GAT-X102 Duel Gundam is the first machine built under the Earth Alliance's G Project in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002, C.E. 71). Morgenröte assembled it at Heliopolis, and the four Gundams that follow it, the Buster, Strike, Blitz and Aegis, were developed from its data. ZAFT takes it on 25 January C.E. 71 and Yzak Joule flies it for the rest of the war.
What it does in the story
The Duel is stolen in the raid that leaves the Strike behind, and Yzak flies it against the Archangel through the pursuit in space and the descent to Earth. A hit from the Aile Strike's combat knife leaves him with the scar he carries afterwards. ZAFT fits the Assault Shroud while the suit is repaired, and it goes through the Battle of Orbit, North Africa and Jachin Due wearing it.
What makes it different
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It is the airframe the other four were measured against.
The Duel was specified as a general-purpose machine with balanced performance rather than a speciality, which is why it could act as the G Project's development base. Armour, rifle and saber are all middle of the range.
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Phase Shift armour trades endurance for immunity.
Active Phase Shift makes the suit immune to bullets, blades and missiles, and switches its colour from light grey to blue and white. The armour draws from the battery the whole time it is on, and more with every hit, so combat time is finite.
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The shield is the anti-beam answer.
Phase Shift does nothing against beam weapons, so the shield carries an anti-beam coating instead. It is less durable than the suit's armour and does not drain power when struck, which is why the two work alongside each other.
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Assault Shroud is add-on armour, not a second suit.
ZAFT built it after the Duel was damaged, following the GINN Assault Type: a Shiva 115mm railgun on the right shoulder, a 220mm five-barrel missile pod on the left, and extra verniers. It helps in space, hampers movement under gravity, and can be ejected after a heavy hit.
How big is it?
- Overall height: 17.50 m according to Bandai's official spec
- 1/144: roughly 12.2 cm
- 1/100: roughly 17.5 cm
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Frequently asked questions
1. Is the Duel Gundam Assault Shroud a different mobile suit?
No. It is the same GAT-X102 with add-on armour bolted over the frame; the plates can be jettisoned so the suit carries on in basic form. The armour adds weapons and thrusters but is not covered by the suit's Phase Shift.
2. Why does the Duel change colour when it powers up?
That is Phase Shift armour switching on. The unpowered suit sits in light grey; once energised it turns blue and white with orange accents, which is the visible sign the defence is running.
3. Who else has piloted a Duel Gundam?
A second Duel was built after the war under the Actaeon Project for Phantom Pain pilot Mudie Holcroft, and later rebuilt into the Blu Duel. The original is Yzak Joule's machine.
4. Which Duel Gundam kits exist?
In 1/144 there is the HGSEED Assault Shroud kit from 2002 and its 2011 remaster. In 1/100 there is the 2003 release and the 2012 Master Grade, which builds the suit with or without the armour.
Background sources: GAT-X102 Duel Gundam — Gundam Wiki · デュエルガンダム（日本語版 Wikipedia）
