MBF-M1 M1 Astray Gundam

Disclaimers:
1. I do not own nor am I affiliated with BANDAI, which owns the anime Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, and have copyrights to the anime character and mecha information stated below. All credit regarding the anime should go to BANDAI.
2. I am also not the owner or affiliated with Palladium Books, whose RPG game format I am using to adapt Mobile Suit Gundam Seed characters and mecha for private gaming purposes. All credit regarding the RPG should go to Palladium.
3. I am working on this game only for NON-PROFIT purposes.






MBF-M1 M1 Astray Gundam



RPG Notes:

Mecha Designed by: BANDAI
RPG format by: PALLADIUM BOOKS
RPG Stats by: Ultimate Coordinator (ultimatecoordinator7@yahoo.com.ph)
Text Format Adapted From: DAVE DEITRICH (deitrich@mediaone.net)
Background info adapted from MECHA ANIME HQ (http://www.mahq.net)





Background Information

The MBF-M1 M1 Astray is Orb's way of having the force necessary to keep their independence from the Earth Alliance and ZAFT, as well as their neutrality in the war.

The M1 Astray is based on the prototype MBF-P01, MBF-P02 and MBF-P03 Gundam Astray units developed on Heliopolis, which in turn are based on stolen data from the Earth Alliance's initial five prototype Gundams. Whereas the three prototypes are later customized by their individual pilots, the M1 Astrays are simple mass production suits armed only with Vulcan guns, a beam rifle and beam sabers.

During the development of the M1 Astray at Orb's Morganraete facility, lead researcher Erica Simmons is unable to create an operating system that will allow Naturals to pilot a mobile suit as well as Coordinators. However, with the arrival of the Earth Alliance battleship Archangel, Kira Yamato creates a custom OS for the M1 Astray based on the modified OS from his GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. With this new OS, Natural pilots are now able to fight on a level comparable to Coordinators.

The M1 Astrays are first deployed during the Alliance's invasion of Orb, and the surviving units are transferred to space on the battleship Kusanagi. While the M1 Astrays perform well against ZAFT's aging ZGMF-1017 GINN and the Alliance's GAT-01 Strike Dagger, they fare worse against ZAFT's latest mass production model, the ZGMF-600 GuAIZ.




Primary Data

Unit Type: Mobile Suit
Class: Mass Production Multipurpose Combat Mobile Suit
Manufacturer: Morganraete (Orb)
Primary Factory: Heliopolis Colony (Orb)/Onogoro Island, Orb
First Deployment: CE 71
Production Run: Not Available
Operators: Orb Union
Crew: One (1) Pilot. There is space for one passenger but no seat (stand at side or back of pilot, or sit on pilot’s lap)
Operating System:
General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver (G.U.N.D.A.M.) Synthesis System Version NV8-N099 (Modified)
Weapons Systems:
Mobile Suit Mode:
• “Igelstellung” 75mm CIWS Vulcan Guns (2)
• Type-70 Beam Sabers (2)
• Type 71 Beam Rifle
• Anti-Beam Shield




MDC by Location

Head 80
Hands (2) 50 each
Arms 100 each
Shoulders (2) 150 each
Legs (2) 1750 each
Main Body 250
Main Thrusters (4) 80 each
Thruster Wings (4) 50 each
Beam Rifle 100
Anti-Beam Shield 500
Beam Saber Pommels (2) 50 each


Notes:

1. Destroying the head of the M1 Astray Gundam will knock the mobile suit’s primary sensors, including all the optics systems (infrared, night vision, thermal) Radar and communications will not be affected. The CIWS mounted on the head are also destroyed.
2. Depleting the MDC of the Main Body will destroy the mobile suit. If online, the ultra-compact energy battery of the MS will explode, causing an additional 1d4 x 100 MDC of damage to all units within 100 meters of the MS. There is NO automatic ejection of the pilot should the MS explodes. If the pilot succeeds in shutting down before or if the battery charge is depleted when the main body MDC is depleted, there is no explosion and the MS is shut down. The pilot can successfully escape from the MS cockpit.
3. Depleting the MDC or severing the legs of the M1 Astray will prohibit the mobile suit from walking or running, although jet-assisted leaps and flight can be possible, but flight speed is cut in half





Technical Data

Head Height: 17.53 meters
Weight: 53.5 metric tons (max gross weight)


Movement Speeds:

Running:
120 mph (192 kph). Walking speed is 30-40 mph (60-80kph).
Leaping
50 feet (15m) high or 70 feet (21m) long without thrusters
Flying, Atmosphere:
• 500mph/800kph with max flight ceiling of 2000 feet
• The M1 Astray Gundam is capable of flight and aerial maneuvering in atmosphere only in short periods of time (1-4 rounds) before needing to. The M1 Astray is also capable of reentry from space to earth’s atmosphere, with a maximum safe controlled drop entry velocity of Mach 4.2 (2814mph/4502kph) at the outer layers of the atmosphere. However, it is not capable of achieving escape velocity to break thru Earth’s gravity into space without additional rocket assistance. Structural G-limits are +23.5 to –16.5 Earth gravities.
Flying, Space
• Mach 1.4 (1000mph/1600kph)
Underwater:
• 80mph (160kph) at depths of 0-2000 meters below sea level.




Power Systems Data

Power Plant: Type 2 Ultra-compact Energy Battery, Auxiliary Power Unit
Energy Units (full charge):
• Type 2 Ultra-compact Energy Battery: 1250 EU
• Auxiliary Power Unit: 125 EU
Energy Use:
• Idle: 1 EU per round
• Walking: 2 EU per round
• Running: 3 EU per round
• Underwater: 4 EU per round
• Flying (Atmosphere/Space): 5 EU per round

Weapons Systems:


1) “Igelstellung” 75mm close-in weapons system (CIWS) Vulcan guns (2) – The MBF-M1 M1 Astray mounts two linked-fire Vulcan guns used for anti-missile fire and short ranged combat. The guns are mounted on both sides of the head. The Vulcan guns can fire at a 75-degree turning arc of the head, on a frontal facing of the mobile suit.
• Primary Purpose: anti-missile/anti-aircraft
• Secondary Purpose: point-blank/short ranged attack
• Range: 2000 feet (600 meters)
• Damage: 2d4 MD per short burst, 4d4 per long burst, 1d4 x10 for full melee burst.
• Rate of Fire: Equal to the number of attacks of the pilot and mobile suit
• Payload: 100 rounds, equal to 20 short burst, 10 long burst, or 5 full melee burst.
• Power Usage: 1 EU per attack

2) Type 70 Beam Sabers (2) – The primary melee weapons of the M1 Astray are two Type 70 Beam Sabers mounted behind the shoulder of the mobile suit. The sabers can be used singly, or both if the hand actuators are not holding anything. Utilizing the contact of charged particles and extreme heat energy for penetration, the beam saber’s blade can cut through most metals used by armored mobile weapons. A successful critical strike roll by the mobile suit can sever a joint or part of a mobile suit or mobile armor during the attack, as long as it was a called shot attack. A failed critical strike roll but successful attack roll will do normal damage to the target. The beam saber can also be used to parry other melee beam weapons. A successful parry roll is needed to do a saber block. The beam saber, however, can only be used as long as there is enough EU that can be used from the main energy battery. Power from the APU cannot be used by the beam sabers.
• Primary Purpose: Melee Assault
• Range: Melee
• Damage: Per saber: Slashing attack: 2d8 x 10 MD; Piercing attack: 3d6 x 10 MD; can sever a joint or part of a mobile suit or mobile armor with a successful critical strike roll in a call shot attack. Double damage when both sabers are used at the same time.
• Payload: reliant on power supplied by mobile suit.
• Power Usage: 15 EU per round/saber

3) Type 71 Beam Rifle – The primary hand-held ranged weapon of the M1 Astray is the Type 71 Beam Rifle. The Type 71 rifle is Morganraete’s mass produced version of the 57mm High Energy Beam Rifle of the GAT-X105 Strike. The beam rifle is usually held by the M1 Astray’ right hand, although it is usable on the left with no change in performance. Via an interlocking hard point, the power conduit of the rifle connects to the palm of the hand, and power can be sourced from the M1 Astray’ main power supply to provide beam energy for the rifle.
• Primary Purpose: Assault
• Secondary Purpose: Anti-mobile suit
• Range: 5000 feet (1500 meters) in atmosphere; 10000 feet (3000 meters) in space
• Damage: 2d6 x 10 MD per shot, the energy rifle cannot fire bursts.
• Rate of Fire: One shot per attack. Number of total attacks equal to number of attacks of pilot and mobile suit.
• Payload: reliant on power supplied by mobile suit.
• Power Usage: 15 EU per attack

4) Anti-Beam Shield – The M1 Astray can carry an anti-beam shield which the mobile suit can use to block attacks. The shield is mounted on the left arm by default, although it can be used on the right hand. The shield provides 500 MDC of protection. The shield was specifically design to defend against beam weaponry (beam rifles, beam sabers, hyper-impulse cannons, etc). The shield can absorb 75 MD of beam damage without depleting its MDC. Any beam attack with more than 75 MD of damage will minus 75 MD from it while the rest will be HALVED then subtracted from the remaining MDC of the shield. Projectile weapons (auto-cannons, missiles, grenades, impact weapons, melee weapons, etc) will cause full damage to the shield. In order to use the shield, the pilot must declare that he will parry an attack with it. He then makes a successful parry roll to intercept an incoming attack. The shield is destroyed when its MDC reaches 0, and any excess MD is subtracted from the arm actuator that held the shield.
• Primary Purpose: Anti-beam defense
• Secondary Purpose: Defense
• Damage Capacity: 500 MD
• Power Usage: None

5) Hand To Hand Combat – If necessary, the M1 Astray can engage in melee combat rather than use a weapon. The M1 Astray is agile and can execute most typical hand-to-hand combat moves, such as punches, jump kicks, leap attacks, etc.

Damage:
• Restrained Punch: 1d6 MD
• Full Strength Punch: 3d6 MD
• “Booster” Punch: 5d6 MD (counts as two attacks)
• Tear/Pry with Hand Actuators: 2d6 MD
• Kick: 2d4 MD
• Leap Kick: 3d6 MD
• Body Flip/Throw: 4d6 MD
• Stomp: 2d6 MD (only effective against objects up to the height of the MS’ knees)









Standard Equipment

General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver (G.U.N.D.A.M.) Synthesis System (ORB Modified) – This was the first OS created, and was used for the Earth Alliance’s G Project. The MBF-M1 M1 Astray, GAT-X103 Buster, GAT-X105 Strike, GAT-X207 Blitz and GAT-X303 Aegis used this OS. As originally implemented, the G.U.N.D.A.M Synthesis System was incomplete and can only be used clumsily by Natural pilots. Kira Yamato completed and corrected the system by early June CE 71. Orb's MBF-P01 M1 Astray Gold Frame, MBF-P02 M1 Astray Red Flame, MBF-P03 M1 Astray Blue Frame, MBF-02 Strike Rouge and ORB-01 Akatsuki also use a clone of the G.U.N.D.A.M Synthesis System, which along with other G Project technology was copied by Morganraete on Heliopolis. It is possible, though unconfirmed, that both the EA’s and Orb’s mass-production mobile suits use a variant of the G.U.N.D.A.M Synthesis System that is refined for use by Natural pilots.

Ultra-compact Energy Battery – The main power plant of the M1 Astray is a Type 2 ultra-compact energy battery that provides the power required to operate the mobile suit and its component systems. The battery is rechargeable, using conduits that connect to an external power source at a base or carrier vessel. Recharging time for the M1 Astray’ battery is 1 hour for a full charge. The weapons systems and phase shift armor of the M1 Astray rely on the power provided by the energy battery, and they drain energy from the power supply with their use. If the energy battery is drained, the weapons are powerless and cannot be used. The only weapons functioning will be the Iglestellung CIWS, which can draw power from the APU.

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) – The M1 Astray’ has an auxiliary power unit that provides reserve power supply rated at 10% of the main Type 2 battery’s power capacity should the primary energy battery is drained or shut down. The APU provides the MS emergency power for its essential systems, such as radio communications, internal cockpit and instrumentation lighting, main computer operation, cockpit hatch, ventilation, etc. These systems use a minimal amount of power (1 EU per round) at idle. The APU provides power for the Iglestellung CIWS even if the main battery is shut down. The APU also provides power for maneuvering (walking, running, leaping, flying) to allow the MS to withdraw from battle and/or return to its base, as long as the APU has energy left. If the APU’s energy is zero or less EU, the MS loses all power and all of its systems are shut down until the primary battery or APU is recharged.

Internal Mainframe Computer – The M1 Astray is equipped with an advanced mainframe computer than controls the various systems of the mobile suit. The computer uses the G.U.N.D.A.M. Synthesis System as its operating system. The computer also collects, correlate and analyze data coming from the mobile suits sensors, and relays information to the pilot via the multi function displays (MFD) on the console, heads-up display (HUD) and virtual environment screens. The computer can track and identify up to 500 targets simultaneously, analyze and specify threats and incoming missile fire, and store information in its database. It optimizes the multiple mechanical, electronic and power systems of the M1 Astray to suit the situation and current conditions. It evaluates the threats to the mobile suit and counters and compensates by optimizing the mobile suit to face the threat. It is partly responsible for the mobile suit’s maneuverability and bonuses to parrying, dodging and roll defense. The Pilot can also optimize the system if he has the Computer Programming (GUNDAM OS) skill.

External Audio Pickup – A sound amplification system that can pick up sound at normal decibels up to 300 feet away.

Heat and Radiation Shields – Special shielding that prevents penetration into the cockpit and internals of the mobile of life-threatening heat and radiation. The shields also give the M1 Astray the protection while it enters Earth’s atmosphere from orbit. An alarm system is linked to internal sensor that can detect ruptures in the shielding and the amount of heat and radiation is registered.

Emergency Homing Signal Beacon – The M1 Astray carries three homing beacon which sends out a signal to allow a rescue units to locate the mobile suit if it is disabled. One is an internal beacon mounted in the cockpit. The other two beacons can be deployed from its internal mounts on the mobile suit’s arms. These are buoyant and can stay afloat in water even in rough seas. The range of the signal is an arc of 400 miles (640 km) and can continuously send for 100 hours. The signal is a clearly broadcasted international distress signal that is easily recognizable by most computers onboard vehicles, ships and mobile suits.

Laser Targeting System – Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in attacking enemy targets and hostiles. It is partly responsible for the mobile suit’s strike bonus. It also used as a indirect fire targeting system to “paint” targets for long ranged, indirect fire artillery and missile systems.

Loudspeaker – An external loudspeaker system is built into the MS, which can amplify the pilot’s voice up to 90 decibels.

Optics: Infrared – Range: 1000 feet (600 meters). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye, but detectable by the MS’ sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect objects, even hidden or concealed ones, via their IR reflective signatures. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.

Optics: Nightvision – Range 1000 feet (600 meters). A passive light imaging intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on the ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.

Optics: Thermal Imaging – Range: 1000 feet (600 meters). A passive optical heat sensor that detects radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into false-colored visible images.

Radar – 300 miles (480 km) range. Passive and active scanning sensors interconnected with the various optic systems and the mainframe computer.

Sonar – 50 miles (80km) range. Passive and active underwater scanning sensors interconnected with the various optic systems and the mainframe computer.

Self-Destruct System – To prevent the capture of the mobile suit, the pilot can activate the MS’ self-destruct system, which will cause the MS to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes, depending on the settings of the pilot. The system requires a numeric code to be entered via the hidden keypad in the right armrest of the pilot’s seat. The explosion will spread along a 100 meter arc, and causes 1d4 x 100 MD to all units within the arc. The mobile suit will be destroyed and all internal systems incinerated. The pilot must manually escape from the cockpit before the explosion to survive.

Standard Survival Kit – The M1 Astray comes equipped with a portable survival kit for the pilot. Inside a reinforced compartment behind the pilot’s seat is a backpack with a flashlight, four hand flares, two rocket flares, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a multi-tool pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food for 7 days for one person, and a first aid kit.

Life Support System – The M1 Astray’ cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air conditioning and ventilation feeds to the pilot’s flight suit that provides him with pressurized breathing. The pilot’s suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation during high-g turns and maneuvering, thus decreasing the possibility of the pilot blacking out in combat.

Virtual Environment Cockpit – The M1 Astray is equipped with an innovative cockpit display system layout that provides monitors for a 180 degrees view along front arc of the outside environment even though the cockpit is nestled inside the main body of mobile suit. This clear and wide view is partly responsible for the strike/parry/dodge/roll bonuses of the MS.







Combat Bonuses From MBF-M1 M1 Astray Gundam Combat Training

Basic Training for Mobile Suit pilots
• Requires Pilot Mobile Suit
• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine and fifteen.
• +1 on initiative
• +1 to strike
• +1 to parry
• +1 to dodge
• No bonus to dodge in space.
• +1 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• No leap dodge
• Critical strike same as pilot's hand-to-hand.








Advanced training for pilots specializing in the MBF-M1 M1 Astray Gundam.
• Requires Mobile Suit Combat: MBF-M1 M1 Astray
• 4 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot)
• Add one additional action/attack at levels two, five, seven, and ten.
• +1 on initiative
• +1 to strike
• +2 to parry
• +2 to dodge
• +2 additional bonus to dodge in space
• +2 to roll with a punch or fall with an impact, reducing damage by half.
• +2 to leap dodge. A leap dodge is an automatic dodge that causes no loss of attacks per melee. The mobile suits 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 - 2D4 M.D. plus a 50% chance of knocking an opponent down, causing him to loose initiative and one attack that melee round.





References Used In This Design:

• Mecha Anime HQ http://www.mahq.net
• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Anime Episodes 1-50, from BANDAI
• 1/100 Scale Aile Strike Gundam Plastic Model by BANDAI
• 1/60 Scale Freedom Gundam Plastic Model by BANDAI
• 1/60 Scale Force Impulse Gundam Plastic Model by BANDAI