LEGO Rock Raiders

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High Adventure... Deep Underground...

LEGO Rock Raiders was a Lego theme started 1999, and was discontinued in 2000. Rock Raiders was the only theme in the LEGO Underground series. It featured sixteen sets (Four of which were promotional sets), one story book, one puzzle book, four comic books (Three of which were randomly included in sets when the theme first started), two video games and one online game; the online game was taken down along with the official site shortly after the theme was discontinued.

The premise of the theme involves the crew of the LMS Explorer. The vessel is damaged after wandering into an asteroid field and it's sucked into a wormhole where it enters an alien galaxy and orbits the Planet U. There the crew (The Rock Raiders), whilst repairing the ship, must venture inside the dangerous caverns of the planet to collect the precious Energy Crystals.

Contents 1 Characters 2 Sets 3 Vehicles and Structures 4 Rock Raider Tools, Equipment and other structures 5 Story 5.1 Games 5.1.1 PC Game 5.1.2 Online Game 5.1.3 Playstation Game 5.1.4 Ending 5.2 Original Plans 5.3 Books/Comics 5.3.1 Save The Spaceship 5.3.2 High Adventure, Deep Underground 5.3.3 Race For Survival 5.3.4 Mini-Comics 5.3.5 Inconsistencies 5.3.6 Revelations 6 Planet U 6.1 Creatures 6.2 Rock Types and Minerals 7 References/Similarities to other LEGO themes 8 Links

[edit] Characters

Image	Name	Rank	Profile
	Axle	Driver; Midshipman	Axle is an expert driver who can control any vehicle, but is happiest when he's behind the controls of the Chrome Crusher. Three times 'LEGO World Racing Champion', Axle's ability to handle anything with wheels is second to none. Axle is a bit impulsive and tends to dive headfirst into a situation without thinking.
	Bandit	Helmsman; Navigator; Sailor; Sub-Lieutenant	Bandit is happiest on the water while riding underground lakes and rapids. An expert navigator, he always knows his exact location. Bandit does not stand any tomfoolery and if things aren't going well, he will grumble for hours. Bandit sometimes has to sneak crystals away from the Rock Monsters. After being underwater so long, Bandit is a little shaky on land - or under it.
	Chief	Captain	Chief is the oldest, wisest and most experienced member of the team. He is calm in any situation and has the experience to solve almost any problem. Chief commands the LMS Explorer, during missions he stays on the ship and commands his men. Years ago he lost his left arm while rescuing 37 miners from a cave-in on Pluto, it was replaced by a teal robotic arm that can shoot blasts of plasma. He always puts the lives of his team above his own, if something goes wrong in a cavern where some of his team is working, he immediately teleports them out.
	Docs	Commander; Doctor; Explosives Expert; Geologist	Docs is full of ideas and can think his way out of any problem, he is a keen explorer and an explosives expert. Docs is a very learned man, renowned for his skills in locating Energy Crystals and Ore. Unlike Axle, Docs always assesses a situation before making a decision, though sometimes he thinks a little too much. He is the highest-ranking officier, next to Chief.
	Lt. Jet Marshalls	Flight Lieutenant; Pilot	Jet is courageous and strong-willed, she is a very skilled pilot and is always ready to take on new, exciting challenges. Jet's piloting skills are legendary, ready for any challenge she always approaches her missions with a level head. Jet will never shirk a difficult task and has great problem-solving skills. The Tunnel Transport is her favorite vehicle. She is the only one of the crew that is in the military.
	Sparks	Engineer; Midshipman	Sparks is an expert on all things mechanical and electrical, unfortunately he is also very, very clumsy. As the team's engineer, Sparks likes to build new mining equipment. He is always taking things apart, but sometimes he forgets to put them back together! Sparks keeps the drills drilling, the grinders grinding, and the loaders loading.

[edit] Sets

Picture	Name	Year Released	Set Number	Information
	Light Hover	2000	1274	One of four promotional sets released, it appears to be a flying vehicle of sorts. The front has three lights and the back has a claw for holding one tool. This set came with one Jet figure.
	Chainsaw Bulldozer	2000	1275	One of four promotional sets released, the set has two power-saws on the front. This set came with one Bandit figure
	Helicopter Transport	2000	1276	One of four promotional sets released, the set has one propeller on the top and can seat one figure. This set came with one Docs figure.
	Drill Craft	2000	1277	One of four promotional sets released, this set had two chainsaws in the front and two lights on the sides. This set came with one Sparks figure
	Rock Raiders #1	2000	3347	This is only set that contains the Rock Raiders' Captain, Chief. It includes one Chief figure, one stand, and one card.
	Rock Raiders #2	2000	3348	This set contains one Bandit, Docs, and Sparks figures, three cards and three stands.
	Rock Raiders #3	2000	3349	This set contains one Axle, Docs, and Jet figures, three cards and three stands.
	Hover Scout	1999	4910	This is the set of the Hover Scout, one of the smaller sets. It contains one Hover Scout, one Recharge Station and one Jet figure.
	Rapid Rider	1999	4920	This is the set of Bandit's favorite vehicle, the Rapid Rider. The back of the boat has a small cargo area for carrying Ore. This set contains one Bandit figure
	Rock Raiders	1999	4930	This set has all of the team except for Chief. It also has a portable Tool Store.
	Granite Grinder	1999	4940	The Granite Grinder is one of biggest sets, though certainly not the biggest. Unlike the other vehicles, the Granite Grinder has mechanical legs instead of wheels. It has one large drill similar to that of the Chrome Crusher's on the front, and two large engines in the back. This set contains one Axle figure.
	Loader Dozer	1999	4950	The Loader Dozer is a wide, but short set. The Loader Dozer is a heavy-duty bulldozer, it's large scoop can be lifted or dropped by a switch on its back. This set contains one Axle figure and one Rock Monster model.
	Loader Dozer	1999	4959	Unreleased. Same set as 4950.
	Chrome Crusher	1999	4970	The Chrome Crusher is the largest of the Rock Raiders' vehicles, it has one large drill on the left, and a large scanner on the right. It has one laser on top that is powered by two AAA batteries. This set contains one Axle figure.
	Tunnel Transport	1999	4980	The Tunnel Transport is the largest of the flying vehicles. The bottom of the set has a large cargo hold that is held on by a chain. This set contains one Docs and Jet figures, and one Small Digger and Hoverboard models.
	Rock Raiders HQ	1999	4990	The center of all Rock Raiders activity on Planet U. This set contains one Bandit, Jet, Docs and Sparks figures. This set also contains one Rock Monster, Small Transport Truck and one flying vehicle models. This set is a must-have for any Rock Raiders fan. Rock Raiders HQ is occasionally called the Processing Plant.

[edit] Vehicles and Structures

Picture	Name	Information
	LMS Explorer	The LMS Explorer is the most important vehicle of all, it's the main operating center of all the Rock Raiders activities, it holds hundreds, if not thousands of Rock Raiders and their equipment. The engine is capable of reaching Lightspeed. The enormous ship has a shield that protects it from space debris. Unfortunately, that shield was destroyed by a huge asteroid when it entered an asteroid field; this critically damaged the ship as a result.
	Hover Scout	The Hover Scout is designed to make long distance reconnaissance over land easier and quicker. It can travel over rubble and rock debris, at high speed, and uses the latest hover propulsion technology. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle in the PC game. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a Level 1 Toolstore, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station and a Support Station.
	Small Digger	The Small Digger is a very useful little vehicle. It uses twin chainsaw blades to cut through all types of rock, except solid rock. Although this is not the fastest cutting machine, it is a good choice of vehicle at the start of a long mission. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a L1 Toolstore, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station and a Support Station.
	Small Transport Truck	The Small Transport Truck is also very useful through-out the entire mission. It can be used to carry raw materials from drilling sites back to Rock Raider HQ. It can carry much more than a Rock Raider and travels much faster. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a L1 Toolstore, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station and a Support Station.
	Rapid Rider	The Rapid Rider is the most basic water-based vehicle. It can travel across underground lakes and rivers although it cannot carry much cargo, it is an excellent reconnaissance craft. A Rock Raider must be trained as a sailor to use this vehicle. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a Power Station and the Docks.
	Small Mobile Laser Cutter	The Small Mobile Laser Cutter is excellent at blasting through Dirt and Loose Rock, using its powerful beam. Although it is extremely fast at mining, it uses a lot of power. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L2 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station and a L1 Support Station.
	Tunnel Scout	The Tunnel Scout is ideal for more advanced reconnaissance, as it can fly over water, lava and land. It gives the Rock Raider team greater flexibility over mixed terrain and its high speed keeps the pilot out of trouble. A Rock Raider must be trained as a pilot to use this vehicle. In the PC Game, to access this vehicle you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L2 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station and a L1 Support Station.
	Floating Platform	The Floating Platform is a special un-manned platform available only in the Playstation video game. It is big enough only for one Rock Raider, they are automatically set to float around a small area and return, usually over lava. This vehicle is very useful if you don't have a Tunnel Scout.
	Loader Dozer	The Loader Dozer is a heavy-duty bulldozer and is good for clearing large areas of rubble quickly. It can carry large amounts of cargo, making it very useful for moving large loads. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. To access this vehicle in the PC Game, you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station, a L2 Support Station and a Super Teleport.
	Tunnel Transport	The Tunnel Transport is a huge floating craft similar to Military Helicopters, it has room for two pilots in the cockpit and has a large winch that can lift the largest land vehicles, such as the Chrome Crusher and rescue trapped Rock Raiders by lifting them onto the ship. You cannot teleport down this vehicle in the PC Game but it's the aim of one of the missions to reach it.
	Granite Grinder	The Granite Grinder is the "big brother" of the Small Digger, its giant drill is very high powered and it grinds through rock more quickly than the Small Digger and Small Mobile Laser Cutter. Its unique "walker" legs make it able to cross rubble and rock debris safely and easily. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. To access this vehicle in the PC Game, you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station, a L2 Support Station and a Super Teleport.
	Large Mobile Laser Cutter	The Large Mobile Laser Cutter is the "big brother" of the Small Mobile Laser Cutter. It is excellent at blasting though dirt and loose rock, using its powerful beam. Although it uses the same amount of power as the Small Mobile Laser Cutter, the laser is more powerful and will cut through rock more quickly, and is effective over a much longer range. If the vehicle's drill is upgraded, it sprouts a second laser emitter. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. To access this vehicle in the PC Game you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station, a L2 Support Station and a L1 Super Teleport.
	Chrome Crusher	The Chrome Crusher is the "big daddy" of the Rock Raiders vehicles. It is everything that a Rock Raider will ever need in the dangerous underground caverns. Its powerful drill and high-energy laser equipment are a match for any kind of rock! If its drill is upgraded, a second drill will appear where the sensor dish was and this dish is moved up next to the laser. If the engine is upgraded, a huge, powerful-looking engine block appears in the large hollow space in the back of the vehicle, and it is able to move much faster. However, it is still slower than every other vehicle except the large mobile laser cutter, which cannot get an engine upgrade. A Rock Raider must be trained as a driver to use this vehicle. To access this vehicle in the PC Game you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station, a L2 Support Station and a L1 Super Teleport.
	Cargo Carrier	The Cargo Carrier is a large water-based craft that is generally used to ferry equipment over the underground lakes and rivers. It has a large cargo hold that is able to carry most of the small vehicles and the Rock Raiders across water. A Rock Raider must be trained as a sailor to use this vehicle. To access this vehicle in the PC Game you'll need a L1 Tool Store, a L1 Teleport Pad, a L1 Power Station, a L2 Support Station, a L1 Super Teleport and the Docks.
	Hoverboard	The Hoverboard appeared in Save The Spaceship, it was also featured on the cover of Race For Survival, though it did not appear in the story itself. It is included in the Tunnel Transport set. It is possibly a modified Hover Scout that can seat two, or perhaps a modified Floating Platform.
	Other Vehicles	Many other unnamed vehicles are included in sets, mostly flying vehicles (One is pictured). There are also unnamed inspiration models on the back of the sets' boxes.
	Tool Store	The Tool Store is the first building needed for any Rock Raider HQ and is the starting point of every base. It is a multi-purpose building, as it not only acts as a temporary Teleport Pad, but also stores all the tools needed by the Rock Raider team. Collected raw materials are also stored in the Tool Store. Once this building is upgraded to Level 1 you can build the Teleport Pad. Level 2 and you can train Rock Raiders as Explosives Experts.
	Teleport Pad	The Teleport Pad is a very important building. Rock Raiders and the Small Vehicles use the Teleport Pad to travel into the underground caverns from the LMS Explorer. This building is where Rock Raiders can train as Pilots. When you have constructed a Support Station you can use the Teleport Pad to transport land-based vehicles and the Tunnel Scout. Once this building is Upgraded to Level 1 you can construct the Power Station and the Docks. Level 2, with the Support Station you can teleport down the Small Mobile Laser Cutter and Tunnel Scout.
	Docks	The Docks are always constructed on the bank of an underground lake or river. They are used for mooring the Rapid Rider and Cargo Carrier. Rock Raiders can use the Docks to train as sailors. Once a Rock Raider is trained as a sailor, he can use any water based vehicle to explore the caverns around him. This building has no upgrade.
	Power Station	The Power Station is extremely important, as it is where the power is extracted from the Energy Crystals and used to power the buildings at Rock Raider HQ. Once a Power Station has been constructed, the Energy Crystals collected are taken here and used to power the base. When a Crystal has been fully drained of power, it's transferred to the Tool Store for recharging at a Recharge Seam. A drained Crystal will turn purple in colour. Once upgraded, you can construct the Support Station, Upgrade Station, Geological Centre and Ore Refinery.
	Support Station	The Support Station is where Rock Raiders go to eat. You can train Rock Raiders as drivers here. Another important job this building does is replenish the air supply in caverns which have limited levels of oxygen in them. Once one of these has been completed, you can send more Rock Raiders into the cavern. Note: One Support Station supports 10 Rock Raiders. If you have 20 in a cavern you may need to build another to combat the air supply drain. Once Upgraded to Level 1, you can build a Super Teleport and a Mining Laser. Level 2, with a Super Teleport you can beam down a Loader Dozer and Granite Grinder. Support Stations are called Oxygen Pureifiers in Race For Survival and High Adventure, Deep Underground.
	Upgrade Station	At the Upgrade Station you can upgrade vehicles. Also you can train Rock Raiders as Engineers here. Once Upgraded, vehicle upgrade time is reduced.
	Geological Centre	Once one of these has been constructed, its powerful scanning equipment can scan the area around it, you can see this on the radar screen. You can use this to train Rock Raiders as Geologists.
	Ore Refinery	The Ore Refinery is where ore is taken to be converted into building studs. Then the building studs can be taken to the Tool Store. It takes five pieces of ore to make 1 building stud, but once upgraded to Level 1 it only takes 4 pieces of ore to make a building stud. Level 2 it's 3 pieces and Level 3 it's 2.
	Mining Laser	The Mining Laser projects a powerful beam which can tackle any rock type except Solid Rock. This must be used wisely as firing the laser uses up Energy Crystals. 4 laser blasts uses up 1 Crystal. If upgraded to Level 1, 6 Laser Blasts will use up one Energy Crystal and the building will sprout a second laser emitter.
	Super Teleport	The Super Teleport has more than double the power of the Teleport Pad. Once constructed you can beam down the Loader Dozer and Granite Grinder from the LMS Explorer. If upgraded to level 1, you can beam down a Large Mobile Laser Cutter, Chrome Crusher and Cargo Carrier (provided you have the Docks for this last one). The Super Teleport is called the Large Teleport Pad in the PS1 game.
	Landing Pad	The Landing Pad is used for landing the Tunnel Transport, it can be seen as an extension of the Super Teleport. It is only seen in the Playstation game.

[edit] Rock Raider Tools, Equipment and other structures

Name	Information
Action Stations	Using Action Stations puts all of your Rock Raiders on red alert to defend the HQ. Action Stations is automaticallly sounded when a building is destroyed or damaged, this lets Rock Raiders know to go to the Tool Store and get the appropriate tool to deal with the attacker. When Action Stations are sounded, the entire cavern glows red, and a small alarm can be heard.
Construction Barriers	These are use by Rock Raiders during the construction of buildings. They are used to help mark out the construction site and Ore and Energy Crystals are placed in between them. You cannot construct a building without them and even if all the necessary minerals are placed on the site, the building won't teleport down until the last barrier has been placed on the site. Rock Raiders collect them from the Tool Store autonomously, and pick them up automatically if one has been left lying around and not on the construction site. Construction Barriers look like typical barriers with black and yellow stripes on them and a flashing light at both ends.
Drill	All Rock Raiders start off a mission with this but they may need to retrieve it from the Tool Store later on in the mission. They can use this to drill any rock type except Solid Rock, Hard Rock and Recharge Seams.
Dual Saw	A small hand-held device that has two power-saws on the left and right sides.
Dynamite	An explosive material that Rock Raiders can fetch from the Tool Store. It isn't shown in the inventory, but Rock Raiders can be seen carrying it to the selected wall. Dynamite can knock down dirt, loose and hard rock in one go. It does work on seams but only once, and the wall isn't completely blown up. Dynamite can do damage to vehicles, Rock Raiders, buildings and monsters alike. Dynamite is ineffective on solid rock walls.
Electric Fences	These can be considered either a tool, weapon or building. Rock Raiders may place these around the perimeter of their Rock Raiders HQ, any Monsters that go near them are electrocuted and destroyed. However, they are ineffective against Slimy Slugs.
Freezer Beam	A defensive tool. In missions with Monsters, Rock Raiders can fetch one of these from the Tool Store. This is the only weapon that's truly effective against Lava Monsters. Ice Monsters are immune to Freezer Beam fire.
GeoScanner	The GeoScanner is the Rock Raider's most important tool, it shows where minerals are located and how thick rock is. The GeoScanner can be obtained by training Rock Raiders as Geologists in the PC game. It is however not displayed in their tool inventory, but listed down as a skill (Geologist). In the Playstation game the GeoScanner works differently, it makes everything glow an odd green colour, and zooms out, showing the nearby minerals and and thickness of rock. This GeoScanner is assumed by few to be aboard the LMS Explorer, due to the way it works. A large GeoScanner is equipped on the Geological Center, it is the most powerful of all the GeoScanners, scanning almost the entire cavern. A GeoScanner can be fitted onto some vehicles at the Upgrade Station.
Hammer	This tool can be used by Rock Raiders to reinforce any wall made of Dirt, Loose Rock and Hard Rock. To use one, a Rock Raider must call on the Tool Store first time round.
Jetpack	Axle, Bandit, Docs, Jet and Sparks have small jetpacks in their uniforms, allowing them to jump over lava and water, and avoid danger from the creatures. Jet specially modified her jetpack so it can jump twice as high as the others'.
Laser Beam	A defensive tool. In missions involving Monsters this can be useful. A Rock Raider first has to go to the Tool Store to get one of these. Lava Monsters are more resistant to Laser Beam fire, but not immune, if a Rock Raider fires on one enough, it will disintegrate. Rock and Ice Monsters will disintegrate in one blast of a Laser Beam however.
PowerCells	PowerCells are units of energy that power the laser-beam, pusher-beam, freezer-beam and vehicle's laser-beams. Sparks can modify these so they last twice as long as normal. They only appear in the Playstation game and are mentioned in High Adventure, Deep Underground.
Power Path	The Power Path is the Rock Raiders HQ foundation, every building must be next to a Power Path to be built, however the paths themselves do not need to be connected to be built. Rock Raiders can run much faster on Power Paths than rubble or cavern floor. The Power Paths use energy from the Power Station and supply it throughout the base, this can be seen when the Power Paths glow blue. It takes two pieces of Ore, or one Building Stud to build a Power Path. When a Power Path is destroyed (eg. when a monster steps on one) or demolished, a pile of rubble is left behind. No resources can be extracted from the rubble however, unlike when other buildings are scrapped. Power Paths can also act as dams to stem the flow of lava, but they will need constant rebuilding to halt any gradual erosion.
Pusher Beam	A defensive tool. In missions with Monsters, Rock Raiders can fetch one of these from the Tool Store. These however only make a small impact on the health of a Monster and repeated fire will only drive them away (unless they're trapped), and not immediately disintegrate them. Sometimes a Rock Raider may mis-aim one of these and push the attacking Monster/Slug closer to your base.
Radar	The radar has two parts, the map of cavern, showing the Rock Raiders, their equipment, and the aliens if any, and the camera, showing one object/alien/Rock Raider constantly. The radar in the Playstation game does not show the cavern, and is much smaller.
Reinforced Wall	Any of the walls (Except Solid Rock) can be reinforced, to prevent landslides or Monster attacks.
Shields	Every Rock Raider has a shield, they protect them from the dangers of Planet U. When A Rock Raiders' shield is depelted, Chief teleports him/her back to the LMS Explorer for shield repairs and treatment.
Shovel	Rock Raiders can use a shovel to clear rubble from the cavern floor. They need to retrieve one from the Tool Store at the beginning of a mission to be able to use on.
Sonic Blaster	Rock Raiders can pick these up from the Tool Store. If a Slug is invading your base a Rock Raider carrying these can be ordered to drop one and a very loud noise will eminated from one for a few seconds. These have to be placed very carefully though.
Spanner	Any Rock Raider trained as an Engineer can use a spanner to repair any damaged buildings. A Rock Raider first has to collect one from the Tool Store before use.

[edit] Story

The crew of the LMS Explorer is returning home after a previous mission. Things are going smoothly until a shower of meteors impacts the LMS Explorer, the small ones do no harm thanks to the LMS Explorer's shield. However, one large meteor impacts the bridge and takes down the shield, thus badly damaging the ship.

As if things couldn't get worse, a wormhole opens up behind the ship and slowly drags it closer.

Desperate Jet sets the engines to maximum power in an attempt to get away, however the wormhole proves to be stronger and drags the ship in completely.

When the crew awakens, the LMS Explorer is dark with no power. Sparks activates the emergency generators and turns on the artificial gravity.

Chief orders Axle to do a scan of the local area to see where they are, Axle does so and discovers that the wormhole brought them to a parallel galaxy. Jet does a scan of the nearest planet, it is abundant with Energy Crystals, the purest, strongest form of energy ever discovered.

Chief uses the emergency power to fly towards that planet and sends Jet and Docs down. This is where the PC game starts.

[edit] Games

There were three Rock Raiders games, the PC and Playstation games told the majority of the story, and the online game was a side-story.

[edit] PC Game

The PC game told the majority of the story, though not the entire story.

The PC game introduces the characters (Though you do not play as them), Rock, Ice and Lava Monsters, Slimy Slugs, Small Spiders and Bats.

At the beginning of the game you have the option to do practice missions.

The premise of the game is similar to Dune II, each mission requires you to collect Energy Crystals and Ore to build and power your base. If any Monsters or Slimy Slugs attack you must turn on Action Stations, this puts your team on Red Alert to defend your base. Some missions require you to find lost Rock Raiders or lost equipment, though the majority of the missions is just collect Energy Crystals.

There are twenty-five missions total, each of them is either a stone cavern environment, a frozen cavern environment or a volcanic environment. The better you did on each mission meant a higher score percentage.

You don't have to complete all missions to win the game, just the final one and those leading up to it.

To unlock a mission, you have to successfully complete the one on top. Completing a mission won't always get you another one however.

[edit] Online Game

The online game was basically a movie clip, that starred Bandit. Each 'scene' required you to look for Energy Crystals using the radar, and unbury them with either dynamite, the hand drill or vehicle drill. If a Rock Monster attacked you had to use the Pusher Beam to drive them away.

Half-way through the game there was a timed slider-puzzle, if you finished in time Bandit got back to Rock Raiders HQ, if you didn't Bandit fell down a waterfall and had to go through a Rock Monster lair.

The more Energy Crystals you found the higher your score.

[edit] Playstation Game

The Playstation game continues where the PC game left off.

The Playstation game is played completely different than the PC game, you played as one of the main characters (Except Chief), teleported down vehicles, collected the remaining Energy Crystals from old bases, and rescued lost Rock Raiders.

This game introduces the red Energy Crystals that are five times more powerful than the green ones.

Many of the elements that were introduced in the PC game were not included here, such as the Recharge Seam, upgrading vehicles, feeding Rock Raiders and oxygen supply. However some other elements are introduced to take their place. Such as being able to fly the Tunnel Transport.

Instead of a percentage, you get either a bronze, silver or gold medal, depending on how good you did.

There are eighteen single-player missions and six multiplayer missions. In the PAL version of the game there are three secret levels. To get to these you need gold medals on all the missions, then on the highlight the final level and press down.

[edit] Ending

The two games have the same endings (Though the Playstation game does continue directly after the PC game). There were two possible endings, the incomplete ending, which is accomplished by getting a low percentage (PC), or not completing all objectives (PS1), and the complete ending, which is accomplished by getting 100% on all missions (PC), or completing all objectives (PS1).

• Complete ending -

The LMS Explorer is shown powering down completely.

The scene then changes to Jet and Docs standing in front of a door, the door opens and Sparks walks out carrying many Energy Crystals. The Energy Crystals are blocking Sparks' view, and he falls.

The Rock Raiders collect all the Energy Crystals they found on the planet, and put them in the LMS Explorer's engines, Chief watches through a monitor.

Once they are done, the LMS Explorer heads home, at lightspeed.

• Incomplete ending -

The LMS Explorer is shown powering down completely.

The scene then changes to Jet and Docs standing in front of a door, the door opens and Sparks walks out carrying many Energy Crystals. The Energy Crystals are blocking Sparks' view, and he falls.

The Rock Raiders collect all the Energy Crystals they found on the planet, and put them in the LMS Explorer's engines, Chief watches through a monitor.

Once they are done, the LMS Explorer heads home, at a normal velocity.

[edit] Original Plans

On June 20th, 2000, A Lugnet.com member discovered plans for the original Rock Raiders story. Many elements are different than the final theme, such as;

• A different standard Rock Raiders uniform (Bandit's uniform)
• Hand-held drills
• Twin-drilled Chrome Crusher (Different from upgraded Chrome Crusher in PC game)
• Sleeker-looking Granite Grinder
• Mobile Rock Raiders HQ
• Insectoid-type vehicle
• Tailed Rock Monsters
• Six-wheeled vehicle, with drill, two claws, and three laser-like devices mounted on top
• The Rock Raiders also had enemies, the Insectoids, an older LEGO System theme released in 1998.

The page with this information can be seen here, as well as concept images in the Ultimate LEGO Book, Pages 30-31.

[edit] Books/Comics

Not only did Rock Raiders have three games, they also had a two books and four comics.

[edit] Save The Spaceship

Save The Spaceship was a puzzle book released in 1999, it told the Rock Raiders story, with a few minor differences.

• Chapter 1;

An asteroid crashes into the LMS Explorer, and is now orbiting Planet U, which can be seen outside the window with a chart.

• Chapter 2;

Docs volunteers to send his team down to the surface and retrieve Energy Crystals.

• Chapter 3;

Docs selects Axle, Bandit, Jet and Sparks as his team.

• Chapter 4;

The team encounters a Rock Monster, afterwards they split up. Docs and Jet go one way, Axle and Sparks go another, and Bandit goes another.

• Chapter 5;

Bandit travels down a river in the Rapid Rider and encounters an Ice Monster.

• Chapter 6;

Docs examines the near-by area with his GeoScanner, and looks for a good spot to build Rock Raiders HQ.

• Chapter 7;

Axle and Sparks encounter four Rock Monsters that corner Sparks, however Axle remembers something that can save Sparks.

• Chapter 8;

Jet and Docs encounter an Ice Monster and a Lava Monster battling. Some of the lava heads towards Jet's and Docs' Hoverboard.

• Chapter 9;

The Rock Raiders find an Energy Crystal cache with the GeoScanner.

• Chapter 10;

The Chrome Crusher must stop drilling when Docs discovers that there is explosive gases between them and the Energy Crystals.

• Chapter 11;

Jet's Tunnel Transport crashes and she is in the middle of a lake of lava.

• Chapter 12;

The granite proves to be too thick for the Chrome Crusher's laser to drill through.

• Chapter 13;

A Rock Monster and Lava Monster attack Rock Raiders HQ, forcing Docs to build a Teleport Pad.

• Chapter 14;

Everyone made it safely aboard the LMS Explorer and they can finally return home, however Chief notices there is a Rock Monster on board.

Docs then feeds the Rock Monster some of their Energy Crystals.

[edit] High Adventure, Deep Underground

High Adventure, Deep Underground was a CGI comic book released in 2000, it told the Rock Raiders story, but with many major differences.

• Chapter 1, Planet Of The Monsters;

The LMS Explorer gets caught in an asteroid belt and gets sucked into a wormhole. Chief sets the ship to orbit Planet U.

Axle, Bandit, Docs, and Jet go down to Planet U to set up an outpost, they also find ruins of an ancient city, statues of Rock Monsters are everywhere.

• Chapter 2, Fire And Ice;

Axle, Docs and Jet encounter a Rock Monster, while Bandit encounters an Ice Monster. After the team rescues (And defrosts) Bandit, he and Axle head out to collect more Energy Crystals, there they find more Slimy Slugs and a Rockwhale. Just seconds before a lava flow almost consumes them.

• Chapter 3, What's Up Docs?;

Docs is missing in action, the team must return to the surface and rescue him, Sparks once again tries to fix the teleporter. Bandit and Jet take Granite Grinders out to search for him, Bandit's is destroyed, and Jet's energy is depleted.

• Chapter 4, Hungry Monsters;

The team is repairing Rock Raiders HQ, when Rock, Ice and Lava Monsters attack. As the Monsters advance, Chief teleports down and rescues them with his plasma arm.

In the back it includes some inspiration models, for those that do not have actual Rock Raiders models.

This book is considered by many to be overly-cheesy, with too much non-canon material.

[edit] Race For Survival

Unlike the other two books, Race For Survival takes place after the main Rock Raiders story. At the side of each page, is a small article on Geology.

• Prologue;

The prologue is a recap of what happened in the games, afterwards it tells us that the Rock Raiders have returned to Planet U.

• Chapter 1, Trapped!;

Axle is in the Chrome Crusher, drilling away at some stone, complaining about it being too hot. Axle checks the conditions in the newly-found cavern. All seems normal until a tremor hits and flips the Chrome Crusher upside-down.

• Chapter 2, To The Rescue;

Axle radios Sparks, who is aboard the LMS Explorer, asking for immediate help, the radio dies just seconds after Axle contacts him. Chief organizes Bandit, Docs, Jet and Sparks for a meeting. He has found Axle's approximate location.

• Chapter 3, Quandrant 14;

Docs sends Sparks and Jet down the cavern where Axle should be, with a Granite Grinder and Hover Scout. Bandit goes down a river in the Rapid Rider, and Docs takes a Hover Scout to investigate the tremor.

Jet and Sparks arrive at the location and all they see is a landslide. Upon closer inspection, they hear a faint tapping sound, they realize Axle is talking to them via Morse Code.

After awhile digging with a metal beam, a Rock Monster sneaks up on them, holding a huge boulder.

• Chapter 4, Trouble!;

The Rock Monster dropped the boulder and headed for the landslide, he starts digging at it completely ignoring Jet and Sparks. Eventually the Rock Monster unburies it completely, however Axle is nowhere to be seen.

• Chapter 5, Docs In Danger;

Docs was exploring Quadrant 15, when a lava flow erupts from the ground, Docs speeds away on his Hover Scout, up through a tunnel.

• Chapter 6, The Ice Monster;

Bandit was exploring a river in an ice cavern. His Rapid Rider alerts him that an alien lifeform is nearby. An Ice Monster rises out of the water and smashes the Rapid Rider, injuring Bandit.

• Chapter 7, Warning Sign;

Jet, Sparks and now Docs (Who found them earlier) follow the cavern the Rock Monster unburied, it was full of Energy Crystals. They soon spot Axle, right next to a sleeping Rock Monster.

A giant Slimy Slug enters the cavern, awakening the Rock Monsters. The Rock Monsters start pelting the Slimy Slug with boulders, eventually it drives it away.

• Chapter 8, Race Against Time;

Docs checks the GeoScanner and sees that pressure is rising in the caverns, Docs realizes there is going to be a volcanic eruption very soon. Docs says they need to leave now, but Axle and Jet want to help the Rock Monsters.

Sparks has a plan to block off the lava flow, so it doesn't hurt the Rock Monsters, destroy the Chrome Crusher.

Sparks gets in his Granite Grinder and drills a way out.

• Chapter 9, The Volcano Blows;

By the time the Rock Raiders escaped, the cavern was full of magma, the dam made from the Chrome Crusher held, thus saving the Rock Monsters.

Moments afterwards, Bandit snowboards down to the rest of the Rock Raiders, using a ski from the Rapid Rider.

[edit] Mini-Comics

Three mini-comics were made of the Rock Raiders, one was was randomly included in each Rock Raiders set, when the theme was new. They had no dialog, but you could see the Rock Raiders talking to each other, or laughing.

• Comic One

Comic one shows the Rock Raiders drilling with the Chrome Crusher, Bandit sneezes and causes a cave-in, burying the Chrome Crusher and himself. Eventually the Rock Raiders rescue him and rebuild the Chrome Crusher. Right when they leave Bandit sneezes again.

• Comic Two

Comic two shows Axle, Jet and Sparks, each in a Loader Dozer, Granite Grinder and Hover Scout, respectively, ready to race. Docs waves a flag and the three take off, before any of them reach the finish-line, their vehicles are wrecked.

Bandit comes in and yells at them for wrecking the vehicles, they all rebuild their vehicles and race again.

• Comic Three

Comic three shows Jet with a bunch of Rock Raiders drilling, she goes off on her own and finds an Energy Crystal cache, guarded by Rock Monsters.

The three comics can be seen here.

Comic One

Comic Two

Comic Three

[edit] Inconsistencies

Some people consider the books to be non-canon, due to the fact that there are many storyline inconsistencies.

• Save The Spaceship inconsistencies
  • The LMS Explorer did not arrive at Planet U through a wormhole.
  • Planet U is more of an egg-shape, than round as shown in the games.
  • Planet U's surface is almost Earth-like, this is not true as shown in the games.
  • Only Axle, Bandit, Docs, Jet and Sparks are sent to the planet.
  • The Tunnel Transport goes ridiculously faster than it does in the games.
  • The Rapid Rider is called the Cat.
  • There is only one Rock Raiders HQ, once again, false as shown in the PC game.
  • A Rock Monster stows away onboard the LMS Explorer.

• High Adventure, Deep Underground inconsistencies
  • Sparks is addicted to coffee.
  • Chief pilots the LMS Explorer, this is false, Jet and Bandit pilot it, Chief simply commands it.
  • Only Axle, Bandit, Docs, and Jet are sent to the planet.
  • GeoScanners are called GeoLocaters.
  • Sparks hardly leaves the LMS Explorer, like Chief, untrue as shown in the Playstation game.
  • Slimy Slugs are a neon-green colour, as opposed to the dark green colour of the games.
  • The Rapid Riders can travel on land.
  • Axle tells many lame jokes.
  • The Rockwhales are much smaller and have facial features such as lips and pupils.
  • The vehicles have auto-pilot systems

• Race For Survival inconsistencies
  • Planet U is at the edge of the Milky Way, rather than another galaxy.
  • Slimy Slugs are giant.
  • Slimy Slugs eat Energy Crystals, rather than drain them.

[edit] Revelations

However, the books also reveal many things, though whether these are canonical or not is different matter.

• Save The Spaceship revelations
  • Energy Crystals can energize ore.
  • Lava Monsters and Ice Monsters are rivals.
  • Lava Monsters and Rock Monsters are partners.

• High Adventure, Deep Underground revelations
  • Axle was three times the LEGO World Racing Champion, meaning he is better than Rocket Racer.
  • Wormholes open in completely random locations.
  • There are ruins of an ancient Monster city, meaning that the Monsters were once civilized.
  • Chief hasn't left the LMS Explorer in over twenty years.
  • Chief lost his real left arm years ago, while rescuing thirty-seven miners from a cave-in on Pluto.
  • The Granite Grinders have turbo boosts and can jump.

• Race For Survival revelations
  • The planet is named Planet U.
  • Six months after the events in the games, they return to Planet U.
  • The Rock Raiders set up quandrants around Planet U's caverns.
  • Rock Monsters are actually peaceful, but if their Energy Crystals are in danger, they are very aggressive.
  • There is a large volcano in the unexplored Quadrants 14 and 15.
  • Rock Monsters have secret caches of Energy Crystals. (There are a few of these in the PC game)

[edit] Planet U

Planet U is the planet that the LMS Explorer is orbiting, the entire story takes place on this planet.

The outer surface is various elements such as basalt and granite, the crust is mostly granite and LEGO Ore. The mantle is almost entirely Energy Crystals. The inner core is made of entirely of LEGO Ore.

Many mysterious creatures inhabit this planet, some similar to animals on Earth, and some completely alien.

One of the most mysterious thing about this planet is the environment, some of the caverns are made entirely of ice and have huge lakes of lava.

[edit] Creatures

Picture	Creature	Information
	Rock Monster	Very little is known about Rock Monsters, since only a few have ever been seen before. There is a rumor that Chief encountered one in his youth, but he has never talked about the experience to anyone! The only information that exists are these notes he made on the ship's computer; "The creature appeared to be made of rock and stood at least twice as tall as me. It had fiery eyes and a fearsome roar that almost turned me to stone! I was terrified as I watched it eat a great pile of Energy Crystals. Once it had finished it seemed to just disappear into the rock!" Rock Monsters appear in the PC game; the Playstation game; the online game; Save The Spaceship; High Adventure, Deep Underground; Race For Survival; and Comic 3.
	Ice Monster	Like the Rock Monster, the Ice Monster appears to be a creature that survives by eating Energy Crystals. There have only been a few sightings of the creature so far, but they appear to be much larger than the average Rock Raider and are made from solid ice! As the name says, the Ice Monster is immune to the freezer beam. They appear to be very territorial. Ice Monsters appear in the PC game; the Playstation game; Save The Spaceship; High Adventure, Deep Underground; and Race For Survival.
	Lava Monster	The Lava Monster has been detected by the scanners onboard the LMS Explorer, deep in the molten core of the planet. The information indicates that it is an enormous creature that is able to survive living in the extreme heat of the lava! Like their Rock and Ice cousins, they too survive on Energy Crystals. Lava Monsters appear in the PC game; Save The Spaceship; and High Adventure, Deep Underground.
	Slimy Slug	Several of these giant slugs have been seen hanging around the Rock Raiders HQ. Fortunately, they don't appear to be aggressive but their main food source seems to be Energy Crystals. Instead of swallowing the Energy Crystals they suck the power out of them. Slimy Slugs are small enough to crawl under the Electric Fences, but they do not like loud sounds, so the best way to get rid of them is to drop a Sonic Blaster, a device that creates a large sound wave big enough to drive away the slugs. Due to their thick hides, they can withstand light Laser Beam fire and Dynamite. Slimy Slug appear in the PC game; the Playstation game; High Adventure, Deep Underground; and Race For Survival.
	Snakes	The snakes only appeared in the FMV clips of the PC and Playstation games. Nothing is known about them, other than they are a green and yellow stripe pattern and appear harmless, as they do not harm nor irritate the Rock Raiders.
	Rockwhales	The Rockwhales are the largest creatures on Planet U, there are two breeds of Rockwhale, a reddish-brown (Pictured) and a rusted green. They have six feet and two, large, pitch black eyes. The reddish-brown type are the smaller, but they are the deadliest of the two due to their incredible speed. Due to their speed, you cannot defeat them, you can only hope to dodge them. The rusted green are the larger ones but they are the least deadly as they move very slowly. A Rockwhale's only known weakness is water, if exposed to large amounts of water the Rockwhale disintegrates and becomes one with the ground (To get one to touch water, you need to use a Pusher Beam on it). Rockwhales only appear in the Playstation game and High Adventure, Deep Underground.
	Spiders	There exists two breeds of Spiders on Planet U. Small Spiders seem to be everywhere, infesting dark corners and hiding in rock falls. They appear to be the most common creature on the planet. Luckily, they are only small and Docs has identified that as non-poisonous. However they do secrete a super slippery substance that protects them from being eaten by the bats. Rock Raiders may find it a bit slippery when they work near the small spiders. The Large Spiders are same in appearance as the small spiders, except their about the 2x the size of a Rock Raider, they make nests in volcanic areas and their webs are very sticky, so much that a large vehicle can be trapped in them. Their poisonous bites can be DEADLY if not treated quickly. The only thing that can clear the webs is the Loader Dozer. Small Spiders only appear in the PC game, and the FMV clips in the Playstation game. Large Spiders only appear in the Playstation game.
	Black Bats	Black Bats seem to be thriving in the underground caverns. Living in large groups, they appear to be mostly harmless creatures but they do not like to be disturbed by the noise of drilling. Black Bats only appear in the PC game, and the FMV clips in the Playstation game.
	Scorpions	There exists two breeds of scorpions on Planet U. The violet ones (Pictured) are just like normal scorpions, except they're not poisonous and they're about the size of a Small Digger. If you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. The green ones are the same size as the purple ones, but these are highly poisonous and capable of shooting lasers out of their claws. These ones will attack you if they see you no matter what. The Scorpions only appear in the Playstation game.

[edit] Rock Types and Minerals

Rock Type/Mineral	Information
Dirt	In the PC Game, this is the easiest Rock Type to drill. This can be tackled by any Rock Raider equipped with a hand drill, or by vehicles with drilling equipment. Dirt is called Loose Rock in the PS1 game.
Loose Rock	Harder to drill than Dirt, but any Rock Raider with a drill or vehicle with a drill can knock this down too. Loose Rock is called Medium Rock in the PS1 game.
Hard Rock	This cannot be tackled with a regular hand drill. To knock down Hard Rock you either need to use Dynamite, the Mining Laser or drilling vehicles.
Solid Rock	No vehicle or Rock Raider can knock down Solid Rock. But monsters can't burst out from it either.
Ore	The most common mineral on the planet, found behind every rock wall. Rock Raiders can use this for construction. Ore can be refined in the Ore Refinery to make Building Studs. Studs make construction faster and easier.
Energy Crystals	Despite being abundant on the planet, Rock Raiders have to look quite hard for these. Energy Crystals are the food source for Slugs and Monsters, and are used by the Rock Raiders for powering buildings, vehicles, and the LMS Explorer. Initially they are green in colour, but can be drained of their power and turn purple. Purple Crystals (drained) are taken to Recharge Seams, if one available. In the PS1 game, there are also red Energy Crystals, which the booklet says are 5x more powerful than green ones. In one of the FMVs, a Slimy Slug jumps onto a Small Digger and drains an Energy Crystal, however it turns black instead of purple. Originally, the green crystals were gold and the red ones blue, but this is changed in the final version. Energy Crystals are occasionally called Power Crystals, or more rarely, Brickonium. There may be many more types of Energy Crystals. In other LEGO series, blue, silver, and orange Energy Crystals are seen.
Energy Crystal Seam	A rock face containing more Energy Crystals than usual.
Ore Seam	A rock face containing more Ore than usual.
Recharge Seam	Like Solid Rock, this simply cannot be drilled. However Rock Raiders can take drained Crystals here to be recharged.

[edit] References/Similarities to other LEGO themes

Other LEGO series make small references/have similarities to Rock Raiders, here is a list of said references/similarities.

Theme	Reference made/Similarity
AquaRaiders (New)	One of the character's faces is identical to Bandit's. The sets, Crab Crusher and Lobster Strike, have blue Energy Crystals.
Aquazone	Several sets have silver Energy Crystals.
Belville	Four sets, Desert Island, The Tinderbox, Mermaid Castle, and Snow Queen, have silver and blue Energy Crystals.
Castle	The sets, Flying Ninja Fortress and the promotional LEGO Chess set, have silver energy crystals.
Creator	The sets, Han Christian Andersen Bucket and Making Houses With NaNa Bird have silver Energy Crystals.
Dino Attack	Digger's face is incredibly similar to Sparks'.
Ice Planet 2002	Commander Cold's face is incredibly similar to Chief's.
LEGO Racers	The set, Ice Ramp Racers, has silver and blue Energy Crystals
RoboRiders	Onyx's region is inhabited by creatures made of stone. Frost's region is inhabited by creatures made of ice. Lava's region is inhabited by creatures made of magma.
Slizer/Throwbots	Slizer/Throwbots takes place in a distant galaxy, this may be the same galaxy Planet U is located, though this has never been confirmed nor denied. Rock's/Granite's region/planet is inhabited by creatures made of stone. Fire's/Torch's region/planet is inhabited by creatures made of fire and magma. Ice's/Ski's region/planet is inhabited by creatures made of ice. Ice's/Ski's region/planet has blue crystals that are similar in appearance and power of Energy Crystals.
Space	The set, Journey Into Space has silver Energy Crystals.
Town	Three sets, Countdown Corner, Mission Control, and Whirling Time Warper, have green and silver Energy Crystals.
Trains	The set, Railway Express, has silver Energy Crystals.
BIONICLE - Legend Of Mata Nui (Game)	Though the game was unreleased, a few beta discs were given away in a contest. On Kopaka's section in the inventory screen, an outline of an Energy Crystal can be seen. A screenshot can be seen here to prove it.
BIONICLE - Tales Of The Tohunga (Game)	There is a creature in Onu-Koro called "The Vatuka", that is made entirely of stone and greatly resembles the Rock Monster.
LEGO Island 2 (Game)	In the Jungle, Rock Monsters throw rocks at you when you are in your plane. Rock Monsters orbit Ogel Island. There are Slimy Slugs on Ogel Island. There are green and orange Energy Crystals on Ogel Island.
LEGO Racers 2 (Game)	One of the bosses, The Berg, is a blue Ice Monster, though his body is similar to that of a Rock Monster.
LEGOLand (Game)	There is an Energy Crystal cache under LEGOLand. Professor Voltage teleports to Planet U to ask Docs how to use Energy Crystals. There is an orange Energy Crystal with a fossilized insect inside it, which Professor Voltage extracts DNA from.
BIONICLE Legends #1 - Island Of Doom (Book)	The two Piraka, Avak and Hakann, create a creature made of stone and magma.

[edit] Links

• Amazon.com - LEGO Rock Raiders - PC Version
• Amazon.com - LEGO Rock Raiders - PS1 Version
• Brickset - Rock Raiders
• LEGO.com - Rock Raiders PC
• LEGO.com - Rock Raiders PS1
• LEGOfigs - Rock Raiders
• Peeron.com - Rock Raiders