Unit Data
Classification: Blackbolt
Type: Cheetah
Primary Mission: Sniper Unit
Secondary Mission: Reconnaissance
Power Plant: DZ-G2 (Dynasty - Gravity Pulse, Generation 2)
Chassis: 027
Crew: 1 ( pilot / minimal rank requirement: Ensign )
Statistics
Length: 19.2 meters
Width: 5.5 meters
Height: 9.1 meters
Weight: 74 tons
Performance
Chassis Only: 320 KPH
Full Load: 290 KPH
CAPABILITIES
The speed and maneuverability of the original Gravity Saix was preserved due to both an increase in armor density and the higher power deochalcum plant, integrating the new redirected cyclic filter system that made the infamous engine safe for modern use. Blackbolt has a top speed of 320 KPH and is one of the most agile Zoids on land. However, like its organic counterpart, the speed is dramatically reduced in violent maneuvers or with any sort of load. The DPZ-027 is capable of leaping four times its length without jet assist, and is almost flight-capable with it, begin able to jump a kilometer forward or 400 meters vertically. Its light weight also enables it to climb cliffs, buildings, and rough terrain with relative ease, and its small size allows the Blackbolt to thread through forests and city streets with superior to a Saber Tiger.
HISTORY
While the Empress and her generals were pleased with the performance of the DPZ-025 Descat Mk2, the unit was extremely expensive to produce and its gravity cannon was irreparable if damaged by enemy fire. Research began on a lighter version of the Descat that was more affordable to produce and could yield similar results using more conventional firepower. After test runs with dozens of frames using the most updated forms of power plants, an overhaul of the Gravity Saix was found to be preferable to an entirely new system. Enough changes were implemented to warrant a complete designation change to DPZ-027; the Blackbolt, classified as a rapidly deployable sniper Zoid.
DEFENSES
Similarly to the Descat Mk2, SEM (Sensor Evading Materials) coated black armor has increased the durability of the DPZ-027; kinetic damage resistance is 80% enhanced over Gravity Saix and energy damage is diffused by a further 10%. It is also nearly invisible to sensors beyond 2 kilometers. Further, the Blackbolt carries 21 "Ghost Saix" countermeasure pods (located beneath the circular armored port covers on th shoulders, back and haunches) that can be ejected and project a false Gravity Saix signature well away from the Blackbolt, distracting sensors and drawing incoming missiles. The armor is much thinner than its larger cousin, however, and despite all elemental improvements the Blackbolt is quite vulnerable to artillery. The field is now seeing an updated version, the DPZ-027-B Darkbolt, which utilizes Guylos' new responsive crystalline alloy dark armor, making that unit far more enduring against most conventional forms of attack.
ARMAMENT
The DPZ-027 is a specialized weapon system, designed for fast and stealthy incursion in order to place long range, sniping artillery on the field. The Blackbolt has only two hardpoints, centrally located, which are only useful when the main gun system is removed. However, the standard weapon systems carried by the DPZ-027 make it a considerable threat to targets of almost any size.
DFS-17 "Hellshot" 75mm Sniper Cannon – Dorsal turret mount, 360° arc, 50° inclination
The primary weapon of the DPZ-027 is the Ellayser Industries 75mm DFS-17 Hellshot quad-track magnetic-acceleration sniper cannon. The weapon is turreted for a 360 degree field of fire and has an inclination arc of 50 degrees. It can also be depressed by 100 degrees, allowing it to be stored vertically along the Blackbolt’s right side. The Hellshot uses a standard propellant ignition system to fire a super hardened osmium core projectile into a 4-meter long barrel housing four sets of superconducted electromagnetic rails that draw and drive the exceptionally ferrous round casing to 20 times the speed of sound. Impact is virtually simultaneous with firing at 5 kilometers; the Hellshot is equivalent in trigger-to-effect speed as a particle cannon at 1 kilometer and has the power to punch through 30cm of solid Zoid-grade armor plate. The cannon is belt fed from a drum containing 500 rounds and may fire either single rounds or bursts of 5. It may be used while the Blackbolt is running at top speed, but the accuracy is highly questionable in motion.
50mm Particle Beam Cannon (x2) – Chest turret mount, 40° forward arc
For more local enemies the DPZ-027 carries a chest-mounted turret equipped with a pair of 50mm particle beam cannons. These are a minimal improvement over the original guns carried by Gravity Saix, delivering 20% greater range and damage due to the infusion of deochalcum energy. The weapons were kept, despite their initial weight and limited firing arc, in order to conserve the expensive ammunition for the DFS-17.
60mm AZ Machinegun – Chest turret mount, 40° forward arc
Mounted between the particle cannons is a 60mm anti-Zoid machinegun with 300 rounds loaded by a magazine in the torso. While limited in its capacity to deal damage to heavy targets, the gun defeats light vehicle armor easily and offers an alternative kinetic weapon, should the Blackbolt encounter a unit equipped with energy shielding.
Hardened Alloy Fangs – Head mount, integrated construction, forward arc
Standard melee weapon of the majority of Zoids, these tear armor and damage "soft" components. On the DZ-027-B Darkbolt they are built from the same responsive crystalline alloy as the dark armor protecting the Zoid, allowing them to become stronger with use.
Hardened Alloy Claws – Limb mount, integrated construction, forward arc
The heavy claws found on most feline Zoids were removed in favor of these more utilitarian weapons, primarily because the lighter weight per limb saw an increase in speed and maneuverability.
Parts List
Gravity Saix
Body, weapons
Mini-Liger Shock Cannons
Drum & cannon feed system
Buster Eagle
Gun Mount
German 120mm WW2 Howitzer
Cannon rounds
Gluestick Cap
Ammo drum
Zip-Lock Bag
Ammo Belt
SUMMARY
As with the Descat, deochalcum infusion of the power plant offered a greater boost to weapon power and internal systems while black armor replaced the original lighter composite. Both Zenebas and Helic Zoids were becoming more numerous, faster and more heavily armed as time went on, and so it was also decided that the mission role of the Blackbolt would be of striking from the maximum possible distance with greater accuracy rather than in close with heavy firepower. The DPZ-027 is designed to skirt the battlefield at range, and it has proven quite successful in this role. Now, with the Age of War upon Zi, the newly refitted DPZ-027-B Darkbolts find themselves in the role of hunter-killer, sent in to seek out and terminate the new long range arillery platforms arising on the battlefield, such as the Empire's chilling EZ-501 Fusillade.
The Build
Blackbolt didn't start as a custom... it started as a repaint. I decided on trying to buy a Gravity Saix after seeing a few close up shots and saw that there was really some nice detail in the kit. Well, being that it was a Guylos Zoid, it was only natural to correct that little issue again... you know, that one where Takara-Tomy comes up with a decent design but seems to have left the prototyping colors in? Obviously a Guylos Zoid should be true to the original color scheme... black, grey and neon green! The Dark Zoids. The "custom" part came about because of another feature that TT screwed up on... seems they left a place-holder plastic spatula on the mold instead of arming the cat. Had to fix that... so the Dremmil came out... and when the Dremmil comes out, it gets hungry.
Chopping up the spatula revealed that it was originally supposed to be a sniper rifle. This made sense to me since a fast, lightly armored Zoid needed to nail a taret from far away. Well, the gun was nice... but... another oversight from TT... it was hanging off to one side! So, I guess we needed an ammo drum. And ammo. So, quickly... the ammo cannister is made from the cap of an Elmer's Gluestick (the kind kids eat in grade school). What about that ammo belt, huh!? Cool? Flexy-bull? Well, those are the shells from a German 120mm WW2 howitzer... and they are glued to a strip of zip-lock bag! Strong and flexible! I also had to make a new mount for the gun, since it looked too far forward on the shoulders. So, Mr. Saix (what the hell is a "saix" anyway?! A "seax" is a Norman axe...) gets a Blox mount centered on the engine to balance the gun. Didn't want to waste my spatula handle, either, so I mounted it as the third gun on the chest weapon array. Finish off with a Dark Zoid paint scheme and my custom labels from ReproLabels.com and tah-dah!!! You have a DPZ-027 Blackbolt of your very own.
DPZ-027 Blackbolt
The original incarnation of
the DPZ-027 was the rivival of one generation of Guylos technology and bore the colors of the first resurgance of the Dynasty to honor the days when Zenebas pleaded the realm of Nyx for aid, and the Dark Zoids drove their enemies back in fear.
DPZ-027-B Darkbolt
Now, with the advent of new
and superior technologies, the DPZ-027-B Darkbolt dons the colors of the new era; a time when Guylos stands independant of the Empire. The new crystalline alloy responsive Dark Armor is an outward sign of a stronger, far more durable Zoid. The greater fangs and claws warn of greatly improved melee capabilties.
AI-2 Profile
Often described as “irritated” by its pilots, the Blackbolt seems to have a firm grasp on its own speed and firepower, lording these things over most other land-based Zoids. Something in its personality matrix has left it impatient and anxious; ready to run and willing to attack at all times. Most Blackbolts are kept moving for this reason, either in a recon role or on patrols. Blackbolts tend to get nervous when their ammunition drops below 50%.
