I've always loved the art, but the system left me a bit cold after playing it, however, I decided to give it another chance especially since I found a copy used for a really low price in great shape.


So far I remember only that something about attributes vs skill handling bugged me, but that came up while playing, not reading the work.

(and why 1E? because it was cheap and I wanted a "one book" game)

Some people think that attributes have too much weight on the final roll. I think they're fine. One suggestion I have is to take a page from SilCore and disaggregate the attributes from the skills ala Storyteller or similar games.

So how does it handle mechs?

Quote from: JongWKSo how does it handle mechs?

Quite simply mostly descriptively with system based on Threat value of having X parts or Y peices. (from sensors to particle guns). It's not terribly gearhead in design, nor is it so loose/effect based as BESM2E.

Still reading it though.

Ok. What about the size of them? I heard it's mostly power armors rather than Battletech size.

Quote from: JongWKOk. What about the size of them? I heard it's mostly power armors rather than Battletech size.

Heavy Gears are VOTOMS sized. The HG 1e Vehicle Construction system is slanted towards building combat vehicles. You pick the following:

• Size rating (which is based on tonnage)
• Number of crew
• Movement modes as well as speeds
• Armor value
• Manuever rating
• Sensor rating and range
• Communications rating and range
• Fire control rating
• Deployment range
• Any perks or flaws from a pick list
• Weapons from a pick list

And you're basically done. The Threat Value (or the relative threat of the unit compared to other units) may be calculated but it isn't required for roleplaying campaigns. The HG 1e VCS can handle probably anything up to small warship size without any issues - this means that it can handle building something like a Gundam (Gears are Size 7, a larger mech might be between Size 12 and 16 or so).

The Jovian Chronicles Companion introduced a much broader design system that was intended to emulate more vehicles, including a technique for multi-section vehicles for things like large space ships. The SilCore VCS is an evolution of that.

I would love to play or run either Battletech, or Heavy Gear.
For there's no such thing as too much mecha.

The setting info was crap. 1e is basically a war game and RPG system without a setting. I love the game, but 1e isn't really a one-book game - you need to get a bunch of setting books to have a world to play the game in. I'd suggest the Life on Terra Nova book. With that and 1e, you've got a system and a setting to play the game in.

Quote from: PseudoephedrineThe setting info was crap. 1e is basically a war game and RPG system without a setting. I love the game, but 1e isn't really a one-book game - you need to get a bunch of setting books to have a world to play the game in. I'd suggest the Life on Terra Nova book. With that and 1e, you've got a system and a setting to play the game in.

No I don't, there is enough there (factions, general descriptions of areas) for me to fill in the rest. What's with lazy gamers these days--we had games with no settings and wrote our own from scratch, and LIKED it

Quote from: SilverlionNo I don't, there is enough there (factions, general descriptions of areas) for me to fill in the rest. What's with lazy gamers these days--we had games with no settings and wrote our own from scratch, and LIKED it

Life on Terra Nova is a damn good setting book, though. One of the best I've ever read.

Quote from: UmaSamaFor there's no such thing as too much mecha.

I take you've never heard of Mecha Musume?

Quote from: JongWKI take you've never heard of Mecha Musume?

I haven't seen it, but Mechas in a Shoujo anime sounds great, after all my favourite anime is Saishu Heiki Kanojo(SAIKANO), which is a Shoujo with a strong sci-fi background.

Quote from: WilLife on Terra Nova is a damn good setting book, though. One of the best I've ever read.

Indeed it is. And while it's not essential, for the whole HG1e "world package" I'd recommend "Into The Badlands" which also contains great material.

Quote from: WilLife on Terra Nova is a damn good setting book, though. One of the best I've ever read.

Agreed! Heavy Gear had great support material.

Quote from: gale_wolfIndeed it is. And while it's not essential, for the whole HG1e "world package" I'd recommend "Into The Badlands" which also contains great material.

I'll check into them if I even bother using the HG world, and not just use the rules for my own mecha setting..