There’s a couple versions of the Phenex in Gundam media – this post will help you decipher the differences and pick out the right kit for you.

Phenex Versions

There are 2 main versions of the Phenex that exist in Gundam media: the original side-story/MSV version and a slightly tweaked design featured in the film Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative.

MSV Version

Unicorn Gundam Unit 3 – Phenex – was not originally part of the light novel series that was then adapted into the Unicorn OVA series. Phenex’s design was first created in 2013 for a short side-story/animation – “Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy-Two” – which told a story of the testing of the Banshee and Phenex in space.

What makes Phenex unique from it’s sibling units is it’s distinct gold armor with blue psycho-frame color-scheme and use of two Armed Armor DE units on it it’s back – giving it a winged appearance

For simplicity in this post we’ll refer to this version of the Phenex as the mobile suit variation design or Ver MSV.

Narrative Version

For the film, slight modifications were made to the design of the Phenex – namely the addition of tail stabilizers to the Armed Armor DEs. In universe, these tail stabilizers aid in altitude control/maneuverability. IRL the tail stabilizers help add to the “Phoenix” motif of the suit design.

For simplicity in this post we’ll refer to this version of the Phenex as the Ver NT.

Other Distinctions

Unicorn-Mode Vs Destroy-Mode

As with any RX-0 Unicorn unit, the Phenex features two modes: it’s normal operating mode (Unicorn-mode) and and enhanced performance mode where the suit’s NT-D system has activated (Destroy-mode).

In Unicorn-Mode, the Phenex’s armor conceals the psycho-frame material that the inner frame of the suit is built out of, giving it a more simple appearance. The Phenex’s horn/v-fin also rejoins to a single piece and the face transforms to mask the traditional Gundam face of the suit.

In Destroy-Mode, the Phenex’s armor expands to reveal the psycho-frame material of the inner frame – and the psycho-frame begins to glow with energy. The Phenex’s horn/v-fin is split into a more traditional Gundam v-fin design, and the face transforms to reveal the suit’s traditional Gundam face.

Gunpla Kit Releases

PG Kits

Unfortunately, there are no retail releases of the PG Phenex – only P-Bandai. Both the Ver MSV and Ver NT are available as kits, along with an expansion set to convert Ver MSV kits to Ver NT. All PG Phenex kits have a chrome-gold coating applied – while the PG Unicorn molds are mainly under-gated for armor pieces – there are a few locations where the nub mark will show on the coating.

Kit Name	Design Ver	Frame Color	Release Type	Notes
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex	Ver MSV	Blue	P-Bandai	Requires separate LED kit for lighting
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Narrative Ver)	Ver NT	Blue	P-Bandai	Requires separate LED kit for lighting
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex Narrative Ver Expansion Set	Ver NT	Blue	P-Bandai	Parts-only expansion to convert Ver MSV PG to Ver NT PG

MG Kits

For Master Grade kit releases, the Ver MSV design is the most widely available. All MG Phenex releases share molds with the regular MG Unicorn and do not feature under-gating. All MG Phenex releases do have a chrome-gold coating applied, and so will show nub marks where pieces are cut off from the runner without special touch up work. One thing to note is that unlike the PG releases, there is no expansion only set to convert a MG Ver MSV Phenex to Ver NT.

Kit Name	Design Ver	Frame Color	Release Type	Notes
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex	Ver MSV	Blue	Retail	N/A
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Narrative Ver)	Ver NT	Blue	P-Bandai	N/A

RG Kits

Similar to PG Phenex, RG Phenex is only available thru a P-Bandai release. Currently, only a Ver NT kit is available, though you could recreate the Ver MSV by leaving off the tail stabilizers from the Armed Armor DEs.

Kit Name	Design Ver	Frame Color	Release Type	Notes
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex	Ver NT	Blue	P-Bandai	Can recreate Ver MSV by leaving off tail stabilizers

HG Kits

Unlike every other grade (other than SD), High Grade Phenex kits are non-transforming, so kits are sold only in Unicorn-mode or Destroy-mode. For HG, there is an uncoated version of the Phenex available for those that would rather not deal with the special coating or would like to paint the kit without having to strip the chrome-gold coating off first. All HG releases of the Phenex are Narrative versions, but you can recreate the MSV version by leaving off the tail stabilizers from the Armed Armor DEs.

Kit Name	Design Ver	Frame Color	Release Type	Notes
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Unicorn Mode) (Narrative Ver) (Gold Coating Ver)	Ver NT	N/A	Retail	N/A
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode) (Narrative Ver) (Gold Coating Ver)	Ver NT	Blue	Retail	N/A
Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode) (Narrative Ver)	Ver NT	Blue	Retail	Non-coated version

SD Kits

Like HG kits, Super Deformed Phenex kits are non-transforming. All SD kits are non-coated and simply feature molded gold color for the kit’s armor pieces.

Kit Name	Design Ver	Frame Color	Release Type	Notes
BB Senshi Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode)	Ver MSV	Blue	Retail	N/A
SD Cross Silhouette Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Narrative Ver) (Destroy Mode)	Ver NT	Blue	Retail	N/A