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Original RPG stats by Dave Deitrich By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com)

Ver 1.4 2022.09.22

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Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

VF-17T Kai Nightmare

BACKGROUND

Unlike the Fire Valkyrie and the VF-11MAXL Kai, which were both designed as high-performance interceptors, the VF-17T Kai was built to serve two functions in addition to Spiritia combat: squadron command fighter and weapons transport. Ray Lovelock was assigned as commander of Sound Force, due to his past military experience prior to joining the rock group Fire Bomber, and the VF-17 was given improved communications and sensor systems equal to a command specification VF-17S, in order to help him coordinate the team's attacks. The fighter was also equipped with special hardpoints for transporting custom weaponry, including the giant Speaker Pod Gamma. However, after the development of the Sound Booster units, the VF-17T Kai stopped carrying weaponry into battle, as the Sound Booster units had made such weaponry obsolete.

The VF-17T Kai was the least modified of the three custom designs. The VF design retained most of the major systems of the standard VF-17 Nightmare, including the FF-2100X thermonuclear turbine engines. The head was redesigned and most of the VF-17's weaponry was dropped in favor of the Sound Energy System and other Spiritia warfare systems. Like the other two Sound Force VFs, the VF-17T Kai's controls in the front cockpit were replaced with a "keyboard-stick" control system, that allows skilled pilots such as Ray to actually play music while flying the plane. The rear seat also contained an emergency set of controls integrated into a high-quality electronic drum set. However, in order for the rear pilot to take control of the VF, Veffidas would have had to stop drumming. The VF-17T Kai was also equipped with speakers and a holograph system, which allowed it to create spectacular stage displays and pyrotechnics during a performance. The fighter also retained some design benefits of the basic VF-17, including the radar-absorbing construction materials and highly-angled surfaces, which give the fighter greater stealthiness (though "stealthy" would seldom describe Sound Force's style of attack).

Ray Lovelock and Veffidas piloted the VF-17T Kai together throughout the second half of the Varohta war, and proved to be very capable pilots; although Ray occasionally had trouble as team leader keeping Basara under control. Sound Force became a symbol of the emotional and spiritual strength of the Macross 7 Emigrants, and helped to inspire both civilians and military personnel throughout the war. The VF-17T Kai survived the final battles of the war with only minor damage, and still serves as a key part of Sound Force.

RPG STATS

(1) Head                                          100
    Hands (2)                                      50 each
    Arms (2)                                      120 each
    Shoulders (2)                                 120 each
    Legs & Thrusters (2)                          240 each
(2) Main Body                                     350
    Main Wings (2)                                150 each
    Speaker Gun Pod                               100
    Reinforced Pilots' Compartment/Escape Pod     175
(3) Pinpoint Barrier Shield                       100

1. destroying the head of the VF-17T Kai will knock out the Valkyrie's major sensor systems, including all of the optics systems (infrared, nightvision, thermal). This will also knock out the projector for the Sound Energy System, forcing the Valkyrie to rely on the external Sound Booster for Spiritia attacks. Radar and communications will be unaffected.
2. depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the Valkyrie. The pilots and cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed Valkyrie before it explodes by the Valkyrie's main computer.
3. The Pinpoint Barrier shield regenerates at a rate of 50 MDC per round. Even if completely destroyed, the shield will regenerate within 2 melee rounds. The shield is usually generated on the left or right arm of the VF-17.

SPEEDS:

MAX ENGINE THRUST: 59,500 kg x2

STATISTICAL DATA:

WEIGHT: 12,200 kg

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: equal to a P.S. of 50
CARGO: small compartment below pilots' seats for personal belongings

POWER PLANT: 2 Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/Pratt&Whitney/Rolls Royce FF-2100X Custom thermonuclear turbine engines, designed for spaceuse, but with concealed air intakes for optional use in an atmosphere. 2D horizontal independent convergent/divergent vectored nozzles on engines for thrust vectoring as well as enhanced V/STOL performance and maneuverability. Over 30 P&W HMM-6D high-maneuverability vernier thrusters for additional mobility are mounted on the wingtips, vertical stabilizers, upper and lower surfaces of the nose, and other key locations.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. FIXED MEDIUM-BORE LASER CANNONS:

• RANGE: 4,350 m
• DAMAGE: 1D6x10+10 M.D.
• RATE OF FIRE: single shots only. The cannons can be fire-linked so that firing both cannons at the same time counts as one attack (does double damage).
• PAYLOAD: effectively unlimited

2. INTERNAL MISSILE LAUNCHERS (4):

• MISSILE TYPES: HMM-18 General-purpose Micro-missiles, though any type of micro-missile can be used.
• RATE OF FIRE: volleys of 1 to 4
• PAYLOAD: 8 missiles per launcher; 32 total

3. SPEAKER LAUNCHER GUN POD: (1)

• RANGE: 1,800 m
• DAMAGE: a speaker pod does 1D10 MD on impact from armor penetration. The Gun Pod can be used for sprays. Refer to the Gun Pods and Beam Machine Gun Burst and Spray Rules for alternatives.
• SPECIAL EFFECTS: the loud music played by the Speaker Pods is very distracting—pilots forced to listen to it in combat suffer -2 to initiative and -1 to strike and dodge. In addition, the music may cause a Spiritia reaction in the minds of brainwashed Varōta pilots. The only way to remove a speaker pod is to physically cut it out of the vehicle back at base.
• ACTIVATION COST (amount of Spiritia required to activate the unit): none, as this is merely a speaker and does not require Spiritia to activate.
• RATE OF FIRE: equal to the pilot's combined number of attacks. The gun pod isn't limited to bursts of 10, or 20 rounds. Any variation can be fired (it is recommended to stick to multiples of 10 for ease of damage resolution).
• PAYLOAD: 20 rounds. Additional ammo clips can be inserted, but exchanging clips requires the VF-17 to be in Battroid or GERWALK, and takes 2 actions to reload. One (two [2]?) spare clip is stored in the left leg of the VF-17.

4. INTERNAL WEAPON BAYS (2):

• NUMBER OF PALLETS: 2, 1 per engine nacelle
• LOADOUT: B-7 Standard Internal Pallet, though any type of Pallet System can be used

5. WING HARD POINTS (6)

The VF-17 Nightmare has 3 hardpoints per wing, for a total of 6. The standard combat loadout for the VF-17 is as follows. For alternatives, refer to the Hardpoint and Missile Details. It is possible to have the same type of munition on all hardpoints.

Note: the Ventral Super Packs cover the inner hardpoints (C & D) and middle hardpoints (B & E). When the Ventral Super Packs are mounted, the VF-17 usually carries only AAM-01S Medium Missiles or RMS-4 Reaction Missiles.

Speaker Pod Gamma: an option sound warfare weapon of the VF-19E Kai. The gun pod is usually carried into battle under the VF-17T Kai, mounted in two parts on the wing hardpoints. The Speaker Pod Gamma Launcher must be hand loaded in the field immediately before use (requires 2 actions by both the VF-19E Kai and VF-17T Kai). The Speaker Pod Gamma is designed to penetrate enemy capital ships in order to broadcast the VF-19E Kai's pilot's music. After penetrating the target's armor, the Speaker Pod is fixed with a stopper and filler. The Speaker Pod Unit designed by Dr. Chiba before Spiritia technology was introduced. It was designed for anti-warship effectiveness. The only way to get rid of the Speaker Pod is to physically remove it. NOTE: this not a Sound Energy System (SES), this is just a normal speaker unit.

MDC VALUE
Speaker Launcher: 250
Speaker Pod: 150

• RANGE: 3,000 m
• DAMAGE: does 1D10x100 M.D. on impact from armor penetration. Once embedded in a target's armor, the pod will extract anchors that adhere it to the ship's hull. The only way to remove it is to physically cut it out of the ship back at base.
• SPECIAL EFFECTS: the loud music played by the Speaker Pod is very distracting; crew forced to listen to it in combat suffer a -3 to initiative and a -2 to strike. In addition, the music may cause a Spiritia reaction in the minds of brainwashed Varōta pilots. The only way to remove a speaker pod is to physically cut it out of the vehicle back at base.
• ACTIVATION COST (amount of Spiritia required to activate the unit): none, as this is merely a speaker and does not require Spiritia to activate.
• RATE OF FIRE: 1 per round.
• PAYLOAD: 1 Speaker Pod Gamma with no reload. Additional Speaker Pod Gamma can be carried by other craft, but loading still requires 2 actions by both the VF-19E Kai and the carrying craft.

AAM-01S Medium Missile
• LOCATION: inner hardpoints (C & D)
• RATE OF FIRE: volleys of 1–3 per hardpoint
• PAYLOAD: 3 per hardpont; 6 total
UUM-9 Micro-Missile Launcher Pod (AOM-8S Two-stage Interception Missile, post 2040)
• LOCATION: middle hardpoints (B & E)
• RATE OF FIRE: volleys of 1–8 per hardpoint
• PAYLOAD: 32 HMMM-8 missiles per pod; 64 total
AIM-4 Agile Falcon (CHM-2 High Speed Manueverable Missile, post 2040)
• LOCATION: outer hardpoints (A & F)
• RATE OF FIRE: 1 per hardpoint
• PAYLOAD: 1 per hardpoint; 2 total
or

RMS-4 Reaction Missile
The VF-17 can mount one RMS-4 Reaction Missile on the outer hardpoints (A & F) on each wing. If mounted, NO other ordinace can be mounted on the middle hardpoints (B & E). Generally UUM-9 Micro-Missile Launcher Pods are mounted on the inner (C & D) hardpoints. Reaction Missiles are always fired in the opening moments of a battle.

• LOCATION: outer hardpoints (A & F)
• RATE OF FIRE: 1 per hardpoint.
• PAYLOAD: 1 per hardpoint, for a maximum of 2

6. HOWARD PBS-03F PIN-POINT BARRIER SYSTEM:

• Protection: 100 MDC total
• Regeneration Rate: 50 MDC per round
• Size: The barrier can be up to 3 m in diameter
• Duration: unlimited

7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT

DAMAGE:

• Restrained Punch: 1D6 M.D.
• Full Strength Punch: 4D6 M.D.
• "Booster" Punch: 1D6x10 M.D. (counts as two attacks)
• Tear or Pry with Hands: 2D4 M.D. + additional ripping and frame damages.
• Kick: 4D6 M.D.
• Leap Kick: 2D6x10 M.D.
• Body Flip/Throw: 2D6 M.D.
• Body Block/Tackle: 2D6 M.D.
• Stomp: 1D6x10 M.D. (only effective against small objects) Note that for some objects, they will be instantly destroyed.

COMPATIBLE SUPER PACKS

The VF-17 has the option of mounting Transatmospheric Super Parts; a pair of propellant tank and booster units mounted on the dorsal section, and a pair of conformal propellant tanks mounted on either side of the fuselage in Fighter, or on the lower leg in GERWALK and Battroid. The dorsal Super Packs contain two Pulse Laser Guns. The ventral Super Packs contain two different micro-missile launchers, each. The Super Packs have been designed with the same passive stealth construction techniques as the VF-17 itself, and they do not interfere with the Nightmare's stealth bonuses when worn. The Super Parts were first produced in 2040, and are not available earlier except in prototype forms (which may or may not have similar capabilities; GM's discretion).

1A. DORSAL SUPER PACK PULSE LASER GUN

• RANGE: GM's option: further penalties to strike at long range if the VF-17 Nightmare is engaging in maneuvers. Following is for not moving and carefully positioning the VF to aim properly.
  • to 21,750 m: no penalties to hit
  • to 43,500 m (maximum range): -3 to strike. Roll 1D4 per gun:
    • 1: glancing blow roll for damage and divide by 1/4
    • 2: glancing blow roll for damage and divide by 1/2
    • 3 & 4: Direct hit normal damage
• DAMAGE: 2D6x10+30 M.D. per gun. The two guns can be fire-linked, for a damage of 5D6x10.
• RATE OF FIRE: single pulse shots only. The cannons can be fire-linked; firing both cannons at the same target counts as one attack.
• PAYLOAD: 20 shots total before the energy pack is depleted. 20 single shots, or 10 two-cannon shots. Usually two (2) shots are kept in reserve for blasting a hole in the side of an enemy capital ship - if enemy capital ships are present. The energy pack must be recharged back at base.

1Bi. VENTRAL SUPER PACK MULTI~MISSILE LAUNCHER

• MISSILE TYPES: HMM-18 General-purpose Micro-missiles, though any type of micro-missile can be used
• RATE OF FIRE: volleys of 1 to 11. The launchers are fire linkable with the other micro-missiles launchers on the VF-17.
• PAYLOAD: 11 missiles per launcher; 22 total.

1Bii. VENTRAL SUPER PACK PORTED MISSILE LAUNCHER

• MISSILE TYPES: HMM-18 General-purpose Micro-missiles, though any type of micro-missile can be used.
• RATE OF FIRE: volleys of 1 to 4. The launchers are fire linkable with the other micro-missiles launchers on the VF-17.
• PAYLOAD: 10 missiles per launcher; 40 total.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE VF-17T KAI SOUND FORCE CUSTOM:

• AUTO-PILOT: the VF-17T Kai is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto-pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the Valkyrie. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
• COMBAT COMPUTER: the VF-17T is equipped with an advanced AI combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data collected by the combat computer is continually displayed and updated on the virtual environment cockpit of the Valkyrie. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
• ESCAPE POD: the entire reinforced cockpit of the VF-17 Custom is a detachable escape pod that can be jettisoned when the Valkyrie is destroyed. The ejected cockpit does not contain thrusters, but does contain a powerful locator beacon and an integrated life support system that can support both pilots for up to 24 hours after ejection. The pod is also equipped with parachutes in case of ejection in an atmosphere. The combat computer is programmed to automatically eject the escape pod if the Valkyrie is destroyed (main body MDC reduced to 0), but this can be overridden if the pilots are feeling suicidal for some reason.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: range: 91.5 m. A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 91.5 m away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a rupture in the shields, and what the levels of radiation are.
• HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTORS: each shoulder of the VF-17T Kai has a built-in holographic projector. Primarily designed for impressive stage pyrotechnics, the projectors aren't powerful enough to generate coherent images or "cloak" the Valkyrie to hide it from view. However, they can be used to "dazzle" an enemy pilot temporarily. When used, any enemies looking directly at the Nightmare suffer a -3 to initiative and to hit rolls for one round; after that, they will accustom themselves to the display and no longer be affected.
• HOMING SIGNAL: the escape pod of the VF-17T Kai is equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 640 km. Most Unified Forces ships and Variable Fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
• KEYBOARD-STICK CONTROL SYSTEM (FRONT SEAT): like the Fire Valkyrie, one of the strangest and most unique features of the VF-17T Kai is its control system. The front cockpit of the Valkyrie completely eliminates the standard pilot controls in favor of a specially constructed musical "keyboard", which provides all the controls necessary to fly the plane. This allows skilled pilots of the VF-17T Kai to fly the plane in combat WHILE PLAYING MUSIC! The new controls do take a little getting used to, however, and anyone flying the VF-17T Kai will suffer a -2 penalty to hit and to dodge until he or she accustoms himself/herself to the new arrangement. The rear seat of the VF-17T Kai does not have a keyboard-stick. Instead it has a traditional set of VF controls in addition to a sound plate percussion setup (see below).
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 160 km. Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the Valkyrie's strike bonus.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 610 m. This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the Valkyrie's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 610 m. A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 610 m. A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RADAR: 321 km range.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: a long-range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 960 km, or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: to prevent capture of a Variable Fighter by the enemy, the pilot can activate the VF-17's self-destruct system, which will cause the fighter to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by either pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 6 m area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
• SOUND ENERGY SYSTEM: the VF-17T Custom is equipped with the revolutionary Sound Energy System (SES), developed by Dr. Gadget M. Chiba of the Macross 7 science team. The SES allows the pilots of the VF to focus their spiritia powers, and use them for attack and defense. The SES allows the pilots of the VF-17T Kai to conduct separate or combined Spiritia attacks and defenses as outlined in the Spiritia RPG rules (coming soon), provided the characters have Spiritia skills. Consult the Spiritia rules for a full explanation of these powers and their effects.
• SOUND PLATE ELECTRONIC PERCUSSION SYSTEM: the control space for the rear seat of the VF-17T Kai is primarily taken up by a "Sound Plate" electronic percussion system, consisting of various drum heads, drum plates and pedals that make up a well-equipped drummer's set. Although the system is of very high quality, it does not possess any unusual qualities or doubles as a control system for the aircraft. Interspersed among the drum heads are an abbreviated set of aircraft controls for the VF, so that the copilot can take control if necessary. However, in order to use the controls the pilot must stop drumming.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: all Unified Forces VFs come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.).
• STEALTH CONSTRUCTION: the VF-17T Kai is designed with special materials and angled surfaces in order to help decrease the Nightmare's radar reflection, thus making it ideal for recon and surgical strike missions. These features provide a constant +2 to initiative rolls made during combat by the VF-17T Kai. Note that this is a PASSIVE stealth system, and not an active one like a cloaking device. The +2 initiative bonus will continue so long as the Valkyrie is functional.
• STEREO LOUDSPEAKERS: a special loudspeaker is built into the chest of the Valkyrie, which can be used to amplify the pilot's voice up to 300 decibels. The loudspeaker is normally used to project music during combat.
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: the VF-17T's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilots' flight suits that provides them with pressurized breathing. The Unified Forces flight suit also contains an upper and lower G-suit, that promotes blood circulation even during high-G turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.
• VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT COCKPIT: the VF-17T is equipped with an innovative new cockpit layout that provides monitors below and around the pilot, in addition to the HUD cockpit dome. In flight, these monitors display what is below and behind the aircraft, giving the pilot a tremendous field of view that is unparalled by any other aircraft (with the possible exception of the YF-21's BDI (Brain-Direct Imaging system)). This wide view in addition to the combat computer's cockpit overlays give the VF-17T Kai a +1 to dodge and initiative rolls, in addition to any other bonuses.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR NIGHTMARE VF TRAINING:

• Basic training for non-pilot military personnel
• 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine and fifteen
• +1 on initiative (plus stealth bonuses, see above)
• +1 to strike
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge in Battroid, +3 in GERWALK, +5 in Fighter
• +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half
• No leap dodge
• No leap kick
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round

• Advanced training for pilots specializing in the VF-17T Custom.
• 4 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels two, five, seven and ten
• +2 on initiative (plus stealth bonuses, see above)
• +2 to strike
• +3 to parry
• +3 to dodge in Battroid, +5 in GERWALK, +7 in Fighter
• +3 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half
• +3 to leap dodge. A leap dodge is an automatic dodge which causes no loss of attacks per melee. The new generation Variable Fighters are so maneuverable, that the pilot can dodge an attack while moving to counterattack an enemy.
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand
• Body block/tackle/ram - 1D6 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round

REFERENCES

Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules Macross 7

This is Animation The Select: Macross 7 Animation Materials Macross Compendium VF-17 Nightmare article