Sector Z — Great Fox Defense

Overview

Sector Z is the Great Fox defense stage on the hard route, reached from Zoness after destroying all 36 searchlight buoys undetected. Six Copperhead missiles launch toward Great Fox from different vectors, and you must destroy every one before any reaches the mothership. A single miss ends the true ending attempt and demotes you to Bolse and the normal ending.

Sector Z uses all-range combat in the debris field near Great Fox. Katt, a cat-like ally, may appear on this stage if you are on the hard route. The 100-hit medal threshold is low, but missile priority overrides scoring on first attempts.

Route Triggers

Sector Z has two exits with zero margin for error:

• Area 6 (perfect defense): Destroy all six Copperhead missiles before any one hits Great Fox. ROB confirms successful interception and routes to Area 6 — the penultimate hard route stage.
• Bolse (missile hit): If even a single missile reaches Great Fox, the mothership takes damage and you are routed to Bolse instead. The true ending is no longer possible for this playthrough.

Missiles approach in waves from different angles. Each destroyed missile grants +10 hit points. Prioritize the nearest missile to Great Fox when multiple are inbound simultaneously.

Boss Strategy

Sector Z has no traditional boss — the six Copperhead missiles are the primary objective. However, enemy fighters swarm the area and serve as secondary threats. These fighters can distract you from missile interception if ignored.

Each Copperhead missile is durable but vulnerable to charged shots and smart bombs. Two or three charged shots destroy a single missile. Smart bombs can destroy multiple missiles if they cluster during wave transitions. Do not chase fighters when a missile is approaching Great Fox — let wingmates and Katt handle fighters while you intercept missiles. Missiles emit a distinct engine trail making them visible against the debris field background.

Medal Tips

Sector Z requires only 100 hits — the lowest threshold alongside Solar. Each missile destroyed gives +10 hits, so destroying all six provides 60 points toward the medal automatically. Remaining fighters and debris field enemies supply the rest.

After all six missiles are destroyed, use remaining time to hunt fighters for additional hits. On a first true ending attempt, do not prioritize medal scoring over missile interception — routing matters more. For dedicated medal runs, replay Sector Z separately. Note that Katt may steal missile kills on the hard route, reducing your personal hit count — position yourself ahead of her during missile waves.

Wingmate Advice

Wingmates intercept fighters during Sector Z, freeing you to focus on missiles. Peppy coordinates missile approach vectors with radio warnings — follow his calls to prioritize the most imminent threat. Falco and Slippy handle fighter squadrons independently.

Katt appears exclusively on the hard route at Sector Z. She flies aggressively and may destroy missiles before you reach them, stealing +10 hit bonuses. While her help ensures routing success, it complicates medal runs. Position your Arwing between Katt and each incoming missile to secure kills. See the Star Fox team guide for Katt's profile.

Switch 2 Remake Notes

Sector Z's missile interception is the most unforgiving routing check after Zoness. Each Copperhead missile emits a distinct contrail visible against the debris field — track the nearest threat first. On Switch 2, Great Fox's damage state persists visually if a missile connects, making failed attempts obvious immediately. Practice missile priority in Training Mode before committing to a full hard route campaign.

Related Missions and Routes

Perfect defense routes to Area 6 on the hard route. A missile hit demotes to Bolse. Review the true ending guide for the complete checklist.

Related Guides

• Area 6 Mission Guide True ending path destination
• Zoness Mission Guide Previous hard route stage
• Bolse Mission Guide Fallback if a missile hits Great Fox