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 into 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 can allows the arm of the Over Weapon for infinite time periods of without consuming the CRAWs. Infinite Over Weapon fire in other words.
  • Sword: Shoots 1 powerful beam that decimates large enemies and bosses.
  • Chain Blast: Fires 6 lasers (2 backwards and 4 to the sides) that destroys swarms of enemies from behind.
• A Powerful Energy-absorbing Shield: The shield gives the chance to both Brigandine and Vambrace to take multiple hits. This is displayed as the Brigandine's Shield Bar in the game.

Weaknesses

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

The many strengths can 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.