The RGM-79K9 GM Sniper K9 is a custom Gunpla from the Gundam Build Fighters anime. Based on the RGM-79SP GM Sniper II, it is built by Julio Renato and Mario Renato and primarily piloted by Julio.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
Created by the Renato brothers for the final round of the World Tournament, the GM Sniper K9 is based on the Gunpla of the RGM-79SP GM Sniper II that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. The GM Sniper II was chosen as the base unit as it was an extremely high performance machine among the GM series, and was used by aces and skilled pilots. The GM Sniper K9 has additional armor and armaments, as well as several hidden features.
Like its base unit, the GM Sniper K9 uses sniping as its basic tactic, but the strategies of the Renato brothers enable it to use tactics that are unthinkable with other Gunpla. The K9 Dog Pack, which is the backpack part, can be separated and used as a self-propelled artillery unit that works in conjunction with the GM Sniper K9 itself to hunt down opponents. As a trump card, the Gunpla can activate the EXAM System to significantly boost its combat performance.
Armaments[]
- Beam Sniper Rifle
- A custom large beam sniper rifle with a caliber size of 200mm, a monopod mounted under the barrel can be deployed for enhanced stability during firing. Both of its foregrip and main grip are movable to improve the large weapon's handling characteristic. After folding the stock, the rifle can be mounted onto the K9 Dog Pack and be used by the support unit.
- Sniper Rifle
- A slightly modified version of GM Sniper II's sniper rifle, it now functions as a beam weapon instead of a solid-projectile weapon. It serves as the GM Sniper K9's main weapon when the K9 Dog Pack is deployed with the beam sniper rifle.
- Beam Gun
- A pair of 20mm caliber pistol-type beam guns are stored in the hip-mounted holsters, they have low firepower, but can be rapid-fired. A battery/magazine is loaded in the grip, allowing for reloading during battle.
- Beam Saber
- A close combat weapon that emits a blade-shaped beam, a pair are stored on the rear skirt armor. The beam sabers are rarely used as the Gunpla rely on sniping as its basic tactic, but they are effective as a fail-safe.
- Heat Knife
- Stored on the right shoulder, the knife's blade can be super-heated to enhance its cutting capability. Besides being a weapon, it also functions as a tool and can be used for various activities like climbing walls and setting up of traps.
- Bullpup Machine Gun
- A optional machine gun that fires 90mm rounds, this is the same firearm as used by the GM Sniper II.
- Shield
- The same anti-beam coated shield as used by the GM Sniper II, it is used for battle tactics where the GM Sniper K9 requires a cover to hide behind. However, there are situations where the Gunpla is deployed without this shield.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- DP-K9 K9 Dog Pack
- The backpack of the GM Sniper K9, it can detach and transform into a four-legged support unit that can mount the beam sniper rifle as its head. It is also known as "Hound", and can move around by hovering. Should the GM Sniper K9 be destroyed, the Dog Pack can continue fighting independently.
- APC
- The K9 Dog Pack can detach from its rear a hovering APC that carries eight 1/144 Zeon soldier figures, known as the Bloodhound team, for covert operations, such as planting bombs on the enemy Gunpla.
- GM Sniper K9's trump card, the Renato Brothers do not activate it unless necessary. In the original story, it is used to fight against Newtypes by giving normal pilot reaction times comparable to a Newtype's, but in Gunpla Battle, it simply improves the Gunpla's performance. When the system is in use, the head camera will turn red.
History[]
The GM Sniper K9 debuted in the first round of the Top 16 Battle where it fought against the Abigorbine, piloted by Luang Dallara. At first, the Abigorbine seemed to have the upper hand in close combat, but when the GM Sniper K9 attacked with its Beam Guns, the Abigorbine's joints suddenly exploded, leaving it defenseless, and the GM Sniper K9 easily defeated it.
In the next battle, the GM Sniper K9 battled against the PPMS-18E Kämpfer Amazing, piloted by Meijin Kawaguchi. By using the K9 Dog Pack, the GM Sniper K9 was able to pincer attack Kämpfer Amazing and lured it into a trap one after another, eventually forcing the Kämpfer Amazing to retreat and hide in a partially destroyed facility. There, the K9 Dog Pack released the Bloodhound team to plant bombs onto the Kämpfer Amazing's joints, then detonating them, expecting Kämpfer Amazing to suffer the same fate as Abigorbine. Surprisingly, Kämpfer Amazing managed to survive by pre-applying grease before hand that allowed it to shake the bombs off its joints.
In the face of the Kämpfer Amazing's counterattack, GM Sniper K9 activated its EXAM system to gain the upper hand. As the GM Sniper K9 moved in for the kill, the Kämpfer Amazing fired up its thrusters and reached out for the weapon container it had dropped earlier, taking out its Amazing Minigun and shredding the GM Sniper K9 to pieces. The K9 Dog Pack Hound made a last ditch effort to destroy the Kämpfer Amazing, but was destroyed by the Kämpfer Amazing's Beam Rifle.
Gallery[]
Anime[]
Gunpla[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- The battle between GM Sniper K9 and Kämpfer Amazing is possibly a reference to their archetypes' fight in Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Both the GM Sniper and GM Sniper K9 were defeated in their battle.
- The name K9 is an abbreviation and homophone of canine such as assistance dog, guard dog and police dog.
- The Bloodhound team is a reference to the M353A4 Bloodhound, an APC fielded by the Earth Federation.
- The K9 Dog Pack's quadruped form is likely a nod to various units of the same nature in Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, like the BuCUE, LaGOWE, and the Gaia Gundam.
External Links[]