Counterstrike! Guide to Inherent Mech Abilities

[Shuu]

In this section we will cover the various inherent abilities of mechs, how they can lower, negate, or outright evade attacks directed towards you in the Simulation Chamber. Here we will cover:


Definition of Inherent Abilities
Evasive Abilities
Transformation Abilities
Defensive Abilities
Regenerative Abilities
Barrier Abilites
Summon Abilities
Modifiers
[/color]

[Shuu]

Definition of Mech Abilities[/color]

Most mechs have them, but what are they? Simple, they are certain abilities/capabilities that give your units extra functions in battle. They are acquired one of two ways; artificially, and naturally. Artificial means are gained by having certain items installed that adds the said function. Naturally refers to the inherent abilities a mech has, as displayed here, taken from the Zeta Gundam:

Inherent Abilities:
1) Usable by Ensigns or higher.
2) Shield
3) Countercut
4) Waverider Mode: Dodge Cost -5. Only Beam Gun, Beam Rifle, Hi-Mega Launcher and Waverider Assault are enabled.
5) Waverider Assault: Target's Dodge Cost +5.

[Shuu]

Evasive Abilities[/color]

Evasive abilities are those that put you completely OUT of an attacks path, the end result of course being that you take absolutely no damage. Undoubtedly the most useful of your mech abilities, as it will save your life more than once. Evasive abilities are numerous, and include:

Dodging[/color]
Dodging is the most basic mech ability that there is, and also the default method of evading any attack. It's as simple as manipulating your mecha's controls so that it is *not* in the line of fire. Take note that dodging will *always* cost PCs, although the amount varies from class to class; with those such as Sei Senshi and Newtypes paying less, and classes such as Personal Troopers and the Super Robot classes paying more.
Also remember that various factors can modify your dodge cost. See the Case studies in the other rules sections for more details.

Bunshin[/color]
Bunshin, or the "split body" technique entails moving in such a way and speed that your mech produces a multitude of after images, making it impossible to discern which one is real. This is used as a means to confuse an opponent, as they will often fire upon the after image and not your mech, leaving your unit undamaged. Bunshin works as follows:

Each unit that has this ability deploys with X Bunshin charges in battle with a stated charge limit for Y. Abilities are as follows:
[/li][li]Negate (Evade) a single attack for. Remove a charge from X each time this is used and add one charge to Y.
[/li][li]Each time you're directed with an attack that is not Support Defended, negated by an evasive secondary defense (Stealth, Open Get, etc) other than Bunshin, or Direct Attacked with a non-X attack, add one charge to Y.
[/li][li]Once charges are equal to the limit on Y, reset the counter of Y to 0 and set the charges of X back to the default amount.

Open Get[/color]
"Open Get" is an ability only mechs in the Getter Line possess. At the moment before an attack hits, the pilots separate back into their Getter machines to avoid the attack, then reform back into a single unit. Open Get follows the Shield Usage Formula. . which you can see later in this section, but to show it again:

Private: 2 uses
Corporal: 4 uses
Sergeant: 6 uses
Ensign: 8 uses
Lieutenant: 10 uses

Mach Special / Shin Mach Special / Getter Vision[/color]
Also exclusive to the Getter line of robots, this is merely the Getter's version of the Bunshin, where Getter 2 will use it's tremendous speed to create after images with the same effect of a split body technique. Mach Specials do not use EN, but have limited uses based on the shield usage formula.

Separate[/color]
This ability is exclusive to the powerful Turn-X, but operates on the same basic principle as the Getter's Open Get; Turn-X separates into various parts to avoid attack, then reforms. The amount of separates follows the same usage formula as shields, open gets, and other abilities.

Boson Jump[/color]
An ability exclusive to Martian Successors. This is a means to travel extremely long distances in a short 'jump' through a space gate of sorts. In combat, it is only used for short distances; usually enough to put the Martian Successor out of the attack's path. Boson Jumping requires EN as well, but uses the same chart as the Bunshin ability.

[Shuu]

Transformation Abilities[/color]

Transformation Abilities are ones that enable a mech to change into a different form; such as the flight modes of various mobile suits, or the different forms of the Getter series. Transformation abilities are divided into two types: Regular Transformation and Separation.

Regular Transformation[/color]

These are the types of transformation abilities that change the Zeta Gundam to the wave rider, Getter Dragon to Getter Rygar, and so forth. In combat, this is done after your DEFENSE[/color] phase, but before your ATTACK[/color] phase. (ie in the Transform Phase)

Remember that when you transform, certain weapons may be disabled. So don't expect to see your Wave Rider or Bird Mode of the Wing Gundam use a beam saber. In other cases, such as with the Getter machines, the weapon list may change entirely, and certain inherent abilities may be added/dropped (such as Countercut). Check the lists in the hangar to make sure you're up to speed.

Also keep in mind that whenever you transform into a mechs second form, all HP/EN/Items carry over. So don't think you can change into the Wave Rider and have a separate HP meter; doesn't quite work that way.

Separation Abilities[/color]

This mostly applies to mobile suits that possess a Core-Block System; if the unit is destroyed in battle, the core fighter of the unit will separate from the destroyed unit and continue battle. Think of this as a 'second life' of sorts. Other units that possess this ability are the Re-GZ, and the Excellence series of mechs.

[Shuu]

Defensive Abilities[/color]

So what do you do when you can't avoid an attack completely? You fall back on your defensive skills of course. There are certain defensive abilities which can still stop your unit from being damaged completely; others reduce damage by a significant portion.

Countershoot[/color]
This refers to the ability to counter projectiles with a hail of bullets or other similar weaponry, before they have a chance to close in and damage your unit. Countershooting only works against (P)rojectile weapons, and can only be used if your unit AND your pilot class have the Countershoot ability. The cost for Countershooting depends on the weapon being used, and you can only use the weapons listed in the Countershoot ability of your mech. This cost can be ammo, EN, or PCs. Also, a multihitting weapon capable of Countershooting will shoot down a number of (P) weapons equal to the number of shots it has per ammo, per defence phase.

Countercut[/color]
This refers to the ability to parry melee weapons or destroy projectile weapons without incurring any damage to your unit. Countercutting only stops damage from (M)elee or (P)rojectile weapons, and can only be performed if your unit has a bladed-type melee weapon. If a unit can perform countercutting, it will be noted under the inherent ability. The costs for countercutting are dependent on what your class is and can be seen in the Bio-Enhancement Lab

Also, unless specified otherwise (in most cases, NO) a mecha with an alternate form (such as a Mobile Armor) may *not* countercut while in MA form.

Some examples:

Zeta Gundam may NOT countercut in its Waverider form, the Wing Gundam may NOT countercut in its Neo-Bird Form, the Aegis Gundam may *not* countercut in its MA form, and the Grungust Nishiki may *not* countercut in its G-Hawk form. These are but a few of the examples.

Shield[/color]
Certain units come equipped with shields, that can be used to block attacks. Shields do not negate an attack entirely, but they do reduce any damage received by half. Note that you can also use your shield while blocking, to further reduce damage. Note that each shield use is for a single incoming attack only.

Shield usage is determined by rank, which goes as follows:

Private: 2 uses
Corporal: 4 uses
Sergeant: 6 uses
Ensign: 8 uses
Lieutenant: 10 uses.

Note that the Heavy Metal class of pilots have more shield uses per rank, as specified in their class description.

Similar to countercut, mechs with alternate forms may not use their shields in these respective forms unless specified. To cite previous examples, Zeta Gundam, Aegis Gundam, Wing Gundam / Wing Gundam Zero are all mechs that have shields in their MS forms. These are not useable when they transfer into their Mobile Armor forms.

Negation[/color]
Certain mechs possess an inherent ability to negate certain status attacks. Volkruss for example, has the ability to negate all KICK, DESTROY and PARALYZE attacks. An attacker can still hit Volkruss with those weapons...but of course it will do absolutely nothing (waste of time, really).

Stealth
A select few mechs possess an ability exclusive to Ninja Senshi, known as stealth. Stealth completely negates damage from any source because...your enemy can't hit what it cannot spot. Note that you CANNOT support defend with stealth.

Absorb[/color]
This refers to a mechs ability to convert the energy from a weapon into its own for regenerative purposes. Duraxyll is the example here; any (B) class weapon that hits Duraxyll will not deal damage to it. Instead, it will do the exact opposite and refill it's HP. So a Beam Weapon with a damage ratio of 110 will restore Duraxyll HP by the same amount.

Armor and Damage Reduction[/color]
Certain mecha have inherent armor installed on them; mechs such as Mazinger-Z, Great Mazinger, and Mazinkaiser have inherent Chogokin armor installed on them. Other mechs are simply fortified enough in their build to warrant damage reduction. It will be noted under the inherent abilities as such:

Damage received -25%

Or any other number, depending on the mech.

Here's the key difference. Mazinger's *cannot* install another Chogokin-class armor on them to reduce their damage (refer to rules on items about this)

Mechs with damage reduction (Soulgain, Excellence Striker, etc.) are allowed to install another armor-class item. Note that total damage reduction cannot exceed 75%

[Shuu]

Regenerative Abilities[/color]

Regenerative abilities are the abilities of a mecha to replenish its HP or EN every turn without the use of a repair kit or propellant tank. Regeneration comes in two types; small, which restores 10% of a mechs HP or EN, and large, which restores 25% of HP or EN.

Regeneration phases take place before any other phase in a turn; refer to the flow of battle in the SC for more details. Currently, there are only two items which grant the ability to regenerate:

Solar Panel: Restores 10% of EN
Altiment Cell: Restore 10% of HP

[Shuu]

Barrier Abilities[/color]

Barriers are outer fields generated by a mech (and in some cases, the pilot) which allows it to absorb or negate damage entirely. For more information on the types of barriers, their uses, limitations, and costs, please refer to the faq on barriers in the rules section.

[Shuu]

Summoning Ability[/color]

Select mecha, such as the Devil Gundam, Rafflesia, and Macross to name a few enable the pilot to summon units to fight alongside them. If a mech is able to summon, it will be noted in the inherent abilities as such:

Summon Gundam Head (Stats in Hangar)

Refer to the summoning section of the rules to learn more about this ability.

[Shuu]

Modifiers[/color]

Modifiers add certain a bonus or penalty to a certain aspect of a mechs ability; currently they are limited to aspects of dodging in the SC, which are as follows:

Dodge Cost Modifiers[/color]
There are many different names for these across the SC, such as Modified Flight Frames, Vernier Thrusters, Minovsky drives, etc. But they all serve the same purpose; to lower your dodge cost. An example of the listing, taken from the GP03 Stamen:

Vernier Thrusters: Dodge Cost -5

Thus a participant would have 5 subtracted from their total dodge cost. Refer to case studies for more detailed examples. And remember, your dodge cost *cannot* be lower than five. Even if your dodge cost is five, modifiers still have their uses, as they can cancel out or reduce additions to your dodge cost added by other factors.

Weapon Modifiers[/color]

Select weapons, due to their speed, size, or radius of their attack are much harder to dodge than others. As such, they receive a dodge cost modifier. Meaning that in order for the target to dodge the weapon, they have to pay an additional cost unless the cost is locked at a set number of PCs. An example of this:

Reishiki Zankantou: Target's Dodge Cost +5

View the case studies for more examples of this.