Sting Chameleon, known as Sting Chameleao (スティング・カメリーオ) in Japan, is a Maverick from the X era, first appearing as one of the main bosses in Mega Man X. He is a spike-themed Reploid based on a chameleon, with the ability to turn invisible and manipulate spikes or thorns.
Like the rest of the Mavericks in the first game, he was previously part of the Maverick Hunters, specifically serving in the 9th Special Unit (Rangers).
Sting Chameleon debuted in Mega Man X as one of the eight Mavericks on the Stage Select screen. He serves as the boss of Forest Stage. The Japanese game manual states he is a former Maverick Hunter of the 9th Special (Rangers) Unit who joined Sigma's rebellion, and works as head of security at a front-line forest base.[4]
Sting Chameleon can be difficult to keep track of in battle and requires good reflexes to overcome, as his attacks can be unpredictable. Defeating Sting Chameleon grants X the Chameleon Sting. His weakness is the Boomerang Cutter, from Boomer Kuwanger, which is useful as it can knock him down from the walls. A boss attack rematch with Sting Chameleon later occurs in Sigma Stage 3.
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
Render from Mega Man Maverick Hunter X.
In the remake Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, Sting Chameleon receives a redesign but plays largely the same role as in Mega Man X, being the boss of Recon Base Ruins. He is a snide villain taking advantage of Sigma's rebellion, but also makes a suspicious comment about hostages being involved. In battle, for X he is still weak to Boomerang Cutter and yields Chameleon Sting upon his defeat, while for Vile he is weak to weapons obtained from Boomerang Kuwanger (Metal Crescent, Quick Homesick, Parasite Sword, Two Headed Slash, Marooned Tomahawk) and yields the Laser weapon system. Chameleon's boss attack rematch later occurs in Sigma Palace 3.
Mega Man X DiVE
In Mega Man X DiVE, Maverick Data of Sting Chameleon appears as the final boss of Chapter 7 in Story Mode, being fought in Area Forest 7-6. His defeat unlocks the Chip Transparency. He also reappeared as a boss in the Event Beat the Chameleon and Jakob.
Chameleon was a highly-skilled Hunter operating with the 9th Special Unit (Rangers), but his sly, sneaky tricks and sharp tongue left him unpopular and he was never chosen for promotion to unit leader. Never one to pass up an opportunity, he has used Sigma's uprising as a means to rise through the ranks. Now, he is grimly protective of his post as a defender of a front-line base in the jungle.[2]
Before joining the rebellion, he was a Reploid in the 9th Special Unit (Rangers). He can change his body's color at will to hide in the forest and attack enemies. He is a powerful Hunter who fights with his Special Weapon, Chameleon Sting, which shoots the spikes on his tail in three directions, and his long tongue whip. He is cunning and untrustworthy, so he has been unable to become the captain of his unit.[JP]
A Reploid from the 9th Special Unit (Rangers). Despite his skills, he never become a captain due to his unpopularity, so he saw the rebellion as an opportunity to rise to the top. He is in charge of security at a front-line base.[JP]
Reploid who belongs to the 9th Special Battalion (Rangers). Using his tongue for quick attacks, along with his ability to blend into his surroundings, makes him a highly-skilled Hunter. On the other hand, he goes too far in his mantra of "by any means necessary," and is called a coward for his sometimes sly, sneaky tricks. Bested by Sigma, he joins the rebellion, using his skills learned as a Ranger to be the first line of defense for the forest base.
He was a Maverick Hunter of the 9th Special Unit. Sting Chameleon possesses the Camouflage ability that allows him to blend into any environment. Cunning and skeptical, he usually uses ambush, trap, and other combat skills. [sic]
"Inafune did Eagle and Penguin, Kaji designed Mandrill, Octopus, and Chameleon. Mammoth, Armadillo, and Kuwanger were Tazaki's. Even as I watched them work, I could really see each of their distinct flavors coming out in their illustrations." - (Tatsuya Yoshikawa)[3]
"The visual effect of Chameleon fading away was an idea that came from one of the programmers. I remember how everyone on our team was amazed by what the programmers were capable of. Excited about all the crazy things we could do now, things we couldn't have done with the NES, we kept popping out ideas that we thought were outrageous... and the programmers just kept making them all come to life!" - (Hayato Kaji)[3]
