Mega Man X5/Equipment

Tanks, armors and rides are found during the stages, unlike weapons and parts, that are obtained after clearing stages.

The armors can only be used after all parts are collected. If you want a high mission rank, skip the capsules to save time and re-visit the stages later. Only Mega Man X can use the Falcon and the Gaea armors.

There is one Heart tank in each of the eight Maverick stages.

Energy tanks

 * The Sub-Tanks can be filled by collecting energy capsules when X/Zero's life bar is full; by selecting a Sub-Tank, part of the character's life energy will be refilled; both of them are in plain view in the stages.
 * The W-Tank works in a similar way to the Sub-Tanks, but it works on weapons energy; in order to find it, drop down faster than the downwards lift.
 * The EX-Tank simply adds two extra lifes to the total, and allows to restart the game with 4 extra lifes instead of 2; it is in plain view in the stage.

Armors
In this game, you can obtain multiple sets of armor upgrades for X at once, and choose which one to use before each stage. However, the armor upgrades can't be used individually; you must collect a full set of armor upgrades to be able to use it.

Fourth Armor
Just start the game as X, and he'll have this armor available from the beginning. It's the same armor he got in Mega Man X4, except it no longer allows infinite special weapons, and can no longer use the Nova Strike. But it does still allow you to hover, air-dash, and charge special weapons, as well as increasing your defense. It also comes with the Plasma Shot buster upgrade, despite the fact that the sprite displays the Stock Charge upgrade.

Description
In-game script:

''X... We're having serious trouble again... It's like a nightmare for Reploids, with the virus everywhere. It's too dangerous to equip the parts for enhancement as soon as you pick one. Therefore, I'll give you a data program for parts. Analyze and upload the data to your main memory in a secure area. Then complete the Armor. For security reasons, the program is divided into four segments. Once you gather and upload all four parts, the armor will be complete. Nothing happens unless you have all four. Ummm... Her name is Alia, isn't it...? She can analyze the data and let you upload it... ''


 * 1) Anyway, here is the program for legs. With the leg part equipped, you can fly through the air, and you are also invincible while flying! Collide against the enemy to destroy them! Gather all of the four programs, and complete the armor! 
 * 2) This is the program for the body part of the Falcon Armor. With the body part equipped, the damage you receive will be less. But don't overestimate the part, or you'll regret it... 
 * 3) This is the program for the head part of the Falcon Armor. With the head part equipped, you can use your special weapons using less energy. Now, take advantage of your enhanced special weapons and triumph! 
 * 4) This is the program for the arm part of the Falcon Armor. With the arm part equipped, you can maximize and attack with your original shot, but you can't charge the special weapons. As this armor specializes the mobility, if you want to enhance your attack power, use other armor. 

This armor enables X to fly for a limited time by pressing the Jump button in midair. While flying, he's invincible to anything that doesn't inflict instant death, and can damage enemies by touching them. Its charged buster shot is a thin, piercing laser shot that can go through walls. It also increases your defense, and makes your special weapons use less energy. It doesn't charge special weapons, however. Its Giga Attack makes laser shots rain up and down all over the screen, damaging every enemy on screen.

Armor parts locations

 * Legs Upgrade: the boots upgrade is in Grizzly Slash's stage. Just after the section with the trucks, look for an opening in the roof of the cave, and climb up the wall there to reach it. There's a tricky jump there, you need to dash-jump off the wall on the right and turn around in the air to reach the upper right wall, then climb up that to reach the upgrade capsule.
 * Body Upgrade: the body upgrade is in Duff McWhalen's stage. You need to beat McWhalen first, then revisit this stage and use the Goo Shaver to hit the little bomb next to the capsule in order to blast open the wall blocking you from the upgrade.
 * Head Upgrade: the head upgrade is in Squid Adler's stage. During the Ride Chaser segment at the start, you need to collect all eight of the little orbs. If you get them all, at the end of the Ride Chaser section, X will use them to destroy the door that leads to the room with the upgrade.
 * Arm Upgrade: the arm upgrade is in Izzy Glow's stage. You need the C-Shot or C-Sword. Look for an opening in the ceiling, climb up on the right, and use the C-Shot or C-Sword to destroy one of the cannons on the left to open the way to the capsule.

Description
In-game script:
 * 1) I'll give you another program for your armor... This is an armor prototype that I created a long, long time ago... I named it Gaea Armor. Gaea armor specializes in defense ability. It is very heavy and lacks mobility... You won't be able to use weapons. Still, it will be very useful because you will be able to walk on the damaged area... With this armor equipped, you'll be able to reach places that you have never been able to before... Use your armor wisely. 
 * 2) This is the program for the head part of the Gaea Armor. Analyze and upload the data to your main memory in a secure area. Once you upload all four of the programs, the Gaea Armor will be complete. 
 * 3) This is the program for the body part of the Gaea armor. With the body part equipped, the damage you receive will become less. 
 * 4) This is the program for the arm part of the Gaea Armor. With the arm part equipped, you can Attack with the Gaea shot! While the range of the Gaea shot is short, it's powerful and it can neutralize the enemies' energy bullets. Also, you can break a certain brick! 

This armor makes X immune to spikes, and lets him cling to walls without sliding down. Its charged buster shot can destroy the black blocks marked with a "V", and its dash can move those blocks. However, it can't use any special weapons or Parts, its shots have a more limited range, it has no air-dash, and it slows you down a little. Its Giga Attack creates a large ball of energy in front of X to destroy enemies right in front of him.

Armor parts locations

 * Head Upgrade: it is in Dark Dizzy's stage. You need the F-Laser. Right before the door to the boss room, there's a hole in the floor. Drop through it to the room with the upgrade. To get to it, you'll need to shoot an uncharged F-Laser shot and guide it through the tunnels to hit the blue wall from the other side. This is a bit tricky, since the shot disappears if it hits anything along the way. Precise timing is required to guide the shot through the tunnels.
 * Body Upgrade: it is in the Skiver's stage. You need the Falcon Armor. When you reach the part with the platform that goes diagonally up-right, just fly straight up to reach the upgrade.
 * Arm Upgrade: it is in Mattrex's stage. It's all the way to the right, under the entrance to the boss room. Either fly over to it with the Falcon Armor, or use the Ride Armor to approach it through the lava.
 * Legs Upgrade: it is in Axle the Red's stage. Late in the stage, look for an opening in the ceiling above one of the rails, and fly up with the Falcon Armor.

Description
In-game script:
 * I never expected you to come here without the armor... But it's very dangerous to go without adequate equipment. To finish this battle, I'll give you the Ultimate Armor. You can perform the Giga Attack unlimited times. But don't get lazy and depend too much on the power of the armor. The end is near... Good luck, X! 
 * Zero... I wasn't able to create any armor for you... But I seem to be able to enhance your abilities... Whether you enter this capsule or not, the decision is up to you. But if you enter, the Z-Saber will be enhanced, and your defense power will be increased... I believe in you. You will use these powers in the right way to fight evil. Decide... and choose your fate. 

As in Mega Man X4, the Ultimate Armor for X has all the same capabilities as the Fourth Armor, but with unlimited use of the Nova Strike. Also, this armor enhances Zero's attack and defense power, and grants the same effects as the parts Shot Eraser, Shock Buffer and Virus Buster.

Armor locations
In order to get it, you should play the third Zero Virus level without any armor. Look for a pit with a platform hovering above it, and slide down the right side of it. You'll find a Dr. Light capsule that gives you the armor.

However, if you're playing as X it doesn't actually equip it, so you'll have to either finish the stage armorless, or lose all your lives and go back to the stage select screen to equip the Ultimate Armor. Unlike X, Zero equips this armor immediately.

Secret codes
Alternatively, you can begin the game with it by entering a secret code. After clearing a stage, leave the game idle for five-ten minutes, and the secret codes will be revealed.

For X's Ultimate Armor, on the character select screen, highlight X, and press twice, then  nine times. You'll hear a chime. Then start the game.

For Zero's black armor, on the character select screen, highlight Zero, then press twice, then  nine times. You'll hear a chime. Then start the game.

The Rides
Rides are part of the stages, and have to be abandoned when getting to specific points
 * The Ride Bike is used in the first part of Squid Adler's stage.
 * The Ride Armor can be used in the second part of Mattrex's stage, and it allows to get one part of the Gaea armor.