Toggle Background Color
Just as a note for this chapter and beyond, BESPA (which stands for Ballistic Equipment & Space Patrol Armory) is the official name for the Zanscare military/army. Those who haven’t seen Victory Gundam might have been confused about that.
Let’s talk about weapons!
This is the weapon select screen when attacking. The Image is taken from the Aile Chevalier. On the left side you can see the attack’s name (in Japanese of course) next to a symbol. The target reticle means it’s a ranged attack and uses the pilot’s ranged stat for calculation. The first is for melee attacks and, as you can assume, uses the pilot’s melee stat. The next column is the attack’s base power. Higher the better of course. The column after that is the attack’s range. Self explanatory. The final column is the accuracy modifier. This adds a flat percentage increase or decrease to the chance to hit after calculations are done. Sometimes the super powerful attack has a much lower chance to hit.
Next to the names are letters in a circle. P means post-movement. You can use these attacks after you’ve moved. You can only use attacks without these if you don’t move beforehand. C means combo. If the pilot has the combo skill, you can use this attack to hit units that are adjacent to each other up to the level of the combo skill. Not shown are B and M. B means the attack has the Beam attribute. Those attacks usually don’t work against enemies in water and are affected by skills that lower beam damage like Beam Coats or I-Fields. M means MAP attacks. These are AoE attacks that can hit multiple units on the map at the same time, not letting them the chance to defend or evade. Of course you can hit your own units with these. We’ll be abusing these later in the game.
On the lower left part you can see the attack’s will requirement, the EN usage, and if the attack requires any specific pilot skills like Newtype. Below that is the attack’s terrain modifiers, which we’ve discussed in the last chapter. The number that would be in the parentheses is the unit’s current will or EN value if applicable.
Lower right shows the attack’s ammo count (if it has that) and the critical modifier. Crits deal 1.5x damage compared to a normal hit. We’ll be exploring critting more at a later time too.
With that out of the way, let’s get started!
Last time, Rim tried to save the researchers from the Antarctic ruins, but got caught in the blast. Josh tried to run in to save his father but was also caught.
Earth Route Chapter 1: In a Closed World
[League Militaria Secret Factory]
Ugh… Everything hurts…
Ah… Are you ok? Um, I think it’s best if you don’t force yourself.
Uh…
Sorry, I couldn’t examine your wounds without cutting your clothes.
Something wrong, Shakti? Oh, that girl woke up.
It…hurts…
You’ll be fine. Shakti, get her some water.
Ok.
Where am I…?
I don’t exactly know myself. Those guys over there probably know more. It seems like they know you.
Count Oy Nyung? And Marbet…
Finally noticed me, Cliana?
Why…am I…here…?
This is the League Militarie’s underground factory.
What the… I was supposed to be in Antarctica…
That’s what we heard too. We spotted an unknown mech nearby. Inside we found you passed out. Wasn’t Joshua supposed to be with you? He wasn’t in that unit.
Brother! Is my brother not here? What about the others?
Dunno. You were the only one we found.
Dang it…
What happened to you? Were you chased by OZ or BESPA?
No. We were in Antarctica. There was a bright light and then…
(So that somehow got us blasted all the way to Europe…?)
(But then what happened to brother and father? I was with Cliff…)
(I don't know… Nothing makes sense)
Hmm… Maybe it’s related to that unusual phenomenon.
Phenomenon?
You’ll see it if you go outside. It’s supposed to be daytime but it’s as dark as night. There’s no sun.
It’s the same at night. You can’t see a single star. I heard communications have been cut off with satellites and the colonies too. The Earth is covered with something that blocks absolutely everything.
What are you talking about…!?
We still don’t know what’s going on. We’ve been in contact with just about everyone only to find that no one has any answers.
No way…
(Chris, while we were trying to get away, we got caught up in the accident. But only we are in Europe… Something strange is going on… Maybe the accident was the cause…)
(What should we do? What about our brother? Father? Cliff?)
(I don’t know… but we’re still alive. There’s a good chance they’ve all been sent somewhere else safely…)
I suppose you’re confused. We’re still in the dark too.
If Joshua is nearby, I’d like to look for him… BESPA’s attacks have intensified lately. They may have found this place already. We were just now preparing to withdraw. It seems neither they nor OZ want to stop fighting, even in these abnormal circumstances. Though it’s not yet majorly impacted the civilians’ day to day lives.
Here’s some water.
Thanks… Uh…
…Shakti Kareen.
Thanks, Shakti.
Uh… Uuuuu…
Karl, wait a sec. I’ll get you some milk. I’m sorry, please excuse me.
Why are there kids and babies here…
A lot has been going on.
…Come to think of it, I’ve heard that Woowig was under attack recently.
Yeah. BESPA set up a base in Largaine and are continuing their invasion. Constant skirmishes with OZ too. Woowig was bombed and destroyed.
…Woowig is better this way. The people who relied on the special privileges of the Romefeller Foundation’s special district were all corrupt.
I see…
Katejina is from Woowig.
Yes. Uso helped me escape.
Uso…?
He’s a young boy who’s been accompanying us for a while now. He’s young but very smart. Always helping out. That girl from earlier was also with him. Also that baby lost his mother and Katejina brought him here.
Uso got caught up in my escape from BESPA. He fought against a BESPA Yellow Jacket mobile suit. Such an incredible kid.
We thought he was just a squatter, but he seems well educated. There was even an antiquated computer system in his house.
…
[BESPA Largaine Forward Base]
That’s fine, Lieutenant Cronicle Asher. We’ve properly recovered the Shokew mobile suit that was stolen by the League Militarie. You've fulfilled your duties as its test pilot.
Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Fuala Griffon.
You have experienced live ground combat. I’d like to tell you to return to the colony, but unfortunately I am unable to contact my superiors. We still don’t know the cause of this abnormality or whatever it is. We’ll simply continue our original mission. Rest up until we can confirm the situation.
Understood, but…
Do you want to regain your honor? However as the one responsible for you, I don’t want to push you too hard and disappoint Her Majesty the Queen.
That’s none of your business, sister. It’s my own desire. There must be a League Militarie facility nearby.
Then do as you like. I’ll also give you permission to use some of the soldiers from this base.
With pleasure!
Is the maintenance done yet?
Yes sir, Lieutenant!
…How dare you be out on the ground without a mask in this polluted atmosphere.
I… don’t really feel anything though…
Well whatever. We’ll launch immediately. Get ready.
[League Militarie Secret Factory]
Marbet, is this ok?
Yes, open the Core Fighter’s throttle gently.
(Until a week ago, you were living quietly in Kasarelia… But you’ve changed, Uso. If you keep piloting something like that, there’s no way you’d be able to wait for your parents back home. Uso…)
Oh, welcome back Odelo.
Oh, it’s Cliana. Your mech was just brought into the hangar and is being looked over.
Thank you Odelo and Suzy.
Just Suzy is fine. I’ll just call you Rim too. (TL note: Rim called her Susie-kun)
Ok, I’ll do that.
But I just don’t get it.
Get what?
You seem to know the guys here and the fact that you were piloting that thing means you also fought in the League Militaire. You know, resisting OZ and BESPA.
Not quite. You’re talking about my brother. He was a member of the League Militaire. By the way, why are you guys here?
We… escaped from Largaine.
You were in Largaine? Then…
…Everyone else is dead.
…
Oh… That must have been tough, Suzy.
Yea…
Yeah. Sticking with the old man meant we didn’t have to worry about food, but in Largaine there was a guillotine. Seeing that being used made me want to join.
The Kagachi Guillotine…? Zanscare must have made an example out of the resistance. That means…
Right. If that blade falls, so does your head. Suzy saw it too…
Hey Odelo, the old man wants us to help move some parts.
Ok, I’ll be right there!
…A large truck…and even a transport plane? Couldn’t have come from the Woowig refugees. Those ruins of a large factory… It must be the League Militarie.
Lieutenant, what would you like to do?
We attack at once.
Uso… there’s something I need to tell you
USO. SHAKTI. HERE. SHAKTI.
Shakti? I’ll be right there so give me a sec.
Shakti, sorry but it’s dangerous. Could you please stand back?
…Ok.
Uuuuuuu
(Karl is on my back because Uso went to Woowig. But he saw something scary in that town and changed… Uso…do you know what you’re doing…? We left our hometown of Kasarelia just a week ago…)
I should have known, Uso is a quick learner.
I see.
Cliana, it seems your unit is mostly undamaged. You said you got it from a research lab, but can you pilot it?
Err…yes. Just in case…
I see.
Count, what about the rest of the parts?
We’ve finished adjusting the hanger and the boots. We’ve also tested the docking…
[ALARM]
Is it BESPA mobile suits?
What’s that noise? Is something wrong?
We’ve been spotted by BESPA. Uso, I know you’re exhausted but please sortie.
I’m sorry Cliana, but could you please go as well?
Eh!? But I’m…
Just your support will be enough. I’m injured and would only get in the way out there. Please.
(Liana, what should we do…)
(The opponent is BESPA after all…)
Are you planning on making Uso fight again? Uso, you’re scared right? You can’t go.
If not me, who else will go?
This is the Resistance. There must be someone. That Rimskaya girl seems like she’s capable.
But I’m…
Unfortunately, we don’t have many pilots.
If it was just Invaders, that would be one thing, but this boy has nothing to do with the war against OZ or Zanscare.
We’re fighting because we all have something to protect.
He’s just a child!
I… I don’t want Katejina, Marbet, or anyone else to die. So…
Uso… If you’re scared you don’t have to go.
Of course I’m scared. But are you willing to die here like this? Are you willing to be killed? I don’t want to die without learning about your parents. Don’t you feel the same, Shakti? So… I’m going.
Uso…
(Let’s go, Chris. I don’t want to just watch a kid fight alone out there.)
(But can we do it? We’ve only piloted it once so far with our brother…)
(Leave it to me. I’ll do my best.)
(...Got it)
Um… I don’t know how good I’ll be, but I’ll go too.
You’ll go? I’m sorry, but thank you.
There are so many of them…?!
The Strega… It’s working properly. Uso, can you hear me? I’m new at this too. I’ll try to support you as much as I can, but don’t rely on me.
Y-yes!
Where did they come from? One is that small machine from earlier, but the other one… No data found. Dammit, League Militarie. I can’t believe they’ve developed something like that. Watch out for that unknown machine. Try to capture it if possible.
Cliana, we’re going to bring out the Victory parts now. Please cover Uso.
Victory?
It’s a mobile suit we’ve developed. It docks with the Core Fighter in mid-air.
Can Uso really do something like that?
Uso can do it. He’s special. His ability to adapt to machines is extraordinary.
Roger! I’ll do my best!
Woah! Is that the one from the factory?
Can you hear me, Uso?
I can hear you, but…
Align the flight axis between the hangar, core fighter, and the boots.
There’s the hangar… where are the boots?
Launching!
Uso, switch the auto balancer to V-mode
Got it… Will this turn into a mobile suit?
Yes.
I see. I’ll give it a try.
Ah… did it dock…?
Next are the boots.
Is that small unit docking? I won’t let you!
Marbet, the boots…
I’ll prepare one more. Hang in there!
[STREGA]
Now here’s a proper look at the Strega. It comes with a Beam Coat, which reduces damage taken from beam attacks by 700 at the cost of some EN. This EN cost is mandatory. Also all of the Strega’s attacks cost various amounts of EN to use. They’re powerful, but too many attacks will drain its battery dry. Watch that EN usage and we’ll upgrade it when we can. Also while it can fly, its best terrain is on the ground so if you’re not trying to get over mountains or forests, keep it grounded. I haven’t mentioned it yet but units who fly use up 1 EN per space moved.
[TOP FIGHTER]
Here’s Uso’s Top Fighter (the Core Fighter with the hanger parts). Let’s hold off on the new unit explanation until he successfully docks.
Anyway between us and them is a river. Watch your weapon terrain ranks so you don’t use an attack that’s a C or -- in water. Even weaker attacks with a better terrain rank will end up dealing more damage and might have a higher chance to hit.
Let’s just park in this forest and let them come to us. Forests give bonus to defense and evasion for grounded units inside of them. Rim comes with the Support Defense ability which will let her take a hit for an adjacent unit equal to her skill level (1 time in this case). I doubt Uso will get hit this early in the game but it’s better safe than sorry.
Get cube’d, idiot.
Here’s the Strega’s Beam Coat in action. Since the damage was reduced to 0, the attack bounces off of a barrier.
Haro knows the Analyze spirit which just lets you inspect an enemy unit without having to engage them first. In future games it increases the damage done to the target for the turn, but not this one.
One either 4 enemies are left or it’s the fourth Player Phase…
Got one more set of boots ready to go. You good to go!?
Uso, can you hear me? I’m launching another set of boots. Are you ready?
Ah… Yeah.
That’s it…
Ok Uso, dock!
Got it! V-mode… Align the axis…
Ok! Where’s the enemy…
See? It’s turned into a proper mobile suit.
Uso, that’s amazing…
(Uso’s fighting again… He’s going to die… Please, don’t die… Uso…)
It’s become a mobile suit!? And it’s a white one… Is that a Gundam?
[LM312V04 Victory Gundam]
Introducing the Victory Gundam. It’s not good. Like at all. It’s fragile, weak, and relatively slow. It can’t even fly in the atmosphere. At least it has an S rank on the ground. There are three saving graces however that makes it not bottom of the trash tier. The first is that, much like the Re-GZ in the other route, it essentially has multiple health bars. If the Victory gets shot down, it survives with just the Core Fighter. The Victory Gundam also can fire off its Hangar and/or Boots parts for massive damage! This turns it into the Top Fighter, Bottom Fighter, or the Core Fighter depending on what you expel. Other units would be stuck like that for the rest of the map, but not the Victory. Just put it in a battleship (which we don’t have yet on this route) and the Victory will be back at its full strength. You just lose 10 will for doing so every time. Once you get better units, you won’t be missing the Victory that much.
The last saving grace is Uso himself. He’s not alone as no matter what you choose to have him pilot, he’s accompanied by his Haro. Uso is a late bloomer. His stats, spirits, and abilities may not seem much at first (though he does start with Focus), but put some time and murder into him and he’ll be one of the best pilots in your roster. Having a permanent copilot helps a lot with support spirits and a second SP pool. Being a Newtype doesn't hurt either.
Right now it’s just a brawl but the enemy units are super weak. I hope you will watch the Strega’s EN reserve better than me. She was tapped dry before Cronicle even got to us.
Time for some cleanup as well as engaging Cronicle.
I’ve never seen this machine before… Let’s see what it can do!
(Liana!)
That kid is fighting out there too. We can do this!
If Uso encountered Cronicle:
You’re just a civilian in a mobile suit!
You bastard!
That voice… It’s the boy who stole my mobile suit?! You’re part of the League Militaire after all! Damn you!
You’re that guy from before?!
Eventually, Cronicle reaches us and attacks Rim. If I kept better track of Rim’s EN, I could have shot him down in a single attack. Some bosses like him retreat when their HP gets too low. That’s less EXP, money, and power parts for us, but I’ll just eat that loss for now.
Dammit, I’ve been defeated again…
In hindsight, we could have just parked on top of the factory for some EN regen, but I forgot. Now all that’s left is just some clean up for the rest of the mooks.
Are… Are we finished…?
I can’t see anything more on the radar. Thank you both for your hard work. Please return.
Y-yes!
[League Militaria Secret Factory]
Alright everyone, hurry up with the remaining parts. We have to evacuate right away.
Roger. Oh, good work out there, Rim and Uso. Thanks to you we’re saved.
I’m relieved as well.
Cliana, your personality changes when you’re in battle. It surprised me.
Um… Ah…
(Don’t worry about it, Chris.)
Uso, your docking with the Victory parts was impressive.
That’s right, Marbet! Why didn’t you tell me it would dock into a mobile suit?
I’m sorry, Uso. We didn’t have time and haven’t done enough testing yet.
What?! And you made me dock in the middle of battle?!
I’m also sorry, Uso.
It’s because I believed in your abilities.
What kind of people are they… Oh, were you watching Katejina? I did it!
…It looks like you’re unharmed
Uh…yeah…
Just don’t become a scary person.
Eh…?
(Katejina… That face… She’s not praising me, but she’s not scared either…)
Uso, we’re evacuating from here. Please get some rest.
Ok. I’ll do that.
You too, Cliana.
Ah, thanks. I’ll do that too.
Uso, weren’t you scared?
It was beyond scary. What’s up, Odelo?
We’ve done a lot over here too. Don’t you have anything to say?
Ah right… Thank you.
Right. That kind of humble attitude improves personal relationships.
Josh was amazing, but Uso was amazing too!
That white mobile suit is called the Victory, apparently.
Uso…
Shakti, what’s wrong? I’m fine. Please don’t cry.
SHAKTI. CRYING. SHAKTI.
League Militarie… Let’s go back to Kasarelia. If we stay here, we won’t know when our parents will come back…
I know that, but… Marbet’s injuries haven’t healed yet…
Shakti: Radcliffe is here. You don’t have to do any more.
That’s true, but…
An encrypted message from The Tower?
Yes. It seems that both the Getter Radiation levels and the number of Invaders in the Far East are increasing. They’ve asked us to join them.
If we go there, we might be able to find out a little more about the overall situation. We’ve evacuated the factory and recovered the parts, but… all the way to the Far East?
We should be able to manage it. But… BESPA will probably find us. We need both Cliana and Uso to join us.
But I…
Please. I know you’re worried about Joshua and everyone else, but we’re in desperate need of your help. I’ll have the remaining staff continue to search around the area. I know he’s fine.
(What do you think, Liana?)
(We have no choice but to go. It’s too dangerous to stay here…)
(But…)
(Chris, it’ll be fine. If bro is alive, he’ll come find the League Militaire. Plus if we stay with them, maybe we’ll find out what happened in Antarctica.)
(...You’re right. He’ll be fine.)
Okay. I’ll join you.
Thank you, Cliana.
Shakti wants to go back to Kasarelia. I wonder if Uso will end up coming with us…
I understand what those kids are going through… But we’ll send them back here after we join the main force. We’ll figure something out.