Vertical Maneuvering Equipment

Lore & Background

The military employs VME in conjunction with swords made of ultrahard steel to combat Titans effectively. Later in the conflict, commander Hange Zoë developed rocket launcher-like weapons known as Thunder Spears to augment these capabilities. The gear is vital for the Survey Corps during expeditions outside the walls, where soldiers must engage Pure Titans, Abnormal Titans, and sentient Shifters like the Female Titan or Beast Titan. While the system allows for incredible feats of acrobatics, it relies entirely on compressed gas; once depleted, a soldier loses their ability to maneuver, leaving them vulnerable on the battlefield.

In Their Own Story

During an expedition into the forest between the walls, Eren Yeager and his companions utilized this gear to engage the sentient Female Titan. The combat required precise use of the grappling hooks to swing through the trees and strike at the enemy's blind spots. Later, as Pure Titans appeared within Wall Rose, soldiers used the equipment to fight alongside the Survey Corps against the Beast Titan and other threats. In the battle for Shiganshina, Eren and his allies fought the Colossal, Armored, and Cart Titans using these tools, though the conflict resulted in massive casualties, including the death of Erwin Smith during a suicide run.

Reader's Guide

To operate VME effectively, users must master three-dimensional movement by firing dual grappling hooks into solid surfaces like walls or trees. The system consists of waist-mounted gas canisters that power the propulsion and retraction mechanisms for the wires. Success in combat depends on chaining these swings to maintain momentum while targeting specific areas, such as a Titan's nape. Soldiers also carry ultrahard steel swords for close-quarters slashing. A critical limitation is gas management; running out of fuel renders the user grounded and helpless. Additionally, specialized weapons like Thunder Spears were introduced by Hange Zoë to provide heavy firepower against larger targets.

Did You Know?

• The gear is also referred to as Omni-Directional Maneuvering Gear (ODM gear).
• Swords made of ultrahard steel are used in conjunction with the equipment.
• Commander Hange Zoë developed rocket launcher-like weapons called Thunder Spears for use alongside the gear.
• The system allows mobility in three dimensions, enabling soldiers to attack Titans from any angle.