GN-001 Gundam Exia

The GN-001 Gundam Exia was a third generation Gundam based on the second generation GNY-001 Gundam Astraea. The Gundam Exia implemented multiple new features and improvements over earlier Celestial Being mobile suits. The E-Carbon used in the armor of Celestial Being mobile suits was made of more refined materials than armor in other suits. Smaller armor pieces allowed the Gundam Exia’s movement range to resemble a human’s, and while this was advantageous in close combat, it exposed joints and some internal parts. However, the increased mobility made it less susceptible than other third generation suits to hits from long-range weaponry. The exposed cords in the main body helped transport GN particles, which could manipulate the suit’s weight/mass. The exposed cords also allowed for better posture control in close combat, but their exposure was a liability. The head served multiple communication and radar functions, and its v-fin could help control GN particles (although primary control resided in the clavicle antennae).

The weapons systems on all third generation Gundams were equipped with GN Condensers to prevent the suit from using too many GN particles to power armaments. The Gundam Exia’s primary weapon was the GN Sword, which used a physical blade coated with GN particles to improve its cutting ability. The GN Sword could also switch to a beam rifle mode. A pair of forearm-mounted GN Vulcan Guns fired weaker shots than the GN Sword and were used mainly to restrict enemy movement. The Gundam Exia also carried a pair of GN Beam Sabers/Daggers, which functionally were the same weapons, but with different beam lengths that could be adjusted by the pilot. With the addition of a pair of physical GN Blades, the Gundam Exia’s capabilities matched its original codename of Gundam Seven Swords. The arm-mounted GN Shield kept the Gundam Exia’s hands free to use weapons and helps defend its exposed parts.

The Gundam Exia rolled out in 2302, and Soran Ibrahim was selected as its Gundam Meister through the recommendation of Innovade Ribbons Almark. Under the codename Setsuna F. Seiei, Soran initiated Celestial Being’s first public armed intervention in 2307 against the Advanced European Union. In 2308, Setsuna was the first Meister to use the newly unlocked Trans-Am System, which allowed for the release of highly compressed GN particles to improve mobility, offense and defense. Operating at three times normal level, the suit appeared red due to the highly compressed particles. The Gundam Exia suffered heavy damage during a fight against Graham Aker’s SVMS-01X Union Flag Custom II. Cut off from the rest of Celestial Being for four years, Setsuna conducted limited field repairs to the redesignated GN-001RE Gundam Exia Repair.