Virtual Dungeon

The Virtual Dungeon was the first stronghold of the arch villain Grimlord in the Saban series "VR Troopers". The interior consisted of footage taken from "Choujinki Metalder", where it was known in that show as God Neros's "Ghost Bank." In "VR Troopers", various voice actors dubbed lines to bring the Mutant and Cyborg inhabitants to life. When the Virtual Dungeon was destroyed, the Virtual Dark Fortress became Grimlord's second stronghold.

Access

Grimlord's main means of entering the Dungeon was by using his crystal ball. Once he appeared, all his minions would greet him: "Hail Grimlord! Master of the Virtual World!" The Dungeon could be also accessed through various Virtual Reality breaches in the guise of portals spread across the interior of Crossworld City, mostly in remote areas such as the park. These breaches also lead to other dimensions in certain episodes. Another exit from the dungeon is based in a system of caves outside the city.

Mutant Inhabitants

There was an abundance of mutants inhabiting the Dungeon. Here are the elite that regularly or semi-regularly appeared:

General Ivar

* Voice Actor: Mike Reynolds

Ivar is not only a rocket-shaped robot (who in fact also possesses the ability to turn into a rocket), but also a military strategist and chief commander of Grimlord's many, outer, aerial and ground forces as well as various Machine Man members. Ivar occasionally battles the Troopers in various vehicles, but seldomly ever fights any of them one on one. In one episode, Ivar had plotted mutiny with the aide of a stolen military brain. His mutiny resulted in what appeared to be his ultimate destruction, when JB defeated him in his missile form. However, Grimlord felt Ivar was redeemable, so Grimlord's forces retrieved Ivar's remains and rebuilt him. General Ivar, along with Colonel Icebot, is one of the few survivors of the Virtual Dungeons' destruction in Season Two, and remains with Grimlord after he upgrades to the Virtual Dark Fortress. Currently, and after Season 2, his whereabouts are unknown.

Colonel Icebot

* Voice Actor: Richard Epcar

Colonel Icebot is much more reserved than Ivar. He rarely fights at all, and serves as Grimlord's science officer as well as commander and developer of many aerial assault vehicles, inventions, and the occasional Bio-type members of Grimlord's army. In his only battle, Icebot gained the ability to change into another, Bio-type form to battle JB and Kaitlin. In this form, Icebot could transform into slime and release bee-like creatures from his chest. He survives the battle somehow, along with the Dungeon's later destruction, and serves Grimlord in Season Two in the same capacity. Ironically enough, Colonel Icebot has no ice attacks or abilities. In Season 1, Grimlord did reveal that Icebot had a fondness for the cold. Currently, and after Season 2, his whereabouts are unknown.

Decimator

* Voice Actor: Michael Sorich

An expert swordsman and the most active warrior of Grimlords' key lieutenants, Decimator was the first to deal Ryan a mortal blow in the first episode, nearly killing the then-inexperienced Trooper. He is mostly seen among the armored cyborg members and the armored human members of Grimlord's army. Ryan and Decimator clashed frequently over the first season until Decimator presumably met his demise in the second season when Grimlord self-destructed the Virtual Dungeon. However, Ryan encountered an illusion of Decimator in Grimlord's temporary mountainous base in Part 3 of "Quest For Power", in a battle that ultimately contributed to the loss of his original VR powers.

Toxoid

* Voice Actor: Dave Mallow

Another of Grimlord's key lieutenants. Toxoid was a mutant beast with a high pitched voice that wore green body armor with his head incased in a clear dome. Toxoid's other abilities included teleportation and shooting goo out of his fingers. He has also had the most opportunities to battle Ryan Steele personally, but either loses or runs away each time. Toxoid is looked down upon the most due to his limited intellect and cowardly behavior. He is often seen among the organic/genetic-looking creatures in Grimlord's army. He was never seen again after Grimlord's change and was presumably destroyed when Grimlord self-destructed the dungeon in Season 2's "Quest For Power" saga.

Zelton

* Voice Actor Michael Sorich

One of Grimlord's high ranked robotic warriors and key lieutenants who is sometimes seen amongst the android members of Grimlord's army. In one of his notable battles with Ryan Steele, Zelton was given the ability to transform and utilize the powers of other robotic warriors (namely Cannonbot, Graybot, Metalbot, and Renegade) from Grimlord's army since it was made from the power of them. After a hard and enduring battle, Ryan defeated Zelton. Zelton was impressed by Ryan's skills, and saluted him as his equal. Displeased with Zelton's honor, Decimator activated Zelton's self-destruct. Zelton was soon restored afterwards. Zelton has not been seen in Season 2 and was presumably destroyed when Grimlord self-destructed the dungeon.

He is sometimes incorrectly named as "Cannon Fist", probably because he can blast lasers out of his knuckles when he makes a fist.

Blue Boar

* Voice Actor: Mike Reynolds

One of Grimlord's prominent generals who commands the Gunbots and is seen amongst the other generals and any other weapon-based robot members of Grimlord's army. He is a large red and bluish steel robot with a head closely resembling a boar. In one hand he held a sword while his other hand was large. This served as a shield, plus each finger was a small cannon. In his only notable battle, he fought against Ryan while JB dealt with Vanbot. He survived his battle against Ryan, as he was seen a few times afterwards in the Virtual Dungeon. He presumably perished when the Dungeon self-destructed for a second time in Season 2.

Dark Heart

* Voice Actor: Kerrigan Mahan (1st Appearance), Richard Epcar (2nd Appearance)

Formerly Tyler Steele, father of Ryan Steele. Dark Heart was Grimlord's right hand man, and the fiercest of the mutants in Grimlord's army as well as a key lieutenant. He won the secret training battles and eventually forced Spitbot (a training opponent) into surrendering. His battle with Ryan resulted in failure, however. Grimlord was disappointed and ordered Dark Heart's execution. Dark Heart escaped with Ryan's help, and was eventually restored to human form. However, his freedom was short lived as Grimlord transported him back to Virtual Reality. He made no effort, however, to restore Dark Heart. Dark Heart, in his robotic and non-human form, fits the category of Zelton's army.

Renegade

* Voice Actor: Scott Page-Pagter

Renegade was a master marksman dressed in red spandex with white armor and fancied himself as one of the best. When he needed someone to hunt down the rogue, robot Dark Heart, Grimlord sent Renegade. When his head with a winged snake ornament on his forehead was damaged by Ryan, Renegade gained an upgraded head. Renegade also lost on his first encounter with Dark Heart; but after their second encounter, he successfully defeated and damaged Dark Heart. Despite being destroyed by Ryan's lighting hand in "Defending Dark Heart Part 3" Renegade made further appearances in the show. Now with an upgraded and specially made handgun, to fight Ryan, Renegade proved very formidable and would have won against Ryan, at one time, if the Ghost Biker hadn't saved Ryan. Later on, he participated in a plot revolving around the Reality Virus and assisted Crabor in fighting Ryan. In Grimlord's obstacle course he hid in the grass by the finish line and shot down Fighterbot and Torpedobot. His partners are Chrome Dome and Minotaurbot. Renegade wasn't seen in Season 2 and was presumed destroyed when Grimlord self-destructed the Virtual Dungeon. Renegade (presumably) fits the category of Zelton's army, since Zelton briefly took the form of him.

NOTE: In Metalder, Renegade (AKA Crosslander)'s original head was the head with the winged snake ornament on the forehead. This has caused some confusion in the dub, as these episodes were out of their original order (AKA the order used in Metalder).

Red Python

* Voice Actor: Wendee Lee

In "The Rise of the Red Python" (AKA the Season One finale), Colonel Icebot was finally successful in creating an evil VR Trooper with Tyler Steele's knowledge. However, the Red Python required a human spirit to harness her full powers. Meanwhile, the Troopers made a new friend named Amy. Amy was exactly the person Grimlord wanted to become the Red Python. Skugs captured Amy and she was brainwashed and given her new powers. Red Python proved very formidable and almost killed Kaitlin; JB vowed to get revenge. However, Icebot wasn't as successful as he hoped....Red Python's powers were slowly becoming unstable and any further battles would lead to her self-destruction. Amy's physical well-being and mental health were also in jeopardy. During her last battle with JB, her powers gave up completely. The Troopers were able to save Amy before she was destroyed. Neither Amy or Red Python were mentioned or seen again.

Air Stryker

* Voice Actor: Dave Mallow

A humanoid helicopter with a high-pitched monotone voice who serves as an aerial lieutenant. He shoots explosive arrows from his wrists. In one event, he collided with Ryan causing the Trooper to experience amnesia. In Grimlord's obstacle course, Cannon Nose used him to carry him across a mine field. He was one of the few inhabitants of the Virtual Dungeon to ultimately survive the Virtual Dungeon's final destruction, as he was seen carrying out more air strikes against the Troopers after the formation of the Virtual Dark Fortress, but after season 2, his current whereabouts are unknown. Fits the category of Blue Boar's army.

Fighterbot

* Voice Actor: Tom Wyner

A humanoid jet who is often paired Air Stryker. He mainly does reconnaissance or aerial assaults with him. He shoots lasers from his wings. He also seemed to survive the final destruction of the Virtual Dungeon, seeing as Grimlord used him for more air strikes alongside Air Stryker in Season 2, which occurred after the formation of the Virtual Dark Fortress. His current whereabouts are unknown after season 2. Fits the category of Blue Boar's army.

Gunbots & Tankbots

Among Grimlord's forces were a group of heavy duty robots known as the Gunbots and Tankbots. These robots are commanded by Grimlord and Blue Boar and were most distinguishable by their bulky appearance as well as their massive built-in firearms. They mainly serve as backup or support during a battle whenever a single mutant challenges Ryan. These robots are often transported in black minivans. Among those in this category are listed below.

Tankatron

* Voice Actor: Michael Sorich

A tank robot that can blast lasers from his ear cannons and finger cannons. He is one of Grimlord's prominent Gunbots. He is used all the way through Season One until the destruction of the Virtual Dungeon. Fits the category of Blue Boar's army.

Cannon Nose

A walking humanoid tank that can blast artillery from his nose. He is one of Grimlord's prominent Gunbots. In Grimlord's obstacle course, he used Air Stryker to carry him across a mine field. He is used through Season One until the destruction of the Virtual Dungeon. Fits the category of Blue Boar's army.

Ballistix

A humanoid rocket silo and one of Grimlord's Gunbots who has missile launchers on his shoulders and on his chest. He is used all the way through Season One until the destruction of the Virtual Dungeon. Fits the category of Blue Boar's army.

Foot Soldiers

kugs

Grimlords' foot soldiers. They usually take the form of humans when carrying out Ziktor's agendas and travel in twos or threes. In human form, Skugs apparently gained more individuality and intelligence than they normally have in their true forms, as evidenced by Ziktor's secretaries and inventor Strickland (played by Glen McDougal). When confronted by the Troopers, they change into their true form and split into a few more to increase the difficulty against their adversaries. They can shift through solid floors back into Virtual Reality, and also appear in the Battle Grid. Whenever they are knocked together, they will short-circuit and disappear from battle. However, Skugs can be defeated without touching each other, as seen several times when a platoon of Skugs (often assisting a monster) is finished off with JB's laser lance command. There are a rare occasion of Skugs known as Mutant Skugs who accompany anyone working for any of Grimlord's key lieutenants in the Virtual Dungeon. The Skugs received an upgrade to Ultra Skugs in Season Two using the technology taken from Tyler Steele in the Quest For Power mini-series.

Other Mutants and Cyborgs

Equipment

The dungeon has various interior chambers from which the mutants and cyborg armies emerge from to await Grimlords' commands. It also has a self-destruct sequence that Grimlord used twice. The first time, he attempted to kill Ryan and Tyler Steele, and it was repaired very quickly. The second time he initates the self-destruct sequence, Grimlord is forced to retreat to a smaller, less efficient hiding place.

References

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* [http://www.tv.com/vr-troopers/show/9699/episode.html TV.com's episode guide]