black and red in X4 while in X5, it is blue and white.


 * Foot Parts: X can perform an air-dash, and hover for a limited time by double-jumping. He can move while hovering, but the amount of time he'll stay airborne is reduced.

Locations:
 * Helmet Part: In Cyber Peacock's stage. If the player completes the third section in the first part of the level fast enough to receive an S rating, the Helmet Capsule will appear in the next area.


 * Body Part: In Magma Dragoon's stage. Found in a passage above and to the right of where the Ride Armor is found. It is reached by dash-jumping in the Ride Armor from the highest point and ejecting from it in mid-air. Enter the passage to find the Body Capsule.


 * Arm Part: In Storm Owl's stage. In the second part of the stage, right before the laser-based miniboss, there is a spike-lined vertical passage. To reach the top, fire a Lightning Web right in front of one of the spiky walls and use it to ascend the passage. At the top, the are two capsules that the player can choose:
 * Capsule 1: Allows X to charge up four charged shots at once. Four icons of plasma will appear next to X's life gauge that are used to keep track of the number of X's shots. Whenever X fires while an icon is visible, he will fire a charged shot.
 * Capsule 2: Upgrades X's charged shots to the Plasma Shot. This shot is much larger and more powerful than the standard blast, and will leave damaging orbs in its wake whenever it comes into contact with an enemy.


 * Leg Part: In Web Spider's stage. Keep to the right throughout the beginning of the stage. There will be a break in the wall, and the Leg Capsule will be within it.

Falcon Armor

 * Note: Specific parts do not have effects as this armor can only be equipped when complete.

The Falcon Armor (ファルコンアーマー) is found in Mega Man X5. The main feature is a flight function, which allows multi-directional maneuvering in a Nova Strike-like air dash. While in flight, X is invulnerable to everything except for instant-kill objects such as spikes and lasers. However, it sacrifices the ability to charge special weapons for this feat. The Falcon Armor's charged shot is a small, fast-moving, thin beam similar in appearance to a needle. The shot can pierce through walls and shields.

The Falcon Armor's Giga Attack stays the same in the transition between games. It causes needle-like projectiles to dart up and down all across the screen.

In Mega Man X6, X begins the game with the Falcon Armor. Alia had to repair it quickly, and its flight function is unavailable for the entire game. The charged shot is now essentially a fast-moving, smaller projectile with no piercing properties, but can now charge weapons.

Functions: 
 * Head Parts - Decreases the amount of weapon energy used per shot.
 * Body Parts - Reduces the amount of damage received, and allows X to use the Giga Attack, which sends energy blasts flying up and down the screen.
 * Arm Parts - The Charge Shot can penetrate through any surface, including the terrain and enemy shields. It's not possible to charge special weapon attacks. This is changed in X6. The Charge shot is now essentially a smaller, fast-moving projectile with no piercing properties, but can now charge weapons.
 * Foot Parts - Enables X to fly for a limited period of time. X is invincible, and can damage enemies by running into them while he's flying. In X6, the flight ability is weakened (due to the armor being damaged), and it instead allows X to perform a damaging air-dash.

Gaea Armor

 * Note: Specific parts do not have effects as this armor can only be equipped when complete.

Gaea Armor (ガイアアーマー) is found in Mega Man X5. It is a heavy armor that sacrifices maneuverability and special weapons in exchange for both greater offensive and defensive strength.

The armor grants X complete immunity to spikes at all times, as well as mitigating the damage he receives. Additionally, X is surrounded by a green field which pushes back blocks with a tell-tale "V" on them when he dashes, and his grabbing strength is increased, allowing him to hang onto walls without sliding indefinitely.

However, in exchange for the strength that the the armor offers, it has its own set of drawbacks. It has a notably slower running and dashing speed, cannot air dash, and relinquishes the use of any special weapons.

The armor's buster functions differently from most others, as well. Its shots dissipate after a moderate distance, but are notably stronger than normal buster shots. Its charge time is also much faster, completely omitting a half-charged shot. It can also destroy enemy projectiles similar to Zero's Shot Eraser part. Its Giga Attack is extremely short in range, but also very powerful. When executed, X pulls his hands back and charges a large sphere of green and black energy, then thrusts it forward, severely damaging anything directly in front of him.

Functions:
 * Head Parts - There's no known special effect.
 * Body Parts - Decrease received damage, and convert damage accumulation into Giga Attack energy. The Giga Attack releases a big energy shot ahead.
 * Arm Parts - The X-Buster charges much faster, and the Charge Shot can become a destructive attack to destroy some blocks and enemies. The Charge Shot can also destroy enemy projectiles as well. But, the shot speed and the range are inferior in comparison with usual ones. He can only charge one level up. Special weapons are disabled.
 * Foot Parts - X can stand on spikes without receiving damage and can stick to walls without slipping. X's dash can be used to move some blocks. However, X's Movement and Dash Speed are greatly decreased, limiting X's mobility.

Blade Armor

 * Note: Specific parts do not have effects as this armor can only be equipped when complete.

The Blade Armor (ブレードアーマー) is an armor focused on mobility and using the Z-Saber (which physically adapts itself into X's buster, rather than a separate entity). The most significant feature is an upgraded air-dash. If the jump or dash buttons are pressed while X is airborne, X will freeze mid-air until you release the button. After this, he will perform a quick air dash that covers a lot of distance. You can air-dash vertically or horizontally, a feature from Mega Man X3, and you can also air-dash down.

This armor's charged shot can differ. Normally firing the blast will produce a wispy projectile similar albeit weaker to the Plasma Shot of the Force Armor/Ultimate Armor, but if it is held, X will attack with an upgraded Z-Saber slash which can also destroy enemy projectiles similar to Zero's Shot Eraser part. The Blade Armor's Giga Attack is a very large slash. If executed in the air, energy will materialize and be fired off of the slash.


 * Head Parts - Decreases the amount of special weapon energy consumed.
 * Body Parts - Decreases received damage, and converts damage accumulation into Giga Attack energy. The Giga Attack releases an energy wave from the Z-Saber.
 * Arm Parts - X's charge shot has the ability to pierce enemies, but it isn't as powerful as a normal charge shot. The parts also enable powerful saber slash by pressing ↑ + Charge Shot, that can neutralize enemy projectiles, and the parts can also charge special weapons.
 * Foot Parts - X can performs the Mach Dash, a special air-dash. The Mach Dash can be performed in four directions (forward, backward, up, and down), and X is invincible at the very beginning of the dash.

Shadow Armor
Shadow Armor is a modified version of the Gaea Armor from Mega Man X5. It keeps many of the main features of the Gaea Armor, including invulnerability to instant-kill spikes, being able to hold on to walls without sliding down them, and the lack of an air dash. The Shadow Armor sacrifices the Gaea Armor's ability to push V-Blocks while dashing for a ninja-like maneuver. If the X button is held while jumping, X jumps to the top of the screen. If there is a ceiling, X can grab hold of it and hang upside-down (like Zero using Hyoroga). At this point, X can fire shurikens downwards in groups of three. After several volleys, X will automatically drop down. X can also perform a short dash along the ceiling to compensate for the lack of an air dash, but this causes him to drop down after the dash is finished.

The X-Buster has been heavily modified for the Shadow Armor. X's normal shot fires shurikens, and behaves similar to the C-Shot from Mega Man X5. The direction of the shurikens are random, and can be either straight forward or slightly up or down. X's Charge Shot produces a crescent-like Z-Saber slash that can strike multiple times per slash. X's Giga Attack creates powerful spinning orange crescents that encircle him for a brief moment, severely damaging all enemies in his vicinity.

The Shadow Armor's ninja-like abilities are heavily toned down with the use of the Ultimate Buster part, as his ability to fire down at enemies from the ceiling produces no shots. This alters X's strategy into a full-on Z-Saber fighter instead of a stealthy ninja.

Functions:
 * Note: Specific parts do not have effects as this armor can only be equipped when complete.


 * Head Parts - X can swing the Z-Saber faster.
 * Body Parts - X can use the Giga Attack, a double crescent blade slash. Damage is reduced.
 * Arm Parts - The X-Buster's normal shots are shaped like shuriken (which fire in random directions like X5's C-shot), and the charge shot is replaced by a powerful saber slash. Special weapons are disabled.
 * Foot Parts - X can stick to walls and safely walk on spikes. He can also stick to ceilings by pressing ↑ + Jump Button.

Locations:
 * Head Parts: Metal Shark Player's stage
 * Body Parts: Rainy Turtloid's stage
 * Arm Parts: Blaze Heatnix's stage
 * Foot Parts: Blizzard Wolfang's stage

Glide Armor
The Glide Armor is found in Mega Man X7. It is different from the armors in Mega Man X5 and Mega Man X6 in that it can be collected one piece at a time, slowly getting stronger with every part, in contrast to X5 and X6 in which all parts of the armors must be collected to be functional. Also, X can remove the armor and be used without it once it has been fully assembled. It is a fairly all-around armor, as it is the only armor in the game.

Functions:
 * Foot Parts: Allows X to use the Glide Dash. Activated by jumping in the air, X will glide while losing altitude slowly. It is similar to the Falcon Armor's flying function.
 * Body Parts: The damage and recoil X takes are halved, and supplies him with the full-screen Giga Crash attack.
 * Arm Parts: X's damage output increases. He can also charge his special weapons and charge the X-Buster to a fourth level.
 * Head Parts: X is able to absorb energy capsules from a farther distance, and energy pellets are worth more energy and are attracted to X from a greater distance.

Locations:
 * Helmet Part: In Snipe Anteator's stage. In the second half of the stage, look for the capsule on a disconnected orange hexagon. You must flip gravity several times to reach the Helmet Capsule.
 * Body Part: In Wind Crowrang's stage. In the mother ship, look for a path that splits into three paths. Take the left one to find the Body Capsule.
 * Arm Part: In Flame Hyenard's stage. In the first section of the stage, after the second snake enemy, drop down underneath the ledge. You'll find a 1-Up and a Capsule.
 * Leg Part: In Soldier Stonekong's stage. Past the area with the spikes, look for two ape-head statues stacked on top of each other. Make sure they are not destroyed, climb on top of them, and jump-dash to the left to find the Leg Capsule.

Neutral Armor
The Neutral Armor gives X no enhancements on its own. However, it has the ability to mix and match parts of the other two armors to give a customized group of abilities. Having a complete suit will unlock the Giga ability of that armor. It will, upon completing a set, glow more brightly, compared to a dull glow as an incomplete armor.


 * Icarus Armor - An Armor system that focuses on power, with defense and movement undertones. When the armor set is complete, X can use the Giga Crash. Like the previous version, it will attack all on-screen opponents. The damage dealt is strictly proportional to the amount of weapon energy X has at the time of activation.
 * Foot Parts I - X's jumping height is increased.
 * Body Parts I - Damage done to X is reduced to 50%. In addition, recoil is eliminated.
 * Arm Parts I - X's charge shot is changed to a powerful beam attack. He can also charge special weapons. In addition, his standard shots now become level 1 charged shots.
 * Head Parts I - X will create a force field while jumping that can damage enemies.


 * Hermes Armor - An Armor system that focuses on mobility, with defense undertones. When the armor set is complete, X can use the X-Drive. Upon activation, X will receive a boost in movement speed, jump height, charge speed and number of charged projectiles. The enhancement will last until the weapon energy is drained or a character switch is made.
 * Foot Parts H - X's movement speed will increase. He will also be invulnerable when dashing.
 * Body Parts H - X will take 2 less units of damage than he normally would. Against enemies that only hit for 1 or 2 units of damage, X is completely invulnerable.
 * Arm Parts H - X's charge shot will be changed to a 3-way blast. He can also charge special weapons.
 * Head Parts H - Charge time will decrease.

X Fire
The X Fire (Ｘファイア) is X's Hyper Mode in Mega Man X: Command Mission. It is a special armor system that focuses on melee combat and is Fire-elemental. In this state, X's LE and attack increase by 50%, his speed and WE gain increase by 25% and he takes half damage from attacks. X's buster is replaced with a tri-pronged attachment called the "X Collider" that stuns with electricity, much like a Taser, and can be charged with his Action Trigger to use the "Charge Collider". X's sub weapons are replaced by a Power Charge and a Shell Buster. It however, cannot be used indefinitely and has a cooldown phase, reverting X back to normal after some turns. It presumably does not have long range combat capabilities.

Ultimate Armor
X4-6 Ultimate Armor - The Ultimate Armor is an upgraded version of the Force Armor. This armor is usually secret, activated by using a code before starting the game. In X5, however, X can get the armor without using the code (thus, retaining the Force Armor as well). X also uses this armor during his battle against Zero in the same game. It is always given to X as a whole, though the Capsule shows an image of the Ultimate Armor Helmet. For reasons unknown, the Ultimate Armor is black in X6. X8 Ultimate Armor - A purple and black colouring of the Neutral Armor, this Ultimate Armor can perform special moves. It combines certain abilities of both the Icarus and Hermes armors and can only be equipped as a whole, not as separate pieces. It retains the Nova Strike of the previous version, however, it works more like the Icarus' Armor's Giga Attack in that it consumes weapon energy, but the weapon energy recovers itself. (Although the Ultimate Armor's Nova Strike weapon energy refills itself almost instantly while the Icarus Armor takes time to fully refill.)
 * Foot Parts- Grants X the ability to air dash or hover in midair. Midair hovering time is decreased if X moves.
 * Body Parts- Reduces damage taken by X by 50%. Allows X to use a wider range Nova Strike that does not consume any weapon energy. It also covers more distance than its X4 counterpart. Note, however, that it does require X to touch solid ground/cling to a wall before it can be used again.
 * Arm Parts- Grants X the powerful Plasma Shot.
 * Head Parts- In X4, uncharged weapon usage was reduced to zero. In X5 and 6, this reduces weapon energy consumption by 50%, like the Falcon and Blade Armor Helmets.
 * Foot Parts U - X's movement speed and jumping height will increase. He can also dash through enemies without damage.
 * Body Parts U - X will take half damage and will not be subjected to recoil from collisions with enemies/hazards.
 * Arm Parts U - The X-Buster will have the Plasma Shot attached, which will temporarily cause damage at a constant rate.
 * Head Parts U - Weapon energy usage is reduced to zero, and X can use the Shouryuken (uppercut) technique.

Command Mission Ultimate Armor - The second Hyper Mode of X, obtainable after defeating Rafflesian. A stark change in appearance from previous armors in terms of design, but the color-scheme is back to the white, blue, red, and yellow detailing. X hovers perpetually in the air with this armor (presumably being too heavy to stand), and a large disc-like object protrudes from his shoulders horizontally behind him. A large, green gem forms his chest, and a targeting display covers his left eye. Gatling batteries are on the front of his shoulders, and his arms change into a pair of large, pistol-like appendages from the elbow down. The legs and the top of the disc are also translucent. X's standard attack becomes a devastating beam attack fired from his chest, and his sub weapons are Impact Cannon and Strike Bullet. The Action Trigger associated with this armor is called "Nova Strike", which is similar to the Final Strike attack. This armor is also completely immune to status ailments, but is also immune to assists as a drawback.

Clear Armor

 * Note: Japanese names will be used for best effect, with English names in brackets, due to the Japan-only release.

During the first Rockman X Mega Mission, upon defeating the first Irregular (Maverick), Wire Hetimarl Limited, (Wire Sponge L), a Limited parasite was released, and infected X, giving him the very powerful Clear Buster (クリアバスター). Later on, after defeating all eight Irregulars, the Clear Buster evolved to the Clear High Buster (クリアハイバスター) during the fight against Schmitt. During fighting the unleashed iX (named so to differentiate 'Ikusu' pronunciation from Rockman X's 'Ekkusu'), X gains the full Clear Armor (クリアアーマー). The armor is then destroyed by iX's final attack before him perishing.

Replicapture

 * Note: Japanese names will be used for best effect, with English names in brackets, due to the Japan-only release. Even though its not an armor, it is similar to one.

After defeating four of the Irregulars (Mavericks), and then fighting and losing to the Order Breakers, X is captured. When the remaining four Irregulars are defeated by Zero, Zero verses X. The reason behind this is that Tackione had used the Replicapture chestpiece to control X and make him fight (and kill) Zero. The chestpiece contained some of the Limited. The Replicapture was destroyed by Zero and X returned to normal.

Giga Armor
The Giga Armor (ギガアーマー) was used by X in the fight against Tackione's final form. As Zero was tired because of his previous battles, he gave all his remaining energy to X, along with the Neo Armor, Neo Buster and Z-Saber. The armor became the Giga Armor, a powerful armor equipped with the Giga Buster and Giga Saber. With it, X is able to use the Giga Crush attack, which destroyed both Tackione and the Giga Armor itself by using all of its energy.

EX Armor / All-X Armor
The EX Armor (イクスアーマー) was obtained by X when Return X decided to suspend their fight and temporarily join with X and Zero to become the two EX Armors. After defeating the Hyper Limited Irregulars when formed together as Mix Forte, Enemice used his Sigma Chip to turn into Sigma Limited, and knocked down Zero. When Zero got unconscious, the part of Return X that was on him attached to X, becoming the All-X Armor (アルイクスアーマー). X and Return X combined their busters into a powerful attack that defeated Sigma Limited, but the armor vanished because of the amount energy used, presumably destroying Return X.

Trivia

 * Armors have always had one red, triangular or diamond-shaped crystal situated in the forehead. The first and only armor to not have this is the Neutral Armor and its variations. It appears to be situated on the front of the collar instead and changes color depending on the version of this armor, however a glowing triangle is visible on his forehead.


 * In Mega Man X8, due to design changes, X's armor was slimmed down in the arms and legs, to give him a more streamlined appearance. Also, his head crystal was increased in size.


 * Excluding X8, there is always at least one armor that has a white base with blue, yellow and red details. This includes the special armors from X1-4 and the Falcon, Blade, and Glide armors.


 * The Plasma Shot, besides the regular charged shot, is the most used special charge attack in the games (mostly due to it being in the Ultimate Armor). It existed in X4-6, and then again in X8.


 * Like the Plasma Shot, the Nova Strike is also the most used Giga Attack.


 * The Armor from X1 is sometimes referred to as the Light Armor by fans, due to it being the first special armor created by Dr Light; setting the standard for nearly every armor afterwards.
 * Similarly, the X2 Armor is sometimes called the Giga Armor in reference to the Giga Crush provided by the Body Part. However, this conflicts with the Giga Armor from the Mega Mission 2 trading card story.
 * Likewise, fans sometimes refer to the X3 armor as the Max Armor, and it's gold version as the Gold Max Armor.