THE VR-112 SAMSON

BACKGROUND

The VR-112 Samson is the most massive cyclone designed to date, mostly due to the extensive hydraulic systems that give the battlesuit its great strength. While the Samson is immensely strong and well armored (due to its bulk), it is also the slowest of all cyclones. In cyclone mode, the VR-112 is very angular, and so large that it resembles a piece of machinery more than it does a motorcycle. In battloid mode the massive exoskeleton arms have led to the model being nicknamed "Ahnold" by several different construction platoons. The VR-112 is painted gray with yellow warning markings, and is often battered and scraped. Since the VR-112 rarely goes into combat, most pilots wear the older CVR-3 body armor.

Following the end of the Third Invid War most of the design team that worked on the VR-112 retired from the REF and started their own construction mecha company, ironically named Samson Industries and based on Tirol. Although the company specializes in cheaper powered suits and non-transformable mecha, they have produced two successor cyclones to the VR-112 Samson (the VR-119/SCE-02 Samson II and the SCE-06 Hercules), both of which are sold commercially to the RGF and civilian construction companies. The original VR-112 Samson is still very common on Earth, as it was imported in great number during the Era of Rebuilding (2048-2055).

NOTE: By 2037 the REF Command had repealed the old RDF rules forbidding mecha engineers from receiving mecha pilot training. It is now standard practice for all REF Bio-Maintenance Engineers and Combat Engineers to receive pilot training on Cyclones with emphasis on the VR-112 Samson. Mecha combat skill is still limited to BASIC level, however; one cannot learn to be an ace pilot and crack mechanic in the academy at the same time.

SCHEMATICS

RPG STATS

M.D.C. BY LOCATION:

    Motorcycle Mode                  Battlesuit Mode
    ----------------------------     ----------------------------
    Headlight           5            Tires (2, rear)        5
    Front Tire          5            Thrusters (rear)       25
    Rear Tire           5            Forearm Shields (2)    50
    Storage Box (2)     4 each       Leg Shields (2)        150
    Thrusters (rear)    25           Head                   50
(1) Main Body           350      (1) Main Body              350

(2) CVR-4C (Heavy Combat Armor)                          90
(2) CVR-4 (Standard Military Armor)                      70
(2) CVR-3 (Standard Military Armor, Support Personnel)   50

1. Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will shut the mecha down completely.
2. Depleting the M.D.C. of the body armor will destroy it and very likely kill the wearer (10% chance of survival). The Second Generation Cyclones are equipped with laser resistant ceramic armor, so laser weapons do only HALF damage. This does NOT include any other energy attacks such as particle beams or ion blasts, nor does it help against explosives.

   Military versions of the VR-112 Samson are compatible with CVR-4C Heavy Combat Armor.

   SPECIFICATIONS

   Motorcycle Mode:

   Maximum Speed: 80 mph (128 kmph)

   Cruising Speed: 55 mph (88 kmph)

   Turbo Boost Fwd: 30 ft (9 m) horizontal

   Turbo Boost Up: 10 ft (3 m) vertical

   Battloid Mode:

   Running: 30 mph (48 kmph)

   Flying: 100 mph (160 kmph)

   Leaping: 30 ft (9 m)

   Thruster Leap: 50 ft (15 m)

   Height:

   Battloid: 7.6 ft (2.3 m)

   Motorcycle: 3.8 ft (1.1 m)

   Width:

   Battloid: 4.0 ft (1.2 m)

   Motorcycle: 2.5 ft (0.8 m)

   Length:

   Battloid: 4.0 ft (1.2 m)

   Motorcycle: 6.0 ft (1.8 m)

   Weight:450 lbs (203 kg)

   Cargo:

   The VR-112 has a variety of holding pouches and connectors in addition to detachable saddlebags that are used for holding construction materials and equipment. The saddlebags are 18 inches tall by 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep. A passenger can also ride seated behind the driver, provided large objects such as girders or panels are not being carried. The enormously strong VR-112 can hold up to 1500 lbs (675 kg) of material when properly secured. Reduce maximum speed by 20% for every additional 100 lbs (44 kg) over the limit and add -1 to dodge.

   Unlike its predecessors, the storage boxes of the new cyclones do NOT drop off when they convert to battloid mode. Instead, the boxes are shifted to the lower back, just below the thruster packs and covering the butt of the pilot. The passenger, however, isn't so lucky...

   Main Engine: FF-650 Fusion/Protoculture Engines (2)

   Range:

   4 protoculture cells will power the VR-112 for approximately 12 months before needing refueling. The backup system can operate on 2 protoculture cells for 6 months at no penalty. Constant flying will drain the protoculture cells twice as quickly for all models. As a final backup, the cyclone can run on fusion power alone for up to 200 miles on a full tank of fuel, but maximum speed is reduced 15% and constant flying is impossible. The fusion engines runs off hydrogen, so any hydrogen-rich liquid (like water or ammonia) can be used for fuel. Extra gas from the fusion engines are released through an exhaust port.

   Color Scheme:

   Standard VR-112 Samson cyclones are painted gray with yellow stripes and trim, similar to modern construction equipment. However, Samsons assigned to combat units are usually colored based on where they are stationed; desert Samsons are usually painted in a tan camouflage, arctic Samsons are painted a flat white, etc. But since the Samsons assigned to the Icarus Mission were not intended for combat duty, most of them retained their gray and yellow color schemes. Unlike the military Cyclones, Samsons are not streamlined in colors corresponding to the ranks of their pilots.

   
   VR-112 Samson (left) and VR-122 Protector (right)
   fighting a fire aboard the REF starship ICARUS.

   WEAPON SYSTEMS

   1. WELDING LASER. The VR-112 comes standardly equipped with a welding laser on the right arm shield. While not intended to be used as a weapon, it can do damage on higher settings. This welding laser is built into the right arm shield and cannot be exchanged for another arm weapon!
      • Primary Purpose: Construction
      • Mega-Damage Settings: 1D4, 1D6, and 2D4 M.D. (Maximum Setting)
      • S.D.C. Damage Settings: 1D6, 3D6, 6D6, 1D6x10 S.D.C.
      • Rate of Fire: Standard.
      • Range: 5 ft (1.5 m).
      • Payload: The welding laser draws power directly from the on-board fusion reactors, so it is effectively unlimited as long as it remains attached to the cyclone. The laser is useless if detached.

   2. SPECIAL ADDITIONS. The left arm shield of the VR-112 Samson can be equipped with a variety of tools for special jobs, such as salvage, demolition, sandblasting, etc. These tools are designed specifically for the VR-112 Samson and cannot be used with other cyclone designs. Some of the tools (and this is by no means a complete list) include:
      1. Extension Arm with Robotic Fingers for delicate work in hard-to-reach places. (Strength of arm: 3 M.D.C.)
         

         

      2. Grappling hook with 200 ft of high-tension wire. (Strength of Wire: 1 M.D.C. per 10 feet)
         

         

      3. High-power Air Gun that can be attached to containers. Can be used to shoot water, sand, paint, etc. (Damage: 2D6, 4D6, or 1D6x10 S.D.C.)
         

         

      4. Powerful Hydraulic Claw for securely carrying heavy objects. Can easily hold up to 2000 pounds of pressure (...which is actually more than the cyclone itself can handle). Does 2D6 M.D. CONTINUOUSLY to anything it grabs!
         

         

      5. Mechanical scoop/cargo lifter. Can only be used in motorcycle mode.

      6. Extendable crane with 300 feet of cable. Motor can lift up to 1000 lbs (450 kg), but the Samson's hydraulic arm must be braced if lifting more than 500 lbs (225 kg). Cable strength is 2 M.D.C. per 10 feet.
         
      

      Gamemasters, feel free to come up with your own additions!

   3. MODULAR WEAPON SYSTEMS. The left arm shield can also accept any other GR-series weapon pod, both from the newer combat cyclone models and the older ones. Combat pods are usually mounted only when the mecha is operating in battlefields or other "hot" zones. Click HERE for a complete listing of cyclone weapon modules. The VR-112 is not equipped with a combat computer, so any bonuses for certain weapon systems do NOT apply when being used on the Samson.

   4. Hand-to-Hand Combat. Punch does 2D6 M.D. Kick does 2D6 M.D. (The VR-112 Samson has an equivalent strength of PS 150!) Leap Kick does 3D6 M.D. Body Flip or Body Block does 2D6 M.D.

   5. Any type of hand-held weapon can be fired by the pilot while in cyclone armor, including the new Gallant 1000 Multi-Weapon System.

   SENSORS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE VR-112 SAMSON (MILITARY VERSION)

   • LASER-RESISTANT CERAMIC COATING: 1/2 damage from laser attacks.
   • SHORT-RANGE RADAR WITH HEADS-UP DISPLAY: Range: 1 mile. Can identify and track up to 10 different targets. (This system was added as an afterthought. Remember, the Samson was not intended for direct combat.)
   • RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: Boosts standard radio in CVR-series armors to 10 mile (16 km) range.
   • MISCELLANEOUS INDICATORS: Altitude, Speed, Power status, Time, Date, Direction, etc. All controlled by on-board computer.
   • HARD POINTS: The Samson Cyclone has several places for the attachment of heavy construction equipment and loads of material.
   • ADAPTABILITY: The VR-112 can be modified to operate in other environments such as underwater or in space. These modifications usually consist of an extra oxygen supply (24 hours) and special jets for maneuvering in different environments, and are available for special assignments. (These modifications are generally not available on Earth during the Third Invid War.)
   • NOTE: the VR-112 Samson is NOT equipped with a Targeting Computer!

   

   http://www.mcs.net/~deitrich/index.html deitrich@mcs.net

   Last Updated: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:14 PST