Muscle-enhanced Guard
The Antarctic Guard (南極兵) is a type of enemy from Strider 2.
The Antarctic Guards are members of a private army serving the defense of the top secret Antarctica Research Lab[1]. Members of this group have been enhanced through different methods by Kraken Chemical to increase either their fat or muscular mass for specialized purposes[2]. Antarctic Guards wear a hooded winter uniform marked with the company's logo and gas masks, and can be seen wielding machine guns as well as axes for close combat.
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Fat-enhanced Guard[]
Appears in Stage 3 (Antarctica Research Lab), Scenes 1 (higher difficulties) and 2.
The Fat-enhanced Guard (脂肪強化兵) is an Antarctic Guard enhanced through genetic surgery, manipulating genes related to warmth in order to strengthen their body fat; as a result giving him a small, chubby appearance[2]. While this was done in order to create soldiers able to adapt to long-term security missions in cold regions[2], this also made them both slower and clumsier while moving around, and prone to tripping while running. These guards wield a machine gun and a small handaxe as their weapons.
This soldier acts in two different ways: Those met in the first area always move away from Hiryu and attack from afar with their guns, whereas those in the second area instead approach him, produce their handaxe and attempt to strike him, only taking out their guns if Hiryu moves away from them.
Muscle-enhanced Guard[]
Appears in Stage 3 (Antarctica Research Lab), Scene 2.
The Muscle-enhanced Guard (筋肉強化兵) is an Antarctic Guard whose muscular strength was enhanced to the limits by the administration of drugs; giving him a larger, more imposing appearance[2]. These guards have friendly (if slightly crazy) personalities and are incredibly healthy, with average lifespans of 265 years[2]. As it'd be expected, these soldiers are faster and much more nimble than their chubbier counterparts, walking and jumping around when pursuing Hiryu. They only carry a big two-handed axe they use to attack up-close.
The Muscle-enhanced Guard slowly approaches Hiryu with his weapon ready, then performs a quick strike at him. If Hiryu's far away or climbing above his head, he instead performs a leap forward and strikes at him while in mid-flight.
Unlike most other cases, the red guard is the most common out of the two color variations, with the blue variant only appearing in higher difficulties. Despite this, the red guards are unique in that they can drop Power-Up Items when defeated instead of Zenny.
Gorilla Guard[]
Mid-boss in Stage 3 (Antarctica Research Lab), Scene 4.
The Gorilla Guard (ゴリラ兵)[3] is a mid-boss encountered inside the Lab's Research Section, in a gravity-inversed room. The Gorilla Guard is even more muscular than the Muscle-enhanced Guards, displaying larger, more muscular arms and a bigger figure. He carries a small handaxe he uses as a throwing weapon: once thrown, it spins a small distance in front of him before returning. He can also throw Ice Gears around the room, which will then attack Hiryu.
During the battle, both Hiryu and the Gorilla Guard are clinging to a metal grate while "upside-down", due to the inversed gravity in the area. The Gorilla Guard will simply move towards Hiryu and attack. With no defense moves to protect himself, he can be easily killed with a barrage of slashes, locking him in place and giving him no chance to retaliate.
Tactical Team Member[]
- Main article: Missile Mobile
The Tactical Team Member (機動部隊員)[2] is a minor character, part of a specialized unit within the Antarctic Guards. This soldier wears a different uniform than the basic guards, using a form-fitting blue suit with a cap, goggles and a yellow scarf. He also doesn't present any visible body enhancement.
As the name indicates this man is part of a special task unit in charge of the group's armed snowmobiles, which includes the Missile Mobile and the bike-like Snow Vehicle[2]. He appears driving the former at the end of the first area, and is killed when Hiryu destroys it.
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