XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2 – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam

The XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2 was a prototype close combat mobile suit produced by the Strategic Naval Research Institute for the Crossbone Vanguard. The “XM” in the model code indicated it was an experimental mobile suit developed by or for non-Federation forces, whilst the “X2” represented it as the second unit in the Crossbone series.

History

Originally developed by SNRI under the Formula Project as the Gundam F97, the Crossbone Gundam represented the Earth Federation Forces’ first earnest attempt at developing mobile suits for use outside of the Earth Sphere. When the F97 was given to Berah Ronah’s Crossbone Vanguard, it was assigned the model number XM-X to obscure its origins.

Two standard Crossbone Gundams were produced and assigned to the Crossbone Vanguard’s ace pilots. The X-2 was the personal machine of Zabine Chareux, veteran and combat leader of the old Vanguard. It featured many customisations that reflected Zabine’s old XM-05 Berga-Giros, including the black and violet colour scheme of the Black Vanguard Squad, a wing-like blade antenna, and its use of the Berga-Giros’ shot lancer as its primary weapon.

XM-X2 was piloted by Zabine Chareux, who eventually defected to the Jupiter Empire. During this period, the Jupiter Empire tested Zabine’s loyalty through various trials, including a gladiatorial combat between the X2 and captured Crossbone Vanguard pilot Tobia Arronax.

However, Tobia managed to defeat the X2 by getting into the cockpit of the core fighter and using it to escape. This incident led to the loss of the X2’s Core Fighter system, forcing the Jupiter Empire to modify the mobile suit to create the XM-X2ex Crossbone Gundam X2 Kai.

In the climactic confrontation with Kincade Nau (Seabook Arno), Zabine piloted the modified X2 Kai in their final duel. Despite his tactical advantages and combat experience, Zabine was ultimately defeated when Kincade used his heat dagger to penetrate the X2 Kai’s cockpit, ending both Zabine’s life and the mobile suit’s operational history.

Design

Unlike many mobile suits developed by the SNRI, which were designed for use around the Earth orbit, the F-97 was specifically designed to be used around Jupiter, whose strong gravity field would generate serious propulsion problems. The primary thrusters were mounted on flexible X-shaped limbs that could easily be reoriented for high speed or high maneuverability while still letting the machine retain low overall weight.

The distinctive wing-like blade antenna set the X2 apart from its sister units, giving it a more aggressive appearance that matched Zabine’s combat philosophy. This antenna was more than cosmetic, serving as an additional sensor array whilst maintaining the unit’s distinctive silhouette.

Like its sister units, the X2 incorporated an advanced Core Block System using a Core Fighter based on the F90III-Y Cluster Gundam’s design. The core fighter was equipped with high-powered thrusters designed to handle Jupiter’s gravitational field and was armed with a pair of beam guns.

Because of its emphasis on close combat, the Crossbone Gundam featured thick armour which retained a good deal of heat that needed to be vented through its faceplate often. Like its predecessor F91 Gundam F91, its “mouth” could be opened as a vent.

Armaments

The Crossbone Gundam X2’s standard weapons were vulcan guns for anti-personnel defence, and beam sabers for melee combat.

Shot lancer

The X2’s primary distinguishing weapon was the shot lancer inherited from Zabine’s previous mobile suit, the XM-05 Berga-Giros. A close range weapon pioneered by the original Crossbone Vanguard during the Cosmo Babylon Wars, it was designed for combat in and around space colonies, where beam weapons would run the risk of triggering catastrophic reactor explosions in enemy mobile suits.

Instead, the shot lancer uses electromagnetic acceleration to drive its tip through the enemy’s armour, and the spearhead itself can also be launched like a missile. The shot lancer used by the X-2 also featured four heavy machine guns mounted along its length, providing additional firepower during combat.

Buster launcher

The X-2 had another unique weapon: a high output beam launcher dubbed the buster launcher. This weapon provided the X2 with superior long-range firepower compared to its sister units, allowing Zabine to engage enemies at extended ranges when required.

Vulcan guns

These head mounted shell firing weapons have a high rate of fire, but little power and are generally ineffective against mobile suits. However, they can damage lightly armoured areas such as the sensors, and are ideal for shooting down small, lightly armoured targets such as missiles or small vehicles.

Beam saber/beam guns

The beam saber is the standard close-combat weapon of many mobile suits, it emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-field that can cut through any physical armour not treated to resist it. The Crossbone Gundam is equipped with two beam sabers stored in shoulder racks. They also serve as the beam guns for the core fighter.

Heat daggers

The heat daggers were stored in the mobile suit’s thighs and could be deployed in multiple ways. The blades could extend from the soles of the feet for surprise attacks or be launched as projectiles at medium range.

Scissor anchors

The scissor anchors served as multipurpose weapons mounted on the front skirt armour. These devices could be fired on chains to grapple enemy mobile suits, pull them closer for melee combat, or stabilise the Crossbone Gundam during combat manoeuvres.

Brand marker/beam shields

The distinctive beam shields could also function as brand markers - punching daggers that left the skull and crossbones mark of the Crossbone Vanguard on defeated enemies. This dual function embodied the unit’s pirate aesthetic whilst providing effective defensive capabilities.

Beam zanber and buster gun

Beyond its unique weapons, the X2 carried the standard Crossbone Gundam armament suite including the beam zanber cutlass-styled weapon and buster gun beam pistol. These two weapons could be combined into the zanbuster, which functioned as a standard beam rifle.

Known pilots

Zabine Chareux
Rosemarie Raspberry
Tobia Arronax

Variants

XM-X2ex Crossbone Gundam X2 Kai - Modified version created by the Jupiter Empire after loss of the Core Fighter system

Behind the scenes

The XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2 first appeared in Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam manga and was designed by Katoki Hajime. The mobile suit’s distinctive black and violet colour scheme was specifically chosen to reflect Zabine Chareux’s heritage from the original Crossbone Vanguard’s Black Vanguard Squad.

The model number follows Universal Century conventions, with XM indicating an experimental mobile suit and X2 representing the second unit in the Crossbone series. The shot lancer weapon was carried over from Zabine’s previous mobile suit to maintain character continuity and showcase the evolution of Crossbone Vanguard tactics.

Appearances

Manga

Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam (1994-1997)

Video games

Super Robot Wars Alpha 2
Super Robot Wars V
Super Robot Wars X
G Generation series
Gundam Vs series

Model kits

High Grade Universal Century 1/144 XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2 (Premium Bandai)
Real Grade 1/144 XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2
Master Grade 1/100 XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X2 Ver. Ka (Premium Bandai)

External links

XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X-2 on MAHQ
XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X-2 on Gundam Wiki