The robot space pirate is the most standard and common enemy type of the Space Pirate enemy faction in Rift Apart. They like to rush up to you and slash with their swords, so they are often the most immediate threat when facing pirates.
The shield pirate is a guarding space pirate, carrying a thick titanium shield that protects it from frontal attacks.
They are very similar to their counterpart unit in Ratchet's dimension; the buccaneers and hardy buccaneers. Throughout the events of Rift Apart their armor will become upgraded and their attacks will inflict more damage.
History[]
Rift Apart[]
They are first encountered by Rivet as patrons at Zurkie's Gastropub. Soon after they are fought in the Battleplex Bronze Cup challenge "Welcoming Committee" where Rivet fights several pirates to win a signal booster for Clank from Pierre Le Fer. Later they are fought in the Silver Cup challenge "The Mangling". Shield pirates are fought during the Gold Cup challenge "Twice as Nice".
On Torren IV the Robot Space Pirates are fought by Rivet during the pirate's raid of Molonoth Gulch and by Ratchet at their home base on Ardolis. After being broken out of their cells along with all the other inmates at Zordoom Prison by Rivet, they form an alliance with her and her allies against the Nefarious Troopers that imprisoned them. Later at Megalopolis, the Robot Space Pirates assist Ratchet and Rivet against Emperor Nefarious' forces and his Imperial Power Suit.
Several of the pirate's swords and shields are seen at the entrance to Zurkie's Gastropub in the weapons confiscation room. Many swords are also seen confiscated in a large pile at Zordoom Prison along with their shields and pistols, when the pirates were captured and imprisoned by the Nefarious Troopers.
Combat[]
Since they like to rush you, you have to keep an eye out for them in battle. It's all too easy for one to sneak up from the sides or behind and deal a strong blow. Their walking speed is about as fast as Ratchet and Rivet's, meaning they will catch up to you rather quick even when attempting to keep your distance.
This unit is not well protected however, which means any weapon will do to take them down. That said, shotgun weapons like The Enforcer and Pixelizer are rather effective thanks to their knockback effect, which can keep them back at a distance. Weapons like the Glove of Doom or Mr. Fungi can be useful since they will distract them and draw their attention away from the lombaxes.
The shield pirate meanwhile is one of the most tricky enemies in Rift Apart, bearing a shield that blocks light attacks, allowing them to creep towards you for a melee strike. This more than makes up for the Space Pirates lack of any flying units. They will always be facing towards you and the shield will absorb any damage from your weapons, so it's best to use a weapon with a throwing arc attack like the Shatterbomb that you can lob just behind them, so the explosion will cover their vulnerable back.
That said, the shield does break away with enough medium and heavy attacks: if ammo isn't important to you, several Warmonger shots will make short work of them. The Topiary Sprinkler is the recommended weapon choice here: it will freeze them in place, making it very easy to run behind them and take them out with a more traditional weapon or a Cold Snap shot for the same affect. The Glove of Doom is also a good choice if you can throw the DoomEgg behind them, allowing the Agents to run up from behind and chomp them. If you're in Challenge Mode, the Bouncer is also a pretty good choice since the mini-grenades will tear through their shields. The Heavy Bouncer is even better thanks to releasing explosions on every minigrenade bounce. If you're an excellent shot, the Headhunter is also a great weapon since you can land headshots by firing through the window at the top of the shield. If their shield is destroyed they will function the same as the standard robot space pirate and rush you with their blade attacks.
Behind the scenes[]
Sometimes if they land a hit, they will gloat and stop to take a selfie with an antique camera box on the end of a selfie stick.
This pirate model's head comes in four different design variations.