Versus Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Triple Threat

In this Versus Series, Mobile Suit Gundam will take center stage. The 3 Mobile Suits that will battle here are the RX-78-2 Gundam, MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom and the RGM-79 GM (Sayla Mass Custom).

First a little history on each Mobile Suit (each suit has NEVER face the other in battle)

 The RX-78-2 was a prototype mobile suit imployied by the Earth Federation in order too get an advantage for the Principality of Zeons Zaku II (which could be produced at a great rate). It was intended too fill the gap between the RX-75-4 Guntank (long range artillery) and the RX-77 Guncannon (mid-range). Short range was the Gundams game and it did it well. It could also fight as medium range as well. Amuro Ray used the Gundam too great effect during the One Year War between the EFSF and PofZ. It was destroyed at wars end.

The Gouf Custom was a complete resign after many defects and faults were found in the original Gouf. The Gouf custom had much more flexibility then the original Gouf. Had improved armament and mobility. Anyone who faced the Gouf Custom had their hands full.

The RGM-79 GM was a suit that was modified with tougher armor and carried better weapons then the standard GM. It was basically for ace pilots. Sayla Mass used the mobile suit in the Mobile Suit Gundam origins manga.













I will now judge the mobile suits based the follow aspects: Armor, weapons, mobility and flexibility. Pros and cons will be given for each.

RX-78-2 Armor: The Gundam had what was called Luna Titanium Alloy. It was lightweight and very sturdy material. It could shrug off a 90mm and 120mm cannon fire with little too no damage. It could even handle some mega particle cannon fire as well. Even melee combat it could take a beating and keep going. However it had limits. A large explosive shell could do moderate damage. The material was also very expensive and hard too refine. It even require special facilities too repair said armor in case of battle damage.

Gouf Custom Armor: The Gouf Custom had Super Hard Steel Alloy. The Gouf Custom had the same armor as the original Gouf.

RGM-79 GM: RGM-79 had reinforced armor. It was tougher then the standard model.

Verdict: No contest here. The RX-78-2 gets edge in terms of armor over the Gouf Custom and RGM-79. The RGM-79 gets the edge over the Gouf Custom.

Now for the weapons:

Gundam:

• 2 60mm Gatling cannons: Mostly used for fast moving objects, anti ground but could be used for mobile suit combat at point blank range. Placed on the head section of the Mobile suit.

• Beam Sabers X2: These bladed energy weapons can cut through anything. Up close and personal type of weapons.

• Beam Javelin: Higher output then the beam saber. Had longer reach then the beam saber.

• Gundam/Hyper hammer: Basically a giant ball with spikes on it. Another up close and personal weapon

• BAUV*XBR M-79-07G Beam Rifle: "One shot, one kill" That sums up this weapon. Basically a battleship grade energy cannon miniaturised for a mobile suit. However it only has 16 shots. It is useless after those 16 shots.

• BLASH*XHB-L-03/N-STD Hyper Bazooka: Fired 380mm rockets. No standard MS armor could stop it. However at long range the rockets could be avoided, slow rate of fire and carried low amount of ammo.

• RX*M-Sh-008/S-01025 Shield: For protection from attacks.

Gouf Custom:

• Heat Wire: Replaced the tentacle heat rod. Could be used too strike other MSs, sending a electrical discharge too disable them. Experienced pilots could use it in creative ways.

• 3 barrel 35mm machine gun: This replaced the 5 fingered machine gun on the original Gouf. It was magazine fed and carried more ammo. Could be discarded.

• Gatling Shield: This shield held the heat sword, could be mounted on the forearm or on the 35mm machine gun. Offense and defense in one weapon.

• 75mm 6 barrel Gatling Gun: It was belt fed and had a high rate of fire. No overheating worries. Could be discarded once the ammo was used up or when the weight became a hindrance.

• Heat Sword Type D III: A sword that could be heated too super high temps, increasing cutting power.

• MMP-80 90mm Machine Gun: Fired 32 rounds from a magazine. Had a high rate of fire and high penetration. Was fitted with a under slung grenade launcher. Great at medium range anti-MS combat.

• Mace: An old school weapon super sized for a mobile suit. Deals heavy blows when it connects.

RGM-79 GM:

• 2 beam sabers. Unlike the standard GM, this one carried 2 beam sabers.

• Beam rifle: Same as the Gundams.

• Hand Grenades: modelled after M-24 hand grenades used by Germany, these could explode on contact or after a set period of time.

• Shield: Same as the Gundams.

Verdict: The Gundam and GM have beam weapons while the Gouf has ballistic weapons. In the Gundamverse, beam weapons are king. The Gundam gets the edge over the GM and Gouf, the GM gets the edge over the Gouf.

Now on too mobility:

Gundam: It could pull a max 0.93Gs of acceleration and a max land speed of 102.5mph. standard weight is 43.4 metric tons and fully weighted is 60 metric tons. Had 6 rocket boosters, 2 on its back and 2 in each foot.

Gouf Custom: It could pull a max of 0.53Gs. Standard weight was 58.5 metric tons. Full weight was 77.5 metric tons.

RGM-79: Most likely that of the standard GM

Verdict: The Gundam again gets the edge over the Gouf and GM. The Gouf gets the edge over the GM.

Finally on too flexibility.

Gundam: The Gundam could fight at close and medium range. Long range was an issue (Bazooka is basically useless at that range). The beam rifle could do it but with only 16 shots it isn't a sure thing. It could carry 4 weapons at one time.

Gouf Custom: While at home at close range the Gouf could fight at medium range. However it could carry 4 weapons at one time and non-lethally take down another mobile suit with its Heat Wire. While fully loaded it was heavier then the Gundam, take away most of the weapon weight and it is lighter then the Gundam, therefore faster. It could also fighting with either its 75mm Gatling Gun or the 3 barrel 35mm machine gun equipped and still uses its heat sword or heat wire.

RGM-79 GM: Carried the same beam rifle of the Gundam but carried hand grenades. Which helped it at medium range. It also carried an extra beam saber.

Verdict: All 3 Mobile Suits could adapt too range. But the Gouf is able too adapt better. Simply because it has more ammo and it can keep its weapons equipped while fighting at range. And it could rid itself of them and still have something in reserve. The Gouf Custom gets the edge over the Gundam and GM. GM gets the edge over the Gundam.

The Final Verdict:
Gundam has better armor, equal weapons too the GM, better mobility but isn't as flexible.
The Gouf doesn't have the armor of the Gundam or GM or the weapons but its 2nd in mobility and 1st in flexibility.
The GM has better armor then the Gouf, equal weapons too the Gundam, last in mobility and 2nd in flexibility.

Out of 10 battles fought: Gundam wins 6, The Gouf wins 3 and the GM wins 1.
(Note all mobile suit with go with a standard load out. Meaning what they are known for or most often seen using in battle. For the Gundam its the beam rifle, beam javelin, beam saber and shield. The Gouf Custom would have the heat sword, heat wire, 75mm Gatling gun, 3-barrel 35mm machine gun and Gatling shield. The GM would have 2 beam sabers, beam rifle, grenades and shield.)

The Gundam wins the vast majority of battles simply because its armor and mobility. While once the beam rifle is used up, the Gundam would have too go in up close. Which isn't really a problem.
The Gouf could take out the GM with its weapons but Gundam would be undamaged by its ballistic weapons. However, The Gouf could more then hang with the Gundam at close range, could even disable it. The Gouf pilot would have too be very creative in dealing with the Gundam. The GM would be more straight forward.
The GM would only win if it was a lucky shot. Like hitting the head section (where all the sensors are) or a leg. Or taking the beam saber right through the cockpit, killing the pilot.
In battle anything is possible.

I hope anyone who read this enjoyed it. Had this one on my mind for some time.

Sources:
RGM-79 GM
RX-78-2 Gundam
Gouf Custom