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Version 13.0: The Loadout Update

The focus of this major update was adding new techniques and weapons for Zero and Vile, as well as the ability to customize their weapon slots. Every character now has the concept of a "loadout" that can be changed before and during a match to suit playstyles or to adapt to a certain situation in a match. Gone are the days where only X (and more recently, Axl) players could switch and customize their weapons!

In addition, this update brings along with it many new additions, improvements, bug fixes and balance changes. Optimization efforts have continued, with more options and graphics settings that can be configured for lower end machines.

Loadout Menu

Every character now has a "loadout" menu. This takes the place of the "select weapon" menu previously used only by X and Axl (but for X and Axl, remains virtually the same). As it's now a common feature for every character to be able to swap weapons, this loadout menu also has been added to the main menu screen so players can change their loadout without having to be in a match, using the same interface. Loadout changes are saved across game sessions. This change makes the "preferred weapon" options for X and Axl obsolete, so these have been removed.

New Zero Abilities

Zero gets several new swappable techniques that can be customized in the newly added "loadout" menu. The uppercut, down thrust, giga attack and hyper mode can be customized. For the uppercut and down thrust, both the special input and attack input can be customized, so Zero can use two of these at a time. Here are each of the slots and the techniques that can be equipped in each:

Here's a description of the new abilities mentioned above:

In addition, Zero gets a new Hyper Mode, Awakened Zero from Mega Man X5! This hyper form surrounds Zero with a fiery aura that deals contact damage to enemies too close. It also grants Zero many powerful ranged abilities:

Awakened Zero costs 10 scrap to activate, like Black Zero. Unlike Black Zero, Awakened Zero will not use 10 scrap immediately, but slowly deplete scrap at a rate of 1 scrap every 2 seconds while it's active. If not stopped and killed within 30 seconds (about 15 scrap consumed), Awakened Zero will enter an invincible phase where his Saber Shot is replaced with Genmu, which launches two giant crescent waves from his saber that deal 12 damage! However, in this phase the scrap drain rate is doubled. If you don't deal with Awakened Zero quickly, he'll become extremely dangerous and nigh-unstoppable and his rampage will only end when his scrap supply runs dry.

Finally, the double-buster combo from X3 has been added to Black Zero. You'll now be able to charge up to level 4 and unleash two charged Z-Buster shots in rapid succession, followed by a saber shot. If you pull it off, this will make short work of even full health enemies.

New Vile Abilities

Many Vile weapons from Mega Man MHX have been added, and like with Zero, these are configured in a new loadout menu that can be accessed both in game and in the main menu. Vile can change the weapon for his various weapon categories below:

See the Vile character guide for more details on these weapons. Note that Vile has not lost any moves, and the first ones listed in each category are the old ones. Also note that some of Vile MK-II's moves have become swappable moves for Vile MK-I as well, with increased energy cost to compensate for the power creep. In return, Vile MK-II now has half cooldown on all weapons (except Missile which is already over twice as fast) and can now shoot the cannon at an enemy during a grab.

Vile also gets a Giga Crush-like move: the Necro Burst from MHX. It's not a laser (as MHX lasers weren't added in this update), and is instead activated by holding the SPECIAL button to charge; at full charge, release to generate a massive energy blast that can deal up to 8 damage with a full flinch to nearby enemies (enemies further away from the blast radius will take less damage and flinch). Though powerful, this move drains Vile's entire energy bar, so use it carefully. Necro Burst can even be used in Ride Armors. Although the blast will blow it up, this can be used to your advantage: if you unleash a Necro Burst while ducking in a mech, you'll blow it up from the inside, sending deadly Ride Armor shrapnel in all directions, dealing additional damage on top of the blast!

In addition, Vile can now upgrade his armor, like X. Two armors are available, both originating from MHX.

Some of Vile's Ride Armors have also received some new abilities and attention as well:

Finally, Vile also received some quality of life improvements in the menus/HUD:

Other New Additions

Axl gets a new hyper mode that he can configure in his loadout menu. It's "Stealth Mode" from Mega Man X Command Mission, and it makes him invisible and invincible for 12 seconds while it's active, much like Chameleon Sting. However, Axl can freely attack and shoot while in this state. It's a more defensive hyper mode when compared to White Axl and also great for sneaking into enemy ranks unnoticed, though it lacks the raw power and mobility of White Axl.

Misc improvements/changes

Bug fixes

Balance changes

Mega Man X

Vile

Axl