Deadborder

The Deadborder is a type of Zoid, a race of mechanical lifeforms from the fictional Zoids universe.

Overview
The Deadborder is a Tarbosaurus-type Zoid, created by the Guylos Empire.

The Deadborder is one of the “Dark” Zoids that use a special power source. The Zoids cores are bonded to a material found only on the Dark Continent of Nyx called Deochalcum, likely after the legendary metal Orichalcum. This allows them to absorb light and heat into their bodies and convert it into power for their weapons systems. As a result, while the Deadborder is only a mid-sized Zoid, it is devastatingly powerful. The Dark Zoids give off a distinctive green glow from their power plant and other components.

Its most powerful weapons are its dual Gravity Cannons. These powerful weapons create and manipulate a localised, high-gravity field, which is capable of crushing almost any opponent. The Deadborder’s cannons can lift and crush a Deathsaurer, and are known to have been used to throw an Ultrasaurus. The Deadborder boasts numerous other weapons, giving it a considerable arsenal.

Because the Zoidians native to the Dark Continent are very sensitive to bright light, the Deadborder’s cockpit is covered by a specialised shield that protects the pilot.

Battle Story appearances
The Deadborder first appeared in approx ZAC 2051, when forces from the Guylos Empire attacked the Central continent. The Dark Zoid’s power sources had a detrimental effect on the environment around them, causing plants to wilt, animals to die, rivers to dry up and the very ground itself to crack. The Deadborder spearheaded the assaults, being used to attack both the Zenebas Empire and Helic Republic’s forces. A Deadborder was responsible for killing Emperor Zenebas, as well as the capture of Störmer, one of Zenebas' ace pilots who was forced into service with the Guylos Empire.

Deadborders were also used to defend the Dark Continent against the Helic invasion of Nyx. While the Helic forces were able to eventually push past the Guylos defenders, they suffered heavy casualties in the process. The Guylos army, however, were able to force the Helic forces into an eighteen month stalemate in the Devil’s Maze.

All existing Deadborders were destroyed when a meteor struck Zi in ZAC 2056. The destruction of much of the Dark Continent, along with the other changes to Zi, destroyed the sources of the ores needed for the Zoid’s power sources. As a result, no new Deadborders can be created, and the type is effectively extinct.

Media Appearances
Anime
The Deadborder’s sole anime appearance was in Episode 21 of Zoids: Fuzors. A Deadborder (in the ‘Battle Rex’ colours) appeared briefly in the first minute of the episode, with that time including the Zoid's destruction by a Leogator and the reporting of it on a news bulletin. The Zoid had a 3D computer model, despite the fact it had never appeared before and was not used again in Fuzors, or in Zoids: Genesis.

Video games
Deadborders also appeared in the Game Boy Color game ' (Evil God Revived! Geno Breaker Story).

Models
Original Japanese Release
*Assembly required. (Snap-together, no glue needed. Scissors or X-acto knife recommended for trimming off excess plastic bits.)
*The model's colours are moulded into the plastic, and it does not need any paint.

The Deadborder kit comes on four frames, along with a battery-powered motor, a semi-transparent frame, sixteen rubber caps (two different sizes), a frame of rubber tubes, a small chromed pilot, and label sheets. The Deadborder is moulded in flat black, dark grey, and neon green. The neon green frames, the motor, and the stickers all glow in the dark.

The Deadborder’s construction is not overly complicated or simple, putting it roughly in the middle of the range for Zoid complexity. The Deadborder uses a single “AA” sized battery for motion. Once activated, the Zoid walks forwards, its arms waving and jaws chomping. The Deadborder’s back cannons can be manually positioned. No specific extra weapons were made for the Deadborder.

The Deadborder model was first released in 1989, with production continuing until 1990.

Pre-New Japanese Release
A limited run of the Deadborder was released in 1998, prior to the re-launch of the Zoids line. This version is identical to the original, except for the colour of the tubes, and comes in near-identical packaging.

New American Release
Hasbro planned to release their own version of the Deadborder, renamed the Battle Rex, in North America, as a part of their Zoids line in 2004. The Battle Rex was substantially recoloured, being primarily metallic green, with black highlights and an orange canopy. However, due to the cancellation of the Zoids line in America, the Battle Rex was never released and probably never entered production.

Some prototypes have found their way into the hands of private collectors. These prototypes had several moulding changes.

*The supports on the inside of the feet have been substantially lengthened.
*A pair of small tubes have been removed from the top of the main cannons.

Additionally, the kit also has several moulding flaws and had a poor parts fit. These changes and flaws suggest that the original Deadborder mould may have been damaged or lost, and the mould had been recreated by Hasbro.

TDP Deadborder
In December 2005, Toy's Dream Project re-released the Deadborder as a limited edition model as a part of their reissue line. While overtly similar to the OJR version, this version of the Deadborder had a number of moulding changes, similar to those found on the Prototype Battle Rex. Additionally, the battery case now features a screw-shut cover instead of a clip-shut one. These changes suggest that the mould used was the same as the one developed for the Hasbro Battle Rex.

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