Toa (2001)

Toa are the great warriors that protect the Matoran, and serve Mata Nui. There are usually six Toa in a Toa team, a Toa of Fire, Toa of Water, Toa of Air, Toa of Stone, Toa of Ice, and Toa of Earth. Sometimes there are more. For instance, Lhikan's team has been known to have 11 instead of the usual six.

The cycle of Toa
''"Matoran into Toa, Toa into Turaga, Turaga into legend. Remembering deeds past, and bringing hope to the future." - Turaga Vakama''

It is common that Toa start out as Matoran. When the time is right, the destined Matoran is given a Toa stone, that is taken to a Suva. When all 6 stones are placed, energy burts and the Matoran become Toa.

There are two other ways that a Matoran can become a Toa. One is donning the Mask of Light, which is how Takua became the mighty Takanuva.

The other way is being stuck by lightning from the Red Star. This is how Jaller, Hahli, and the others became the Inika.

The only known group of Toa that have not been Matoran are the Toa Nuva. They instead arrived on the shores of Mata Nui.

Mutations
Only 2 groups of Toa have gone under a "Mutation." The first was the Toa Metru, who were transformed into the frearsome Half Toa falf Rahi Toa Hordika.

The second was the Toa Nuva. While fighting the Bahrag queens, the floor collapsed and they encountered a substance called Energized Protodermis.

Known Toa teams

 * Toa Hagah
 * Dume's Team
 * Lhikan's Team
 * Toa Metru
 * Toa Hordika
 * Toa Mata
 * Toa Nuva
 * Toa Inika