Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
(I give absolutely no one except Kaerri permission to use this design in their games. This is an entirely original creation of my own.)
Cyclone - VR-B01 Predator "The Broo Method"
(Image credit: AnimeNewsNetwork)
Image credit: MacrossWorld)
Dannigan note: Heya friends! So what's the idea here? Well, this Cyclone variant inspired by two Real Life bikes with a huge sprinkling of other ideas. The bikes that started this line of thinking? The incredible Triumph Rocket 3 series motorcycle (which can do 0-60mph/100kph in 2.7 seconds!) and the custom-built bike based off of the Arch prototype Method 143 (which can be seen in Cyberpunk 2077). Plus... this video from Keanu Reeves talking about his upbringing in Toronto and his lifelong love of riding. If there is anything cooler than that to be found on the Internet, this Dannigan's eyes have not seen it and these ears have not heard it. But man... listen to that engine go (it gets especially good after the 2:30 Mark)! If that sound doesn't make your heart beat a little faster or put a smile on your face then you've been sitting at your computers too long, my friends! =)
Another Dannigan note: Parts of the descriptions below were taken directly from Jackson's excellent and imaginative Robotech: The Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook. The rest is mine. Given the Predator's unusual interstellar origin, I found it fitting to quote some of the descriptions below from Jackson's description of the VR-011 Rifleman (the Cyclone most-popular with the Broadsword crew at the time) especially since the Predator was based off of that model Cyclone. Many of the details between both vehicles are the same so why try to rewrite what Jackson described best?
The VR-B01 series is a Broadsword-only invention, a secret Cyclone system requested by Captain H. Drake (an avid rider) for his Special Forces teams who needed a Cyclone that was fast, agile, and quiet while able to hide its protoculture signature from Invid detection. The Broadsword crew presented the VR-011 Rifleman Cyclone to the Broo people of Terrestria and asked, "What would you change?" The Beasties proceeded to provide substantial assistance in the form of theories, scientific data, and first-hand experience on how not to be detected by the various types of Invid the Broo had encountered on Terrestria. The idea of a protoculture/electric hybrid engine was then introduced, designed, and hidden inside of a custom-made housing that took from Shadow technology reverse-engineered by the Broadsword crew from Haydonite technology. As long as the housing remains intact, the VR-B01 is effectively invisible to Invid protoculture-sensing technology.
Dubbed "the Broo Method" or "Predator," the VR-B01 is a Cyclone designed with clandestine missions in mind. STORM members desired the ability to gain access to difficult places held inside rough terrain/bad weather to gain intelligence coupled with the ability to escape rapidly should a team's secrecy become compromised. Sniping and hunting Invid targets was a strong secondary purpose for this design. It is the only Cyclone powered entirely by a shielded protoculture/electricity hybrid engine (Invid protoculture sensors will not register a Predator's power plant and they receive no additional bonuses to strike a Predator). The protoculture relationship with the VR-B01's power plant adds bonuses to the pilot's abilities and extends the duration of the precious Protoculture cells that fuel it. Designed for lightness and stealth, Prowl is possible in Battloid with a -10% penalty at the cost of less overall armor protection and light ranged-only armament.
Like the VR-011, the VR-B01 is notably different from future Cyclone designs because the hover engines are built into the wheels. In the case of the VR-011 Rifleman in Battloid mode, the hover jets in the wheels enable the mecha to jump upwards extremely high and to drop from great heights, even sub-orbital heights, enabling the rider to land on a cushion of air that is unlikely to show on thermographic imagers or set landing areas on fire. However, the engines are incapable of actual flight and drop landings are clumsy and awkward as terminal velocity can only be reduced by so much, and directional control in mid-flight is minimal at best. The Predator can be dropped from the sky, but they tend to land more lightly than their Rifleman counterparts. Many an early Cyclone Rider learned to roll when he landed, rather than try to hit the ground running when dropped from high altitudes. (In fact, the VR-015 was designed with the ability to hover and fly in both motorcycle and Battloid mode to provide a man-sized mecha that could drop from great altitudes and land as soft and quiet as a feather, as well as adjust its drop trajectory and, if off target, fly wherever it needed to go before hitting the ground).
The VR-B01 Predator is a scouting Cyclone, well-equipped for spying, sniping, and hit-and-run operations requiring discretion and speed. It is used only by units on-board the SCL-107 Broadsword. Its existence is not known to other Garfish-class crews or to the UEEF at large. It takes its name "The Broo Method" from its origins as the first-ever human/Broo military project in history. It was later given a second nickname, "Predator," after a number of destructive clandestine operations that were considered successful primarily as a result of the VR-B01's capabilities and performance against the Invid.
At the time, the idea of being able to "drop" armored troops from a sub-orbital spacecraft and let them slow their decent to land on the ground without an actual parachute was considered revolutionary. As a Veritech, once on the ground, the man-sized Battloid transforms into a combat variable motorcycle for speed. In short, the troops can hit the ground running and drive off wherever they need to go. If they hit a patch of terrain too difficult to traverse in motorcycle mode, all the pilot has to do is switch to Battloid to climb over debris or fallen trees, or up a mountainside or to wade through a shallow body of water.
The Predator is the most-lightly-armored Cyclone variant and the fastest wheeled Cyclone combining agility, versatility, and range. Its enhanced sensor suite via its standard issue "Scoop" helmet allows it to gather, record, and share information with friendly units. It especially excels in the undetected takedown of enemies, vehicles, and positions, particularly those of the Invid, but operators must take care and realize the Predator is not meant for frontline fighting or sustained action of long duration. The Cyclones in general enable the average infantryman to quickly deploy and fight effectively in almost any environment. Its armor and weapon systems also enable its operators to survive combat with giant, powerful war machines which would usually make mincemeat out of what was once considered traditional infantry. It is no wonder the UEEF would develop and try out so many variations of the Cyclone design.
In present day, the Predator Cyclones are used exclusively by the Broadsword crew, specifically the STORM unit "Adamantium" and the Broo Tribe of the Star Watchers. Both forces are very comfortable with the machine's enhancements and restrictions and know how to go about making the most of each. Broadsword Predator riders often carry their own unusual weapon loadouts, usually one rifle or cannon and one to two pistols, magnetically-attached to the Cyclone along with any ammunition they require. For long engagements that require endurance and increases in firepower, they take the VR-011 Rifleman Cyclone.
Model Type: VR-B01
Also known as: "Predator" and "The Broo Method"
Class: Armored STORM/Broo Veritech Motorcycle
Crew: One
M.D.C. by Location:
Cycle Mode:
* Headlights (2) - 1 each
* Tires (2) - 4 each
** Main Body - 120
Armored Saddlebags (2) - 15 each
Battloid/Armor Mode:
* Tires (2, back mounted) - 4 each
* Wheel Thruster Jets (2, one in each wheel hub) - 10 each
Legs (2) - 50 each
Forearm Shields/Weapon Hardpoints (2) - 50 each
* Head Varies with Helmet Type - 40
** Main Body - 120
* Destroying either tire makes piloting the Cyclone in motorcycle mode impossible and the pilot must switch to Battloid mode to continue operating the vehicle. If the back tire is lost while moving in cycle mode, the pilot needs to make a Pilot: Veritech/Cyclone skill roll at -25% or lose control and crash.
If the front tire is lost while moving, the pilot needs to make a Pilot: Veritech/Cyclone skill roll at -40% or lose control and crash.
Destroying one of the tires in Battloid mode, when they are linked to the jump jets, reduces the height and length of the jet-assisted jumps and leaps by half. Destroying both tires in Battloid mode makes jet-assisted leaps impossible.
Note: The tires are small, low profile and difficult targets, often obscured by dust. To shoot out a tire (or the thruster in a wheel housing), the attacker must make a successful "Called Shot" with the following penalties: Shooting at a stationary target -4, moving target -6, and fast moving target -11 to strike. These penalties also apply to targeting the head and other small targets.
** Reducing the Main Body to 30 M.D.C. or less effectively renders the protoculture shielding useless making the Cyclone open to Invid protoculture-sensing technology. Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the Cyclone, rendering it useless.
Speed:
Cycle Mode: Maximum speed is 209 mph (336 kph). Cruising speed is usually around 80 mph (129 kph). The Cyclone can perform jumps in cycle mode of up to 70 feet (23 m) across or 25 feet (7.6 m) high. Engine noise, while present is not significant enough to produce Prowl penalties.
Battloid Mode: The Cyclone veritech enhances the pilot's natural speed. The maximum running speed of the Cyclone is the pilot's running speed plus 35%. Prowl is possible in Battloid with a -10% penalty.
The Predator Cyclone in Battloid mode can also leap up to 30 feet (9.1 m) high and across unassisted by thrusters. Leaps of 50 feet (15.2 m) high or across can be made when assisted by the thrusters. It can also hover above the ground up to 30 feet (9.1 m) after a leap upward, but only for 1D4 melee rounds before the hovering becomes too wobbly to be sustained. Hovering up off the ground as high as 6 feet (18 m) can be maintained for two hours before the thrusters begin to overheat. Maximum hover speed is only a walking speed of 6 mph (9.7 m).
The vectored thrusters in each wheel hub are primarily designed to slow the descent of the BVR-01 Predator from high-altitude drops, falls and leaps off buildings and enable the veritech to land on its feet like a cat or with a quick tumble before leaping onto its feet or transforming into cycle mode to attack or evade the enemy.
Statistical Data:
Cycle Mode:
Height: 3 feet, 6 inches (1.1 m)
Length: 6 feet, 9 inches (2.1 m)
Width: 1 foot, 6 inches (0.5 m))
Battloid/Armor Mode:
Height: 6 feet, 9 inches (2.1 m)
Length: 5 feet, 2 inches (1.6 m)
Width: 3 foot, 3 inches (1.0 m))
Weight: 300 pounds (136 kg) dry.
Physical Strength: The VR-B01series Cyclone give the wearer an Augmented Strength 6 points higher than his own P.S. attribute and increases P.P. by 2 points. These attribute bonuses apply only when in Battloid mode.
Cargo: The VR-B01 series comes equipped with armored saddlebags. The contents of a standard UEEF Military Survival Pack are located in a small compartment under the seat of the Cyclone in motorcycle mode.
Power System: 2,350 cc. Super-High-Output Protoculture-fired electrically-operated 3-cylinder 6-speed engine with a range of about 600 miles (965 km). This engine produces no emissions. All Cyclones also have a backup power system comprised of a purely electric motor that is constantly charged by regenerative braking systems in the wheel hubs. The VR-B01 engine's electric back-up battery can store enough power for three hours of general riding. Use of the backup power system renders the Cyclone unable to transform, makes the jump jets unavailable, and reduces speed by 20%.
Weapons and Equipment for the VR-B01 Series Cyclones.
1. Predator Cyclone Sensor Suite, standard issue Scoop Helmet, and major changes to the basic design:
1a. The Protoculture Fuel Capacity is 50% more efficient allowing Protoculture cells to last about a month and a half with regular use or half that with constant use.
1b. All Predator Cyclones come standard issue with a CVR-1style Helmet Option Two: Reconnaissance and Communications Helmet ("the Scoop") as found on page 70 of the Robotech: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook (some of these benefits include: a Thermographic Imager, a 50x Magnification Digital Zoom Lens, a Combat Data Recorder, an Electromagnetic Field Detector, and it provides a +10% bonus to Detect Ambush and Detect Concealment rolls).
1c. The Thermographic Imager has been improved and has a range of 1,500 feet (457 m).
1d. Upgraded Passive Night-vision has a range of 1,500 feet (457 m).
1e. Upgraded Infrared Sensor has a range of 1,500 feet (457 m).
1f. Improved acoustic and optical technology adds +2 to all Perception checks involving sight and sound.
1g. Prowl in Battloid mode is possible at a -10% penalty. Engine noise in Cycle mode is not loud enough to produce bonuses to detect the Predator.
1h. An Enemy Identification Program (EIP) has been installed and becomes active when questionable targets are known to be present. When the Predator Cyclone has line-of-sight and a reasonable sight picture of a target, it can attempt to identify the target and provide basic combat-related data to the Cyclone's operator via their HUD. Common threats known to the SCL-107 Broadsword such as Invid Shock Troopers, Cougars, Crann, and Odeon Invid are identified with a 98% of accuracy while most others are accurately identified 78% of the time (open to GM discretion). This option is a toggled feature and may be easily turned off (as not to take up room on the Predator's HUD).
1i. Agility and speed have seen improvements at the cost of reduced armor protection (see M.D.C. By Location above).
2. SVR-03 Twin Laser Cannons: These dual-barreled cannons are deadly, versatile, and draw their power from the BVR-01's power plant for effectively unlimited ammunition. The lasers can fire one barrel at a time or both simultaneously and have M.D. and S.D.C. power settings which can be changed to with the press of a switch. The lasers can also be used as simple lights perhaps to point out geographical locations or items of interest.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha/Anti-Armor
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Missile and Anti-Personnel.
Weight: Ten pounds (4.5 kg) for each twin cannon.
Range: 2,400 feet (732 m).
Mega-Damage: 2D6 M.D. per single blast. 4D6 M.D. per dual blast. 8D6 M.D. if both pairs of cannons are aimed at the same target.
S.D.C. Damage: 2d6 S.D.C. per single blast. 4d6 S.D.C. per dual blast. 8d6 S.D.C. if both pairs of cannons are aimed at the same target.
Rate of Fire: Each blast counts as one Attack per Round or both weapons can attack a single target using one Attack per Round with no Strike penalty.
Payload: Effectively unlimited (draws from the VR-B01's power plant)
Bonus: +1 to Strike in Battloid mode. Note: The weapons can be fired in Cycle mode but can only fire forward and is -2 to Strike.
M.D.C. of the Weapon: 35 M.D.C.
3. Optional VMWS-25 Mini-Missile Delivery System: This missile system can be taken in place of the Mega-damage shields mounted on the Predator's forearms if the act of Parrying is unlikely (see Battloid/Armor Mode above). The only real difference between this and the later GR-97 is that the VMWS-65 is modular. Meaning it can be replaced, alike all VMWS units, in three melee actions by a trained Cyclone rider or mechanic. It is also a bit less well armored than the GR-97. The VMWS-65 has two single-launch tubes usually loaded with HEAP mini-missiles. Mini-missiles can be fired in both Cycle and Battloid modes, and are guided by the Cyclone's combat computer.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Mecha/Anti-Armor
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Missile and Anti-Personnel.
Weight: Seven pounds (3.15 kg) for the launcher, and each missile weighs about 5 pounds (2.25 kg).
Range: One mile (1.6 km).
Mega-Damage: Per mini-missile, but usually loaded with HEAP (High Explosive Armor Piercing) missiles which inflict 1D4x10 M.D. per missile.
Rate of Fire: Singly or in volleys of two or all. All four mini-missiles can be launched simultaneously as a single volley of four.
Payload: Two missiles in each launcher.
M.D.C. of the Weapon: 35 M.D.C.
Broadsword note: In a lower-backpack on your Cyclone is an armored case that holds 4 more mini-missiles. Reloading a single missile takes one action. All of the missiles (including the missiles in the tubes) are of the plasma-napalm variety (1D6x10 M.D.) that your characters have often been selecting for your mecha. 8 more mini-missiles can be stored in the Armored Bags (which fills both bags to capacity).
4. Optional VMWS-90 Plasma Blades: These are the only melee weapons built into the VR-B01 and are rarely taken into the field as they must be taken in place of the SVR-03 dual laser cannons. The precursor to the CADS-1 system used in the later VR-041H "Saber" Cyclones, these weapons are considered innovative and revolutionary when they are first introduced. The system consists of retractable blade that, when activated, is wrapped in a magnetic field and covered in plasma, an ionized gas that is considered a fourth state of matter. It is hot enough to slice through the toughest super alloys. The magnetic shield is computer controlled with a safety system that immediately shuts the plasma flow off if the blade touches the Cyclone itself, preventing the pilot from accidentally damaging his mecha or himself in the heat of battle. The plasma field is fueled by a gas canister than can quickly run out in combat, thus the blade is usually retracted and shut off when not in use. The plasma field makes the blade virtually impervious to damage, making it the perfect weapon for parrying attacks.
Primary Purpose: Close Combat, Anti-Armor.
Secondary Purpose: Defense.
Weight: 15 pounds (6.75 kg) for the entire vambrace assembly.
Range: hand to hand melee combat.
Mega-Damage: 2D6 per slash or punch. A power punch inflicts 4D6 M.D. but counts as two melee attacks. Usable as a traditional bladed weapon when not activated, doing 2D6 S.D.C. damage.
Rate of Fire: Not applicable , the VMWS-90 is a sword-like melee weapon. Each slash or stab counts as one melee attack.
Payload: The blade can be active for a total of 10 minutes (40 melee rounds) before running out of the hydrogen gas needed to generate the plasma field.
M.D.C. of the Weapon: 30 M.D.C. for the housing, 45 M.D.C. for the blade itself, but while the plasma field is active, it is virtually indestructible.
Bonus: +2 to parry with Mecha Elite Combat Training, in addition to other MECT bonuses.
Broadsword note: Per Shop Talk, "House Rule: Combat (mecha) - Damage from Hand to Hand skills apply to melee damage. Grappling skills can be used."
5. Optional armament: STORM operators nearly always magnetically attach other personal weapons like the "Undertaker" Sniper Rifle or the "Thundercracker" rapid-fire laser cannon.
Bonuses from Mecha Elite Combat Training (MECT): +1 attack per melee at levels 2, 5, 8, 12, and 15. +1 on initiative, +2 to strike, +1 to parry, +2 dodge, +2 to pull punch, and +1 to roll with punch.
Special Bonuses from Predator Cyclone: +2 to Perception Rolls involving sight and sound, +1 on initiative, +2 dodge (+3 dodge when over 60 mph), +2 to roll with punch, +10% to Detect Ambush and Detect Concealment rolls.
(I give absolutely no one except Kaerri permission to use this design in their games. This is an entirely original creation of my own.)
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