Series: High Grade Gundam SEED (HGGS) 1/144
Title: GAT-X102 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud
Release Date: 11/2002
Suggested Price: ¥ 1200
No. of Parts: 100+
Plastic colors: dark blue, gray, white
Gimmicks: Assault Shroud armor, high poseability

Introduction

Contributor: Winn Sevilla
Date: January 4, 2004

Enter Bandai with its new installment of the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED.

Despite the fact that Gundam SEED was only starting to show in Japanese television, Bandai has already churned out its merchandise already. Newfound fans and critics found themselves flooded with kits. All sorts of "grades" seemed to invade the Gundam SEED market that was meant for all types of fans. For the first time, Bandai seemed to go all out for this installment.

When I first saw the Duel Gundam Assault Shroud, the first impression was it was the RX-78 NT-1 should've been. Losing my fondness of kits and moving over to the MSiA / FIX side, I decided to get the HGGS kit of this baby since I couldn't wait for the MSiA for the moment. That decision was well made.

The GAT-X102 Duel Gundam was one of the five Gundam units stolen by ZAFT from the Earth Federation's secret research facility on Heliopolis. Piloted by ZAFT's Yzak Jule, it was later upgraded into the "Assault Shroud" Equipped with extra armor & verniers, a shoulder mounted beam railgun and a 5-barrel missile launcher made this Gundam a much more formidable opponent compared when it first went against the Launcher Strike.

Box art- The box art follows the format of High Grade kits. Good artwork of the Duel Gundam Assault Shroud in a great pose. The sides of the box display the kit's features and other upcoming kits.

Package- Amazingly, the kit is consisted of only five runners. Two for the basic Duel configuration then another two for the Assault Shroud armor system then the polycaps.

Head

The head seems to follow the design of the anime version. Not much problem in terms of articulation, but construction wise, I'd warn you to at least be careful in assembling the antenna array - the "cover" is quite small so it's best that a small amount of crazy glue is applied to secure it.

Torso

Regular version:
Simply basic design. A noticeable concept of the Duel Gundam is the fact that it's the third Gundam to has no skirts armor (S Gundam, Gundam GP01). Obviously, this gives the kit high articulation and poseability for kneeling poses. The side skirt armor can't seem to move outward based on the way it's connected.

Backpack- The backpack is VERY simplified and is divided into two parts - the upper and lower portion. The upper portion houses both beam sabers and upper verniers but seem to be connected to the rear torso via two pegs - a sign of possible stress point. The lower portion looks more stable and the verniers are articulated. There is also a polycap slot in there that allows the Assault Shroud extension of the backpack to be connected.

Assault Shroud version:
The chest / crotch armor is a single piece and fits into the torso of the Duel Gundam just like the MG NT-1. The rear skirt armor is connected via pegs and seems to have a weak point of connection so it's quite disturbing. Leg articulation isn't cut that much since the skirt armor have a lot of allowance for the legs to freely extend into.

Backpack- The Assault Shroud backpack extension is connected through a slot on the actual backpack. The design is fairly simple, but coolness factor is maxed out.

Arms

Regular version:
The arms follow the traditional style of HG kits. Articulation is fair but the only con I could comment is that the lack of hands - basic closed fist only. Bandai should've at least added a few extras, then again - it could be an evil marketing plan to send out resin parts for high detail manipulators!

Assault Shroud version:
The shoulder armor uses the slots on the actual shoulder for stability, just like the MG NT-1, while the lower armor connects to the arms via the slots supposedly designated to hold the shield - that's where a special shield mount is provided. It simply slides into the slots on the armor. Shoulder armor houses a beam cannon on the right, while a missile bay on the left. Lower armor also houses some "vulcan gun" slots each.

Legs

Regular version:
Upper legs follow the traditional HGUC design, but what follows below that is an impressive gimmick. Typically found in HG kits, there is little "internal skeleton" of the lower legs, but the actual design of the Duel is that the "internals" follow through the exterior then the armor is just added on the side. AND if you follow through the foot, the ankle assembly is typically a three piece construction - resulting in useful damn good spreading, kicking, and kneeling poses for the legs. Way to go Bandai!

Assault Shroud version:
The armor fits well on the legs via special slots just before the knee. The only bad comment I could say is that Okawara should've at least made the whole leg armor whole than leave it hanging by a quarter.

Weapons and Accessories

Beam rifle- The beam rifle with missile is VERY simple and fits loosely to the hand. Beam sabers are connected to the backpack and can be fitted with red blades. The shield is very simple too and is connected to the hand via mount like the HG versions.

Assault Shroud armor- The Assault Shroud armor system is quite impressive in terms for an HG kit featuring an armored mobile suit. Overall, this is what the AS system is for - to make the dopey and piddly Duel Gundam look more menacing for its hotheaded pilot.

Conclusion

For an HGGS kit, poseability and articulation is great. Painting will GREATLY improve the visual appearance of the kit since the armor system comes only in gray colors and stickers are provided. If you're a newfound fan of Gundam SEED AND love the Assault Shroud, then this kit is a great buy for you!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

<<back to Gundam