← Older revision
Revision as of 08:09, April 7, 2015
Line 2:
Line 2:
|tab1=Main
|tab1=Main
|tab2=Strider
|tab2=Strider
−
|tab3=Strider 2}}
+
|tab3=Strider 2
−
The '''Flying Battleship Balrog''' (空中戦艦バルログ, mistranslated as '''Ballog''' in the original game) is a recurring setting in the series, a giant floating warship used in [[Grandmaster Meio]]'s schemes, and considered his greatest ace. The battleship's name comes from the [[w:c:lotr:Balrog|Balrog]], a demon creature from J.R.R. Tolkien's ''The Lord of the Ring''.
+
|tab4=Strider (2014)}}
+
The '''Flying Battleship Balrog''' (空中戦艦バルログ, mistranslated as '''Ballog''' in the original game and '''Val-Rogue''' in early promotional material<ref name=gamest>Staff (May 1989). "Strider Hiryu: Val-Rogue" (Japanese). ''Gamest'' (05). Pg. 4-5.</ref>) is a recurring setting in the series, a giant floating warship used in [[Grandmaster Meio]]'s schemes, and considered his greatest ace. The battleship's name comes from the [[w:c:lotr:Balrog|Balrog]], a demon creature from J.R.R. Tolkien's ''The Lord of the Ring''.
==Models==
==Models==
===[[Strider (CPS-1)|Strider]]===
===[[Strider (CPS-1)|Strider]]===
−
[[File:Balrogart.jpg|thumb|150px|Original Balrog]]The original Flying Battleship Balrog is a giant [[wikipedia:Aircraft carrier|aircraft carrier]] that flies through the skies with the use of gravity control, provided by the advanced [[Anti-Gravity Device]] installed in its core<ref name=jap>Sega (29 Sept 1990, Mega Drive). ''Strider Hiryû'' (Japanese). Instruction manual, Pg. 24</ref>. Recognized for its overwhelming strength, it is known as Grandmaster Meio's greatest ace<ref name=jap/>, whose mere existence assures his continued rule of the world.
+
[[File:Balrogart.jpg|thumb|150px|Original Balrog]]The original Flying Battleship Balrog is a giant [[wikipedia:Aircraft carrier|aircraft carrier]] that flies through the skies with the use of gravity control, provided by the advanced [[Anti-Gravity Device]] installed in its core<ref name=jap>Sega (29 Sept 1990, Mega Drive). ''Strider Hiryû'' (Japanese). Instruction manual, Pg. 24</ref><ref name=gamest/>. Recognized for its overwhelming strength, it is known as Grandmaster Meio's greatest ace<ref name=jap/>, whose mere existence assures his continued rule of the world.
−
The Balrog's most notable characteristic is its incredible firepower, as its structure is covered in artillery and cannons of varying sizes, including the Giant Main Gun in front of the ship's deck, also known as "The Eliminator". Its internal defenses include robots such as the [[Frog]] and [[Mr. Elephant]], laser cannons and a crew of armored marines led by [[Captain Beard Jr.]]. While the Balrog appears flawless, it does have one weak point: the very same core that allows it to fly, the Anti-Gravity Device, starts a chain reaction once it is destroyed, which eventually destroys the Balrog as well.<ref name=GB>Capcom (24 Oct 2006, PlayStation). ''[http://books.capcom.co.jp/product/game/gamebook-hiryu.html Gamebook: Strider Hiryu (Japanese)]''. Pg. 28. ISBN 4-86233-076-2.</ref>
+
The Balrog's most notable characteristic is its incredible firepower, as its structure is covered in artillery and cannons of varying sizes, including the [[Giant Main Gun]] in front of the ship's deck, also known as "The Eliminator". Its internal defenses include robots such as the [[Frog]] and [[Mr. Elephant]], laser cannons and a crew of [[Balrog Marine Corps|armored marines]] led by [[Captain Beard Jr.]]. While the Balrog appears flawless, it does have one weak point: the very same core that allows it to fly, the Anti-Gravity Device, starts a chain reaction once it is destroyed, which eventually destroys the Balrog as well.<ref name=GB>Capcom (24 Oct 2006, PlayStation). ''[http://books.capcom.co.jp/product/game/gamebook-hiryu.html Gamebook: Strider Hiryu (Japanese)]''. Pg. 28. ISBN 4-86233-076-2.</ref>
Taking advantage of this, [[Hiryu]] was able to destroy the Battleship Balrog after infiltrating it.
Taking advantage of this, [[Hiryu]] was able to destroy the Battleship Balrog after infiltrating it.
===[[Strider 2]]===
===[[Strider 2]]===
−
[[File:Balrog2_view.png|thumb|150px|New Balrog]]A new, upgraded version of the original Battleship Balrog, created by [[Light Sword Cypher]]. This new Battleship Balrog is a [[wikipedia:Dreadnought|super-dreadnought]] class warship that's described as the "greatest threat produced by mankind"<ref name=briefing>Capcom (December 13, 1999; Arcade). ''Strider Hiryu 2'' (Japanese). Stage 4 Briefing</ref>. It uses a strange type of energy to sustain flight, produced by a mysterious woman trapped inside the ship's [[Reactor Core]].
+
[[File:Balrog2_view.png|thumb|150px|New Balrog]]A new, upgraded version of the original Battleship Balrog, created by [[Light Sword Cypher]]. This new Battleship Balrog is a [[wikipedia:Dreadnought|super-dreadnought]] class warship that's described as the "greatest threat produced by mankind"<ref name=briefing>Capcom (December 13, 1999; Arcade). ''Strider Hiryu 2'' (Japanese). Stage 4 Briefing</ref>. It uses a mysterious type of energy to sustain flight produced by a Merrow, a female aquatic creature trapped inside the ship's [[Reactor Core]].
−
The Balrog has 4 twin-barreled cannons at each side and 3 numbered Gun Turrets on top, as well as its own escort: an entire "[[Flying Tortoise]]" squad that flies at its side and guards its aerial space. Machines such as the [[Minelayer]] and the [[Scarabee]] can be found inside it, as well as a Development Dock where [[Researchers]] create new weapons like the [[Goliath]]. Its human crew consists of [[Balrog Marine Corps#Strider 2|trained marines]] and its captain, [[Admiral Wilhelm]].
+
The Balrog has 4 twin-barreled cannons at each side and 3 numbered Gun Turrets on top, as well as its own escort: an entire "[[Flying Tortoise]]" squad that flies at its side and guards its aerial space. Machines such as the [[Minelayer]] and the [[Scarabee]] can be found inside it, as well as a Development Dock where [[The Professor]] and his [[Assistant|assistants]] create new weapons like the [[Goliath]]. Its human crew consists of [[Balrog Marine Corps#Strider 2|trained marines]] and its captain, [[Admiral Wilhelm]].
In much the same way as its predecessor, taking on its power source (the Reactor Core) will initiate its self-destruction in a blaze of explosions. After tracking and infiltrating it, Hiryu went for the core and took down the seemingly invincible warship.
In much the same way as its predecessor, taking on its power source (the Reactor Core) will initiate its self-destruction in a blaze of explosions. After tracking and infiltrating it, Hiryu went for the core and took down the seemingly invincible warship.
−
===Mass-Produced Balrog===
+
====Mass-Produced Balrog====
[[File:St5_Balrog.png|thumb|140px|Third Moon's Balrog]]The Battleship Balrog has been, apparently, the first in a line of mass-produced flying warships, with at least 3 more similar ships known to exist. One of this battleships can be seen docked at the [[Third Moon]]'s spaceport, while at least two more are visible in the wireframe map of the station shown during the intro briefing.
[[File:St5_Balrog.png|thumb|140px|Third Moon's Balrog]]The Battleship Balrog has been, apparently, the first in a line of mass-produced flying warships, with at least 3 more similar ships known to exist. One of this battleships can be seen docked at the [[Third Moon]]'s spaceport, while at least two more are visible in the wireframe map of the station shown during the intro briefing.
These "Balrogs" look identical in appearance to the main battleship, only differing in that they are colored green instead of red. As they were never deployed into battle, however, is unknown how they compare with the one Hiryu destroys in terms of firepower.
These "Balrogs" look identical in appearance to the main battleship, only differing in that they are colored green instead of red. As they were never deployed into battle, however, is unknown how they compare with the one Hiryu destroys in terms of firepower.
−
===[[Strider (2014)]]===
===[[Strider (2014)]]===
−
[[File:Balrog_in_the_sky.png|thumb|The Balrog in the sky]]A new version of the Battleship Balrog is owned by the Grandmaster's Army, soaring in the skies above [[Kazakh City]] as the symbol of Grandmaster Meio's absolute power. The driving force that allows it to fly is the powerful energy produced by its power source, the [[Gravitron]] Anti-Gravity Device. For Kazakh City's citizens, this battleship inspires a sense of fear in Grandmaster Meio.<ref name=site>Capcom (2013). "[http://www.capcom.co.jp/strider/system.html System]". Capcom's official ''Strider'' site (Japanese). Retrieved 31 Janu 2014.</ref>
+
[[File:Balrog_in_the_sky.png|thumb|The Balrog in the sky]]A new incarnation of the Balrog owned by [[Meio's Army]], soaring in the skies above [[Kazakh City]] as the symbol of Grandmaster Meio's absolute power. The driving force that allows it to fly is the powerful energy produced by its power source, the [[Gravitron]] Anti-Gravity Device. For [[Kazakh City Citizens|Kazakh City's citizens]], this battleship inspires a sense of fear in Grandmaster Meio.<ref name=site>Capcom (2013). "[http://www.capcom.co.jp/strider/system.html System]". Capcom's official ''Strider'' site (Japanese). Retrieved 31 Janu 2014.</ref>
+
+
The Airship Balrog has been modernized with current technology and continues in service many years after its initial construction. Much like its predecessors, it possess a large amount of installed weaponry, including several three-barreled cannons, laser turrets and smaller cannons; and is accompanied by a large escort of [[Skiff]] vehicles. Its crew consists entirely of [[Light Trooper|Trooper]] androids although, and unlike previous versions, with no known captain onboard.
+
+
Hiryu infiltrates it in order to destroy the third and final Gravitron, and eventually engages in a rematch against Bounty Hunter [[Solo]] in its core. After sustaining severe damage during the battle, the Balrog finally self-destructs.
==Other Appearances==
==Other Appearances==
===Game Appearances===
===Game Appearances===
−
'''[http://capcom.wikia.com/wiki/Namco_%E2%9C%95_Capcom Namco x Capcom]'''<br />
+
'''[[Namco x Capcom]]'''<br />
−
The battleship, in its first incarnation, also appears as a stage in Namco × Capcom. [[Hien]], [[Solo]], Ton Pooh, and other villains working for Meio use the Balrog to invade the Makai in the end of Chapter 37. The heroes invade the battleship to stop it, fighting against enemies in the deck (甲板) in Chapter 38, in a lab (ラボ) in Chapter 39, and in the central engine room (中央動力室) in Chapter 40, were [[w:c:streetfighter:M. Bison|M. Bison]] is using a Psycho Drive-enhanced Anti-Gravity Device to control the Balrog, making the battleship able to travel through different dimensions to dominate them. Most major enemies manage to escape from the battleship after their defeat, except for [[w:c:klonoa:Janga|Janga]], [[w:c:streetfighter:Juni|Juni]], [[w:c:streetfighter:Juli|Juli]] and M. Bison, the latter's death causing the battleship to become unstable and at risk of exploding at any moment. With no other choice, Hiryu and the others escape the Balrog by using its catapults, successfully launching themselves to the flying dragon (from the Tales of Destiny) that [[w:c:namco:Zul|Zul]] got with him to rescue the party.
+
[[File:Nxc balrog art.png|thumb|The Balrog's deck]]The battleship, in its first incarnation, also appears as a stage in ''Namco × Capcom''. [[Hien]], Solo, [[Tong Pooh]], and other villains working for Meio use the Balrog to invade the Makai in the end of Chapter 37. The heroes invade the battleship to stop it, fighting against enemies in the deck (甲板) in Chapter 38, in a lab (ラボ) in Chapter 39, and in the central engine room (中央動力室) in Chapter 40, were [[w:c:streetfighter:M. Bison|M. Bison]] is using a Psycho Drive-enhanced Anti-Gravity Device to control the Balrog, making the battleship able to travel through different dimensions to dominate them. Most major enemies manage to escape from the battleship after their defeat, except for [[w:c:klonoa:Janga|Janga]], [[w:c:streetfighter:Juni|Juni]], [[w:c:streetfighter:Juli|Juli]] and M. Bison, the latter's death causing the battleship to become unstable and at risk of exploding at any moment. With no other choice, Hiryu and the others escape the Balrog by using its catapults, successfully launching themselves to the flying dragon (from the Tales of Destiny) that [[w:c:namco:Zul|Zul]] got with him to rescue the party.
==References==
==References==