Guysak

Zoids
Zoid_name = Guysak
ImageName =
Caption = A Guysak, as seen in Zoids: New Century/Zero
Model_number = RZ-002
Faction = Helic Republic
Zoid_type = Scorpion
Crew = 1 or 2
Weight = 22
Length = 10
Height = 4
Speed = 120 km/h
Weapons = AZ 30 mm Beam Rifle, Laser Fang, Laser Claw x2
Equipment = Smoke DischargerThe Guysak is a Scorpion-type 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 Guysak is a small-scale infantry Zoid used by the Helic Republic. It is one of the oldest Zoid designs, based on the older Gargantulus, sharing the same basic fuselage and cockpit design. Though it is far slower than the Spiderzoid, it outclasses its predecessor in terms of firepower, durability and close combat capability. It operates best in sandy deserts, where it is capable of burrowing into the loose soil to launch surprise attacks. Its primary weapon is the AZ30mm Beam Rifle on its tail, which can optionally be replaced by a 70 mm beam cannon.

Media appearances

Marvel Zoids Comics

Guysaks appeared in the Marvel Zoids comics under the moniker of Scorpiozoid, and were members of the Blue Zoid faction.

Zoids: Chaotic Century

The Guysak's first animated appearance was in Zoids: Chaotic Century. The basic unit was usually seen in the possession of anonymous Republican soldiers. Often, they were used as automated guards and sentries referred to as "Sleepers", which would lie underground, attacking any intruders "en masse". Generally, they amounted to little more than cannon fodder and were easily dispatched by the main characters.

However, a few Guysaks appeared in more significant roles:

The first of these was a sky-blue Guysak piloted by the character Bull, a rookie member of the Desert Acrobeleno Gang, which appeared in the first episode, "The Boy From Planet Zi," and was the first Zoid to be depicted in the anime. Bull had just recently acquired the Zoid, and pursued Van Flyheight through the desert to test its strength, until he was accidentally buried under the remains of a collapsing Gojulas wreck. Bull and his Guysak would re-appear later in the episode to try and steal Van's newly found Organoid Zeke, fighting it briefly and eventually being defeated by the Organoid. Bull and his Guysak would be seen again and for the last time in episode 4, "The Protectors", when Bull assisted the rest of his gang in raiding a small village. He briefly fought against Van, but the Guysak was quickly destroyed by Van's Shield Liger.

Also of note is the Guysak Stinger Special, possessed by the bishōnen mercenary "Stinger." This custom Guysak was painted bright red with a green canopy, making it resemble an Imperial Zoid. In addition to its custom paint job, it was also far more powerful than any Guysak depicted before or since, sporting a pair of side-mounted machine guns, a Nerve Gas Bomb Launcher and a top speed three times greater than a typical Guysak. When Stinger first made his appearance, he used this Guysak to easily dispatch a trio of Dark Horns being piloted by the assassin Metlinick and his thugs, using its greater speed to outmanoeuvre them and then knock them out with a trio of Nerve Gas Bombs. He later lent this Guysak to one of Metlinick's thugs. Van (whose Shield Liger had recently been destroyed by Raven's Geno Saurer) was able to steal it, using it to take out a Dark Horn by tunnelling underneath it. Eventually, the Guysak Stinger Special was destroyed in battle against Stinger's custom Zaber Fang.

Zoids: Guardian Force

Guysaks were occasionally seen in Guardian Force as well, though not as often as they were in Chaotic Century. They filled mostly the same roles, though a few variants were seen in non-combat roles, developed for mine-detection and construction purposes.

Zoids: New Century/Zero

The Guysak appeared only once during Zoids: New Century Zero, in episode 12: "Zero is Stolen: The Fiery Battle". Here, a single Guysak was seen in possession of the Backdraft group, and it was used in a demonstrative match against Bit Cloud's Liger Zero.

Zoids: Fuzors

Guysaks made appearances in Zoids: Fuzors, again as common cannon-fodder Zoids. The Guysaks in Fuzors, however, were all painted lime green, as opposed to the dusty brown Guysaks seen in previous series.

Models

Original Japanese Release

Original European Release

Released under the name of Scorpio Zoid.

New Japanese Release

The Guysak was the second Republic Zoid released in the "New Japanese Release", on August 28 1999. [Guysack, "Phenotype's Zoids Site"] The Zoid is not mentioned in the section of Battle Story printed on the packaging; this is instead used to describe the fictional events occurring between the end of the "OJR" and the start of the "NJR".

New American Release

Hasbro released their own version of the Guysak, changing its name to Gusak. The actual model is more-or-less identical to the New Japanese Release version.

References

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