RDF Scorpion:
This Mecha was designed as an experimental 4 legged platform and was
only produced in relatively small numbers by the RDF. The vehicle was designed
prior to the launching of the SDF-1 but the first prototype was not produced
until after the SDF-1 returned to Earth after the destruction of Dolza's
forces. It is designed this way so it has greater stability and is designed
to be piloted by more than one pilot. The pilot gets the full attacks as
the Mecha combat gives him but the gunner only gets his normal had to hand
attacks. If the Mecha is crewed by two people the pilot normally controls
the auto cannon and the gunner will normally control the Particle Beam
Cannon, Missile Pod, and Short Range Missile Launcher. Which crew member
controls each weapon must be designated before the combat. Has standard
RDF Robotech Mecha sensors and has a periscope to allow the Mech to look
over fairly low terrain while no revealing the Mecha.
The surprise about the Mecha is that most pilots that piloted it gave
glowing reviews yet was still not produced in any quantity. The reasons
for pilots love of this vehicle were various. The Scorpion was actually
more all terrain than humanoid Mecha as well as its low profile allowed
for easier surprise attacks.
In appearance, this Mecha looks like a Battletech Scorpion BattleMech
from Technical Readout 3025
Model Type: EXDR-12-MK IV
Class: Heavy Infantry Assault Destroid
Crew: Two; Pilot and Weapons Officer
M.D.C. by Location:
| Upper Legs (4): | 150 each |
| Knee Joints(4): | 100 each |
| Lower Legs (4): | 150 each |
| Feet (4): | 100 each |
| Missile Pod (Right Side): | 150 |
| Short Range Missile Mortars (2, Sides): | 75 each |
| Particle Beam Cannon Barrel (center) | 125 |
| Auto Cannon Turret (Front): | 75 |
| 125 gallon Water Drum: | 25 |
| Spotlights / Sensors (2, Front) | 25 each |
| Communication System Box | 60 |
| Hatches (3) | 80 each |
| Reinforced cockpits (2) | 200 each |
| [1] Mean Body | 350 |
Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the mecha down
completely, rendering it useless.
Speed
Running: 120 mph (193.1 kph) maximum with a 60 mph (96.6 kph)
cruising speed.
Leaping: powerful legs allow robot to leap 20 feet (6.1 m) up
and 30 feet (9.1) across from a standing position 25 feet (7.6 m) up and
50 feet (15.4 m) across with a short running start.
Underwater: It can walk along the bottom of the sea floor at
25% of maximum speed and has a maximum Ocean depth of 1 mile (1.6 km).
Range: Limited only by the pilot's endurance. Emergency food
and air supply will keep the pilot and gunner alive for two weeks.
Statistical Data:
Height: 9 feet (2.7 meters) for main body section and 34 feet,
6 inches (10.5 meters) when standing on its legs.
Width: 15 feet (4.6 meters) for main body section and 40 feet,
6 inches (12.3 meters) with outspread legs.
Length: 24 feet (7.3 meters) for main body section and 31 feet,
6 inches (9.6 meters) with outspread legs.
Weight: 32 tons (29.1 metric tons) fully loaded, 29 tons (26.3
metric tons) empty.
Physical Strength: Equal to a P.S. 40
Cargo: A 4 x 4 x 3 foot storage bin for extra equipment and
weapons.
Power System: Nuclear/Protoculture Fusion with average lifespan
of 15 years
Weapon Systems:
- Particle Beam Cannon:
In the centerline of the robot is a
very powerful Particle Beam Cannon. It can be fired by either the pilot
or the gunner but not both during the same melee. The cannon is tied to
the fusion reactor allowing virtually unlimited shots. The Particle Beam
Cannon guns can tilt up and down up to 30 degrees. They are virtually identical
to the Particle Beam Cannon on the Zentraedi Officers Pod and RDF Excaliber
Mecha.
Maximum Effective Range: 10,000 feet (Nearly two miles / 3.2 km)
Mega Damage: 5D10+25
Rate of Fire: Maximum of 2 per melee
Payload: Unlimited.
- Auto Cannon Turret (32 mm):
This gun is right in front of
the pilots compartment. The auto cannon can be moved from side to side
and up and down so that the Mecha does not have to maneuver to fire weapon.
It can be fired only by the Pilot.
Range: 4,000 feet (1200 meters).
Mega Damage: 2D6 short burst, 4D6 Long Burst, 6D6 Full Melee
Burst.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually
5 or 6).
Payload: 240 rounds (24 used in Full Melee, 12 used in Long,
6 used in Short).
- Medium Range Missile Pod (14 Medium Range Missiles):
The
vehicle has a tube style missile pod mounted to the right side of the Particle
Beam Cannon. The Launcher carries 7 medium range missiles with one set
of reloads for the total of 14 medium range missiles. It can be fired by
either the pilot or the gunner but not both.
Maximum Effective Range: As per medium range missile type
Mega Damage: Varies with medium range missile type.
Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or seven.
The number of volleys a character can fire is equal to his combined hand
to hand attacks per melee. One volley counts as one attack regardless of
number of missiles fired.
Payload: 14 medium range missiles
- Short Range Missile Mortars (2):
2 launcher with 3 missiles
a piece for a total of 6 missiles. Used for special purposes but can carry
conventional Missiles. It can be fired by either the pilot or the gunner
but not both.
Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type
Mega Damage: Varies with short range missile type (usually none
due to fact that standard load out is usually 2 Smoke, 2 Tear Gas, and
2 Fire Retardant).
Rate of Fire: One at a time only.
Payload: 3 each launcher for 6 short range missiles total.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat
Kick - 1D6 MDC
Stomp - 2D6
Body Block/Ram - 1D6 per 50 m.
Hand to Hand Bonuses:
- Two hand to hand attacks per melee (plus pilots)
- +3 to roll with punch, fall, or impact (explosion), reducing damage by half.
- Kick attack
- +2 to strike
- +3 to parry
- +3 to dodge
- Critical strikes same as pilots hand to hand.
- One additional hand to hand at levels Five and Ten.
Sensory/ Other Equipment
- Radar: 30 miles, Conventional Operation
- Radio/ Video Communications: Wide band and directional radio
and video telecast capabilities. Range is 600 miles and can be boosted
indefinitely via satellite relay.
- Laser Targeting System: Range is 2 miles and gives +1 to strike
with long range weapons. Not applicable to hand to hand.
- Combat Computer/ Targeting Computer: Assist in the tracking
of targets. Calculates, Stores and Transmits Data onto the cockpit computer
system or the HUDs.
- External Audio Pickup: Sound amplification that can pick up
a whisper at 300 ft (91.5 m) away.
- Loudspeaker: Loudspeaker system can amplify pilots voice up
to 90 decibels.
- Thermo-Imager: Range: 1,600 ft (487 m). Finds the infra-red
radiations of things that are warm. Also enables pilot to see in smoke,
shadows and darkness.
- Nightvision Optics: Range: 1,600 ft (487 m). Uses light amplification
to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness.
- Full Life Support: Protects pilot and mecha from heat and radiation
and gives a breathable atmosphere inside the Mecha.
- Spotlights (2): Range: 600 feet (91.5 meters).
[ Scorpion and Battlemech are trademarks owned by FASA Corporation.]
[ Battletech® is a registered trademark owned by FASA Corporation.]
[ Robotech® and Robotech: Sentinels are registered trademarks owned
and licensed by Harmony Gold USA, Inc. ]
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).
Copyright © 1997 & 1999, Kitsune. All rights reserved.