GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam |
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Main Pilot: Athrun "Oh my, Oats!" Zala |
Cost: 300
Durability: 540 MA Mode: Yes Equip Change: No |
Introduction
From the series "Gundam SEED," Athrun Zala's first mobile suit GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam returns to the roster as DLC. This is the first appearance for the mobile suit since Next Plus. Aegis is known for its unique MA mode transformation gimmick as well as its ability to project beam sabers from all four of its arms and legs.
However, perhaps it is most well remembered for its final battle against Strike Gundam when Aegis had its self-destruction sequence initiated by Athrun in a desperate attempt to defeat Kira once and for all. It was a costly gamble, as it resulted in Aegis' permanent destruction. However, this gamble paid off as Strike was knocked out of commission for like a week and Kira got a 1st degree burn on his elbow which led directly to Kira making contact with a rebel paramilitary faction leader and getting a more powerful mobile suit for which ZAFT diverted large sums of money and research toward developing that single-handedly won the war for the other side. The paramilitary leader was, in fact, Athrun's girlfriend who upon meeting Kira again ended up leaving Athrun for Kira.
One might say Aegis ruined Athrun's life.
In MS mode, Aegis is equipped with a standard BR (A), a shield-toss sub that causes moderate stun (AB), and a gerobi beam attack (AC). All-in-all, it has a very diverse and balanced assortment of tools. However, because it lacks any particularly strong tools that can force the issue, it is necessary to use both MA mode and MS transformation mode interchangeably in order to keep up.
When csA, AC, or BC are used, Aegis can maintain its MA mode by holding boost down or holding the stick in any direction. For this reason, Aegis' MA transformation has unusual properties compared to most other transforming suits in the game.
Aegis has two victory poses.
Under normal conditions, Aegis poses triumphantly with all four beam sabers projected outward and its arms poised o strike.
When victory is achieved with Burst activated, Aegis instead swoops in while in MA mode and transforms back into MS mode with its beam rifle aimed outward. This is the same iconic pose seen in the first opening credits of the anime during the character/MS introductions as seen here. (Episodes 1-20)
Upon defeat, Aegis appears without its head unit or its left arm, and the suit is rendered colorless with its phase shift armor deactivated.
Ranged Weapons
[Main Shot]
Beam Rifle |
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[Sub Shot]
Shield Toss |
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[Special Shot]
Schalla Beam |
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Melees
[Neutral Melee]
Neutral Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute |
1st stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
2nd stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
3rd stage | (%) | (%) |
[Forward Melee]
Forward Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute |
1st stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
2nd stage | (%) | (%) |
[Side Melee]
Side Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute |
1st stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
2nd stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
3rd stage | (%) | (%) |
[Down Melee]
Down Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute |
1st stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
2nd stage | (%) | (%) |
[Boost Dash Melee]
BD Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute |
1st stage | (%) | (%) | ||||
2nd stage | (%) | (%) |
[Special Melee]
Special Melee | Move | Total Damage
(Total Proration) |
Individual Damage
(Individual Proration) |
Total Down Value | Individual Down Value | Attribute | |
1st stage | (%) | (%) |
Awakening Attack
Oh my, oats!
Athrun launches forward with a dashing stun strike, followed by a flippity pew-pew from his head, then some ghetto kicks, then grabs them and rips a Fat SEED Beam™ so close even Luna couldn't miss.
Combos
Input | Damage | Notes |
Main Starter | ||
?? | ||
Neutral Melee Starter | ||
?? | ||
Forward Melee Starter | ||
?? | ||
Side Melee Starter | ||
?? | ||
Down Melee Starter | ||
?? | ||
BD Melee Starter | ||
?? | ||
During Awakening | ||
?? | ||
Tactics
As expected of a balanced 'jack of all trades' suit, Aegis' tools allow it to manage well in both ranged and melee combat. When you incorporate its transformed MA mode tools in conjunction with its MS mode tools, it becomes quite a formidable weapon.
Aegis has an assortment of melee options available, including combos that have high damage potential and the ability to obnoxiously incapacitate the opponent.
While Aegis has great all-around strength, it lacks any particularly transcendent tools or gimmicks. Thus, it will take some skill to get the most out of its abilities.
Furthermore, due to its lack of any special movement options, Aegis players must have solid basic movement fundamentals, and it is especially important to work well in conjunction with your partner to compensate for this. Aegis players must make good decisions regarding when to push forward and when to retreat, as well as understanding how to be in the best position to cut for your partner and protect them. In other words, Aegis is a versatile and powerful compliment to any team, but it is by no means a 'hero' suit on its own.
When transformed, Aegis' ranged combat options expand. In MA mode, it becomes easier to use tools like AC gerobi to pick the right timing for landing punishes, as well as disrupting melee exchanges.
There are also many great options available after landing a special melee command grab. (BC) Although the opportunities to use it are limited, you also have the high-risk/high-return option to activate Aegis' famous self-detonation sequence. (BC>BC) With this in mind, Aegis always has the potential to swing a match dramatically in its team's favor, a phenomenon known as "Aegis Take the Wheel."
It is important to avoid taking on any high cost suit 1v1. While there are certainly times when you must be aggressive make your presence known to opponents, you must know when to show restraint in order to avoid over-extending yourself and potentially risking over-costing your partner. That being said, you also shouldn't be too passive or cautious. There are times when you must take risks, and you should be careful to acknowledge when such behavior is appropriate to secure victory.
All in all, if you are able to take into thorough consideration your opponent's strategy and general cost performance, you should have no problem being able to show them just how effective Aegis can be as a support unit. It is a relatively capable unit for its cost and its high-risk/high-reward damage potential makes it a very exciting and fun suit to play.
Awakening Consideration
- Blaze Gear
- Lightning Gear
Striker Consideration
Choosing a Striker is a daunting part of mastering this game. In order to play properly, you need to have experience using every single striker in the game to fully understand the depth and nuances of the system. There are a ton of possible Strikers with great synergy with Aegis, but to get the most out of them, it will require a lot of in-depth situational consideration/adaptation in order to use them properly. Nah, I'm just kidding use Kshat or X3 like everyone else.