ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam
ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam
Unit Type
Prototype General-Purpose Mobile Suit
Profile
Developed from	ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam
Developed Into	BN-876 Scramble Gundam Benkei GN-0000DVR/S Gundam 00 Sky Gundam Areus Gundam Artemis Gundam Destiny Sky ZGMF-X42SCV Destiny Gundam Honoo ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II
Last Seen	74 C.E.
Manufacturer	Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty
Operator	BUILD DiVERS Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty Team FAITH
Known Pilots	Shinn Asuka Shimon Izuna Kazami Torimachi
General Characteristics
Overall Height	18.08 meters59.318 ft <br />711.811 in <br />
Weight	79.44 metric tons
Power-plant	Hyper-Deuterion Engine
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only (in cockpit in torso)
Armor	Variable Phase-Shift Armor
Equipment
Standard	Neutron Jammer Canceller Voiture Lumiere propulsion system (Wings of Light) Mirage Colloid System
Standard Armaments
Fixed	M2000GX high-energy long-range beam cannon MMI-714 "Arondight" beam sword 2 × MMI-GAU26 17.5mm CIWS 2 × MMI-X340 "Palma Fiocina" palm beam cannon 2 × MX2351 "Solidus Fulgor" beam shield generator 2 × RQM60F "Flash-Edge 2" beam boomerang
Handheld	MA-BAR73/S high-energy beam rifle Shield
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Kunio Okawara
Appearances*
Television	GSD: #36 - Episode #50 GBFT GSD FP
OVA	30th Gundam Perfect Mission GBD Battlogue
Game	Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn

The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam is the titular mobile suit of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny and was piloted by Shinn Asuka. A straight-built Gunpla version is piloted by Shimon Izuna in Gundam Build Fighters Try.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

Gundam Seed Destiny

The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam is a high performance general-purpose MS commissioned by ZAFT Chairman Gilbert Durandal, who ordered it to be incorporated with the most advanced technology of the time, including technologies banned by the Junius Treaty. Based on the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam and Shinn Asuka's combat data, it is designed to handle any combat situations with a single set of varied armament, a concept first tested on the ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse. For close combat, it has two beam boomerangs that double as beam sabers, a pair of palm beam cannons, and a large beam sword. For ranged battle, it is equipped with a long-range beam cannon and a beam rifle. For defense, it mounts a small physical shield as well as two beam shield generators. Lastly, the suit has a standard set of CIWS.

For the Destiny Gundam to use its variety of weapons effectively and quickly, it needs to have a wider range of body movements as well as be more flexible. To achieve a wider range of body movements, the suit's basic structural components are split into smaller, movable pieces, while its armor is divided into smaller pieces in a manner similar to that of the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam's. The exposed gaps in the armor due to smaller armor pieces are remedied by mapping out the ranges of motion of the frame using Shinn's combat performance to determine the most efficient way to separate the armor parts. This ensures the wider range of body movements do not compromise defensive power. To be more flexible, the Destiny's joints are constructed of the same materials found in Phase Shift armor. This allows the joints to possess near-human flexibility when phase-shifted and a faint metallic glow is produced when discharging excess residual energy within the body through the joints. Through these measures, the suit met its requirements, however, various problems remain to be solved, including maintenance problems and production issues.

Other special aspects are the Destiny's use of the new Voiture Lumiere propulsion system and the use of Mirage Colloid to create illusionary copies of itself. Destiny's Voiture Lumiere propulsion system is installed in the wings, which are improved version of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam's wings, and will produce a special light effect known as Wings of Light during high speed movements. The Voiture Lumiere propulsion system is frequently used alongside the Mirage Colloid to confuse the enemy as the real Destiny sets up for a high-speed attack. Like the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam, the Destiny Gundam is powered by the Hyper-Deuterion Engine and armored with Variable Phase Shift Armor. Although classified as a "Second Stage Series" mobile suit, as indicated by the "S" in its model code, the Destiny should be a "Third Stage Series" instead based on its performance. This is done to hide the fact that it is a nuclear-powered suit and should have an "A" instead.

Gundam Build Fighters Try

A Gunpla used by Shimon Izuna, it was built by Shimon's little brother Mamoru Izuna as he recovered from an illness. It was built straight out of the box with no attention to fixing up nub marks, etc. Thus, its stats during Gunpla Battle is not very impressive. However, Shimon is able to compensate with his high piloting skills and managed to go toe-to-toe with Sekai Kamiki and his BG-011B Build Burning Gundam despite the latter's incredible build.

Armaments

• MMI-GAU26 17.5mm CIWS

Mounted in the head, the pair of CIWS are unable to damage PS armor, but are suitable for anti-personnel use and to intercept missiles, enemy units, etc.

• MA-BAR73/S High-Energy Beam Rifle

Developed based on the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam's beam rifle, it is the Destiny Gundam's main mid-ranged weapon. As the beam rifle is powered by the suit's Hyper-Deuterion Engine, it has superior firepower and rate of fire. When not in use, it could be stored on the rear waist armor.

• Shield

A small, expandable anti-beam coated shield that is mounted on the left arm. In its compacted state, it can be used together with the beam shield. However, this shield is rarely ever seen being used.

• MX2351 "Solidus Fulgor" Beam Shield Generator

Like its brother unit, the Legend Gundam, the Destiny has an MX2351 "Solidus Fulgor" beam shield generator on the back of each hand. The generators produce powerful beam shields that can block physical and beam attacks, one beam shield was enough to stop the combined power of a GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam's three "Super Scylla" multi-phase beam cannons. By combining both generators, a larger beam shield can be created.

• M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon

Stored on the left side of the backpack, it is Destiny's most powerful long-range weapon and can destroy a MS or a battleship with a single shot. It is developed from the ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam's M2000F "Kerberos" high-energy long-range beam cannon, and thanks to the Destiny's Hyper-Deuterion Engine, it has a higher firing rate, output, and firing range. When in use, the cannon unfolds and swivels underneath the Destiny's shoulder while a trigger and guard extend to allow the Destiny to take manual aim.

• MMI-X340 "Palma Fiocina" Palm Beam Cannon

A unique feature of the Destiny is its two MMI-X340 "Palma Fiocina" palm beam cannons. Meant for use in close combat at zero range, the beam cannon fires powerful bluish beam that can destroy the head of the Destroy Gundam in a single shot.

• RQM60F "Flash-Edge 2" Beam Boomerang

The Destiny has two RQM60F "Flash-Edge 2" beam boomerangs stored on its shoulders. They are upgraded forms of the ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam's RQM60 "Flash-Edge" beam boomerangs, and utilized a simplified version of the DRAGOON system. The Destiny's beam boomerangs have the unique ability to double as beam sabers by lengthening their beam blades. Shinn uses these weapons in a variety of ways, such as using them to distract opponents while he closes in for a close-range attack, or to destroy several enemy units in its trajectory.

• MMI-714 "Arondight" Beam Sword

Stored on the right side of the backpack, the foldable MMI-714 "Arondight" beam sword is powerful enough to slice a Destroy Gundam in two. Despite its name, the weapon is actually a combination of a physical blade and a laser beam blade. Developed from Sword Impulse's MMI-710 "Excalibur" anti-ship laser sword, it seems to be Shinn's preferred weapon-of-choice for close combat.

Special Equipment & Features

• Hyper-Deuterion Engine

The Destiny is powered by a hyper-deuterion engine, a hybrid of the nuclear reactor with the Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System. Although the hyper-deuterion engine produces far more energy than a nuclear reactor, Destiny Gundam still drain its power reserves to a near-critical level of 17% during its first engagement with the Strike Freedom. There is speculation that this is the result of the engine malfunctioning. It has also been suggested that the engine's deuterion recharge could not keep up with energy consumption.

• Neutron Jammer Canceller

A device built into the mobile suit to counter the effects of Neutron Jammers, this gives the Destiny the ability to use its Hyper-Deuterion Engine without risk of being shut down.

• Operating System

The Destiny Gundam uses the Gunnery United Nuclear-Dueterion Advanced Maneuver operating system, (MOBILE SUIT NEO OPERATION SYSTEM Ver.1.62 Rev.29).

• Voiture Lumiere Propulsion System

Unlike the Voiture Lumiere propulsion system used by GSX-401FW Stargazer Gundam, the one installed in Destiny's wings is a combat variant that uses an internal laser, instead of solar winds or external power beam, and convert its energy into a strong light pressure which is then used as thrust. The system generates a light effect known as "Wings of Light" when activated for high-speed movements. It also enables the creation of after-images when used alongside the Mirage Colloid System. Shinn frequently utilizes both systems in conjunction with the "Arondight" beam sword, rushing into close combat and impaling his target with the sword. This maneuver is effective against larger, less maneuverable opponents such as the Zamza-Zahs, Gells-Ghes, and Destroys, but is less effective against units of similar mobility like the Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice. The Voiture Lumiere's speed, combined with the after-images of the Mirage colloid system, also allows the suit to evade the DRAGOON system's multi-directional attacks.

• Mirage Colloid System

Activated when Wings of Light is used, it spreads Mirage Colloid particles, leaving a trail of after-images that can confuse enemy pilots and also make the Destiny Gundam difficult to capture.

History

The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam was ZAFT's newest and most advanced mobile suit during the Second Alliance-PLANT War, alongside the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam. It was presented to the Shinn Asuka by ZAFT Chairman Gilbert Durandal personally, and first entered combat against a ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited piloted by defector Athrun Zala. It went on to participate in Operation Ragnarok, the invasion of Heaven's Base in Iceland and was instrumental in the ZAFT-EA Defectors victory by first destroying the base's complement of five GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundams.

It then participated in the attack on the Orb Union, where it was confronted by Cagalli Yula Athha in the ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam. As his beam rifle and long-range beam cannon were ineffective against Akatsuki's anti-beam reflection system, Shinn switched to his beam sword and his beam boomerangs. Shinn managed to sever Akatsuki's shield-wielding left arm before Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne made planetfall in ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam and ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam to assist Orb and destroyed Destiny's remaining offensive weapons. The ensuing duel with Strike Freedom proved so ferocious that Shinn was forced to retreat as Rey Za Burrel relieved him.

Shinn/Destiny returned to the battlefield along with Rey/Legend Gundam to battle Strike Freedom Gundam once again. The team was able to force the Strike Freedom into defensive until the timely intervention of Athrun Zala and his ∞ Justice Gundam. Following an attack after Athrun activated his SEED Mode in response to Shinn's own SEED Mode, the Destiny Gundam lost its right hand. Subsequently, all the ZAFT pilots received orders from LHM-BB01 Minerva to retreat upon assuming command in the aftermath of the original command ship (Saint Helens) being sunk by Archangel.

The Destiny led the assault on the Requiem control station on the moon right after several of PLANT's colonies were destroyed by Lord Djibril commanding the Earth Alliance's lunar base in Arzachel, and was again instrumental in the ZAFT victory over the remaining Earth Alliance Forces there. Defeating numerous opposing mobile weapons including three Destroy Gundams stationed there, Shinn was able to buy enough time for Lunamaria Hawke to infiltrate and destroy the command center with her ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam.

During the final battle of the Second Alliance-PLANT War, Destiny was engaged against ∞ Justice Gundam after the latter disabled Lunamaria Hawke's ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam and received major damage before being disabled by Athrun Zala/∞ Justice Gundam. The fate of Destiny afterwards is unknown.

Variants

• ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam (Heine Westenfluss Custom)

While it was thought that there was only one Destiny Gundam created for Shinn Asuka, ZAFT actually had plans to assemble a new special forces unit called the Concluders that consisted of multiple ace pilots all using Destiny Gundams. Heine Westenfluss, a member of another special forces, FAITH, was one of the ace pilots selected for the new unit. A specially adjusted Destiny Gundam with an orange-based color palette matching his personal colors was prepared for him. However, his MS was never deployed due to his death.

Picture Gallery

Lineart

MMI-714 "Arondight" Beam sword

M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon

RQM60F "Flash-Edge 2" Beam Boomerang

Beam Boomerang as a Beam Saber

MMI-X340 "Palma Fiocina" Palm Beam Cannon

MX2351 "Solidus Fulgor" Beam Shield Generator

MA-BAR73/S High-Energy Beam Rifle

Shield

Screenshots

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

Cockpit view

Power button

Pilot seat

Activating Wings of Light

Wings of Light

Using Arondight

Using Beam rifle

Cutting a GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam with Arondight

Destiny destroys Destroy.png

Attacking with Palma Fiocina

Defeated

Gundam Build Fighters Try

Damaged (Ep 07)

Punching (Ep 07)

Caught in arm lock (Ep 07)

Gundam Build Divers Battlogue

Art Work

Art from Mobile Suit Gundam Illustrated 2006

Art from Gundam Perfect File

Destiny Gundam in Battle

From SD Gundam Ultimate Encyclopedia

Destiny MS Girl by Komatsu Eiji

Games

Gundam War Card (2)

Gundam War Card (1)

In Another Century's Episode R

Vs RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2)

In SD Gundam G Generation Wars

As seen in Super Robot Wars Z3 Tengoku Hen

Artwork from Super Robot Wars V

As seen on the game Gundam Diorama Front 3rd.

SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays

Gunpla

1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2005): box art

1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

HG SEED 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2005): box art

HG SEED 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

Limited Edition HG SEED 1/144 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam (Heine Westenfluss Custom) (2010): box art

Limited Edition HG SEED 1/144 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam (Heine Westenfluss Custom)

HGCE 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2019): box art

HGCE 1/144 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam (Heine Westenfluss Custom) (2019): box art

HGCE 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam [Clear Color] (The Gundam Base Tokyo exclusive; 2019): box art

HGCE 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam [Special Coating] (The Gundam Base Tokyo exclusive; 2019): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2013): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam Effect Unit Wing of Light (P-Bandai exclusive; 2013): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam Heine Westenfluss Color Ver. (Gunpla Expo World Tour 2013 exclusive; 2013): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam Deactive Mode (P-Bandai exclusive; 2013): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam Heine Westenfluss Color Plated Ver. (Mobile Suit Gundam EXTREME VS-FORCE exclusive; 2016): box art

RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam [Titanium Finish] (P-Bandai exclusive; 2020): box art

1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2005): box art

1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2007): box art

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam's design draft

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam Extreme Blast Mode (2007): box art

MG 1/100 Destiny Gundam [Extreme Blast Mode] - box art closeup

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam Gunpla 30th Anniversary Ver. (2009): box art

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam Clear Color Version (Gunpla Expo 2009 exclusive; 2009): box art

MG 1/100 ZGMF-X42S-REVOLUTION Destiny Gundam (Heine Westenfluss Custom) (Gunpla Super Expo Tokyo 2010 exclusive; 2010): box art

SD Gundam BB Senshi ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2006): box art

SD Gundam EX-Standard ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (2016): box art

Action Figures

Mobile Suit in Action (MSiA / MIA) "ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam" (2005): package front view

MSiA / MIA "ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (Transparency Version)" (Limited edition Hong Kong Ani-Com 2007 exclusive; 2007): package front view

MSiA / MIA "ZGMF-Z42S Destiny Gundam vs. ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam" double set (Limited edition Hong Kong Ani-Con 2007 exclusive; 2007): package front view.

Robot Damashii Destiny Gundam

Notes and Trivia

• Destiny's head crest displays the text "X-42S DUE", where in italian "Due" means two and a reference to Destiny's series number.
• During the battle of Orb, a blue beam is seen destroying a Murasame. As no other mobile suits are known to use blue beams, it is speculated that the attack is from Destiny's palm beam cannons, and this suggests that they can also serve as ranged weapon. However, this is never confirmed in any official materials.
• The Destiny appears in the Extreme Vs. series as a 3000 cost unit. While its main weapons include its beam rifle, beam boomerangs, palm cannons and anti-ship sword, Shinn can fire the Destiny's Beam Cannon either as a single shot or for a sustained shot. When using the Voiture Lumiere, the Destiny will avoid incoming attacks and can perform a barrel roll during the Voiture Lumiere to shoot its beam rifle in order to stun an opponent. In Extreme Vs. 2, a support from Rey Za Burrel's ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam is given to the Destiny, and the Destiny was also received ability to charge straight for the opponent with the anti-ship sword during Voiture Lumiere. For its burst attack, the Destiny will activate its Voiture Lumiere to perform multiple strikes on the opponent with the anti-ship sword before grabbing them with blasting them with its palm cannons.
  • Heine's custom what-if Destiny also appears as a powered down variant at a cost of 2500. Aside from reduced damage, Heine's Destiny can only toss its beam boomerangs in a V-shape unlike Shinn's being able to toss them both in a V or in a horizontal line. Additionally, Heine cannot use the Destiny's beam cannon for a sustained shot, instead flinging its anti-ship sword to stun an opponent for a combo. As the beam rifle shots during Heine's Voiture Lumiere doesn't stun an opponent, Heine was more charges of the special movement available compared to Shinn.

References

Destiny GPF.jpg

External links

• Official Profile