d20 Mecha: The d20 System Mecha Handbook
Reviewed by: Wayne Tonjes
d20 Mecha: The d20 System Mecha Handbook by Guardians of Order is a d20 supplement for creating a plethora of anime inspired robots, vehicles, powered suits, and constructs in a d20 game. To do so, these creation guidelines build off the variant character creation rules of BESM d20, requiring access to that book for some of the powers available to mecha. Despite this dependence on BESM d20 for a few ability definitions, the creation system for mecha can be used independently to equip players and foes alike with fairly detailed devices whether fantasy based golems, modern hotrod motorcycles, or light speed capable space robots. While the mecha generation steps could stand on their own, this book goes beyond them to explore some of the more common anime mecha features. Thus, a few character classes, some rules for running mecha in a game, and a trio of appendices of external and internal references are also provided.
The book is presented with three chapters, providing an introduction, the mecha creation system, and specialized combat rules for using such potentially diverse machines in a d20 game. The introduction reviews the how and why of mecha and power suit popularity, including some tie-ins for standard d20 core and BESM d20 classes. It then offers a full mecha pilot class, a commander prestige class, two new uses of skills needed by typical technological mecha, and nine feats to augment a character’s ability with mecha. These features are all fairly basic and fulfill key roles in employing mecha in game from an out of game level. The second chapter then presents the mecha design system. This is a fairly standard thirteen step point system that directly parallels the main BESM d20 character generation with appropriate shifts. So, instead of race, creators pick mecha style of suit, giant robot, or vehicle. Designers can chose size and type for free, but extra hit points, strength, carrying capacity and crew space, armor, speed, maneuverability enhancements, abilities, and weapons all cost points.
Typical of most point systems, there are also optional defects that can be taken for extra points to spend. Abilities are split into special and exotic categories, the first handling minor accessories, some armor types, sensors and radios while the latter cover spell like abilities, artificial intelligence, transformation, and a selection of powers from BESM d20. Weapons use a similar system with base costs determined by damage dice or effect and then modified by enhancements and defects. Rounding out this system are some equivalent pricing options for converting the point system to cash or other purchasing mechanics for those settings in which mecha are on the open market. To help make this system more understandable, eleven samples are provided. These mecha cover the full ranges available to this creation system, mixing genre structures of the fantastic with a magical transforming steam golem, the mundane with a galleon, a sports car, and a fighter jet, and the high technology of science fiction with a space station and powered armor. Each entry is provided with full statistics including weapons where appropriate and a picture of the mecha for extra help in visualizing them.
The third chapter presents rules for handling mecha in a game, both as a game master using a mecha as a direct opponent or the intricate details a player character pilot will need. Since even landing a plane is considered a trivial activity, most of the rules focus on combat actions, such as firing weapons while blitzing along at top speed, what checks to make while maneuvering, and what happens when a maneuver attempted in a blitz turns into an uncontrolled crash. If there is a flaw with this chapter, it lies in the rule that all vehicle and giant robot mecha require one action to pilot, reducing the speed of what should be a major war machine piloted by one to full attacks only over the course of two rounds. A simple attribute that allows a pilot to get the normal attack speed of a regular character while piloting would have done much to recreate the capabilities seen in many giant robot series. As for series, the appendix provides a multiple page listing of available anime series that have any relative importance paid to mechanical devices. Each series is listed with a release date, North American distributor, and a short summary. The appendix continues with a compilation of creation tables, mecha sheet, an optional rule mechanic for readers using the full BESM d20 rule set, and index. These features combine to polish a fine product overall to really shine.
d20 Mecha offers a fairly useful system for adding mecha to any d20 game, whether using the core rules, d20 Modern, or BESM d20. The presentation is fairly compact and pretty well edited, although a number of typos remained. The layout is a little crowded, with many headers, art, and sidebars filling every page. Since everything is presented in grayscale, though, some of the sample mecha sidebars a little hard to distinguish from the main text or other tables. The art is also a little dull, partially due to some using a very rough style and partially due to some repetition. Some of the art is full of action, while some of the flatter images are merely demonstrative. Despite these minor flaws, this product is packed full of information and is further backed by web based enhancements. So, if giant robots are missing from a d20 campaign or the players are itching to all customize their cars for the big race, this sourcebook needed. Check it out, but remember to keep hands inside the moving vehicles at all times.
For more details on Guardians of Order and their d20 supplement, d20 Mecha: The d20 System Mecha Handbook, check them out at their website http://www.guardiansorder.com and at local game stores.
(Product Summary)
d20 Mecha: The d20 System Mecha Handbook
From: Guardians of Order
Type of Game: d20 supplement
Written by: David L. Pulver
Edited by: Mark MacKinnon and Jeff Mackintosh
Additionally Edited by: Adam Jury and Rich Spainhour
Art Direction and Graphic Production by: Jeff Mackintosh
Cover Art by: Stephan Martiniere and Angie Lai
Additional Art by: Niko Geyer, Angie Lai, and Christopher Poon
Number of Pages: 80
Game Components Included: Soft Cover Book
Retail Price: $19.95 (US)
Retail Price: $27.95 (Can)
Item Number: #02-601
ISBN: 1-894525-56-6
Email: info@guardiansorder.com
Website: www.guardiansorder.com
Reviewed by: Wayne Tonjes
Added: June 15th 2004
Reviewer: Wayne Tonjes
Score:  
Related Link: d20 Mecha at Guardians of Order
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Language: eng |
