It is unknown, and indeed unlikely, that the Alphas that left Earth with the SDF-3 are identical with those that returned as part of the Earth liberation task forces. I've included in these tables of parts, an optional "VAF-5" series to meet those needs, and some of the Alpha references from the novels and comics. Also note the ASC VAF-4B and VAF-5K models in the article The Southern Cross Handbook: Prototypes and Stopgap Measures.
Alpha Designation | Description | Standard Weapon Systems -----------------+-----------------------------------+---------------------------- VAF-5B | Alpha design as it left Earth | M1, H1, X1, X2A VAF-6C1/J1/R1 | Standard model (as in RPG) | M1, H1 VAF-6C2/R2/J2 | Mospeada-based models | M1, H2, (X1)*, X2C VAF-6C3/R3 | C/R models with modifications | M1, H1, X1, X2C VAF-6J3 | J model with modifications | M1, H1, X1, X2B VAF-7A | Standard Shadow Fighter (RPG) | M1, H3, X3 VAF-7B | VAF-7A with modifications | M1, H3, X1, X2B VAF-7Q | Drone Alpha (AI piloted) | M1, H3, X1, X3
* Jet lasers are from Mospeada Opening Animation/Robotech Closing Animation, possibly an art error where artist assumed they were guns, not sensor pits (a similar mistake was made in regards to the VF-1 Valkyrie in some episodes of Macross/Robotech). Therefore, they are optional equipment, up to the GM.
It is important to emphasize that there are both manned and unmanned versions of the Shadow Fighters. Only the unmanned versions can use the GR-12, as the cockpit, life support systems, etc. have been replaced by the AI and the launchers themselves. How to tell the difference is simple: The manned fighter has a HEAD (similar to a Vindicator's). The following pictures illustrate the differences:
Upper Left Three Shadow Drones inside Reflex Point.
Upper Right A Shadow Alpha (piloted), with more in the background.
Lower Left Shadow Alphas duriing Atmospheric reentry (one in Guardian, one in Jet Mode).
Lower Right Three Shadow Drones in Jet Mode, in space (note the lack of glass in cockpit, other than the forward sensor).
M1. MM-60 Multi-Missile System with Smoke Dischargers: The smoke screen equipment is noted here because of its location. The positions of the launchers are as follows:
Shoulder Launchers: each holds 8 missiles;
Forearms: two launchers per arm, each holding 5 missiles;
Lower Legs: each lower leg has three launchers, holding 4 missiles each.
There are upper and lower launchers on the outside of the legs, with upper launchers only on the inside area. What appears to be a fourth launcher on each leg (the lower inside positions) are actually smoke dischargers. There are several smoke types available. One is opaque to thermal scans and IR, a second absorbs radar waves, and the third (developed on Tyrol and not available on Earth unless salvaged from a downed ship) is opaque to Protoculture emanations, making it impossible for Invid to use their sensors through it. Modified for skywriting, 3D6+7 letters can be written, but it ruins the dischargers for military use until the conversion reversed.
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Missile Type: Short range missiles.
Mega-Damage: Varies by missile type.
Range: Varies by missile type; usually 2-5 miles.
Rate of Fire: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 30 or all remaining missiles.
Payload: 60 total.
H1. GU-XX 35mm Tri-barrel Gun Pod: The GU-XX can be mounted on the top of the fuselage, but is usually mounted on the underside for use in the pilot's primary hand. When two are carried, both are mounted on the underside (one for each hand). A little-known fact is that the Alpha does not have to deploy its arms in Guardian mode, and can fire the GU-XX from either arm position. The GU-XX is seen in action in the Sentinels video, albeit in a simulator mission, being used to fratricide incoming missiles.
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Missile.
Range: 4000 feet.
Mega-Damage (bursts): Short = 4D6, Medium = 1D4x10, Full Melee = 2D4x10.
Rate of Fire: Short and Medium bursts count as 1 attack each. Full melee bursts take all attacks in the round.
Payload: 40 short bursts; 1 FM = 2 medium = 4 short. One magazine is carried per leg, taking 2 actions to change.
H2. EU-XX Plasma Gun Pod: Mounting is the same as the GU-XX. The Mospeada gun pod was an energy weapon, which is apparent from the art designs of the gun's magazine. Instead of streams of bullets, it fires cohesive blasts of energy that do the same job. However, it is not as good for shooting down missiles (-10% to the attempt).
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Range: 4000 feet.
Mega-Damage: Single Shot: 4D6, Short Burst: 1D4x10, Long Burst: 2D4x10.
Rate of Fire: Single shots & short bursts count as one attack each. A long burst counts as two attacks. Full melee bursts are not possible.
Payload: 40 single shots; 1 long burst = 2 short bursts = 4 single shots. One extra magazine is carried per leg, taking 2 actions to change.
H3. EU-13 Destabilizer: The standard VAF-7A/Q Gun Pod, it functions similarly to an
EU-XX (but uses a magazine) as a hand-held weapon, but can be raised to the shoulder to draw additional power from the VAF-7 to fire a destabilizer blast. A destabilizer blast creates a 2D6+10 foot diameter hole in force fields, allowing access to whatever's protected by the field. Can be seen in the Shadow Alpha/Shadow Drone pics above (firing in upper left, and a good visual of it in upper right).
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Range: 4000 feet.
Mega-Damage: 1D4x10 (bursts not possible).
Rate of Fire: As Pilot's combined Hand to Hand Attacks.
Payload: 40 blasts. One extra magazine is stored in each leg.
H4: Use of a GU-11, GU-12, EU-11 or AKG-47 in place of a GU-XX: Weapon must be used two-handed in Guardian and Battloid modes, like a rifle. See Robotech Book One: Macross for the GU-11, the RDF Sourcebook for the GU-12 and AKG-47, and either the Southern Cross or the Sentinels books for the EU-11. Note that additional magazines cannot be carried for these.
H5. Use of 1 or 2 EU-20 Gun Pods: Can replace the GU-XX/EU-XX, be operated in tandem with one, or two can be carried as per the GU-XX. The EU-20 is found in Southern Cross.
X1. Jet Lasers: These are plainly seen on the nose of the Alpha in Jet and Guardian
modes, between the cockpit and nose tip. They are shown firing in the Robotech end
credits, in art taken from Mospeada's opening credits. However, that art probably was in
error in the same manner as the art that shows Valkyrie jet lasers (the artist mistaking sensor pits as gun ports). They are identical to the jet lasers of the VF-1 Valkyrie (as described in the Robotech RPG) in terms of performance.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Range: 4000 feet.
Mega-Damage: 6D6 per dual blast.
Rate of Fire: As Pilot's combined Hand to Hand Attacks.
Payload: Unlimited.
X2A/B. Head Laser(s): Some sources (the comics & novels) say that Alphas had dual
lasers mounted in the "cheeks" of the head. This entry is to allow the inclusion of them in the RPG. The J model has a single head laser mounted in the center of its forehead.
X2A: Two lasers; X2B: Single Laser.
Primary Purpose: Defense.
Range: 1000 feet (double in space).
Mega-Damage:
X2A: 2D6 each (4D6 per dual blast).
X2B: 4D6 per single blast.
Rate of Fire: As Pilot's combined Hand to Hand Attacks.
Payload: Unlimited.
X2C. Alpha Head Missile Launch System(2): It would appear from this screen grab that, instead of lasers, the Alpha has mini-missiles in the head, for close-in defense. Each "cheek" seems to hold 2 missiles each. This launcher would be related to the GR-97 system of the Cyclone, possibly even the same system with an exterior cowling provided by the head, and different ammo.
Primary Purpose: Defense.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Missile Type: Mini-missiles.
Mega-Damage: Varies by type. Given this design is primarily for close-in defense, Plasma would be rarely used.
Range: Varies by missile type; usually 2-5 miles.
Rate of Fire: 1 or 2 missiles.
Payload: 4 missiles (2 per launcher).
X3. GR-12 Shoulder Launch Systems(2): Each of these holds 12 additional short range missiles, and are actually built into the chest. They function similarly to the shoulder launch systems of some Destroids, and are completely independent of the MM-60 system (cannot be volleyed together). They can only be mounted on the AI drone versions of the Alpha (unless the GM chooses to make a modified version of the VAF-7A as presented in the RPG).
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Missile Type: Short range missiles.
Mega-Damage: Varies, but usually 1D6x10 each.
Range: Varies by missile type; usually 2-5 miles.
Rate of Fire: 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 or all remaining missiles.
Payload: 24 missiles (12 per launcher).
Continue on to the REF Beta Weapons Systems
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