Vertical Maneuvering Gear
The vertical maneuvering equipment (立体機動装置 Rittai kidō sōchi) is a set of equipment developed by humans allowing for great mobility when facing the Titans in combat. The equipment enables the user to fight in a 3D space as opposed to a 2D one. The equipment itself takes the form of a body harness that encompasses much of the body below the neck. Although the equipment can grant a skilled user tremendous mobility, it is a demanding art that requires strength, and skill, both of which must be honed through constant practice.
Usage: The simplest move possible with the vertical equipment is simply aiming and firing the grapple hooks at an object and then activating the gas mechanism to reel oneself toward said object. They can then disconnect the hook and continue moving forward.Usually however, soldiers must be able to move around in order to navigate in general. Therefore, they tend to use their momentum in order to swing around targets, not only in rectilinear patterns, but also slaloming between objects and Titans. The gas mechanism is so powerful that it can stop a person from falling without using the hooks. The vertical equipment tends to be less efficient in open spaces because the user does not have too many spots where the hooks can be reeled. However the hooks are able to pierce Titan flesh and vertical equipment can be as fast or even faster than a Titan.
Mechanics: - The Body of the Device: Steel wire is stored inside the body, installed in the lumbar area of the back. There are two axles, which revolve independently.
- Operating Device: The functioning part of the operating device is a black box, which the technical department manages and improves in secrecy. The operating device has two triggers that launch the hooks, a lateral switch that aims the hooks and a brake. It also has a top piece where blades are put for combat. Thus the operating device also works as a sword's handle.
- Body of the Compressed Gas Cylinder: Gas is compressed into the cylinder and injected.
- Blades: The blades are made from an ultrahard steel, which is both supple and strong, capable of rending Titan flesh. It can only be manufactured in the blast furnaces of factory cities. Soldiers usually carry more blades in boxes free floating and attached at the sides of their thighs. In addition, the containers are mounted parallel to their thigh bones and are open at the top to enable the blades to be pulled out in a diagonal fashion.
- Fan Section: Gas is blown directly into the fan to make it rotate. The pressure of the gas is regulated to manipulate the output.
