u/Road_Caesar

*The V-Mover 03 <Guard Gunner> is a multi-variable powered suit that combines a high-visibility canopy with robust breast armor.

In humanoid mobility mode and machine mode, the unit is tuned to produce more powerful output, making it effective in work support and security combat during operations. By attaching a crawler-type extension unit to the underside of the unit in bullet mode, it can also be operated as a small tank-type machine.*

It took me a while to come around on the Gunner-type V-Movers. But after time and experimentation with them, they're less silly to me than the V-Mover 02 type (the wheeled ones with the mech torso and head).

Viewing them from a functional standpoint - as in - how would this machine function in reality and what would it's capabilities be like, it gives a greater sense of how adaptable and mutli-purpose they are in-world. The VersRiser 03 Grasper is also a BEHEMOTH of a support AND an attack platform, particularly with the 4 modes available for the business ends of the arms.

Aggress Versaulter/Daedalus Unit <Dark Star> is unchanged from the first version aside from colors.

For those who enjoy color coordination, this fits in nicely with the existing shadow decos throughout the mainline and TM series. (Curse you, TakaraTomy! Whar iz Horus Shadow‽)

The core Versaulter and it's Bullet Core often get underappreciated and lost in the sauce since Hawk, and no more is this true than with Aggress and it's enormous Daedalus Unit. So I gave it a set of EX Armor to show it in a stripped down light. Obviously the Versaulter frame is uniform, but it shows how elaborate the Bullet Core can be within the design, especially with Garuda and Gale having such large Cores.

Special guest appearance from Hawk Versalter <Orbitopter Unit> Dark Ver.

As asked elsewhere, the Hawk Versaulter doesn't connect to Aggress but instead docks by resting the front skid of Hawk in a dedicated slot on the top of the Daedalus unit.

Tri-Digger is the fourth of the Tri-VERS machines and one of the more interesting and aggressive designs of the 4.

Sidenote: while Dia-Battles X-1 and Battle Convoy V-MAX are Tri-VERS in design but not in name, I don't include them as 5 and 6 since the packaging and marketing doesn't feature the distinct Tri-VERS logo.

The drills are an exotic hallmark of Diaclone, from this machine, to DA-80 Big Powered VERS Calibur, to the Geo-Divers with Ground Dion and more.

While the Bottom Machine of Tri-Digger isn't the most robust, it's more functional than Tri-Rambler and Tri-Jetter, and arguably on par with Tri-Dasher but less independent than the bottom machines of Battle Convoy and X-1.

The components unique to Tri-Digger also provide some useful customization options, but as always, more copies are better. (If that's you're passion.) The multi-hinged arm that holds the Bullet Core suspended was also used going forward throughout all following Bullet Cores and Tactical Movers as well as the structure accessories for the Pod Grander (DA-65) and the Tactical Grander Expansion/Gantry.

As a sidenote to the ongoing Tri-VERS spotlight I've been doing, the question came up about the modularity and customization capabilities of Tactical Mover Versaulters when compared to the VERS systems.

In the images, we have the debut Gamma Versaulter. It was the most basic Tactical Mover and was basically an upscaled Maneuver Suit Gamma with new design features like the Bullet Core system and the Versaulter frame. From there, it came loaded down with swords, pistols, rifles, and a pair of shields.

The most vanilla and plain of the entire series, but also a blank canvas ready for creativity. While I only feature the VERS Riser 01 in this series of pics, the other VERS Risers are just as compatible. (V-Movers unfortunately can't plug into Versaulter frames.)

Additionally, a set of the EX Armaments has been attached (shoulders, feet, legs) and EX Cores also exist.

Tri-Jetter has a great overall machine mode and maneuver mode, but the bottom machine is just as basic as the bottom machine from Tri-Rambler.

The bottom machine works well as a booster for various Tri-VERS system machines like V-Movers or Max 01 from Battle Convoy V-MAX, but less application otherwise.

The top machine is fairly unaffected by separating, and the Vers Riser 01 wing pack only enhances it more.

The bullet core has the most interesting options of most non-Tactical Mover Bullet Cores. It has a few ports aside from the rear and underside, including 1 each on either side and one significant port on the nosecone which the back-mounted FZ Plasma Beam Cannon can be mounted to for the <Spiral Graviton> ultimate attack.

I dismissed Mole Rat when it was first offered and never really thought anything more about it/them. But once Stage 2 was revealed and released, I was captivated by the narrative potential.

I picked up a trip of the Stage 2 versions and the big selling point was absolutely the "acute infection" new head that was exclusive to that release. I immediately chased down a couple of Stage 1 MRs and the whole picture became clear.

They're HazMat-wrapped Cobra troops who also end up as biohazard-infected creatures.

I'm not familiar with any media that may feature them or the infection they're showing, but the narrative potential of Hazmat troops researching and mining a hazardous material for Dr Mindbender to weaponize (and the risks that result from contact/infection) is outstanding.

Tri-Dasher is among the most popular of the Tri-VERS machines (not counting Battle Convoy V-MAX or Dia-Battles X-1). It's a very sleek and simple design with a bottom machine that has more potential than the Tri-Rambler bottom machine which is basically just legs. The Tri-Dasher bottom machine has a pair each of 4mm and 3mm ports in the sole of the foot, and 4 functional wheels.

The top machine is more sleek but has a caster wheel in the rear when the top machine is separate from the bottom machine. The big achievement with the Tri-Dasher top machine is the ridiculously innovative engineering in the arm assembly involving multiple folds and housing the manipulators/hands inside the wheels which open to flip them out without compromising the wheel integrity.

Tri-Dasher also supports the 3 VERS Riser units but 01 and 03 integrate better than 02 (Rail Cannons) which has to be mounted in an exotic way to work around the back panel that's hinged at the neck/shoulders.

While there's a lot of examples here, it barely scratched the surface of the possibilities available using this model as the starting point.

We begin the Tri-VERS system with the unorthodox Tri-Rambler.

This is the most exotic of the Tri-VERS machines and has the most whimsical design of the series. Many newcomers to Diaclone find it silly and ridiculous, and I was definitely one of them. For the longest time, it was still available at first round retail for sizeable discounts.

Despite being a longboard-equipped mech with an aerodynamic helmet head unit and sleek, narrow limbs, it has a LOT going for it.

The Exo-Resolver "skateboard" unit triples (heh) as a wheeled vehicle, turbo-prop fans for a aerial unit, and a claw manipulator unit with built-in FZ Cannons at the base of the claws.

Despite not including any V-Mover suits in the gallery, they are suitable and complimentary, particularly the V-Mover 01 <Red Spirit> included as part of DA-52 VERS Riser 01 coupled with DA-59 Tri-Rambler <Red Chaser>.

Where Tri-Rambler shines is in its unassuming adaptability and customization potential.

Tri-VERS was a necessary stepping stone between Dia-Battles/Big Powered/Battle Buffalo and Battle Convoy V-MAX and the subsequent Tactical Mover system.

Bullet Cores began in the Tri-VERS system, especially the V-Movers. This was a evolution of the system that started with Dia-Battles/Big Powered and the Powered Suits/Maneuver Suits. The system of bullet cores that later featured in the Tactical Mover series began here.

The VERS Risers are also a prelude to the auxiliary systems that augment the Versaulter frames in the Tactical Mover system. The main difference is that the VERS system was the start of fully interchangeable modular systems meant to adapt in real-time to the highly unpredictable and chaotic Waruder tactics at the time.

More to come...