Phoenix Armory PA-GB1 Glitter Boy Power Armor:

When people coming from Rifts Earth hear the term “Glitter Boy” used on Phase World or elsewhere within the Three Galaxies, they think of what is available on Rifts Earth. The might think of the old design devolved by the Old American Empire or perhaps the new Triax design. This is of course not true.

The reality is that Glitter Boys manufactured around the Three Galaxies far outstrip their Earth counterparts. This is due simply to the fact that, although the first Glitter Boys may have been build on Rifts Earth, the technology of the Three Galaxies is far more advanced than that of Rifts Earth.

It is believed that when the first Glitter Boys arrived on Phase World, many weapon manufacturers looked at the design and both loved the firepower and strength of the design. However, it was obvious that there was room for considerable technological improvement.

Nowadays many manufacturers in the Three Galaxies manufacture Glitter Boys on assembly lines, shipping them out of their factories in the hundreds and thousands. It is hard to know exactly how many companies manufacture Glitter Boys in the Three Galaxies. Some designs are fairly close to the original Glitter Boy design while others are heavily modified from the original design.

Phoenix Armory rose from the ashes of a well known but now sadly defunct company. Currently they manufacture many weapons and weapon systems that are virtual copies of products from the old company`s lineup. The company is beginning to come up with their own products but the older designs are still the vast majority of the company’s production. The Phoenix Armory Glitter Boy is one of the older designs with only minor updates.

The companies Glitter Boy design is fairly typical for advanced Glitter Boys produced in the Three Galaxies. It is considered one of the more advanced Glitter Boy designs in the Three Galaxies. Interestingly, the Phoenix Armory design does not look much like the original USA-G10 in it outer appearance, being rather more blocky and square.

One of the reasons for this is because the Glitter Boy design produced by Phoenix Armory has a special armor, which has mixed into the laser resistant material a second material that partially disperses the energy from plasma weapons. The armor is in relatively small plates which can be far more easily replaced than the armor on the original USA-G10 Glitter Boy.

When the parent company broke up, the company had been developing a material designed to disperse particle beam energy. Unfortunately, that formula was lost when the parent company went out of business. Out of some of the fragmentary notes, Phoenix Armory was able to develop a new armor material which is resistant to both laser and plasma weaponry. There is some hope of eventually redeveloping the material which is resistant to particle beams as well.

Phoenix Armory closely guards the formula for their armor material. No company has yet to duplicate the material and the company will blacklist any customer who is rumored to be attempting to copy the material. Phoenix Armory sells ready to use plates of armor for this reason.

While the original Glitter Boy is armed with a heavy electromagnetic rail gun, the advanced Boom Gun on the Phoenix Armory design is armed with is a gravitic design which is both more powerful and longer ranged. Due to having gravitic stabilizing systems, part of the gravitic flight system, the power armor does not need to plant before firing. This allows the pilot to fire while crouched, lying down, or even running! There is some criticism that if the flight system is damaged, the Boom Gun cannot be fired without the anchors that the original Glitter Boy mounts.

The gravity rail gun can be swapped for a powerful variable frequency laser cannon. The output of the laser on high setting is actually greater than the gravity Boom Gun although has a limited number of shots before the capacitor is discharged when fired on full power mode. It also is slightly shorter ranged than the heavy gravity rail gun it replaces.

As a secondary weapon, the Phoenix Armor design mounts a powerful pulse laser on the left shoulder that can be used for burst firing as well as being very powerful in single shot mode. It is similar to infantry support lasers commonly carried by ground troops. As with the laser cannon, the pulse laser pulls its power from the power armor’s fusion reactor.

Many Glitter Boy designs manufactured in the Three Galaxies have a large number mini-missile launchers but the Phoenix Armory design only has a few relatively small launchers mounted in the chest, almost in the shoulders actually, and the legs. A total of thirty-two mini-missiles are carried by the Phoenix Armory design.

While the Phoenix Armor Glitter Boy is not manufactured “as is” with a Naruni Force field, many owners have them put in after the armors are purchased, adding greatly to the survivability of the design. The most popular generator are the “Super Heavy” robot models. In fact, the engineers have improved upon the original design by allowing for spaces inside of the armor into which can fit a Naruni Force field generator. This allows a easy install of such generators, which means that the cost for such a item can be up to 20 percent lower than normal!

Model Type: PA-GB1 Phoenix Armory Glitter Boy Mark Two.

Class: Laser/Plasma Resistant Armored Infantry Personnel Assault Unit.

Crew: One Pilot.

M.D.C. by Location:

	GRG-14X Gravitic Rail Gun (1; over right shoulder):	200.
	Rail Gun Rear Ammo Drum:	180.
	PA-V-100 Variable Frequency Laser (1, optional, right shoulder):	200.
	[1] PA-300 Shoulder-Mounted Tactical Laser (1; left shoulder):	100.
	[1] Chest / Shoulder Mounted Mini-Missile Launchers (2, chest):	80 each.
	[1] Leg Mounted Mini-Missile Launchers (4, 2 per leg):	60 each.
	[2] Head:	300.
	[1] Hands (2):	100 each.
	Arms (2):	300 each.
	Legs (2):	500 each.
	[3] Main Body:	820.
	Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment:	150.
	[4] Backpack Contra-Grav Flight Systems (Rear):	250.

Notes:

[1] These locations are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[2] Note that the head is -3 in addition to normal called shot penalties to hit. Destroying the head will expose the pilot’s head, leaving only the pilot’s body armor helmet as its only protection. Note: The head is a small and difficult target to hit. Thus, it can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then the attacker is -3 to strike.

[3] Depleting the Main Body M.D.C. will shut the Glitter Boy down making it useless. Note: All Power Armor locations are both laser and Plasma resistant. The material has an extra component that causes it to be plasma resistant. Reduce all such damage by 50%.

[4] Destroying the contra-grav pack will make power jumps and flight impossible. In addition, the boom gun cannot be fired without the contra-grav flight system.

Speed:

Running: 120 mph (193.1 kph) maximum. Note that the act of running does tire out its operator, but at 10% of the usual fatigue rate, thanks to the robot exoskeleton and contra-gravity system (if the contra-gravity system is destroyed, fatigue rate becomes 20% of normal).

Leaping: The powerful robot legs, assisted by the thrusters, can leap up to 60 feet (18.3 meters) high or across, or 20 feet (6 meters) without the thrusters. Add 12 feet (3.6 meters) with a running start. Note that leaping height and distance on the moon and micro gravity is doubled.

Flight: The enhanced contra grav thrusters provide limited flight in an atmosphere and greater speed and mobility in zero gravity. The PA-GB1 can hover at any altitude above the ground and fly at a speed of 200 mph (320 kph) in an atmosphere and Earth-type gravity. The contra-grav system makes the armor trans- atmospheric and armor can accelerate at up to 0.2 Gs of acceleration. Due to the Contra-Grav there is no altitude limit and armor can fly into space.

Underwater: The armor can travel up to a maximum speed of 40 mph (64 kph) to a maximum depth of 1,000 feet (310 meters).

Range: The armors range is effectively unlimited. The Contra-Grav system does not overheat. The only limit is the pilot’s endurance. Carries two (2) weeks worth of emergency rations for pilot and has a water filtration system.

Statistical Data:

Height: 11 feet (3.35 meters).

Width: 4.4 feet (1.34 meters).

Length: 4.2 feet (1.28 meters) with contra-grav pack / rail gun magazine.

Mass/Weight: 2 tons (1.81 metric tons), fully loaded.

Physical Attributes of Note: Equal to a PS 40 and Spd 176.

Cargo: Minimal storage space, about a 1 foot (0.3 meter) square compartment, and storage for a rifle, handgun, survival knife, and a first-aid kit.

Power System: Advanced Fusion; Average energy life is 25 years.

Market Cost: The Phoenix Armory Glitter Boy sells for approximately 40 million credits. More conventional Glitter Boy power armors in the Three Galaxies cost around 25 million credit for new and around 15 million for rebuilt models or without gun. The Naruni super heavy force field generator costs an additional 4.5 million credits installed.

Weapons Systems:

Main Weapon Shoulder Mount:
1. One (1) GRG-14X “Boom Gun” Rapid Acceleration Gravitic Rail Gun: This gun is similar in size and abilities to the famous “Boom Gun” on the standard Glitter Boy on Earth but the reality is that the weapon uses gravitics instead of electro-magnetics to fire the ammunition at hypersonic speeds. The most common round is a single solid M.D.C. dart. This inflicts more damage than flechette rounds but flechette rounds are still used against fast moving targets due to covering a wider area. These include fighters, missiles, and flying power armors. Flechette rounds can also be used and inflict less damage but have a +2 additional bonus to strike fast moving flying targets. The gun has no real recoil and does not need the stabilizing systems of the Rifts Earth boom gun but the hypersonic round created a transonic boom when fired in an atmosphere. However, if the gravity flight system is destroyed, the Boom Gun cannot be fired effectively.
  
  Weight of the Rail Gun: 865 lbs (392.4 kg).
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 24,000 feet (7.2 km) in an atmosphere. Range is eight times normal when used in space.
  
  Mega-Damage: Solid Slug: 4D4x10+60 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical strike on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Flechette: 3D6x10+20 and is capable against fast moving flying targets
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot and his power armor (usually 4-6, see Power Armor Training). Bursts and sprays are not possible.
  
  Payload: 100 rounds. Unlike some of the power armor suits, the Glitter Boy's Boom Gun can be reloaded by hand, one round at a time. It will take 15 minutes to load 40 rounds. A carrying drum of 40 rounds is sometimes used to carry extra rounds. The drum has 30 M.D.C. and can attach to the hip/waist or left forearm.
2. One (1) PA-V-100 Variable Frequency Laser Cannon (Optional): The standard heavy rail cannon can be replaced with the PA-200 Laser Cannon. This is a high-powered laser weapon that can be adjusted to vary the light frequency of the laser to blast through reflective and laser resistant armor. The first two (2) blasts do half damage, but the weapon's computer automatically adjusts the light frequency to compensate for the laser resistant surface, so all subsequent attacks do full damage, even to other Glitter Boys. The weapon is hooked into the armor's nuclear power supply eliminating the need of an external power pack.
  
  Weight of the Laser Cannon: 670 lbs (121.5 kg).
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 16,000 feet (4.8 km) in an atmosphere. Range is eight times normal when used in space.
  
  Mega-Damage (2 Settings): Lower Setting: 2D4x10+20 M.D, Higher Setting: 5D6x10 M.D. per blast
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the number of hand to hand attacks of the pilot and his power armor (usually 4-6, see Power Armor Training). Bursts and sprays are not possible.
  
  Payload: Lower Setting: Effectively Unlimited, Higher Setting: 20 blasts in a capacitor. The capacitor regenerates one (1) shot per minute.
One (1) PA-300 Shoulder-Mounted Tactical Laser: This laser is built onto the left shoulder and is in reality is a copy of the CAF HI-300 infantry support laser rifle. It is both powerful and compact and plugs into the power armors power supply eliminating the need of an external power pack or E-Clip. Like the Boom Gun it can be aimed by simply looking at a target.

Weight: 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg).

Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) in an atmosphere. Range is eight times normal when used in space.

Mega Damage: 6D6+6 per single shot, 2D6x10+20 for a rapid fire three shot burst, or use machine gun burst rules for higher burst setting.

Rate of Fire: Single Shot, Three Round Burst, and Extended Bursts (Use Machine Gun burst rules).

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Two (2) Chest / Shoulder Mounted Mini-Missile Launchers: Chest-mounted launchers that stores a total of 16 missiles in the torso of the armor. Missiles have a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and have an acceleration of 2% of light per turn in space. This is slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration. Mini-Missiles in the Phase World / Three Galaxies setting are normally smart missiles.

Maximum Effective Range: Mini-Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire mini-missiles one at a time or in volley of two (2) or (4) mini-missiles.

Payload: Sixteen (16) mini-missiles total, eight (8) mini-missiles per launcher.
Four (4) Leg Mounted Mini-Missile Launchers: On each side of the armors legs is a launcher that stores a total of 4 missiles. These take most of the place that was originally meant for the planting system with its anti-sway pylons. Missiles have a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and have an acceleration of 2% of light per turn in space. This is slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration. Mini-Missiles in the Phase World / Three Galaxies setting are normally smart missiles.

Maximum Effective Range: Mini-Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire mini-missiles one at a time or in volley of two (2) or (4) mini-missiles.

Payload: Sixteen (16) mini-missiles total, four (4) mini-missiles per launcher.
Handheld Weapons: The Glitter Boy can use almost any handheld weapon which can be held by large powered armors, including plasma guns, lasers and, (a favorite) the Silverhawk Multi rifle! All of these can be patched into the power supply of the armor, giving them a unlimited payload.

6 Hand to Hand Combat: Rather than use a weapon, the pilot may engage in mega-damage hand to hand combat. See the Power Armor Combat Training Section of the Rifts RPG for specifics. All bonuses are in addition to normal power armor training.

Bonuses / Penalties:
Note: If gravity flight system is destroyed or disable, power armor will have only +1 to initiative, +2 to strike with the Variable Frequency Laser Cannon, -1 to dodge, and +2 to roll with punch, fall, and impact.

Special Equipment:

Has all the normal sensors of power armors in the Three Galaxies plus the following special features.

Advanced Laser Targeting as well as the usual robot standard features. The Boom Gun AND the large variable laser cannon are +2 to Strike. See Power Armor Combat Training in the High Tech War Machines section for additional bonuses and data.

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Image drawn and copyrighted by Timothy Leard (rurounichimoshi@hotmail.com) .

More Timothy Leard artwork at Elfwood (go to Zone 47 gallery 22, or Lothlorien gallery 115)

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune) and

Mischa Campen (E-Mail Mischa)

Based on ideas by Harold Nichols (sha_radun@yahoo.com)

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