The following material is an adaptation of mecha
from the original JapaneseMACROSS TV series (which became Robotech
here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as
you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to me and do not
claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Destroids are non-transformable ground mecha used for assault, defense,
riot control, and reconnaissance. They are generally lumbering giants which
resemble variable fighters in battloid mode. Most are armed with a variety
missiles, autocannons, and energy weapons. They are heavily armored, and
often slow, unable to keep up with the newer faster variable fighters,
which is why the UN government decided to phase out this unique class of
mecha.
In 2039, the Anti-UN Coaliton, utilizing some 40 capital ships and hundreds
of other mecha, seized control of humanity's second colony system, the
Vox System. The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force was sent in to recapture
the system and successfully eliminate the rebels. The UN government soon
learned that they were wrong to decomission their all of their old destroids.
The Anti-UN forces had seized several of these "decomissionies", and although
the Marines and Spacy had mobility, they lacked the raw firepower of Anti-UN
destroids. This became painfully apparent in the Battle of Ryoun, the mining
colony, where Anti-UN forces hid in the mine shafts and ambushed Marines
of the MEF's 3rd Task Force attempting to retake the colony. Something
had to be done to counter the threat. The UN turned to General Dynamics.
In 2020, General Dynamics had developed a prototype destroid known as
the MBR-08 Mk I. The same year the UN government ordered the retirement
of all destroids. The destroid was stowed in a warehouse, and the plans
locked away in the company vault, until the UN government called for a
Main Battle Robot for Marines in 2039. While General Galaxy, Shinsei, and
Chrysler, rushed to the drawing boards to come up with a new design, General
Dynamics pulled out the old MBR-08, upgraded the old systems making it
a Mk II, and designated the Masamune. Impressed with the response and the
combination of mobility and firepower in new mecha, the UN awarded General
Dynamics with the defense contract. They were able to ship a battalion
of destroids just in time for the Marines' counter offensive.
The UN ultimately won the Vox System Conflict. They had recaptured the
colonies and learned the painful lessons that Armor was a nessecary element
of warfare. Remnants of the Anti-UN coalation are beleived to still exist
and may have acquired some of the MBR-08s.
Destroids have since been deployed with Marine forces everwhere. They
have also recieved periodical technology upgrades which garuntee the future
service of these armored Goliaths with the Marines indefinately.
RPG STATS
Class: Main Battle Robot (Although is typically part of Marine LAR(Light
Armored Reconisance) platoons)
Manufacturer: General Dynamics: Land Systems Division Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System + One gunner
wearing Tactical Life support system (optional)
MDC BY LOCATION:
(1) Head 75
Hands(2) 50 each
Arms (2) 100 each
Legs (2) 200 each
(2) Main Body 350
XGU-117 Gun Pod 100
Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod 150
Retractable LRM pods (2) 50 each
HMMM Pods mounted on shoulders (2) 140 each
Booster Units (2) 200 each
Anti-Ballistic Sheild 125
(3) Pin-Point Barrier Sheild 100
NOTES:
Destroying the head of the fighter will knock out the mecha's major sensor
systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal).
Radar and communications will be unaffected.
Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. The pilot and
cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed
mecha before it explodes by the mecha's main computer.
The pinpoint barrier shield regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round.
Even if completely destroyed the shield will regenerate to full strength
within 2 melee rounds. The shield is usually generated on the right or
left arm of the Masamune.
SPEEDS:
RUNNING:
80 mph (144 kmph)
LEAPING:
30 ft (9 m) high or 50 ft (15.2 m) long without thrusters.
FLYING:
147 mph (235 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can
also hover in place for a short period of time. Max altitude of 5,000 meters.
MAX ENGINE THRUST:
10,000 kg x2 from main engines mounted on the back.
STATISTICAL DATA:
HEIGHT: 45.47 ft (14.21 m)
WIDTH: 20.95 ft (6.54 m) at shoulders
LENGTH: 12.76 ft (3.99 m) in soldier configuration.
WEIGHT: 20.5 tons at full load.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 50
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.
POWER PLANT:
Two Shinsei Industries/Pratt & Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2025G thermonuclear
turbine engines. Several additional Pratt & Whitney HMM- 5B high-maneuverability
vernier thrusters for additional mobility are mounted at key positions
along the mecha's hull.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
GENERAL GALAXY/HOWARD/CHIBA XGU-117 COAXIAL GUNPOD: This is a newly
developed weapon designed to give Marine mecha a firepower boost. It contains
a Gatling type canon in the upper mounting, and a pod launcher on the bottom.
This replaces the old GU-14 gunpod formerly used by the Masamune
The pod launcher can fire the speaker pods designed to work with
the sound energy system, or a mecha sized grenade.
Due to the large size of the gernades only a limited amount can be carried
in the Coax gun pod. One spare clip of gernades is mounted on the inside
of the mecha's shield, and can be used to replace a spent clip in two melee
actions.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault/Anti-Mecha
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Spiritia Warfare
RANGE: 6000 feet (1800 m)
DAMAGE: A speaker pod does 1D4x10 M.D. on impact from armor penetration.
Once embedded in a target's armor, the pod will extract anchors that adhere
it to the mecha's hull. The only way to remove a speaker pod is to physically
cut it off a plane back at base. The Gatling does 4D6 for a short burst,
1D6x10 for a long burst or 2D6x10 for a full melee burst. The Grenades
do 2D4x10 on impact with an area of effect equal to that of an HE SRM.
SPECIAL EFFECTS: The loud music played by the speaker pods is very
distracting; pilots forced to listen to it in combat suffer a -2 penalty
to their initiative rolls, and a -1 to strike and to dodge. In addition,
the music may cause a spiritia reaction in the minds of brainwashed Varauta
pilots (see the Spiritia RPG rules for more details).
RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the number of combined attacks of the pilot.
PAYLOAD: Each clip holds 8 speaker pods or 5 HEAT grenades. One
extra clip is mounted on the inside of the Fire Valkyrie's shield. For
the gatling, their are 800 rounds, equal to 80 short bursts, 40 long bursts,
or 20 full melee bursts. Once depleted, the gun must be reloaded by a service
technician at a UN Spacy base or starship.
LARGE-BORE BLASTER CANNON: The Masamune is equipped with a heavy
blaster cannon for use in close-range combat. The blaster cannon is mounted
on the chest of the mecha. It has a 180 degree firing arc with a 0 to -45
degree elevation and can be operated independently by a gunner. The short
range of the cannon, and the relative weakness makes it mostly useless
except in close-range hand-to-hand combat.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Close Quarters Combat
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Demolition/Anti-Personnel
RANGE: 800 feet (240 m)
DAMAGE: 6D6 M.D.
RATE OF FIRE: The blaster cannon has a built-in cooling cycle that
limits the rate of fire to three times per melee round. This prevents the
cannon from overheating and damaging the mecha.
PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited.
LITTLE ROCK ALL-ENVIRONMENT INTERMEDIATE-RANGE HIGH MANOEUVERABILITY
MISSILE LAUNCHERS: The Masamune has two missile launchers mounted on
retractable pods on the back of the mecha. Each launcher contains three
of the new style intermediate-range high manoeuverability missiles. The
launchers are stowed on the mecha's back, and are extended 90 degrees when
ready to fire.
PRIMARY PURPOSE:Assault
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
MISSILE TYPE: Any type of UN Spacy intermediate range high-maneuverability
missiles.
RANGE: Varies with missile type.
DAMAGE: Varies with missile type.
RATE OF FIRE: Can only be fired individually or in volleys of two
missiles.
PAYLOAD: 3 missiles per launcher; 6 total.
LITTLE ROCK ALL-ENVIRONMENT HIGH-MANEUVERABILITY MICRO-MISSILE CLUSTERS:
Mounted on each shoulder. The missile compartments/launchers are heavily
armored, preventing detonation from enemy fire.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Air
MISSILE TYPE: Any type of UN Spacy High-Maneuverability Micro-Missiles.
RANGE: 5 miles (8 km).
DAMAGE: 1D6x10 M.D. (typical)
RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 1-12 missiles per launcher, per round.
One volley counts as one attack. If necessary, all 24 missiles can be fired
in a single round by expending two attacks.
PAYLOAD: 12 missiles per launcher; 24 total.
HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM: The Masamune is equipped
with a new mecha-scale pinpoint barrier system for defense. The system
can generate a single pinpoint barrier that can be moved anywhere on the
mecha and used as a shield against incoming attacks. The barrier provides
100 MDC of protection, and regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round when
damaged. Even if destroyed by combined attacks, the shield will regenerate
itself within 2 rounds. In order to use the shield, the pilot must make
a successful parry roll to intercept an incoming attack.
Primary Purpose: Defense
Protection: 100 MDC total
Regeneration Rate: 50 MDC per round.
Size: The barrier can be up to 10 ft (3 m) in diameter.
Duration: Unlimited.
HAND TO HAND COMBAT: If necessary, the pilot of the Masamune can
engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The variable fighter is
extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves,
such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc.
DAMAGE:
Restrained Punch: 1D4 M.D.
Full Strength Punch: 2D6 M.D.
"Booster" Punch: 3D6 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
Tear or Pry with Hands: 1D6 M.D.
Kick: 1D6 M.D.
Leap Kick: 2D6 M.D.
Body Flip/Throw: 1D4 M.D.
Body Block/Tackle: 1D6 M.D.
Stomp: 1D6 M.D. (only effective against small objects)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE Masmune:
ANTI-PROJECTILE SHIELD: A new addition to modern VFs, and now destroids,
the Masamune is equipped with an external shield that is mounted on the
left arm. On a successful parry in soldier or gerwalk mode, the shield
can be used to block missiles or projectiles, thus protecting the main
body from harm. Although constructed of super-strong materials, the shield
is NOT regenerable and must be ejected once its MDC is depleted.
COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: The Masamune is equipped with a
combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile
forces. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets,
and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer
can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT COCKPIT: The Masamune is equipped with the innovative
new cockpit layout pioneered by the YF-19 that provides monitors below
and around the pilot in addition to the HUD cockpit dome. In flight, these
monitors display what is below and behind the mecha, giving the pilot a
tremendous field of view that is unparalled by any other mecha (with the
possible exception of the YF-21's
brain-direct imaging system). This wide view in addition to the combat
computer's cockpit overlays give the Masamune a +1 to dodge and initiative
rolls in addition to any other bonuses.
ESCAPE POD: The entire reinforced cockpit of the Masamune is a detachable
escape pod that can be jettisoned when the mecha is destroyed. The ejected
cockpit does not contain thrusters, but does contain a powerful locator
beacon and an integrated life support system that can support the pilot
for up to 24 hours after ejection. The pod is also equipped with parachutes
in case of ejection in an atmosphere. The combat computer is programmed
to automatically eject the escape pod if the mecha is destroyed (main body
MDC reduced to 0), but this can be overridden if the pilot is feeling suicidal
for some reason.
EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification
system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration
of life threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm
system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is
a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
HOMING SIGNAL: The escape pod of the Masamune is equipped with a
homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected
life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most UN Spacy
ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the
onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal
is detected.
LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased
accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for
the mecha's strike bonus.
LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the craft, which
can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 90 decibels.
OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system
projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye,
but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect
hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible
to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image
intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light
which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical
heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and
converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables
the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds
a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
RADAR: 200 mile (321 km) range.
RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications
system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or
can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of a variable fighter by the enemy,
the pilot can activate the Masamune's self-destruct system, which will
cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is
set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6
m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the
explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be
automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides
the ejection sequence.
STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All UN Spacy destroids come equipped with
a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized
flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing
binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated
food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic
first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The Masamune's cockpit is pressurized,
and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot's flight suit that
provides him with pressurized breathing.
COMBAT BONUSES FOR MBR-08 Mk II TRAINING:
ADVANCED MBR-08 Mk II COMBAT TRAINING
Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VF-11.
3 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
Add one additional action/attack at levels five & eleven
+1 on initiative.
+2 to strike
+3 to parry
+3 to dodge
+2 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.
Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent
down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.
