Fitting test. Sure it will stick, but how
does it look? Will it hold up the tail?
There was a gaping hole in the side
for the wind-up mechanism. This
I filled with a wheel from a spare
Hydrazoid. It looks like the part
was built for it! And, yes, the
tail held.
Gunmetal and emerald car paint, the pieces look like they were built for each other! Ultrasaurus donated his tail tip for the DCPD and the Black Rhimos gave us the huge
intakes to cool it.
Historically, emperors
had problems with being
stabbed in the back. I didn't
want the same problem for my
custom! The rear turret gives it
a 180 degree horizontal arc
of fire with 90 degrees of inclination for those
pesky air targets.
Live scorpions have pectines; sensory organs that aid them in navigating the ground.
Comparison between the old and new claws... thanks to Gorilla Tron for the new biceps!
Part of the reason I chose to use Deathpion over Death Stinger as a base was the sheer detail of Deathpion's mold. Look at those hydraulics, springs and cables!
This was a final visual test before I decided to create the huge claw housing... yes, that is the thigh armor from a Sturm Tyrann!
Cha-CHING! $$$$
Comparing the original Deathpion leg to Emperor's... which is an inch taller and holds the Zoid up another full inch off the desk.
The new legs also stood more than an inch wider. I was worried how they would increase the stance by 2 inches... would it hold all of that weight?!
In the end, each leg was comprised of 6 pieces with 3 pieces of armor. To hold up Dark Emperor's new lengthy claws and tail, each leg had to be glued in a slightly different shape at the knee... the forward legs reaching forward, the rear legs are straight. Note how he seems to lean into battle! Without this change, the feet would ram into each other.
Chelicerae in progress;
thanks, Giga!
So they extend, they are affixed to the shoulder actuator.
The Deathpion carapice was smoothed and glued as a single piece, then the Cannon Spider cockpit was secured inside to make Emperor 1/72 scale.
Armored hoods were placed above the eyes, which are sculpted from Deadborder sprues and inserted into holes drilled through the carapice.
To take out lighter targets, two pairs of cannons were fitted to the chassis beneath the funcional chelicerae.
For this new Dynasty weapon, thank the Empire! It was once the fixed blaster from a Star Wars Hoth battle set. Yes, probably a collector's item.
The gun still looked too light.
Even with the colors simulated the way I envisioned them, there was still something lacking with the weapon.
This image was done in PhotoShop to help develop the final paint scheme of the completed model.
A CP-15 vulcan fits perfectly with no modification!
Seismosaurus parts and the Cannon Spider eyes complete it.
So, what to do? How about taking luminescent paint and manually painting over each and every label so it glows in the dark? So, that's what I did! I was shocked at how good it all looked in the end, and will paint all of my other customs so those labels glow as well!
Painted labels were not my only detail, however. Every hydraulic is painted, as well as every hose and power cable. I chose to paint cables blue and red to represent the arteries and veins of the Zoid. Here you can also see the pectine swung forward, clear of the power switch and the rear cannon.
I wanted my Neo Guylos customs to have a new look. On a base coat of black, I painted a layer of green transparent car paint.
Atop that I dusted a layer of luminescent paint, and another
coat of green atop it. Finally I coated the armor with
clearcoat. This image shows the luminescent
paint glowing through the green coat!
This image required an 8 second exposure immediately after turning the black light off.
Always protective of copyright
law, I designed a new Guylos
logo that paid homage to the
original while updating it
to a more formidable
look. It marks a
new era in my
customising
career!
If the Deathpion model kit had included a fully flexible tail (rather than a unit comprised of two halves made to look articulate), Dark Emperor
could swing his tail behind him as a real
scorpion can do. While the custom can
arc the tail back, the weapons aim straight into
the air and just don't look dignified. In this mode
the Dark Emperor is 42 meters long!
"It came out of nowhere! Tore Gramble's Saber in two and clubbed Eime's Rhimos to scrap with the front half! Captain Herras got a few shots off, but her 'Horn was melted through by the new Zoid's stinger... whatever the hell that weapon was! Then it ripped the legs and neck off of the Major's Seismosaurus and put a pair of slugs through the chassis. That's when Lieutenant Ackres sounded the retreat."
-Excerpt from the official inquest of
Warrant Officer Rigeold Khalan
Originally the Dark Emperor was to be outfitted with a pair of modified Genosaurer long rifles, but I thought that was a bit overkill! Nice thing is, with the hoses removed from the DCPD system, it can be totally over-armed with a CP-10!
I have wondered what it would look like if I plugged in CP weapons to every available port... but I'm affraid the legs would buckle. :-)
Unit Data
Classification: Dark Emperor
Type: Emperor Scorpion
Mission: Battlefield Dominance ( assault/artillery/support/command )
Power Plant: D-BOZ (Dynasty - Battallion Orientation Zoid - Class 1)
Chassis: 001
Crew: 1 ( pilot / minimal rank requirement: Major )
Statistics
Length: 27 meters
Width: 19 meters
Height: 21.5 meters
Weight: 305 tons
Performance
Land: 195 KPH
Subterranean: 20 KPH
Sea (ballasted): 24 Knots
Sea (floor): 40 Knots
Crush Depth: 2 Kilometers
CAPABILITIES
Dark Emperor is almost 30% larger than Death Stinger, but the chassis is designed upon the venerable Deathpion, giving it a far more graceful architecture. The DBOZ-001 is extremely agile, and not only for a Zoid of its size, but for any Zoid. The eight-legged chassis can tackle extreme terrain without a decrease in speed. The Emperor has three binocular sensory and targeting systems in addition to the normal array of detection and sensory equipment. It also carries a pair of sensory pectines on its underside that not only navigate the roughest terrain by predetermining ground density and stability, but are also capable of detecting and tracking by vibration the movements of even a solitary soldier on foot. The Dark Emperor can use terribly powerful claws to burrow into the ground and completely cover itself in under a minute. While not a sea scorpion, the DBOZ-001 is quite a capable aquatic machine, being able to reach speeds of 24 knots or crawl on the sea floor at a crushing depth of almost 2 kilometers. In addition to this technology is the DCPD; the Deochalcum Charged Particle Drill. This system is easily mistaken for a large cannon mounted on the Dark Emperor’s back. It uses powerful pulses of electrons charged through a secondary power plant as a massive drill, powering through earth or solid rock with equal efficiency. It does not so much create a hole in the target material as blast it into loose gravel that the Emperor can then rip through with its claws, driven forward by its eight-legged drive system. Engaging this system has the disadvantage of preventing the use of all other powered weapon systems.
HISTORY
Guylos had been watching with a wary eye the growth of the Zenevas military machine, and had noted also the strength of Helic’s arsenal. While it was true that the Dynasty had made strides forward in the production of new Dark Zoids to take the field against their enemies, Angstmorders and Darkurtis units were only truly effective against foes at sea. Upon the land there were Gravity Saurers, Descat Mk2s and Blackbolts, but these, too, had their limitations in either numbers or firepower. Helic would not likely start an action against Guylos, but their new Paladins were a force to be reckoned with, and they had recently begun another production run of Gojulas units and Shield Ligers. Zenevas had the new Tsunamis in production, a new line of Great Sabers and the advanced production class of Diablo Tigers; the Diablo Tyrans.
Guylos was falling behind. The Empress called upon her War Council, her best engineers and top pilots. They labored to produce a plan and, it finally reached, set to action under a terrible cover of secrecy. Two years the work continued, resources were scattered, messages double encoded, troops moved and structures erected just to frustrate Empire and Republic efforts at reconnaissance. Two years and the plan came together perfectly. The world of Zi would soon shudder at the power soon to be unleashed upon it.
DEFENSES
First and foremost is the Dark Emperor’s striking armor. The first Zoid of its kind, it has Dark Armor infused with spent deochalcum and a rare emerald-like crystal unearthed on the Dark Continent of Nyx. The workings of the alloy were the subject of years of research. Similar to nickel, the alloy becomes much stronger with the application of intense heat. The crystalline structure diffuses light forming a two-fold defense; laser damage is hampered and light based designators and targeting devices have reduced effect as well. The base Dark Armor has been restructured in such a way that the molecules compress with extreme kinetic force. In short, the Dark Emperor is difficult to see and light, heat and solid projectile based attacks actually make it a more durable machine. Of all attacks, only vibration is assumed to cause full damage, though the theory has never been tested.
Were the armor the only defense of the DBOZ-001, it would be enough. However, the Dark Emperor has yet more surprises in store for its opponents. Concerned that its deochalcum infused body would be easier to detect, its skin covers a redundant ECM suite, jammers, countermeasures and holographic camouflage projectors. While these systems will do little to assist the massive machine in combat, they work together to all but ensure that a Dark Emperor dug in for the ambush is all but invisible to sensors and to the naked eye.
The DCPD also has a defensive use; while engaged above ground it creates a cone of charged particles that acts like an energy shield versus solid projectiles and can cause some instability to incoming particle cannon fire as well. It should be noted, however, that allowing these weapons to hit its armor with only cause the Dark Emperor to become stronger, though it will aid in protecting bolts and less armored systems. The DBOZ-001 cannot use its own energy weapons during DCPD field engagement due to the massive power drain. Missiles and other ballistic weapon systems that use minimal power can function but its own projectiles cannot penetrate the field (they may fire above or to the rear of the Zoid).
ARMAMENT
Its deochalcum power plant provides it with virtually limitless energy; easily enough to power its entire arsenal, but the substance has had an unexpected effect on the physical combat capabilities of the Dark Emperor as well. In close combat the DBOZ-001 can exert the energy of its power plant and, to a limited degree, re-infuse the spent molecules within its armored skin. When the Emperor engages this option its armor takes on a dull green glow, and physical contact with the armor can be described as striking a Zoid with an enormous cattle prod. A bash from the huge forearm of the DBOZ-001 can not only crush the chassis of an opponent, it can short out every active electrical system simultaneously. Add to this that the Titan-Might claws are capable of tearing an Iron Kong limb from limb without effort and one quickly sees the perils of engaging the Dark Emperor in melee battle.
The arsenal carried by the DBOZ-001 is just as daunting as its other capabilities. The Dark Emperor, stripped to chassis mounted weapons only, has ten class-2 hard points. These give it a broad ranging variable payload for different mission types. The following is the most common configuration; in this mode the Emperor retains 3 hard points; 1 beneath the jaws and 1 per side before the intakes.
Titan-Might Claws – Integrated construction, front arc
These viscous melee weapons are designed to shred mountainsides and opponents. Unlike the claws of Deathstinger, the Dark Emperor’s claws have charged particle teeth and enhanced crushing power. It is possible that they could rend the armor of Deathsaurer or Mad Thunder, but the DBOZ-001 has yet to met these units in battle.
Titan-Might Chelicerae – Integrated construction, front arc
These mouthpart claws are unique to scorpions and are reconstructed on the Dark Emperor to achieve the same ends with Zoids as their natural counterparts. They have tremendous cutting and crushing power, using the same technology as the Titan-Might claws. They can extend 2 meters out of their housing to grasp and hold a foe beyond the lower cannon array, allowing a point-blank barrage.
“Vorpal” HFPC (Hyper-Focused Plasma Cannon) – Tail mounted, 180° vertical arc
Usually the first system identified by a profile view, this is the “stinger” of the Dark Emperor. The housing compresses three plasma cannon beams into a single, lethal stream of accelerated plasma. Though lacking the sheer destructive power of the charged particle cannon, the Vorpal is designed for a different purpose; ultimate armor penetration. The cannon twists three streams of hyper-condensed plasma into a beam three times the temperature of the sun, combined with accelerated particles. The effect is a beam that can slice a Gojulas in half in half a second. At a range of 5 kilometers, the Vorpal is considered the Emperor’s long range direct fire weapon. It must cool a full minute between uses in this state. Also, the nature of the weapon does not have a powerful kickback, it actually draws the Zoid forward, but with eight legs there is virtually no effect on maneuvering. The Vorpal has an auxiliary firing mode. By greatly reducing the power of the emitters and enhancing the power of the focus system, the Vorpal can emit a plasma blade extending 5 meters from the barrel. It can maintain this beam for up to 30 seconds and use it to slice opponents apart in close combat like a giant plasma welding torch. A scorpion with a very real stinger. Due to the flexibility of the Dark Emperor's tail, which can lay straight back behind it, the Vorpal has in excess of a 180° arc of fire.
DCPD (Deochalcum Charged Particle Drill) – Integrated construction, back mounted, forward arc, fixed
Again, the DCPD rears its ugly head. While only having a range just beyond the Dark Emperor’s claws, at point blank range a blast from the DCPD is akin to getting slammed with hundreds of tiny charged particle cannons; heavy Zoids will lose bolts, sensor arrays and exposed “soft” targets… lighter Zoids may well fall into a smoking pile of eroded parts.
“Hailstorm” 80mm Vulcan Cannon - Integrated construction, tail mounted, 180° vertical arc
A relatively short range weapon for the caliber, the Hailstorm was devised as a medium range, moderate damage system with a far lesser power usage than the Vorpal. Spitting out 200 charged particle “pellets” per second, it sprays a target with armor piercing damage up to 1 kilometer away. At maximum range it can strike with up to 50% of the burst. Primarily used against aerial or lighter armored targets. As with the Vorpal, the tail mounted Hailstorm can engage enemies to direct rear of the DBOZ-001.
“War Hammer” 150mm Gauss Rifle (x2) – Back mounted, 180° vertical arc
Loaded with 50 tungsten alloy slugs, these cannons are built for medium range stopping power. The kinetic forces they unleash can actually lift a Liger off the ground at 500m. They were included in Dark Emperors’ armament to offer a ballistic weapon alternative.
Haege-3 50mm Linear Beam Cannon (x2) – Head mounted, forward arc, fixed
Mounted between the shoulders and chelicerae, these are the sniper cannons of the DBOZ-001’s arsenal. Though they have a range of almost 8 kilometers, their damage is minor due to their reduced muzzle aperture. They do have the advantage of delivering armor piercing damage within 3 kilometers, however.
“Warsprit” 100cal Recoilless Rifle (x2) – Head mounted, forward arc, fixed
Tucked between the Haege-3 cannon and under the chelicerae, these are short barreled slug throwers with a semi-automatic rate of fire. Each is belt fed by a 250 round magazine located under the pilot station. The recoilless rifles have limited use against larger Zoids but can deliver heavy blows to units under 50 tons, saving heavy weapons for more appropriate targets.
“Sunflare” 24mm Pulse Laser Cannon (x2) – Claw mounted, forward arc
An upgrade of the standard class-2 mounted Zenebas issue weapon common to the Saber and Dimetrodon units, these are considered light weapons fit only for smaller targets. The Dark Emperor can use them to pinpoint sensitive target areas and exposed systems on larger foes or to decimate light armored vehicles and troops.
DAC-4 16mm Laser Cannon (x2) – Tail mounted, aft turret 180° arc
Again, an improved standard Zenebas weapon system, a pair of these cannon are mounted on a turret system located under the tail to provide a 180° arc of fire to the rear. Their primary function is to intercept incoming missile fire to the rear or to discourage light Zoids. Their slight caliber limits their use but is somewhat balanced by their high rate of fire and lack of ammunition.
Riccor Mk2 Anti-Armor Missile (x2) – Claw mounted, forward arc
The missile has a stealth cowling to make shooting it down difficult, beneath which is an armor penetrator and a high explosive warhead. A longer range weapon, the Riccor can impact a target 15 kilometers away with enough force to disable a target upwards of 100 tons. These launch systems are often relocated to the Dark Emperor's back in favor of a second pair of Sunglare cannons.
“Skydart” Ground to Air Missile (x4) – Back mounted in 2 turrets, 180° arc
A light missile, the Skydart is extremely fast and agile. It has a range of 4 kilometers and inflicts minor damage, but for its use against light avian targets the Skydart is an ideal fire and forget weapon.
“Faust” 75mm Particle Bolt Cannon – Underside mounted, rear arc, 15° inclination
Lovingly known as “backstabber” by friend and foe alike, this weapon is often overlooked. It is mounted on the belly of the DBOZ-001 between the pectine sensor units facing the rear. It offers the rear arc medium level, ammunition independant firepower.
Parts List
Deathpion
chassis, armor, hoses
Pteramander
bolts
Gorilla Tron
biceps
Gojulas Giga
chlicerae, bolts, DCPD armer
Killer Dome
claws
Gravity Saix
claw teeth
Deadborder
eyes, tail targeting sensor
Saber
weapons
Zaber Fang
weapons
Barrigator
weapons, turret
Black Rhimos
weapons, intakes, DCPD (thorax)
Sturm Tyrann
claw housing
Heldigunner
hoses
CP-15
vulcan cannon
Ice Blazer
weapons
Elephander
thoracic intake
Cannon Spider
armor, legs, cockpit, Vorpal targeting system
Dimetra Ptera
weapons, pectines
Seismosaurus
Vorpal armor, Vorpal muzzle
Ultrasaurus
DCPD barrel
Hydrazoid
DCPD core regulator
Hoth Playset
Vorpal cannon
Sheet Polystyrene
knee armor, carapice armor, DCPD barrel
SUMMARY
It was once again the infusion of deochalcum that would change the world. It was broken down and used in several forms within the DBOZ-001, named “Dark Emperor” for the chassis style that most supported the ambitions of Guylos military; an emperor scorpion. A rapid platform well armored, agile, stable and strong, the scorpion was the natural conclusion of exhaustive testing. It is the ultimate evolution of the type, designed to be superior to Death Stinger… designed to dominate the battlefield.
The Build
First, thank you for visiting my Dark Emperor shrine. Second, I really, really appologize if your coffee gets cold while this "page" loads. Page, nothing... this is a manuscript! But, then, I've become a little obsessed with this custom. You see, it took just under 8 weeks to build (4 days to film!) but I had the concept brewing in my mind ever since I bought an original edition Deathpion more than a decade ago. I even had a sketch from 1992 of a giant scorpion Zoid. Recently I got an outstanding deal on TDP re-release... I couldn't resist. I have never been satisfied with the design of Death Stinger, and so the time has come. First I shall share with you the story of the Dark Emperor, and then, if you have the rest of the day free, we can proceed with the highlights of the build.
It begins.
Dark Emperor is the largest scorpion Zoid I have found anywhere on the Net, including repaints and customs built off of the Death Stinger and Deathpion chassis. Though 8 weeks was the time allotted for the build, it is in hours that the true efforts revealed themselves. Dark Emperor took 16 hours in the final week alone... I estimate approximately 30 hours for the entire build.
I wanted something different for the body style of my scorpion... not just another Death Stinger repaint. I also didn't want to make yet another big Zoid that could only rely on a couple of weapons and a super-gun. it's not that I have a thing for heavy firepower, it's that I've got a thing against massive war machines with inadeqate firepower. Many big Zoids are built like a battleship with a coupe of anti-aircraft guns. Dark Emperor needed to look different than the Deathpion used as its base, and it was looking at a scrapped Black Rhimos that sparked an idea... that rounded intake on his belly could make the base of a pretty darn big gun, and the vents already looked like a Dark Zoid. It would also make the body much larger. The tinkering began.
SCORPION EVOLUTION
The original scorpion Zoid, the EMZ-12 Guysack, was always a favorite of mine. It cemented that one of the most potent forms a heavy, ground based Zoid could possess was that of this armored arthropod; an exceptionally stable, elevated weapon platform with manipulator claws. Years after the Guysack came into being the EDP-03 Deathpion entered the scene. The model was large and exceptionally detailed, yet in scale it was less than half the mass of the EMZ-12, lightly armed (even for its size) and of limited combat capability. It took another two generations for the first, truly large scale scorpion, the EPZ-036 Death Stinger to reach the field. This machine used the same chassis concept as the Deathpion, but its scale placed it on par with the Gojulas. My custom, the DPZ-036 Tyrann Stinger, was made to bring the machine a look more akin to the direction of the Neo Zenebas Empire and with a few more weapons to boot. I also corrected what I saw as a serious flaw in the statistics for Death Stinger... its weight. (Look at the model of Death Stinger next to a Gojulas... there is no way it outweighs a Gojulas by 50 tons!)
Finally I created the DBOZ-001 Dark Emperor. I used a chassis that is easily mistaken for a repain of a Deathpion and the concept seems approximately the same size as Death Stinger. I felt the following chart might clarify matters a little:
An addition to the chassis were the pectines. Scorpions have remarkable anatomy, and these sensory organs lend to their alien appearance... they also made sense militarily. I decided I would build the first ever anatomically correct Zoid scorpion and included the pectines. The senosry unit is removable and grants the Emperor another intake. Also, mounted between the pectines is an additional rear-facing weapon.
Emperor scorpions have the largest, heaviest claws in proportion to their bodies in the species. I wanted mine to have not only claws, it needed CLAWS. Guysak, Deathpion and Death Stinger all had smooth, harmless appearing claws. Dark Emperor would leave no doubt as to the function of these appendages... to rend enemies limb from limb!
One of the biggest nightmares I had in making Dark Emperor was my plans for the new legs. I had aquired a Cannon Spider specifically to build them. After looking at the parts I realized that, with the spider legs extending those of the Deathpion, the claws would be aiming the wrong way to support the Zoid! I had to remove all of the claws from the Deathpion legs and switch them, left side with right side. Worse, Cannon Spider is made of a plastic that hates glue! There were no extra pieces from either set of legs... one screw up on any of the 16 leg parts and I would have to buy a new Zoid to finish! I sculpted 8 new armor pieces out of polystyrene tubing to protect the new ankle joints.
In case you are wondering, yes, Dark Emperor stands on his own, and yes, he still walks! (though not as smoothly!)
This HAD to be done right... I did not want to simplify the emperor scorpion's head features as all other Zoids had done. It was the real features of a scorpion viewed closely that sent shivers down my spine! Live scorpions do not have pincer-like mandibles as Guysack, Deathpion and Death Stinger do... they have chelicerae, claws built into their mouths to scissor prey apart. Further, scorpions have multiple sets of simple eyes... they actually have at least three pairs of bioncular eye sets... many have more eyes ringing the head. Dark Emperor would have two pairs of eyes per side of the head and the menacing chelicerae gaping up front. The final pair would be replaced by the pilot station.
The "stinger" needed to be a point of menace. Deathpion's weapon was little more than a heavy rifle, and, while Death Stinger had a more appropriate gun, it lacked the style of a scorpion's stinger... it was just a tube jutting from the end of the tail. Enter the Vorpal. I wanted a weapon that would appear as a scorpion sting, heavy enough for a 300 ton war machine and unique enough that people might wonder where all the parts came from. It also had to look like a Guylos weapon, so hoses were necessary.
The look of the Dark Emperor would not be complete without the flourescent green labels associated with Guylos... without the black armor, they would be needed to ensure it was seen as a new type of Dark Zoid. I designed all of the labels seen on the model. They are created using Adobe Illustrator and the huge file was then uploaded to Reprolabels.com, who tried to print them out (but many were shredded as they were too fine... a design flaw on my side!) Many turned out very well, however. But there was still a major problem... lime colored ink still doesn't glow!
Final Notes
Well, you've labored this far, so please allow me a final word about the DBOZ-001 Dark Emperor and my experience in building it. It was reinforced to me that customizing should be enjoyable and should stretch your abilities. There were several things that I tried with the Emperor that were way out of my experience range, most noteably keeping the Zoid mechanically functional, an all new painting technique (that I have never even heard of being tried before) and hand painting all of my labels after the build was completed. I also cut up some pretty expensive items for parts to build it, and I have no regrets. I hope you enjoyed exploring my work as much as I enjoyed wondering if every cut, daub of glue, hole drilled and hour spent was going to be the ruin of this little dream.
I risked more on this model than on any other, and I am more pleased with it than any other I have built to date.
Darth on, indeed!
AI-2 Profile
It is not only the chassis and weaponry that make the Dark Emperor a force to fear. The Zoid has undergone a new process in Artificial Intelligence And Instinct (AI-2) technology. As the body was formed, the mind was also, eliminating the shock of implanting an AI-2 system into a new cybernetic brain. Further, the pilot of each DBOZ-001 is “raised” with the Zoid as it is assembled. The two reinforce each other’s mental capabilities. The prototype Dark Emperor is piloted by Major Eren Dvess; personal bodyguard of Empress Guylos (and her lover). His intense loyalty to the Empress is instilled into his machine, as is a large measure of his martial arts training. Yes, the Dark Emperor has evolved a form of super-scorpion kung fu. The machine speaks with an eerily calm, quiet demeanor; it is a killer, a soldier, a friend to Dvess and talented strategist. One must never underestimate the Dark Emperor’s intellect and cunning while occupied with the more obvious threat of its terrifying form.
Honorable Mention
(4th Place)
Zoids Philippines 2008 Custom Contest
