Exo-Toa

Exo-Toa were autonomous robotic suits of armor that were used as footsoldiers by the Brotherhood of Makuta.

Description
Exo-Toa were robotic suits of protosteel armor that were created to enhance the physical endurance and strength of the wearer in combat or while performing physically demanding tasks. The name "Exo-Toa" is a portmandeau of "exoskeleton" and "Toa", due to the Exo-Toa's intended function as exoskeletons and their similarity to the Toa species in both height and purpose. Though the Exo-Toa were designed to be worn as exoskeletons first and foremost, they also possess an autopilot mode and a limited artificial intelligence that enables them to independently carry out orders given to them by members of the Brotherhood of Makuta without the need for a pilot. The Makuta avoided wearing Exo-Toa as armor because it limited the use of the Makuta's own Kraata powers when worn, so the Exo-Toa were left on autopilot mode almost exclusively.

Exo-Toa were armed with claws and missile launchers by default, but Kakamu equipped some select units with more powerful Crusher Claws and sonic Pulse Blasters that could shatter armor across short distances.

History
The Exo-Toa were commissioned by the Brotherhood of Makuta at some point in ancient history. The Makuta found difficulty using the Exo-Toa as armor because it limited the use of some of their powers, so the Exo-Toa were repurposed as foot soldiers instead. Makuta Kakamu designed and built more powerful Crusher Claws and Pulse Blasters for the Exo-Toa in preparation for their role in the Battle of Zev's HQ. These Exo-Toa did indeed go on to participate in the battle.

The Exo-Toa were one of the species that became part of the Legion of the Eclipse. The Exo-Toa that were part of the Legion fought in the Battle of Darkmount.

In 150,080 CMT, Blackout had Exo-Toa aboard Darkmount restrain Treveya, the Norman, Ynot, and Dr. Doppler while he flew them to Nervissa. Once the ship had reached its destination, Blackout had himself, the Exo-Toa, all four prisoners, and Starscream teleported down to the Pandorica's chamber beneath the planet's surface. Blackout then revealed that Starscream would be the sacrifice needed to activate the Pandorica, so the Exo-Toa restrained him and placed him inside the device, which atomized his armor. Blackout was then attacked by Malygos, Klak, and the Baterra, so one of the Exo-Toa activated a control device that teleported Blackout and his prisoners back to Darkmount. Klak then teleported into Krika's lab aboard Darkmount in an attempt to free Treveya, so Krika sounded the alarm and Brawl arrived with a squad of Exo-Toa to investigate the disturbance. Krika told Brawl to trap Klak in the prototype prison chamber, so Brawl's Exo-Toa carried out the order. The Exo-Toa then strapped Treveya to an operating table to prepare her for dissection. Meanwhile, Darkmount arrived at Nadle and D-Klak's location, BZPower, and opened fire on the planet. Blackout ordered Nadle and D-Klak to surrender and board Darkmount in lieu of further attacks, and teleported down seven Exo-Toa, three dozen Rahkshi, and five demons to their location to ensure their compliance.

In 150,083 CMT, SM Ynot summoned five squads of Rahkshi and a few Exo-Toa to Zion in preparation of his meeting with representatives of Organization XIII. When Xemnas, Saix, and Xonyt arrived, SMY ordered his Exo-Toa to open fire on them. In response, the three Heartless summoned reinforcements of their own: Dusks and Beserkers; two of which attacked the Exo-Toa while Saix slammed his claymore into another. SMY then revealed to them that the battle was merely a distraction while SM Sasuken attacked the Castle That Never Was, so the Heartless left the battle for the castle to save their brothers instead.