X-Hunters

The X-Hunters, known as Counter Hunters (カウンターハンター) in Japan, is a group of three Mavericks and main antagonists of Mega Man X2 who recovered Zero's parts to revive him as a Maverick. After defeating two Mavericks, they will contact Hunter H.Q., each challenging Mega Man X to duel. They will then randomly appear in hidden rooms in one of the six remaining stages; if defeated, X will recover one of Zero's parts. They will also reappear as individual bosses in the final stages.

Members

 * Serges
 * Violen
 * Agile

Room locations

 * Wire Sponge: Small path under the first elevator.
 * Morph Moth: Small path near the ladder after the first sub-boss, requires Air-dash Boots or Charged Speed Burner.
 * Flame Stag: Make the second Beetron break the highest breakable wall.
 * Magna Centipede: In the room with falling blocks, run to the door at the bottom right before it's blocked.
 * Overdrive Ostrich: Use Spin Wheel on the first wall.
 * Bubble Crab: Above the area the Sea Canthller stops, must get there first or destroy Sea Canthller beforehand.
 * Wheel Gator: Use the last elevator until the end to find a door.
 * Crystal Snail: Use the Ride Armor to fly up and break the crystal walls to the left of the spike pits.

Production Notes
Developer Comments "When figuring out the limits of the CX4, a female X-Hunter was removed from what were called the 'Four Guardians' at the time. Violen also lost his second form. We just didn't have the resources to make that all happen." -Yoshihisa Tsuda

Archie Comics
The X-Hunters reappeared as a group in the Worlds Unite crossover event, having been three of many Mavericks recreated by Sigma-1. After attacking the Sky Patrol, they and most of their comrades departed for other worlds. They briefly invaded the world of Monster Hunter, but were brought down by the inhabitants, X, and Sticks the Badger.

Trivia

 * All three X-Hunters make brief cameo appearances during the opening cutscenes of Mega Man X3 (Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and PC versions) and Mega Man X5.
 * The theme for Gate's Laboratory in Mega Man X6 is a remix of the third X-Hunter stage theme.