Gespenst/Type-S

Not to be confused with the resembling Gespenst Type-R

Gespenst

Type-R

Type-S

Gespenst Type-S
Classification
Archetype	General Purpose Personal Trooper
Model Number	PTX-002
Specifications
Height	21.2 m
Weight	Unknown
Overall Length	Unknown
Overall Width	Unknown
Armor Material	Unknown
Power Source	Nuclear Fusion Generator => Plasma Generator
Interface	Unknown
Propulsion	Unknown
Armaments	Split Missile Plasma Cutter Smasher Beam/Blaster Cannon
Special Equipment & Systems	Unknown
In-World Profile
Manufacturer	Unknown
Affiliation	Unknown
Developed From	Unknown
Variants	Gespenst Type-R
Successors	Gespenst Mk-II Type-S Gespenst Haken
Combinations	None
Known Pilots	Chosen 4th SRW Main Hero Chosen SRW F Main Hero Chosen SRW F Final Main Hero Kar Wai Lau (OG)
Real World Info
Mechanical Designer	Kunio Okawara
Unit BGM	TIME TO COME TIME TO COME (Ver.OG)

The Gespenst Type-S (ゲシュペンスト・タイプS) is a Banpresto Original Mecha debuting in The 4th Super Robot Wars. It is a variant of the Gespenst and part of the Gespenst Series, with its brother unit being the Gespenst Type-R. Data from the Type-S was used to develop the Gespenst Mk-II Type-S. In the OG timeline, data from the PT was also used to develop the Gespenst Haken.

Technological and Historical

One of the 2 main Gespenst Mk-I variations, the other unit being the Gespenst Type-R. Overall, compared to the Type-R, the Type-S is more geared towards a Super Robot specification, equipped with higher short-range firepower and stronger armor but lower mobility.

Classic Series

The Gespenst Type-S serves as the Super Route main hero's leading mecha for the ffirst half of 4th SRW (S) / entirety of SRW F. It was developed as the first ever Personal Trooper and served as the prototype for the development of the Grungust. It also has a layer of Beam Coat to defend against beam weapons, along with flight capabilities. In this timeline, both the Type-R and Type-S are simply known as "Gespenst".

4th SRW/4th SRW S/SRW F

It is the main hero's mecha for the first half (4th/4th S) / entirety (F) of the Real Robot Route for the games. An improved variant of the Gespenst known as the Gespenst Mk-II was also built and piloted by Gilliam Jaeger.

SRW F Final

By F Final, the machine became outdated and did not see much action aside from the first stage, as the more powerful Gespenst Mk-II Type-S was available for the player after Stage 1.

OG Series

The Gespenst Type-S was one of the first 3 Personal Trooper units ever created. Development began in NAD 179, after Mao Industries accepted the Terra Federation Forces' offer of producing a 20-meter humanoid mobile weapon in preparation against alien invaders. A Nuclear Fusion Reactor was chosen as a power source due to its constant high energy output and extended operation time, though it took much effort from Mao Industries' technical department to miniaturize the large reactor design down to sufficient size. For the piloting method, a special operating system known as TC-OS was developed, which receives set commands from the pilot, analyzes the surrounding environment and current state of the PT, before carrying out the action. With this system, pilots can effectively concentrate more on decision-making and worry less about complicated machine controls. Through these multiple technological breakthroughs, the Gespenst prototypes were completed at the end of NAD 180, after only a single year of development. Although they were built to operate in all environments, Unit 2 specialized in space combat while Unit 3 specialized in ground combat, in anticipation of future operations. As a result, they were officially designated as PTX-001 (Unit 1), PTX-002 (Unit 2) and PTX-003 (Unit 3).

Despite finishing TFF's evaluation tests with top scores compared to other competitors, the highly-regarded Gespenst was not without problems. Firstly, it was not capable of unassisted atmospheric flight and can only briefly glide, which has not yet fully visualized the TFF's idea for an "all-purpose weapon", having to leave aerial combat for fighter jets to handle. Furthermore, its armor was thinner than expected, and momentary blurs often appear when using handheld shooting weapons, reducing accuracy, which was said as the consequence of Mao Industries pursuing weapon versatility. After receiving these complaints from the TFF, Mao Industries quickly set off to subjugate the limitations by upgrading the Gespenst units.

Out of the 3 Mk-Is, the PTX-002 Gespenst was given the designation "Type-S" (S for Strength), undergoing modifications aimed at improving its armor and at the installation of high-output fixed weapons. Though there were problems regarding energy shortage to power the Type-S's fixed weapons, they were quickly resolved through the adoption of the groundbreaking EOT-based Plasma Generator. In NAD 182, together with the Type-S, Mao Industries submitted a concept plan detailing the future development, mass-production, strategies and tactics regarding Personal Troopers, known as PT-X. At around the same time, Major General Norman Sleigh suggested the anti-alien militarization plan "Earth Sphere Defense Project", resulting in PT-X becoming incorporated as one of the vital components of the Project. Later that year, the Gespensts Type-S and Type-R were assigned to the Special Tactics Guidance Corps for the development of combat-use TC-OS Motion Patterns, as the existing Motion Patterns at the time were only basic actions inputted in by the Mao Industries staff. The skilled Guidance Corps pilots mostly controlled the units manually, and the machine's movements were recorded through a tracing system, allowing for the compilation of new Motion Patterns, which were then fed back to the machine's TC-OS. Through mock battles between the 2 Gespenst units, more advanced Patterns were compiled, further completing the TC-OS day by day.

Data gathered from the Mk-I units was used to develop future Personal Troopers, such as the bombardment-type PTX-004 Schutzwald, the mass-production candidate prototype PTX-005 Wildschwein, and the next generation PTX-007 Gespenst Mk-IIs. Furthermore, data from the Type-S specifically was used to develop the Grungust Series. Later, its basic frame design will also be utilized as the framework for the Gespenst Haken.

During a space test run that took place sometime between NAD 182 and NAD 184, the Type-S, piloted by Colonel Kar Wai Lau, was caught in an accident, exploded, and thought to have been lost forever along with the Colonel. In reality, the unit and its pilot were captured by the Aerogaters, with the aliens eventually producing an upgraded replica of the Type-S and having the brainwashed Kar Wai Lau (now known as Galuin Mehabel) pilot it. The replicated Type-S consisted of 80% Aerogator material, along with a radically improved generator output, structural and energy regeneration abilities, and a G-Wall barrier.

SRW OG1/SRW OGs1

The original Type-S was never shown throughout the game, instead only the replica machine made an appearance during the L5 Campaign arc. With Kyousuke Route, the Type-S appeared when an attempt was made by Aerogator forces to capture the Cybuster (which was acting as a decoy along with Valsione), seemingly piloted by a clone of Kar Wai Lau, before being destroyed by the Steel Dragon Squadron. With Ryuusei Route, the Type-S appeared when Aerogator forces launched an attack on Mao Industries' Moon facility, this time with the original brainwashed Kar Wai Lau at the controls. The Type-S also ended up getting destroyed through the efforts of the Steel Dragon Squadron, allowing Lau to finally rest in peace at the hands of fellow Earthlings.

Armaments & Attacks

• Fighting (格闘 | Kakutou)

The Gespenst Type-R engages in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Only seen in OG1.

• Split Missile (スプリットミサイル)

Standard armament seen on the Gespenst Series, they are essentially deployable missile containers. After launching, the container's front cover is jettisoned and the missiles within fly towards their target.

• Plasma Cutter (プラズマカッター)

3 plasma swords for close combat are mounted on the left forearm. This composition was adopted early on in development as a countermeasure to each Cutter's short operational time, however the problem was later remedied. Ultimately the arrangement was still kept, with the additional Cutters acting as spares. The ones used by the Aerogator replica has an extremely high output, generating a large blade that managed to hold even the Grungust Type-0's Reishiki Zankantou at bay.

• Plasma Slicer (プラズマスライサー)

A left knifehand strike imbued with plasma, seen in Record of ATX. Homage to the Gespenst's original Plasma Cutter technique in Hero Senki.

• Smasher Beam / Blaster Cannon (スマッシャービーム / プラズマスライサー)

A powerful beam weapon mounted on the Type-S. In the Classic Series, it is a beam blast fired from the eyes. In OG1 and OGs, it is a destructive beam cannon mounted within the chest, covered by the top chest canopy. Known as Smasher Beam in 4th SRW and Blaster Cannon from F onwards.

• Kyuukyoku! Gespenst Kick (究極！ゲシュペンストキック Ultimate! Gespenst Kick)

The Gespenst Type-S' finishing kick attack in the Classic Series, exclusive to the Super Route male hero.

• Hissatsu! Gespenst Punch (必殺！ゲシュペンストパンチ Certain Kill! Gespenst Punch)

The Gespenst Type-S' finishing punch attack in the classic Series, exclusive to the Super Route female hero.

Appearances

Video Games

• The 4th Super Robot Wars (1995)
• The 4th Super Robot Wars Scramble (1996)
• Super Robot Wars F (1997)
• Super Robot Wars F Final (1998)
• Super Robot Wars Original Generation (2002)
• Super Robot Wars OG: Original Generations (2007)

Manga

• Super Robot Wars OG: Record of ATX (2007)