The RX-93-ν-2 Hi-ν Gundam (pronounced "Hi-Nu") is an alternate interpretation of the ν Gundam that appears in the novel Mobile Suit Gundam: Beltorchika's Children.
Technology and Combat Characteristics
Although the Hi-ν shared the same physical characteristics as the regular ν, it sported an exclusively white and violet scheme instead and featured more powerful thrusters around its body. The most prolific difference is its distinct back boosters and revised fin funnel system. The more basic backpack of the ν is replaced with a dual "long booster" system, with another long booster situated between them and two propellant tanks below.
Apart from the obvious visual differences, the Hi-ν is also armed with an improved ν Hyper Bazooka and a Hyper Mega Bazooka Launcher, an improved model of weapon used by the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki during the Gryps Conflict. When in use, the hyper mega bazooka launcher would be directly connected to the Ra Cailum's reactor, and was powerful enough to destroy a fragment of the asteroid base Axis. With the capabilities, parameters and attack power of the already-powerful ν Gundam greatly enhanced, the RX-93-ν-2 represented the ultimate evolution of functionality and performance in mobile suit combat at the time.
Armaments
Beam Rifle
The Hi-ν Gundam carries a standard-fare beam rifle as its primary weapon. However, unlike the beam rifles carried by other mobile suits, the Hi-ν's beam rifle possesses incredible power output that rivals particle beam cannons. One shot from it is enough to destroy mobile suits and battleships alike with ease, showing that the beam rifle's power matches that of even the strongest beam weapons in existence.
Beam Sabers
The Hi-ν Gundam carries three beam sabers for close combat, with one being stored in the left forearm and the other two being stored in compartments located on the back-mounted wing binders. The sabers' beams are tinted a royal blue to match the Hi-ν's paint job. The beam sabers stored in the wing binders are capable of producing a second beam blade on the opposite end of the hilt for surprise attacks or handling multiple opponents in combat. It is curious to note that the forearm-stored saber is incapable of such a feat.
Fin Funnels
Like the original ν Gundam, the Hi-ν Gundam carries 6 fin funnels, mounted on the mobile suit's back in a wing-like formation. These remote weapons are the Hi-ν's trump card in any combat situation, allowing the mobile suit to overwhelm any opponent from a single enemy to even the entire Neo-Zeon force. Compared to previous remote weapons, the fin funnels' power rating is dramatically increased, giving them firepower comparable to beam cannons. The Hi-ν is also capable of refueling and recharging its fin funnels, effectively giving them limitless operating time. Along with their offensive purposes, the fin funnels can also arrange themselves into geometric formations to deploy their own beam barrier, a nigh-impenetrable defensive field that can repel virtually any attack thrown against it.
Machine Gun
Located in the Hi-ν's right forearm is a powerful, high-caliber machine gun. It serves as a strong, solid-ammo weapon that is used to counter the use of enemy I-Fields. It is powerful enough to tear apart mobile suits with a concentrated stream of fire.
ν Hyper Bazooka
The Hi-ν is also armed with an improved hyper bazooka. Packing upgrades geared towards improving its performance and firepower, it is capable of destroying virtually any enemy unit in a single shot.
Vulcan Guns
As with standard mobile suits, the Hi-ν Gundam also sports head-mounted vulcan guns for close-in encounters.
System Features
Psycoframe Cockpit
The cockpit is composed of microscopic psycommu receptors that allows a newtype pilot to control the suit with ease.
External Propellant Tank
Two ejectable propellant tanks that greatly increases the Hi-ν's speed.
History
Even though the upgrades greatly enhance the mobile suit, this does not change the fate of Char's Counterattack, as neither the v Gundam nor the Hi-ν Gundam are able to push Axis by themselves, resulting in the same end that the movie has previously given us. Although, in the novel, we have more details about the technology and the psycommu work. One of the biggest examples is the spiritual manifestation of Amuro's son, protecting the Gundam in a similar fashion to the Z Gundam.
Gallery
Notes
- The Hi-ν Gundam is often portrayed as "The Ultimate Gundam", being frequently ranked among of the most powerful mobile suits in the entire franchise.
- The Hi-ν received a new design for the release of its Master Grade model.
- The most common and referenced view of the Hi-ν Gundam is its SD (Super Deformed) form, thanks to the Super Robot Wars and SD Gundam G Generation series. Only through official sketches, information, drawings and fanarts based on these do we have a notion of its true proportions.
- The RX-93-ν-2 is highly admired by fans of the series and the directors themselves. Examples can be seen in both the games (where the Hi-ν appears directly) and shout outs within the series themselves (ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom, CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam/Reborns Cannon).
- Although the Hi-ν Gundam is one of the most popular mobile suits in the franchise, it rarely appears in video games. This is likely because the Hi-ν appeared only in the book Mobile Suit Gundam: Beltorchika's Children, and typically animated in SD form.
- The OVA Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G features the first animated appearance of the Hi-ν outside of its SD form, where it served as an antagonist and sported a black/yellow/white variant of its paint job reminiscent of the RX-93 ν Gundam's.
- The Hi-Nu Gundam is an unlockable unit in the mecha action video game Another Century's Episode: R for the Playstation 3, and is obtained by playing through the game's story mode five times.
- In the PSP game Gundam Assault Survive, the Hi-v Gundam is the most expensive Gundam unit to be bought in the entire game, costing up to 12,100,600 G, and is with the highest tuning point possible for a unit, summing up to 37,178 pts. It also appears as one of the Hyper Bosses within the game, and is argued to be the most powerful Gundam in the game.
External Links
Template:Early Universal Century Mobile weapons