Devjannz wrote:Since they started off fighting the Zentraedi it makes sense that there may be larger versions for fighting an enemy that size.
Thing is, that's only the novels/comics/RPG. The Tv series makes no such claim as the Zentraedi not only never mention the Invid, no one in the UEF (ASC or REF) know about the Invid BEFORE the end of the 2RW. The dialogue is fairly consistent in that regard. Not only does Major Carpenter not mention some war out in deep space with some heretofore unknown alien species, Admiral Hunter didn't even know who the Invid were when he set down at Point K.
The oversized Iigaa in
The Sentinels seems to also match an oversized Iigaa seen in The Invid Invasion (which is almost the size of an Alpha), which also has some weird-looking electrical attack. Suffice to say, it appears that some Invid do get bigger than others. It makes for an interesting discussion on how to rationally explain it without resorting to "Animation Error" (which it clearly is, but isn't fairly helpful).
Relevant dialogue:
Episode #58
Final NightmareMUSICA: Its just as I feared, we're too late Bowie. Its already started. You were right! These are the Flowers of Life! And those spores they're sending out? That means the mutation is complete. The Invid will be drawn here from across the cosmos. They're probably on their way even as we're standing here.
BOWIE: The Invid? Who are they?
MUSICA: The enemies of both our people!
BOWIE: Wait, Musica! Be careful, will ya? I mean what do we know about these plants? They might even be carnivorous.
MUSICA: No, Bowie. The Flower of Life survives by feeding off the Protoculture Matrix.
BOWIE: Huh?
MUSICA: It moved!
BOWIE: Musica...
MUSICA: Oh no, Bowie. Something terrible is about to happen!
BOWIE: Don't worry, I'm right here with you.
THE NARRATOR: Even as Bowie tries to comfort Musica, spores continue to rise out of an opening at the top of the ruins. As Bowie watches the eerie process, a startling realization dawns on him.
BOWIE: Hey, if they feed on Protoculture, then this is the Protoculture Factory! Musica, we found what everyone's been looking for!
MUSICA: Protoculture Factory? Yes, we found it, but its too late.
BOWIE: No, its not too late, Musica! I don't care what the Invid are, its not too late!
MUSICA: But how?
BOWIE: I don't know how, but we'll figure something, we've got to.
MUSICA: (Thinking to herself) Oh Bowie, if you only knew what the Invid were like!
........................
NOVA: There they are. But what in the world could they all be doing inside the Ruins of the SDF-1? Well, there's only one way to find out.
DANA: What? It can't be!
BOWIE: Believe it, Lieutenant. These things subsist on Protoculture. They thrive on it.
MUSICA: Its true.
DANA: So these spores must be some kind of signal to the Invid, whatever they are.
BOWIE: That's right.
DANA: And the Protoculture was right here all the time and it looks like we're the only ones in the universe that didn't know it.
BOWIE & MUSICA: Uh huh (in unison).
DANTE: Oh come on, Lieutenant.
DANA: Huh?
DANTE: Give me a break. All this stuff is a bunch of legends and fairy tales. You don't really believe all this bunk about the Invid Flower of Life, do you ma'am?
Episode #59
The Invid ConnectionTHE MASTERS: Attention Commander Leonard! Attention Commander Leonard. Attention all leaders of the Southern Cross Defense Force. Listen very closely to what we have to say. We are now capable of demolishing you completely with little effort. We advise you to surrender and evacuate your planet immediately. Evacuate the planet within 38 hours, or we will be forced to destory your homeworld.
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: Now you listen. We underwent much suffering and agony to make this planet our home. We're not going to just give it up.
THE MASTERS: Commander Leonard, this is an ultimatum, not a suggestion. The Invid have already detected the presence of Protoculture on this planet. You must now leave this matter to us.
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: Its impossible to evacuate our citizens and troops within 38 hours. Absolutely impossible. More time. We must have at least 7 days.
THE MASTERS: 48 hours, then, and no more.
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: But we can't....
THE MASTERS: 48 hours, Commander.
SEWARD: Well, Supreme Commander?
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: All squadrons assemble at Monument City and prepare for a massive attack.
SEWARD: Yes sir. But Commander...
SUPREME COMMANDER LEONARD: Do it now. On the double! (Thinking to himself) We defeated the Zentraedi and now we've got these so-called Robotech Masters and whatever the Invid are. Well our troops can handle them too.
Episode #60
CatastropheDANA: But what happened to me while I was holding that container? Are these spores really that dangerous? And what about the Invid?
Episode #68
EulogySCOTT: He's the greatest ace ever to come out of the Robotech Military Academy.
RAND: Ohhhh..
ROOK: I heard he's supposed to be a real ladies man too.
ANNIE: Really? I'd like to meet him.
SCOTT: Yep, graduated number one in his class and then volunteered for Special Forces duty when Admiral Hunter sent in the first wave against The Robotech Masters.
VIDEO NARRATOR: Colonel Jonathan Wolfe, leader of a squadron dubbed The Wolfe Pack, was successful in annihilating many of the enemies encountered by Admiral Hunter's Robotech Defenders. Then the Wolfe Pack was sent to Earth to do battle with The Robotech Masters. They survived the Invid attack and have kept the hopes of freedom lovers everywhere alive until Admiral Hunter returns.
SCOTT: I can still remember the day Colonel Wolfe left. After joining the Earth Reclamation Forces, he turned up missing. We thought he was dead. Amazing, he's been here the whole time.
..................................
WOLFE: So, what is it?
SCOTT: Like yours, sir, my orders are to penetrate and raid the Invid Protoculture complex. If possible, I'd like to join forces with you.
WOLFE: Hmmm. You would, huh?
SCOTT: Sir, what do you say?
WOLFE: And what makes you presume that you know what my orders are, Commander Bernard?
SCOTT: We're here for the same reasons, sir. Like you, I'm a graduate of the Robotech Academy and an ex-member of your Wolfe Pack.
WOLFE: This isn't the Wolfe Pack. This is Earth and our enemy, the Invid, are savages.
Episode #70
Enter MarleneSCOTT: You see, its the place where Admiral Hunter put down to plan an advance attack base.
ROOK: Was he planning advance attacks against the Invid?
SCOTT: He wasn't sure who the enemy was exactly, but ever since they arrived, there's been no one but the Invid to attack.
Now to forestall any argument, yes, I am saying the REF doesn't encounter the Invid until the 3rd Robotech War. That's plainly obvious with the Wolfe dialogue and the complete mystery of the Invid during the 2nd Robotech War. However, the Wolfe video states the REF fought SOMEONE out in deep space (and likely multiple someone's at that). So the few remaining holdouts of the Zentraedi, the Disciples of Zor and whatever other humanoid Robotechnology using species there are would be among those enemies. The sky is pretty much the limit (though, again, likely humanoid and not utterly alien).