The BIG Zam FAQ and Movelist
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The Big Zam is a "hidden" character that can be unlocked in the second
installment of Gundam Battle Assault, "Gundam Battle Assault 2" for the PSX.
(See "Getting the Big Zam" for more information) The Big Zam is a large green
"Mobile Armor" which originally appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam during the
siege of Solomon. This Mobile Armor was piloted by Dozul Zabi, along with
several other Zeon soldiers. But when things began to get too hairy, Dozul
ordered his crew to hand exlusive control over the Big Zam to him alone. It
was destroyed moments later by Gundam RX-78 when it advanced into it's
I-Field barrier and used it's beam saber to fatally damage it. While the war
ended then and there for the Big Zam, Dozul would go on to actually eject and
attack Gundam personally.

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This Guide:
Newest version: 1.0
Written By: Usen Wareagle
Authors E-Mail: ADestroyah@aol.com
This guide is a free reference document to be distributed in electronic form
only, in it's entirety. It is to be altered by the original author only. Any
questions or comments pertaining to this document, should be sent to
ADestroyah@aol.com with the subject heading mentioning the game title, the
name Big Zam, Byg Zam, or Gundam. Otherwise, it is likely your message will
never be read and deleted. IMs are fine, just be patient if I'm not around
to answer. Leave your e-mail if I never do get around to answering your
question. I will mail a responce if I miss your message.

Mission Statement:
This guide is written to serve as a complete reference point for the useage
and control of the Mobile Armor Big Zam in the PSX American version of the
game "Gundam Battle Assault 2." ALl information herein has been personally
tested on the American version of this game only, and as far as I know, applies
only to the American release version of this game.
Chapters include:
1. "Things to know before you get started" 
2. "Getting The Big Zam" 
3. "Normal Move List"
4. "Special Move List"
5. "Super Move List"
6. "Big Zam Game advice"
7. "Dozul In Game Voice Quotes"

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1. Things to know before you begin using this guide: 
A: This guide is meant to be a complete guide to the Big Zam, but it assumes
that you've read the instruction manual, and know how to control this game.
B: The guide assumes you're facing right when giving attack instructions.
C: The Big Zam doesn't function as a normal mobile suit does in the game. It
has an addittional Armor Level than do Mobile suits, a light blue one. But all
of it's armor levels are smaller than a normal mobile suits armor levels. They
also decrease in length as the levels are lowered. Meaning you have less armor
On Green than you did blue, less on yellow then green, etc. At red, your armor
level won't actually be enough to even reach the third level of the "booster
gauge." This deficiency is somewhat offset by the fact that the Big Zam will
take around half as much damage from enemy attacks as other mobile suits would.
D: The Big Zam cannot block any attacks. Meaning any attack the enemy throws
that touches any part of the Big Zam, you'll take full damage for it.
Avoidance, in other words, is key to using the Big Zam. Easier said than done
when you're larger than the screen, but possible. Especially against such Mega
Special Attacks as Burning Gundam's Sekiha Tenkyoken, or Tallgeese 3's
Megacannon.
E: Big Zam can use Thruster by pressing R1. It can use thruster up to three
times. This move is critical since it gets Big Zam high enough to avoid more
attacks than you might think. It has no full vernier mode. It has no Dash. It
also has no dodge, shield, or stun attack.. Ouch.
F: Big Zam, like Nieu Ziel, can activate it's super mega special while in the
air.

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2. Getting The Big Zam:
To unlock the Big Zam, you need to defeat "Time Attack A" mode in five minutes
or less. Time Attack A consists of a battle against 7 mobile suits that have to
be KOed. To unlock Time Attack A, beat Street mode with 4 mobile suits. I
suggest using Wing Zero Custom, Burning Gundam, DeathScythe Hell Custom, Then
Gundam. The modes are fairly easy. Keep the game set to hard. Many guides
suggest setting the timer to 30 seconds, using all three Mega Special Attacks,
then just avoiding damage until the timer runs down. Since you have unlimited
continues, it isn't overly needed, and you can pick up some valueable
experience in the game doing it the normal way.. But, whatever floats your
boat.. 

To beat Time Attack A in the time limit, I suggest using Gundam GP-02A
Physallis. At the start of a match, just dash away from your foe. if they
follow, press down, forward, and the triangle button to use the strong version
of your Hyper Bazooka shot. If they aren't hit, they'll hopefully block and
get knocked back slightly. Fire your bazooka again, but this time press down,
back, and triangle. As the shots rain down, fire the Hyper Bazooka using down,
forward, and triangle. This massive assault of firepower will cause even decent
block damage before you depelete your ammo. Another good strategy is to Stun
the enemy then shoot using your forward shooting bazooka shots. (down,forward,
triangle) if you favor the Stunner then select Gundam RX-78 (dubbed Gundam 3:16)
and stun the enemy. Follow this up with a Gundam Hammer. (Down, Forward, any
two attack buttons) It will take away an entire level of armor. 

Finally, other fine guides such as Manson's Neue Ziel guide suggest using
Psycho Gundam. To get Psycho Gundam, you'll need to defeat Time Attack B in
three minutes. This is best done using.. Yes, you guessed it, the wrecking
machine that is Gundam Unit 2, Gundam Physalis. To unlock Time Attack mode B,
you'll have to first unlock Time Attack A, and defeat Street mode with all the
mobile suits.

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3. Normal Move List:

Directional pad moves: Unlike normal mobile suits, the Big Zam can actually
attack just by utilizing the Directional pad. When you're this big, you can
literally just trample the competition.

Up: Pressing up will make the Big Zam jump.. Whee.. But despite it's massive
height it will not get high enough to jump over an opponent. (Not like you WANT
them behind you anyway..) The "cool" thing is upon landing you actually shake
the entire screen! Whoo hoo..

Forward: Makes the Big Zam walk forward. Believe it or not, this actually
counts as an attack. And unless your opponent blocks, your forward advances
will cause them damage and send them flying. This attack is surprisingly
damaging, and just two unblocked advancements will take the enemies armor level
down by an entire color.

Back: Unfortunately, adding to the Big Zam's rear vulnerabilities, is the fact
that backwards steps cause NO damage. Ugh.. Backing up into the enemy will have
Absolutely no effect on them, except maybe pushing them back a bit.

Down: Don't bother.. This button does nothing for the Big Zam on it's own.

Square and Triangle moves: These two buttons control the Big Zam's "anti air
beam cannon array." In other words, pressing one of these buttons will cause
the Big Zam to fire a number of beams in various directions, depending on the
button pressed, and the directional button being pressed. These beams do decent
damage, and three or four of them will lower the enemies armor level by one
color, assuming you're battling against a normal foe. Problem is they have a
fairly sizeable delay time, and cause absolutely no damage if blocked.

Square: Press this button while on the ground to fire off two forward, and down
ward firing beams. You'll find that this attack will more often than not be the
Big Zam's primary means of long range combat once you've depleted it's useage
of it's super mega specials. This attack is somewhat slow, but thankfully both
beams fire simotaneously after the slight delay time. If pressed while in the
air, the beams will fire on a more downward angle, and not cover quite as much
screen as the standing version. The recovery time prior to the attack is also
somewhat greater since it first activates a "booster" animation before firing.
You can also use the air version on the ground by just pressing down and
Square.

Triangle: The real "anti-air" volley. Unfortunately, due to a sizeable delay
time before the volley is actually deployed, and the fact that the beams don't
exactly deploy all at once, this move is all but useless against a foe who's
boost jumping over you.. And since you're in the Big Zam, they most certainly
are using boosters to get over you. The "jumped" version of this move is very
much a turbo version of the Square one. You fire all beams downwards in a
slightly less forward ark, while moving downwards.. Unfortunately, you fire the
forward beams again first in a line of shots instead of all at once. This makes
a move that would have otherwise been very useful against enemies behind you,
only ho-hum. Pressing down and then triangle will cause the Big Zam to do a
type of "rising knee attack." If an enemy is jumping over you from up close,
you might want to use this against them since it's fiarly quick. Otherwise,
there really isn't anyone big enough for this to be used against consistently
aside from your fellow mobile armor, the Neue Ziel. Or the "super" mobile
suits Devil, and Psycho Gundam. 

X and O moves: These two buttons control the Big Zam's legs. They are used for
kicking at the enemy, or stomping on them. And like all normal moves, they
cause 0 block damage. Fortunately the cool down ratio isn't as high for most of
these moves. And you get your main form of normal rear attack here.

X: While standing, pressing this button will cause the Big Zam to wind up for a
kick for a brief moment, then kick straight forward, and upwards at the enemy
like a soccer ball. If this moves hits while the enemy is close, it will hit up
to three times, and cause nearly a colors worth of armor damage. This move will
function in pretty much the same manner if done while in the air. But it's a
bit more difficult to get all three hits. Finally, when the enemy is behind you
pressing back and X will cause you to wind up, then kick backwards at them.
Finally, pressing down and X will cause the Big Zam to attack with an upward
rake motion with it's knee. This move is actually pretty good! Not only does it
have a wide range of attack when compaired to most melee Big Zam moves, it can
hit up to three times for nearly an entire armor gauge worth of damage. And the
best part of all is that it leaves the enemy right in front of you waiting to
be blasted with your special. If only the delay time wasn't so high.. Big Zam's
foot has to step back on the ground before it can use another command.

O: Stomping moves. On the normal standing version, the Big Zam raises it's left
leg, then stomps on the enemy with it. Aside from being able to be spotted from
a mile away by a headless mobile suit, the recovery time for this move isn't
exactly that bad. The air version is the best normal move that the Big Zam has
in it's arsenal once the enemy is behind you. The huge mobile armor dives down
at the enemy and slams into them. Just two of these will take out an entire
color of armor as well. There's 0 actual delay time in starting up the move,
and the only delay is the time it takes for the falling mech to hit the target.
Also, if the camera is zoomed in closely, it can be difficult for the enemy to
spot this move the first few times. Lastly, pressing down and O will cause the
Big Zam to squat low to the ground, and boost a short distance forward, ramming
into the enemy. Despite what you might think, this move doesn't cause much
damage at all.. compaired to other Big Zam attacks.

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4. Special Move List:

(Down, Forward, and Square or Triangle)
Homing Missiles: These missiles are the Big Zam's best special attack period.
(They're also the only one.. heh) If all of them hit, the enemies current
armor color is gone. These missiles also seek out the enemy. That's right,
even if they're behind you. They cause decent damage, even if blocked. These
missiles will set your ammo supply back 50 a firing unfortunately. They will
run out eventually. But, eventually can be a long time.. Especially if you use
these wisely. They seek out the enemy, but they move very slowly, and can be
destroyed. So if you want these to actually hit, use them up close. Despite
how ammo usually works with other mobile suits in the game, I see no difference
between the Square, or Triangle versions of this move. Both seem to cause
identical damage, and both use up 50 rounds.

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5. Super Move List:

(Down, Forward, and any two attack buttons)
Hyper Mega Particle Launcher: The Big Zam's super, super move.. This move hurts
like nothing else in the game, and can actually cause more than an armor color
of damage in some cases. Or in other cases, it can only do around 25% damage
worth to a single armor color. If you catch the enemy "cleanly" during one of
their attacks, when their HP meter is full, or near full, this move will blast
them down for whatever they have left of their armor level, but at the same
time, even when they fall down after losing the armor level, the beam will
continue to damage them. On the other end of the damage field, if you blast them
with this while they're all ready on the ground, the damage won't be very
stellar. Usually it will lift them into the air, and cause medicore damage at
best, equal to, or maybe even less than if they were standing and blocked. Two
shots of this super, even if blocked, will likely take off a color of the armor
gauge. The beam itself tries to rotate in Nieu Ziel style, and hit the enemy
after tracking them. But the Big Zam's cannon doesn't have as wide a range, and
anything right in front, or right above the Big Zam should be considered out of
range of the special.

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6. Big Zam Game Advice:

Just a few notes on the Big Zam.. Despite having 4 armor colors, the Big Zam can
at times actually be quite fragile. It has zero in the way of defense, and due
to it's slow movements, and great size, it's very likely that anything thrown at
you will end up hitting you. In order to counter this, you should try doing
everything you can to limit the enemies number of attacks. This can be difficult
or next to impossible at times, but there are a few things to keep in mind when
mounting an offense.

1: Don't button mash! This might get you by with some characters in the game at
times, but all this will do is lock the Big Zam in an endless chain of slow
moves that will get it killed. This game seems to have some pretty amazing
controller memory. Meaning if you press X for example, after pressing Triangle,
the Big Zam will first fire off it's anti air volley, then do a kick depending
on when the buttons were pressed. Considering the Big Zam's delay between moves
and it's slow movements, the last thing you want to happen is ending up getting
stuck with the animations for an attack that you didn't even want.

2: Stay calm.  There's nothing more frustarting than a mobile suit behind you
tearing down your armor levels with a few punches and kicks. But if you start
pressing the wrong buttons, you're just going to get flattened while you press
buttons to lag yourself up. This game has an annoying habit of "lagging" when
the Big Zam is trying to attack, and is being attacked by a multi hit move.
For instance, let's say Burning Gundam is behind you, and has just decided to
use Burning Finger. You try to counter with missiles, but the missiles won't
actually deploy most likely until the Burning Finger animation is over and
done with. This can be very frustrating, but just hang in there. You'll get
your attack sooner or later.

3: Make them suffer. You're a big bad Zeon Mobile Armor after all. If they
get knocked down, step on them. If they hang behind at the start of the match,
blast them with your super. If they try using you as an umbrella, fire
missiles down at them. Don't hold back. The Big Zam can KO an enemy of normal
mobile suit status in literally just six hits. Blast away at the enemy, but
use your Square and Triangle lasers with care since they're very slow in
execution.

4: Protect your back. If you can, don't let the enemy get back there. The
game AI, and another player will likely do everything they can to get back
there. Use this to your advantage. If they're busy trying to get behind you
all the time, use your anti air lasers, or preferably, your rising knee. To
make their lives a living hell, boost jump quickly so that your back is to
the very edge of the screen. Shoot homing missiles and super mega specials at
them as long as you can afford to.

5: For some reason, you can't use your super mega special as long as missiles
are on the screen. So beware of this. In general, you don't want to use your
missiles against enemies who are boost jumping. Like wise, remember, your foe
can only boost jump three times. If they run out of fuel, missiles away.

6: The Big Zam is best used in Either of the Time Attack modes, or Vs the
computer. Try to avoid using it in Survival Mode. As powerful as it is, sooner
or later you'll start losing HP levels, and since the levels are puny, it's
downhill from there on. Also it may not be best used against experienced
players since once they get behind you, it's pretty much game over.

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7. Dozul In Game Voice Quotes:

All of these quotes are from the game. You can listen to them in the options
menu under sounds, then Voice test.

1: "Once the Big Zam is mass produced, we'll put an end to The Federation in
no time!" (I believe this one was also from the show)

2: "I think I will test the power of my Big Zam! Are you ready to play?"

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