GN-005 Gundam Virtue
Celestial Being heavy artillery Gundam piloted by Tieria Erde.
The GN-005 Gundam Virtue was a heavily armoured mobile suit developed by Celestial Being and piloted by Tieria Erde during the organisation’s armed intervention operations in Anno Domini 2307. The Virtue was one of four third-generation Gundams deployed by Celestial Being, distinguished by its heavy armour and powerful beam cannons. The mobile suit could transform, revealing the lighter GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh underneath.
History
Development and deployment
The Gundam Virtue was developed by Celestial Being as part of its third-generation Gundam mobile suit programme, designed to provide heavy firepower and defensive capability for armed intervention operations. The Virtue was specifically designed for artillery operations, featuring powerful beam cannons and heavy armour that made it highly effective in prolonged engagements.
The mobile suit was deployed in AD 2307 when Celestial Being began its armed intervention operations, with Tieria Erde assigned as its pilot. The Virtue participated in numerous missions, providing heavy fire support and defensive capabilities for other Gundam Meisters.
Transformation system
The Virtue featured a unique transformation system that allowed it to shed its heavy outer armour, revealing the lighter Gundam Nadleeh underneath. This transformation was designed as a hidden capability, allowing the Virtue to adapt to situations where mobility was more important than firepower. The transformation was controlled by Tieria through his connection to Veda, Celestial Being’s supercomputer.
Combat operations
Throughout the first season of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, the Virtue engaged in numerous battles, utilising its heavy armour and powerful beam cannons to provide devastating fire support. The mobile suit’s superior technology, powered by a GN Drive, gave it significant advantages over conventional mobile suits, including enhanced defensive capabilities and powerful beam weapons.
The Virtue’s heavy artillery specialisation made it highly effective in prolonged engagements, where its armour and firepower could overcome superior numbers. However, the mobile suit’s focus on heavy combat left it vulnerable to high-mobility opponents who could exploit its slower speed.
Design
The Gundam Virtue’s design emphasised defensive capability and firepower through its heavy armour and powerful beam weapons. The mobile suit featured E-Carbon armour, providing excellent protection at the cost of mobility. The Virtue’s bulky frame and large shoulder-mounted beam cannons gave it a distinctive appearance that emphasised its role as a heavy artillery unit.
The Virtue’s most distinctive feature was its transformation capability, which allowed it to shed its outer armour and transform into the lighter Gundam Nadleeh. This transformation provided tactical flexibility, though it was kept secret and only used when necessary.
GN Drive
The Virtue was powered by a GN Drive, a revolutionary power source that produced GN particles. These particles provided nearly unlimited energy, allowing the mobile suit to power its powerful beam cannons without ammunition limitations. The GN Drive’s output was particularly important for the Virtue, as its heavy weapons required significant energy.
Armaments
The Gundam Virtue’s armament was designed for heavy artillery operations:
GN Bazooka
Two large GN Bazookas were mounted on the Virtue’s shoulders, providing devastating long-range firepower. These weapons could fire powerful beam blasts capable of destroying multiple enemies or heavily armoured targets.
GN Cannon
Two GN Cannons were integrated into the Virtue’s shoulders, providing additional firepower for various combat scenarios. These weapons complemented the GN Bazookas, giving the Virtue diverse artillery capabilities.
GN Beam Rifle
The Virtue carried a GN Beam Rifle as its primary handheld weapon, providing additional ranged firepower. The rifle was powerful enough to engage most mobile suits effectively, though the Virtue’s beam cannons were its primary weapons.
GN Field
The Virtue could deploy a GN Field for defensive purposes, creating a barrier that could deflect beam and physical attacks. This defensive capability, combined with its heavy armour, made the Virtue highly resilient in combat.
Known pilots
Variants
- GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh – The lighter mobile suit revealed when the Virtue sheds its outer armour
- GN-008 Seravee Gundam – The Virtue’s successor, featuring enhanced capabilities and a similar transformation system
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Various video games including SD Gundam G Generation series
External links
- GN-005 Gundam Virtue on the Gundam Wiki
- GN-005 Gundam Virtue on MAHQ
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