Robomeck RPG: Mecka Pilot Class

Robomeck RPG Index

Robomeck Pilot

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Sec. Skill
1st	+1	+0	+2	+2	+0
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+3	+0
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+3	+1
4th	+4	+1	+4	+4	+1
5th	+5	+1	+4	+4	+2
6th	+6	+2	+5	+5	+2

Description:  Robomeck pilots are able to master the art of transforming and fighting in humanoid mecka.  More than any other sort of pilot, they are at one with their machine.  While this class does assume a military background, rebel freedom fighters with the same Prime abilities and trained by a qualified military instructor (having a command rank like Lt. Cmdr or Cpt.), can be mecka pilots as well.

     

Hit Die: d8.

Hit Points (hp):

● First level hp: Max HD + Con Bonus.

● After first level roll HD + Con Bonus or take ½ HD + Con Bonus, whichever is greater.

Armor Class: Base 10 + Dex Bonus + ½ level + any Armor Bonus

Prime Abilities: Int and Dex.  Player’s choice for an additional Prime ability if they take on a Sub-Normal ability. 

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Pilot is proficient with normal modern weapons from their era.  Troops from some eras will be trained to wear armor and use shields specific to their periods.    

Salary: Fighter Pilots were well-paid for members of the military, though certainly not well off, unless they came into the service in such a state.  They have little time or opportunity to spend money in any case.  They should be able to handle any minor expenses and a little splurging.  Rebel fighters aren’t going to be making anything, unless their group has some outside skills, like being a singer, but will probably have some minor salvaged script.    

If the Character needs to make a sudden splurge or take out a loan, make a Money Check.  Rank Level (not their Combat Level) + Wis vs DC 12 to 18, depending on the amount.  (Military Characters start at Rank 2 for these purposes.)  They won’t be able to make another Money Check until their next payday.  Rebel Characters aren’t going to be taking out any loans, but if they ever need a wad of cash equivalent and have a lead on where to find it (like in a lost mine or in a bandit camp), that sounds like an adventure hook to me.   

Mecka Pilot: A Robomeck Pilot is able to pilot Proto-fueled humanoid robot vehicles.  An EMDF pilot (Space War I) is specialized in flying Devas and is able pilot single-seat Robomecks as well.  Space War II tankers and mecka fighter pilots can also pilot Battler Meckatecks, though not each other’s mecka*.  EEF pilots (Space War III) can fly Deltas and Omegas, but are not usually trained in EEF-era Robomecks. 

Mecka Pilots can probably figure out mecka from other eras with a DC 12 Skill Check and at least 1 turn to familiarize themselves with the controls.  Using such a mecka in combat with proficiency would take at least an hour of practice and instruction by an experienced pilot of that mecka.  0 BAB without such practice. 

Non-military Characters learning how to fly mecka in combat is . . . hard to realistically imagine.  Nonetheless, it was in the show.  You might either have the Characters start off knowing how to use their mecka (and come up with a backstory for that) or they acquire their mecka in play and have to be taught.  Perhaps there’s a tragic, lovelorn military Character in the group who is capable of teaching everyone.  Or, you could have an adventure trying to find an instructor and have to convince them to teach your Characters.  In any case, figure a week of downtime training and an opportunity to do some Character-building outside of combat.  I’m not putting any hard and fast rules on this because it’s not realistic at all.   

(*It’s a real stretch to see tank pilots flying mecka fighter jets and even the reverse, since AG Tanks are pretty different than other mecka.  You can if you want; I’m not telling you not to.  NPC comrades should be getting jealous that the Characters get to have two mecka.  You might allow Players to have two Characters, one in each service, but I wouldn’t allow them to be used at the same time, except under special circumstances.  I’d rather have a squadron of NPC’s from the other service than the Characters backing them up in combat and maybe being rivals outside of combat.)   

Ace Pilot Status: After attaining at least fifth level with at least 10 mecka kills, a pilot is considered an ace.  With Ace status, a pilot may take two actions once per encounter.  This includes making two attacks or even a double move to exit combat without penalty.         

Mecka Pilot Skills: In situations where their piloting skills are tested, the Pilot adds ½ level + (Dex Bonus + Wis Bonus)/2 to attempts.  In general, figure DC 12 for difficult tasks; DC 18 for very dangerous tasks.  Don’t roll for easy tasks.  

Pilot Other Aircraft: As incorrect this assumption would be in real life, Robomeck Pilots should be able to fly just about any kind of aircraft.  Figure a DC 12 Mecka Pilot Skill Check and at least 1 turn to familiarize themselves with the controls for a small civilian aircraft.  Figure DC 18 for a jet liner or small space craft and 2 turns of orientation.  Using such an aircraft in combat with proficiency would take at least an hour of practice and instruction.  0 BAB without such practice.  (Again, ANS tankers are probably not pilots, unless they have a Secondary Skill in it, which would allow them to pilot a small civilian craft at most.) 

Survival Skills: Pilots are trained in wilderness survival, including living off the land, camouflage, and evasion.  In urban or more exotic environments, they will make an effort to blend in or hide.  (Rebels naturally acquire this skill.)  The Pilot adds ½ level + (Int Bonus + Wis Bonus)/2 to attempts.  In general, figure DC 12 for difficult situations; DC 18 for very dangerous situations.  Don’t roll for uncontested situations. 

HTH Trained: Military pilots and rebels are trained in hand-to-hand combat.  They will always have the initiative over the untrained in HTH, except for surprise situations.  This also applies to mecka combat, though pretty much all mecka pilots are going to be HTH trained.  In personal HTH combat for the trained, any attack roll that adds up to 18 may produce an immediate knockout or max damage, depending on the weapon.  (This rule hopefully keeps any odd melee engagements from taking forever to play out.)  There are more details in the Personal Combat section.   

First Aid: A Pilot knows how to apply first aid to heal the wounded.  This is used to aid healing and to stabilize a dying person.  Usage is described in the Recovery and Death Rules Section.

Secondary Skill and a Perk: Characters have a secondary skill to complement their piloting skills and a special enhancement.  This will be described further later.

Issues

If a Player wants one more Secondary Skill or Perk for their Character, they can take on an Issue.  In certain stressful situations with certain triggers, the Character must make a DC 12 Will Save.  If successful, the Character is only stunned for a rd.  If unsuccessful, the Player loses control of their Character for that rd (or turn if out of combat) and the Ref makes a decision for them.  The Player will have roll again the next rd (or turn) to regain control.  This condition only lasts for three rds or turns regardless.

Obviously, this is going to require some cooperation between the Ref and Player to set up an Issue and then to adjudicate it.  (Also, if your Character doesn’t have a good Will Save, you might want to pass on this.)  The Ref is commanded to not be a jerk about calling for rolls and making up difficult situations, but the Issue has to be real and have the potential of derailing the Character.  (You’re doing it right, if the Player acknowledges a roll is appropriate without argument.)    

If a Character can successfully roll a couple of initial Issue saves (not saves after they’ve already failed one) in a single gaming session that should be worth 1 XP.  If something traumatic happens because of multiple blown Will Saves, this could trigger an intervention or some deep reflection later.  The Player can choose to try a DC 18 Will Save to rid themselves of their Issue at that point.  There should be complications and temptations later, but the Character gets to keep their extra skill or Perk (and gain 2 XP).     

A few examples: alcoholism (being around people drinking or after a stressful event; will neglect duties or being unable to fight effectively with a hangover, no BAB), loss of a loved one (being reckless in combat trying to get revenge or becoming catatonic), authority issues (becoming rebellious when given even reasonable tasks), relationship issues (can’t decide between two women, neither of whom would be a good match for you, Richard; interferes with your duties and judgment), mysterious past/amnesiac (can’t remember things because you’re being mind-controlled at times, Qor; subject to blackouts).   

Call Sign (Character Nickname)

This is given to the Character from the Ref (via an NPC) or from the other Player Characters.  The Ref and the other Players have to agree to use it for it to stick.  The Player of the Character in question gets no say in it. 

Rank

Character level is the measure of a Character’s martial skills.  Their rank shows their level of command authority.  Military Characters start off play as junior officers.  Which Service the Characters belong to determines their rank title.  Characters operating from space carrier ships would have a Naval rank (and are officially titled “Aviators,” instead of pilots).  Land mecka pilots would be Army.  Flight mecka pilots operating out of an airbase (even on the moon or a permanent orbital platform) would Aero-Space Force.

Characters might be promoted for various reasons such as displaying leadership (in and out of combat), heroic action, officer attrition, and taking command of a new unit.  Characters may also be demoted for insubordination, not following orders, losing too many mecka (losing a third craft will get you grounded), and perhaps even petty office politics.  (You’ll also notice that the Characters do not start play at the bottom rank, so they can be demoted, but still be in their squadron.  Characters losing their officer commission will lose their ride altogether.)

Naval Mecka Aviator Ranks

Ensign—Flight qualified Pilot

Lieutenant (jg) (junior grade)—Combat Pilot, starting Character rank

Lieutenant—Flight leader (about 4 mecka)

Lieutenant Commander—Squadron XO (Executive Officer) (2 flights)

Commander— Squadron leader (about 4 flights)

Captain—Air Group Commander (CAG) (all flight craft aboard a carrier), equal in rank to the ship’s captain

Admiral (various grades)—In charge of a fleet or fleets

Army Mecka Corps/Aero-Space Force Mecka Pilot Ranks

(Warrant Officer—Usual rank for most non-transforming non-flight mecka pilots, such as Meckatecks and Battlers)

Second Lieutenant—Flight qualified Pilot

First Lieutenant—Combat Pilot, starting Character rank

Captain—Squad/Flight leader (about 4 mecka)

Major—Battalion XO/Squadron leader (2 squads/flights)

Lieutenant Colonel—Battalion CO (Commanding Officer)/Group leader (about 4 squads/flights)

Colonel—Brigade CO/Wing Commander (all mecka at a base)

General (various grades)—In charge of a base or an entire theater of war

  

These ranks are not meant to be achievements for the Players to unlock.  Promotion is NOT to be handed out with advancement in Character level.  Rank should be seen as more of a narrative tool in the campaign.  A Character might start with a goal of promotion and leadership, but there’s not going to be a straight line way of achieving it once play starts.  Events in play may cause unwanted promotion or demotion. 

This game does not have mass combat rules, so constant promotion may not be desirable.  (I’d suggestion some form of narrative mass combat that comes down to a roll off between one commander’s flight skill versus the other, perhaps modified by force numbers and quality of mecka and pilots.)  The Characters might not want promotion, since it will involve increased responsibilities, including life and death decisions about other Characters and NPC’s.  However, Characters will be interacting with NPC’s of higher rank, so these tables give you an idea of what they’ll be dealing with.   

Rebel Characters won’t have a formal rank, but someone will be in charge and there will be subordinates.  Even if they held rank in the military, that rank won’t matter unless they’re reattached to the military.  Unlike the military, rebel leaders will need the consent of their followers before taking orders.  If the group is part of a larger rebellion, then they may be a cell taking orders from a hidden leadership.