Blog:Taxonomic Zoid Classification System ('Official' Creature Types) - JEOC

( Updated as of 13/02/2023 ) — *ZAC introduction date listing in progress*

Contact e-mail : jeoc0711@gmail.com

Zoids ('zoic androids') is a Japanese model kit, print media, anime cartoon and video game franchise, featuring combat between gigantic mechanical fighting vehicles known as Zoids, that are based on various animals and mythological creatures, which began as model kits in 1982 and now has several hundred varieties of Zoids.

In this blog post is a fully comprehensive taxonomic Zoid classification system that I have created, which includes all of the Zoids listed in the List of Zoids and Fuzor Zoid articles (and more) from the Zoids wiki, as well as some from The Iron Bible's Zoid resources and elsewhere, with each entry listed in a quasi-phylogenetic order and in a similar format for clarity.

Blog post contents :
 * Key
 * 1) Notes
 * 2) Classification and listing information
 * 3) Introduction date/era notation key
 * 4) Related developments
 * 5) Abridged contents
 * 6) (Zoid listings in full)

Key :
 * w/ = With
 * w/o = Without
 * i/o = Instead of
 * Comm / Comms = Communication / Communications
 * EDB = Empire Development Bureau
 * ZL = Zoids Legacy
 * APS = Author's Personal Suggestion
 * Jap. = Translated Japanese language name

Zoid equipment:
 * CP = Customise Parts
 * CAS = Changing Armour System
 * B-CAS = Blox-CAS
 * DBCS = Brain Control System

Model release notation:
 * OJR = Original Japanese Release (unofficial designation)
 * OAR = Original American Release (unofficial designation)
 * OER = Original European Release (unofficial designation)
 * NJR = New Japanese Release (unofficial designation)
 * NAR = New American Release (unofficial designation)
 * NPR = New Pacific Release (unofficial designation)
 * MB = Mechabonica
 * TZ = Technozoids
 * Z2 = Zoids 2
 * RS = Robo Strux
 * RC = Rebirth Century
 * YK = Yuji Kaida
 * F = Fuzors (models)
 * G = Genesis (models)
 * Ge = Generations

Notes :
 * This Zoid classification system omits all pseudozoids from Zoids: Wild, which can be found classified in my NotZoids: NotWild exposé.
 * Unlike my personally accurised Zoid classification system, this iteration of my taxonomic Zoid classification system only lists Zoids as what creatures they are 'officially' based on (Blade Liger as Lion-type, Death Saurer as Tyrannosaurus-type etc.), instead of what creatures they're actually based on.
 * While the (Ambiguous) diapsids category that contains the Longisquama-type Zoid Glaive Quama, comes after and is in the same priority alignment with other categories that would technically be subcategories of a diapsid category (Testudinatans etc.), I have decided to instead arrange those categories in an order determined by the habitat and superficial resemblance to each other of those genera, due to the subcategory limit ending at 'Format' (Heading 6) preventing me from listing more in-depth Zoid classification.
 * Some Fuzor Zoids are listed as hybrids, while others are listed with their base Zoids if the additional parts form what is closer to an armour/weapon system than hybridisation.
 * The genus each zoid is based on is underlined and in bold, to assist with clarity in instances where any following information in that box may hamper quick verification while scrolling through the list.
 * For tidiness, each Zoid derived from the 'Zaber Fang (Guylos Empire)' which lists it in their 'Type & base/component Zoid(s)' column, the 'Zaber Fang (Guylos Empire)' is denoted as just 'Zaber Fang', as every Zaber Fang variant listed after the Zaber Fang (Guylos Empire), is derived from either directly from it or another of its variants, whereas the two Zaber Fang entries derived from the Zaber Fang (Zenebas Empire), are listed as being derived from this Zoid using its full notation, i.e. 'Zaber Fang (Zenebas Empire)'.
 * Possible inclusion of pictures for each Zoid listing using primarily the game sprites shown at Spriters Resource.
 * I am particularly interested in any comments or e-mails regarding the inclusiveness, accuracy and terminology etc. of this classification system.

List of new Zoid entries to be added :
 * Hell Spider
 * Killer Bee
 * Drill Molga
 * Bout Viper
 * Heldigunner DT
 * Heldigunner SS (Sebastian Special)
 * Carrygator
 * Hippopotamus Sonic
 * Gator RS (Radome Special)
 * Parasauros
 * Sprat
 * Gun Sniper PS (Phantom Spec.)
 * High Sniper
 * Strike Deinonychus
 * Berserk Fury (EDB BF-04)
 * Salamander (large anti-aircraft missile)
 * Salamander Cargo
 * Strengthened Zaber Fang
 * Geno Wyvern
 * Taphanles

Classification and listing information :
 * Classification order within each creature type heading:
 * Creature type
 * Introduction era
 * Base Zoid
 * Introduction date
 * Guideline classification order within each genus:
 * Battle story introduction dates:
 * (Before)
 * Zoids: Chaotic Century/Guardian Force
 * Zoids SS
 * ZOIDS Material Hunters
 * Zoids: New Century
 * Before ZAC 2230
 * Zi-G Research Foundation era
 * 'Far off in the Future' (or possibly between ZAC 2230 and the Neoblox timeline)
 * Zoids: Fuzors (ZAC 2230)
 * 'Far off in the Future' (or possibly between Zoids: New Century and ZAC 2230)
 * Neoblox timeline (Beith Republic and Dinas Empire)/Custom Blox Zoids
 * Zoids: Genesis/Generations
 * Model releases:
 * Attack Zoids
 * Classic Zoids
 * Zoids BLOX/Fuzor Zoids
 * Neoblox/Custom Blox Zoids
 * Zoids Baratz/Bio Zoids
 * Zoids that are simply recolours of their base Zoids are generally not listed, with the exception of recolours that have a unique designation number, specific pilot, differing affiliation or are described as having different capabilities in the battle story or other official media:
 * Dark Zoids — Guylos Empire
 * Valga (Helic Republic) — Helic Republic
 * Green Horn — Helic Republic
 * (Incomplete list)
 * Multiple listings:
 * Leo Gator (Crocodilians / Lions)
 * Transhawk (Hawks / Tigers)
 * Dimetra Ptera (Synapsids / Pteranodontids)
 * Styluarmor (Doryaspidids / Centrosaurines)
 * Brachio Zilla (Brachiosaurids / Tyrannosaurids)
 * Centaur (Centaurs / Combinations of Extinct Genera)

Introduction date/era notation key :
 * e-ZAC (year to decade)s = Early
 * m-ZAC (year to decade)s = Mid
 * l-ZAC (year to decade)s = Late
 * b-ZAC (year) = Before
 * a-ZAC (year) = After
 * TT ZAC (year) + ZAC (year) = Time Travel
 * ZAC (year)- = During or before ZAC (year)
 * ZAC (year)+ = During or after ZAC (year)
 * ZAC (year)~ = Approximately ZAC (year)
 * ZAC (year)-(year) = Sometime between ZAC (year)-(year)
 * ZAC (year)* = See this note for relevant information regarding the introduction date:
 * Hammerock - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Merda, Geruda, Zatton and Malder i.e. ZAC 1980s
 * Shotwalker - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Deathpion i.e. ZAC 2043
 * Dontress - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Deathpion i.e. ZAC 2043
 * Gorem - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Deathpion i.e. ZAC 2043, but after the Megatopros, meaning either ZAC 2045+ or 2043+
 * Lidier - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Death Saurer i.e. ZAC 2044
 * Dark Malder/Molga/Warshark/Helcat/Iron Kong/Gator/Dimetrodon/Iguan/Twinhorn/Death Saurer - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the other 'Dark Zoids' (Heldigunner, Deadborder etc.) i.e. ZAC 2051
 * Mosasledge - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Leoblaze and Unenlagia i.e. ZAC 2102
 * Nightwise - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Leoblaze and Unenlagia i.e. ZAC 2102
 * Matrix Dragon - Unspecified introduction date but likely at the same time as the Leoblaze and Unenlagia i.e. ZAC 2102
 * Gojulas Mariner Type B - Unspecified introduction date but likely at a similar time to the Gojulas Giga and Stealth Stinger i.e. ZAC 2104~
 * Era notation:
 * CC/GF era = Zoids: Chaotic Century/Zoids: Guardian Force era
 * ZCC = Zoids: Chaotic Century
 * ZGF = Zoids: Guardian Force
 * ZSS era = Zoids SS era
 * ZMH era = ZOIDS Material Hunters era
 * ZNC era = Zoids: New Century era
 * ZRF = Zi-G Research Foundation era
 * FoF = 'Far off in the Future'
 * NB era = Neoblox era (Beith Republic, Dinas Empire and Custom Blox Zoids)
 * ZG era = Zoids: Genesis era
 * ZGe era = Zoids: Generations era

Abridged contents : — 721 (338/383)

Tally key:
 * T (C/V) = Total Zoids ((Distinct) Chassis/Variants)

1. Extant Genera — 411 (174/237) - 1a. Natural Hybrids of Extant Genera 2. Extinct Genera — 228 (97/131) 3. Mythological/Fictional Creatures — 47 (34/13) 4. Unnatural Hybrids — 10 (8/2)
 * Cnidarians — 1 (1/0)
 * Echinoderms — 1 (1/0)
 * Molluscs — 6 (4/2)
 * Arthropods — 79 (52/27)
 * Fish — 14 (9/5)
 * Reptiles — 29 (15/14)
 * Amphibians — 1 (1/0)
 * Aves — 22 (16/6)
 * Mammals — 255 (72/183)
 * Ligers (♂ lion x ♀ tiger) — 3 (3/0)
 * Molluscs — 1 (1/0)
 * Arthropods — 7 (2/5)
 * Fish — 1 (1/0)
 * Marine reptiles — 5 (4/1)
 * (Ambiguous) diapsids — 1 (1/0)
 * Synapsids — 5 (3/2)
 * Dinosaurs — 175 (71/104)
 * Pterosaurs — 25 (8/17)
 * Mammals — 8 (6/2)
 * Phoenixes — 4 (2/2)
 * Polycephalic creatures — 4 (3/1)
 * Chimeras — 9 (9/0)
 * Merlions — 1 (1/0)
 * Minotaurs — 1 (1/0)
 * Centaurs — 2 (2/0)
 * Pegasi — 1 (1/0)
 * Winged lions — 1 (1/0)
 * Griffins — 4 (4/0)
 * Gargoyles — 3 (1/2)
 * Dragonoids — 16 (8/8)

- 4a. Combinations of Extant Genera — 2 (1/1)

- 4b. Combinations of Extinct Genera — 2 (2/0)

- 4c. Combinations of Extant and Extinct Genera — 3 (3/0)

- 4d. Combinations of Extant Genera and Mythological Creatures — 3 (2/1)

5. Uncategorised Fuzor Zoids (requires image of model for definitive classification) — 21 (19/2)

6. Nonanimal-derived Vehicles — 3 (3/0)

7. Unknown — 3 (3/0)

4d. Combinations of Extant Genera and Mythological Creatures
==5. Uncategorised Fuzor Zoids (requires image of model for definitive classification) ==