The Guarlion is a high-performance Armored Module meant for anti-humanoid mobile weapon combat, serving as an all-terrain-use commander unit. Initially, the incorporation of all-terrain adaptability and a commander function into a single mobile weapon was not thought of, since it is presumed a commander would usually remain at the rear lines within battleships or dedicated commandeering machines. Eventually, after thorough analysis of various anti-Aerogater strategies and tactics, DC researchers concluded that a commander unit leading squadrons at the front line was a necessity. And thus, the Guarlion was developed with emphasis on its survivability through the implementation of an enhanced Tesla Drive-generated T-Dot Array, capable of covering over the machine's exterior as a defensive field, reducing damage. The T-Dot Array can also be utilized for offensive purposes with the Sonic Breaker attack.
Aside from the increased durability, the Guarlion also boasts superior agility, speed and flexibility compared to Lions or Barrelions through the addition of humanoid limbs and extra maneuvering thrusters. This also allows the Guarlion to wield a wide range of handheld weapons just like Personal Troopers, solving the previous models' issue of limited weaponry. The head unit is installed with a dense arrangement of active/passive optics, along with a specialized Phased Array Radar fitted in the top protrusion. On the shoulders, next to the Tesla Drives are thermal nuclear jet engine units, usually only used for emergency maneuvers. These engine units accelerates air taken in when within atmosphere, and propels rocket fuel when in outer space. Mounted behind the waist is a vectored thruster, which can be used to provide lift in the event that the Tesla Drives are unusable.
Due to being a high-end Armored Module, the Guarlion was substantially more costly to manufacture compared to Lions or Barrelions, only seeing limited deployment during the DC War. A typical DC AM squadron would have the Guarlion as a commander unit, leading a certain amount of Lions to battle.
A small number of Guarlions were fielded by both the DC and the United Colony Corps since the middle stages of the DC War. A few variants were also piloted renowed aces such as Elzam V. Branstein, Tempest Hawker, Julia Hainkel and Leona Garstein. As the war ended, the TFF's Mass-Production Gespenst Mk-II were in shortage, leading to the incorporation of a large amount of surviving Armored Troopers into the Terra Federation Forces, with AM pilot training being quickly undertaken to be on time for humanity's great offense on Nevi'im: Operation SRW. Some Guarlions were also captured by the Aerogaters, and thus the machine was produced in limited numbers as part of their combat force.
SRW OG2/SRW OGs2[]
Following the L5 Campaign, the Federation gradually replaced Armored Modules with the new-generation Mass-Production Huckebein Mk-II. In OG2, one Custom unit was still in use by Leona on the Hiryuu Kai and served as her personal unit throughout the eventual 4-way conflict, while with OGs2 her unit was ultimately upgraded into the Siegerlion. Though outdated, some Guarlions were still employed by DC remnants.
SRW OGG[]
Lamia Loveless' personal white-painted Guarlion unit made an appearance for a short period. It engaged in mock battles with the ATX Team's Grungust Type-3, and eventually with various Mirongas.
Armaments[]
Machine Cannon (マシンキャノン)
A pair of machine cannons built into the chest.
Assault Blade (アサルトブレード)
Handheld combat blade equipped with a chainsaw, powered by a cylindrical battery. Originally developed for Armored Modules, it can also be used by Personal Troopers due to the Universal Connector at the weapon's handle. Swappable Weapon.
Burst Railgun (バースト・レールガン)
A long-range handheld railgun. Drawing power from a cylindrical battery mounted in front of the grip, the railgun electromagnetically guides and accelerates ammunition out of the barrel. Originally developed for the Guarlion, it can also be used by Personal Troopers due to the Universal Connector at the weapon's handle.
Sonic Breaker (ソニック・ブレイカー)
The Guarlion's strongest weapon. As the shoulder sections open up, a T-Dot Array field inductor is deployed, locking in place electromagnetically thermal inducted metal particles in front of the machine, enabling for powerful ramming maneuvers.