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“Ride the Lightning!”
    —Zap's official catchphrase


Zap is a water dragon Core Skylander who first appeared in Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure

Character Development

Zap was originally a slime character called Cyclops Snail. Cyclops Snail, which Michael Graham described as "this little blue water slug that zipped around, left a little pool of sludge behind him, and he would scream and shoot electricity. He was just so weird — really fun, but totally bizarre. After some feedback, we changed him from blue to purple, but then it was 'you can’t have two purple characters, because Spyro is purple.' Then we got an early version of what Cyclops Snail’s toy might look like, and we thought, 'Oh my gosh, these don’t look at all detailed, not in the way that we want them to be.’ He was revised again, made of oil and now called Tarclops, and that was the final straw. The character evolved so much, by the end, character designer I-Wei Huang at Toys For Bob felt that everything he liked about the character was gone, so we thought, let’s just scrap it — we’ve got to go in a different direction."

But in a way, you’ve already played as Cyclops Snail; you know him as Zap. "We reimagined the character," says Graham. "Same moves, actually; he plays exactly the same way as Cyclops Snail did. And even Zap went through a little evolution. His original concept didn’t have his scuba tanks, and we shortened his snout quite a bit."[1]

Background

Personality

Zap is a friendly and mischevious water dragon, being revered by most of the sea creatures of Skylands who see him as a true dedicated guardian of both the seas and Skylands. He enjoys racing, being able to outstrip almost any opponent, and excels at everything he turns his claws to. Naturally curious and super-competitive, Zap is also a bit of a prankster, loving to shock his fellow Skylanders whenever he gets a chance.[2] However, he can be too curious for his own good and has a nose (or snout) for trouble, which can lead him and his fellow Skylanders into dangerous situations.[3]

Biography

Zap was born into the royal family of water dragons, but a riptide washed him to a distant sea, where he was raised by electric eels. Growing up, he excelled in everything and even created a special gold harness that allows him to carry an endless electrical charge and shock things at a great distance. Zap also proved to be a gifted racer, outstripping any opponent... with the possible exception of the dolphins. With them, it became a good natured challenge to see who could keep up with Zap. But an electric current in his wake often reminded them who they were dealing with. Despite his mischievous streak, Zap grew to be a true protector of the seas and Skylands.

Story

History

Born into a royal family of water dragons, Zap was well known at court as a show-off swimmer and all-round mischief maker. But one afternoon young prince Zap found himself quite literally in deep water. A riptide had sucked him out into open ocean and beyond, to faraway shores. Soon, Zap found himself surrounded by slippery and shocking. A school of electric eels was swimming around him, spitting out sparks and sizzles. Zap held out a wet foot to say 'hello' when... YEEOWWW! Well, his mother had warned him electricity and water don't mix. The electric eels felt sorry for the unplugged youngster and decided to raise Zap as one of their own. To fit in, he even built himself an electric harness with an endless charge. Now, Zap can hurl a white-hot electric bolt length of ten sheep fields.

Zap continued as a champ in the water and often left dolphins buzzing in his electrical wake. News of his swimming exploits soon reached the ears of Master Eon, who immediately signed him up.[4]

Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master

Zap, Gill, Wham-Shell, and Grimslobber

Zap, Gill Grunt, and Wham-Shell being surrounded by Captain Grimslobber and his pirates

Zap and Wham-Shell were called by Master Eon to assist Gill Grunt when the Gillman was about to be eaten by a rampaging Cloud Kraken that was attacking Deep Water Wasteland. Zap's electric bolt saved Gill Grunt from the clutches of the Cloud Kraken, who then turned its blind fury upon a pirate ship called the Fearsome Fang and its crew. The ship's captain, Grimslobber, mysteriously scared off the Cloud Kraken without having to do a thing, confusing Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell as the pirates praised their captain for his bravery.

Although Gill Grunt didn't want any trouble with Grimslobber and his band of pirates, Zap's curiosity about the accidental mentioning of treasure by one of the pirates prompted the seemingly friendly Grimslobber to surround the Water Skylanders with his crew and attack them. Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell narrowly escaped the Fearsome Fang crew and dove into the safety of the sea, but not before Zap left a painful parting gift for Grimslobber as payback for calling Gill Grunt names during their encounter.

The Water Skylanders then hear from Spyro that Kaos was after the Water Fragment so that he could reassemble the Mask of Power in order to use it to destroy the Core of Light. Determined to beat Kaos to the fragment, Gill Grunt quickly lead Zap and Wham-Shell to the Kingdom of the Merpeople, knowing that the merfolk, who have swam the waters for thousands of years, would know the location of the fragment. The Skylanders discovered the kingdom deserted, with only the elderly, children, King Scalebeard, Prince Aquan, and Princess Finella still within the kingdom's barrier. Suddenly, Prince Aquan and Princess Finella fell under a strange trance and swam out of the kingdom along with several other merfolk with the Skylanders in hot pursuit to see where they were going.

With the help of Zap's speed, the Water Skylanders were able to keep up with the merfolk, avoiding a swarm of electro-jellies along the way. During the chase, Wham-Shell mysteriously had fallen under a spell and turned on both Gill Grunt and Zap, capturing Zap (after confusing the water dragon with his starfish bullets) and taking him into a cave where the hypnotized merfolk went into.

Captured Zap

Zap pinned down by a blanket of starfish in Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master

A hypnotized Gill Grunt soon discovered that Zap was imprisoned in a cage, covered in a blanket of Wham-Shell's starfish that held him down forcefully. Distraught at the sight of seeing his friend under the spell as well, Zap revealed that Captain Grimslobber couldn't control him with the use of the Fish Master's Crown, since the water dragon wasn't born beneath the sea like the others. He strongly encouraged Gill Grunt to break free of the crown's curse, reminding the Gillman of their mission to find the Water Fragment and stop Kaos, and that Master Eon, Spyro, and even Zap himself believes in Gill Grunt and that they would succeed. Thanks to this, Gill Grunt was able to momentarily free himself from the influence of the Fish Master's Crown, causing Grimslobber to lose control over a portion of the merpeople and Wham-Shell when trying to concentrate on putting Gill Grunt back under his control. During the confusion, Grimslobber lost his hold on the Crown after Wham-Shell released the gem-eels, and it broke into two pieces, fully freeing the merfolk. As the pirate captain made a hasty retreat, Zap freed himself from the now-dormant starfish and followed after Gill Grunt back onto the deck of the Fearsome Fang along with Wham-Shell. With the help of the merfolk, and even Spyro, the Water Skylanders bested Grimslobber and his pirate crew.

Captain Grimslobber pulled out a pistol and attempted to kill Gill Grunt, when the captain was suddenly knocked overboard and eaten alive by the Cloud Kraken. Kaos then revealed his presence, having recovered the pieces of the broken Fish Master's Crown that supposedly contained the Water fragment. After taunting the Skylanders by dropping fish on them, the evil Portal Master made his leave but not before sinking the Fearsome Fang, causing Spyro, Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell to quickly escape off of Grimslobber's sinking ship via portal.

Back at the Eternal Archives, it seemed that the Skylanders had failed their mission to retrieve the Water fragment, when Gill Grunt checked Grimslobber's satchel he brought back with him and held a dirty rag the captain had used to wrap the Fish Master's Crown. The rag soon revealed itself to be the Water Fragment, making the Skylanders realize that Kaos had stolen nothing more than a worthless broken crown. Knowing that Kaos would be after the next fragment to the Mask of Power, the Skylanders would be ready for him.

Trigger Happy Targets the Evil Kaos

Zap was one of the Skylanders assembled to stop Kaos from putting on the completed Mask of Power. Unfortunately Kaos used the Mask of Power to steal the Skylanders' powers, including Zap's, rendering the heroes powerless. Before the evil Portal Master could finish the Skylanders off, they were safely teleported back to Eon's Citadel. As Kaos wrecked havoc across Skylands, Zap and the other Skylanders began to lose hope, but Spyro managed to lift their spirits. Together they held a last stand against Kaos to protect the Core of Light, but were overwhelmed. Before Kaos can destroy the Core, he was tricked by Trigger Happy followed by Zap and the other Skylanders into performing their powers at the same time, causing the evil Portal Master to lose control. In Kaos's moment of weakness, Trigger Happy pulled the Mask of Power off Kaos's face, restoring Zap's powers as well as the other Skylanders'. Rejuvenated, the Skylanders destroyed the Mask of Power in a combined attack and defeated Kaos once again.

Rift into Overdrive

Zap was among the Skylanders in Wash Buckler's team that helped defend the Skylanders Academy from any potential forces. They eventually took part in fighting against Kaos' armada when the evil Portal Master came to display his show of power in his latest plan.

Relationships

Electric Eels

Zap treats the school of electric eels who adopted him as his family. To better fit in, the water dragon constructed an electric harness that carries an endless charge.

Dolphins

Zap has a long running feud with the dolphins, due to the fact that he regularly shocks them by accident when they ride the waves together, and Zap usually takes offense at the dolphins saying the shocks are no accident... and sometimes they're right. When they race together, the dolphins also have long insisted that Zap uses his power to electrify the water to his advantage. This isn't actually true... at least when he's racing.

Gill Grunt

Gill Grunt is Zap's fellow Skylander and friend. When Grimslobber noticed the Skylanders and called Gill Grunt names, Zap was quick to defend his Gillman companion and made sure that Grimslobber paid for it.

Abilities

Using his special golden harness he created as a child to mimic the electrifying power of his adopted parents, Zap can breathe bursts of electricity and spew electrical surges of water at his enemies. He can also leave a trail of slimy water behind him to slow down (and when hit by a spark, electrify) foes. Once upgraded enough, he can summon and ride a wave, if you do not travel with it then the wave goes off by itself, but still damages foes.

Stats

These are the starting and maximum Statistics for this Skylander in the Skylanders games.

  • Health: 260 (max. 520)
  • Speed: 50 (max. 98)
  • Armor: 24 (max. 54)
  • Critical Hit: 30 (max. 80)
  • Elemental Power: 25 (max. 75)

Warning: These stats are not used in any of the Skylander games. They are only listed for completeness reasons.

  • Strength: 30
  • Defense: 70
  • Agility: 65
  • Luck: 65

These are the starting and maximum Statistics for this Skylander in the Skylanders games.

  • Health: 0 (max. 0)
  • Speed: 0 (max. 48)
  • Armor: 0 (max. 30)
  • Critical Hit: 0 (max. 50)
  • Elemental Power: 0 (max. 50)

Warning: These stats are not used in any of the Skylander games. They are only listed for completeness reasons.

  • Strength: 55
  • Defense: 80
  • Agility: 80
  • Luck: 70

Abilities

Basic Abilities
Like all the original water skylanders, Zap can swim.
Soul Gem Ability
Requires Soul Gem from:
Leviathan Lagoon

Wow Pow Ability
Requires Series 2 Zap

Lightning Breath Sea Slime Slide
Love for the Sea
For Riley
Zapprimarypower
Primary Ability
Zap spits out pure electricity.
Zapsecondarypower
Secondary Ability
Zap slides on a trail of sea slime that enemies will become stuck in.
Zapsoulgempower
Price: 4000
Regenerate health in water.
In Swap Force: Zap regenerates health in Water Power Zones.
View Wow Pow
Zapwowpowpower
Price: 5000
While riding a wave, press Attack 2 to make a big splash.
View Soul Gem
Basic Upgrades
Skylanders can buy new abilities from Persephone/Power Pods.
Electro-Slime Stay Awhile MegaVolt Wave Rider
Zapbasicupgrade1
Price: 500
Sea Slime can be electrified by Zap's Lightning Breath.
Zapbasicupgrade2
Price: 700
Zap's Sea Slime stays electrified much longer.
Zapbasicupgrade3
Price: 900
Lightning Breath does more increased damage.
Zapbasicupgrade4
Price: 1200
Zap can summon (and ride) a great wave that washes away enemies.
Tesla Dragon
View Slime Serpent
This upgrade path lets Zap further develop his Lightning Breath and Wave attacks.
Lightning Strikes Twice Electric Wave Tesla Storm
Zappath1upgrade1
Price: 1700
Lightning Breath bounces off of enemies, objects and walls.
Zappath1upgrade2
Price: 2200
Wave Attack does increased damage.
Zappath1upgrade3
Price: 3000
Lightning breath attack does even MORE increased damage.
Slime Serpent
View Tesla Dragon
This upgrade path lets Zap further develop his Sea Slime skills.
Strength in Numbers Charged with Punishment More Electro'd Slime
Zappath2upgrade1
Price: 1700
Create more Sea Slimes.
Zappath2upgrade2
Price: 2200
Automatically electrify all Sea Slimes.
Zappath2upgrade3
Price: 3000
Enemies take even more damage when stuck in electrified Sea Slime.

Skylanders can use abilities depending on their level.

Starting Powers

  • Ball Lightning (Primary Attack): Press (Y) to make Zap shoot a ball of electrical energy.
  • Washout (Secondary Attack): Press (X) to unleash a massive wave of water at enemies. Press (X) while the wave is flowing to release a tidal surge, damaging enemies caught in the burst.

Upgrades

  • Electric spout (requires level: 2): Sprint (A) to leave a trail of dangerous electric waterspouts behind Zap.
  • Chain Lightning (requires level: 5): Zap's Ball Lightning (Y) will bounce to another target after it hits an enemy.
  • Tide Pull (requires level: 8): The electric waterspouts left behind by Zap's Sprint (A) now last twice as long. Zap can also push the waterspouts with a Washout (X).

Mystic Seeker Scroll

Gain a 20% Damage bonus while in the Radiant Isles. The scroll for this upgrade can be found in Icelight.

Quests

Basic Quests

  • Monster Masher: Defeat 1000 enemies.
  • Chow Hound: Eat 50 pieces of food.
  • Arena Artist: Complete an arena without taking any damage.
  • Battle Champ: Win 10 PvP matches.
  • Heroic Challenger: Complete a heroic challenge without taking any damage.

Elemental Quests

  • Elementalist: Cause 7500 elemental bonus damage.
  • Waterfall: Knock 25 enemies off the edge of the world.
  • Extinguished: Defeat an evil Fire Minion.

Unique Quest

  • In The Slimelight: Defeat 50 enemies by electrifying them in sea slime.

Basic Quests

  • Bad Guy Basher: Defeat 1000 enemies.
  • Fruit Frontiersman: Eat 15 fruit.
  • Flawless Challenger: Complete a non-Story Mode level at full health.
  • True Gladiator: Win 10 PVP matches.
  • Totally Maxed Out: Reach level 20 and purchase all Upgrades for this Skylander.

Elemental Quests

  • Elementalist: Deal 7500 elemental bonus damage.
  • Extinguisher: Defeat 25 Fire Geargolems.
  • A-Fish-Ionado: Catch 25 fish with the fishing rod.

Unique Quest

  • In The Slimelight: Defeat 50 enemies by electrifying them in sea slime.

Quotes

Battle Cries

  • "Ride the Lightning!"
  • "It's surfin' time!"
  • "Time to sizzle!"
  • "Surf attack!"
  • "Zoom!"
  • "Up high!"
  • "Sweet!"
  • "Electrifying!"
  • "Oh boy, success!"
  • "Hah, excellent!"
  • "Taking charge!"
  • "You got zapped!"
  • "Ah, victory is mine!"
  • "Feel the electricity!"
  • "Sliding on through!" - When opening a barrier
  • "I'll just slip on by!" - When opening a barrier
  • "Ah, home at last!" - When entering an elemental gate
  • "Power surge!" - When leveling up
  • "High voltage!" - When leveling up
  • "Oh boy, I'll take it!" - When opening a treasure chest
  • "Ah, so much treasure!" - When opening a treasure chest
  • "Oh, impressive numbers!" - When viewing stats
  • "Charging up!" - When viewing stats
  • "Oh, nice hat, is it waterproof? Ahaha." - When putting on a hat
  • "Very stylish, I like it!" - When putting on a hat
  • "A buzzworthy name!" - When given a nickname
  • "Oh, sensational choice!" - When given a nickname
  • "I'll be here if you need me! Just standing here, waiting..." - Unused idle line
  • "Time for a zap! Get it? Zap? Huh? Anyone? Uh, hello, is anyone there?" - Unused idle line

Character Trailers

See Also

Gallery

Zap/Gallery

Trivia

Tarclops Gloop Hat

The Gloop Hat

  • Zap is one of the seven dragon Skylanders who cannot fly. The other four are Bash, Camo, Fire Kraken, Echo, Flashwing, and Sunburn (the latter two are shown to fly outside of the game).
  • When Zap speaks, his voice is gurgley as if he has water in his mouth.
  • His toy form has a bigger splash in the pedestal unlike other Water Skylanders to contain his four-legged frame.
  • His previous incarnation, Tarclops appears as a hat in Trap Team under the name "Gloop Hat".
  • If Zap hadn't been washed out to sea by a riptide away from home, he would almost certainly have grown up to be king of the High Water Royal Dragon Family.[5]
  • In Skylanders: Giants, his voice is much squeakier compared to his dialogue in Spyro's Adventure.
  • Zap is voiced by Jeff Bergman, who is also very notable for voicing the modern Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, etc.
  • He and Stump Smash can regain health in water with their Soul Gem abilities.
  • During development, Zap was originally going to be without his electric gold harness. He would have had a longer snout, and his scales were paler.
  • Despite being a water dragon, Zap bears more of a resemblance to an amphibian than a reptile. Also, he is currently the only dragon without claws.
  • His catchphrase, "Ride the Lightning", is also the name of Metallica's second studio album, and the second track of said album.
  • Zap, Slam Bam, Echo and the Sensei version of Grave Clobber are the only four Water Skylanders who don't have weapons.
  • Out of every Skylander, Zap, Bop and Hex have the shortest names.
  • He and Echo share the same species and element, but differ in appearances and abilities.
  • Zap's Series 2 Wow Pow, "For Riley" was made as a dedication to Riley Van Zyl, a four-year old boy and Skylanders fan who passed away from a rare form of cancer in May 2012. Riley's favorite character in the series was Zap, and the upgrade was named in his memory.[6]
  • He and Camo are the only two dragon Skylanders included in battle packs (Scorpion Striker and Arkeyan Crossbow).
    • Coincidentally, both of their figures were Series 2s.
  • In Goo Factory, Zap leaves unique footprints with froglike toes.

References

  1. The Secret Skylanders You've Never Seen. (Date Posted - Oct 17, 2012). One of Swords.
  2. Skylanders: The Complete Collection, page 192
  3. Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master, page 58
  4. Skylanders Official Sticker Book: Meet the Skylanders
  5. Skylanders Universe: Book of Elements - Fire and Water, page 53
  6. Tragic Riley’s memory is carved into school forever . (Date Posted - Mar. 7, 2013). Manchester Evening News.

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