RVR-02B "Brigandine"

The RVR-02B "Brigandine" (ブリガンダイン Burigandain) is an equipment introduced in Thunder Force V.

A Brigandine is an Extra Body Equipment used by an RVR to enhance its normal power and flight capabilities, along with changing an old model with the new model.

Strengths

This equipment provides several improvements, including:

• Enhanced engine power, allowing the RVR to reach the outer space.
• Self-repairing Nanotechnology to automatically patch up most minor damage taken to the RVR-02 Vambrace.
• Extended use of the Over Weapon: The constant stabilization of the radioactive cores within the CRAW units allows the use of the Over Weapon for infinite time periods of without consuming the CRAWs. Infinite Over Weapon in other words.
• A Powerful Energy-absorbing Shield: The shield gives the chance for both Brigandine and RVR-02 to take multiple hits. This is displayed as the Brigandine's Shield Bar of the Brigandine in the game.

Weaknesses

• The Brigandine considerably decreases the RVR mobility due to its large size.
• Its large size provides a much larger target for enemy fire along with mobility reduction.
• The acquired weapons (Wave, Free Range and Hunter) are locked until the shield capacity is completely emptied. It means the only weapons that the Brigandine is equipped with Sword & Chain Blast.

The many strengths that makes a Brigandine-enhanced RVR are much more powerful than the original Vasteel despite its weaknesses.

Trivia

• The name Brigandine comes from a body armor used in the Middle Ages
• The concept and functionality of the Brigandine is very similar to the "S-Unit" from Vapor Trail: Hyper Offence Formation used to increase the firepower of the aircraft with a special weapon, but locking the aircraft's current main weaponry.