Robotech Masters - Mecha

Mecha of the Robotech Masters

The mecha forces of the Robotech Masters are more uniform, though also more advanced than those of their Zentraedi slaves. Where the Zentraedi had a variety of mecha, from the lightly-armored battle pods to the exoskeleton-like power armors, the Robotech Masters have a single type of mecha, the Bioroid.

Robotech Masters Mecha

Referred to collectively as Bioroids, there are several different models of mecha fielded by the Robotech Masters. Though technically classified as Battloids, the Tirolian Bioroids are more advanced than anything in use by the United Earth forces. Previously known mecha mostly function as essentially robotic vehicles, with the pilot operating the mech from a cockpit outfitted with instruments and controls; the exception being the powered mecha suits of the Southern Cross, which are closer to exoskeletons in their functionality.

Bioroids, on the other hand, are marvels of biotechnology. Powered by Protoculture, these humanoid mecha mimic the internal structure of organic beings, with powerful synthetic musculature and even a complex "nervous system". The Bioroid is not piloted as much as it is inhabited. The operator assumes a semi-fetal position in a spherical cockpit located in the upper torso, which is accessed by the mecha's head reclining back and part of the chest tipping forward. Instead of using instruments and controls, however, the pilot dons a neural interface helmet. In addition to providing sensory feedback through visual and audio displays, the helmet more importantly links the pilot's mind directly to the mecha. Thusly the Bioroid is controlled completely by the pilot's mind, reacting as if it were the operator's own body. By simply willing his own arm to move, the pilot instead causes the Bioroid's arm to respond. The result is a seamless interface between operator and machine, making the Bioroid an extension of the pilot rather than an operated vehicle, with unprecedented maneuverability and response time.

While this unique control system has many advantages there are a few side effects. Due to the neural feedback and integration with the operator, it is very difficult to disable a Bioroid without seriously harming the pilot. Also, if the pilot is not removed from the cockpit properly there is a high risk of neural damage.

Bioroids have no onboard weaponry. Instead all Bioroids carry a hand-held energy gun pod. Bioroid Soldiers, Subcommanders and Scouts are equipped with the basic "Drum" model of pulsed ion weapon; while Advanced Soldiers, Commanders and Armored Fighters typically carry the more advanced and powerful "Disk" model pulsed ion beam cannon. Strictly ground-based mecha, Bioroids are capable of air and space combat with the use of hoversled vehicles, described here.

Bioroid Soldier (Blue)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 11.3 tons Depth: 2.05m Height: 6.4m Breadth: 2.8m Max walking speed: 90 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Drum model) The Soldier (Blue) model of Bioroid is the most basic version of the mecha. It is usually piloted by lower level clones or bio-androids with little free will. In complex combat situations the Soldier Bioroid becomes dependent on the guidance of its commanders, or on the telepathic commands of Clone Masters operating from a nearby support vessel.

Bioroid Subcommander (Green)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 11.73 tons Depth: 2.05m Height: 6.52m Breadth: 2.8m Max walking speed: 95 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Drum model) The Green Bioroids were Subcommanders in the Robotech Masters armed forces, leading small units made up of several Soldier Bioroids. Like the Soldier model, the Subcommander could be piloted by either a clone or a bio-android, though of a more sophisticated type than were in the Soldiers. Subcommander Bioroids were usually independent, though they could also be controlled by Clone Masters operating in support vessels near the battlefield.

Bioroid Scout (Observer)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 11.3 tons Depth: 2.05m Height: 6.4m Breadth: 2.8m Max walking speed: 90 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Drum model) Additional Equipment Enhanced Reconnaissance Sensor System The Scout Bioroid was a variant of the standard Soldier model but equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite. The Scouts were reconnaissance units used for forward observation and intelligence gathering. They could be found mixed in with standard Bioroid units or in dedicated reconnaissance squads.

Bioroid Commander (Red Leader)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 12 tons Depth: 2.05m Height: 6.65m Breadth: 2.8m Max walking speed: 100 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Disk model) Rarely seen during the war, the Red Leader Bioroid was faster and better armored than the standard Blue and Green models and was reserved for use by senior commanders. Though rarely done, the Red Leader could also be subjected to remote control like the lesser Bioroids.

Bioroid Advanced Soldier (Warrior)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 12.5 tons Depth: 2.2m Height: 7.3m Breadth: 3.0m Max walking speed: 100 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Disk model) As the war with the humans wore on, the effectiveness of the basic Soldier Bioroid was diminishing. That, combined with a growing shortage of low-level clones and androids to pilot the front line mecha led the Robotech Masters to develop the Advanced Soldier, or Warrior, model of Bioroid. More advanced than the older Blue and Green versions, the Warrior Bioroids were nearly as effective in combat as the Red Leader model. The true source of the effectiveness of the Advanced Soldiers, however, was in the nature of their pilots. With a lack of available experienced clone combatants, the Robotech Masters instead began a policy of capturing human soldiers during battles. Those prisoners who showed skill in mecha combat were mentally reprogrammed and sent back out as pilots of the Advanced Soldier Bioroids, engaging their former comrades in battle. The true nature of the Warrior Bioroid pilots was deduced by United Earth intelligence soon after they began appearing on the battlefield, but the truth was kept secret in order to prevent a devastating hit to troop morale.

Bioroid Armored Fighter (Invid Fighter)

Mecha Data Crew: 1 pilot. Weight: 12.5 tons Depth: 2.05m Height: 6.7m Breadth: 2.8m Max walking speed: 100 kph Armament 1 x pulsed ion beam cannon gun pod (Disk model) The Armored Invid Fighter was the pinnacle of Robotech Masters mecha technology. Designed to battle Invid swarms, the Invid Fighter was put into full production near the end of the war when the possibility of an Invid incursion was raised. In battle against the Southern Cross forces the Armored Fighters proved devastating, inflicting almost as many casualties in the last month of the war as there had been in the six months prior to that. Though superior to the Red Leader Bioroids, the real key to the Armored Fighters prowess in battle was the clone triumvirate. Armored Fighter clone pilots operated in tight groups of three, reflecting the Robotech Masters triumvirate philosophy of information, decision and action. This allowed the trio to operate as single mind, enacting devastating attacks with near-perfect precision. Even when one or two of the members of the triumvirate were taken out of the fight the remaining Bioroids were still the most advanced in the field. The only limitation faced by the Robotech Masters in the use of the Armored Fighters was the ever-dwindling supply of Protoculture and the effect it was having on the production of mecha and clone pilots.

Warp Zone | Robotech | Southern Cross | Mecha and Equipment | Robotech Masters Mecha Bioroid statistics from Robotech.com