The ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam is a Mobile Suit introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. Known pilots include Mare Strode and Auel Neider.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam is a prototype transformable amphibious mobile suit developed as part of ZAFT's Second Stage Series. It is designed to use its MS mode for combat in space and on the ground, and can transform into a specialized MA mode for underwater combat. The MA mode adopts a streamline-shape that helps to reduce water resistance, making the suit faster and more mobile in the water, and also grants it higher underwater combat performance than the other ZAFT amphibious mobile suits. Like the other units in the Second Stage Series, the Abyss Gundam has a new form of Phase Shift armor known as Variable Phase Shift armor and is powered by a battery that can be recharged during battle using the Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System.
The Abyss is heavily armed and features a large number of beam and shell based weaponry, but most of them are usable only in MS mode. The MA mode relies mainly on the high-speed guided torpedos and dual cannons for underwater attacks, and the dual beam cannon for destroying targets on and above the water surface. The suit's beam weaponry are never used underwater as their power are reduced by the water. The Abyss Gundam can also use a handheld beam lance for close combat (even in the water as the lance has a physical blade), and for defense, it can use the pair of shoulder-mounted binders as shields as they are anti-beam coated. The suit mainly functions as a long range support unit due to its large array of ranged weaponry.
Armaments[]
- M107 "Balaena Kai" Dual Beam Cannon
- An improved version of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam's M100 "Balaena" Plasma Beam Cannons, the "Balaena Kai" Dual Beam Cannon is mounted in the backpack and is useable in both MS mode and MA mode. In MS mode, the dual beam cannon can be used to engage enemy units after flipping upwards, or all the way forward. In MA mode, the dual beam cannon is flipped forward, and can be used to shoot enemy units on the water when Abyss swims close to the surface. The beam cannons can also be flipped upward to shoot at aerial enemy units when the Abyss swims close to the water surface or alternatively, the Abyss can leap out of water and shoots at them with the beam cannons. The beam cannons are not used in the water as the environment reduces their power.
- M68 Dual Cannon
- Another long range weapon of the Abyss Gundam are a pair of M68 Dual Cannon, these shell-firing cannons are located in the lower end of the shoulder-mounted binders and can be used for underwater combat. The cannons are usable in both MS mode and MA mode, and are capable of destroying most mobile suits in a single shot.
- MA-X223E 3-barrel Beam Cannon
- The Abyss is equipped with two sets of MA-X223E 3-barrel Beam Cannons, one set in each shoulder-mounted binders. These beam cannons are very effective in engaging multiple targets, but since they are located in the underside of the binders, they cannot be used while in MA mode.
- MGX-2235 "Calidus" Multi-phase Beam Cannon
- The MGX-2235 "Calidus" Multi-phase Beam Cannon is mounted in the Abyss's chest and is its most powerful ranged beam weaponry, but it can only be used in MS mode.
- MMI-GAU1717 12.5mm CIWS
- A CIWS gun mounted below the suit's forehead camera, it is used for engaging light targets, missile interception and surpressive fire. Usable only in MS mode.
- MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS
- The Abyss also mounts two MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS guns in its chest to shoot down incoming missiles or enemy units at close range. Usable only in MS mode.
- MMI-TT101 Mk9 High-speed Guided Torpedo
- These torpedoes serve as the main weapon of the suit's MA mode and are fired from the four launchers that are mounted in the upper end of the shoulder-mounted binders. Can be used in MS mode as well.
- MX-RQB516 Beam Lance
- Since the Abyss was designed for aquatic combat, it is the only Second Stage series MS that isn't armed with beam sabers. Instead, the Abyss is armed with a beam lance for melee combat. The beam lance can generate a small beam blade at the end and can also be used for underwater combat as it also has a sharp physical blade.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- The Abyss is among the new units to be equipped with the new Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, which allows a properly equipped battleship to remotely recharge a mobile suit's battery using a Deuterion Beam. However, since the suit was stolen by Phantom Pain, it is not used as none of their ships are equipped with such a system.
- Operating System
- The Abyss uses the Generation Unrestricted Network Drive Assault Module operating system like the other Second Stage Series suits.
- Like the other Second Stage Series suits the Abyss has VPS armor, this technology is more energy efficient and capable of altering its strength, as well as color in the field, although this must be programmed beforehand.
History[]
Gundam SEED Destiny[]
In late C.E. 73, ZAFT created a new series of advanced prototype mobile suits known as the Second Stage Series to succeed their previous generation of Gundams, which were all lost in the First Alliance-PLANT War. One of these suits was the ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam, but before ZAFT can bring it into active service, Auel Neider of the Earth Alliance's 81st Independent Mobile Group (also known as Phantom Pain) stole the mobile suit from Armory One.[1]
Escaping with the similarly stolen ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam and ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam, the trio attacked the mobile suits and military facilities of Armory One causing massive damage. They were soon engaged by Shinn Asuka in his ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam and later by Rey Za Burrel's white ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom as well as Lunamaria Hawke's red ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior. They were nevertheless able to escape to their mothership, the Girty Lue, where the Abyss was given the new model number RGX-02.[2]
The Abyss then participated in a few battles in space. In the first battle, it destroyed one of the ZGMF-601R GuAIZ Rs deployed from the ZAFT's battleship LHM-BB01 Minerva that was pursuing the Girty Lue to reclaim the three stolen Gundams, and then fought Shinn's ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam and Lunamaria's ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior to a standstill.[3] Later, it participated in the battle over the fragment of Junius Seven, mistakenly attacking the ZAFT forces trying to stop the fragment's drop. The Abyss was damaged in this battle, losing its beam lance and left leg to mobile suits piloted by veterans of the previous war.[4] Afterwards, the Abyss was repaired and transferred to Earth, operating from the naval carrier, John Paul Jones.
In the Indian Ocean, the Abyss encountered the Minerva again, now escorted by the ZAFT Vosgulov-class submarine Nyiragongo. The Abyss engaged the submarine, and displayed its underwater combat capabilities, easily destroying three of the enemy's UMF-4A GOOhNs and then engaging Rey's ZAKU Phantom and Lunamaria's ZAKU Warrior. Initially, the battle was a standstill but the Abyss soon gained the upper hand, however it was ordered to retreat before it could press the advantage. Before it withdrew, it effortless destroyed the Nyiragongo.[5]
Later, it participated in a chaotic 3-way battle between the Earth Alliance and Orb Union's combined fleet, ZAFT's Minerva, and the neutral Archangel.[6] In this fight, the Abyss first attacked the Minerva before engaging the ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam, trying to shoot the Gundam from below the waves in its MA mode. It was later damaged by Kira Yamato in the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam and forced to withdraw.[7] The Abyss subsequently participated in the Battle of Crete, facing the Blast Impulse Gundam again.[8] This turned out to be its final battle as it was destroyed by the Blast Impulse, and Auel was killed in the process.[9]
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray[]
Before it was stolen, the Abyss was tested at Armory One by Mare Strode. Courtney Heironimus revealed that the Abyss was originally designed with a Core Splendor system similar to that of the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, but this idea was later scrapped. He also indicated that with further developments it could be possible to develop Silhouette Packs that would allow Impulse to have better performance in different environment. Jess Rabble then imagined how ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse Gundam, ZGMF-X56S/δ Chaos Impulse Gundam and ZGMF-X56S/ε Abyss Impulse Gundam might look like.[10]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
Gundam SEED Destiny[]
_in_Hangar_01_(SEED_Destiny_HD_Ep1).png "Abyss, Gaia and Chaos Gundams (PSD) in Hangar 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep1).png (3.53 MB)")
.png "Abyss, Gaia and Chaos Gundams in Hangar 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep1).png (4.15 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Front 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep2).png (3.22 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Rear 02 (Seed Destiny HD Ep2).png (3.2 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Multi-Phase Beam Cannon 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep2).png (3.06 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Multi-Phase Beam Cannon Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep2).png (2.49 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Beam Lance 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep02).png (1.97 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Beam Weapons Firing 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep2).png (2.57 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Technical Data (GSD HD Ep03).png (3.66 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Head Crest 02 (Seed Destiny HD Ep4).png (2.12 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam CIWS 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep6).png (2.61 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Shoulder Binders Blocking Beam 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep6).png (3.93 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam MA-Mode Rear 02 (SEED Destiny HD Ep16).png (2.41 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Dual Cannons 01 (Seed Destiny Ep16).png (1.31 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Dual Cannons Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep16).png (1.3 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Dual Cannons Firing 02 (SEED Destiny HD Ep16).png (2.35 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Torpedos Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep16).png (1.48 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam MA-Mode Front 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep23).png (1.91 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam MA-Mode Underside 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep23).png (2.32 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam 3-barrel Beam Cannons Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep23).png (3.2 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Dual Beam Cannon 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep23).png (2.26 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Dual Beam Cannon Firing 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep23).png (2.28 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Cockpit 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep27).png (3.51 MB)")
.png "Abyss Gundam Defeated 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep28).png (3.37 MB)")
Gundam Build Fighters Try[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Games[]
Gunpla[]
Action Figures[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- In its serial number, "ZGMF" represents "Zero Gravity Maneuver Fighter", "X" means it is a prototype unit, "3" means it is designed for underwater combat, "1" is its series number, and "S" means "Second Stage".
- Auel rarely activated the beam blade of the Abyss's beam lance, using it only twice. Once at Armory One, and the second time was when he used it to slash and stab the Impulse in space. Afterwards, he relied solely on the physical blade, and the reason for this is unknown.
- In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny, the Abyss cannot transform into MA mode at all since there are no underwater sections nor stages. Sea levels have all MS hovering over water.
Appearances[]
- Television Series
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
- PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
- First Appearance
- PHASE-02, Those Who Call For War
- PHASE-03, Warning Shots
- PHASE-04, Stardust Battlefield
- PHASE-05, Scars That Won't Heal
- PHASE-06, The End of the World
- PHASE-16, Struggle in the Indian Ocean
- PHASE-20, Past
- PHASE-23, The Shadows of War
- PHASE-27, Unfulfilled Feelings
- PHASE-28, Survivors and Sacrifices
- PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
References[]
.jpeg "Abyss Gundam File 01 (Gundam Perfect Files 080-07).jpeg (3.68 MB)")
.jpeg "Abyss Gundam File 02 (Gundam Perfect Files 080-08).jpeg (3.53 MB)")
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-02, Those Who Call For War
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-04, Stardust Battlefield
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-06, The End of the World
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-16, Struggle in the Indian Ocean
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-22, Sword of the Blue Skies
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-23, The Shadows of War
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-27, Unfulfilled Feelings
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-28, Survivors and Sacrifices
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray Chapter 9, SCOOP.09: Impulse System
External links[]