Ammendments, Erratums, comments, ideas and other such for the Robotech RPG.
Part 5- Invid Invasion (Book 5)
By Rick R. Mortis c. 1994-1998 and beyond!
Table of Contents
Opening Notes
This is the third book of the new-look AntiKevs. This is not a stand-alone erratum slip- it will need the Macross edtion of the AntiKevs to be fully functional. This edtion covers book five of the Robotech RPG: Invid Invasion. It also covers the REF Ships from the Sentinels RPG. This one's a doozy. So sit back, get a nice cold beverage, and enjoy!
OCCs
Cylone Rider OCC
The Cyclone rider gets the choice of Cyclone type and armament. The weapon systems can be chosen by the player. The rider gets a Gallant H90 with all the extras.
REF Veritech Pilot
The Shadow Fighter will probably not be avalible to PCs at all. The VF-1V Vindicator is totally out of the question. See notes to follow...
Bio-Maintenance Engineer
BME's can learn to pilot mecha (Lunk had been known to fly an Alpha), but not at first level. This GM recommends the AAT-30 as the standard vehicle.
REF MECHA
General Note on Mini-Missiles
Despite what the RPG book says, all Mini-missiles are self-guided, and function like normal missiles. This is clearly evident from several episodes where they turn and arc towards their targets.
Cyclones
The following applies to all Cyclone models unless otherwise noted.
This erratum slip's author would recommend dividing all Cyclone MDC values by 5 to better represent the vehicle. The new values are:
Cycle Mode
**Headlight (front, 2)- 40 SDC each Rocket Thrusters (rear)- 10 MDC **Wheels (2)- 1 MDC *Main Body - 40 MDC **Storage Box (2)- 40 SDC each
*Depleting the MDC of the main body shuts the mecha down completely, rendering it useless. The VR-038-LT has a main body MDC value of 30.
**These are small targets, attackers are -3 to hit on a "called shot"
Battloid Mode
**Wheels (mounted behind shoulders)- 1ea. Rocket thrusters (rear)- 10 MDC ***Forearm Shields (2)- 10 MDC each ***Legs (2)- 20 MDC each ***Head- 10 MDC *Main Body- 40 MDC
*Depleting the MDC of the main body shuts the mecha down completely, rendering it useless. An emergency release system allows the person inside to shed the immobilised armour. Remember, the rider is wearing CVR-3 armour underneath the Cyclone. The VR-038-LT has a main body MDC value of 30.
**These are small targets, attackers are -3 to hit on a "called shot"
***These are small targets, attackers are -3 to hit on a "called shot". Destroying these locations will open up the pilot to physical (SDC/hit point) damage. Destroying the head kills the pilot. Note: When using the CADS-1 weapon system, the cyclone has no forearm shields.
The Battler and Sabre Cyclones weigh 132kg, and the Light Cyclone weighs 90kg.
The Cyclones can not run off conventional fuels as the RPG states.
All of the Cyclone arm-mounted weapons systems are interchangeable, and are mounted in specific weapons packages. The -F has the GR-97 Missile launchers and an optional EP-37. (This is the standard configuration of Cyclones assigned as emergency vehicles). The -H Model has a pair of CADS-1 Sabres. (The CADS-1 can be included on any Cyclone without penalties. It's just that they are better on the Sabre which has secondary, ranged weapons built in. ). The -L Model has an RL-6 Rocket cannon, and the -T an EP-40. So, a VR-038 armed with 2 GR-97s would be a VR-038F.
VR-052 Battler
The role of the Battler Cyclone was poorly defined by the RPG book. The Battler's role is as a survival vehicle for downed pilots.
The Battler Cyclone does NOT have the chest-mounted GR-103 Mini-missile launchers.
The GR-97 Launchers have an MDC of 5. The EP-37 and EP -40 have MDCs of 2.
The EP-40 cannot be used in conjunction with an EP-37 or RL-6. Also, it cannot be used by a person not in a Cyclone.
All sensor ranges on the VR-052 are 50% better than listed. The VR-041 and 038 use the listed sensor data.
The Missile launcher sidecar is not an optional weapon system- it was a one-off bit of junk.
VR-041 Sabre
The CADS-1 can be included on any cyclone without penalties. It's just that they are better on the Sabre which has secondary, ranged weapons built in. Each CADS-1 has an MDC of 15.
VR-038-LT Light Combat cyclone
The light cyclone gets it's special bonuses regardless of training level.
The RL-6 has an MDC of 5.
CVR-3 Armour
The armour weighs a total of 11 kilos, including helmet. It is NOT normally environmentally sealed, but can be with a special suit worn underneath the armour. Wearing this suit gives the waerer a -1 peanalty to strike, parry and dodge.
VERTIECHS
VAF-6 Alpha Fighter
The MDC values should read as:
Head- 35 Head Sensor Unit (1)- 25 Hands (2)- 25 each Forearms/missile pods (2) - 30 each Shoulders/missile pods (2) - 40 each Upper Legs (2)- 65 each Lower Legs/Missile pods/engines (2)- 80 Wings (2)- 65 each Tail fins (2)- 30 each *Backup sensor pod (right shoulder)- 25 Main Body- 200 Pilot's compartment- 130 EP-13 Gun Pod- 50 Optional Missile pod- 30
*The backup sensors go on-line when the head sensors are destroyed, meaning that the Alpha has no penalties from losing the head sensor. Destroying both the head and shoulder sensors wil disable all the sensors.
The Alpha is VTOL capable in fighter mode. Typically, a full set of 16 cells will power an Alpha for 250 hours of operation before they need replacing.
The VAF-6J Red Alpha is NOT built at Jupiter base, as there is no Jupiter base!
Weapons: The Alpha's weapon listings should read as:
VBF-1 Beta Fighter
Sigh...
The MDC values should read as:
Sensor Head- 40 Hands (2)- 25 each Chest missile bays (2)- 160 each Shoulder Missile bays (2)- 100 each Upper arms (2)- 65 each Forearm Shields (2)- 250 each *Top Sensor Pod- 50 **Leg Gun Pods (2, Fighter mode only)- 50 Lower Legs/Feet- 160 each Wings (2)- 130 each Bomb Bay- 160 Rear thrusters (3)- 100 each Main Body- 300 Pilot's compartment- 200 **Chest gun pod (fighter only) - 50 Forearm lasers (2)- 50
*Destroying the top sensor pod will eliminate the advanced sensors, but will not impair the mecha.
**Small, shielded targets, -4 to hit.
Like the Alpha, the Beta is VTOL capable in fighter mode. The Beta cannot achieve the Mach 8.3 speed listed in normal flight. Rather, it is used to boost the Beta (and attached Alpha) into space.
The Beta also possesses the same special sensors as the VAF-6R Alpha.
It requires 32 Protoculture cells, not 16, for full operation. A fully charged Beta will last about 250 hours.
The cockpit can only fit one person in the cockpit- the pilot. However, there is an access hatch between the passenger compartment and the cockpit (as used by Rand in episode #83)
Note that the passenger compartment (Which could also be used to cart around a small amount of cargo) is actually separate from the bomb bay. The Beta is equipped with a rope ladder for picking up passengers.
When combined, only a pilot for the Alpha is needed.
The dimensions should read as:
| Battloid Mode | Guardian Mode | Fighter Mode | |
| Height: | 13.7m | 8.5m | 6.1m |
| Length: | 7.3m | 8.0m | 9.7m |
| Width: | 8.5m | 19.5m | 19.5m |
| Weight: | 29.5 metric tons | ||
So many inaccuracies in the Beta's weapons have been found, that an entire new weapons inventory has been written up.
Notes on Weapons: When combined with an Alpha, the MM-20 missile launchers and EP-13 cannot be fired.
The RPG's leg missiles are a figments of Mr. Sembidia's imagination. The MRMs are actually a sensor pod. The Long-Range missiles are actually the connection joints for the Alpha!
QAF-7 Shadow Fighter
Allright, here we go-
The stats in the RPG book are the result of a bit of bad animation, and Kev's lumping of two separate mecha into one set of statistics.
The first mecha is the VAF-6S Shadow Fighter. This is the one most commonly seen in the series, like in episodes #83, 84 and 85. It uses the same statistics (and erratums) as a regular VAF-6C/J Alpha, but uses the EU-13 Destabiliser cannon listed under the Shadowfighter entry. Likewise, it has no VTOL capability, and no backup sensors. The mecha resembles (except for size) the illustration of the Vindicator in the Sentinels RPG book.
The second is the QAF-7A Shadowdrone. This is the mecha seen at the end of episode #85 (lacking a head), and also illustrated in the Sentinels RPG book (with the missile pods on its shoulders). The statistics have the same problems as a normal Alpha, but make more one glaring omission- that this mecha is an Unmanned drone! Thus the mecha lacks the re-enforced crew compartment, ejection seat, and cyclone storage module of the normal Shadow fighter. It has no head unit, but the sensors are mounted in the main body. It likewise lacks the backup sensors. An additional sensor pod is located on each arm, each with an MDC of 35.. The Shadowdrone is VTOL capable.
The Shadowdrone carries 68 missiles, rather than the 84 listed in the RPG. They are: 12 in each torso "GR-12" launcher, 10 in each forearm and 12 in each leg.
The Shadowdrone is programmed with the abilities of a 5th level Alpha Pilot, and has the following combat abilities:
At any rate, it is extremely unlikely that the PCs will use a Shadow Fighter, as they were only invented about a year before the Reflex Point assault.
VF-1V Vindicator
The Vindicator is a figment of Mr Simbiedia's imagination, based on an incorrectly drawn, out-of scale shadow fighter seen briefly in ep #84. It does not actually exist. So page 57 & the 1st column of page 58 are actually blank. Any references to the Vindicator in the book is the product of a deranged imagination. Finally, the picture shows a VAF-6C Alpha!
VEHCILES
Synchro Cannon
The one seen in episode #83 was apparently the only one ever.
It has a main body/cannon MDC of 150 & a hover platform MDC of 75.
Turbo Fan Jet
There is No way that it can take that much damage. Closer would be: Main body 750 SDC, Wings 350 each, Fan 350. Remember, it's SDC.
AAT-30 Transport Truck
This vehicle is actually powered by protoculture, as seen in episode #67, when the Enforcer was able to track it by it’s power signature even underground. The vehicle uses four cells, with an endurance of about 250 hours.
REF SHIPS
Horizont DTTS-12 Dropship
It is capable of 0.8g of acceleration for 40 minutes, or 2g for 15 minutes. The auxiliary engines can reach 1 g for four minutes. The Horizont is fully VTOL capable.
The escape capsule is the cockpit only, not the front of the ship as the RPG book lists.
It should be noted that the Legios usually does not have a pilot or passengers in the Beta, as there is no pilot access from the ship.
The Horizonts were latter refitted with Shadow Cloaking devices. The Shadow device renders the ship invisible to long-rage sensor scans, but provides no combat bonuses.
Garfish HSTC-27 Destroyer
The ship is capable of 0.8 g of acceleration for eighty minutes, 1.2 g for fifty minutes, and emergency 2 g is available for 5 minutes. The secondary engines can reach 1g for 15 minutes. It also has a sublight capability of .001 of light.
Dimensions should read as:
Length: 178.7 m over all.
Height: 33.2 (main hull); 56.0 m (hangars); 69.9 m over all.
Width: 59.4 m over all.
Mass: 62,500 metric tons
This ship lacks the concealed laser listed in the RPG book.
The main gun uses the following stats, rather than those in the RPG book
Reduce the troop-carrying capacity to: 12 Alphas (cannot substitute any other type of mecha except for Logans), 440 Cyclones (includes pilot emergency cyclones), 24 other mecha (destroids or Veritechs) as well as 400 additional troops (including mecha pilots). Most of the REF's troops were carried in the large flagships. The main reason for the drop in numbers was because the Garfish has a fold drive.
The Garfish's fold drive has the same performance specs as the Ikazuchi's system. It can drag two or three Horizonts along with it like the Ikazuchi.
The Garfish were latter refitted with Shadow Cloaking devices. The Shadow device renders the ship invisible to long-rage sensor scans, but provides no combat bonuses.
This ship is referred to in some Sentinels reference materials as a SDF-6 class ship
Ikazuchi SFC-7000 Command Carrier
The ship is capable of 0.25 g of acceleration for four minutes, 0.5 g for two hours, 1 g for 1 hour, and emergency 1.2 g is available for 20 minutes. The secondary engines can reach 2g for 10 minutes. It also has a sublight capability of .001 of light.
The dimensions should read as:
Length: 702m over all. (608m w/o engine sheilding blades)
Height: 177m
Width: 154m
Mass: 6,830,000 metric tons
Replace all VF-1V Vindicators with either Alphas or Super VFs. All VF Vertiechs have super Veritech equipment available. The Ikazuchi may also have Armoured battloid equipment available. Only one Titan/GMU many be carried.
The ship only has eight laser turrets, not sixteen. All are mounted on the top of the ship. Some ships were later fitted with additional turrets along the underside of the ship. The turrets use the following stats, rather than the ones in the RPG books:
The Ikazuchis were latter refitted with Shadow Cloaking devices. The Shadow device renders the ship invisible to long-rage sensor scans, but provides no combat bonuses.
This ship is referred to in some Sentinels reference materials as a SDF-4 class ship
SDF-3 Battlefortress
Examination of the model sheets of this vessel and research into various source materials have revealed numerous errors with the RPG's version of this ship. A debugged conversion is avalible here.
THE INVID
Invid Characters
Stage Five Invid
The Invid term for this type is a Solugi.
Apparently, only four ever existed: Marlene/Ariel, Sera, Corg and Thade (the blonde pilot in episode #83. Name taken from the Comico adaptation.)
Invid Brain
The IQ is 24 (at least!).
The Regis
Don't bother with stats. Lets just say, lots & lots of meaningless numbers. It's probably all Quantum. By the way, the Regis and Regent were never one being, rather have always existed as separate creatures.
INVID MECHA
General Note
From evidence in the series and novels as well as numerous discussions and the footage in the Sentinels video, it seems that the different Invid mecha types can be used by different types of pilots. The Scout and Armoured Scout can be piloted by Stage One and Stage Two Invid pilots. The Trooper and Shock trooper can be piloted by any Invid type except stage one. The Enforcer/PCU by stage three, four and five Invid pilots, and the Urban Enforcer/Hive Guard by only stage four pilots. The RCB can be piloted by Stage four or five pilots.
A Note on the Protoculture Sensor.
The sensor can also detect organic protoculture, such as that in the blood of Zentraedi or Tirolian clones (like Bioroid pilots).
The sensor can detect a Veritech Fighter (such as an Alpha) with good resolution out to 3km, fair resolution out to 6km, and poor resolution out to 16.8km. A typical Destroid is detectable at half these distances, a Cyclone at one tenth of these distances, and a Gallant rifle at about one hundreth of these distances.
Scout and Armoured Scout
Maximum flying speed of these two is Mach 1.4 or about 1600 kph.
Hand to Hand Combat
Punch/Claw: 1D8
Body Block/Tackle: 1D8 + Knockdown (Two attacks)
This mecha does not appear to have the forearm blades mentioned in the RPG book
This mecha is occasionally referred to in the novels as a Pincer. It is unclear how this name came to be attached to the Enforcer/Command Unit, given that the novel predates the RPG.
Scout Booster
It should be noted that in order to fit a Scout or Armoured Scout into the booster, its legs must be removed.
Trooper and Shock Trooper
Punch/Claw: 4D6
Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 + Knockdown (Two attacks)
Invid Command Unit
This mecha was named as an Enforcer in episode #74. The name Pincer seems to refer to the scout and Armoured Scout.
Hand to Hand Combat
Punch/Claw: 2D8
Kick: 2D6 Body Block/Tackle: 3D6 + Knockdown (Two attacks)
Royal Command Battloid
As stated above, it appears from the series that only four tipe five Invid pilts were created. However, the last two episodes of the series show footage of large squads of these mecha. It was suggested in the novel that this mecha was of the same design, but piloted by a less evolved (presumably type four) pilot. The Battloid has 48 missiles per launcher, not 24 as listed in the book. Double the rates of fire correspondingly.
The RCB possibly has a number of additional sensors, based on the footage from episode #76, where they are able to track radio emissions.
Hand to Hand Combat
Punch: 2D6
Kick: 2D6 Throw: 2D8 Body Block/Tackle: 3D6 + Knockdown (Two attacks)
The invid name of this mecha is Goshu
Enforcer
The Author of the Erratum slip would recommend dividing all this mecha's MDC values by two. New values are:
**Hands (2)- 2 each **Forearms (2, laser concealed within)- 5 each ***Upper arms (2)-10 each ***Legs (2)- 15 each Jet thruster (rear)- 10 *Energy Rifle- 5 Energy Sheild- 50 ***Head/sensor- 10 *Main body- 25
*Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha, killing the Invid inside
**These are small targets, attackers are -3 to hit on a "called shot"
***These are small targets, attackers are -3 to hit on a "called shot". Destroying these locations will open up the pilot to physical (SDC/hit point) damage. Destroying the head kills the pilot.
Invid Troop Carrier
Invid name is a Shel-Dour transport ship. They are commonly known as Mollusc carriers, or Clam ships. When carrying Scouts/Pincers, all units have the booster sled attached.
NPCs
Note: Due to Palladium's not giving the sort of equipment they have, just assume they have the standard type gear for their OCC, with known individual gear listed by me.At their full mecha strength they had one VAF-6C Blue Alpha (Scott), one VBF-6A Blue Beta (Lancer or Rand), one VAF-6R Green Alpha (Rand or Lancer) and one VAF-6J Red Alpha (Rook)
Lancer
Judging by the dialouge and footage from several episodes (most notably #71 and #82), Lancer seems to have been with the Southern Cross prior to the war, and not the REF as stated. Now all I have to do is figure out his actual OCC.
Lancer also has Pilot Space Fighter (80%?), Play Musical Instument: Gitaur (65%) Pilot Beta (55%), Mecha Combat Beta (1st level) and WP Gallant H90.
His equipment includes a VR-041 Sabre Cyclone (With CADS-1, of course), CVR-3 Armour, Gallant H-90 with all accessories, and a large supply of clothes for when he's, er, at work.
Scott Bernard
His rank is Lieutenant Commander, not Lieutenant.
His equipment includes: VR-052F Battler Cyclone (With an EP-37), CVR-3 Armour, Gallant H-90 with full equipment and a Holo-Locket of his dead Fiancee, Marlene Rush.
Rand
If Rand has an IQ atttirbute of 21, I'm a One-Eyed Albanian Wildebeest! (I mean, he's a moron! Really. He can't pilot a mecha to save his life, and allways says the dumbest thing.. Maybe his aqctually IQ is 21 and the rpg book just missed the decimal point... se also the 100,000 ton cargo plane. Morons)
He Also knows: Pilot: REF Veritechs (allegedly), and Mecha combat Basic Alpha and Beta, as well as WP Gallant H-90
His equipment includes a VR-052T Battler Cyclone, CVR-3 Armour, Sal-9, Gallant H-90 with all the Extras and a pair of Goggles that he almost never actually puts on.
As for that name... It seems that the name "Rand Sommerville" (or Summerville, or Summersville, or whatever) was intended for him, but never used. I don't know where the RPG got "Randolph O'Keefe" from...
"Lunk"
Judging by the dialouge and footage from several episodes (most notably #67 and #69), Lunk seems to have been with the Southern Cross prior to the war, and not the REF as stated.
Lunk has Pilot Jet and may have pilot Alpha and Mecha Combat Basic Alpha.
His gear includes an apparently indestructible AAT-30 and a FAL-2
Lunk's full name was given as Jim "Lunk" Cooper in Robotech Art One as well as numerous issues of the Comico New Generation series, as well as Invid War and Invid War Aftermath. "Willaim Benovitch" seems to be another Kevinisim...
Annie "Mint" LaBelle
She's 12 going on 13, not 16 going on 17.
Rook Bartley
Come on! She's gotta be at least PB 17!
Rook may have Pilot Beta and Mecha Combat Basic (Beta)
Rook is not an orphan. Her parents and younger sister are alive and well in Trenchtown (Cavern City). See episode #66 for details.
She has a VR-038L cyclone (With RL-6), CVR-3 armour, Gallant H-90 with all the related stuff and a Wolff 9mm Pistol
Contributors:
Daniel George who made the AntiKevs what they are today.... (Grins)
Dr Sinn for putting up with the AntiKevs on his page for so many years. (And all the hate-mail that came with them.)
Stan "Basara" Bundy for some feedback, alternate opinions, badgering and taking the **** out of Pete McSporrin.
Cyclone of the MOSPEADA Homepage. Put up HTM antikevs for a while and Badgered me to get on with the stupid things!
The Robotech Technical Files, by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen, with Rob Morgenstern for much of the technical info used in these AntiKevs.
Richard Speyer, for getting the AntiKevs started and providing a handy field test.
You are all stoats.