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The Charge Shot (チャージショット Chāji Shotto) is a recurring technique in the Mega Man franchise. It is most often performed by holding the fire button, making the character charge up energy until the button is released, releasing a charged version of the attack.

History[]

Mega Man series[]

MM7 Mega Man (Charge Shot)

Artwork of Mega Man firing a Charge Shot, from Mega Man 7.

See also: Mega Buster

Before appearing as a function of the Mega Buster, a Special Weapon from Mega Man 2, Atomic Fire, had the unique capacity to be charged up to release a stronger attack. This is possibly a progenitor of the Charge Shot.

The Charge Shot made its debut in Mega Man 4. For the first time, Mega Man could charge the New Mega Buster up to two additional levels for more powerful shots, at the cost of a lower firing rate. These Charge Shots not only deal more damage than normal shots, but also pass through defeated enemies to potentially hit additional enemies. In Mega Man 5, Mega Man gained the Super Mega Buster which had a larger Charge Shot, but could also be interrupted if he was damaged while charging. Mega Man 6 kept this limitation, but all games from Mega Man 7 onward removed it. In Mega Man 9 and 10, Mega Man reverted to his classic Mega Buster without the Charge Shot, before regaining it for Mega Man 11, where it could be further enhanced by the Power Gear.

Several variations of the Charge Shot have appeared throughout the series. In Mega Man V, the Charge Shot was entirely ineffective against the Stardroids, forcing Dr. Light to develop the Mega Arm which launched Mega Man's fist as a rocket punch instead. Mega Man 6 introduced the Power Adapter, which had its own Charge Shot capable breaking certain blocks. Similarly, Mega Man 7 introduced the Super Adapter with its Rocket Buster, a Charge Shot that launched Mega Man's fist resembling the Mega Arm. In Mega Man 8, Mega Man could purchase and equip one of three items from Dr. Light's Lab to alter his Charge Shot: the Laser Shot, Arrow Shot, or Auto Shoot.

Other characters are also shown using Charge Shots. Proto Man exhibited the ability to spontaneously fire Charge Shots from his Proto Buster without any charge time in Mega Man 7 and Mega Man Powered Up, where it was called the Proto Strike. In Mega Man 9 and 10, Proto Man used a more traditional Charge Shot. Bass is only seen using Charge Shots with his Bass Buster in Mega Man 7 and the Power Battle spinoffs, using a rapid-fire functionality in all other appearances such as Mega Man & Bass and Mega Man 10. Duo has a Mega Arm-like Charge Shot that launches his fist as a rocket punch.

Mega Man X series[]

X1ChargeShot

Artwork of X firing a Charge Shot, from Mega Man X.

See also: X-Buster and Zero Buster

The Charge Shot returned as an ability of X, starting in the first Mega Man X. It functioned similarly to its usage in the original Mega Man series, though the X-Buster had a unique twist: the capacity for Armor Parts. By obtaining the Arm Parts hidden in a Light Capsule, X was able to charge to additional levels for even more powerful Charge Shots. Some armors had unique Charge Shots, such as the Shadow Armor from Mega Man X6 which charged a Z-Saber attack instead. Most armors would also grant X the ability to fire Charge Shots for Special Weapons, greatly expanding his arsenal. Starting in Mega Man X5, Power-Up Parts were introduced that could be equipped to alter Charge Shots.

Zero also possessed a Zero Buster capable of Charge Shots. He used its Charge Shots up until Mega Man X4, where he didn't use his buster at all. A Charge Shot returned as his default buster attack in Mega Man X5 and X6, before going completely out of use again for Mega Man X7 onward.

In Mega Man X: Command Mission, X uses a Charge Shot as his Action Trigger, where it splits into multiple projectiles to hit all enemies simultaneously.

Mega Man Legends series[]

MegaMan Volnutt is unique as the only incarnation with a Mega Buster incapable of Charge Shots in his games, instead utilizing rapid-fire. He is only seen charging his buster in spin-off media such as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and in a cameo in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Mega Man Battle Network series[]

MegamanMMBN

Artwork of MegaMan.EXE shooting, from Mega Man Battle Network.

See also: Mega Buster (MegaMan.EXE)

In Mega Man Battle Network and Battle Network 2, MegaMan.EXE must first unlock the Charge Shot by obtaining a PowerUp and applying it to Charge in the menu. Starting in Mega Man Battle Network 3, the Charge Shot is one of MegaMan's default attacks. Its charge time is slow and the shot itself is not especially powerful (dealing around 10 damage), so it is best used as a last resort or supplementary attack to complement use of more powerful Battle Chips. Fortunately, it can also be upgraded over time to deal more damage on its own. The Charge Shot can also depend on what kind of Style or other transformation the player gives to MegaMan, granting it higher damage or elemental properties.

Mega Man Zero series[]

See also: Buster Shot

In Mega Man Zero and Zero 2, Zero is initially incapable of firing Charge Shots; it is an ability that must first be unlocked by leveling up his Buster Shot, with ★1 giving it one charge level and ★3 giving it two. Additionally, all of his other weaponry can be charged to release stronger attacks too. The Shield Boomerang can be charged by default, and both the Z-Saber and Triple Rod can be charged once leveled up to ★4. Zero can also equip Element Chips to grant all of his weaponry's Charge Shots elemental properties, and some EX Skills change the Charge Shot's properties too. From Mega Man Zero 3 onward, Zero can charge attacks by default and no longer needs to level up his weaponry.

Mega Man ZX series[]

See also: Model X and Model A

The Charge Shot is a default function of all Biometals in the series. In the first Mega Man ZX, Model X has a double Charge Shot, while Model ZX can charge both their ZX Buster and ZX Saber. All other Double Megamerges can also utilize charged versions of their main weapons and sub weapons, though in some cases this consumes BM Energy. In Mega Man ZX Advent, Model A's Charge Shot as Grey is the classic Charge Shot (L) but as Ashe is the unique Reflect Laser instead. Model A can also use charged attacks while transformed as other Mega Men and even certain Pseudoroids as well.

Mega Man Star Force series[]

See also: Mega Buster (Omega-Xis)

Star Force Mega Man has the Charge Shot as a default attack. Like in the Battle Network series, it is not especially powerful and better used to complement Battle Cards. As opposed to other entries in the franchise, Mega Man perpetually prepares Charge Shots while in battle: holding the fire button causes rapid-fire shots, while waiting to fire instead launches Charge Shots.

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