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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com)
Original Stats by Dave Deitrich 		Ver 1.1 2022.09.23
Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

FBz-99 Zaubāgeran

The following material is an adaptation of mecha from MACROSS 7, a sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to me and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
FBZ99fighter1 (31K)

BACKGROUND

Like the Fz-109 Elgerzorene, the FBz-99 Zaubāgeran is a Varōta mecha design based on stolen technology from the Megaroad-13 Emigrant Fleet. The Zaubāgeran is designed after the VAB-2 Fighter/Bomber produced by Northrom Grumman (designers of the VA-3 Invader Bomber) and used by the Unified Space Forces between 2025 and 2035. The FBz-99 was designed to complement the Fz-109 and to serve as a missile platform which could deliver a large number of missiles against multiple targets. The Zaubāgeran was undergoing final design tests when the Macross 7 encountered the Varōta forces in 2045, and thus was not encountered in great numbers until almost halfway through the Macross 7/Varōta war.

The Zaubāgeran uses a "flying wing" design consisting of a large wingspan with a relatively short body. This design provides exceptional stability and maneuverability when flying within a planetary atmosphere. The FBz-99 has four main engines (two on the wings, two in the legs) plus numerous large and small verniers which can produce considerable thrust and maneuverability when necessary. However the most distinctive advantage of the mecha is its immense firepower. The Zaubāgeran mounts SIX separate missile launcher systems that can fire over 120 short-range missiles in a single round if necessary. This type of first-strike firepower can decimate an entire squadron of VF-11 Thunderbolts before they can even reach close combat range in a battle. As backup weapons, the FBz-99 is also armed with a variety of beam cannons for close to medium-range combat and defense. And as with all Varōta Variable Fighters, the Zaubāgeran is equipped with a Spiritia Absorption Beam for draining the Spiritia Energy of enemy pilots when possible. The FBz-99 is also equpped with a new Spiritia Defense System that was intended to help pilots resist the effects of Basara Nekki's and Sound Force's Spiritia attacks, but unfortunately the system tended to fail when the mecha were assaulted with concentrated attacks from Sound Force.

FBZ99soldier1 (46K) The introduction of the Zaubāgeran in the Macross 7/Varōta war initially tipped the scales in favor of the Varōta in terms of firepower, as the Unified Space Forces did not yet have a heavy weapons platform that could counter the armament of the fighter/bomber. But by the time the FBz-99 reached the battlefield the Macross 7 had started using the Spiritia powers of Sound Force in combat, and the brainwashed nature of the pilots proved a liability as Basara freed them of their programming. In addition, Macross 7 pilots began using modified tactics such as using medium and long range missiles to eliminate the FBz-99s before they could reach optimum firing range and use their short range missiles to maximum effect. Still, the Zaubāgeran proved to be a formidable opponent and served well throughout the remainder of the war.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type:
FBz-99G (Standard version)
Class: All-environment Variable Fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer: Varōta, based on technology from Northrom Grumman
Crew: One pilot wearing Tactical Life Support System

MDC BY LOCATION:

    Head Sensor Antennae                                  50
(1) Head                                                 120
    Hands (2)                                             50 each
    Arms (2)                                             120 each
(2) Shoulders/Missile Launchers/Engine Nacelles (2)      120 each
    Shoulder Lasers (4, 2 per shoulder)                   50 each
(3) Legs & Thrusters (2)                                 250 each
(4) Rear Ventral Thrusters (2)                            40 each
(5) Main Body                                            400
    Main Body Missile Launchers (4)                       75 each
    Wings (2)                                            150 each
    Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod              150

NOTES:
1. Destroying the head of the Zaubāgeran will knock out the mecha's major sensor systems, including all radar, nightvision, thermal, and Spiritia sensors, and even the main optical systems. This puts the pilot in a VERY bad position, as he will have to rely on backup sensors not designed for combat. The pilot will suffer a -5 to hit and dodge, and have a -5 penalty to initiative until he can retreat and have his sensors fixed. The Spiritia Absorption Beam and Head Laser will also be destroyed if the head is knocked out.
2. Destroying the Shoulder/Engine Nacelle will knock out one of the FBz-99's main engines and reduce thrust/speed by 30%. The arm, shoulder lasers, and shoulder missile launcher will also be destroyed for that shoulder. Destroying both shoulders will reduce thrust/speed by 60%.
3. Destroying a leg will knock out one of the Zaubāgeran's main thrusters, which will reduce overall speed/thrust by 15% and cause a -1 penalty to dodge. Destroying both legs will reduce thrust/speed by 30% and reduce dodge by -2.
4. Destroying a ventral thruster will reduce speed by 5% and cause a -1 penalty to dodge. Destroying both ventral thrusters will drop thrust/speed by 10% and impose a -2 to dodge.
5. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. The pilot may attempt to eject in the cockpit section/escape pod before the Variable Fighter explodes, but the computer will NOT automatically eject the escape pod like Unified Space Forces Variable Fighters are designed to do.

FBZ99soldier2 (32K)

SPEEDS:

RUNNING, Battroid CONFIGURATION: 112 kmph
LEAPING, Battroid CONFIGURATION: 6 m high or 9 m long without thrusters.
FLYING, Battroid CONFIGURATION: 320 kmph maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, GERWALK CONFIGURATION: Mach One (1,072 kmph) maximum speed limit in an Earth-like atmosphere. Can also hover in place indefinitely.
FLYING, FIGHTER CONFIGURATION: 1,040 kmph (Mach 0.97) max speed at 8,000 m or less above sea level. Mach 2.2+ (2,355 kmph) max speed at 8,000-38,000 m above sea level. Mach 3.0+ (3,210 kmph) max speed at 38,000+ m above sea level. The FBz-99 is fully transatmospheric and can attain orbit above an Earth-type planet without extra booster assistance. Maximum rate of ascent is 14,000 m/minute. G limits are +13.8 to -9.3 standard Earth gravity.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT:
22.95 m in Battroid configuration.
12.62 m in GERWALK configuration.
3.44 m in Fighter configuration.
WIDTH:
15.88 m at shoulders in Battroid configuration.
37.81 m in GERWALK or Fighter configuration with wings at maximum extension.
LENGTH:
10.00 m in Battroid configuration.
14.54 m in GERWALK configuration.
18.18 m in fighter configuration.
WEIGHT: 22,600 kg (empty)

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:
Equal to a P.S. of 75
CARGO:
Small compartment behind pilot's seat for personal belongings.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. FIXED SHOULDER-MOUNTED SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):
    The FBz-99 Zaubāgeran's primary combat role is that of a Fighter/Bomber, and in order to fulfill that role it is equipped with a large number of internal missile launchers scattered across its hull. The largest launchers are located in the shoulders of the Variable Fighter in Battroid mode, and on the engine nacelles in GERWALK and Fighter modes. Each shoulder launcher has 11 missile tubes and holds 33 missiles (3 per tube). The launcher can fire one missile per tube per melee round (including reload time), so volleys of up to 11 missiles can be fired per launcher per round. Armor-piercing Short Range Missiles are standard issue, but other types can be mounted if desired.

  2. FIXED MAIN-BODY SHORT-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):
    In addition to the shoulder missile launchers, the FBz-99 has two 5-barrel missile launchers on the top of the main body. Each launcher holds 15 missiles. In Battroid mode the launchers are located on either side of the head of the Variable Fighter, but in GERWALK and Fighter modes they are concealed within the main body. In these modes the launchers pop up out of the main body to fire when necessary. Again, armor-piercing Short Range Missiles are standard issue, but other types can be mounted if desired.

  3. ROTARY MICRO-MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2):
    The most devastating artillery weapon on the Zaubāgeran are two rotating missile launchers on the lower main body of the Variable Fighter. These launchers rotate while being fired so that some missile tubes are being reloaded while others are firing. This results in a devastating rate of fire for the launchers. In GERWALK and Fighter modes these launchers are also concealed within the main body, and lower out of the mecha when firing in these modes. Armor-piercing or high-explosive Micro-Missiles are standard issue.

  4. SHOULDER-MOUNTED BEAM CANNONS:
    The main energy weapons for the FBz-99 are four beam cannons mounted on the shoulders/engine nacelles of the Variable Fighter. These guns are normally mounted in the engines and are fixed forward, but they can extend out of the engine nacelles and pivot up to 60° up, down, left or right of the mecha. These cannons are mostly used for anti-aircraft and missile defense.

    FBZ99cannon (43K)

  5. ARM-MOUNTED LASER PULSE CANNONS:
    In place of gun pods, the Zaubāgeran is armed with two rapid-fire pulse lasers in the arms of the Variable Fighter. These cannons fire forward out of the lower main wing in Fighter mode, or out of the palms of the fighter's hands in GERWALK/Battroid modes.

  6. Spiritia ABSORPTION BEAM: The most unique weapon on the Varōta Variable Vehicles is the Spiritia Absorption Beam. A product of Varōta technology, this energy beam is designed to drain the Spiritia from a humanoid and store it for later use. This is the main purpose of the Varōta Variable Vehicles—to serve as a combat ready vehicle for retrieving Spiritia from the Varōta's enemies. The Variable Vehicle has 3 Spiritia Absorber (briefcase type) canisters to store a large supply of captured Spiritia. The Spiritia Absorption Beam projects a pencil-thin beam of energy that can penetrate ANY form of armour (even starship armour) without any reduction in strength. Fortunately, the beam has a fairly short range and must be used in close combat. Furthermore, for the beam to have any effect it must strike the BRAIN of a victim—if it hits any other part of the body all the beam produces is a mild stinging sensation. For this reason the beam is usually only used after a target has been incapacitated or otherwise restrained. FZ109beam (41K)

  7. HAND TO HAND COMBAT:
    If necessary, the pilot of the FBz-99 can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The Variable Fighter is extremely agile and can execute most typical hand to hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, rolling with impacts, etc..

    DAMAGE:

FBZ99fighter2 (29K)

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE FBz-99:

COMBAT BONUSES FOR Zaubāgeran FIGHTER TRAINING:

NOTE: FBz-99s are often piloted by brainwashed humanoids from the Macross 5 Emigrant Fleet. Brainwashed pilots tend to be sluggish, and suffer a -2 to initiative and -1 to hit and dodge rolls during combat.

FBZ99fighter3 (8K) FBz-99 Zaubāgeran COMBAT TRAINING

REFERENCES
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Macross 7
  • Macross Chronicle FBz-99 article
  • Macross 7 Animation Materials
  • Macross Compendium FBz-99 Zaubāgeran article

    • © Aaron Sketchley
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