Kit Review

Straight build + panel lining + decals

1. Basic Photos

The universal size reference — compared to a cigarette pack.

Honestly.. it's really tough to get it standing on a flat surface;

Upper body close-up

The vents spread out to the sides, giving it a cat-like face.

The I.W.S.P. really does have an impressive presence.

2. Base Body

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - This kit has a more impressive weapon loadout than just about any other MG out there. T

This kit has a more impressive weapon loadout than just about any other MG out there.
That's because the I.W.S.P.'s already generous arsenal is combined with all the weapons that came with the Strike Noir kit.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The base body is 100% identical to the MG Strike Noir. The only difference is the molde

The base body is 100% identical to the MG Strike Noir. The only difference is the molded color.

Upper body close-up

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Arm and leg shots (1/3)

Arm and leg shots

The small pistol — the 'Beam Rifle Shorty' — removed from its side-mounted position.

All four pairs of hands from the MG Strike Noir are included as-is.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Unlike the original Strike, the Strike E has no weapon-mounting holes on the back of th

Unlike the original Strike, the Strike E has no weapon-mounting holes on the back of the forearms.
So to attach the I.W.S.P.'s Combined Shield, you have to remove the elbow armor first.

Cockpit hatch open.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The Strike E also has the same shoulder gimmick for attaching weapon packs. No immediat

The Strike E also has the same shoulder gimmick for attaching weapon packs.
No immediate use for it right now, but it should be compatible with the MG Strike Launcher/Sword Pack when that gets released soon.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The leftover parts from this kit — the foot soles, neck, and shield parts from the MG S

The leftover parts from this kit — the foot soles, neck, and shield parts from the MG Strike.

3. Inner Frame

Outer armor removal shot

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Inner frame shots. Naturally, identical to the MG Strike Noir. (1/2)

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Inner frame shots. Naturally, identical to the MG Strike Noir. (2/2)

Internal frame.
Naturally, identical to the MG Strike Noir.

Upper body frame close-up

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Arm and leg frame shots (1/3)

Arm and leg frame shots

Leg frame detail changes from the MG Noir.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The intricate molding inside the skirt. It was there on the Noir too, but the armor was

The intricate molding inside the skirt.
It was there on the Noir too, but the armor was so dark you couldn't see it..

4. Action Poses

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Articulation is on par with the MG Strike. The updated wrist articulation from the Noir

Articulation is on par with the MG Strike.
The updated wrist articulation from the Noir carries over here as well.
Unlike the MG Strike, the wrists can also move up and down — a gimmick designed to add dynamism to dual-pistol poses.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The same stand that came with the old MG Strike I.W.S.P. is included here too. The conn

The same stand that came with the old MG Strike I.W.S.P. is included here too.
The connector piece in the middle is the same as well.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Stand on! Not only does the stand let the proportions really shine, but since it can ba

Stand on! Not only does the stand let the proportions really shine..
But since it can barely stand on its own anyway, the stand is pretty much a must for this kit.

Action pose with the standard beam rifle. Really packs a punch.

Combined Shield action pose

Gatlings — every guy's dream!

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Beam boomerang action using the one attached to the Combined Shield. (Note: this kit do

Beam boomerang action using the one attached to the Combined Shield.
(Note: this kit does not include a beam saber)

Unsheathing pose.

Dual blades~
The official name is "9.1-meter Anti-Ship Sword"

Dual blade action.

Grand Slam action.
The grip is nice and stiff, so it holds well.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Wait — if you look closely at the stand, there's something sitting on it. That's the Sa

Wait — if you look closely at the stand, there's something sitting on it. That's the Sanyo Xacti that handled all the review photos up until two years ago.
The Sanyo Xacti is sitting on it.
The kit is so heavy that tilting the stand forward makes it tip over,
so I put it there to counterbalance the weight ^^;

Palm whip shots

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Every time I shoot action poses like this, I notice it — once you attach the I.W.S.P. p

Every time I shoot action poses like this, I notice it..
Once you attach the I.W.S.P. pack, the sides of the head are blocked, so even if you turn the head, you can't see the face ;;;;

There's a wire inside the cable, so you can bend it however you like.

Whip from the foot soles too~

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The grenade launcher-equipped beam rifles that came with the original MG Noir are also

The grenade launcher-equipped beam rifles that came with the original MG Noir are also included — two of them.

Dual beam rifle action. Looks pretty cool in its own way.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - The dual pistol action — one of the Noir's highlights! The pistols are called "Beam Rif

The dual pistol action — one of the Noir's highlights!
The pistols are called "Beam Rifle Shorty." Cute..

Dual pistol action pose

A Noir-style action pose that brings to mind Hong Kong movies and Chow Yun-fat.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - I'd love to recreate the MG Noir's flashy action poses, but the I.W.S.P. is just so big

I'd love to recreate the MG Noir's flashy action poses, but..
The I.W.S.P. is just so big it keeps getting in the way;;

5. Comparison Shots

Comparison shot with the MG Strike.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Base body comparison with the Noir. The molded color is different but the structure is

Base body comparison with the Noir. The molded color is different but the structure is 100% the same..
Yet the different color scheme gives it a very different feel.

Comparison shot with the MG Strike I.W.S.P.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Comparing just the I.W.S.P. units, the molded color and structure/composition are 100%

Comparing just the I.W.S.P. units, the molded color and structure/composition are 100% identical.
The Strike E version does come with a few more decals and stickers, though.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Base body comparison with the MG Strike Noir. The designs are actually quite different

Base body comparison with the MG Strike Noir.
The designs are actually quite different when you look closely.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Unlike the I.W.S.P. Strike, which many felt looked a bit drab, the Strike E's colors ar

Unlike the I.W.S.P. Strike, which many felt looked a bit drab,
The Strike E's colors are a touch brighter.

Body, arm, and head comparison.
True to current trends, the Strike E has a smaller head.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Leg comparison. The feet got smaller too. They just keep getting smaller and smaller..

Leg comparison. The feet got smaller too. They just keep getting smaller and smaller.. (making it harder and harder to stand up..)

Side comparison of the arms and legs.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Comparison with the standard MG Aile Strike. Like the I.W.S.P. Strike, the Strike E's b

Comparison with the standard MG Aile Strike.
Like the I.W.S.P. Strike, the Strike E's base molded color is noticeably darker than the standard Strike.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - Base body comparison: standard Strike — I.W.S.P. Strike — Strike E. You can clearly see

Base body comparison: standard Strike — I.W.S.P. Strike — Strike E.
You can clearly see how the molded color has evolved across all three.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. - All these kits milked from the MG Strike base.. I thought they'd surely stop by now, bu

All these kits milked from the MG Strike base..
I thought they'd surely stop by now, but then the MG Strike Sword/Launcher Pack was announced right after.

Straight build

It feels like a filler variation of sorts, but we've finally got a new Strike-related MG after a while. The backstory involves a unit from the Astray series, a side story set in the Gundam SEED Destiny universe, and lately there's been a sudden wave of kits from this series coming out as HGs too. Personally, I can't help but think... isn't it a bit late to be milking SEED for all it's worth? Ahem.

Among them, this kit is the Strike E piloted by a character named Lukas, combined with the I.W.S.P. The base unit, the Strike E, is structurally identical to the MG Strike Noir that came out not too long ago. So this kit is basically a mashup of the MG Strike + I.W.S.P. kit and the MG Strike Noir kit. The I.W.S.P. itself is completely identical to the existing one — same runner layout, same molded colors, same weapons loadout, and the Grand Slam option is all there too. As for the Strike E base unit, it's essentially the MG Noir kit with the wing runners removed. In short, it's a fusion color variant. -.-;

So yeah, this kit is structurally not new at all. For a more detailed review of the I.W.S.P., check out the MG Strike I.W.S.P. Review, and if you want to know more about the Strike E base unit, MG Strike Noir Reviewis the one to look at.

Structurally it's a well-worn kit with nothing particularly fresh, but the Strike E base unit does look somewhat new thanks to its brighter molded colors. Details that were hard to see on the dark-colored Noir are now more visible. And since most of the outer armor is different from the original Strike, it does give off a vibe of a refined, up-to-date Strike.

More than anything though... I'd say the biggest selling point of this kit is the sheer abundance of weapons. The already famously well-armed I.W.S.P. weapons set gets combined with the MG Noir's generous loadout — twin pistols, twin rifles and all. Thanks to that, in terms of weapon variety, this might just be the king among MGs. Of course, depending on your perspective, you might think there are way too many unnecessary weapons packed in — but hey, when you see a table loaded with food, it just puts you in a good mood (whether you eat it all or not). :-)

The combination of the more refined Strike E and the I.W.S.P. works really well together. In terms of looks and proportions, it gives off a seriously striking presence. The basic articulation is solid too, so the overall kit quality is excellent.

That said, the same old chronic problem that plagues MG Strike-based kits is still here... the ankle joints are loose, and it's still pretty annoying. Sure, Bandai might argue, "That's exactly why we've always included a stand with the Strike series!" — but it's a bit frustrating that they stubbornly refuse to fix something that seems like it could be addressed with just a little effort. -_-

Anyway, thanks to those ankles that are second to none in their weakness (-_-), trying to stand this thing on the ground with that huge backpack is quite the adventure. It's too back-heavy, so if you pull it forward to compensate, it just topples forward — you have to find this incredibly delicate balance point... and the problem is, that makes the pose look terrible...; Either way, you absolutely need a stand to make it look good and keep your sanity intact.

Despite being a very straightforward color variant kit, the massive weapons loadout meant it took way more time to build and do panel lining than expected. Since building Gunpla is all about personal satisfaction anyway, it's not really a problem... but there's something a little off-putting about feeling like you're building the same kit for the umpteenth time. ^^; (Though compared to building the Ground War-use GM over ten times, I guess it's nothing...)

Setting aside the lack of novelty, and even though this variation's backstory feels a bit thin, it's still a kit worth buying over the original I.W.S.P. kit. It's got a packed weapons loadout, a flashy look, a complex and intricate mechanical feel, and a seriously strong visual presence — there are plenty of things going for it.

I have no idea what big release they're building up to with this parade of variations (probably First 2.0), but as a little breather MG, it's a solid enough choice. ^^ Once it's done, the sheer presence of it gives you quite a bit of satisfaction.

(But honestly, I wish they'd stop milking the MG Strike after the next ones — Sword and Launcher...)

MG GAT-X105E Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P.
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★★	A few seam lines were added to the I.W.S.P. rail gun, but overall excellent
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★★	Richer base molded colors. Color separation on the I.W.S.P. is nearly Perfect.
Proportions	★★★★★	The new-design base unit combined with the I.W.S.P.'s presence makes for a powerful look
Articulation	★★★★★	Lots of weapons can get in the way, but the base unit's articulation is excellent.
Joint Strength	★★★★	Ankles are still weak — can't stand on its own. Stand is a must.
Internal Frame	★★★★☆	The inner frame is still excellent, aside from the body looking a bit bare.
Detail	★★★★★	Excellent I.W.S.P. detail + the improved Strike E
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★★	The I.W.S.P.'s abundance + Noir's flashy weapons set. The king of weapons loadouts.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★★	391 parts total. Parts per ¥1,000: 86.9. Packed with parts.
Uniqueness	★★★★☆	Honestly lacking in novelty, but it has its own unique value worth buying.
Dalong's Point : 98 pts.

MG Lukas's Strike E + I.W.S.P. | 2008.2 | ¥4,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.