Within the Palladium system, roleplaying Macross requires some special rules that don't seem to apply to the Macross II or Robotech games, or the main Palladium rules. Which is why I've posted these rules below. They are totally optional so GM's feel free to use them or ignore them as you please. They are merely suggestions.
Infantry Combat Rules
I have revised the ground combat rules for Palladium and posted in the link below my new Infantry rules. These rules do not relate solely to Infantry but any and all ground combat not involving mecha. A number of the idea's within the revised rules are from other roleplay systems but they work well in play testing.
Infantry Combat Rules
Dodging against missiles
The various Palladium Books have stated that you can not dodge 4 or more missiles. As can be clearly seen both Isamu & Guld in Macross Plus dodge missiles amounting to 20 or more at various times. Sometime ago a new rule was devised regarding this. Instead of being unable to dodge 4 or more missiles fired at you in a single volley use the variation rule. It will allow more of a realistic anime feel and and prompt better survival rates for your characters.
For every four missiles fired at you in a single volley, make a -1 dodge modifier. So 4-7 missiles would have a -1 dodge modifier, 8-11 would have a -2 dodge modifier and so on.
Culture Shock & The Minmay Attack
This rule is separate from the Spiritia rules for a reason, as it applies to Zentran and Meltran warriors only who have had no experience with culture. It is also perfectly suited for original Macross Series Saga Campaigns, and/or dealing with rogue Zentraedi with no or little experience or contact with human culture. As a Zentran or Meltran warrior has more and more contact with culture the GM can determine how precisely and at what rate the negative modifiers below are lowered and at what point the Zentraedi is no longer affected by Culture Shock.
Males/Females Socially
Seeing males and females together, be it standing around or holding hands is very un-nerving for Zentraedi and Meltrandi as they are used to the different sexes being separated. This does not include humans in any form of romantic or sexual position. Merely them being together.
-1 to all combat abilities & attributes, -10% to all skills,
Minor Music
Minor Music, in otherwords music that is performed without the aid of large speakers, production team and a full band. This music is normally a singer singing solo without musical assistant, or a guitar player on an acoustic guitar playing on their own. This type of music will confuse, distract and cause shock in 'un-cultured' Zentraedi and Meltrandi.
-2 to all combat abilities & attributes, -20% to all skills, automatically lose initiative
Major Music(Minmay Attack) Males/Females Kissing and babies
The sound of fully produced music with backing bands, and full concert sound, plus the sight of males and females embracing romantically or sexually, or the site of babies causes immense culture shock in Zentrans and Meltrans, causing them to become incredibly confused and fearful. These things have the most devastating effect on 'un-cultured' Zentraedi and Meltrandi warriors who have never seen such things.
-4 to all combat abilities & attributes, -40% to all skills, automatically lose initiative, Save VS ME at -4 or flee in terror/remain rigid in place unable to move (GM's decision)
After Culture Shock
The only way for Zentraedi and Meltrandi to overcome Culture shock is by exposure. A kind of facing their demons and over-coming them. Wheras we embrace new culture, sights, sounds, and experiences, the Zentraedi and Meltrandi fear what culture brings as it goes against everything they've ever know. Which is why there are mixed results to culture shock. Many Zentrans and Meltrans will once recovered from their intial bout of culture shock seek to embrace culture and everything it contains. Others will seek to destroy it. It is up to the PC how their character responds to it, and for the GM to decide how long it takes them to no longer be affected by culture shock.
© 2005 dhenwood@hotmail.com
