Future: 13 Mecha Devices

[Crothian]

In this 8-page PDF, written by Philip Reed, you will find 13 new pieces of mecha equipment for use with D20 Modern's futuristic SRD. Including new miscellaneous equipment, mecha weapon gadgets, and new flight systems the information found in the pages of this PDF expand the mecha designer's options when it comes time to put together that new machine of war.

 

[DragonTurtle]

Physical Description: 13 Mecha Devices is an 8- page Black and white PDF by Ronin Arts, authored by Philip Reed. The file is has no illustrations, and has a simple gray border around each page. The title page includes an introduction and the last page is 3 quarters filled with OGL, leaving 6.25 pages for content. The file has bookmarks which actually comes in handy in a PDF this short because it breaks the mecha devices into categories matching up with the d20 Modern Future SRD.

For the player: Any player wanting to play a mecha will appreciate the additional options outlined in this book. Of particular use for the player possibly more than the GM is the flight related devices and upgrades. The reasoning of this is that NPC mecha will usually be encountered as a combat scenario and long-range movement will be unlikely for the NPC unless a chase develops.

For the GM: As mentioned, the devices in this PDF will allow more customization of mechas and if not shared with the players may allow for some surprises as your mecha does things theirs can’t.

New Mechanics: The book is filled with new devices but doesn’t add any additional rules. GMs may want to look at some of the options available as they do up the power level in some categories and may want to take a look to be sure that balance remains.

Overview: Ever since watching Robotech after school as a child I have always had a soft spot for mechas. I purchased all the Robotech rpg books mostly for information on the various mecha as I never did actually play the game. As an adult I have purchased and bought the DVDs to watch all over again as a touch of nostalgia. It was with this frame of mind that I reviewed this PDF. After reading it I found it to be functional but it only whetted my appetite for more. Reading about the Exoskeletal armor in this book, brought to mind the battle armor of the veritech fighters in Robotech, one of my favorite things from the original series. The combined weapons summoned images of gigantic arms ending in barrels and barrels of deadly weapons. While this book does help in realizing the customization of mecha that I would like to see, the majority of the ideas are modifications of what already existed in the SRD. Modifications that make sense, but nothing that makes me sit up and take notice. With this in mind, if you are looking for some mecha devices that fill the gaps in what is listed in the SRD this book is a good find. Otherwise I give the book 3 stars. Good information but not revolutionary.

 

[philreed]

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. Based on your review this short PDF perfectly filled the design goal I had when writing it: present options that are balanced with -- and easily fit in with -- the SRD material.

 

[kigmatzomat]

The prolific Phil Reed has put out another baker's dozen of useful things. 13 Mecha Devices syncs up with Ronin Arts' Future d20 line which includes Future: Datastream and several other Future: 13's.

Phil's Dozens are popular for a reason: once you read them you have trouble believing you hadn't already thought of them yourself. Anything that makes me say "Why didn't anyone notice those were missing?" indicates a sharp mind.

13 Mecha Devices is a well done 8-page PDF. The "cover" has a title font reminiscent of military markings and there is a subtle textured border that reminds me of leather or worn vinyl, which feels appropriate. The inner borders are a drab tan-gray that somehow implies "painted armor plate." The text is searchable, and can be copied, the fonts are well chosen, and the page widths are good. I found a grand total of 4 typos; "supercede," "selfdestruct" and two colons followed by a period (Range:.Adjacent). Other than the missing hyphen, I never would have found these without my word processor since I thought "supercede" was a word but Dictionary.com backs up spellcheck.

The 13 items are well aware of that mythical thing called Game Balance and toe the line. Nothing here would make a GM flinch and more than a few should have appeared in the d20 Future core rules. Really, who forgot to put in a Remote Operating system? Or a self-destruct? C'mon! I really can't discuss the other 11 items because they are just so blatantly obvious once you notice their omission. It hurts my brain, it really does.

The devices are explained clearly and unambiguously, both in use as well as impact on the mecha. Things that I wouldn't think are armored aren't and equipment that might blow up has damages listed. The handful of items that have the potential for complication get the attention they deserve. While I'm sure someone will come up with a weird way to use these things in a way the PDF doesn't cover, I can't conceive of it.

13 Mecha Devices gets 4 stars if only because I can't quite bring myself to give out 5 stars for things the Future d20 game should have had from the beginning. (Yes, I know Phil was not responsible for Future d20. It simply offends my sensibilities and Phil will have to suffer through with a 4.0.)

You can pick up 13 Mecha Devices at Roninarts.com for $1.75 along with Another 13 Mecha Devices for $1.25 and a couple other 13 Future d20 supplements for $2 or less each.

 

[Roudi]

Somewhat of a disappointment

Ronin Art's 13 Mecha Devices has been twice reviewed on ENWorld thus far. Both reviews can give you the basics of the PDF: where it can be found, what it looks like inside, etc. For that information, go read another review. The following will simply be my opinion of this product.

Developing an impression of this product is most difficult. On one hand, many of these devices seem almost essential in any mecha game; others certainly have their place and could easily see use in many games. This fact alone should produce a favourable opinion of the PDF. However, none of the devices are terribly original. Some of them (like "External Drop Tank" and "Chaff Launcher") are adaptations of current military aircraft technology for mechs. Others (like "Jump Jets" and "Self-Destruct System") are devices that are already part of the mecha genre (thanks to franchises like Mechwarrior or Gundam Wing). Still others (like "Improved Afterburner System") simply build upon material already in the SRD. One welcome SRD work-in is the addition of gadgets for Mecha equipment, with consideration given to equipment slots. This is something the Mecha system really needed. The other devices are certainly useful, but I suppose I was expecting a little more originality. Also, a few of the devices refer to a Medium-sized mecha, which confused me. According to the modern/future SRD, mechs come in sizes Large to Colossal... no medium mechs exist in the rules-as-written. Is this something from a previous Ronin Arts PDF?

In my opinion, the highlight of 13 Mecha Devices is the Remote Operating Station. This device allows you to operate a mech from a remote location. This was actually an idea I had for a while... it's good to see I wasn't the only one who thought it was a good idea. I'm now also saved the trouble of statting up the concept myself.

I will definitely find 13 Mecha Devices useful, particularly because it is entirely open content. However, I would not recommend to anyone that they should purchase this PDF - wait until some or all of this equipment ends up in a PDF alongside more original material.

How it earned the 2: Useful devices for any mecha game, low price.

What kept it from earning a 5: Unoriginal device design, mysterious references to Medium-sized mecha.

 

[philreed]

Thanks for the review. The intention with this PDF (and its sequel), as I mentioned in response to an earler review, wasn't to present astounding new innovations but, rather, to present workhorse material that slots in easily with the existing mecha information.

The medium mecha currently appears in the Future: Datastream 06.2005 and again in Future: 13 Starship Cargos. It was not included in this PDF since it is not vital to the material.

 

[Roudi]

Thanks for the response, Phil. 13 Mecha Devices certainly achieves the purpose you intended for it. Also, thanks for the clairification about the Medium-sized Mecha. I knew there had to be something out there I was missing. Might I recommend making reference to the Datastream article and/or 13 Starship Cargos in this PDF, and in 13 More Mecha Devices? It would help cross-promote, and it would let confused folks like myself know where to look.