Vector the Crocodile

"Once we start a job...we finish the job! That's our policy! We're TEAM CHAOTIX!"

- Vector refencing Sonic Heroes, before Egg Fleet.

Vector the Crocodile (ベクター・ザ・クロコダイル) is a character from the Sonic the Hedgehog series and leader of the Chaotix detective team who debuted in the game Knuckles' Chaotix. Vector is a large, strong anthropomorphic crocodile. Vector's trademark is a set of headphones which he always listens to, even during missions.

Concept and Creation
Vector was originally slated to be one of the characters in the scrapped Sonic the Hedgehog sound test, with a heavily different design, and is thus among the oldest (game appearance-wise) of the Sonic characters alongside Sonic himself, Mighty and Eggman.

Knuckles' Chaotix
Vector's first actual appearance was in Knuckles' Chaotix (simply Chaotix in Japan) for the Sega 32X. The Japanese manual states that after an island rises from the ocean depths, Vector travels there as he interpreted the islands sudden appearance from out of nowhere as an act of God. Upon arriving, he is captured by Doctor Eggman, who is building his Newtrogic High Zone base on the island, and the villain places Vector in the "Combi-Confiner". In the American manual, he is a friend of Knuckles the Echidna, and is captured as Eggman attacks "Carnival Island", out to steal its power source.

In both stories, Knuckles the Echidna arrives at the island in order to stop Eggman, and can choose Vector as a partner character after the initial training stage. Vector can do mid-air dashes and climb on walls.

Sonic Heroes
The Chaotix reappeared in Sonic Heroes, where Vector, Espio the Chameleon and Charmy Bee have created their own detective agency, with Vector being the leader of the group. They are hired by an anonymous character that contacts them via a walkie-talkie, and perform several missions for the voice after being promised a hefty reward. Throughout the game, Vector is the power member of Team Chaotix, and as such uses his strength to destroy obstacles and enemies.

In the end of their story, Team Chaotix rescue their client, who turns out to be Doctor Eggman (which Vector had figured out but not revealed to Charmy or Espio), framed throughout the game by Metal Sonic. After Metal Sonic transforms into Metal Madness, Team Chaotix help out giving Team Sonic their collected Chaos Emeralds and by attacking Metal Madness's left side, buying time for Sonic, Tails and Knuckles to turn into their super forms and defeat him. After this, the Chaotix chase after the fleeing Eggman in order to get their payment.

Shadow the Hedgehog
Vector works on an unknown case with the rest of the Chaotix. He appears in a few cutscenes throughout Story Mode and is mentioned by Charmy in Prison Island and Espio in Mad Matrix, but most notably he is a partner character on the Cosmic Fall stage. In that stage, Shadow goes to the Space Colony ARK where he runs into Vector, who is looking for the ARK's main computer room. The player can choose to help him or not, and if one does help him, Vector also appears in the boss fight against Black Doom. After Black Doom is defeated, he "reveals" that Shadow is just a failed experiment, and Shadow slowly walks away as Vector desperately tries to comfort him. If the player does not choose to help Vector in Cosmic Fall and does Doom's Eye's mission instead, Vector will still help Shadow fight the Egg Dealer. However, he doesn't appear in the cut scenes before or after the battle, so he was most likely there because every boss battle needs a mission character and Doom's Eye is not a character that can fight. That ending is however only a possibility, and not canon to the storyline.

In the real ending, Vector and the rest of the Chaotix are again on the ARK, trying to hack into its main computer (probably the same one Vector was looking for earlier). Vector tells Espio to focus because otherwise all the data they had recovered would be lost. They finally succeed when Charmy rams his stinger into the computer, activating a video created by Gerald Robotnik, which gives Shadow the determination he needs to defeat Black Doom once and for all.

Vector also contacts Shadow during his special training in Expert Mode in Prison Island (alone), Final Haunt (along with Espio and Charmy), and The Last Way (along with every other character in the game), usually just to wish him good luck. However, in Final Haunt, when Charmy starts singing during their conversation, Vector tells him to sit down and be quiet, but Charmy wants Vector to leave him alone, saying he has found out Vector ate his pudding and that he owes him for that. Vector then angrily yells at Charmy, allowing him to do whatever he wants.

Sonic Rivals
Vector appears on two collectible cards in Sonic Rivals.

Sonic Rivals 2
Vector appears in Sonic Rivals 2 as the main supporter of Espio, although he never actually appears in person, only as a hologram. He tells Espio at the beginning to track Silver the Hedgehog, as Vector suspects that he is responsible for some Chao disappearances. At that moment, Silver himself shows up, and a surprised Vector hangs up. He later calls again, relieved that he got communication back up. He asks Espio if Silver was indeed behind the Chao disappearances, which Espio confirms, but is mad at him for not finding any evidence. Vector is very angry as he already spent their client's money for the office's rent payments. He shouts at Espio, who doesn't answer anymore.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
In Sonic Chronicles, Vector makes a cameo appearance, working for G.U.N. to gather clues about the Marauders and to help finding out where they imprison Knuckles. He appears in one cutscene at the beginning of the second chapter in Central City.

Sonic Free Riders
Vector appears as a playable character in Sonic Free Riders, where he has his first, overall appearance in the Riders series. He races on his Extreme Gear Hard Boiled and is one of the two characters who can only use Bike Gear, the other being Dr. Eggman.

He also appears in the Grand Prix Mode alongside Amy and Cream as member of Team Rose, as he couldn't refuse Amy's offer to join them and get half of the prize money (as he is apparently broke). They appear almost too late to sign in, because Amy hired him only half an hour ago. He argues a lot with Amy who bosses him around, but in the end, they win the Grand Prix. However, as it turns out in the 'ending ceremony', there was no prize money to begin with, and Vector is depressed that all his work was for free. Cream feels sorry for him, but Amy says he should be thankful as it's not every day one gets to race with two cuties like them.

Sonic Colors
Vector with the rest of Team Chaotix appears in the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors having been sent on a job to investigate Dr. Eggman's theme park and to search for Eggman. Sonic and Tails first encounter Vector on Planet Wisp's third mission where he is waiting for Espio and Charmy, who he has sent on patrol. As he sees Sonic and Tails, he tells them to scram as he is busy, and Sonic teases him by saying he didn't think the Chaotix ever got busy. Charmy then arrives and reports to have found one spot that was kind of fishy, and Sonic goes on said ride to check it out (although Vector worries they can't collect the bounty if Sonic indeed finds Eggman). Afterwards, Vector doesn't seem surprised that Charmy's lead brought them nowhere and wonders where Espio is, although the chameleon answers he was standing there all the time. Sonic thinks he was using some ninja tricks to stay invisible, but as it turned out they all just ignored him.

Later, Vector makes a compliment to Sonic for being 'something else', but adds that he wishes Sonic could learn to shut his big mouth. Sonic says he is the one with the big mouth, which Vector justifies with being a crocodile.

When Sonic gets an S-Rank on the mission, Vector even offers him to join the Chaotix Detective Agency, claiming it's good work full of thrills, suspense, mystique and that every day's an adventure. However, Sonic declines, saying that sounds like his average day.

Sonic Generations
Vector with the rest of Team Chaotix appears in the console versions of Sonic Generations. Vector and the others were celebrating Sonic's birthday party where he was gobbling up a few chili dogs. Suddenly, the Time Eater captures Vector and he ends up as a statue in front of Rooftop Run. If Classic or Modern Sonic rescues him, Vector thanks and tells him he has a hunch about someone or something controlling the Time Eater. At the Center of Time, Vector encourages both Sonics, alongside Espio and Charmy. After the battle, Vector the others end up back to the right time and continue celebrating.

Vector also appears in the Crisis City mission Through The Storm where he helps Classic Sonic by throwing him to heights he can't reach.

Modern Sonic "fights" Vector in the Rooftop Run mission Pick Up The Beat where they reflect song notes back and forth until one of them misses the beat.

Mario & Sonic series
 Vector appears as a a playable Power-type character in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. His main rival is Bowser, who Vector has to face in his final mission in the DS' Mission Mode in Table Tennis, and in the Wii’s Mission Mode in Rowing – Single Sculls.

 He also has a unique swimming stroke, the Crocodile Paddle, and uses his Hammer Down attack from Sonic Heroes as his special attack in Dream Table Tennis. Vector has the following stats:


 * Speed: 1.5 out of 5
 * Power: 4.5 out of 5
 * Skill: 1.5 out of 5
 * Stamina: 4.5 out of 5

 He reappears in the sequel, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Once again, he uses Hammer Down as his special attack, this time in Dream Ice Hockey/Fever Hockey. He also uses his Gum Balloon from Sonic Heroes in the Rocket Ski Jump (DS version), and even gains a new ability, the Head Slide, a quick boost used in many events. Since this game, his main rival is Donkey Kong, but they are friends too.

 In the DS version's Adventure Tours, he first appears in Icepeaks, standing next to a mission sign. Toad says how unusual it is to see a crocodile in such a cold place, and Sonic tells him that he knows him. Toad then calls him, and a surprised Vector tells him not to shout like that. He greets Sonic and the rest of the gang, but gets curious about the ‚big fella’. After a short conversation about music, he challenges Donkey Kong to a Short Track race. After Donkey Kong’s victory, Vector admits he skipped out on work, as the Chaotix came to investigate Whitestones, and rather practiced for Short Track. To not let Espio and Charmy find out and to have an excuse for not working, he joins Mario and Sonic on their adventure.

 Afterwards, he shamefully remembers to have abandoned Charmy in Cubyrinth, so the group heads there next. On the way they meet up with Espio. Toad inadvertently tells Espio that Vector was competing on Short Track, and Espio is angry at him for neglecting his duties, but is willing to finish their research alone.

 Back in Cubyrinth, Charmy refuses to open the gate that’s blocking the path, and Vector gets angry. Charmy wants to know the password, but Vector remembers the password being actually a quiz about the Olympic Games. After answering five questions right in a minigame, Charmy finally opens the gate.

 Vector is a playable character in the series’ third entry, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He still has his unique swimming stroke, this time called Alligator Style, and once again uses Hammer Down and Head Slide in various events.

 He appears in the Wii version's London Party Mode, where he is offering either the 2-on-2 Tablet Tussle or the Point-Based Shell Showdown minigame (if not participating himself).

 He also appears in the 3DS version's story mode, where he is taking on Bowser together with Knuckles on the Beach Volleyball Court to help Sonic.

Personality
Vector is the head honcho of the Chaotix Detective Agency, and will take almost any job so long as the pay is right, though he will not get involved with anything illegal. He has a rough demeanor, and at times he is even downright rude, but deep down he's actually quite a kind soul, and has been known to occasionally do cases for free (such as finding children's lost toys).

Power and Abilities
Like most Sonic characters, Vector can curl up into a ball (more so a wheel) to jump on enemies, in a move known as the "spin jump". He is also known to be quite powerful, as he was the power team member in Sonic Heroes. He has some super speed, as seen in Chaotix, although he isn't as fast as Sonic or Shadow or even Espio. Vector can also blow up bubblegum bubbles to slowly descend and is able to slam his body on the ground to cause massive damage. In Sonic Heroes, he can also hold and throw Espio and Charmy using his mouth, spit musical notes, breathe fire, make explosive bubblegum, and can use his sharp teeth to bite through hard obstacles. He can also sing somewhat well, which he does during the Team Chaotix' Team Blast, "Chaotix Recital" though it could be argued that his singing is so bad that it destroyed the robots. He also was included in their theme "Team Chaotix", specifically in the lines "The muscle is Vector, the karma collector, and he's sworn to fight for you." and "And the green one cheers them on".

While not nearly as smart as Tails, Dr. Eggman or other inteligent characters in the Sonic series, Vector is an accomplished detective with an nack for solving riddles and mysteries; he can piece clues and other minor hints together that he has seen along the way and can often come to correct onclusions in an case that his team mates and most others would not have realized until that point.

Weaknesses
He can be rather clumsy quite often, and he's not exactly the best straight forward thinker, despite his current intelligence. He's also known to be very obnoxious. He is also quite a hothead, often annoyed by Charmy to the point he starts yelling at him (even making Charmy burst into tears in Sonic X, although he comically stopped as soon as Vector told him somewhat gently not to cry). He has also been referred to as acting like a child. As in Sonic Free Riders, the Babylon Rogues taunted him by saying that he's throwing a tantrum like a kid from kindergarden. Amy also stated that there is only one useless kid in Team Rose, referring to Vector.

Friends

 * Espio the Chameleon
 * Charmy Bee
 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Miles "Tails" Prower
 * Knuckles the Echidna
 * Mighty the Armadillo
 * Shadow the Hedgehog
 * Cream the Rabbit
 * Amy Rose
 * Big the Cat
 * Silver the Hedgehog

Foes

 * Doctor Eggman
 * Metal Sonic

Sonic X
 In the anime Sonic X, Vector and the rest of the Chaotix play a very minor role in Season 2, only appearing in one episode. In this episode Vector along with Espio and Charmy broke the proverbial fourth-wall by introducing themselves to the audience (Charmy mostly sinced he begged for more time to introduce himself). They were hired by Vanilla the Rabbit to find her daughter, Cream the Rabbit. After finding Cream at the Thorndykes' residence, they start to believe that Sonic kidnapped her, which couldn't be more wrong. After a failed sneak attack from Espio, Vector and Charmy get in a fight with Tails, Amy, Cream, and Ella. When Sonic comes in to see the fight, Vector calls him "Sonic the Kidnapper", but the fight ends when Vanilla arrives with Sonic. Vector is thanked by Vanilla for finding Cream and he gets confused when she thanks Sonic for taking care of Cream. Sonic then jokes about how uneasy Vector is after they invite him and the others (Espio and Charmy) over, to which everybody laughs to, except Vector, who is still confused.

They play a much larger role in Season 3, where Vector and the Chaotix take supplies from Chris Thorndyke's parents to the Blue Typhoon, the warship that Tails built that Chris is aboard. When they arrived, they were attacked numerous times on the thought that they were evil Metarex aliens (which is ironic considering that the Chaotix attacked Sonic's friends in the previous season). After a misunderstanding between Vector and others, they deliver Chris' stuff and Vector plans to catch Cream and bring her to their home planet (as if it is an act of revenge for the gang beating them up). However, he unintentionally captures Cosmo as well, which makes him try to catch her but fails due to Cosmo being able to jump quickly away when he leaps at her. They soon end up back at the Blue Typhoon. Vector and the others soon leave without Cream. However, they get lost on the way back and meet up with the Typhoon's crew some time later.

The second time, they help Tails impress Cosmo, whom Tails likes, as repayment for him fixing their ship (Vector tried to render Knuckles unconscious and disguise him as a Metarex, with Espio holding him up invisible, for Tails to protect Cosmo from, which fails), and later appear to help fight the Metarex.

In the anime, Vector seems to make puns about how he is a reptile, like how he says to Sonic: "Sure, I'm a warm hearted reptile."

Mega Drive Fan
Vector makes a one-frame appearance in Volume One of the Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic (actually a manga) from the magazine Mega Drive Fan. In this manga, Vector is seen playing the keyboard as part of Sonic's band. This manga was released before the original Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 and used beta concepts scrapped from said game, so Vector appears as he did in the scrapped Sound Test image.

Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie)
In the Sonic the Hedgehog Archie Comic, Vector is a crazy punk from Downunda who likes having things his way and listening to loud music. So loud are his "tunes" that he once single handily stopped the Dark Legion army in its tracks by turning his music volume up to its highest setting and pointing it at the enemy. Vector and Knuckles met some time after Knuckles' father left to join the Brotherhood of Guardians, and after a few tussles, the two became fast friends. Vector also somewhat disliked Knuckles' girlfriend Julie-Su for some time after her first appearance, but they later came to mutually respect each other. Together with Espio, he is one of the only Chaotix members featured in Mobius: 25 Years Later, where he has a son named Argyle.

Sonic the Comic
 In Fleetway's Sonic the Comic, he is the intelligent leader of the Chaotix Crew and a close friend to the Omni-Viewer. He also has links to the Equinox Research Center, which is staffed entirely by crocodiles. As with the other members of the group, he is a native of the Special Zone, specifically New Tek City on the Planet Meridian. He acts as the basic straight man of the group and takes out enemies with his powerful jaws.

Sonic X (comic)
In the Archie Sonic X comic, Vector and the Chaotix appear in issue #10, when they help Vanilla the Rabbit find her daughter, Cream. They later disappeared without a trace. They appear in later issues up to #40.

Theme Songs
Team Chaotix (this theme is shared with Espio the Chameleon and Charmy Bee. Vector, as well as the other members, is mentioned in the song. Vector is mentioned in the two lines "The muscle is Vector, the karma collector!" and "And the green one cheers them on!" also at the begining of the song you can hear Vector's voice saying 'brain-damaged')

Voices

 * Video games, Sonic X - Kenta Miyake (Japan)
 * Sonic Heroes - Marc Biagi (US)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic X - Carter Cathcart (US). This is a controversial change among fans, as many find Cathcart's voice very annoying and out of character, as opposed to the gruffer, New Yorker-accented voice Marc Biagi provided for the character.
 * Sonic Rivals 2, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games - Dan Green (US) (He also does the voice for Knuckles)
 * As of Sonic Free Riders- Keith Silverstein (US)

Trivia

 * Vector's appearance has changed a lot since Knuckles Chaotix. In Chaotix, Vector was taller and much slimmer. In his new design, he is considerably broader, especially in the chest, and slightly shorter.
 * In Shadow the Hedgehog, Vector has a jump sound that's notably different from every other characters. This game has also made him famous for the line "Find the computer room!"
 * He is the oldest hero with a confirmed age and the second tallest organic non-human Sonic character, behind Big the Cat.
 * Vector's arms were mis-colored dark green in Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games intro as well as in the game's official artwork.
 * Like all teams in Sonic Heroes, Team Chaotix fought other teams, but in both the fight against Team Rose and Team Dark, they misunderstood the other team's intentions and thought they were thieves. Eventually the two teams find out they have no bad intention in the last story.
 * Vector's Knuckles Chaotix design looks similiar to his Sonic 1 (beta) design.
 * Vector was the only Chaotix member to appear in Sonic Free Riders.
 * Vector's trademark is his headphones, which he has had with him in every game he's appeared in (even in the scrapped Sonic 1 sound test).
 * In the Sonic Heroes Team Chaotix first cutscene, Vector can be seen to be listening to Team Chaotix, the team's theme song.
 * In the days of the Mega Drive, Sega created a character called Vectorman. Coincidentally he is also green.
 * Vector is the only playable character from Team Chaotix in Mario &amp; Sonic series. Espio and Charmy only appear as referees for some events.
 * In Knuckles' Chaotix, his headphones are connected to a walkman. In newer games his headphones are free-wired and do not appear to be connected to anything, although they are connected to the walkman in Team Chaotix's intro in Sonic Heroes.
 * A character from Skylanders Spyro's Adventure called Dino Rang resembles Vector.
 * Vector's unique Spin Jump from Knuckles' Chaotix reappears in Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games Dream Long Jump event.
 * In Sonic Heroes, Vector smacks down the door to the cell where the Chaotix's client is locked up, although they probably spent a lot of time searching for its keys in Final Fortress. This could be either a plot hole or because Vector just doesn't care about Dr. Eggman's fleet at all, which wouldn't be surprising considering how much of Egg Fleet they had already destroyed up to that point.
 * It is possible that Vector's rival in the Mario & Sonic series is Donkey Kong, as he challenged Vector to an event in the Story Mode of the DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Quotes

 * "Get back here you idiot!" Yelling at Charmy in the final story of Shadow the Hedgehog.
 * "Here we go." Selecting Team Chaotix in Sonic Heroes.
 * "Perfect! The work of professionals, eh!" - Getting an A rank in Sonic Heroes with Vector.
 * "Lackluster performance, I'd say." Getting an E rank in Sonic Heroes with Vector.
 * "Find the computer room!" In the pause menu of the Cosmic Fall stage in Shadow the Hedgehog. The line has become a popular internet meme.
 * "This may be THE big case. Espio, we're counting on you!" - Vector telling Espio to follow Shadow into the portal to Mad Matrix in Shadow the Hedgehog.
 * "Well if it isn't Shadow! We've got to make it to the computer room before this place collapses! Think you could give me a hand?" - Vector when running into Shadow in Cosmic Fall.
 * "Hey...don't go there...yet! Things may not be what they seem. You could be..." - Vector when trying to console Shadow when he thinks he's evil in Shadow the Hedgehog.
 * "All right, all right! Fine! Do whatever the heck you want!" - Vector yelling at Charmy, who says he owes him for eating his pudding, in Final Haunt's Expert Mode.
 * "Darn, I forgot to pay the electricity bill for the office." Vector when standing still for too long in Sonic Heroes.
 * "Eggman must be really rich. Wonder if he'd hire us?" - Vector when standing still for too long in Sonic Heroes' Egg Fleet stage.
 * "Espio, don't be silly; besides you know our policy: we NEVER turn down work that pays!" Vector telling Espio the suspicious client is fine, since he's paying in Sonic Heroes.
 * "Aren't you done yet? At this rate the entire day will be wasted!" - Vector in Shadow the Hedgehog rushing Espio to hack into Eggman's database.
 * "What!? Are you kidding me!? You know our client has paid in advance! And I already spent that money, because our office is behind on the rent payment as it is! Hey, Espio!! Are you getting this!? ESPIO!!!!" Vector at the end of Sonic Rivals 2.
 * "The winner, hands down!" Vector winning 1st place in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.
 * "Guess you can't win 'em all" Vector when losing an event in the Mario and Sonic series.
 * "Bring it on!" Vector says this instead of "pull" in Skeet in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.
 * "Stop attacking the soldiers!" After defeating GUN in Shadow the Hedgehog.
 * "Hey come on, cut that out!" After defeating GUN in Shadow the Hedgehog.
 * "Thanks Sonic! You know, I got a hunch someone or something is controlling that monster." - Vector after Classic or Modern Sonic rescues him from Rooftop Run in Sonic Generations.
 * "You've got the power Sonic!" - Vector cheering on the Sonics in Sonic Generations.
 * "Time to get chaotic with Team Chaotix!" - A scrapped line from Sonic Heroes.
 * "Let's make this quick. I hate fighting with girls!" - Another scrapped line from Sonic Heroes Vector would have said before fighting Team Rose. It can be brought back by using the Memory Editor.
 * "I'll beat all of ya!" - At the beginning of a race in Sonic Free Riders.
 * "I'm on fire today!" - When winning a race in Sonic Free Riders.
 * "I'll send you flyin' to wherever you need to get to!" - Vector before the Crisis City mission with Classic Sonic begins.
 * "Think you can keep up with me?" - Vector before the Rooftop Run mission with Modern Sonic begins.
 * "Hmph! Who does that client think he is, paying us in stickers? I need to take my mind off things...Oh, I know! Hey, you guys! Wanna play a survival game for these stickers? Nothing beats a good contest!" - Vector offering a Point-based Shell Showdown during London Party.
 * "What's this? Isn't this that famous stone tablet from the British Museum? Maybe it was stolen. Hey, I bet this would net us some money! If we bring it back to the British Museum, they might give us a big fat reward. Hey, don't fight over it! Are you really that intent on carrying it?" - Vector offering a 2-on-2 Tablet Tussle during London Party.
 * "You found the five Red Star Rings? Aw man, Rouge is gonna have my hide for this." - Vector commenting on Sonic having found all Red Star Rings in Rooftop Run Act 1. It implies he was working for Rouge in White Space.
 * "Those good-for-nothings are late again. Goofing off, no doubt." - Vector waiting for Espio's and Charmy's reports on Planet Wisp.
 * "Oh, it's you two. Look, I'm busy right now, so scram, would you?" - Vector greeting Sonic and Tails on Planet Wisp.
 * "You really are something else, Sonic. Now if you could just learn to shut that big mouth of yours." - Vector making some kind of compliment to Sonic on Planet Wisp.
 * "Hey, lay off. I'm a crocodile!" - Vector after Sonic tells him he is the one with the big mouth.

Gallery
For more see: Vector the Crocodile/Artwork.