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MS-14A Gelgoog

Mass-produced high performance mobile suit produced by Zeonic.
Jenxi Seow Published 4 Sept 2013 Updated 7 Feb 2025
MS-14A Gelgoog

The MS-14A Gelgoog was a mass-produced high performance mobile suit produced by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon. It was intended to be a replacement for the aging MS-06F Zaku II as Zeon’s mainline mobile suit.

The “MS” in the type code indicated it was a mobile suit. The “14” model number denoted it was the fourteenth design for this type, and the “A” variant code identified it as the first mass produced variation.

History

After the Earth Federation’s deployment of the RX-78-2 Gundam during the One Year War, Zeon responded by changing its mobile suit development plans. Work on the high performance mobile suit MS-11 Gelgoog was cancelled as Zeon wanted its new mobile suits to be able to equip handheld beam armaments. The model number MS-11 was reassigned to the Act Zaku from the Pezun Project.

The Gelgoog project was rebooted as the fourteenth line of mobile suits, leading to the experimental YMS-14S Gelgoog. Thirty units were produced and deployed in October UC 0079. Twenty-nine units were assigned to Zeon’s elite Ace Corps in the Corregidor Shoal Zone for field testing. The beam rifle technology proved successful and the Gelgoog Commander Type was optimised for mass production as the MS-14A Gelgoog.

The Gelgoog was quickly put into production and deployed to the front lines. However, only 165 units were produced when the war ended on 31 December UC 0079. The Gelgoog was introduced too late in the war. It was mostly assigned to novice pilots who were no match for the Federation veterans, despite the latter piloting the less advanced RGM-79 GM.

After the war, some units were taken by the Federation to serve as high-performance aggressor trainer units, while others escaped into deep space with various Zeon remnants. A number of Gelgoogs were also put on display in museums.

Design

The MS-14A Gelgoog was developed together with energy cap-based armaments to fulfil Zeon’s goal of arming its new mobile suits with handheld beam weaponry. It was meant to be a replacement for the outdated MS-06F Zaku II as the backbone of the Zeon forces.

The Gelgoog was a high performance mobile suit that matched the Earth Federation’s RX-78-2 Gundam. It was actually faster, had a higher power output, and was armed with more beam weaponry. Its superiority was evident during the first clash between the two units during the One Year War.

The forearms of the Gelgoog were mounted with jet engine thrusters to increase the mobile suit’s maneuverability. Some units were later refitted with linear seats and panoramic monitor cockpits.

Armaments

The standard weapons used by the Gelgoog were a beam rifle for ranged attacks and a twin beam sword for melee combat.

Twin beam sword

The twin beam sword was a melee weapon designed for the Gelgoog. It had a long handle that gave it greater reach. The sword had beam emitters on both ends. It could be used with a single blade as a halberd or with dual blades. This gave it greater flexibility during close-ranged combat.

It was stored in a recharging dock on the back of the Gelgoog when not in use.

Beam rifle

The beam rifle fired concentrated mega particles drawn from rechargeable energy caps. The energy caps allowed the rifle to discharge beams without having to draw power from a nuclear reactor.

Shield

The Gelgoog could equip a large shield for increased protection. It was noticeably larger compared to the shields used by earlier mobile suits.

Known pilots

  • Anavel Gato
  • Katz Kobayashi
  • Reccoa Londe
  • Masai N’gava
  • Dido Kaltoha
  • Elo Meloe
  • Marie Albertia
  • Monica Bartolommeo
  • Erik Blanke

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.

At one point during Mobile Suit Gundam’s production, the Gelgoog was named the Gyan.

Different sources listed the model number of Gato’s Gelgoog as MS-14A, MS-14S, and YMS-14. More recent sources have settled on MS-14A.

Variants

  • MS-14B Gelgoog High Mobility Type
  • MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon
  • MS-14D Desert Gelgoog
  • MS-14G Gelgoog Ground Type
  • MS-14Jg Gelgoog Jäger
  • MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type

Appearances