FOX
The world's deadliest special forces unit, forged in secrecy and bound by loyalty to a broken ideal.
FOXHOUND is an elite, covert special forces unit established in the 1990s to conduct high-risk operations that standard troops cannot perform. Composed of soldiers who have undergone rigorous physical and psychological conditioning, often including genetic screening for specific traits, they serve as the ultimate deniable asset for national security. Though often mistaken as an independent unit, FOXHOUND is actually a unit of the US Army, specifically under the US Army Special Forces Command. Their true allegiance, however, is frequently swayed by the personal ambitions of their commanders or the complex machinations of shadowy figures pulling strings from behind the scenes.
Quick Facts
- Notable commander
- Major Zero (original FOX unit), Liquid Snake (during Shadow Moses insurrection)
Lore & Background
FOXHOUND was established in the 1990s as an elite special forces unit, not in 1970—that was the founding date of the original FOX unit by Major Zero. Under Zero's command, FOX conducted high-risk operations, and many of its members later became involved with Big Boss's private military nation, Outer Heaven. In the late 1990s, a rogue faction of FOXHOUND under Liquid Snake's command seized control of Metal Gear REX at Shadow Moses Island. Liquid's goal was not only to threaten a nuclear strike to force the Patriots to reveal the truth about the Les Enfants Terribles project, but also to prove his own genetic superiority over his brother, Solid Snake. The unit's history is deeply intertwined with Big Boss's legacy, as FOXHOUND and Outer Heaven forces are historically linked through shared personnel and command.
Reader's Guide
FOXHOUND serves as the primary antagonist force in several key conflicts within the series, representing the pinnacle of military specialization gone rogue. Their goals often shift depending on the leader: from establishing a haven for mercenaries to enforcing genetic supremacy or executing nuclear blackmail. The unit typically comprises a small team of specialists, each possessing unique skills such as stealth, marksmanship, or commando tactics. Members are frequently chosen based on their genetic makeup or past service records, making them highly efficient but also psychologically vulnerable to manipulation. In the broader conflict, FOXHOUND acts as the catalyst for the protagonist's journey. Whether it is Solid Snake infiltrating Shadow Moses or Big Boss leading a rebellion in Outer Heaven, the unit forces the hero to confront difficult truths about war, loyalty, and the nature of humanity itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is FOX?
FOX, officially designated as FOXHOUND, is an elite special forces unit within the United States military designed for covert operations. They operate outside standard chains of command to handle high-risk missions that regular troops cannot undertake.
What are FOX's powers and role?
Members undergo extreme physical and psychological training, often including genetic screening, to serve as deniable assets for national security. Their primary role is conducting black ops missions that require absolute secrecy and lethal precision.
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