With Metroid Dread's release rapidly approaching – can you believe we're only seven weeks away? – Nintendo has dropped the latest of its special reports which offer deep dives into the game's lore, mechanics, and more, as well as a brand new trailer (which you can watch above).

This time around, we get to learn more about Samus' abilities and the weapons she'll be able to use to fight off her latest deadly enemies. Fans of the series will be familiar with Samus' Beam Attacks and Missiles, but techniques such as the Melee Counter – first introduced in Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS – have been tweaked for this new adventure.

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ARM CANNON

Samus’ right arm is completely integrated with her powerful and iconic Arm Cannon, which can fire two types of weapon: rapid-fire beam attacks and powerful missiles. Because the Arm Cannon is so deeply integrated, Samus can toggle between weapon classes at will.

In the Metroid Dread game, you can attack from nearly any angle while running, jumping, or holding on to certain walls and ledges.

Beam Attacks

The beam attack is Samus’ go-to offensive ability. Acquiring upgrades can modify its power and properties, like increasing the attack’s spread or adding other functions.

One such functional upgrade is the Grapple Beam, which lends it a rope-like quality that makes the Arm Cannon capable of connecting to specific points. Once connected, Samus can tow objects or swing herself to otherwise unreachable parts of the environment.

Missiles

Unlike the endless wave of beam blasts at her disposal, Samus has a capacity limit for this compact yet powerful heavy weapon. It, too, can be enhanced with ability upgrades. Samus can increase her missile capacity—thus being able to hold more—by acquiring Missile Tanks and Missile+ Tanks scattered throughout the world. Search with diligence!

Metroid Dread Melee counter
Image: Nintendo

ACTIONS AND ABILITIES

Melee Counter

This action creates an opportunity for Samus to stun an enemy by striking it right as it’s about to attack. If successful, the stunned enemy is then open to getting hit with a powerful follow-up attack. Samus can Dash Counter while running, too.

Morph Ball

The player can drop Samus into Morph Ball form by tilting the Left Control Stick down while crouching—effectively, the same way it’s always been done in the 2D Metroid series—and now also by simply pressing the ZL Button. Samus will also automatically take Morph Ball form when jumping into an elevated tunnel.

Jumps

Samus’ unparalleled physical abilities elevate her jump actions to another level. One such action is wall jumping, where she can jump up and kick off against a wall to climb even higher.

Her jumping capabilities can also be enhanced via ability upgrades. For example, the new Spin Boost ability allows Samus to jump a second time while spinning through the air.

Aeion Abilities

Samus can tap into a special, mystical energy called Aeion to temporarily use certain abilities.

One such ability is Phantom Cloak, which blankets her in an optical camouflage to render her invisible. Using this while standing still will slowly deplete her reserve of Aeion Energy—she can also move while camouflaged, but it costs a greater amount of Aeion Energy. When not in use, her reserve automatically regenerates over time.

Metroid Dread Power Suit
Image: Nintendo

POWER SUIT

The Power Suit that Samus wears is based on Chozo technology and was created specifically for her.

Incorporating ability upgrades can expand the functionality of the Power Suit's performance and the Arm Cannon's functions.

In addition to the Power Suit’s built-in defenses, Samus can increase its Energy—and thus its capacity to withstand damage—by acquiring two kinds of Energy Tank items. Standard Energy Tanks increase her suit’s Energy by 100 each. She can also collect four Energy Parts to reconstruct the same functionality as a standard Energy Tank.

IMMUNITY TO THE X PARASITE

The Metroid were created to be the natural enemy of the X parasite.

By receiving an emergency dose of the "Metroid vaccine"—created from a cell culture previously sourced from the Metroid hatchling—Samus became the only living creature who cannot be harmed by the X parasite.

Because of her immunity, Samus alone is dispatched to planet ZDR to investigate the possible presence of the X parasite, a lifeform thought to have been eradicated.

Previous reports have looked into the franchise's history, the deadly E.M.M.I enemy, and points that define the series' 2D saga. If you're wanting to catch up on the Metroid series before checking out Dread this October, make sure to read our guide on which games you need to play.

[source metroid.nintendo.com]