Xaero

 

Xaero
Biographical information
Physical description
Gender	Male (enhanced human)
Height	5'10" (1.78 m)
Weight	290 lbs. (131 kg)
Weapons	Railgun, Rocket Launcher, BFG10k
Equipment	Quad Damage, Invisibility
Additional information
[Source]

“	My soul for a true challenge!	”
—Xaero

Xaero is the final boss of Quake 3 Arena and among the most challenging bots in the game. Xaero watches over Arena Eternal, as it kills off the high ranking warriors and waiting for one to stand out to challenge him.

The player faces Xaero in Tier 7 (Tier Z) on its only map "The Very End of You" (q3tourney6), after completing the first 6 Tiers whilst competing with fellow hopefuls.

In all difficulty levels his reaction time is same and a bit below the average but it's still very quick for new players. He also gets mention as "Honored Master", "Mr.X", "Number 1", "Numero Uno", "Baldo" in chat lines. His shiny bald head and enhanced monk body harmonized with death itself.

Description

No warrior of the Arenas Eternal is more sure or more deadly than Xaero. Death and destruction is his mantra and through aeons of victories throughout the Arenas, he has become one with their echoing halls. Still awaiting the lesson of humility, Xaero will only ascend to the rank of Chosen, finding death match Nirvana when and if he finds someone worthy enough to vanquish him.

Strategies

As the last opponent in the eternal arena he is difficult to beat no matter what difficulty one is on. He is incredibly accurate so be wary when he picks up the Railgun. The number one rule to survival is to know exactly where Xaero is at all times. As soon as you make a kill, locate him as quickly as possible, allowing you to know where to hide as you plan your next attack.

• The best strategy to use but often looked down upon is the chicken method. Simply pick up the Railgun stay where you are and rail him. Listen to the respawn sound, if he spawns near; peek on Rocket Launcher spawn and rail him from there too. If he spawns behind you, he'll generally sneaks upon RL spawn but he can try to a surprise attack from your behind by picking up Railgun, keep an eye on the RG spawn always.
• Crouch and strafe when you feel like he's going to shoot his rail. Crouching in time and strafing opposite side with him; makes you a smaller target, therefore he'll most likely miss his shot and you can counter it afterwards. Stick close to pillars' behind, no guarantees. However, it's best move to take if you miss your first shot.
• In case you counter sniped him and he respawned near his last death, he'll eventually try to grab the Railgun he dropped first. Try and keep the dropped weapon under your watch. This way, match will be easier to control.
• If you keep BFG10k platform closed constantly by shooting the switch, he'll be forced to jump towards you. When that happens, simply go to the other side and continue railing him. And if he does get a few frags, wait till he goes for the BFG and shoot the close switch platform and let him fall to the abyss or if you're feeling cruel, wait until he lands and crush him.
• When he's using his Machine Gun; Xaero is pretty accurate with it too. Instead of trying to get a clear shot with Railgun from up close you better take cover behind a pillar then take your next action according to the situation. Try and stay between two pillars and take a look at the across platform when you fragged him. Walking helps to listen for respawn noise if he's nearby.
• When he's close use Rocket Launcher to keep him away from Railgun spawn. Don't be afraid to use Machine Gun and Gauntlet on close quarters to weaken him. Do the finishing touch with Railgun or Rocket Launcher.
• Two important items spawn in a row at the middle of the map between two gigantic platform; Heavy Armor and Personal Teleporter every 30 seconds. Use air steering (plain strafing to the sides without trying to backpedal or move forward) in an attempt to gather them or Xaero might blow you away to your hazardous death. Try to deny him on mid-air.
• When he rises to reach BFG platform you can sneak upon the Megahealth and shut down the BFG platform quickly however that's a very risky attempt at harder difficulties but not impossible. As you manage to keep the control of the middle accelerator pads and Heavy Armor, he'll be forced to rise for BFG or lousily attempt to grab Mega Health.
• If he got his hands on BFG10k stay away from him. You can even try to rise for the BFG after he got it. He has a relatively low accuracy with BFG10k; he will always aim directly at you instead of leading or hitting the platform switch.
• When you get your hands on the BFG10k in the match keep its ammunition for respawn killing Xaero easily from up close and keep the across platform under pressure. BFG works best when he escapes away with Teleporter too.
• When you're low on health and he's near, try to get away from him by bouncing away to the across platform. Grab the Railgun first so he cannot get it, then jump away and pressure fire the Railgun spawn and near pillars with Rocket Launcher so he won't have a chance to nail you in mid-air.
• If using Personal Teleporter, spawned you at the corner of one of the platforms don't show yourself, at once. Try to sneak from corners and peek at Railgun spawns. Stick close to pillars, and get the Megahealth if you can.

Trivia

• All the bots in Quake III Arena are based on Gladiator Bots of Quake 2, back in the day. It's presumed to Xaero being based on bot Zero, from Gladiator Bots.
• Xaero has a reaction time of 0.5 seconds and it stays same at all difficulties, but his accuracy and turning speeed easily tops other bots.
• After the player defeats him, a small cutscene is shown. He is transformed into a statue with his spirit emerging from his body, levitating away.