General

"...We're going to build a nation for the Reploids. That's our ultimate goal. We'll fight anyone who tries to interfere with our independence."

- General

"My fate is sealed. I have... no choice."

- General

General (ジェネラル) is one of the main antagonists in Mega Man X4. He is the giant Reploid leader of Repliforce.

Appearance
General is a massive Reploid, his height nearly filling the entire screen when he is encountered in-game. His armor is colored with brilliant golds and royal blues, befitting a respected leader and symbol of hope. His body is designed to resemble the uniform of a military officer, possessing a long coat and a cap. He also has a large moustache that spikes upwards and a black design along his jaw that resembles a beard.

Personality
As the supreme leader of Repliforce, General has shown true responsibility and honor. While he did care about dignity and justice like his subordinate Colonel, he was arguably more level-headed and soft-spoken. Once a sympathizer of human and Reploid peace, General had already been concerned about Reploid independence for a while, which was only exacerbated by his meetings with a mysterious figure later revealed to be Sigma. When Repliforce was branded as Mavericks for refusing to disarm and come in for questioning after their appearance at the Sky Lagoon after it crashed down onto a city and killed millions of civilians, General quickly lost his trust (mostly in the humans), which made him finally push for a movement for Reploid independence. Only after being defeated by either X or Zero did he realize hat he, alongside with his organization Repliforce, had been used as a puppet for Sigma's evil plans. He also held great loyalty towards his subordinates, claiming that the deaths of his men could only be rectified by his own destruction.

Judging by a room in the Repliforce building, General was a well-read man who kept several dozen books on bookshelves. He also had a stained-glass image of the Virgin Mary in the room as well, the mother of Jesus Christ. This showed that he believed in the teachings of Christianity or simply had an affinity for the central figures of the religion.

Mega Man X4
Before the events of the story, General was manipulated by Sigma into losing trust in the Maverick Hunters for being too eager to please the humans and destroy their Reploid brethren. When the Maverick Hunters finally declared Repliforce as Mavericks due to their refusal to cooperate at the Sky Lagoon incident, General took this as the last straw. At the Memorial Hall, he declared a military coup d'etat led by Repliforce, planning to immigrate to space and activate the giant destroyer satellite, Final Weapon, as a way to get rid of the humans if they opposed them. The resulting mayhem and confusion allows for a double agent named Double to quietly wreak havoc on the Maverick Hunters, resulting in agony for X, but an even worse suffering occurs for Zero. Colonel, having full loyalty to Repliforce, follows out General's orders. Unfortunately, his sister, Iris, is caught between her brother's and Zero's standpoints, unsure who she should follow. When Zero is forced to act against them, it results in both of their deaths.

After defeating Double (playing as X) or Iris (as Zero), the player faces General in his "throne room" aboard the Final Weapon. After being defeated, General survives the battle with heavy damage, having lost an arm and a leg. General accepts his mistake in following Sigma's suggestions, and is desperate to stop the attack on the planet. However, he is shocked to find that Final Weapon is still going to fire, and that someone else is controlling it - Sigma. After the hunters pursue and defeat Sigma, General finds that the cannon cannot be overrode and tries to mend the error of his ways by using his body to destroy it entirely, sacrificing himself in the process. This act contributed to clearing the name of Repliforce once and for all.

Power and Abilities
As the Commander-in-chief of Repliforce, General shows his excellent skill as both commander and tactician. He possesses extreme toughness and endurance due to his gigantic size. General's enhanced armor makes him invulnerable to all enemy attacks, with the exception of his head, which is his weak spot. General has a jetpack installed on his back that allows him to fly and hover around in the air.


 * Body Blow - While General is in flight, he will stomp on the ground if his opponent goes underneath him, which creates a wave of energy beams.
 * Ring Laser - General shoots energy projectiles from his elbows once his arms are launched.
 * Shuriken Laser - General fires two sets of three energy shurikens above and below, with an opening to dodge in the middle. Only used after losing half of his life energy.

Strategy
General launches his fists (which serve as platforms) and sends out energy rings while the fists are gone. He also can stomp the ground and also send out a barrage of beams. X can attack him with Twin Slasher, but Zero will have to get creative to fight him as his "weakness" Shippuuga can be difficult to connect with (Kuuenzan is best used against him due to his almost-constant flight. Trying come close to his head by standing on his arms during their flying and then performing Z-Saber normal combo slashes will result General's health bar drain very quick).

Rockman X4
Besides having the same role from the game, General takes a much more personal approach to the Repliforce conflict in the manga adaptation. To that end, he destroys Frost Walrus after discovering the murders and atrocities he had committed in the name of Reploid independence, saving X as a result.

Later, General encounters X on the Repliforce's Final Weapon satellite, which would be their independent nation. X, who had just gotten the Ultimate Armor, manages to seriously injure the General into unconsciousness, and then proceeds to kill Double, who had revealed himself as a traitor. The General then grabs and hugs X, reducing his tears and grief. He then sacrifices himself to destroy the Final Weapon's "Deathflower" cannon and prevent it from decimating the Earth, although not before making a final salute to X.

Playing as X
(General having an audience with a "mysterious cloaked figure".)

Mysterious Figure: It's about the Maverick Hunters, General. They are far too eager to please the humans and continue to hunt down the Reploids. Do you believe they pose a significant threat?

General: Perhaps...

Mysterious Figure: You already know the truth, General! Their sole mission has been to destroy any Reploids who fail to do as the humans order. It is in your best interest to stop them now, before they turn on you. You possess enough power to destroy them!!

General: You are dismissed.

Mysterious Figure: What?!

General: I will not betray the humans. Remove yourself from my sight. My business with you has concluded.

Mysterious Figure: Heh-heh... Very well, but you will change your mind soon. I assure you... HAHAHAAA! (General declaring Repliforces independence (seen after the opening stage).)

General: Brave soldiers of Repliforce, we have all been wrongfully judged as Mavericks by the humans! We cannot suffer this indignity and live in disgrace! We will build our own nation of Reploids, but remember this is neither about insurrection or rebellion against our human creators. This is about our liberty and security. We must battle for our own individual rights and our own survival. Together we will build our nation, a sanctuary for all Reploids, our own utopia. Let us forge onward towards a new golden era for the Repliforce!

Colonel: I too share the General's sentiment. Take heed, we have no other choice. Let us fight venerably with courage and pride, without fear for we are the Repliforce... the most powerful army in history!!

Mysterious Figure: HAHAHAA! The General has finally taken action... and now my Maverick Hunters, what will you do? I'll be watching closely from here on out! HAHAHAHAAA!! (Pre-battle dialogue before combat at the Final Weapon.)

X: General! What are you planning to do?

General: ...We're going to build a nation for the Reploids. That's our ultimate goal. We'll fight anyone who tries to interfere with our independence.

X: There must be alternatives to this mindless fighting!

General: ... We were called Mavericks without justifiable reason. What other choice did we have than to fight?

X: ...But...

General: It's too late now! Get ready, X! (General survives combat, but is badly injured. But, despite his defeat the satellite prepares to attack.)

X: .. What? What happened!?

General: ...It can't be... This weapon must be malfunctioning...

X: General! What do you mean?

General: Someone else is controlling it! ... You must hurry X. The earth is... in danger!

X: Alright. I'll stop the weapon myself! (After defeating Sigma.)

X: General!

General: The weapon can be stopped with my body.

X: But then you'll...

General: Many of my men have died. As their leader, I must leave with them... X, please forgive our foolishness...

X: General!!

Playing as Zero
(Pre-battle dialogue before combat at the Final Weapon.)

Zero: General! Many died because of you! Those lives are on your conscience!

General: Independence always has a high price...

Zero: What about Iris?! Did you forget her?

General: I have no regrets. Come on, Zero! (General survives combat, but is badly injured. But, despite his defeat the satellite prepares to attack.)

Zero: What is this!? What happened!?

General: No! This weapon can't be working...

Zero: General! What's wrong?

General: Someone else is controlling it!

Zero: Then... Earth's in grave danger! It must be stopped! I'll handle this... (After defeating Sigma.)

Zero: General!

General: ...Zero... I was... wrong. Sigma... He blinded me to the truth...

Zero: It's okay ... rest.

General: ...With my body I can stop the weapon.

Zero: But then you'll...

General: It's over for this soldier. Farewell!

Zero: General!!!

In-battle lines for General (randomly used)

 * "My fate is sealed. I have no choice." (Pre-battle line)


 * "Show me your true power." (Pre-battle line)


 * "It was our destiny to fight." (Pre-battle line)

Trivia

 * Sigma's conversation with General has a small difference between the Japanese and English versions that could actually change the way the player interprets the General's own interpretation of Sigma's words. In the English localization, when Sigma asks the General if he believes the Hunters are a threat, the General responds with "Perhaps." However in the original Japanese script, General is silent until he dismisses Sigma.
 * General was absent from the Worlds Unite crossover event in the Archie Comics, despite the eight boss Mavericks and Double all appearing as part of Sigma-2's Maverick army, and Colonel and Iris being mentioned by Zero. This may be because General himself is not evil nor a Maverick, but rather a manipulated Reploid who would not take part in such a plan.