Invader III Fighter

Invader III
Manufacturer	Macbeth Weapons Factory
Role	Capital ship escort Heavy assault fighter.
Affiliation	Andross's army
Appearance(s)	Star Fox 64/3D

Invader III, or Fighter III (ワイターIII) in Japan, were a class of starfighter used by the Venom forces tasked at Sector Z during the Lylat Wars.

Appearance

These fighters were a vast improvement over the previous series (Invader I and Invader II), being highly maneuverable, fast, well armored, and having intelligent and more ruthless pilots. Invader III's can go up against even Arwings and put up a competent showing.

Enemy Recon

“The Invader III is the latest version of a ship first seen on Fichina. If they give you lost of trouble, take out most but not all of the first squadron. If you destroy them all before the first missile arrives, another squadron will appear just as the missile does, making thing doubly dangerous.”

—Official Nintendo Power Player's Guide, pg 97

All pilots, scramble!

“In this All-Range area, Andross's forces are piloting the improved Invader III fighter, which is faster and tougher than its predecessors. They'll try to lure you away from Great Fox and your wingmen, but stay in close so you can help them on a moment's notice. If your'e having trouble tracking enemies, switch to the wide-angle view. Keep targets in view as you fire your charged lasers. If you lock on to an enemy, but it flies off the screen as you fire, you may not get the hit. Once the first squadron is destroyed, another will fly in, but usually not before the first missile appears in the sector.”

—Official Nintendo Power Player's Guide, pg 96

Medal Tips

“Try to destroy the first wave of fighters before the first missile arrives. Once the second wave of missiles appears, you'll have to concentrate on the missiles. Throughout this fight, you'll have your hands full fending off the missiles and keeping your wingmen alive. The mission will end as soon as a missile hits Great Fox, so you've got to concentrate on that threat once they appear. This is one of the most challenging medals to win.”

—Star Fox 64.com

History

Invader IIIs are first seen in the Battle of Sector Z, where they make an attempt to ambush the Star Fox team. No one was sure what Andross was planning in Sector Z. It's a space graveyard full of wrecked warships, so he may been scavenging them for parts. The Star Fox Team's mission was originally to scout the Sector, but warned by General Pepper to use caution as the enemy army was now gunning for them. It was later revealed to trap as part of a plan to cripple Great Fox and ultimately weaken Star Fox's dominance in the Lylat Wars. Using two waves of overwhelming units, the fighters also escorted six Copperhead missiles to be used against the gargantuan mothership. However, despite their advancements, the Invader IIIs were unable to take down Star Fox and defend the missiles. If one of the Copperheads are allowed to hit Great Fox, the player automatically goes to Bolse. Alternatively if all six fail to reach their target, the player is able to access Area 6. The majority of the fighters are thought to have been obliterated by Fox and his comrades although a remaining few are said to have survived and retreated, as emphasised by a quote at the end of the mission by Peppy Hare.

Other Models

• Earlier within the war, pilot Katt Monroe had stolen an Invader III prototype from the Venom Army and heavily modified it as her personal star fighter to use throughout the conflict.

“Katt Monroe is an expert pilot and an occasional ally of the Star Fox team. The Cornerian military considers her a bit of a nuisance but acknowledges that she has been useful in the fight against Andross. Intel reports state that Katt was once ambushed- and her ship crippled- by an Androssian patrol, and that because of this incident, she has dedicated herself to Andross's defeat. Katt currently flies a heavily modified Invader-class fighter, dubbed The Catspaw, apparently stolen from one of Andross's bases. When asked about this by her close friend, Falco, Katt allegedly replied, "Just be glad I'm on your side, fly boy."”

—Lylat Datalink, Katt on the wing, pg 98

Gallery

Three Invader IIIs guide a Copperhead towards Great Fox.

The Invader IIIs break off and let the Copperhead resume its flight path.

Invader IIIs swarm over Great Fox and the wing-mates.

Invader IIIs in the distance.

References

• NINTENDO POWER Star Fox 64: Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Redmond, WA, Nintendo of America. 1997.
• http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/sectorz.html
• http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/minions.html
• Star Fox 64 Keibunsha Guide. Nintendo of Japan. 1997.