Mecha before PL 6 - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 daisuke1 Oct 10, 2008 18:48:29	Has anyone made any rules for creating PL 5 or 4 Mecha? I've been wanting to create some adventures involving Mechs in those eras.
#2 turalisj Oct 10, 2008 21:13:50	PL4 mecha? Not even remotly possible.
#3 3p1t4ph Oct 11, 2008 9:48:34	Ever seen Escaflowne? I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size. As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns.
#4 daisuke1 Oct 11, 2008 10:43:56	I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size. As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns. That is the general plan for the weapons, but what I'm really looking for is advice on the construction of the Mechs themselves. In particular armor and superstructure.
#5 layla_minogue Oct 11, 2008 12:20:42	There's a fair amount of mecha gear that are listed for PL 5. If I were adapting things for PL 4, I imagine it'd be kinda steampunk; probably they'd take a knock on things like hit points, armor strength, weapon range, detection systems (visual only), available gear slots on the chassis, and it'd all weigh more than usual. I'd use materials like steel, iron, and wood. Probably a coal-fired steam engine for the powerplant; a gasoline engine or an electric engine might be high-tech options. That's if you don't want to use magic. Sounds pretty fun, actually! Steamboy and Wild Wild West would be good inspiration.
#6 doomsought Oct 11, 2008 12:36:16	You just make some components that are magic based.
#7 3p1t4ph Oct 13, 2008 11:16:39	As far as PL4 goes, just imagine the mecha having no equipment slots and having a big-ass sword and relying on the pilot's vision, like with gymelefs. PL5 would just be a large-sized mecha, standard issue.
#8 penchant Oct 14, 2008 17:13:08	Yeah, your PL4 mech is square in the steam punk genre. A good example could be seen HERE PL5 Mechs (modern day) already exist in some formats. There is a T-Rex mech that has been making the monster truck circuits since the 80's and is large enough to lift and dismember junked cars. Its true that the base is simply a construction machine but I was impressed as a kid. There are several DIY mechs out there if you look on the net long enough. You are really asking what would the statistics of a fantasy mech be like in those time periods. The truth is you don't have to change anything from the future books since you control the fantasy scale of your world. Take everything out of the book and just rewrite the descriptions. It doesn't have to mesh with everything else since it is your world. Write what feels correct to you. Just close your eyes and imagine what you want it to be like, then write down what you see.
#9 nobodez_here Oct 15, 2008 3:02:45	Well, you can make a perfectly good mecha in PL 5, and using the PL rules, it just gets more expensive to do it in PL 4. An Alumisteel structure, Alumisteel or Duriplast armor, no sensor system (just the pilot's awareness), a whole slew of weapons (melee and ranged), comm system and/or life support system, and cockpits for co-pilots and/or passengers. Not a lot of options, but enough for most mecha needs. Heck, you can get most of the Myrmidon in PL5 (lower hardness, lower defense, less sensors, no jetpack). Said Myrmidon would be PDC 46 at PL 4, not that bad, less expensive than the Graf Zeppelin. And that's without looking into d20 Future Tech (since I can't seem to find my copy at hand), which would widen you options at least a bit.
#10 grimgrin Oct 15, 2008 14:54:03	Actually, I worked out some rules for ancient mecha for my own games. They are based on the d20 Future mecha rules but rely on d20 Past for weapons and such. My Ancient Mecha PDF's HERE In addition the best printed material I have found has been the "Mecha Compedium: Deluxe Edition" by Dream Pod 9 { www.dp9.com }. This not only contains rules for creating mecha of any progress level or fueled by magic, but also the rules needed to convert their signature line "Heavy Gear" to the d20 system. The book presents its own mecha combat system but it is basically an improved version of the d20 Future mecha combat section. Three older books that rely on the D&D 3.5 but are still usefull for creating ancient mecha are: "Dragonmecha" by www.goodman-games.com: An apocalyptic future where the citizen of a fantasy world forced to shelter in massive mecha powered by steam, magic, or clockworks for protection from lunar bombardment. Sorcery & Steam by www.fantasyflightgames.com: This book is basically a tool kit for the creation of steampunk adventures and has a small section devoted to the creation of steam powered armor. It can be purchased for only $5 at www.RPGnow.com Iron Kingdoms: Liber Mechanika by www.privateerpress.com : Iron Kingdoms is the RPG version of the "Warmachine" minatures game and posesses the rules to campaign on the battlefields dominated by steam powered magical constructs. Liber Mechanika is a source book for the series that has specific rules for the creation of "Steam Armor" as well as the creation of mechanikal prothetics.
#11 daisuke1 Oct 16, 2008 22:16:05	Thank you everyone, especially you Grimgrin. You've all given me exactly what I needed.:D
#12 turalisj Oct 16, 2008 23:39:27	Hmm... Grim, any chance of having a way to convert them to dnd stats? I've got this great idea for a steampunk game...
#13 grimgrin Oct 18, 2008 3:22:50	Hmm... Grim, any chance of having a way to convert them to dnd stats? I've got this great idea for a steampunk game... By D&D stats, do you mean 3.0, 3.5, or 4E? ;)
#14 turalisj Oct 18, 2008 6:23:03	3.5....
#15 grimgrin Oct 18, 2008 7:54:55	3.5.... Thats good, I wouldn't know where to start with Fourth Edition D&D. 3.5 and d20 Modern are extremely similar. The only thing I see in ANCIENT MECHA that does not readily convert to D&D is the Purchase DC's. 10sp equals a Purchase DC of 2. Every +8 DC increases the number of silver pieces increase by a factor of 10 (or +1DC : sp x1.25). This is the table I use to covert Purchase DC into D&D silver pieces. Currency Conversion Table
#16 AnimeSniper Oct 21, 2008 12:46:25	Ever seen Escaflowne? I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size. As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns. Escaflowne is good for the magic powered mecha or Gasaraki for the clan who uses kabuki style dance to activate the unit before jumping in assuming a seiza or meditation pose.

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

daisuke1

Oct 10, 2008 18:48:29

Has anyone made any rules for creating PL 5 or 4 Mecha? I've been wanting to create some adventures involving Mechs in those eras.

turalisj

Oct 10, 2008 21:13:50

PL4 mecha? Not even remotly possible.

3p1t4ph

Oct 11, 2008 9:48:34

Ever seen Escaflowne?

I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size.

As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns.

daisuke1

Oct 11, 2008 10:43:56

I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size.

As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns.

That is the general plan for the weapons, but what I'm really looking for is advice on the construction of the Mechs themselves. In particular armor and superstructure.

layla_minogue

Oct 11, 2008 12:20:42

There's a fair amount of mecha gear that are listed for PL 5. If I were adapting things for PL 4, I imagine it'd be kinda steampunk; probably they'd take a knock on things like hit points, armor strength, weapon range, detection systems (visual only), available gear slots on the chassis, and it'd all weigh more than usual. I'd use materials like steel, iron, and wood. Probably a coal-fired steam engine for the powerplant; a gasoline engine or an electric engine might be high-tech options. That's if you don't want to use magic. Sounds pretty fun, actually! Steamboy and Wild Wild West would be good inspiration.

doomsought

Oct 11, 2008 12:36:16

You just make some components that are magic based.

3p1t4ph

Oct 13, 2008 11:16:39

As far as PL4 goes, just imagine the mecha having no equipment slots and having a big-ass sword and relying on the pilot's vision, like with gymelefs. PL5 would just be a large-sized mecha, standard issue.

penchant

Oct 14, 2008 17:13:08

Yeah, your PL4 mech is square in the steam punk genre. A good example could be seen HERE

PL5 Mechs (modern day) already exist in some formats. There is a T-Rex mech that has been making the monster truck circuits since the 80's and is large enough to lift and dismember junked cars. Its true that the base is simply a construction machine but I was impressed as a kid. There are several DIY mechs out there if you look on the net long enough.

You are really asking what would the statistics of a fantasy mech be like in those time periods. The truth is you don't have to change anything from the future books since you control the fantasy scale of your world. Take everything out of the book and just rewrite the descriptions. It doesn't have to mesh with everything else since it is your world. Write what feels correct to you. Just close your eyes and imagine what you want it to be like, then write down what you see.

nobodez_here

Oct 15, 2008 3:02:45

Well, you can make a perfectly good mecha in PL 5, and using the PL rules, it just gets more expensive to do it in PL 4. An Alumisteel structure, Alumisteel or Duriplast armor, no sensor system (just the pilot's awareness), a whole slew of weapons (melee and ranged), comm system and/or life support system, and cockpits for co-pilots and/or passengers. Not a lot of options, but enough for most mecha needs. Heck, you can get most of the Myrmidon in PL5 (lower hardness, lower defense, less sensors, no jetpack). Said Myrmidon would be PDC 46 at PL 4, not that bad, less expensive than the Graf Zeppelin.

And that's without looking into d20 Future Tech (since I can't seem to find my copy at hand), which would widen you options at least a bit.

#10

grimgrin

Oct 15, 2008 14:54:03

Actually, I worked out some rules for ancient mecha for my own games. They are based on the d20 Future mecha rules but rely on d20 Past for weapons and such.

My Ancient Mecha PDF's HERE

In addition the best printed material I have found has been
the "Mecha Compedium: Deluxe Edition" by Dream Pod 9 { www.dp9.com }. This not only contains rules for creating mecha of any progress level or fueled by magic, but also the rules needed to convert their signature line "Heavy Gear" to the d20 system. The book presents its own mecha combat system but it is basically an improved version of the d20 Future mecha combat section.

Three older books that rely on the D&D 3.5 but are still usefull for creating ancient mecha are:

"Dragonmecha" by www.goodman-games.com: An apocalyptic future where the citizen of a fantasy world forced to shelter in massive mecha powered by steam, magic, or clockworks for protection from lunar bombardment.

Sorcery & Steam by www.fantasyflightgames.com: This book is basically a tool kit for the creation of steampunk adventures and has a small section devoted to the creation of steam powered armor. It can be purchased for only $5 at www.RPGnow.com

Iron Kingdoms: Liber Mechanika by www.privateerpress.com : Iron Kingdoms is the RPG version of the "Warmachine" minatures game and posesses the rules to campaign on the battlefields dominated by steam powered magical constructs. Liber Mechanika is a source book for the series that has specific rules for the creation of "Steam Armor" as well as the creation of mechanikal prothetics.

#11

daisuke1

Oct 16, 2008 22:16:05

Thank you everyone, especially you Grimgrin. You've all given me exactly what I needed.:D

#12

turalisj

Oct 16, 2008 23:39:27

Hmm... Grim, any chance of having a way to convert them to dnd stats? I've got this great idea for a steampunk game...

#13

grimgrin

Oct 18, 2008 3:22:50

Hmm... Grim, any chance of having a way to convert them to dnd stats? I've got this great idea for a steampunk game...

By D&D stats, do you mean 3.0, 3.5, or 4E? ;)

#14

turalisj

Oct 18, 2008 6:23:03

3.5....

#15

grimgrin

Oct 18, 2008 7:54:55

3.5....

Thats good, I wouldn't know where to start with Fourth Edition D&D.

3.5 and d20 Modern are extremely similar. The only thing I see in ANCIENT MECHA that does not readily convert to D&D is the Purchase DC's. 10sp equals a Purchase DC of 2. Every +8 DC increases the number of silver pieces increase by a factor of 10 (or +1DC : sp x1.25). This is the table I use to covert Purchase DC into D&D silver pieces.

Currency Conversion Table

#16

AnimeSniper

Oct 21, 2008 12:46:25

Ever seen Escaflowne?

I'd say the only way you're getting a PL4 mecha is if you use magic to power it and its relatively low tech, so it'd be about that. Basically a hude mecha that uses weapons englarged to the same size.

As far as PL5, I'd just say do the same, but make it a large mecha with oversized versions of normal guns.

Escaflowne is good for the magic powered mecha or Gasaraki for the clan who uses kabuki style dance to activate the unit before jumping in assuming a seiza or meditation pose.