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Mecha rpg : Apocalypse frame vs beam saber (vs lancer (vs mekton Z) ) ? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 year ago by Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works to c/rpg@ttrpg.network

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Hi Folks, I took itch Games for Gaza bundle. Among the games in the bundle, I've seen 2 mecha games, Apocalypse frame and Beam saber, I believe the first one is a PTBA and the second a FITD, I have no opinon on these "system family", it's vague enough that it can lead to a good or bad game.

I've been considering running a mecha game, for a while. Last time I played a mecha campaign it was a Mekton Z (at the time when code geass was the popular anime). I've even downloaded the free version of lancer, but only had a quick look (and the fact that atribute have weird 2-3 letter name like LL gave me the impression it's a complicated game). Now, I have a few games on my "pdf library" and need to choose one to read in details. These last years I focused mostly on one-shot/mini campaign (10-20 sessions once every 2 weeks)

I am not really sure which direction to take. I am too old to spend a whole session on a fight, and traditionally, I am more a Mystery/investigation GM. Mecha wise, I like how Macross feature the duality between artists and fighter offering two ambiances in one, while I love how Gundam isn't just good versus evil (and then I really enjoyed Geass, but it's not really a mecha anime). RPG wise, on the sci-fi games I GMed a lot of fading suns, and some Eclipse phase (the example of a game with a great setting but a bad system)

i haven't checked in details the setting of the 3 games from my thread, but it seems they're semi setting agnostic. I might re-use some element from Eclipse phase and focus on the solar system rather than a whole galaxy.

Any opinion on these system/settings and which one I should choose (beside reading 3 times a 300 pages manual to decide ?)

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[–] ArumiOrnaught@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Lancer is great. It is complicated, not as complicated as battletech though. Which to me is great for getting new players in.

The best way I've found to teach people in that system is to create a new character in their character sheet/compendium website, comp/con. And then have a GM to run the game and help with concepts. License Level 0 (starting level) is very restrained. The next level (LL1) opens up interesting opportunities. And then LL 2 is where your options become a bit opportunity heavy.

The official discord is active and there are several other side discords that are active. I'm currently both playing and GMing. There is a reprint of their physical book coming out next year.

As for the lore, there are 4 manufacturers. The post office, anime, luxury cars, and cthulhu mechs.

With the online tools it's free for players, GM pays for background information and npc stats. There are foundry and roll 20 that can run this for online play.

Combat is fundamentally an easy concept. D20 to see if you hit and D6's for damage. Although if you have 5 players you can easily spend a session on just one combat, which from what you said is a downside.