Gun Sniper

The Gun Sniper is a type of Zoid, one of over 200 species of biomechanical life forms that provide the basis for TOMY’s model kit, anime, and comic based Zoids franchise.

Overview
The Gun Sniper is a Velociraptor-type Zoid, created by the Helic Republic.

One of the first Helic Zoids created using the Organoid System, the Gun Sniper is considered to be one of the most intelligent Zoids in active service, capable of "learning" from its pilot. Light and agile, the Zoid is designed both to function as an infantry machine and for fire support.

The Zoid's primary weapon is a 144mm Sniper Rifle built into the Zoid's tail. Although it requires the Zoid to be immobilised in order to fire, the powerful weapon is capable of disabling far larger Zoids with a single shot. Secondary weapons include a respectable selection of both ranged weapons and close-combat claws and fangs, making the Gun Sniper very well armed for its diminutive size.

Battle Story appearances
Following the acquisition of the Organoid System technology, the Helic Republic began development of a new generation of Zoids to counter the newer Guylos designs, while supplementing their own forces. Designed to replace older infantry Zoids like the Godos, the Gun Sniper proved to be very effective. It was more than capable against similar Guylos designs, especially the newer Rev Raptor, which was considered to be its counterpart. By ZAC 2100, the Gunsniper had become the standard infantry Zoid of the Helic army.

Media appearances
Anime
Chaotic Century
The Gun Sniper first appeared in the latter half of Zoids: Chaotic Century. Initially introduced as a brand-new Helic Zoid, the Gun Sniper quickly (and rather inexplicably) appeared en-masse in the hands of not only the Helic military, but also bandits and mercenaries. In one particularly glaring example, a professional assassin known as "Phantom" appeared to have been using the Zoid for longer than the Helic Army had.

New Century Zero
Two of the major characters in Zoids: New Century Zero used modified Gun Snipers during the series. Naomi Flugel used a customised Gun Sniper, (the Gun Sniper Naomi Special). Other than slightly improved performance and the red paint scheme it sported, Naomi's Gun Sniper is no different from the standard kind. Several other Gun Snipers appeared in the series, including many different kinds in a shop specialising in Gun Snipers, a custom Gun Sniper in Harry's hangar similar in appearance to the one Leena would later acquire, as well as a pair of the standard type used by Naomi's two short-lived teammates.

After the destruction of her Dibison by the Elephander, Leena Toros purchased a modified Gun Sniper, which had been equipped with a large array of weapons. Referred to as the Gun Sniper Leena Special, in addition to the basic armaments, it also possessed one pair of weasel units and two gattling cannons, two triple launcher units, a quartet of missile pods, high capacity stabilisers and reinforced parts in various areas. Despite the number weapons it had it was still fairly agile.

Naomi scoffed at Leena's Zoid initially, calling it "ridiculous", sparking a long-term rivalry between the two red-headed Gun Sniper pilots. This same Zoid would end up saving her life when Brad and Naomi were cornered by the Sand Stingray gang and their customized Sinkers, which the Gun Sniper LS destroyed with an assault from all its weapons at once.

Much like the Dibison that preceded it, the Gun Sniper LS had a tendency to be easily defeated, despite its considerably upgraded arsenal.

Leena Tauros is never depicted using her Gun Sniper's 144mm tail sniper rifle; this has caused many fans to speculate Leena's Zoid was incapable of using it, considering the weight of all the custom weapons. However, in Zoids: Battle Legends, it is confirmed that the Gun Sniper LS is indeed capable of using this weapon.

Like many of the custom Zoids from New Century, Leena's Gun Sniper was not available as a model and could not be built without considerable customization.

Fuzors
Gun Snipers appeared in several episodes of Zoids: Fuzors, usually in supporting roles. Interestingly enough, all the Gun Snipers in Fuzors sported the same custom configuration as the one used by Leena in New Century.

Models
New 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 Gun Sniper comes on four frames, along with a small wind-up motor, a clear canopy, two pre-assembled missile launchers, four rubber caps, a small grey pilot, and label sheets. The Zoid is moulded in light and dark blue, with orange caps. The Gun Sniper was the fourth completely new design to be released as part of the New Japanese Release.

Construction of the Gun Sniper is relatively simple and straightforward. The Zoid uses a simple wind-up motor for its motion; once wound, the Zoid will walk forwards and wave its arms. The Gunsniper has suffered from consistently poor production quality, with many models being unable to walk.

A single upgrade kit has been released for the Gun Sniper. The consists of a replacement back plate mounting two outrigger pods, each containing two pairs of cannons, for a total of eight cannons. Contrary to common fan belief, in the Battle Story, use of the Wild Weasel unit does not disable the Sniper Rifle.

Gun Sniper Naomi
A limited edition version of the Gun Sniper was released in 2000, recoloured in red and black to match Naomi Flugel's Zoid from the New Century anime.

New American Release
A version of the model was released as part of the New American Release. No changes were made aside from the packaging.

The NAR Zoid was also released as part of the New Pacific Release.

New English Release
The Gun Sniper was released in England in 2003 as a part of the New English Release.

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See Also

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