I'll put my opinion out there for this: (please put further rules questions in the NEW rules section of the Forum. This may get moved.)
Very Fun One Jr wrote:Are special characters considered a part of a squadron?
Yes, just as Support cards are "added" to the squadron, Specials Characters are as well. A Special Character is added to one of the Mecha already in the squadron, and doesn't add an additional mecha. This makes the Special Characters seperate from Special Support cards, as you can have (and in some cases HAVE to have) a Special Support Card with a Special Character, i.e. Roy Fokker.
Very Fun One Jr wrote:If so, can special characters benefit from Built-In Upgrades purchased for the unit they are a member of? Can a Built-in Upgrade modify a characters stats (like Veteran for a Regult unit)?
Yes, as the current two characters for the regult have no stat modifications of their own, just special abilities, I don't see a problem with the vet upgrade affecting the special character.
Very Fun One Jr wrote:Can a character's mecha receive a support card like a Command Destroid Upgrade?
This one is much harder to see possible issues. The only two special characters this would effect are Rick and Dietrich, since those are the only two that have the ability to pilot a destroid and have skill bonuses. The way I see it is that the Command Destroid Upgrade is a hardware upgrade, not a personnel upgrade. This is bolstered by the actual mini and part for the Command Upgrade. Without putting additional exceptions in the game about who can and can't use the Upgrade, its seems to be an easy call to say 'Yes, you can add a Command Destroid Upgrade to a character'.
Anybody seeing something I am missing?