Technology & Combat Characteristics
Specializing in close combat and armed mainly with melee weapons, the Gundam Exia is one of four Gundams deployed in AD 2307 by the paramilitary organization, Celestial Being, to eliminate world conflicts through armed interventions. To fight against the world with their small numbers and win, these Gundams have overwhelming power and equipped with advanced technology a century ahead of its time. Notably, the semi-perpetual GN Drive mounted in the center of the Gundams provide almost limitless energy and generates special, multifunctional GN Particles. The GN Particles grant outstanding mobility, including independent flight capabilities, and are also utilized for beam weaponry, attitude control, and stealth purposes as the discharged particles can cause electromagnetic interference, leaving conventional communication and radar devices useless. However, the Gundams' E-Carbon has higher defensive power due to the use of advanced materials.
An example of Exia's overwhelming power is that its output was estimated to be about six times that of the SVMS-01 Union Flag, one of the newest conventional mobile suits at the time. The technical hurdles that had to be overcome to create the powerful Gundams and their GN Drives were high, making their production extremely difficult and caused the Gundams' development to occur in phases. Subsequently, four second generation machines were developed with individual capabilities required for armed intervention, and their data served as a basis for the third generation machines, which included Exia and the other three Gundams deployed in the armed interventions.
The Astraea's movability aspect is particularly appropriate for the Exia, which requires the same range of articulations as the human body due to its close combat specialization. While these cables are also found on other Gundams, the ones extending from the shoulders to the upper arms are unique to Exia. For maintenance purposes, the condensers can display the particles' compression rate and the amount stored. In other words, Exia is also intended to fight against Gundam/GN Drive-equipped machine that is piloted by a betrayer or captured by the enemy and used against Celestial Being. Early on, an alternate configuration of the GN-005 Gundam Virtue also had an anti-betrayer role, but its design was dropped and this increased the responsibilities placed on Exia and its Gundam Meister.
Other armaments include a GN Shield for defense that also provides protection to the internal structures and joints that might be exposed during movements. When equipped with the Avalanche Unit, the Exia becomes the GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia and can speed past specialized high-speed mobile suits, which it normally cannot do despite having remarkable mobility. When docked with the GN Arms Type-E, the Exia becomes the GN-001+GNR-001E GN Armor Type-E, obtaining better mobility, offensive and defensive capabilities.
History
For Exia's history and exploits, please go to Setsuna F. Seiei's page.