A couple more misc. questions

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

These things just seem to keep popping into my mind at random times....

1.) Whatever happened to the Zeta Gundam's Hyper Mega Launcher in ZZ?? Granted, I haven't watched it all the way through for a while, but I don't ever recall seeing it being used. I only remember seeing it during break-cuts and I don't think it was used in the last battle of the Gryps War or destroyed either.


2.) Why do you think they never tried to make anymore improvements for the Gundam Mark II and/or Hyaku Shiki after the Gryps War??

I mean...the Gundam Mark II was already pretty outclassed early in the Gryps War and the Hyaku Shiki a little bit after its debut, so when they reappeared in ZZ, you'd think there'd be more stuff to it...at the very least, another G-Defenser or make the Hyaku Shiki Kai or something.

Otherwise, it's hard to imagine those 2 MS being able to keep up so well with all the more modern and, in some cases, much more advanced MS that get created...especially considering the, most likely, vast piloting differences between the kids and the MS's previous pilots (Kamille, Char and Emma)

[Yuusha Tokkyu Might Gaine]

As for the first one, I think I remember Judau using it for a bit during one battle, but tossed it away shortly after. I think it was 15, 16.

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

Hm...guess I'll go check them out and see.

[Rei Murasame]

2.) Why do you think they never tried to make anymore improvements for the Gundam Mark II and/or Hyaku Shiki after the Gryps War??

I mean...the Gundam Mark II was already pretty outclassed early in the Gryps War and the Hyaku Shiki a little bit after its debut, so when---

That's precisely why, actually. The Mark II was an outdated testbed, and might as well have been a GM Quel with a movable frame, panoramic cockpit and higher performance stats. The G-Defensor gave it a leg up, but there's only so far you can take a device before it starts to become unfeasible to upgrade it any further, either due to benefits not outweighing the cost, or just simple impossibility.

Similarly, with the Hyaku Shiki, that was already a failed project from the outset, so what is there to add to it? It'd probably have been more prudent to trash it, and get a Zeta Plus C1. But of course that requires funds, and certainly they're not going to be handing out Z+ C1s to people who are capable of repairing what's left of the Hyaku Shiki and making it work - since after the Gryps war, the AEUG would have been very short on good pilots and mobile suits.

Oh, and before I forget, the Argama is stocked with parts to repair the mobile suits that they have from the Gryps war. In a situation where there is no base to dock at, carrying out an in-field upgrade on two of your mobile suits would be a logistics nightmare, since:
1. With what parts?
2. From where?
3. How will you get them?
4. Does the benefit outweight the cost?
5. How will you replace them when the pilot flies out and breaks things? (which they always do)

AEUG just cannot afford that.


EDIT:
Oh, and the Hyaku Shiki Kai does exist, and was used during the Gryps War, just the Argama crew will never touch them because they're being used by people who need them, or have been destroyed in combat with the Titans by the time it's over already. Most likely the latter.

[Chris]

Yes, the Hyaku Shiki and Mark II are clearly outdated during ZZ. But as can be seen in the series, the AEUG is in pretty bad shape for most of the time. Although the individual suits aren't upgraded, the Mega Rider serves as a stand-in upgrade that assists them, much like the G-Defenser did for the Mark II in Zeta.

[Brave Fencer Kirby]

Keep in mind that the Mk II and the Hyaku Shiki were still far and away above most of the common mobile suits in both the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War. The Titan's main mobile suit was the Hizack, later augumented in relatively small numbers by the Marasai. Both the Mk II and the Hyaku shiki were more than a match for them. They were probably about on equal terms with the more higher-class mobile suits like the Barzam and the Gaplant, but those were deployed in relatively tiny numbers. They may have been outclassed by the really unique MS, like the Baund Doc or the Scirocco designs, but that doesn't mean they're useless. If they can swat down grunts, then they're certainly worth keeping around.

In the First Neo Zeon War, they're farther behind -- Axis seems to have some very nice MS that aren't deployed in Zeta. But even then, they're still not hopelessly outmatched, and as has been mentioned, the AEUG didn't have anything better to give them.

[Chris]

Keep in mind that the Mk II and the Hyaku Shiki were still far and away above most of the common mobile suits in both the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War. The Titan's main mobile suit was the Hizack, later augumented in relatively small numbers by the Marasai. Both the Mk II and the Hyaku shiki were more than a match for them.

Yes, but you're ignoring the fact that most of the time the Hyaku Shiki and Mark II weren't fighting common grunts like the Hizack, Marasai or Gaza-C. Compared to most of the experimental Titans or Axis/Neo Zeon suits, they're definitely at a disadvantage.

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

And we also can't forget...the Marasai is actually pretty comparable to the basic Mark II as well. While not QUITE as good, there doesn't seem to be any gigantic difference between the 2 to make one drastically better/worse than the other.

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

Oh yeah, a 3rd question after watching through 0080.

Did the Gundam Alex have its beam rifle done?? Or did it simply not use it for the same reason that Amuro had with the original in that using a beam rifle inside the colony would damage it too much? Or was it simply not done yet? lol

[Wingnut]

Oh yeah, a 3rd question after watching through 0080.

Did the Gundam Alex have its beam rifle done?? Or did it simply not use it for the same reason that Amuro had with the original in that using a beam rifle inside the colony would damage it too much? Or was it simply not done yet? lol

Both. I don't think the new rifle was quite done yet, and even if Chris had it, she likely wouldn't use it because it could cause undue damage to the colony.

[EZero8]

We never see the actual beam rifle, so I think its safe to assume that it wasnt complete for Chris' use. She definately wouldnt use it inside the Colony, but I doubt that it was even available for her to use if it was needed.

[J-Lead]

What I would like to know it this: Why the hell does the Alex's Beam Rifle look like a machine gun. There is absolutely nothing about that rifle that says "beam" or "particle weapon." After-design Retcon, perhaps?

[Mwulf]

Hm... it seems too narrow to be a machine gun, but the ammo clip does make it look like a projectile weapon--though I suppose it could be an E-Cap or something.

If anything, it looks more like a rifle/sniper rifle to me.

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

It looks similar to the beam guns that are on the Ball units for the Newtype Juggler...maybe it's to be more portable or allow faster firing rates or something.

[mcred23]

What I would like to know it this: Why the hell does the Alex's Beam Rifle look like a machine gun. There is absolutely nothing about that rifle that says "beam" or "particle weapon." After-design Retcon, perhaps?

Because the guy who designed it must have liked the FAMAS, as the Alex's beam rifle is basically that, just in standard rather than bullpup form. It's another case of a Gundam weapon (MS-use or not) being inspired by a real-world gun).

[Dunpeal]

What I would like to know it this: Why the hell does the Alex's Beam Rifle look like a machine gun. There is absolutely nothing about that rifle that says "beam" or "particle weapon." After-design Retcon, perhaps?

Well, a beam rifle doesn't need to look like Star Wars's blaster to be a beam rifle. Re-GZ Custom also uses a very familiar-looking rifle.

[RoninWanderer]

^^ Haha, the Re-GZ custom keeps it old school.

I dont think they bothered upgrading the Gundam Mk.II and Hyaku Shiki because the AEUG wasn't in the most "healthy" of states to have the time to fix two outdated models to compete against the massive overpowered suits in ZZ, if my impression of the end of the Gryps War and ZZ Gundam(which i havent seen) is right

[Dr.G]

Well its also been stated before that the Mecha designer for 0080 prefered more realistic style weapons since that was how he did things for Patlabor.

A more in universe explanation could be for deception purposes, looking at it you might expect a stream of 90mm shells, so you position your shield and concentrate on firing, then you get vaped.

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

That's a possibility. I could definitely see something like happening had the Re-GZ Custom had been done and everything.

[razgriz]

lets not forget about the sazabi's shot rifle being inspired by alien's space marine m41a pulse rifle which i think was about 3 different guns put together. the rifles for the gm custom look a lot like the FAMAS come to think of it.