The Sigma Virus (シグマウィルス Shiguma Wirusu) is Sigma's true form, a sentient virus first seen in Mega Man X2. It is an evolution of the Maverick Virus, maintaining the power to corrupt Reploids and Mechaniloids into Mavericks.
The Sigma Virus is a program that can infect and manipulate the A.I. of machines and robots. Infected Reploids begin to behave irregularly and eventually become dangerously irrational. These Mavericks often become delusional and act with complete disregard for the consequences. When it manifests in reality, it resembles a disembodied head of Sigma.
Unlike its Maverick Virus predecessor, the Sigma Virus is unique in that it is part of the "spirit" of Sigma, and thus he can exert his influence onto the infected and motivate them to support him or destroy his enemies. Once Sigma has taken hold of their systems, Reploids do not need to be persuaded to embrace his extreme anti-human sentiments; however, they become psychotically insane to the point of extreme violence, even towards other Reploids. The virus is also the reason for Sigma's longevity, as Sigma is able to live on through the virus; if his body is destroyed, he can cling to existence through the Sigma Virus until he finds a new body to inhabit. The virus is undetectable by conventional scanners, but its energy can be sensed by Reploids.
The Sigma Virus is relentless, and once an infection has reached the critical stage the infected cannot be easily returned to normality, in which case death is the only permanent cure; therefore, the most common option for infected Reploids is to be retired by the Maverick Hunters. A countermeasure to infection by Maverick Viruses was created by Dr. Doppler (both a real one and a fake one), and the Anti-Virus Guard and Virus Buster were developed by the Hunters to fight infection, but neither could eradicate the Sigma Virus after infection. After the end of the X series, a true cure for the Sigma Virus was finally developed in the form of the Mother Elf.
Dr. Doppler was the first Reploid to return to normal after having been infected by Sigma, albeit perhaps only for a brief time. X and Zero were the first robots who could not be turned Maverick by the Sigma Virus; X only suffered pain from infection, while Zero actually grew stronger. Flame Hyenard is an example of someone who suffered a severe reaction to the Sigma Virus, and under its excruciating influence he felt constant pain. The Copy Chips in new generation Reploids such as Axl also granted built-in immunity to all viruses, but Lumine going Maverick caused their production to be called into question.
Recessional of the Red Dragons[]
Not much is said as Jet was looking thru Trudy's profiles of her Replod allies, but the virus was of course responsible for corrupting Reploids into Mavericks, including Zero's closest allies of the General, Colonel and his lover, Iris. Even with the Maverick Virus corrupting Sigma. In a way, Zero and X can relate to Spike since he was corrupted by the neo-Red Dragons with Neo Sigma infecting fellow members of the Maverick Hunters.
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