Zaku Takedown Techniques

The 08th MS Team, Episode 8: Iconic

I don't remember when or where I saw the Cartoon Network trailer for The 08th MS Team. Presumably it wasn't on TV — the closest thing we had back then was Teletoon. It must have been some random download off Kazaa at some undetermined point before I saw the show. Since late 2002 already seems like ancient history, I think I can be excused.

Looking back, they totally mischaracterized the show with that "mankind's last chance for peace" line. I wonder if the industry has learned a thing or two since then.

Heh.

Anyway, Shiro Amada with an RPG launcher is one of those iconic moments at the climax of an iconic scene. It's a shame that any recognition of his achievement was never depicted in the show, which leaves me free to argue that any medal awarded should be appropriately titled, Man vs Tank. This is not to be confused with the Tank Man, that other Man vs Tank.

I suppose I could go ahead and give myself a "Banned in China" distinction at this point in time.

The 08th MS Team, Episode 8: Don't wet your pants or anything

But you know, I rewatched that sequence several times right then and there. The idea that you didn't need beam tech, or 100 mm autocannon fire, or any kind of mobile suit carried weaponry, to bring down a mobile suit, was totally alien to me. They should animate such scenes more often, but to be realistic, I could never see an embrace of the unorthodox in a franchise that is all about big bipedal machines slugging it out. It would require too much creativity.

So I got the brilliant idea to list instances where Zaku's were destroyed or otherwise disabled through unusual means. Some are clever, some are overkill.

  • Throwing grenades into the ventilation shafts to force to the pilot out. Admittedly, the Zaku had wound up on its back after sliding down a hill. (The 08th MS Team)
  • APFSDS into abdomen. Fired from a dug-in artillery piece at a range of 10 km. Target Zaku promptly disintegrated. (MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War)
  • One wire-guided rocket (AMSR) into chest (cockpit). Fired from an infantry squad deployed launcher from less than 2 km (estimated). (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • APFSDS round into Zaku eyepiece. Fired from a T-61 tank at less than 1 km (estimated). Pilot is killed how? (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • Two SAPHEI rounds into chest. Fired from a T-61 tank from less than specified minimum range. Tank gained necessary firing elevation by driving up the husk of a destroyed compatriot. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • Two APFSDS rounds into chest. Fired from a T-61 tank from minimum range. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)

And one that is too long for a bullet point:

Shoulder launched anti-tank rocket into what can only be described as the groin, from directly underneath. Zaku falls, but it gets better. After a rebuffed demand to surrender, dodging two 100 mm rounds fired at point blank range, and replying with an AT into the autocannon ammo clip. Shoot two of three anti-personnel mines out of the air with pistol. AT rocket into cockpit.

The 08th MS Team, of course.

MS IGLOO 2, Episode 2: Roflstomped

What doesn't disable a Zaku? Glad you asked.

  • Stepping on a T-61 tank. You'd think the ammo cooking off would make this a dumb idea, but apparently mobile suits have tough soles. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • SAPHEI into right shoulder from a T-61. Sloped armor plate saves the day. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • Two APFSDS rounds into the back, from a T-61 at point blank. Will royally mess the pilot up, but apparently not enough to immobilize. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • Two APFSDS rounds into the upper chest. Probably sufficient but we'll never know because the two APFSDS rounds into the lower chest came too quickly. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)
  • AMSR into knee. Leg left intact, could still walk, if with a slight limp. Maybe bad angle of attack. (MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front)

You may have noticed that a lot of these come from episode 2 of Gravity Front which has a most intense tank vs Zaku battle, fed by the fact that a lot of it makes absolutely no sense.

The White Ogre's rocket launcher never has to reload, and it would appear to have infinite ammo. See, if I wanted a reload-free rocket launcher, I could go play Quake. But if I wanted a reload-free rocket launcher with infinite ammo, I'd have to cheat.

But, ghost characters in Gundam is tantamount to cheating, so I'll let that slide.

MS IGLOO 2, Episode 2: Twin APFSDS incoming

What I truly don't understand is why everyone seems to go for the chest shot. How do you best use a rocket launcher in Quake (besides highlight reel airshots)? Aim for the feet.

What's the easiest way to disable a Cybrid and get sweet salvage to boot? Aim for the feet.

Pop quiz. You're in a T-61 tank, a Zaku is taking a run at you and you have problems with gun elevation. What should you do?

Aim for the feet. Aim for the feet. Aim for the feet.

Can you imagine what might have happened if, while circle strafing, Yandell put two APFSDS rounds into the legs of the White Ogre? It would have been over, that's what. And then he'd get a medal, as opposed to getting lit up like a Christmas tree by a tandem-charge anti-tank missile.

On the other hand, can you also imagine what might have happened had the Zaku's deployed their S-mines like that guy did in episode 1? About the only consistency that exists is that both Snell and Yandell got wrecked by gloating way too long.