MSXU-002 Großer Riese

The MSXU-002 Großer Riese (aka Großer Riese) is a modernised version of the original MSXU-001 Riese.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
The original Riese was not only a key landmark in mobile suit development, but became a prominent inspiration within the UESF. As a result, during the opening months of the Herschel Insurrection a Federation think-tank decided to commission a newer version of the MSXU-001 for morale, hoping that the sight of the "first mobile suit" for the Federation would bolster Peacekeeper spirits. Due to only a handful of these machines being constructed and aided by private funding, each Großer Riese proved to be particularly well-built and quite capable in the right hands.

Thanks to advancements in mobile suit technology the Großer Riese is built with a self-contained powerplant instead of relying on an external power supply, allow to make full use of the suit's efficient design. Additionally, the extra funding secured several limited-production SR particle beam weapons for the Riese suits like several select Strikers.

Armaments

 * An optional artillery weapon that fires explosive shells. The blast wave from each firing is directed through the back of the bazooka to reduce recoil.
 * An optional artillery weapon that fires explosive shells. The blast wave from each firing is directed through the back of the bazooka to reduce recoil.


 * The standard Peacekeeper shield, it is protected with a layer of Beam-Resistant Coating.
 * The standard Peacekeeper shield, it is protected with a layer of Beam-Resistant Coating.


 * The top of the right forearm has a plasma beam sword built into it as a readily-accessible melee weapon and can also be used if the suit's SR beam sabres are depleted.
 * The top of the right forearm has a plasma beam sword built into it as a readily-accessible melee weapon and can also be used if the suit's SR beam sabres are depleted.


 * A pair of SR Beam sabres are fitted as the suit's standard close-combat weapons and are kept on storage racks on the suit's backpack for easy access above each shoulder. Unlike later beam weapons these would only hold a limited charge before running down and becoming useless. They can easily reach higher temperatures than then-standard plasma swords and boast far better cutting power.
 * A pair of SR Beam sabres are fitted as the suit's standard close-combat weapons and are kept on storage racks on the suit's backpack for easy access above each shoulder. Unlike later beam weapons these would only hold a limited charge before running down and becoming useless. They can easily reach higher temperatures than then-standard plasma swords and boast far better cutting power.


 * A self-contained ranged SR beam weapon boasting considerable piercing abilities compared to normal linear weapons. The rifle is only capable of a limited number of shots before its particle battery runs down but can vary its power output as required.
 * A self-contained ranged SR beam weapon boasting considerable piercing abilities compared to normal linear weapons. The rifle is only capable of a limited number of shots before its particle battery runs down but can vary its power output as required.

Notes & Trivia

 * Großer Riese is German for "Greater Giant".