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The Iron Maiden (アイアンメイデン Aian Meiden?) is a large enemy type, only seen in miniboss battles, and is a major recurring miniboss in the Gradius series, originally appearing as the Stage 4 miniboss in Gradius.

Details[]

Iron Maidens traverse the terrain in an attempt to collide with the player. If the player is not in a good position or has not dealt with the other enemies in the area they can quickly become overwhelmed. While present in most ports of Gradius, they were replaced by an Inverted Volcano in the NES version.

Attack patterns[]

Gradius 3 (SNES) - Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden in Gradius III.

The Iron Maiden is usually joined by two Dagoom hatches, which spawn a constant stream of enemies until they are dealt with. The Iron Maiden itself follows a preset movement pattern, along the path of the mountain and terrain, before eventually enclosing in on the player, and once they move up to the right side of the screen, they advance directly at the player. It's possible to move around them as they're advancing at the player, but if the Iron Maidens are fast enough then it's better not to try this.

In Salamander, the Iron Maiden appears as a regular enemy in the final mission. Here they are much smaller than the regular Iron Maidens and have a different pattern, jumping from the walls and shooting.

In Gradius ReBirth, the terrain they're normally present in is inverted and they actually emerge from the terrain itself. It only happens if the stage itself is geologically frozen.

Strategy[]

The main way to survive these minibosses is to first take out the Dagoom hatches if possible, find a safe spot and stay there, dodging projectiles headed your way as necessary. This safe spot should optimally be able to hit newer Iron Maidens coming into the area, as well as older ones as they get closer. If the safe spot is sound, you'll be able to take out the Maidens with little trouble, as they have little health.

In Gradius, it's possible to get to the right and let the Iron Maidens fly past you, but make sure to have the hatches destroyed. Also, stay in the middle. In Gradius ReBirth, hiding in the upper-right corner will work as well.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

See also[]

Gradius
Ships Vic Viper
Stages VolcanoStonehengeMoaiReverse VolcanoWasteland (PCE) • TentacleCellBase
Sub Bosses VolcanoZub RushMother and ChildIron MaidenTentacleElectronic Cage

Re-Bone (PC Engine) • Tornado (MSX) • Tyran Pace (MSX)

Bosses Big CoreCell NucleusXaerous Brain
Gradius III
Ships Vic Viper
Stages DesertBubble ZoneVolcanic PlanetHigh Speed DimensionMoai ZoneCell PlanetProminence PlanetPlant PlanetCrystal ZoneBoss RushMechanical Base
SNES exclusive stages High Speed ZoneFortressCell
Bosses GoliathBubble EyeGodreiBig Core MK IIIDogasVaifTwin Vaif (SNES) • GregolWyvernVulture DragonChoking WeedLizard CoreBeacon (SNES) • TetranCovered CoreBig Core MK IICrystal CoreDeath MK IIDellinger CoreDisruptShadow GearShadow Gear MK II (SNES) • Big CoreGolemBacterian
Gradius ReBirth
Characters James Burton (Vic Viper) • GaudieVenom
Stages VolcanoCellMoaiWastelandAntichthon
Bosses VolcanoIron MaidenBig Core DuoZub RushCrawler XMoai OrbRe-BoneEnigmaElectronic Cage MK2Xaerous Brain
Minibosses / Panic segments
Traditional / Recurring VolcanoZub RushIron MaidenRe-BoneFortress ValisJumping MoaiDogas
One Shot Mother and ChildTentacleTornadoTyran PaceZigzagAmbSoddSinarCrash Bam
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