Twigtall

Slender attack droids that can be randomly encountered in Sega's 1989/1990 Phantasy Star II Sega Genesis video game [original Japanese title: Fantashi Suta Tsu Kaerazaru Toki no Owari ni (Phantasy Star II: The End of the Lost Age)]. Said title has also been ported to multiple consoles since then, including the Saturn, Dreamcast, Gameboy Advance, Playstation 2, and Playstation Portable, usually as a selection on a compilation title. Phantasy Star II was also completely revamped for the Playstation 2 "Sega Ages 2500" budget line of games in 2005, where it was the seventeenth release and bears the modified name Phantasy Star Generation 2. This new version of the game can also be found on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

After Rolf and his companions, at great personal cost, put a stop to the out-of-control biomonster production and weather aberrations resulting from the malfunction of Planet Motavia's Bio-Systems Laboratory and Climatrol Tower facilities, the supposedly benevolent Mother Brain (the supreme artificial intelligence that oversees the entire Algo Solar System) immediately brands them all as criminals and sends out legions of her mechanical soldiers to exterminate the heroes. The "Twig" Series of robots makes up a substantial part of the forces deployed to Motavia on this search-and-destroy mission. As they are not terribly damage resistant, due to their spindly construction and light armor, Twig droids specialize in attacking from a distance, rather than closing directly with their opponents. Housed in the cranial cavity is a plasma cannon that can be directed at a single target with devastating effect--the recoil from this weapon is so strong that the robot must first brace itself with all five of its limbs before a shot can safely be fired. A Twig unit can also briefly accelerate its internal power drive, resulting in a spectacular electrical discharge that will severely injure all non-mechanical entities within a 7 meter (23 feet) radius. There are three known models in the Twig Series (in order, from least dangerous to most lethal): Metalman, Twig Man, and Twigtall (renamed Buddy, Budd Twig, and Budd Tail in Phantasy Star Generation 2).

Materials:
Newsprint, tissue paper, white glue, hot glue, super glue, wire twist ties, a paperclip, gloss nail polish, and acrylic paint.

Dimensions:
[NOTE: Due to the articulation, these values will vary depending on how the joints are positioned;
the numbers given assume a neutral standing pose.]
4.3 cm/1.7 in. x 8.7 cm/3.4 in. (widest point x highest point)

Articulation:
Forty-two points: Antennae (2); jaw; neck (2); shoulder hydraulic assembly (12); biceps (2); elbows (2); wrists (2); mid-torso; hips (3); hocks (6); fetlocks (6); and ankles (3).

Time:
Seven days: February 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 28, and March 1 (2010).

For comparison/informational purposes, below are several images from various Phantasy Star II media (more information on mouse-over):

•   Sega Genesis Collection Sony Playstation 2 video game and manual (contains Phantasy Star 2, 3, and 4).


•   Phantasy Star II Sega Genesis video game and instruction manual.


•   Wikipedia Phantasy Star II entry.


•   RPG Classics Phantasy Star II bestiary.


•   Phantasy Star Generation 2 enemies A-B listing.