Unit Data
Classification: Angstmorder
Type: Deep Sea Angler
Mission: Maritime Multi-Role Platform
Power Plant: DHI (Dynasty - High Integrity plant, Generation 2)
Chassis: 026
Crew: 1 or 2 ( pilot / minimal rank requirement: Sergeant )
Statistics
Length: 23.3 meters
Width: 11 meters
Height: 8.5 meters
Mass: 54 tons
Performance
Submerged: 30 Knotts
CAPABILITIES
In all but the Interceptor configuration the Angstmorder can achieve only 30 knots but does possess frightening agility. It is built to engage enemies in close quarters and its form disguises this fact from most enemy pilots. One of the most staggering features of the Zoid is its staggering crush depth rating; it has an operational depth of 38,000 meters (24,000 fathoms). Another unique feature of the DHI-026 is the extended cockpit. The Angstmorder cockpit seats one but is equipped with a crawlspace to a second cabin and storage unit. This feature allows two pilots to alternate posts for extended patrols; the DHI-026 can support a crew of two for as long as five days. The Angstmorder is one of the most feared units traveling on, under or over the seas. Its multirole capacity requires heavy modular adaptations to suit the following missions:
Attack (DHI-026): Standard equipment configuration: Aft weapon pods equipped with 2 racks each 6-round torpedoes (24 rounds total) w/range 1 kilometer and moderate damage. Port and starboard weapon pods house a long range multirole missiles (2 rounds total). Bow (head) cargo bay equipped with multi-weapon array (details following). 4 aft 100mm particle lance cannons.
Interceptor (DHI-026-I): Replaces aft weapon loads with hydrojets, port and starboard weapon pods equipped with hydrojet maneuvering thrusters; speed increases to 40 knots. Bow bay equipped with an 8-shot torpedo array.
Surveillance/Electronic Warfare (DHI-026-E): Aft weapon loads are replaced with an enhanced ECM suite. Bow bay equipped with an advanced detection/communications suite.
Minelayer (DHI-026-M): Aft weapon loads replaced with mine racks, bow bay equipped with a mine sweeping and disarming system.
Transport (DHI-026-T): Aft pods equipped with 3-ton capacity cargo pods/8-man troop pods, bow bay equipped with 12-ton capacity cargo system/20-man troop pod; 26-ton total cargo capacity.
Support (DHI-026-S): Aft pods equipped with sea-to-surface missile systems, 8 missiles total.
HISTORY
Having been forced back to the continent of Nix, Guylos sought a weapon system to secure her borders from invasion. The most logical machine for the job would be an aquatic Zoid that could intercept submerged units, destroy surface fleets and shoot down low and high altitude aerial forces. The Dynasty had retained a number of Wardick and Sinker Ray units but these proved inadequate for the task of defense from more numerous Zenebas forces and more aerial based Helic forces. Macurtis and Killer Domes were incapable of intercept roles and were limited in firepower and maneuverability, and Death Stingers were too valuable to use as sentries. Requirements forced a new machine to be designed. And that machine came from an surprising source.
After the events of Chaotic Century, the remains of the Guylos Empire scrounged for any advantage they could find to stay alive as Zenebas and Helic both gathered strength again. It was discovered that the impact of the asteroid that had shattered planet Zi had also unearthed a new source of orichalcum, the ore that gave the Dark Zoids such power. The deposits, however, were deep underwater. Guylos harnessed a deep sea angler Zoid to begin excavation of the element. Over time the workhorse Zoid absorbed the orichalcum itself, and, proving a powerful swimmer and deadly hunter, that machine became the DHI-02 Angstmorder, the “Dread Killer”; the first Dark Zoid built for ocean warfare. With the resurgence of Guylos as an independant power again, the designation has been updated to DHI-026
DEFENSES
The DHI-026 is called the “Dread Killer” because it carries the most advanced ECM suite known; it is literally undetectable except to human vision, meaning it does not exist even to a Zoids’ optic sensors. No sonar as been built that can detect its skin nor hear it while in passive mode. The only hint of the Angstmorder presence is just before an attack, either as it opens its jaws or its weapon bays. This system can also create false “shadows” to mislead a unit hunting for it, drawing its prey in the wrong direction. The DHI-026-E is further capable of confusing a target’s own detection and navigation systems; one Hammerhead swam down beyond its crush depth when the Zoid and pilot were convinced it was heading straight… it was destroyed without a shot. The Angstmorder is also equipped with the most advanced detection gear currently employed, capable of detecting virtually any Zoid within 10 kilometers and the best steal equipped marine units within one kilometer. The factor that allows its daunting crush depth is a heavily reinforced chassis built entirely of Dark Armor and double the standard armor density; this combination also makes for a Zoid as damage resistant as one twice its mass.
ARMAMENT
The DHI-026 carries a wide array of lethal weaponry. In its primary attack mode it is equipped with two external weapon pods armed with. The tail of the Angstmorder holds two multi-role bays, one dorsal and one ventral. As if this firepower were insufficient, the Angstmorder is more than equipped to destroy virtually anything else in the sea in close combat.
DM334 Missile (x2) – lateral weapon pods, fixed forward
Long range missiles usable as torpedoes versus submerged and surface targets and capable of guided flight up to 75 kilometers inland with considerable destructive power; enough to cripple a 100-ton target. Though less effective in an anti-aerial role, they may target airborne Zoids as well.
100mm Particle Lance Cannon (x4) – integrated construction, lateral nacelles, fixed aft
Mounted on each of the port and starboard hydrojet nacelles are a pair of 100mm particle lance cannons. These fire a concentrated particle bolt that offers better water penetration, allowing greater range and damage at the cost of fire rate (medium damage at 400m). They are primarily used to protect the rear of the Angstmorder and to destroy incoming torpedoes.
DT42 Light Torpedo (x24) – dorsal & ventral weapon bays, integrated construction
In attack mode each bay holds a pair of 6-shot torpedo racks; 24 rounds total. These are short range but deliver moderate to heavy damage; enough to cripple a 50-ton target at 1 kilometer.
Charged Hyper-Bite Fangs – head mount, integrated construction, fixed forward
The weapon that gives the Angstmorder its distinguishing and horrifying appearnace, the DHI-026 is equipped with terrifying energy charged hyper-bite fangs that can shred through virtually any armor; even cut through energy shields.
Forward Assault Array (x1) – head mount, integrated construction, fixed forward
The last ranged weapons system carried in primary mode is the forward attack array mounted inside the Angstmorder’s jaws. This array is armed with three weapon types; (1) x4 3-shot mini torpedo racks (range 500m, light damage, exceptional speed and maneuverability), (2) x2 rotary 60mm gyrojet launchers (fires solid fueled, guided, armor piercing rounds; range 200m submerged/750m surfaced, damage medium, ROF 10rnds/sec), (3) x2 60mm particle lance cannons (light to medium damage, 250m range).
In other modes the Angstmorder is armed with the following systems:
(DHI-02-I) x8 Bloodshark torpedoes; range 4 kilometers, moderate damage, extremely agile.
(DHI-02-M) x48 Man-o-War impact mines; range 1 meter, moderate damage, IFF tracking
(DHI-02-S) x8 Seasythe sea-to-surface missiles; range 50 kilometers, heavy damage, guided
(Optional; all modes) side pod equipped 9-shot multishot submerged-rocket pods; 1 reload each (36 rounds total), extremely fast, agile, slight damage but armor piercing (hull compromising.)
Parts List
Ultrasaurus
Head, jaws, hoses, aft sensor housing
Molga
Tail, body, head
Kreep
Tail, body
Soul Tiger
Cloaking pod
Shield Liger
Lateral weapon pod
Blade Liger BI
Lure
Rayse Tiger (sprues)
Teeth, aft sensor array, lure
Shield Liger DSC-J
Lateral weapon pod
Gravity Saurer
Heavy missiles
Buster Eagle
Torpedoes
Great Saber
Secondary hydro-jet intake
Dimetra Ptera
Engine nacelles, power plant "gills", tail, tail fin
Technozoids Armored Gator
Lateral fin mechanisms
Elephantus
Cockpit
SD Gundam
Skull, lure
Imperial Walker
Lateral fins, skull, jaw
Battlestar Gallactica Toy Part
Forward weapon array
Sheet Polystyrene
Skull
Thumb Tacks
Eyes
SUMMARY
It can certainly be argued that there are faster, larger, and more heavily armed Zoids the ply the waters of Zi. However, it is almost assuredly just as certain that no other seafaring Zoid is as perfectly suited to its mission as the DHI-026 Angstmorder. Many a pilot of a lightning fast Sea Saber has met his demise understimating the slowly plodding angler. More than one Wardick driver has succumb to the crushing depths from the terror her sensors could not see. Even the mighty Tsunami has endured the shredded fin, and the awesome Gallant Mariner the ruptured hull, that are the trademarks of an encounter with the DHI-026 Angstmorder.
The Build
Angstmorder began life as a way to use up several interesting parts from my bin that were interesting in their own... but didn't seem to work together for any animal in particular. So a really bizarre creature was needed. The idea struck me when I flipped an Ultrasaurus hangar upside down and I thought, "that door reminds me of a fish." But I didn't want to just create any fish... I wanted something special. I decided that Guylos really didn't have an aquatic Zoid, and I had already made a plesiosaur, so I wanted something appropriate for a Guylos sea Zoid. Once that thought came to mind the answer popped up instantly; deep sea angler.
Unlike many of the customs I've built, Angstmorder came together completely piecemeal; I rooted around trying to find anything that would fit anywhere. Eventually, as the form slowly took hold, I began to seek out parts to fulfill specific needs. The most obvious parts I started with were the hangar and a pair of Molgas (well, a Molga and a Kreep), and I had some idea that a Dimetra Ptera kit I was given would somehow make cool thrusters. Beyond that I had no idea how I would make the head, eyes, fins, the angler itself, or the teeth. The images above represent the only real under construction photos of Angstmorder... I had not developed the habit of filming my progress yet. You can see how Star Wars ATAT parts were used to make the fins and the deck for the head, and a SD Gundam helmet make his noggin. Not pictured above is the lure, made from a Liger's tail and capped with an Iron Kong shoulder sensor. The glow in the dark bits used for the teeth and lure are the sprue trees from a Rayse Tiger. I drilled holes in the tail and inserted the bits, then smoothed the lure. The IK lense was just packed with interesting sprue shapes.
DHI-02
Angstmorder
The first of its kind, the original Angstmorder bore the colors of the Guylos Dark Force. In the deepest depths the black colors proved a perfect camouflage, though the glow of the Zoid would expose its position ... just before the death strike. Deep Water Squadron 633 continues to don these colors to this day.
DHI-026
Angstmorder
The DHI-026 variant of the Angstmorder has a skin comprised of the same crystalline alloy responsive Dark Armor as the seemingly unstoppable DBOZ-001 Dark Emperor. The energy absorbant qualities actually improve the steal capabilities of the DHI-026, and the "self forging" aspect of the armor has allowed for even deeper dives.
These images are "quasi construction" shots. On the left you can see the first time I applied the custom labels I designed and had printed at Reprolabels for my Guylos customs (I'm rather fond of the color scheme, and was always irritated that Tomy did not pursue it further). The middle picture was me fooling around, figuring I could mount CP-07s to each of the Molgas! Sad, but it actually looks kind of cool. Lastly is a picture of me testing a purple UV floodlight on my glowy paint. The spot was simply too darned hot and bright to use, so I dropped it in favor of a darker, cooler flourescent bulb.
AI-2 Profile
The newest generation of the Dread Killer is what may be expected of a serial murderer; endless patience masking terrible violence at the opportune time. Most pilots of the Angstmorder must remain as cool and vigilant as their Zoid, and they often allow the DHI-026 to do it’s own thing if an enemy gets in close combat range. ‘Morders are quite primal, but they are also thoughtful. They are aware of both their stealth and terror characteristics and seek to exploit them. They are also conscious of their lack of speed, and so have a natural bent toward less confrontational behavior.
