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Edmund Chiu (edf91@worldnet.att.net)
Wed, 1 Nov 2000 00:17:15 -0800
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zhou Tai An" <kain@pacific.net.sg>
To: <gundam@aeug.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 9:59 PM
Subject: [gundam] Thoughts on I-Fields and Newtypes
> Since everyone is talking about these now, I thought I'd explain my views
> concisely and see whether people disagree/agree. Even if they do neither,
at
> least I'll get some feedback and improve my Gundam knowledge. ^_^
I strongly encourage you read the stuff from the Gundam Project first.
SRW is not a really reliable source for those type of technical information,
you know...
>
> First off, I-Fields. I'll admit it - the reason why I consider Nu Gundam
to
> have an I-Field is because in Super Robot Wars, it clearly states
"I-Field".
> ^_^ But then I learn it's supposed to be a beam barrier. What's with all
> this beam coating, beam barrier, I-Field stuff anyway? Let's make a list :
Remember - all SRW previous to SRWF DON'T have any type of barrier that
can block all attacks. Even in SRWF, it's EVA only. Only two "real" types of
barriers were found in Gundams - beam coating and I-Field. Even beam coating
is mostly borrowing from L-Gaim (where they use it everywhere), where beam
coating is only used in ZZ Gundam.
>
> I-Fields - Supposed to reflect beams. According to Mark Simmons, different
> types exist. Possessed by a whole ton of units.
Doesn't "reflect" it like mirror reflect light - more like block. As for
as various UC Gundams are concern, no beam-based rifle or cannon can break
through I-Field.
>
> Beam barrier - Supposedly possessed by Nu Gundam. Exactly what is it? Can
> reflect beams and funnels. (I personally think it's another variation of
the
> Pin-point Defense System myself...)
Think of it as early version of beam shield - where it can actually
block all types of projectile, whether it be beam, missiles or funnels.
Another difference is that beam barrier, like beam shield, can be
overloaded - look at what Quess did in CCA.
>
> Beam coating - Can be spraypainted on. ^_^ (Just kidding) Possessed by FA
> ZZ. Supposedly to reflect beams. In what way does this differ from the
other
> kinds of beam protection?
It "absorb" the beam. I thought V2 Assault have something similar on the
armor so it can take a few shots. Unlike beam barrier or beam shield, beam
coating can only take a number of shot before it "wears off", and you would
have to apply it again before it can be use again, unlike beam
shield/barrier, where you can usually use it again after it was temporary
overloaded.
> There seems to be much dissension about Newtypes...I'll relate my theory
> first. We all agree that Newtypes make better pilots than normal humans,
> right? Take an equally skilled NT and an equally skilled human, make them
> fight in MSes, and the NT will generally prove a better fighter. I think
> that is common consensus. By the same token, NT ability must be somehow
> related to piloting. So, if someone is a powerful NT, it stands to reason
> that they must be at the very least an above-average pilot, ne?
Don't take it as an insult or anything - but in the UC Gundam world,
what, in part, makes a newtype special is their ability to sense enemy
attacks and their natural "awareness" in space (as of now, people have been
used to basically 2D movements. Learning to move in 3D takes time, but NT
usually have the sense before they train). Think of it as a "sixth sense".
Almost all ace pilots have something similar, from their experience in
combat, but generally it's not as "effective" as those from NT pilots. What
makes it so useful in UC Gundam is that radar is basically useless,
especially in combat, where Minorsky particles have been introduced. Now
it's back to the WWI time - whichever see the enemy first have the first
shot, and in the hands of a good pilot, it is a deadly advantage.
>
> That's basically what I wanted to say. ^_^ Well, I have a bit more,
> actually. Firstly, I have to admit again that I'm borrowing a bit from
Super
> Robot Wars here - there's this stat called Newtype, and Amuro and Char
have
> high levels of Newtype ability. If they actually were weak Newtypes and
had
> good piloting skills, why doesn't the game reflect this? And why does the
> Newtype skill RAISE accuracy and evasion?
Actually, in SRWA, Camille, Scricco and Haman have the highest NT level,
which makes much more sense. They are the only ones capable to reach NT
level 9. Besides, even if it does increase dodging and aiming, it doesn't
effective the "attack power" stats, right? I have always stress that NT
powers make a pilot a better "dodger and aimer". In SRW, only NT level 1 is
needed for funnels, which is not true (meaning it should be changed) - Char
was clearly a newtype, yet he cannot use bits back in the original Gundam...
>
> Okay, that might be a bit off topic...after all, it's a game, and not bona
> fide Gundam. So let's use this theory isntead - I propose not several
> categories of Newtypes, but varying power levels of piloting ability and
> psychic power - you've got powerful psychics like Lalah and Quess, who
> aren't so hot when it comes to MSes (though I maintain that it's because
of
> insufficient training) less powerful psychics who are gods in MSes (like
> Char) weaklings like Fa and Katsu (and Hathaway, the bastard ^_^) and
> all-rounders like Amuro. The difference between this and Edmund Chiu's
> theory is that I firmly believe Newtype power is linked to piloting
ability,
> and I've supported my point above.
Also remember another thing - Lalah and Quess have moderate, if not
"sucky" regular piloting skill (evasive manuver and stuff like that). If not
for their NT skill, they would even be a pilot - they know where to attack
and when to dodge, which is really important in the Gundam era of combat.
Another thing is that I truly believe in Char's father's theory of
Newtype - Newtypes are basically people with heighten sense of awareness.
Almost all Newtypes display that trait - it's basically the "side-effect"
that almost all NT makes good pilots that really "override" the people's
perception. I believe in CCA, Quess mention something like that in her
conversation with Hathaway.
Come on, Mark! Help me out here! I am really rusty on my Gundam
knowledge, and Mr. Zhou don't take no for an answer ^_^
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