The Scribblings of Samuel Baughn

 Yet more options for David Pulver’s Modular Mecha (Pyramid volume 3 issue 51). Reactionless Thrusters (TL 10^, 1 DP): Allow flight as for jump jets, but do not require fuel. Instead, each second of use consumed energy equivalent to one shot from a beam weapon. Force Screen (TL 10^, 1 DP, can be taken twice): Gives ablative DR equal to the lower DR for the mecha’s base model (e.g. DR 600 for a standard light mecha). These early force screens are less efficient than the TL 11^ ones in Ultra-Tech: they consume energy equal to one beam weapon shot every second they are active and the mecha counts as moving if they are shut down and regenerating. Alternatively, they may be velocity screens which consume energy equal to one beam weapon shot only when activated by an incoming attack (this is sufficient to remain active for one second). Transformation (TL 10^, 1 DP, can be taken twice): The mecha can change shape into a different style of vehicle, gaining the Alternate Form advantage. ...

 Yes, I'm on a roll with adding new options for David Pulver’s Modular Mecha (Pyramid volume 3, issue 51). Chemical Rocket: A simpler and lighter design than a nuclear rocket, but less fuel-efficient. Performance and endurance is the same as standard jump jets (they use a smaller motor and carry more fuel), but the mecha gains the Fragile (Flammable) disadvantage, and each extra tank of fuel adds only 40 seconds of endurance (800 yards/second ΔV). However, the exhaust is cooler and not radioactive. Reduce exhaust damage to 6d and the bonus to detect it with infrared to +2. Ducted Fan: Requires no fuel and has a cool exhaust (damage becomes 3d crushing dkb, no bonus to detect with infrared) but needs a lot of power and only works in an atmosphere with density of 0.1 atmospheres or greater. Move is the same as standard jump jets, but treat each second of use as one shot from a beam weapon. Fusion Rocket: A weaker but more efficient nuclear rocket only suitable for space travel. Gi...

A few new options for David Pulver's Modular Mecha (Pyramid volume 3 issue 51).  Access Space (1 DP): The mecha has a relatively roomy interior, allowing crew to carry out repairs without leaving the vehicle. Grippers (−1 DP): The mecha has crude gripping claws instead of hands. Treat it as having Bad Grip 1 and Ham Fisted 2 (instead of Ham-Fisted 1) Electromagnetic Armor (1 DP): This system draws on the mecha’s internal energy bank in the same way as a beam weapon. It activates automatically when the mecha is hit and stays active for 1 second, consuming one ‘shot’ of energy. During that time the mecha’s DR is tripled (instead of doubled) against shaped charge and plasma attacks. May not be taken alongside the No Laminate feature. Enhanced Reactor (1 DP):  The rate at which the mecha's energy bank recharges is doubled (i.e. 1/15 of full capacity every second). Expendable ECM (1 DP): Numerous small launchers capable of deploying chaff, decoys, expendable jammers, and smoke....

 The mecha in Modular Mecha (Pyramid volume 3 issue 51) are fairly small (17-33 feet tall and 25-65 tons) compared to those seen in some franchises. For example, Gundam mobile suits are about 60 feet tall, pacific rim jaegers are 240-280 feet tall, and Warhammer 40,000 titans range from 40 foot tall ‘scout’ titans to the imperator class, which are at least 200 feet tall. To make a ‘giant’ mecha, increase SM by 2, decrease Hnd by 1, double height, ST, HP, and DR, and multiply LWt. Load and Cost by 8. A ‘colossal’ mecha increases SM by 4, reduces Hnd by 2, multiplies height, ST, HP, and DR by 5, and LWt. Load and Cost by 125. A ‘titanic’ mech increases SM by 6, reduces Hnd by 3, multiplies height, ST, HP, and DR by 10, and LWt. Load and Cost by 1,000. The mass of weapons carried can increase by the same factor as Load. A simple rule of thumb for scaling up weapons: multiply calibre, damage, range, and ST by the same factor used for the mecha’s height, ST, HP, and DR (e.g. a giant par...