[GUNDAM/RIFTS] RX-78 Gundam stats for Rifts (Version 2.0)
Dave Deitrich
translation for Palladium. I wrote the original version over a year ago, but
updated it today to reflect changes in Bandai's official history, as well as
to correct the many mistakes and typos I made. Below are the updated stats;
enjoy! Comments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms welcome!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RX-78 GUNDAM (from MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM; version 2.0)
by Dave Deitrich (deit...@cc.gatech.edu)
Vehicle Type: UNT Spacy Prototype Close-Combat Mobile Suit
Model: RX-78-2 Gundam with FF-X7 Core Fighter
Crew: One
M.D.C. By Location
Head 100
Vulcan Cannons (2, Head) 25 each
Arms (2) 100 each
Hands (2) 50 each
Legs (2) 150 each
(1) Upper Torso 350
(1) Lower Torso 250
Backpack/Thrusters 150
1.9 Megawatt Beam Rifle 100
.38 Megawatt Beam Sabers (2-4) 25 each
270 mm HyperBazooka 100
Shield 150
NOTES:
(1) Destruction of the upper torso will render the arms, head, and
backpack inoperative. Destruction of the lower torso will render
the mecha inoperative, as the main reactor is stored there. In both
cases either part can be ejected from the core fighter once it has
become inoperative. Any additional damage done to the upper torso
after it has been destroyed will go to the Core Fighter. (See Below)
NOTE: If the Core Fighter is destroyed, then the Gundam MS will also be
rendered inoperable. (Pilot is killed and main computer is destroyed)
Speed:
Gundam, Running: 100 mph (160 kmph)
Gundam, Non-Thruster Leap: 100 ft (30.5 m) up or across.
Gundam, Thruster Leap: 500 ft (152.5 m) up or across.
Length: 22 ft (6.6 m)
Width: 27 ft (8.1 m)
Height: 60 ft (18.0 m)
Gundam Weight: 60.0 tons loaded
43.4 tons unloaded
Main Engine: Fusion Reactor w/ Minovski Shielding
(reactor is housed in the lower torso, under the Core Fighter)
Range: The generator can supply power for approximately 10 years
before requiring replacement.
Generator Output: 1,380 Kw
Thruster Output: 24,000 kg x 2 (Backpack), 1,870 kg x 4 (Feet)
Sensor Range: 5,700 m
Armor Materials: Lunar Titanium plus Magnetic Coating (for decreased
friction between armor plates, resulting in better
reaction times)
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
---------------
1. HEAD-MOUNTED 60mm VULCAN CANNONS. The only built-in armaments on the
RX-78 Gundam are two vulcan cannons mounted in the head of the mobile
suit. These two cannons are mounted on either side of the antenna
and are fixed forward. The pilot must move the Gundam's head in
order to aim the cannons. Both cannons fire at the same time, though
one cannon will function if the other is destroyed.
Primary Purpose: Defense
Secondary Purpose: Close-range Assault
Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 M.D. per burst (60 rounds from both cannons). A
single round does 1D6 M.D.
Range: 3000ft (900m)
Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks.
Payload: 600 rounds per cannon, which is enough for 20 combined
bursts. Note: The ammo bins for the two cannons are NOT
linked; if one cannon is destroyed the ammo feed CANNOT be
automatically switched to the other cannon.
2. 1.9 MW BEAM RIFLE. This hand-held particle cannon is the main weapon
for the RX-78 Gundam, and is easily as powerful as the main cannons
mounted on Federation or Jion warships. It works by confining and
accelerating mega particles in a strong magnetic field, and then ejects
them in a tremendous blast of energy. Mega particles are produced when
Minovski particles go through a degeneration and fusion process.
Warships normally hook their beam cannons up to generators that can
produce mega particles on the fly, thus resulting in an almost unlimited
supply of ammo. Since the Gundam does not have room for the bulky
generator equipment, the mega particles are instead pre-generated and
stored in an energy capacitor for later use. The result is an MS-sized gun
that packs the same punch as warship weapons but has a limited ammo supply.
The original beam rifle for the RX-78 Gundam had the energy capacitor
built directly into the gun, which meant that it could only be recharged
at a base or ship and couldn't be exchanged in the field. Later models
of the beam rifle included a modular capacitor that could be exchanged
in the field (much like an energy clip). These modified rifles did not
become widely spread until 0082-0083, however.
One Beam Rifle is usually assigned to the Gundam, though a second one
can be stored on the inside of the shield if necessary.
Primary Purpose: Assault
Mega-Damage: 4D6x10 M.D. per blast. Bursts are not possible.
Range: 6000ft (1800m)
Rate of Fire: Maximum of 3 shots per melee round.
Payload: 20 shots maximum. The rifle must be recharged at a base or
mothership after it is depleted. It CANNOT be replaced in
the middle of a battle.
NOTE: The first versions of this weapon had technical problems that
caused it to malfunction with extended use. After the first shot,
roll a 1d10 every time the weapon is fired. On a roll of 1 the gun
malfunctions and cannot be fired again until serviced by technicians.
These design flaws were finally corrected shortly before the Battle
of Abowaku.
3. 0.38 MW BEAM SABERS. These revolutionary mecha-sized melee weapon
were first used on the Gundam mobile suit. The beam saber works on
the same principle as the beam rifle, except that the mega particles
are captured and stored in a strong electromagnetic field instead
of projected in a beam. The result is a concentrated energy blade
which is one of the deadliest weapons in the Gundam universe.
The beam saber only contains enough energy and mega particles for
about 60 seconds of continuous use. When not in use, the beam sabers are
stored in the backpack of the mecha, where they are recharged by the
Gundam's reactor. The Gundam can switch the beam saber on and off while
holding it, in order to conserve power. Once totally depleted it takes 30
minutes for a beam saber to recharge to full capacity.
The Gundam carries two beam sabers mounted on its backpack. An
additional two sabers (fully charged) can be stored on the inside of the
shield.
Primary Purpose: Melee Combat
Secondary Purpose: Defense
Mega-Damage: 5d6x10 M.D.
Range: The blade has a range of 15-30 ft (5-10 m) and is adjustable.
Payload: The beam sabers can function continuously for 60 seconds
(4 melee rounds) before running out of power. Once discharged,
the beam saber must be returned to the Gundam's backpack where it
can recharge at a rate of 1 second of power per 30 seconds of
charging.
4. 270 mm HYPERBAZOOKA. This optional weapon is essentially an enormous
rocket launcher for the mobile suit. It fires large UNGUIDED
chemically-propelled rockets with high explosive warheads. These
missiles are unguided because Minovski particle jamming renders most
forms of tracking systems useless in the Gundam universe. Therefore
the designers decided to remove the tracking systems in the rockets
and replace them with more powerful explosives.
ONE hyperbazooka can be mounted on the back of the Gundam. Due to
its bulk and low payload, this weapons is usually reserved for
missions involving heavy assault.
Primary Purpose: Assault
Mega-Damage: 3d6x10 M.D. per missile.
Rate of Fire: One missile at a time.
Payload: 5 missiles (1 in the barrel plus 4 in the magazine)
Range: 5 miles (8 km).
5. OPTIONAL HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT. Punch does 3D6 M.D., Body Block does
3D6 M.D., Kick does 4D6 M.D., Leap Kick does 5D6 M.D., Stomp does
3D6 M.D., but is limited to targets no more than 16 feet tall. Body
flip does 2D6 M.D. Pilots who have experience with giant robots get
full bonuses from Robot Basic combat training.
Standard equipment for most Mobile Suits
----------------------------------------
* OPTICAL TARGETING SYSTEM: Mobile Suits have a very sophisticated
optical tracking system to assist the pilot in targeting. This
system provides the pilot with a +2 to hit when using projectile or
beam weapons (such as the beam rifle, hyperbazooka, or vulcan cannons
on the Gundam). However, since the tracking system is optical, the
target must be IN DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT from the MS in order to get
the bonus.
* COMBAT COMPUTER: Contains data on up to 120 different vehicles (both
friend and foe). Can call up and project data on the HUD screens in
the cockpit.
* "SKIN TOUCH" COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM: Mobile Suits have sensitive
microphones in their cockpits that can pick up a pilot's voice and
project it to vibrating devices on the surface of the hand. By
grasping hands with another Mobile Suit, the first mecha can transmit
these vibrations to the other mecha. Sensors on the other mecha
translate these vibrations into sounds and projects them via speakers
in the cockpit. The result is a secure method of communication
between mecha that cannot be intercepted by enemy scanners.
* LASER COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM: Although the original Gundam prototype
did not have this system, later mobile suits included a laser
communications system that allowed mecha to communicate over long
distances. The only disadvantage was that the mobile suits had to be
looking at each other in order to communicate.
* RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: Backup; usually doesn't work due to Minovski
interference.
* EXPLOSIVE JOINTS: In event of severe damage to the Gundam, the torso
sections could be jettisoned allowing the pilot to escape in the core
fighter.
* COMPLETE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SYSTEM: Identical to the system
described on Pg. 214 of the Rifts RPG book.
SPECIAL GUNDAM EQUIPMENT: THE CORE BLOCK SYSTEM
-----------------------------------------------
The core block system was a revolutionary way of designing mobile suits,
first implemented on the Gundam MS. The idea was to include the combat
computer and cockpit of the mecha (and the pilot; the three most valuable
parts) in a central modular unit that could be ejected and recovered if
the mobile suit was ever destroyed. (NOTE: later core fighters designed in
0083 also contained the mecha's reactor) The core unit would be modular,
so that it could be transferred to another mobile suit body while the
original one was being repaired (thus reducing down-time for pilots). The
modular aspects of the core block system would also allow the mobile suit to
be customized to different environments and equipped with special weaponry
for unusual missions.
The designers of the Gundam then took this concept one step further, and
designed the central unit so that it could transform into a fully
functional plane when not attached to a Gundam body. This would allow
the pilot to escape with the most valuable systems of the mecha in case
the Gundam ever got destroyed in battle. Although some designers
envisioned using the "Core Fighter" as a combat fighter, it proved to
be rather ill-suited for that role. The Core Fighter is too slow to be
an effective combat aircraft, and its armaments are too light to do serious
damage to most mobile suits. Later on during the war an external unit
(called the "Core Booster") was developed, which could be attached to the
Core Fighter and turn it into a fairly powerful heavy fighter.
The Core Block system benefited the Gundam several times during the war.
However, the system proved too expensive to include in all Federation
mecha, and was therefore not included in later mass-production versions
of the Gundam. Eventually the Core Block System was scrapped in favor
of the Linear Seat System; a virtual environment display system that
provided much more visual information for the pilot of the mecha.
THE CORE FIGHTER
Vehicle Type: UNT Spacy Prototype Light Fighter
Model: FF-X7 Core Fighter
Crew: One
(1) Reinforced Cockpit 150
Autocannons (4, 2 per side) 25 each
(2) Main Body 175
(3) Wings (2) 75 each
(3) Tail 50
NOTES:
(2) Destruction of the Core Fighter Cockpit will render the mecha
inoperable and probably kill the pilot.
(3) Destruction of the Core Fighter Main Body will destroy the Core
Fighter. In addition, the loss of the main generator will render
the Gundam inoperable.
(4) Destruction of the Core Fighter Wings or Tail will cause the
fighter to crash.
Max Speed: 400 mph (640 kmph)
Cruising Speed: 300 mph (480 kmph)
Length: 29 ft (8.6 m)
Width: 14 ft (4.2 m)
Height: 15 ft (4.5 m)
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
---------------
25mm AUTOCANNONS: A pair of autocannons is mounted on each side of the nose
of the plane. All four cannons fire together unless one or more is
damaged/destroyed.
Mega-Damage: 4D6 M.D. per burst. (1D6 per cannon)
Range: 3000ft (900m)
Rate of Fire: 6 bursts per melee
Payload: Enough for 20 attacks; approximately 400 rounds.
AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES: The core fighter also carries two missile launchers for
air-to-air combat. Each missile launcher contains 4 missiles and concealed
within the engine block when not in use.
Mega-Damage: 1d6x10 M.D. per missile
Rate of Fire: 1 missile per launcher per round (2 total/round)
Payload: 4 missiles/launcher (8 total)
Range: 3 miles (4.8 km)
Speed: 500 mph (804 kmph)
Hand to Hand Bonuses for MOBILE SUIT COMBAT TRAINING
----------------------------------------------------
NOTE: These bonuses do NOT take into consideration special NewType
piloting abilities.
* Three hand to hand attacks per melee (plus those of pilot).
* Body flip/throw.
* Body block/tackle/ram.
* Kick attack.
* +2 to strike.
* +4 to parry.
* +3 to dodge.
* +3 to roll with punch, fall, or impact (explosion), reducing damage
by half.
* Critical strike same as pilot's hand to hand.
* One additional attack at level five.
* One additional attack at level ten.
BACKGROUND:
-----------
When the Jion Archduchy separated from the Earth Federation in UC
(Universal Century) 0054, the Jion military leaders knew that an
eventual war with the Federation was inevitable. They also knew that
their small space navy had no hope of winning against the superior
Federation forces, so they instructed the Jion scientists to begin
development of a new type of weapon that would be small enough to be
cheaply and quickly produced, but powerful enough to give the Jion
forces an advantage over their Federation counterparts.
The first major triumph for the Jion scientists was the discovery of the
"Minovski Particles". These particles generate an unstable magnetic
field that absorbs most forms of energy instead of reflecting it.
Although they have a fairly short life span, the Minovski particles had
two major benefits. The first was that by scattering them in space, the
Jions could create combat areas where all radio and radar based systems
were effectively useless. This dramatically changed the rules of space
combat, forcing spacecraft to rely on visual sensors only.
The second major application of Minovski Particles was in the creation
of a new form radiation shielding, which was very thin and light yet
hundreds of times stronger than lead for containing radiation. This new
shielding allowed the creation of extremely small, very powerful
reactors. The Jion engineers used these new systems to their maximum
potential, creating a completely new form of one-man fighter craft, the
"Mobile Suit". This 60-foot tall humanoid robot soldier was extremely
fast and could stop and turn on a dime. They could also be equipped
with weapons that were just as powerful as spaceship cannons. Although
they were not heavily armored, the combination of speed and firepower
made them ideal for combat in Minovski-jammed areas. The first combat-
ready mobile suit, the MS-05 Zaku, was rolled out in UC 0075. A much
improved model, the MS-06 Zaku, began production in UC 0078.
Initially, the Federation generals viewed the idea of 60 foot tall
fighting robots as idiotic at best. They quickly changed their tune
when the Jion Archduchy declared war on the Earth Federation in early
0079. Within three weeks, Jion forces heavily supported by the new
Zakus destroyed 80% of the Federation space navy. Jion troops then
invaded Earth and succeeded in capturing North America, Central America,
and large regions of Europe and Asia. Within one month of the Jion
Archduchy's declaration of war, it looked like defeat was inevitable for
the Federation forces.
The Federation quickly began "Project Victory," an operation whose sole
purpose was to produce a superior mobile suit design for Federation
forces. This project culminated with the construction of the RX-78
Gundam, a general-purpose mobile suit that was far superior to the
Jion's MS-06 Zaku. The Gundam was equipped with the best technology the
Federation could offer. It was designed around the revolutionary "Core
Block" system, a modular system that allowed for quick maintenance and
replacement of the Gundam's systems. The Gundam's armor was constructed
of Lunar Titanium, a new metal that was extremely strong but also very
light. While incapable of withstanding hits from a mega particle beam,
Lunar Titanium could usually handle direct hits from the Zaku's 120mm
autocannon. Finally, the Gundam was armed with a beam rifle and two beam
sabers, which were the most destructive mobile suit weapons yet produced.
Three Gundam prototypes were constructed, but two of them (#1 and #3)
were destroyed before they ever saw combat. The #2 prototype survived
and was piloted by Ensign Amuro Rey throughout the war. The Jions
responded to Project Victory by developing their own advanced mobile
suits. Some, like the MS-14 Geloog, were technically more powerful than
the Gundam. However, Amuro Rey's emerging "New Type" powers allowed him
to pilot the Gundam with incredible skill, enabling him to defeat
anything the Jion forces threw at him. Eventually, the Federation
engineers succeeded in developing a mass production version of the
Gundam (the RGM-79 "GM") and the tide of battle turned in favor of the
Federation forces. The Federation succeeded in driving the Jion forces
off of Earth, and eventually the Jion Archduchy collapsed after its
ruling family, the Zabi, were killed in the "Battle of Abowaku". The
Federation negotiated a peace treaty with the post-Zabi Jion Republic
in early UC 0080, thus ending the One Year War.
The RX-78 Gundam prototype #2 was destroyed in the Battle of Abowaku. A
fourth prototype, the RX-78NT1 "Alex" was constructed especially for
Amuro Rey in late UC 0079. However, the new Gundam could not be
delivered to him in time for the Battle of Abowaku, and the "Alex" was
destroyed by Jion forces a week before the war ended. The Gundam and GM
mobile suits became the symbol of Federation military power after the
end of the war.
GM NOTES:
---------
The RX-78 Gundam probably isn't powerful enough to be of very much interest
to Rifts characters. Although fairly agile for its size, the mecha is too
big for the guerilla-style combat that is most common on Rifts earth. The
armor is also fairly weak when compared to other Rifts mecha, though Northern
Gun or Triax may be able to come up with something that could replace it.
The armament of the mecha is respectable, but even so the players probably
won't want to run around with a 60 ft tall mecha that sticks out like a sore
thumb on the landscape.
The only possible interest the Gundam might have is in the Minovski
technology it contains. Rifts technology does contains systems that are
equal to or superior to the Gundam's capabilities, but the technology in the
RX-78 eventually becomes the basis for smaller, faster, and DEADLIER mecha in
the Gundam continuity. Such mecha can be seen in shows like _Gundam: Char's
Counterattack_, _Gundam F91_, and _Victory Gundam_. Extended research into
Minovski physics by Rifts engineers may eventually produce designs that are
just as powerful.
REFERENCES
----------
"MECHA FILE: ANALYSIS OF THE GUNDAM RX-78" from ANIMAG, written by James Teal
MS ENCYCLOPEDIA 3.0, published by B-Club
MECHA PRESS #1, published by Ianus Publications
UC HERALD #1 AND #2, written by Tonghyun Kim and Noel Gamboa
1/144 SCALE HG RX-78 GUNDAM PLASTIC MODEL, produced by Bandai Toys
SPECIAL THANKS
--------------
...to MARK SIMMONS (also an original Animag staff member), whose extensive
comments and corrections resulted in a much better representation of the
official RX-78 Gundam, now complete with Bandai's continuity changes. :)
A NOTE TO PURISTS
-----------------
I didn't have time to rewatch the three Gundam movies again, so you'll
have to forgive me if there's something in the original show that my
stats don't reflect. I am very much open to comments and corrections,
however, so if you know something I don't please contact me and I'll fix
the problem. Thanks!
--
DAVE DEITRICH "Look, something we don't understand!
deit...@cc.gatech.edu Let's direct VIOLENCE against it!"
Georgia Institute of Technology - The CFI Motto
Graphics, Visualization and Usability Lab
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/people/Masters/Dave.Deitrich.html
charm
pretty cool, too. The Pallas Athena would be a real possibility on Rifts,
considering what I've heard about them.
-Mata ne,
Orin Starchaser: motenai no
moon.29 @postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu
Dave Deitrich
>Could you do stats for the other Gundams? Like 0083? Jion mechs would be
>pretty cool, too. The Pallas Athena would be a real possibility on Rifts,
>considering what I've heard about them.
Sure! I definitely want to continue doing stats for other, more advanced
Mobile Suits in the future. Unfortunately free time is a rare thing for me
these days. :( I'll definitely post more stats as I finish them, though.
Monteil Lin
> Could you do stats for the other Gundams? Like 0083? Jion mechs would be
> pretty cool, too. The Pallas Athena would be a real possibility on Rifts,
> considering what I've heard about them.
The problem is that specific stats like weapon output no longer exists. ONly
old source books have these stats and these are not very reliable. In any
case new M.S such as those in 0083 won't have such stats at all.
Eiji
--
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charm
(Monteil Lin) wrote:
> In a previous posting, (@charm) writes:
> > Could you do stats for the other Gundams? Like 0083? Jion mechs would be
> > pretty cool, too. The Pallas Athena would be a real possibility on Rifts,
> > considering what I've heard about them.
>
> The problem is that specific stats like weapon output no longer exists. ONly
> old source books have these stats and these are not very reliable. In any
> case new M.S such as those in 0083 won't have such stats at all.
-UC Herald does.
Dave Deitrich
>The problem is that specific stats like weapon output no longer exists. ONly
>old source books have these stats and these are not very reliable. In any
>case new M.S such as those in 0083 won't have such stats at all.
Wouldn't be fun if there was no challenge to it. :)
Seriously, though, you're right. Beam weaponry output figures is very hard
to come by these days. Fortunately most 0080-0083 mecha use more conventional
weaponry like autocannons, and the caliber of the autocannon shells is usually
recorded. Therefore it's pretty easy to estimate damage based on that. As
for beam weaponry, you just sorta have to sit down and watch parts of the
series, and go "yep, that looks like a 5D6x10 M.D. blast to me." :) So long
as your consistent, it works.
Monteil Lin
>> The problem is that specific stats like weapon output no longer exists. ONly
>> old source books have these stats and these are not very reliable. In any
>> case new M.S such as those in 0083 won't have such stats at all.
> -UC Herald does.
I doubt this. I have UC Herald and I'm not talking about general stats like
thruster output, height, weight, etc.. no source book give weapon power
output for post-ZZ suits.
Monteil Lin
> bo...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Monteil Lin) writes:
>
> Seriously, though, you're right. Beam weaponry output figures is very hard
> to come by these days. Fortunately most 0080-0083 mecha use more conventional
> weaponry like autocannons, and the caliber of the autocannon shells is usually
Not just 0080-0083 suits. Even CCA suits lack such stats. eg: what's the
weapon power output of the Alpha Azieru's psychomu beam cannon? I don't know..
and I'm not sure anyone else knows either.
> recorded. Therefore it's pretty easy to estimate damage based on that. As
> for beam weaponry, you just sorta have to sit down and watch parts of the
> series, and go "yep, that looks like a 5D6x10 M.D. blast to me." :) So long
> as your consistent, it works.
Well you can ESTIMATE weapno power output from generator output (which is
genenerally given). However doing so is somewhat misleading. eg: the ZZ's
Hi-MEGAcannon is 50MW in power, but its actual generator output is less than
1/5 that. Which explains why it could only shoot it once.
charm
(Monteil Lin) wrote:
> I doubt this. I have UC Herald and I'm not talking about general stats like
> thruster output, height, weight, etc.. no source book give weapon power
> output for post-ZZ suits.
Gomen-nasai...
Orin Starchaser: motenai no