RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn

RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn is the upgraded second Unicorn-type machine from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA (2010, U.C. 0096). It is assigned to Londo Bell pilot Riddhe Marcenas, and the airframe is the same Banshee with its two Armed Armor units exchanged for a different pair.

What it does in the story

The Banshee Norn is the form the number 2 machine takes for the OVA's closing episodes, once the Banshee's Armed Armor BS and VN have been replaced by the DE and XC. From then on it shares the OVA's final battles with the Unicorn.

What makes it different

• Two modes, two heights. In Unicorn Mode the suit is sealed and stands 19.7 m. The NT-D system then opens the armour into Destroy Mode at 21.7 m, where the psycoframe is exposed and the suit's sensor range, generator output and thrust stop being measurable in normal terms.
• The Armed Armor XC is why a non-Newtype can fly it. The backpack unit raises generator output, and its head antenna picks up psycommu waves from enemy suits, sharply improving the pilot's affinity with the machine — enough that a pilot who is not a Newtype can trigger NT-D. In Destroy Mode the unit opens and rotates upward, which is what gives the suit its lion-like head.
• The Armed Armor DE is a shield with a cannon. It is the Banshee's I-Field shield with more psycoframe, six thrusters and a mega cannon added. Mounted on the XC it gives the suit speed comparable to a Base Jabber, and the assembly is long and heavy enough to be swung as a melee weapon.
• One beam rifle, four kinds of attachment. A single Beam Magnum shot equals four beam rifle shots and uses up an entire E-pac, with five E-pacs to a magazine. Its Revolving Launcher adds a different weapon to each barrel: a beam jutte for catching enemy sabers, BOP missiles, MGaAP armour-piercing shells that flash on detonation, and micro hide bombs.
• It carries four beam sabers, two of them conditional. Two sabers sit on the forearms and can flip over to be used as beam tonfa; the other two are stored in the Armed Armor XC and can only be drawn in Destroy Mode, when the suit has all four available.

How big is it?

• Overall height (Unicorn Mode): 19.7 m according to Bandai's official spec, with a body weight of 27.3 t
• Overall height (Destroy Mode): 21.7 m in the same official listing
• 1/144: roughly 13.7 cm sealed and roughly 15.1 cm opened up
• 1/100: roughly 19.7 cm sealed and roughly 21.7 cm opened up

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Frequently asked questions

Background sources: RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn — Gundam Wiki