Occasional instances of mechs using off standard weapons

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Calubin_175
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Occasional instances of mechs using off standard weapons

http://srkon.doorblog.jp/archives/44995604.html

From the GM wielding the beam rifle, to the Unicorn FA setup.
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Gelgoog Jager
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Re: Occasional instances of mechs using off standard weapons

Some cases such as the Dom carrying a Zaku's machine gun is not that rare. In fact there's even some background info on it indicating that the machine gun in question must have a modified larger grip so that the Dom's bigger hands can operate it.

On the other hand, Zeonography indicates that EMS-05 Agg can replace both arms with missile launchers. The most likely scenario is that these units modified in such fashion after the assault on Jaburo failed and in preparation of the impending EF assault to recapture California base, specially given that most of the base's MS had just been lost in the failed operation. Supposedly the MS-05L has a similar background, with the choice of equipping it with beam weapons instead of a Zaku II or better unit been driven by the desire to increase the combat capabilities of any available units, specially those lagging the most behind in that area.

The case of the ZZ units is a sort of a mixed bag:

-On one hand it looks like every Neo Zeon MS has its own unique weapons, and in many cases it can be even justified such as in the case of the transformable Gaza C/D and the Dooben Wolf, which seem to link their weapons directly to the MS generator.

-On the other hand we have the Zaku III, which in ZZ doesn't ever use any handheld weapon, yet its model kit includes the beam rifle w/beam bayonet from the R-Jarja. This is further reflected in its appearance in Gunpla Build Fighters series, where it seen using that weapon at least a couple of times. As a side note, supposedly the left shoulder armor has a slot for connecting a shield like the Hamma Hamma's. In U.C. 0096 we see it using a Geara Doga's beam machine gun just like other Neo Zeon units such as the Zssa and Bawoo.

-By the way, the weapon seen used by Mashymere's AMX-011S seems exclusive of that version of the Zaku III. Among Glemy's forces we see to more Zaku III which have the same traits as Mashymere's units and they also seem to carry similar rifles. My guess is that both the Zaku III S-type and that beam rifle were developed late in the conflict, long after the basic Zaku III was first deployed (in time for the Earth invasion).

-There's also the case of the Gallus J's whose weapon is depcited as a normal beam rifle, though some background info indicates that it is actually a beam magnum. What are probably the spare e-caps for each shot have been mislabeled as missile launchers. Anyway, Bandai seemed to want to avoid ahving to deal with the issue and instead gave it a Hizack's beam rifle in its cameo in the Unicorn OVAs.

-Then there's the Gallu K, which besides borrowing gear from a Zaku Desert Type (not only the arm mounted missile launcher, but also the hip mounted rocket launcher which sometimes it is depicted with and shares with the Zaku Cannon), has the Hyper Knuckle Buster from a Ga-Zowmn. And interesting detail is that according to the Unicorn profile, the Ga-Zowmn's weapon main difference with previous Knuckle Busters is that it's not powered directly by the MS generator, but rather is a handheld weapon powered by e-cap, essentially meaning that other MS can use it, which may even imply that the Gallus K can also use it as a handheld weapon:

-The Dreissen, or at least the prototype Dreissen, was suppoed to use a beam bazooka which instead ended up as the main weapon of the MS-09H. In U.C. 0096 it is shown using the same bazooka as the Sinanju, and oddly enough also a Heat Saber, which certianly feels a big downgrade from its Heat Lancer, specially considering that the normally the second option would have been a beam saber borrowed from another unit, perhaps even the beam axe from the Geara Doga since many units already borrow it beam machine gun.

Anyway, In U.C. 0088-0089, the weapons that look more generic, or rather don't look designed for a specific MS in mind would be the R-Jarja's beam rifle, the Gazu L/R's beam rifle (same weapon used by the Galbaldy Alpha/Beta), both of the Re-Gelg's beam rifles (the old one from a standard Gelgoog and the new one with a grenade launcher), the Bawoo's, the Zaku III Custom's beam rifle and, considering what I mentioned earlier, the Ga-Zowmn's Hyper Knuckle Buster. Perhaps the Gallus J weapon could be also useable, but given its complicated background, it might be better if we just leave it aside.

Taking into account their characteristics, the weapons from the Re-Gelg and Gaza L/R might be considered too old and/or outdated to be sued by newer models. The Ga-Zowmn's weapon seems to be closer to a beam launcher than a beam rifle and the AMX-011S doesn't seem to be ready until alte in the war judging from the fact that no standard Zaku III is seen using it. This leaves the R-Jarja's beam rifle w/beam bayonet and the Bawoo's beam rifle as the most likely choices for standard beam rifle for the Neo Zeon forces. The only significant differences are the beam bayonet itself and the length of the weapon's barrel. The later means that the Bawoo's rifle would probably be a better choice for MS looking for a long range weapon. This works for the Dreissen, whose rapid fire beam guns seem better suited for close range combat, and for the Zssa who has a scattering beam gun which also seems better suited for close to medium range combat.

I guess the one weapon that bugs me the most is the beam saber from the Geymalk equipped by a Zaku III, specially considering that the AMX-011 should carry two beam sabers stored on its right shoulder shield. Even assuming that it was given to it for losing its weapons during a previous battle, it would make more sense to give it the spare beam saber from a much more common Gaza D than the spare weapon of prototype unit with unique racks for that specific model of beam saber.
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