Gabyoall,[1] also known as Spine,[2] is an enemy first appearing in the original Mega Man. It is a very flat, disc-like robot with spikes on top and a central control unit, able to slide around and speed up if Mega Man is near.
Gabyoall are among the enemy types from the first Mega Man that have become staples of the series, with different models featuring not just in the Classic era but also in later ones.
In Mega Man, Gabyoalls are among the more common enemy types, appearing in Elec Man Stage, Ice Man Stage, Fire Man Stage and Bomb Man's stage. They patrol platforms, going left and right and turning around at the edge. Though not very fast by default, they speed up instantly as long as Mega Man is standing at the same height. Jumping will reset their speed until Mega Man comes back down, and they do not actively chase him, making them a largely timing-based hazard.
Gabyoalls are invincible to the Mega Buster and such shots fired at the same height go over them, though if Mega Man is able to hit the Gabyoall from a slightly lower vantage point, it will be stunned briefly. Special weapons however are very effective, with most destroying them instantly and the Ice Slasher freezing them like any other enemy.
A robot made to attack intruders who've sneaked into Dr. Wily's bases. It can be destroyed with certain weapons.
HP 01
AT 03
Related Enemies
Gabyoalls or enemies very similar to them feature in almost all games of the Classic era, and in some games from other eras as well. While different models exist, traits are typically shared between them - notably, all are able to move along the ground, invulnerable to regular attack methods (but sometimes able to be stunned), and most of them speed up when at the same height as the player's character.
Springer (Mega Man 2) - Cannot be stunned, but can be destroyed with certain weapons. Springs up when it touches Mega Man. Not a true Gabyoall, but similar in function.
Electric Gabyoall (Mega Man 3) - A pair of invincible Gabyoalls, one on the floor and one on the ceiling. They never speed up, but periodically create electricity between them.
Garyoby (Mega Man 4) - Cannot be stunned, but can be destroyed with certain weapons. Unusually tall due to a buzzsaw attached to it.
Spiral Gabyoall (Mega Man 7) - Can be stunned with the Buster or destroyed with a certain weapon. Briefly stops at the edge of the platform, if not speeding up.
Gagabyoall (Mega Man 9) - Can be stunned with the Buster or destroyed with some special weapons. Very flat, so shots go over it.
Sprinklan (Mega Man 10) - Springs up and lobs shots when attacked or touched. Can be destroyed with certain weapons. A variant of the Springer.
X era
Rolling Gabyoall (Mega Man X) - Cannot be stunned, but can be destroyed with a certain weapon. Never speeds up, but flips from the top of a platform to the bottom and vice-versa.
Zero era
Top Gabyoall (Mega Man Zero) - Can be stunned with attacks, but cannot be destroyed. Sometimes found on the ceiling or on walls.
Trivia
The Gabyoall's name comes from 画鋲 gabyō, the Japanese word for thumbtack.
References
↑Mega Man: Official Complete Works art book, 2009.
