High Max

High Max is a Reploid made by Gate with a piece of Zero's DNA. When first encountered, he is practically invincible. When encountered again, whether in the secret areas (after Zero is regained) or in Gate's Lab, the player must get creative to defeat him. X should stun him with charged X-Buster shots and, while he's stunned, use the Magma Blade (or better, the Nova Strike). Zero should reverse this--use Shouenzan, and then regular Z-Saber. With patience, persistence, and perhaps both Sub Tanks full, High Max should not be much of a problem. By defeating High Max in the secret area, Gate will appear in a cutscene to challenge the Maverick Hunters directly, and the first nightmare stage will become accessable.