Metroid Dread is finally here, and one of its signature additions to the series is absolutely terrifying. The E.M.M.I. robots that stalk and threaten Samus at several points across the game manage to flip the script on the galaxy’s premier bounty hunter, turning her into nearly-helpless prey. Your only hope is to escape them until sufficiently armed, and we’re here to help you do just that. Read on to learn not only how to counter an E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread, but also how to avoid and ultimately defeat them!
Note: There is a section at the very bottom of this guide that discusses the different types of E.M.M.I. in the game. You may want to avoid this section if you consider that information a spoiler-risk.
How many E.M.M.I. are in Metroid Dread?
Samus will go face-to-face with six different E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread, although there’s technically a seventh one you’ll face in a sort-of tutorial near the beginning of the game.
What does “E.M.M.I.” mean?
The name “E.M.M.I.” is an acronym that stands for “Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier.”
How to avoid E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread
E.M.M.I. patrol specific areas, usually denoted by a frosty visual effect emanating from platforms. Your earliest encounter with a fully functioning E.M.M.I. about 10 to 15 minutes into the game will show this, along with a pause to show your map screen, denoting its specific area. The clearest tell you’re entering their zone of patrol will be a unique kind of door that appears to be a network of floating cubes.
Once you’re within an E.M.M.I.’s territory, you’ll need to make note of its “modes.” This indicates what the robot’s current behavior is and how you should handle yourself:
- Patrol Mode: This will feature a blue light coming from the E.M.M.I., and means it’s unaware of Samus’ presence.
- Search Mode: This will feature a yellow light coming from the E.M.M.I., and means it’s heard a strange noise – including Samus’ footsteps, which can be seen as “pulses.”
- Pursuit Mode: This will feature a red light coming from the E.M.M.I., and means it’s locked on to Samus with intent to kill
Avoiding E.M.M.I. will involve three skills. The first of these is moving slowly and quietly in order to keep it from detecting you. This might take some time to master, and isn’t as necessary in the earlier encounters. The more pressing and universal skill is maneuvering around the areas quickly once you are spotted, using the environment to your advantage to force E.M.M.I. to take roundabout paths in order to slip by once it’s committed to its course of movement.
The final skill involves an upgrade Samus will receive relatively early. The Phantom Cloak is gained by defeating the boss Corpius, met via proceeding through the game. This allows you to turn Samus invisible to E.M.M.I. and is fueled by an Aeion meter, which will drain more quickly if you’re moving. If you can find a spot to stay still and hidden until the robot has passed, you can avoid one of the trickiest parts of Metroid Dread.
How to counter E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread
Once an E.M.M.I. has caught Samus, you are officially moments away from a potential Game Over. You’ll have two chances to counter this murder machine, indicated much like other physical counter opportunities in Dread. Both a flash of light and distinct sound will play during the window for your counter, letting Samus strike the robot and giving you a window to escape.
Unlike other counter opportunities in Metroid Dread, countering E.M.M.I. is made extremely difficult for two reasons. For one, the window of time to successfully parry one is quite small, meaning even with two chances you’ll have to time this carefully. The other is that the specific frame when this opportunity comes up can change across capture animations.
You might notice that E.M.M.I. entrapments have four different, possible animations. Even with the same animation, the timing window can change, increasing the threat level of these robots due to this random factor. What we can say is that the first will come after the E.M.M.I. raises its claw to attack Samus, while the second will be at some point after its head has opened. Avoiding should always be prioritized over parrying, but if you’re forced into this last-ditch scenario, try and stay calm and watch/listen for your cues.
Once you’ve successfully countered, you can safely slide under a stunned E.M.M.I. to make a run for it, ideally in a way that will make its continued pursuit more difficult.
How to defeat E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread
Samus’ usual arsenal is completely ineffective against these technological terrors. To put them down for good, you’ll need to locate a Control Unit somewhere in or near its patrol area. Doing this will temporarily grant you both the Omega Stream and the Omega Cannon, extremely powerful weapons that can bypass their defences.
Once you’ve gained this, the ideal scenario will see you some distance from the E.M.M.I. with a clean shot at it – think a straight hallway. Aiming the Omega Stream will be from over your shoulder and requires you take aim at the E.M.M.I.’s head.
The first, damaged one you encounter will be dispatched in a single hit from the charged Omega Cannon, but later face-offs will require more effort to take their…face off. This is why having distance is important, as they’ll still be coming for you even with your improved chances. Hitting them enough with the Omega Stream will eventually take their head plating away completely, but know that if you let up or it catches up and attempts to attack you that their protective layer will restore itself.
Once completely exposed, a fully charged Omega Cannon shot to the head will kill an E.M.M.I. completely, letting Samus finally explore their territory in peace.
What are the different types of E.M.M.I.?
Apart from the first E.M.M.I. Samus faces, each comes in a different color (white, green, yellow, blue, purple, and finally red) with each having their own strengths:
- The White E.M.M.I. is great at climbing.
- The Green E.M.M.I. is great at navigating tight spaces.
- The Yellow E.M.M.I. is great with speed — and is very fast.
- The Blue E.M.M.I. can immobilize players.
- The Purple E.M.M.I. can go through walls (and also immobilize players).
- The Red E.M.M.I. can destroy environments with explosions.
More Metroid Dread guides
Looking for more help with Metroid Dread? Check out our other guides!
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
