Name: Barigator
Alignment: Helic Republic
Family: Crocodile
Registration Number: RZ-003
Crew: 1
Height: 4.4 Meters
Length: 14.5 Meters
Weight: 24.3 Tons
Top Speed: 150 kph (land), 40.5 knots/75 kph (water)
Weapons: Dual 20mm ATD Beam Cannons, 4-Shot Missile Launcher, Hardened Alloy Jaws and Fangs, Hardened Alloy Tail
Special Abilities: Swimming, Barigator Bite
Cost:
Level: 1
The Barigator was the Zoid introduced by the Helic Republic to replace its the Aquadon and dominate the seas. The reasoning behind the Helic’s addition of this mass-production Zoid was that it had two things the Aquadon lacked: armor and an anti-torpedo defense. Though these additions proved fairly effective against the previously-used Sinker torpedo-bombing runs, the Barigator lacked maneuverability and could fall prey to the Zenebas Zoid despite having heavier armor.
However, the Barigator served its purpose well enough, and served alongside the Aquadon until hostilities with the Zenebas Empire ceased. Only later did the Barigator find itself completely outgunned: faced by the overwhelming combined forces of enemy Sinkers, War Sharks, and Heldigunners. However, the Barigator had the advantage of being easy to mass-produce, and is still in service (to an extent) today in the waters around Europa.
Weapons:
Dual 20mm ATD Beam Cannons:
Essentially the entirety of the Barigator’s anti-torpedo defense, these two 20mm Anti-Torpedo Defense Beam Cannons supposedly supplement the Zoid’s heavy armor to give it more staying power against the heavily-armed Sinker. At first glance, these are just semiautomatic 20mm Beam Cannons. However, there is one main difference. These weapons were the first and among the only in the history of Zi to use torpedo’s active pinging against them. Whenever a torpedo is in the water anywhere around the Barigator (it need not be actually locked onto the ‘Gator), these guns automatically move to track it. Usually one volley from the guns is sufficient to destroy an oncoming torpedo. Note also that the automatic tracking ability can be turned on or off with the flick of a switch. ((Note that the 20mm ATD Beam Cannons are fixed forward, but mounted to the neck and turn with the head. Therefore, the tracking system turns the Barigator’s neck, not pivot the guns.))
4-Shot Missile Launcher:
Of course, the Barigator isn’t all armor. It has this 4-Shot Missile Launcher to counter the Sinker -- and it does its job extremely well. What’s phenomenal about these missiles is that they can lock onto any target: land, air, or sea. (Note that the missiles work underwater too due to special design.) However, this ability comes at a cost: the lock-on time is 1.5 times as long as normal. However, to compensate for this, the launcher mount can rotate 360 degrees (and 90 degrees up or 30 degrees down), allowing it to track a target in almost any position relative to the Barigator.
Hardened Alloy Jaws and Fangs:
The Barigator has a powerful bite, and it boasts Hardened Alloy Jaws and Fangs to prove it. These are obviously used for biting, ripping, and tearing in melee combat. Note, however, that one of the greatest weaknesses of the Barigator is the bite as well -- the cockpit is exposed in the throat when the Barigator opens its mouth.
Hardened Alloy Tail:
If someone sneaks up behind the Barigator, or if the Zoid simply can’t use its jaws, the Barigator has a rather large and heft tail to use as an alternative. While the tail isn’t really as powerful as those on larger Zoids, it was designed to be a weapon, and can send lighter Zoids flying or sprawling. Be warned, though, the heavier folks won’t even falter when hit by the Barigator’s tail.
Special Abilities:
Swimming:
While not as maneuverable as the Aquadon or Sinker, the Barigator can swim. And can swim fairly well, too. While turning full circle is still something of a problem, this Zoid can swim at a slow clip of 40.5 knots (75 kph) without too much trouble. However, the Barigator has a crush depth of 150 meters, so don’t take it too deep.
Barigator Bite:
The signature attack of the Barigator is the Barigator Bite, which uses a special system of hydraulics to clamp down on an enemy. This is extremely powerful melee attack for a Zoid of the Barigator’s size, and can effectively neutralize any Zoid of the Barigator’s weight in a single fell swoop. However, there are two limitations to this attack: firstly, it can be used once every three seconds, as the Barigator reopens its mouth. Secondly, the Barigator, like a real alligator, doesn’t have much force behind the mouth-opening action, and its jaws can be held shut without too much trouble.
Available Modifications: Minigun(*2)