Gravity Destroyer AD145 WD

Gravity Destroyer AD145WD or Gravity Perseus AD145WD (グラビティペルセウスAD145WD, Gurabiti Peruseusu AD145WD) is a Defense Type Beyblade that appears in the anime and manga series Beyblade: Metal Masters. It is owned by Julian Konzern. It was released as a Starter on June 26, 2010 in Japan, and in western countries as a Starter Pack in May 2011.

Face: Perseus / Destroyer
The Face Bolt depicts "Perseus", a Greek hero and one of the 88 constellations in space. In Greek mythology, Perseus slayed the gorgon "Medusa" by cutting off her head. He later used the head of Medusa to defeat "Cetus". The design displays a Greek gladiator helmet design, with the name "Perseus" written below it. When the Face Bolt is viewed upside down, it resembles the head of Medusa, a reference to Gravity Perseus' Special Move.

Clear Wheel: Perseus / Destroyer
Perseus is unique in the sense that there is no plastic that blocks the prongs on left and right launchers from attaching, which is necessary to allow multi-directional spin. No other Clear Wheel has this ability. Also, like the Hybrid Wheel System L Drago Series, rotating the Clear Wheel 180 degrees results in different modes. It has three projections which are layed out in a triangular shape, with each end dropping over the Metal Wheel to cover it slightly. Those protrusions are actually shaped like helmets which, metaphorically, encase the red eyes of the Medusa on Gravity. These three projections allow it to shift between "Defense Mode" and "Counter Mode". Perseus is only useable with Gravity.
 * Weight: 2.7 grams

The original release of Perseus is named "Defense Version", and features three protrusions which evenly fit into Gravity. The other releases of Perseus are named "Stamina Version" and "Attack Version". The Stamina Version has six protrusions, which cover all of Gravity's depressions widely. The Attack Version has a similar style to the Stamina Version, but each of its protrusions are shorter and straighter, allowing for more of Gravity to make contact.

All three Versions can be obtained in the BB-97 set.

Metal Wheel: Gravity
The original Gravity Metal Wheel comes painted black. Unlike other Metal Wheels, Gravity can only be used with the Perseus Clear Wheel, and there are no walls in the inner circle of it to prevent the insertion of any prongs. This combination of Perseus and Gravity allows the user to switch between four modes:
 * Weight: 32.5 grams

Right-Spin Defense

Left-Spin Defense

Right-Spin Counter

Left-Spin Counter

This Metal Wheel demonstrates very good Smash Attack by using the six "indents" which the Clear Wheel fits into. When the protrusions of the Clear Wheel are inside the first three indents and only one of the red stickers is visible, it is in "Counter Mode", because this maximizes the surface area of the Metal Wheel, thus creating more Smash Attack. When Perseus fits into the other three indents and all three of the red stickers are visible, it is in "Defense Mode", which increases metal on plastic collisions, thus creating less Recoil. The protrusions are more prominent in right spin, and it is a great Smash Attacker when used in a combo such as MF Gravity Perseus CH120RF(Attack Version, Counter Mode). With the release of the heavier 4D-era Beys, Gravity was outclassed by a new dual-spinning wheel, VariAres. Since then, Gravity, along with Lightning, are heavily outclassed by the 4D Attack Metal Wheels like Flash, Blitz and VariAres. Gravity is also put out of use due to the release of heavy, low-Recoil Defense Metal Wheels such as Death and Duo. These low-Recoil Metal Wheels are extremely difficult to KO even with Blitz and VariAres, and have hence rendered Gravity essentially obsolete. Zero-G's heavier Synchrom possibilities effectively put Gravity Perseus out of use for good.

IMPORTANT: Mold Variations

Gravity has been found to have three different molds. Mold One is found in TAKARA-TOMY and Hasbro Gravity Perseus/Destroyer Starters, and the others are differentiated by the sides and the definition on each. There are more bumps and curves on the side of Mold One than there are on Mold Two. Mold Two is found in most SonoKong Gravity Perseus and is smooth all around the sides, and is significantly lighter than Mold One. Its performance in all areas suffers from this weight difference. The toughest Mold to distinguish is Mold Three. It is found in BB-109 Random Booster Volume 7, and is the same shape as Mold One. Mold Three is distinguished by its heavier weight than Mold One.

Track: AD145 (Armour Defense)
AD145 is shaped like the head of a funnel, completely round with ridges lining the sides all the way around. In fact, its shape is intended to resemble that of an armor, hence its name. Despite what the latter part of its name might suggest though, Tracks such as 230 and GB145 outclass AD145 as a defensive Track due to its relatively light weight in comparison to GB145 and its diminutive stature when compared to 230, which makes it unable it to absorb hits as 230 does. With the introduction of BD145, this Track has definitely been surpassed in Defense. However, AD145 has actually proved to be better suited for Stamina in certain cases, due to the outward weight distribution it has compared to other top tier Stamina Tracks, thus making it top-tier in this area. It is also the Track of choice for comparative Stamina testing.
 * Weight: 2.8 grams

Use in Stamina Customizations

AD145 can be used in the combo Phantom Aquario AD145WD/SD to create a top-tier Stamina-type Beyblade.

Tip: WD (Wide Defense)
Wide Defense, as its name implies is the widest of the "Defense" series of Bottoms (D, SD, and now WD). This brings numerous advantages, but also some disadvantages when compared to the other "Defense" Bottoms. Because of its massive width that reaches the edge of the Bottom's perimeter, it is able to wobble at a significantly larger angle for a longer period of time than D or SD, and at a much lower spin rate. This can be advantageous in many battles, particularly those between two Stamina types when they are about to topple over; however, if you happen to have a weaker shot than your opponent who is using something such as Virgo DF145SD, WDs low spin rate towards the end of the battle will make it extremely easy for the opponent to knock it completely over. This low spin rate towards the end of the battle is created because in the process of wobbling at such a large angle, more friction is made with the stadium floor, thus decreasing its Stamina. This is all avoidable however if your shot is at least as powerful as your opponent, as the extra time it is able to spin on an angle will allow you to narrowly out-spin your D or SD based opponent.
 * Weight: 0.7 grams

WD although part of the "Defense" series of tips does not have any defensive capability because it still uses a form of sharp tip. Thus, friction with the stadium floor is decreased, which as a result makes it easier to knock around than something like RS/RSF which has much more friction with the stadium floor. WD does of course offer superior Stamina to RS/RSF which in rare cases would be an advantage, but RS/RSF more often than not has enough Stamina to outlast standard Attack types that use rubber based tips such as RF.

Use in Stamina Customizations

WD can be used in the combo Phantom Cancer AD145WD for a great Stamina-type Beyblade.

Beyblade: Metal Masters
It first appeared in episode 12, where it battled Storm Northern Cross 125FS. It won with a powerful attack when its counter mode caused Northern Cross to freeze. It then proceeded to fight both of the Rock Raven and win when it cut through the Crow Crusher.

In episode 16, It battled Ray Striker, Galaxy Pegasus, and Flame Libra alongside both of the Grand Cetus. It rarely had to battle, but just to cut down Pegasus and Unicorno when they broke through the Grand Deucalion.

It faced Earth Eagle in Episode 26, but the battle was interrupted by the rest of Team Excalibur, and later, Ryuga. The battle ended in a tie.

In the final match of Team Excalibur vs. Team Gan Gan Galaxy, as well as the A-Block finals, it faced Galaxy Pegasus. The battle kept going back and forth with no clear winner, for Pegasus was able to break free of Medusa's eyes but Destroyer was able to stop the Starbooster Attack. Gingka and Pegasus managed to win by creating a new special move, Stardust Driver.

Special Moves

 * Black Excalibur:  Destroyer rises out of the Beyblade and attacks the opponent with a jet-black sword.

Game
Gravity Perseus was released in Wave 5, and is a Defense Type. It can spin both left and right, and can change from normal mode to counter mode by rotataing the Energy Ring 180 degrees.

Launcher
Gravity Destroyer comes with a special L-R BeyLauncher. By removing the cap, two sides of the Launcher can be seen, the blue side spinning to the right and the white side spinning to the left. As an extra, you can smear the words "left spin" and "right spin" to make the words clearer on the L-R Launcher. Spinmaster released it with only a Left-Spin Light Launcher.

Face Bolt: Destroyer
The Face Bolt depicts Perseus, one of the 88 constellations in space. It appears to be a picture of his helm of invisibility.

Energy Ring: Destroyer
Destroyer is unique in the sense that there is no plastic that blocks the prongs on left and right launchers from attaching. This is necessary to allow multi-directional spin that which is only available on this Beyblade. Also, like the Hybrid Wheel System L-Drago Series, rotating the Energy Ring 180 degrees results in different modes. It has three projections which are layed out in a triangular shape. These three projections allow it to shift between "Defense Mode" and "Counter Mode", and it is asymmetrical.
 * Weight: 2.7 grams

Destroyer is only usable with the Gravity and Meteo Fusion Wheels.

Fusion Wheel: Gravity
The original Gravity Fusion Wheel comes painted black. Unlike other Fusion Wheels, Gravity can only be used with the Destroyer Energy Ring. This combination allows the user to switch between 4 modes: Right Spin Defense, Left Spin Defense, Right Spin Counter, and Left Spin Counter. This Wheel has very good Smash Attack by using the 6 "indents" which the Energy Ring fits into. When the protrusions of the Energy Ring are inside the first three indents and the red stickers are visible, it is in "Defense Mode", because this reduces the contact points to three. When Perseus fits into the other three indents and covers the red stickers, it is in "Counter Mode", which has six contact points. This allows for stronger and more consistant attacks due to the higher number of protrusions. The protrusions are more prominent in right spin, and it is a great Smash Attacker when used in a combo such as Gravity Destroyer R145RF (Counter Mode, Right Spin).
 * Weight: 33.8 grams

Spin Track: Armor Defense 145
AD145 is shaped like the head of a funnel, completely round with ridges lining the sides all the way around. Despite what it's name might suggest, Spin Tracks such as 230 and GB145 outclass AD145 as a Defensive Track due to its relatively light weight in comparison to GB145 and its diminutive stature when compared to 230, which makes it unable it to absorb hits as 230 does. However, AD145 has actually proved to be better suited for stamina, due to the outward weight distribution it has compared to other top tier stamina tracks.
 * Weight: 2.8 grams

Performance Tip: Wide Defense
Wide Defense, as its name implies is the widest of the "Defense" series of Performance Tips (D, SD, and now WD). This brings numerous advantages, but also some disadvantages when compared to the other “Defense” Bottoms. Because of its massive width that reaches the edge of the Performance Tip's perimeter, it is able to wobble at a significantly larger angle for a longer period of time than D or SD, and at a much lower spin rate. This can be advantageous in many battles, particularly those between two Stamina types when they are about to topple over; however, if you happen to have a weaker shot than your opponent who is using something such as Virgo DF145SD, WDs low spin rate towards the end of the battle will make it extremely easy for the opponent to knock it completely over. This low spin rate towards the end of the battle is created because in the process of wobbling at such a large angle, more friction is made with the stadium floor, thus decreasing its Stamina. This is all avoidable however if your shot is at least as powerful as your opponent, as the extra time it is able to spin on an angle will allow you to narrowly out-spin your D or SD based opponent.
 * Weight: 0.7 grams

WD although part of the "Defense" series of tips does not have any defensive capability because it still uses a form of sharp tip. Thus, friction with the stadium floor is decreased, which as a result makes it easier to knock around than something like RS/RSF which has much more friction with the stadium floor. WD does of course offer superior Stamina to RS/RSF which in rare cases would be an advantage, but RS/RSF more often than not has enough Stamina to outlast standard Attack types that use rubber based tips such as RF.

Notable Versions

 * * Perseus White Knight Stamina Ver. - CoroCoro Beyblade World Domination Book exclusive

Overall
Gravity Perseus contains parts that have both offensive and survival capabilities when used in conjunction with other parts. For example, with the purchase of this Beyblade, the user would obtain AD145 and WD, both top-tier Stamina parts. Additionally, the unique Gravity Metal Wheel and Perseus Clear Wheel match has proven in tests to be a fearsome Smash Attacker and it used to be a top-tier Attack part. It is the first dual-spin-direction Metal Fight Beyblade to be released and there are other versions of the Clear wheel which can be obtained in The BB-97 Perseus Reshuffle Set for improved but more specific use. However, Gravity Perseus offers no top-tier performance anymore with the release of heavier Wheels, regardless of its ability to spin in both directions. AD145 is great for Stamina, but W145 provides better results even. This Beyblade is a welcome addition to an already well-furnished competitive collection.

Trivia

 * In normal mode, its beast from is Perseus, while in counter mode, its beast form is Medusa.
 * The Hasbro BB-97 Ultimate Gravity Destroyer Defense AD145WD Starter Pack has an error on the code card, listing the parts and name of Ultimate Gravity Destroyer Attack 105F instead.