Ground Hunter (Mega Man)

Ground Hunter (グランドハンター Gurando Hantā) is the Special Weapon that X obtains from defeating Jet Stingray in Mega Man X4. This weapon is based off Jet Stingray's ability to summon robotic stingrays to attack enemies. In normal fire, X fires a small stingray-like robot that travels across the ground and down walls. The drone will float diagonally downwards to the ground from X's buster before traveling along the terrain, but by pushing DOWN on the D-pad before it touches the ground or a wall, the stingray drone will instead instantly fall at a 90° angle and will then travel along the ground. By pushing DOWN on the D-pad before pressing the FIRE button however, the drone will instead drop straight down from X's buster and immediately begin to move along the ground. Ground Hunters can only travel downwards on walls regardless of whether they were fired at a wall or if they simply followed the terrain to a 90° angle. Up to three Ground Hunters can be present on the screen at a time, and they can all be commanded to fall at the same time. When charged, X fires a large energy stingray drone that travels straight across the screen. By pressing UP or DOWN on the D-pad, the stingray will even produce small energy stingrays in its wake above and below it. Unlike Jet Stingray's, X's will explode once it hits enemies.

Ground Hunter is Slash Beast's weakness. Using it against him will not only stun him, but it will also break his metal toenails, disabling some of his moves. Striking him again with another Ground Hunter will cancel his attacks and trap him in a loop, making the fight against him easier. Ground Hunter is also effective against Sigma's disfigured head form in the final battle against him.