In the Power Rangers universe, Zords are colossal mechanical or bio-mechanical robots. When monsters grow to incredible sizes, the only way the Power Rangers can fight them is by summoning and piloting these robots. Usually this will happen towards the end of every episode.

The Zords are often in the shape of animals – sometimes living creatures, sometimes dinosaurs and sometimes mythical beings. When the individual Zords are inadequate for the task, they can join together into a more powerful, humanoid robot called a Megazord.

Every season of Power Rangers from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers onwards saw a new set of Zords being deployed by the current Power Rangers. Each set is based on the Mecha from the connected Super Sentai series. This change of Zords occurred even before the yearly costume change to match the equivalent Super Sentai series.

Although it is never stated in the series, it is assumed that the Zords are named after Zordon, the first mentor of the Power Rangers.

Dinozords

The first set of Zords used by any team of Power Rangers were used in the very first series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Each of the five original Rangers (Red, Black, Yellow, Blue, Pink) possessed their own Zord, which appeared in the form of a dinosaur.

• Jason, the Red Ranger, piloted the Tyrannosaurus Dinozord
• Zack, the Black Ranger, piloted the Mastodon Dinozord
• Trini, the Yellow Ranger, piloted the Saber-Toothed Tiger Dinozord
• Billy, the Blue Ranger, piloted the Triceratops Dinozord
• Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, piloted the Pterodactyl Dinozord

Note that although the term Dinozord is used to refer to these Zords, they were the only Zords known at the time and were just called 'Zords'.

Megazord (Dinozords)

The five individual Dinozords could combine into a larger machine called the Megazord. First, they joined together into a Battle Tank Mode, which itself transformed into a humanoid. All five Rangers piloted the Megazord from within its head. The Megazord wielded a large Power Sword, which it frequently used to deliver finishing blows to the monsters it fought.

Dragonzord

When a sixth Ranger, Tommy the Green Ranger, was added to the lineup, he had his own Zord, the Dragonzord. Not technically a Dinozord (because it is not based on a dinosaur), it resembled Godzilla and even rose out of water in a similar way. Tommy did not pilot this Zord, per se. Rather, the Dragonzord seemed semi-autonomous, and Tommy merely guided its actions through use of the Dragon Dagger, by using it as a flute. When Tommy lost his powers, Jason was still able to control the Dragonzord by using this Dagger.

The Dragonzord could join together with three of the five Dinozords (not including the Tyrannosaurus and Pteradactyl) to form the Mega-Dragonzord. It did this only a few times.

Ultrazord (Dinozords)

In times of dire peril, all six Zords, along with Titanus, the Carrier Zord, could combine into the most powerful form: the Ultrazord. They did this, for example, when battling the 'Zord' Cyclopsis.

Thunderzords

The Thunder Zords were used during the second series of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The choice to replace the original zords with the Mecha from Gosei Sentai Dairanger (on which the Thunderzords were based) was an important decision, partly because it paved the way for similar occurrences throughout Power Rangers continuity, and also because the producers had already requested special footage featuring the original Dinozords, which became obsolete. See the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers main page for more details.

When Lord Zedd came to the Moon, to try to destroy the Power Rangers and take over Earth himself, he sent down Pirantishead. Pirantishead who succeeded in freezing four Dinozords and taking control of the other two. A refractoring of morph waves by Alpha 5 transformed the Dinozords into Thunderzords, much more powerful than their predecessors. The Thunderzord squadron battled the forces of Lord Zedd with their massive power throughout the second season until they were destroyed by Rito Revolto.

The Thunderzords were as follows:

• Red Dragon, piloted by the Red Ranger (intially Jason Lee Scott and later Rocky DeSantos). The Red Dragon could transform into a humanoid form that wielded a staff as a weapon
• Lion, piloted by the Black Ranger (Zack Taylor then Adam Park)
• Griffin, piloted by the Yellow Ranger (Trini Kwan then Aisha Campbell)
• Unicorn, piloted by the Blue Ranger, Billy Cranston
• Firebird, piloted by the Pink Ranger, Kimberly Hart

Thunder Megazord

The Thunderzords combined to form the Thunderzord Assault Team, with the Red Dragon riding the other four combined as an airborne chariot. They could also join into the Thunder Megazord. Unlike the Dinozords, the Thunderzords could no easily switch between these two formations.

Tigerzord

When Tommy's Green Ranger powers finally failed, Zordon and Alpha 5 were able to create new White Ranger powers for him, making him the leader of the team. His zord, the Tigerzord, was controlled by his talking sword, Saba, although unlike the Dragonzord he was able to pilot it from within (like the other zords). The Tigerzord could change from its Tiger form to a humanoid form, in which it wielded a curved sabre.

Thunder Ultrazord

The six Thunderzords (including the Tigerzord) could combine together, along with the turtle-shaped Tor the Shuttlezord to form the powerful Thunder Ultrazord. The Tigerzord was encased within Tor's shell, and the Thunderzord Assault Team was affixed to the top.

The Ninjazords

When the Thunder Zords were destroyed by Rito Revolto in the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Power Rangers were given new Ninjazords by the sage, Ninjor. They were all based on living animals.

• Tommy, the White Ranger, piloted the Falconzord (see Falcon)
• Rocky, the Red Ranger, piloted the Ape Ninjazord
• Adam, the Black Ranger, piloted the Frog Ninjazord
• Aisha, the Yellow Ranger, piloted the Bear Ninjazord
• Billy, the Blue Ranger, piloted the Wolf Ninjazord
• Kimberly (and later Katherine), the Pink Ranger, piloted the Crane Ninjazord

Shogunzords

Part way through the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Lord Zedd kidnapped Ninjor and used him as a hostage, demanding that the Power Rangers pilot his new Shogunzords to destroy the Earth. Ninjor was eventually freed, and the Rangers were able to use the Shogunzords for their own purposes (i.e. goodness).

The Shogunzords were humanoid robots of different colours and with different armour around the head.

In the original Super Sentai series, there were only five Mecha – no Pink Ranger existed to pilot a sixth. The arc in which the Shogunzords featured prominently was therefore the same arc in which Kimberly Hart was written out of the series, and set during the transition period before Katherine Hillard came to replace her. After this, when the Shogunzords were used, both Katherine and Tommy piloted the white Zord together.

Shogun-Megazord

While ostensibly a Ninjazord (see above), Tommy's Falconzord could combine with the five Shogunzords to make a powerful Megazord.

Battle Borgs

In the miniseries Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers at the end of the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Alien Rangers of Aquitar brought their own "zords" to help them battle evil. These Battle Borgs very much resembled the Shogunzords (and may have helped inspire the Shogunzords construction, or vice versa), however rather than being piloted they were controlled by telepathy. The Battle Borgs, when activated, would copy any movement performed by the Aquitian Rangers.

Zeo Zords

In Power Rangers: Zeo, the powers of the Zeo crystal also gave the rangers the powers of new Zords. Three were based on creatures from mythology, but the remaining two were powerful cannons.

• Zeo Ranger 5 piloted the Phoenix
• Zeo Ranger 4 piloted Taurus the Bull
• Zeo Ranger 3 piloted the Sphinx
• Zeo Ranger 2 piloted one of the cannons
• Zeo Ranger 1 piloted the other cannon

Zeo Megazord

The five Zeo Zords could combine into the Zeo Megazord, however unlike previous Megazords it could come together in five different ways, and had different powers depending on which Zord formed the head. The most common formation had the phoenix at the head, but all arrangements were possible, depending on which Ranger the story revolved around that episode.

Pyramidas

Pyramidas was the enormous pyramid-shaped spaceship piloted by Trey of Triforia. It could change into a humanoid shape, and was also integral to forming the Zeo Ultrazord.

Super Zeo Zords

When Trey of Triforia was fatally wounded, he gave the Rangers a medallion that allowed them to upgrade their Zeo Zords to Super Zeo Zords. They each resembled humanoid robots, with each torso in the shape of the helmet emblem of the Ranger that piloted it.

Super Zeo Megazord

The Super Zeo Magazord was an upgrade of the Zeo Megazord using a medallion given to the rangers by Trey after he was fatally wounded. The Rangers used it to defeat King Mondo the first time.

Turbozords

The Power Rangers were given the Turbozords by Zordon during Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, along with their new Turbo Ranger powers, in order to combat the new evil threat of Divatox and her demonic fiancee, Maligore. They were used in battle with Divatox throughout the television series Power Rangers: Turbo, until they were destroyed by the Goldgoyle monster in the finale.

• Red Lightning – racecar piloted by Red Ranger – forms the head.
• Mountain Blaster – 4x4 pickup piloted by Blue Ranger – forms the torso and thighs.
• Desert Thunder – minivan piloted by Green Ranger – forms the right leg.
• Dune Star – SUV piloted by Yellow Ranger – forms the left leg.
• Wind Chaser – compact piloted by Pink Ranger – forms the arms.

Turbo Megazord

The five Turbozords combined to form the Turbo Megazord. The Turbo Megazord Saber was its primary weapon and was utilized in the Turbo Megazord Spinout, where the Megazord would "spin-out" while running toward its opponent, slashing it repeatedly and destroying it.

Rescue Turbo Megazord

The Red Lightning and Mountain Blaster Turbo Zords can also combine with the Thunder Loader, Star Racer, and Wind Rescue Rescue Zords to form the Rescue Turbo Megazord.

Rescue Zords

In Power Rangers: Turbo, the Rescue Zords were given to the Power Rangers by the Phantom Ranger when the Turbozords were stolen by Divatox and her brother General Havoc. They were brought into battle by Artillatron, the Turbo Transport, which also provided the primary weapons for the Rescue Megazord, twin cannons which were simply known as Artillery Power. They were destroyed along with the Turbozords by Divatox's Goldgoyle monster at the end of Power Rangers: Turbo. The five zords joined together to form the Rescue Megazord.

• Lightning Fire Tamer – firetruck piloted by Red Ranger – forms the head and upper torso.
• Siren Blaster – police cruiser piloted by Blue Ranger – forms the lower torso and thighs.
• Thunder Loader – dump truck piloted by Green Ranger – forms the right leg.
• Star Racer – racecar / tractor piloted by Yellow Ranger – forms the left leg.
• Wind Rescue – ambulance piloted by Pink Ranger – forms the arms.

Rescue Turbo Megazord

The Thunder Loader, Star Racer, and Wind Rescue Rescue Zords could also combine with the Red Lightning and Mountain Blaster Turbozords to form the Rescue Turbo Megazord.

Astro Megaship

In Power Rangers: In Space, there are no individual zords (at least to begin with). Instead, the Astro Megaship, which the Rangers use to travel through space, transforms into their primary Megazord. It could only do this with the addition of a NASADA space shuttle that the Power Rangers Turbo brought with them from Earth.

The ship had an onboard computer named D.E.C.A. that communicated with the Rangers about functionality. It spoke with a woman's voice.

Some time before the events of Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy, the Astro Megaship was retrofitted into a museum before it was hijacked by the Lost Galaxy Rangers. It was used as the Rangers' transport throughout the season, but not used as a Zord again.

Galactabeasts

The "zords" used during Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy were in fact sentient creatures called Galactabeasts. The "sentient creature" idea had been used frequently in Super Sentai, but this was its first proper use in a Power Rangers series.

Time Force Zords

In Power Rangers: Time Force, each Rangers has an individual Time Flier. However, these Time Fliers cannot engage in battle on their own and must immediately join together to form a Megazord. Presumably they are kept separate for the sole reason that it is easier to travel through time as smaller vehicles.

Time Force Megazords

The five Time Fliers can join together in two different ways to form a Megazord. One of these forms possesses more speed and the other possesses more power. It is the latter that is often used to deliver finishing moves to enemies.

Time Shadow Megazord

The Time Shadow Megazord was a new creation sent to the past by Alex Collins to help the Power Rangers.

Quantasaurus Rex

A prototype zord that was one of the first objects to be sent back in time by Time Force. It was unfortunately lost until it was recovered by Eric Myers and Wesley Collins. It was powered by Trizerium Crystals.

Unusually for a sixth character's zord, the Q-Rex could not combine with the other zords to form a new, more powerful one. However, on a number of occasions other Megazords did ride on the back of the Q-Rex as it charged the enemy, delivering spectacular finishing blows in that way.

Transwarp Megazord

The Transwarp Megazord is a large robot operated by Time Force in the future that is responsible for sending other Zords and the Time Ship through the Time Gate. Its fighting capability is unknown, as it is only shown fighting in one instance, but this is an illusion.

Wild Zords

In Power Rangers: Wild Force, the Wild Zords were fully-sentient creatures that had been in existence for thousands of years (similar to the Galactabeasts of Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy. There were a great many separate Wild Zords, and they could come together as a Megazord in a large number of ways. One of the main criticisms made against this incarnation of Power Rangers was that there were so many Zords that it became difficult for viewers to keep track of them all, and their powers.

Kongazord

The Kongazord is a powerful Megazord, made with the Gorilla, Polar Bear, Black Bear, Eagle, and Bison Wild Zords. Some of these zords are interchangeable in case any animal has lost power. The two bears make the arms, the Gorilla is the chest and head, and the bison is the torso and legs. The Kongazord's finishers depend on what's connected in the arms. With the two bears, it's Bear Blasters, with the Giraffe, it's the spear, or if it's the elephant, it's the Pachyderm Crusher. If the Rhino is attached as the legs, it can do the soccer kick with the Armadillo. The Kongazord also has an anchor, which it can use the Kongazord Swinging Anchor Attack, where a chain is attached to a huge anchor, and it is thrown at its target, which can knock its target out. The Kongazord can also be used with the Soul Bird, for added power.

Zords used by enemies

Several times during the Power Rangers series, certain villains have piloted Zords of their own. In truth, there is little to differentiate these machines from any other giant robot, however the word 'Zord' summons a feeling that the Rangers are now facing beings in some way like themselves. This motif has been used in many mediums to introduce increased tension and drama.

The first instance of this occurring was at the 'culmination' of the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, in which Goldar piloted the Zord Cyclopsis against the Rangers. The idea was reused several times in later seasons, for example Power Rangers: Turbo, in which Divatox and her minions pilot several machines called Zords.

In Power Rangers: Time Force there are several giant robots that are used by Frax and are not addressed as Zords, although in Mirai Sentai Time Ranger (the Sentai Show that Power Rangers: Time Force came from) one of the giant robots was named the G-Zord. This was the first and only time that the Zord term was ever used on a Sentai Program. The G-Zord was adapted into the Dragontron robot when the footage was used on Power Rangers: Time Force.