Shadow Fox

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

Overview
The Shadow Fox is a Fox-type Zoid, created specifically by the Helic Republic to support units of Liger Zeroes during the Republic invasion of the Dark Continent of Nyx.

A high-speed, medium size Zoid, the Shadow Fox is very fast and agile, and one of the most capable Zoids of its size. The Fox's greatest asset, however, is its stealth systems. The Zoid is equipped with numerous sensor baffles and radar-absorbing material that makes it almost undetectable by most sensors. On top of that, the Zoid is equipped with a sophisticated optical camouflage system that renders it invisible.

The Shadow Fox's main ranged weapon is a 30mm Beam Vulcan cannon mounted on a flexible turret on its back. The cannon has a very broad arc of fire, allowing the Fox to attack enemies at almost any angle. The Zoid's other ranged weapon is a rather unusual one; a net launcher mounted in the tail, designed to entangle enemy Zoids.

The Zoid mounts one other unusual feature; the Laser Vulcan can be easily removed and replaced with a wide array of other weapons systems. In addition to various Custom Parts, the Fox can also mount weapons from other Zoids, like the Genosaurer's long-range pulse cannons, the Lightning Saix's boosters and beam cannons, the Spinosnapper's chainsaws, or the Gojulas's buster cannon.

Battle Story appearances
The Shadow Fox was first deployed in ZAC 2101, during the Republic's invasion of the Dark Continent. The Zoid was deployed alongside the Republic's Liger Zeroes, and was initially successful. The Shadow Fox and Liger Zero combination continued to succeed until encountering the Eisen Dragoon Berserk Führer and Grounchar units. The timely arrival of the Republic's Gunbluster Zoids saved them, allowing them to continue with their missions.

The Helic Republic later designed an improved version of the Shadow Fox. Known as the Fire Fox, the prototype was stolen by the Neo-Zenebas Empire, and later put into limited production by them.

Media appearances
Anime
New Century Zero
The first appearance of the Shadow Fox in anime was during the latter episodes of Zoids: New Century Zero. The Shadow Fox was a prototype Zoid developed for the Backdraft Group by Doctor Layon, and was given to Brad Hunter after the destruction of his Command Wolf AC. Although the other characters belief was that Brad had joined the Backdraft Group, a loophole in the Zoid Battle Commission's regulations retroactively classified the Shadow Fox as a Blitz Team Zoid. In fact, Brad never renounced his loyalty to the team and only went to Layon to get the Shadow Fox, using this loophole to ensure his success. Despite that, he still fought the Blitz team before revealing this (liking do so just for fun), easily defeating the Raynos and Gun Sniper, and was evenly-match with the Liger Zero Jaeger before the battle ended. He used it for the rest of the series, helping to defeating the Lighting Team and defeating Naomi's Gun Sniper. In the final battle of the series, Brad and the Shadow Fox held off the Vega and Berserk Fury so that the Bit and the Liger Zero could rearm. Brad succeeded in his goal, though the Shadow Fox was destroyed in the process.

Fuzors

In Zoids: Fuzors, Marvis used a Shadow Fox both as a member of the Mach Storm Team and after he escaped from prison. His Shadow Fox was equipped with an energy shield, but, despite this, it was destroyed by Helmut and Sigma's Command Striker in episode 10. He later had it replaced with a Styluarmor.

Several other Shadow Foxes appeared as background Zoids in Fuzors, including one with a reversed gold and black colour scheme in episode 24.

Genesis
Two different Shadow Foxes were featured in Zoids: Genesis, coloured the same as the gold Shadow Fox above.

In the series it/they are part of a guerrilla group allied with Ra-Kan's resistance against the Digald Empire. The Shadow Fox appears to be less technically capable than the New Century Zero or Fuzors versions.

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 primarily moulded into the plastic, and it does not need any paint. Some pieces come pre-painted.

The Shadow Fox kit comes on six sprues, along with the wind-up motor, orange cockpit 'eyes', 24 rubber caps, two gears, a label sheet and a pilot figure. The Shadow Fox is moulded in grey/silver, black, and metallic blue, with gold and metallic grey details painted on.

The Zoid's construction is relatively simple; slightly more complex than the Command Wolf. The Zoid uses a wind-up motor for movement; once the Zoid is activated it slowly walks forwards. The Zoid's head can be manually positioned, the jaw opened and closed and the Vulcan cannon can be elevated and rotated. A gearing mechanism on the side of the cannon can also be used to rotate the barrels.

The main feature of the Zoid is that the back mounted weapons rack carries a variety of pegs in different widths, allowing a wide range of weapons from other Zoids to be mounted. The rack has three standard-sized pegs, as well as a large-sized peg and a square hole. The latter allows the mounting of the battery packs from several other Zoids, such as the Lightning Saix, Berserk Führer and Death Stinger.

The Shadow Fox was released in 2000, with production continuing until 2004.

New American Release

The Shadow Fox was released in the US by Hasbro as a part of the New American Release, as a exclusive. This version had a slight mould change, in that the end of the key to the Zoid's wind-up motor was rounded off. This mould change was carried forwards to all subsequent versions, as well as later runs of the New Japanese Release.

The Zoid was also released as a part of the New Pacific Release in similar packaging. This version was a general release.

Fire Fox

A limited edition version of the Shadow Fox was released as part of the 'Yuji Kaida' series in 2003, named the Fire Fox.

The main changes concerning this Zoid revolved around the fact that the Fire Fox was stolen from the Helic Republic by the Neo-Zenebas Empire. The Zoid was moulded in red, gold and silver, had green cockpit 'eyes', contained an altered label sheet (to reflect the faction change), and included a blue Imperial pilot. There were no mould changes, except for continuing with the remoulded key.

New English Release
The Shadow Fox was planned for release as a part of the New English Release, however it likely did not reach full production before the line was cancelled. Examples have been found for sale on eBay.

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See Also

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