the V.A.M.P., Mark 5

The Mark 5 V.A.M.P. is a repurposed Desert Striker, another in a long string of Joe vehicles in this line. The Mark 5 is changed in that it goes with an olive drab color scheme instead of desert hues, and drops the mine laying mechanism in exchange for a towable cannon. It has these vehicular statistics and abilities:

60mm Machine Gun: this heavy duty, hood-mounted dealer of doom can be fired by a passenger sitting in the V.A.M.P. to inflict Excellent (20) Shooting damage in a small bust, or Remarkable (30) Shooting damage in a full-auto stream of vehicle-shredding lead.

Bullet-Proof Armor: the frame of the V.A.M.P. has been built from 'bullet-proof' metals, making the vehicle a bit heavier overall, but at the same time much more resistant to damage. This accounts for the high Body rating of the V.A.M.P., since the vehicle overall has an Incredible (40) m.s.

Communications Array: the V.A.M.P. is equipped with an extremely powerful, gigahertz-frequency, frequency-wobbler radio system. This makes for Typical (6) communications power (with a 100 mile range) that has Remarkable (30) ranked signal encryption - not bad at all, that.

Halogen Lamps: the V.A.M.P.'s headlights are quartz-halogen bulbs that can illuminate an area with Remarkable (30) ability. They are equipped with an electrical defrost capability, allowing them to cook ice and muck clean off of them in the event that this is necessary; this takes one turn.

Heavy Laser Cannon: the primary weapon of the V.A.M.P., this devastating device is mounted on the roof of the vehicle. When fired at a target, it can inflict Incredible (40) Armor Piercing Energy damage per blast, causing considerable harm to whatever structures, vehicles, or personnel (!) it hits.

Roll-Cage: while the V.A.M.P. doesn't actually offer it's driver, gunner, or passenger (it seats three comfortably) much protection, in a game mechanics sense, its titanium roll-cage allows for Excellent (20) protection from collision or incidental damage in the event that it experiences a roll or crash.

Side Cannon: a back-up for the laser cannon should it be rendered inoperable or useless due to inclement conditions, this machine gun (mounted on the side of the laser cannon) can be fired to inflict Typical (6) Shooting damage with a single shot, +1 CS in a small burst, and +2 CS in a large burst.

Specialty Tires: these extremely expensive tires are of the off-road, self-sealing variety, and can withstand up to Remarkable (30) damage before being disabled. Also, these are flotation tires, allowing the V.A.M.P. to even drive on water for short, short periods of time (about one turn) before it sinks.

Whirlwind Twin Battle Gun: the main functional difference between the Desert Striker and this particular vehicle, the Mark 5 V.A.M.P. is designed with the additional firepower that the Whirlwind Twin Battle Gun can provide - even though that weapon is better when fired stationary.

See the Whirlwind's description for more information.

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of the V.A.M.P.: