Wire Sponge

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Maverick Info

Artwork from Mega Man X2.
Stage portrait(s).
General Information
Name(s):	Wire Sponge, Wire Hetimarl
Inspiration:	Luffa
Game Information
Group(s):	Mavericks
Weapon(s):	Strike Chain Lightning
Weakness(es):	Sonic Slicer Fire Wave
Stage(s):	X2: Weather Control Stage XT2: Weather Stage

Wire Sponge, known as Wire Hetimarl (ワイヤー・ヘチマール) in Japan, is a Maverick from the X era, first appearing as one of the main bosses in Mega Man X2. He is a chain-themed Reploid based on a luffa, who fights with mechanical vines and spikes. He is an SA-Class Maverick who was created by Sigma, suffering from a quirk that makes him playful and violent.

In the Games

Mega Man X2

Sprite from Mega Man X2.

Wire Sponge debuted in Mega Man X2 as one of the eight Mavericks on the Stage Select screen. He serves as the boss of Weather Control Stage. The Japanese manual states that he is a defective Reploid created in one of Sigma's Maverick factories. He loves to dance and recklessly plays with weather control systems.

Wire Sponge's variety of attacks can be difficult to navigate, and he powers up with electricity once he has lost half his health. Defeating Wire Sponge grants X the Strike Chain. His weakness is the Sonic Slicer, from Overdrive Ostrich, which can interrupt his chains and even slice him in half. A boss attack rematch with Wire Sponge later occurs in X-Hunter Stage 4.

Mega Man Xtreme 2

Sprite from Mega Man Xtreme 2.

In Mega Man Xtreme 2, Wire Sponge returns as a resurrected Maverick guardian of Laguz Island. He is one of the four bosses in Zero Mission, being the boss of Weather Stage. His defeat gives Strike Chain to X and Lightning to Zero, and is weak to Fire Wave. Wire Sponge is later part of the boss attack in the Sigma Stage in Extreme Mode.

Other Game Appearances

• In Mega Man X Legacy Collection, Wire Sponge appears in X Challenge. He is fought alongside Web Spider in 1-3 (in Vol. 2), and alongside Spike Rosered in 4-2 in both versions.
• In Mega Man ZX Advent, Wire Sponge can be seen in a cameo, absorbed into the base of the Tower of Verdure.
• In Rockman ✕over, Wire Sponge appears in a Battle Memory.
• In TEPPEN, Wire Sponge appears in multiple cards.
• In Dragon Poker, Wire Sponge appears as an event character.

Other Media

• In the Rockman X2 manga, Wire Sponge reprises his role from Mega Man X.
• In Rockman X Mega Mission, Wire Sponge is revived as Wire Hetimarl L by the Limited.
• In the Archie Mega Man comic, Wire Sponge appears in the "Worlds Unite" arc as one of the Mavericks resurrected in Sigma's army.

Official Data

Source	Data
Rockman X2 manual	A mysterious Reploid of unknown allegiance. In reality, he is a failed product of Sigma's factories. He is an eccentric person who enjoys dancing, and is satisfied as long as he's having fun. His latest game is taking control of the weather control center and changing the weather at will.[JP]
Kodansha Manga Hyakka #24: Rockman & Rockman X Himitsu Daihyakka	...[JP]
Kodansha Manga Hyakka #34: Rockman X Chō Hyakka	...[JP]
	Height: 188 cm	Weight: 96 kg	Max Power: 4000rp	Max Speed: 3200rp
Compendium of Rockman X (X2)	Affiliation unknown. Intel indicates that he is a Reploid created in Sigma's factories. With a cheerful disposition, he loves to dance, and carelessly changes the weather while occupying the climate control center.[JP]
Compendium of Rockman X (XT2)	A Reploid of unknown affiliation that appeared in Mega Man X2. He had a carefree personality and was satisfied as long as he was having fun, playfully changing the climate at the weather center.[JP]
Mega Man X Legacy Collection	A mysterious Reploid of unknown allegiance. Wire Sponge is actually a failed experiment created in Sigma's war machine factory. He is strangely cheerful despite his violent nature, and loves nothing more than to dance and play. Sigma has obliged him with his very own playground: the weather control center, where he loves to alter the weather on a whim.

Behind the Scenes

Nomenclature

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	Wire Hetimarl (ワイヤー・ヘチマール)	"Hetimarl" is derived from the Japanese "hechima" (ヘチマ) meaning luffa.
English	Wire Sponge	"Sponge" refers to the practical use of luffas as sponges.