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.
- 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.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the hangar was thick with the smell of ozone and stale sweat. Rain lashed against the reinforced glass, masking the sound of boots on concrete as the unit moved in perfect synchronization. They were ghosts before they even drew their weapons, a specter of green camouflage and tactical gear that seemed to absorb the dim emergency lighting. The commander's voice crackled over the comms, cold and detached, issuing orders that would seal the fate of thousands. In this moment, amidst the hum of the dormant Metal Gear, there was no country, no flag—only the mission and the man who had become its greatest weapon.
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.
Did You Know?
- FOXHOUND was established in the 1990s, not 1970—that was the founding date of the original FOX unit by Major Zero. Many of FOX's members later served in Big Boss's Outer Heaven forces, creating a direct historical link b
- Liquid Snake's goal during the Shadow Moses incident was to force the Patriots to reveal the truth about the Les Enfants Terribles project and to prove his genetic superiority over Solid Snake, not just to threaten a nuc
- Sniper Wolf was a unique individual recruited for the Shadow Moses incident; no canon source suggests she was ever thought to be a clone of an original FOXHOUND member.
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.
How does FOX's story end?
The unit is famously known for staging a coup on Shadow Moses Island under Liquid Snake, which ultimately fails against Solid Snake. Most members are killed or captured during this conflict, effectively ending their active threat status in the original timeline.
Why is FOX important to Metal Gear lore?
They represent the pinnacle of military evolution and the dangers of unchecked loyalty to commanders over national duty. Their actions drive the central plot of Metal Gear Solid by threatening nuclear proliferation through the deployment of Metal Gear REX.
Who commands FOX?
While officially part of the US Army Special Forces Command, their leadership often shifts based on shadow government machinations or personal ambition. During the Shadow Moses incident, Liquid Snake seized command to execute his own agenda against the established military hierarchy.
More in Organizations & Factions
Elsewhere in the Metal Gear Solid universe
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