ZPCC 2012, Entry #22: XZ-336 Eradicator

[Maethius]

So this is the custom I had originally hoped could be entered in the Zoids Contest Arena contest, but just couldn't make the deadline. I admit it is my most involved custom to date. Please check out the build site for some details on the custom, as the 5 image limit makes it kind of difficult to convey some of the features.

Thanks again for the kind words I have already received, and serious kudos to everyone who entered and supported this contest!



Age of War: XZ-336 Eradicator

[Snowflake]

I'm just blown away!! I've been wanting a real badass realistic dinosaur like this forever, and you've delivered!! (remember that old illustration of the realistic-t-rex-gojulas?) I'm particularly impressed by how you scratch-built so many parts, and included all the best little attributes missing from other zoids like the jointed toes

[Raysetiger]

Yeah you bet, this entry has days or work put in to it. The amount of scratch-built is nothing like I've seen before showing true dedication to Darthing.
All I have to say, If you don't win first place\Best of all, I'll be mad cause this entry is truly worthy of such.

Wonderful and excellent job Maethius.

Now, with all those skills, when will you make your own zoids anime?

[Maethius]

@ Snowflake - Thanks, Snow! I think I know the very Rex you are talking about, and it was a clear inspiration for me, so was Zee's Gojulas Acantha. I just wanted to make something... impactful. The first draft of the build the feet looked too large; as it grew the feet looked too small (and boring) so I jointed them... the feet looked too large again! Then I finally got the thing half way built and the feet looked just right.

@ Rayse - This was definitely my most intense build; about 200 hours of work! As for the Zoids anime, actually I have something else brewing on the side. We'll see where it goes, or if it goes! In the meantime I'm doing my next custom... a commissioned piece (my first) and a truly daunting one at that. Not nearly as large, but made for a friend who is an professional toy designer, and it's HIS design!

[dosgatos]

It looks good close up, it looks good from a distance, it just looks good. I like the idea and purpose of it and it's RiPPeR Cannon.

[Ernestotaku]

Pfff, it's just more than amazing...
The prbolem with this beautiful thing is that only you can have it! It would to much for kotobukiya to design it.

[wolves]

Oh my....that is beautiful. I don't really have words for it other than...organic. Which is ironic because it's a machine but it's so true to the Zoids concept and much more intricately designed. I agree with ernes - too much for corporate to design. Amazing work! I'll be checking the details after class. You should be very proud!

[ped]

This is truly an amazing and inspiring build. Love the attention to detail, even on parts I know cannot even be seen. Great job bro!

[Maethius]

@ Dosgatos - Thanks much! When I started working on my first theropod I knew it had to be a special design, and it had to have a special niche to fit in my Age of War story arc. The idea of the RiPPeR came to me because I wanted a super weapon without it being a typical "super-weapon", I thought of the equivalent of a bio-weapon for Zoids... what if a weapon could dissolve them? What would carry such a device to use it and keep the tech safe? An Eradicator!

Incidentally, a piece of trivia: my wife named the Eradicator after seeing the design and learning the details of the weapon. Until she named it the project was code-named "the Ripper Rex", the personalized badge painted on the side of its Gatling ammo drum.

@ Ernestotaku - I'm actually hoping that Koto would do this with a Giga, but compliment completely absorbed and appreciated! I really want to revamp my custom display shelves to give this guy a place of honor there ... and keep the dust off of him!

@ Wolves - Thank you very much, Wolves. My desire from the first concept sketch was that this Zoid follow the silhouette of the real animal as closely as possible; the smooth armor over the tech-laden interior was a result of that goal. I think it turned out quite strikingly... I do wish I could have lit the eyes properly. Perhaps next time!

@ Ped - Thank you, Master Ped... you helped to inspire it! I actually felt sad placing some of the armor onto it and have a large store of photos without the armor because I know I will probably never see those details again.

I'm very glad it turned out to be a bit more than "just another T-Rex Zoid."

[wolves]

Definitely reached your goals. When you say light the eyes, do you mean just for a picture with a small spot or have the model lit permanently?

[Maethius]

I was going to run wire through the body and have the eyes illuminated with LED's, but I ran out of time... possibly even space. As large as the head is, the eye canopies are pretty tightly packed in there.

[wolves]

Ah got it!

[Argyle]

Okay, I thought I've seen it all, but (excuse my words) damn, that is one incredible masterpiece. I envy the fact that you're the only one who can have it. Since we're both in Washington, mind if I make a deal with you and buy it in person? Haha, just kidding. That deserves to be displayed by its creator.

[Maethius]

Thanks, Argyle, but... no. This sucker is going to have a place of honor on my shelves, that's for certain.

The only custom I've ever made that is going to someone else is the one I'm working on right now... and it is proving to be almost as difficult as Eradicator (though only half the size). It's my first commission piece. Unfortunately the best way for me to build it is with a Konig Wolf, and the only one I can afford is the one in my personal collection (a KW with CP22) I really don't want to take the saw to it, but I don't have $75 to drop on one off of eBay.

[wolves]

Congrats on the commissioned piece, that's great!