Astro Slug

Astro Slug "Rebel Astro"
Information
Primary Weapons	Semi-automatic cannon Unguided rockets
Secondary Weapons	Vulcan Units Special Weapon Units
Factions	Rebel Army Regular Army
Health	3 hits
Game Appearances
First Game	Metal Slug 3
Last Game	Metal Slug Attack
Game(s)	Metal Slug 3 Metal Slug SV-001 Metal Slug Defense (Cameo) Metal Slug Mars Panic! (Final Boss) Metal Slug 3 (Pachinko) Metal Slug Attack
Sprite

The Astro Slug is a vehicle introduced in the final mission of Metal Slug 3.

Information

This single-seated spaceship was developed by the Rebel Army after the first invasion attempt by the Martians. It is specially designed to fight in space engagements against the Martians. It is stored at the very tip of the Rebel Rockets.

The Astro Slug is only equipped with a semi-automatic cannon on the top, but its true capabilities comes from its ability to equip special weapons during flight using two weapon pods on each of its sides along with its Vulcan units. It will lose a weapon pod if it sustains any damage, but it can be regenerated when another special weapon is collected or when the Astro Slug enters the Rugname. The Astro Slug also comes equipped with limited, powerful, unguided missiles that serve as firepower support.

The Heavy Machine Gun and Laser Gun use both of the Astro Slug's weapon pods simultaneously. Both the Shotgun and Rocket Launcher fire by alternating one weapon pod at a time.

Further on the mission while inside the Rugname, the Astro Slug can pick up a Vulcan power-up from an enemy which allows it to have two Vulcan units that move reverse of player movement (similar to the SV-001 Type-R in Mission 1). However, the Slug loses its Vulcan should it take any damage.

At the end of of the tunnel section, the Astro Slug crashes tip first into the ceiling, and the player exits from the rocket's top. If the Slug was destroyed beforehand, a TM-1 Missile appears in front of the player to assist in making a hole in the ceiling for them to enter.

In Other Games

Metal Slug Attack

The Astro Slug first appears as the icon representing the game's online mode. It would become a playable unit in the "Task Force 6th" Extra Ops.

The Astro Slug is rotated sideways with Marco using his jetpack goggles. It gains new weapons per special attack, and all of them fire at once. The stages are as follows:

1. Semi-automatic cannon at a straight line.
2. A Vulcan that aims in a spread.
3. Weapon pods equipped with Enemy Chasers.
4. Fires two unguided missiles.

At the fourth special attack, the Astro Slug ditches its weapons and attaches itself and an empty Astro Slug to a massive rocket. It then attacks by firing multiple unguided missiles. Its special is launching the empty Astro Slug and replacing it. Once the rocket is destroyed, the Astro Slug returns into its initial state and has to go through the process all over again.

By unlocking its 4th skill, the Astro Slug immediately deploys with the rocket.

Variants

Regular Army

	Astro Slug: The original personal rocket.
	Astro Rocket: The Rebel Rocket's tip containing the Slugs.
	Astro Ship: A customized unmanned variant painted by yellow. Unlike the original, it uses its hammerhead as an attack, and it vertically gets on top of enemy lines to incinerate them with its jet drift. Appears in Metal Slug Attack.

Rebel Army

Rebel Rocket: Space transport of the Rebel Army to fight against the Martians.

Gallery

Rebel Rocket Full Sprite

Trivia

• The Astro Slug, alongside the Rebel Armor, are the only Slugs to use special weapons as part of their armory.