reality

blurs

The true20 robotic roleplay sourcebook

Note: Space and Reach (listed above) are in 7. Select your characters starting gear, which
squares. includes weapons and tech. See Chapter Six:
*Most mechagen vehicle and object alt forms do not have any Gear.
natural reach at all. These numbers are mainly for primary forms
and animal alt forms.
To construct a mechagen character, a player
first assigns a priority from 1 to 5 to each of
the following categories: alt form, ability scores
QUANTUM ENERGY RESERVES special powers, gear, and upgrades. The
(CONVICTION) corresponding benefit per level of priority in
Instead of Conviction, a mechagen has Quantum each category is set forth in Table 1-3. All five
Energy Reserves. Each day, a mechagen can priorities must be assigned. Generally no priority
call upon its internal quantum energy reserves can be given a value of less than 1 or greater
to enhance its built-in abilities. Except in name, than 5.
Quantum Energy Reserves works just like
Conviction for other True20 characters. Unlike
Conviction a mechagens quantum energy TABLE 1-3: PRIORITIES
reserves may be temporarily increased by Priority Alt Ability Special Gear Upgrades
absorbing quantum energy cells (see Quantum Form Points Power Points
The true20 robotic
Energy Cells).
roleplay
1 1 4 sourcebook
Level 2 2 1
2 2 5 Level 1 4 2
3 3 6 Level 8 3

CREATING YOUR MECHAGEN 4 4 7 Level + 1 12 4

5 5 8 Level + 2 16 5
Mechagenesisg that allows for a
wide variety Produced by Sean From
of different characters. Prestonthe
unassuming Writing
scientist and Rules
that morphs Stuff
into a sleekby Erica
ALT FBalsley
ORM
fighter jet toAdventure and Additional
the towering assassin that disguises Materials by Jason Irrgang
More than anything else, what a mechagen turns
Layoutcell
itself as a mundane and Editing by Sean Preston
phone.
into determines who he is and what he does.
Cover and Interior Art by Anthony Cournoyer
Consider what shape you would take if your
MECHAGENERATION subconscious offered you the chance to change
Many Thanks to James roberts and jay boothe
form into an animal or vehicle. Your personality,
Follow the steps below to design your interests, and style would likely affect your
mechagen.Special props to Mike Evil Mike McNeal! choice; so it is with mechagens.
1. Assign priorities. The order in which you The size of a mechagens primary form is usually
and a hearty thank you to our playtesters:
rank priorities determine what strengths and directly linked to the size of its alt form, although
weaknesses yourLightning-Bug
Greg character has. The priorities
Basham, Kirsten there
Big Blue Basham, to
are exceptions Derek Dodger
the rule. Generally, the
are: alt form,Beasley, Chrisspecial
ability scores, Hazard Pickering,
powers, gear, Dave Airlift Pickering, Betsy Wings
Warner, Jess, and Ghost Wyant. greater priority given to alt form construction,
and upgrades. the larger, faster, more maneuverable, or more
2. Generate the characters ability scores. adaptable the form is. Alt forms are discussed in
greater detail in Chapter Two.
3. Construct the characters alt form. See
Chapter Two: Alt Form Design. MULTIPLE ALT FORMS
MECHAGENESIS: THE TRUE20 ROBOTIC ROLEPLAY SOURCEBOOK is copyright 2008,
4. ChooseReality
the characters
Blurs. Allrole.
RightsSee Chapter
Reserved. With your Narrators permission, you can choose
Three: Roles. more than one alt form by dividing your priority
The following Items are Designated as Product Identity: Mechagenesis,
BLurs, and their associated Logos, points among them;andfordescriptions
example, if you
of set your
5. Assign Reality
skill points and starting feats. See the proper
alt formthat
individuals and items, and all artwork and images
names
priority at 4, youthis
constitute canwork.
have one priority 4
Chapter Four: Skills and Feats. alt form,logo
two are
priority 2 alt forms,
True20 Adventure Roleplaying and its associated trademarks of or one priority 3
Green
6. ChooseRonin Publishing special
the characters and arepowers.
used under and oneof
Seethe provision priority 1 alt form.
the True20 If you have
Adventure multiple alt
Role-
playing Trademark license (see www.True20.com for details.)
Chapter Five: Special Powers. forms, the size of your primary form is determined

PAGE 4 Reality Blurs: Mechagenesis

 CONTENTS

CHAPTER SUBJECT PAGE

ONE MECHAGENESIS 1
TWO ALT FORMS 14
THREE ROLES 25
FOUR SKILLS AND FEATS 27
FIVE SPECIAL POWERS 35
SIX GEAR 38
SEVEN VEHICULAR GENOCIDE 53
EIGHT HISTORY OF THE MECHAGENS 62
NINE SAMPLE CHARACTERS 72
TEN THE BATTLE FOR ST. LOUIS 87
Chapter One: Mechagenesis

In Mechagenesis, a player assumes the role Mechagens vary greatly in size and appearance.
of a mechagen, a gigantic robot with the ability However, every mechagen shares some basic
to assume other forms. Although mechagens traits.
predominantly wage their battles on an Earth
not too different from our own, mechagens have
special powers and abilities that dwarf those of The Mechagen Background
human beings. Creating a 10-ton, 50-ft.-high Mechagens have the following background
robot is a bit different from making most other traits:
True20 characters, however.
Ability Bonuses: None. The starting ability
scores of a mechagen are all +0, modified by
What Is A Mechagen? size (see Table 1-4).

Mechagens are gigantic robots engaged in an Bonus Skill: Any one skill of the players
ancient struggle between freedom and tyranny. choice at 4 ranks.

Mechagens have amazing capabilities, not the Bonus Feats: Any one general feat or upgrade
least of which is morphing: the ability to assume of the players choice.
an alternate form, or alt form. A mechagens alt Favored Feats: Any two role-specific feats of
form often resembles something mundane: a car, the players choice.
a camera, a jetliner, or perhaps even an animal.
Upgrades: Mechagen characters begin play
Mechagens are fueled by quantum energy, the
with a certain number of upgrades, as determined
spark that gives them life and power. Quantum
by priority.
energy also powers the mechagens nanomechs,
tiny machines that exist inside the larger robots, Mechagen Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage
constantly reconfiguring their internal circuitry to Reduction, Energy Resistance, Imbued Attacks,
allow them to assume new forms and activate Living Machine, Morph
new abilities.

Mechagenesis PAGE 1
Built-In Radio: Mechagens usually communicate designed to counter mechagen armor, while
verbally with humans and each other. Mechagens conventional weapons are not.
can also communicate with other mechagens
Living Machine: Because of its machine body,
within 1 mile via built-in two-way radios. This
a mechagen is immune to gases and poisons,
communication can be broadcast on all-channels
and does not need to breathe or eat. They can
or across a previously agreed-upon channel.
operate under water or in the void of outer space
All-channel communication is automatically
without harm. Additionally, mechagens are
intercepted by any other radio receiver in
immune to most effects geared toward organic
range (including other mechagens). Locating a
creatures that cause death, nausea, paralysis,
communication channel that is currently in use
petrification, stunning, and unconsciousness.
requires a full-round action and a successful
However, there are technological equivalents
Difficulty 15 Computers check. Mechagen radios
of the above: mechagens can suffer any of
can be disrupted by electromagnetic interference
the above conditions as a result of an attack
as with any other radio communication.
especially geared toward living machines, and
Damage Reduction: All mechagens have damage can suffer the effects of exhaustion and fatigue if
reduction 4/quantum energy in both primary form they do not get enough fuel or spend enough time
and alt-form. Some well-armored mechagens in stasis (see Quantum Energy and Stasis).
are protected even further. In any case where Mechagens also have electronic minds that
an armor bonus to Toughness is mentioned for function much like intelligent, organic beings,
a mechagen, it is armor that protects even from and are therefore vulnerable to mind-affecting
quantum energy. effects like compulsions and illusions. As living
Energy Resistance: All mechagens have energy machines, mechagens also use the damage
resistance 4 against all energy types in both rules for characters instead of those for objects,
primary form and alt form. including the penalties for being wounded and
having to make checks to stabilize if brought to
Imbued Attacks: Mechagens can deal damage dying on the damage track. Mechagens are also
with unarmed attacks when in primary form; subject to critical hits, although the effects are
the damage varies based on the mechagens different than those applied to normal characters
size, as shown on Table 1-1. Because the (see Critical Hits). Mechagens heal at the
mechagen has damage reduction 4/quantum normal rate, as their systems are monitored
energy, his natural attacks, as well as attacks and repaired by non-sentient autonomous
with any mechagen weapons he wields, are nanomechs.
treated as being imbued with quantum energy
for the purposes of bypassing other mechagens Morph: Every mechagen has the ability to
damage reduction. A mechagen deals quantum assume at least two different forms. These are
energy damage with his unarmed attacks, the primary form and the alt form. Primary form is
natural weapons, damaging special powers, generally a humanoid shape, and is considered
and most weapons. Thus, these attacks ignore a mechagens true form. Some mechagens
the DR of other mechagens. A mechagen primary forms are more akin to animals than
wielding an improvised weapon or a weapon humans, but they are no less intelligent.
with the Conventional Damage disadvantage A mechagens alt form can be nearly anything.
does not ignore the DR of other mechagens. Most have some element of disguise, usually
This is a departure from the normal rules for appearing to be normal Earth vehicles that
damage reduction, since a mechagens DR is can travel freely among humans. Other forms
meant to represent material hardness rather are more combat-oriented, being otherworldly
than a supernatural ability to ignore certain combat platforms or ferocious, robotic animals.
damage types. Simply put, weapons designed With the exception of mechagens with animal
by mechagen-level technology are specifically alt forms, a mechagen retains all of his abilities,

PAGE 2 Mechagenesis
 TABLE 1-1: SIZE MODIFIERS
Size Primary Combat Damage Grapple Manipulation Toughness Height Weight Carrying
Form Speed Modifier Bonus Modifier Modifier Modifier Capacity
Awesome 60 ft. 16 +5 +20 20 +10 128+ ft. 1,000+ tons x32
Colossal 60 ft. 8 +4 +16 16 +8 64-128 ft. 125-1,000 tons x16
Gargantuan 50 ft. 4 +3 +12 12 +6 32-64 ft. 16-125 tons. x8
Huge 50 ft. 2 +2 +8 8 +4 16-32 ft. 2-16 tons x4
Large 40 ft. 1 +1 +4 4 +2 8-16 ft. 500-4,000 lbs. x2
Medium 30 ft. +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 4-8 ft. 60-500 lbs. x1
Small 20 ft. +1 1 4 +4 1 2 ft.-4 ft. 8-60 lbs. x3/4
Tiny 15 ft. +2 2 8 +8 2 1-2 ft. 1-8 lbs. x1/2
Diminutive 10 ft. +4 3 12 +12 4 6 in-1 ft. 0.25-1 lb. x1/4
Fine 5 ft. +8 4 16 +16 8 3 in-6 in. 0.9-0.1 lb. x1/8

combat bonus, saves (including Toughness), Character Scale

skills, and feats while morphed. A mechagen
The characters in Mechagenesis are larger than
also retains the use of his sensors, allowing
life, and that is reflected in the scale used in
him to see and experience his environment as
the game. First of all, if you are using a battle
usual, even if he can no longer interact as easily
grid, each one-inch square represents a ten-foot
with a particular environment. Mechagens may
square. This means that Medium and smaller
also activate their special powers while in alt
creatures take up less than one square and
form. When a mechagen changes form, linked
have a natural reach of 0 squares. Large and
weapons or equipment he is carrying become
Huge creatures occupy one square, and have a
hidden within his alt form or mounted on it. natural reach of 1 square in each direction. All of
Unlinked items that he is carrying either become the relevant scale details are presented in Table
stored in the alt forms cargo areas (if any) or fall 1-2.
to the ground.
Your characters size also determines
Morphing is a move action. Mechagens with a your characters base Strength, Dexterity,
combat bonus of +5 or higher may morph as Constitution (as shown in Table 1-4), bonus
a free action as long as it is combined with a to weapon damage, primary form speed, and
regular move. Toughness. The Manipulation Modifier is added
A mechagen must make a successful grapple to Craft, Computers, Disable Device, and other
check in order to morph while grappled, and such checks when working on human-sized
cannot morph if he is pinned. equipment, and to Stealth checks. A mechagens
vertical reach is equal to its height in feet x1.5.
Level Lag: Small to Medium +2, Large +3, Huge
+4, Gargantuan +5, Colossal +6, Awesome +7.
The level lag really only matters if there are non-
mechagen heroes or mechagens of different
sizes in the group. For balance purposes, the
Narrator may wish to restrict the size of player-
character mechagens to no larger than Huge.

Mechagenesis PAGE 3
 Mechageneration
TABLE 1-2:
MECHAGEN SCALE Follow the steps below to design your
Size Example Form Space Reach* mechagen.
Fine Cell phone 0 0
1. Assign priorities. The order in which you
Diminutive CD Player 0 0 rank priorities determine what strengths and
Tiny Computer 0 0 weaknesses your character has. The priorities
Small Eagle 0 0 are: alt form, ability scores, special powers, gear,
Medium Motorcycle 0 0 and upgrades.
Large Sports car 1 1
2. Generate the characters ability scores.
Huge Semi truck 4 1
Gargantuan Jet fighter 4 2 3. Construct the characters alt form. See
Colossal Attack sub 9 3 Chapter Two: Alt Form Design.
Awesome Aircraft carrier 16 4 4. Choose the characters role. See Chapter
Note: Space and Reach (listed above) are in Three: Roles.
squares. 5. Assign skill points and starting feats. See
*Most mechagen vehicle and object alt forms do not have any Chapter Four: Skills and Feats.
natural reach at all. These numbers are mainly for primary forms
and animal alt forms. 6. Choose the characters special powers. See
Chapter Five: Special Powers.

Quantum Energy Reserves 7. Select your characters starting gear, which

(Conviction) includes weapons and tech. See Chapter Six:
Gear.
Instead of Conviction, a mechagen has Quantum
Energy Reserves. Each day, a mechagen can To construct a mechagen character, a player
call upon its internal quantum energy reserves first assigns a priority from 1 to 5 to each of
to enhance its built-in abilities. Except in name, the following categories: alt form, ability scores
Quantum Energy Reserves works just like special powers, gear, and upgrades. The
Conviction for other True20 characters. Unlike corresponding benefit per level of priority in
Conviction a mechagens quantum energy each category is set forth in Table 1-3. All five
reserves may be temporarily increased by priorities must be assigned. Generally no priority
absorbing quantum energy cells (see Quantum can be given a value of less than 1 or greater
Energy Cells). than 5.

Creating Your Mechagen TABLE 1-3: PRIORITIES

Priority Alt Ability Special Gear Upgrades
Mechagenesis is a setting that allows for a Form Points Power Points
wide variety of different characters. From the 1 1 4 Level 2 2 1
unassuming scientist that morphs into a sleek 2 2 5 Level 1 4 2
fighter jet to the towering assassin that disguises 3 3 6 Level 8 3
itself as a mundane cell phone. 4 4 7 Level + 1 12 4
5 5 8 Level + 2 16 5

PAGE 4 Mechagenesis
Alt Form
Total to 15 Priority Point Variant
More than anything else, what a mechagen turns To allow for greater customization, your Narrator
into determines who he is and what he does. may let you make use of the total to 15 method of
assigning priorities.
Consider what shape you would take if your
subconscious offered you the chance to change In this method, instead of assigning priorities from 1
to 5, you have 15 priority points to assign. No priority
form into an animal or vehicle. Your personality, may be given a value of less than 1 or greater than
interests, and style would likely affect your 5. Other than that, you can set your priorities in any
way you like, as long as they total no more than 15.
choice; so it is with mechagens. For example, you can set all priorities at 3, set them
at 5, 5, 2, 2, and 1, or in any other array that totals
The size of a mechagens primary form is usually 15.
directly linked to the size of its alt form, although
there are exceptions to the rule. Generally, the
greater priority given to alt form construction,
the larger, faster, more maneuverable, or more
adaptable the form is. Alt forms are discussed in
0-Priorities
greater detail in Chapter Two.
If your Narrator is allowing the total to 15 priority
point variant, he may also allow you to assign a cost
of 0 to one or more of your priorities. The only priority
TABLE 1-4: that can never be assigned a value of 0 is ability
points. Also, since priorities must total 15, you cant
BASE ABILITY MODIFIERS have more than two priorities with a value of 0.
Mechagen Size Base Base Base
Strength Dexterity Constitution
Alt Form 0: Mechagens with no alt-form represent
a very rare, older design from the days before
Awesome +10 5 +10 morphing technology was in wide use. A non-
Colossal +8 4 +8 morphing robot has the advantage of more power in
other areas since the limited space inside its chassis
Gargantuan +6 3 +6 isnt being taken up with morphing actuators and
Huge +4 2 +4 gears. The disadvantage of this type of mechagen
is that they cant easily hide on Earth disguised as
Large +2 1 +2 commonplace items. Furthermore, other mechagens
Medium +0 +0 +0 tend to react to non-morphing robots as primitive
throwbacks, outdated and obsolete technology with
Small 1 +1 1 one foot in the scrap-heap.
Tiny 2 +2 2
Special Power 0: Like the non-morphing robots,
Diminutive 4 +3 4 mechagens without special powers are yet another
Fine 8 +4 8 pervious step in the evolution of the mechagen as
it is today. Mechagens without a special power tend
to concentrate on upgrades and gear, tweaking
their physical forms and loading up on weapons in
order to fill the gap in their abilities as compared to
other mechagens.
Gear Points 0: Mechagens with no gear points
are essentially standard models. They dont have
any fancy options or tech gear or even weapons.
Mechagens without gear points can only get gear
points by taking the Gear Point upgrade. The only
weapons they can have are simple weapons, since
such weapons have 0 cost. These mechagens tend
to concentrate on special powers and ability points
to make up for their lack of gear.
Upgrades 0: Mechagens with no upgrades are
robots that have been designed to the limit of
their chassis, leaving no extra space or surplus
quantum energy to power further upgrades. These
mechagens usually have high priorities in ability
points and gear. The only way a mechagen with 0
priority in upgrades to get upgrades is to swap out
feats.

Mechagenesis PAGE 5
Multiple Alt Forms S trength Above +10

With your Narrators permission, you can choose Mechagen characters, especially the big ones,
more than one alt form by dividing your priority can have Strength scores much higher than
points among them; for example, if you set your +10. If it becomes necessary to determine such
alt form priority at 4, you can have one priority 4 a characters carrying capacity, consult Table 1-
alt form, two priority 2 alt forms, or one priority 3 5. Remember that larger creatures have greater
and one priority 1 alt form. If you have multiple alt carrying capacity, as shown on Table 1-1.
forms, the size of your primary form is determined
by the size of your largest alt form. If your alt
Special Power
forms have different sizes, you are considered
to have the massmorph ability as well. All mechagens are built with innate special powers
that set them apart from others. Although they
work like supernatural powers, special powers
Ability Points are technological in nature. The greater the
priority given to special power, the more powerful
Mechagens are built, not born. How strong,
your special power. You choose your special
quick, or fast a mechagen is depends on its
power from the list of supernatural powers in
creators intentions. While some mechagens are
Chapter 4 of True20 Adventure Roleplaying (or
smaller or poorly equipped compared to others, any other True20 source your Narrator allows). If
they make up for it by being quicker, smarter, you want a power that has a prerequisite power,
and stronger. Players construct their characters such as Dominate (which requires Mind Touch),
abilities using the point buy method, just like you must select the prerequisite power as your
other True20 characters. The number of points special power then take the Special Power Gain
available depends on the priority given to ability upgrade to select the additional power. Special
scores. Mechagens begin with physical ability powers are discussed in greater detail in Chapter
scores determined by size. Five. Some powers may be restricted or limited
at the Narrators discretion.

TABLE 1-5:
CARRYING CAPACITY
Strength Light Load Medium Load Heavy Load Maximum Load Push/Drag
+10 532 lb. 1,064 lb. 1,600 lb. 3,200 lb. 8,000 lb.
+11 692 lb. 1,384 lb. 2,080 lb. 4,160 lb. 10,400 lb.
+12 932 lb. 1,864 lb. 2,800 lb. 5,600 lb. 14,000 lb.
+13 1,124 lb. 2,452 lb. 3,680 lb. 7,360 lb. 18,400 lb.
+14 1,600 lb. 3,200 lb. 4,800 lb. 9,600 lb. 24,000 lb.
+15 2,128 lb. 4,256 lb. 6,400 lb. 12,800 lb. 32,000 lb.
+16 2,768 lb. 5,536 lb. 8,320 lb. 16,640 lb. 41,600 lb.
+17 3,728 lb. 7,456 lb. 11,200 lb. 22,400 lb. 56,000 lb.
+18 4,496 lb. 9,808 lb. 14,720 lb. 29,440 lb. 73,600 lb.
+19 6,400 lb. 12,800 lb. 19,200 lb. 38,400 lb. 96,000 lb.
+20 8,512 lb. 17,024 lb. 25,600 lb. 51,200 lb. 128,000 lb.
+21 11,072 lb. 22,144 lb. 33,280 lb. 66,560 lb. 166,400 lb.
+22 14,912 lb. 29,824 lb. 44,800 lb. 89,600 lb. 224,000 lb.
+23 17,984 lb. 39,232 lb. 58,880 lb. 117,760 lb. 294,400 lb.
+24 25,600 lb. 51,200 lb. 76,800 lb. 153,600 lb. 384,000 lb.
+25 34,048 lb. 68,096 lb. 102,400 lb. 204,800 lb. 512,000 lb.

PAGE 6 Mechagenesis
Multiple Special Powers Adaptable
With your Narrators permission, you can choose You are as adept underwater as a human. You
more than one special power by dividing your
priority points among them; for example, if you can swim above and below the water without
set your special power priority at 4, you can sinking to the bottom. You have a swim speed
have one priority 4 power, two priority 2 powers, equal to your primary forms ground speed.
or one priority 3 and one priority 1 power.

Alt Form S trike

Gear
Prerequisite: Dex +2 or better
Mechagens are built to accommodate incredible
technology. The greater the priority given to gear, You can perform a minor morph to bring a fist or
the more variety of weapons and equipment a kick to bear while in alt form. While in alt form,
character possesses at the start of the game. you can make a single unarmed attack as a
Gear is discussed in Chapter Six. standard action.

Upgrades Armored

While a mechagens basic design and alt form You have a heavily armored chassis. You gain
rarely change, its peripheral strengths are an armor bonus of +1. This upgrade can be taken
always being upgraded. The higher the priority up to 3 times. Since it is an armor bonus, it can be
allocated to upgrades, the more of them you bypassed with a successful finesse attack. This
start with. In this regard, upgrades are like bonus upgrade takes the place of the Defensive Roll
feats with the specific purpose of modifying and Toughness feats for mechagen characters.
your mechagens mechanical body. Upgrades
can affect either your primary or your alt form;
which form an upgrade applies to is given in its Damage Boost
description. Your unarmed strikes or one of your natural
A mechagen can take an upgrade regardless of weapons has been modified to deal more
role, although some upgrades require a particular damage than usual. Select unarmed attacks
type of alt form. Like feats, some upgrades or one natural weapon; that weapons damage
have prerequisites that must be met before the bonus is increased by +1. If you take this upgrade
upgrade can be taken. During character creation for unarmed attacks, you deal lethal damage
you can also trade in upgrades in exchange for instead of non-lethal damage with an unarmed
bonus general feats; these upgrades represent attack. You can take this upgrade multiple times.
special programming or training your mechagen Each time, it applies to a different attack. This
has received in lieu of physical modifications. upgrade takes the place of the Improved Strike
Furthermore, whenever you are allowed to take feat for mechagen characters.
feat, such as when you are selecting your 4
starting feats or during level advancement, you
may instead take an upgrade for which you meet
the prerequisites. Database

Unlike feats, a mechagen cant spend Quantum You have a complex data storage system that
Energy Reserves (i.e. Conviction) to gain constantly records stray bits of information.
temporary use of an upgrade. Either the When confronted with a topic in which you do
mechagen has an upgrade or he does not. Also not have any relevant knowledge, you may still
unlike feats, upgrades can be removed and remember something useful about it. Make a
replaced with other upgrades. See the Craft database check with a bonus equal to your total
(mechagen tech) skill in Chapter Four for more level + your Intelligence to see whether you know
information about altering upgrades. some relevant information about a particular

Mechagenesis PAGE 7
person, place, or thing. You may not take 10 or Foot Wheels
take 20 on this check, as this type of data recall You have wheels on your feet in primary form,
is essentially random. This upgrade takes the allowing you to skate at double your normal
place of the Eidetic Memory feat for mechagen primary form speed. You can activate and
characters. deactivate the wheels as a free action. You avoid
The Narrator can determine the Difficulty of the hazards with a Dexterity or Acrobatics check
check by referring to the table below. instead of Drive.

Gear Point
TABLE 1-6: DATABASE CHECKS
Difficulty Knowledge Examples You can use more gear. You can gain this
10 Common The name of the local upgrade multiple times. Each time you take the
mayor; the location of a upgrade, you gain 1 gear point.
nearby garage.
20 Uncommon A celebritys favorite
food; the location of a Grappler
power substation.
25 Obscure The typical armament When grappling larger opponents, your modifiers
on a military vehicle; to grapple checks are treated as if you were one
the location of an
abandoned bomb size larger. You may select this ability multiple
shelter. times. Each time you do, your modifiers to
30 Extremely A security password; grapple checks when grappling larger opponents
Obscure a location considered
classified. are treated as if you were one size larger.

Greater Special Power Boost

Deceptive
Prerequisite: Special Power Boost
Prerequisite: Quick Morph, trained in the Stealth
skill Your special power is very powerful. Choose
one of your special powers to which youve
If you are in your primary form and see an applied Special Power Focus. Add an additional
enemy, or anyone else who you dont want to +1 to the Difficulty for all saving throws against
see your primary form, you may make a Difficulty that special power. You can gain this upgrade
25 Stealth check to morph to your alt form as a multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each
free action. Once in your alt form, you may roll time you take the upgrade, it applies to a new
a Disguise (mechagen) check as normal. If your special power.
Stealth check is successful, the observer never
gets a chance to spot you. Your Stealth check
automatically fails if you try to use this ability
while you are being directly observed.

Empower

You can increase the effective rank of your

special powers, putting more of your quantum
energy and will behind them. For each effective
rank you add to a power, increase the fatigue
Difficulty of using it by +2. You cannot empower
a power by more than +5 ranks (for +10 to the
fatigue Difficulty).

PAGE 8 Mechagenesis
High Performance Improved Primary/Animal Form Speed

You can deal with most hazards that come your Your primary form or animal alt form speed
way. You receive a +4 bonus to your Drive or increases by 10 feet while not carrying a heavy
Pilot skill (whichever is most appropriate for load. You can take this upgrade multiple times.
your alt form) when making skill checks to avoid Each time it increases your speed by 10 feet, to
hazards. a maximum increase of +30 feet. This upgrade
takes the place of the Improved Speed feat for
mechagen characters.
Hybrid Form

Prerequisite: Dex +3 or greater, Alt Form Strike,

Increased Vehicle Form Speed
Trained in Drive or Pilot
Prerequisite: Vehicle alt form.
You can morph into a hybrid form, combining
elements of your primary form and alt form. Your vehicle alt form can reach higher speeds
When you morph, you can morph into a hybrid than most. When in vehicle alt form, your
form that combines features of your alt form and maximum speed increases by 20%. You can gain
primary form. For instance, a mechagen with this upgrade multiple times. Each time you take
a jet fighter alt form would appear to have the the upgrade, your maximum speed increases by
wings, cockpit, and flight capabilities of a jet 20% of its original value.
fighter, but would have the extended legs and
articulate arms of a humanoid mechagen. All
characteristics, including available weapons, Increased Acceleration
use the more advantageous of your two forms. Prerequisite: Vehicle alt form.
This ability may not be used in conjunction with
Your vehicle alt form can accelerate more
a massmorphed alt form.
quickly than most. When in vehicle alt form, your
acceleration rating increases by 50%. You can
Imbuing Weapon gain this upgrade multiple times. Each time you
take the upgrade, your acceleration increases
Prerequisites: Weapon alt form, Dex +2 or better,
by 50% of its original value.
Int +1 or better
Your fighting prowess carries over to your alt Increased Maneuverability
form. When you choose to share a weapon feat
Prerequisite: Vehicle alt form.
with your wielder, you may share one additional
feat. You can gain this upgrade multiple times. Your vehicle alt form can turn tighter corners
Each time you take the upgrade, you may grant than most. When in vehicle alt form, your
one additional feat to your wielder. maneuverability improves by one step. You
can gain this upgrade multiple times. Each time
you take the upgrade, your maneuverability
Improved Imbuing Weapon improves by one step, to a maximum of perfect.
Prerequisites: Imbuing Weapon, total level 8th.
Link
Your can lend a wide range of expertise to your
You have a link, a smaller mechagen that serves
wielder. You can lend your combat bonus and
as a companion and assistant. There are two
feats to your wielder in the same round.
general types of links: alt form link and primary
form link. An alt form link merges with your
primary form when you morph, and a primary
form link merges with your alt form. See Link
Rules at the end of this chapter for more details.
You can only take this upgrade once.
Mechagenesis PAGE 9
Lumbering Gait Quicken Power

Prerequisite: Large or larger. Once per round, you can use a power that
requires a full-round action as a standard action,
You stand and walk in such a manner that it is or a power that normally requires a standard
difficult for smaller creatures to move through action as a move action. You cant use powers
your legs. A creature must be four size categories more quickly than a move action using this
smaller than you to move through an area that upgrade. The fatigue Difficulty of the quickened
you occupy. power increases by +8.

Masterwork Tech Object Primary Form Flight

Prerequisite: Tech object alt form. You can fly while in primary form. Your speed
is 50 MPH (50 squares at character scale, 10
Your tech object alt form is an example of
squares at surface scale, and 1 square at air
fine craftsmanship. Your alt form bestows an scale), your Acceleration is 10/2/.2 and your
additional +2 bonus to relevant skill checks. You maneuverability is Poor. You can increase
can gain this upgrade multiple times. Each time these values with the Increased Acceleration,
you take the upgrade, the bonus your alt form Increased Maneuverability, and Increased
grants increases by +2, to a maximum of an Vehicle Form Speed upgrades.
additional +10.

Sensors
Masterwork Weapon
You can get more out of your sensors than other
Prerequisite: Weapon alt form. mechagens, even those with more advanced
equipment. Your audio-visual sensor range
Your weapon alt form is an example of fine
doubles, reducing the Notice penalties for
craftsmanship. A masterwork weapon alt form distance to 1 per 20 feet. You may select this
provides a +1 bonus to attacks made with it. A upgrade multiple times. Each time you do, your
masterwork shield alt form has an armor check sensor range doubles. This upgrade only applies
penalty one less than normal. to hearing and vision, not other forms of detection
such as radar, sonar, and quantum sensors.
Mini-Digits

Your digits contain extendable fine-manipulation Special Power Advancement

tools that mimic humans fingers. Your Your nanomechs upgrade you in such a way
manipulation modifier for using human-sized that your special power gains in strength. You
equipment is determined as if you were one size can take this upgrade multiple times. Each time
smaller. You may select this upgrade multiple you take the upgrade, the priority of one of your
times. Each time you do your manipulation special powers increases by 1 (to a maximum of
modifier improves as if you were one size priority 5).
smaller.
Special Power Boost
Quick Morph Prerequisite: A special power that allows a
saving throw.
Your morph actuators are so efficient that you
can morph in the blink of an eye. You can morph Your special power is harder to resist. Choose
as a free action once per round. one of your special powers. Add +1 to the
Difficulty for all saving throws against that special
power. You can gain this upgrade multiple times.
Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the
upgrade, it applies to a new special power.

PAGE 10 Mechagenesis
Special Power Focus Vehicle Ramming

Prerequisite: A special power that requires a Prerequisite: Vehicle Charging.

power check. You are designed to slam your vehicle alt form
Choose one of your powers that requires a power into an opponent without taking much damage.
check. You gain a +3 bonus to power checks When you ram your vehicle alt form into an
with that power. You can take this upgrade more opponent, you deal +1 damage and take 1 less
than once. Each time, it applies to a different point of damage when ramming.
power.

Widen Power
Special Power Gain
You can broaden the effect of one of your powers.
Your nanomechs upgrade you in such a way When using powers that normally affect a single
that you gain a new special power. You can take target, you can affect an area with a radius of up
this upgrade multiple times. Each time you take to four times your total level in feet. The power
the upgrade, you gain a new priority 1 special affects all targets in the area normally. You must
power. You can also use this upgrade to take a still meet any requirements for range, including
power that has another of your special powers mental contact, that the power requires. Make
as a prerequisite. In that case, the new power a single check and compare the results to each
starts at a priority equal to your original special target in the area. Targets save individually
power. against the powers effects. The widened powers
fatigue Difficulty increases by +6.

Special Power Talent

Link Rules
Prerequisite: Two special powers that require
power checks. Links are tiny mechagen companions that
operate independently of the mechagens main
Choose two powers you possess that require
form. There are two types of links: alt form links
power checks. You gain a +2 bonus to power
and primary form links.
checks with those powers. You can take this
upgrade more than once. Each time, it applies An alt form link is a part of a mechagen that
to a different pair of powers. can operate separately while the mechagen
is in its primary form. When the mechagen
is in primary form, the link takes the form of a
Vehicle Charging smaller humanoid, vehicle, or animal. When the
Prerequisite: Vehicle alt form, Vehicular mechagen morphs, the link becomes part of its
Combat. alt form, such as a stowed weapon, a trailer, or
a cargo rack.
You are designed to make devastating ramming
attacks in your alt form. If you morph from A primary form link is a part of a mechagen that
your alt form to your primary form as part of a can operate separately while the mechagen is in
charge action, and complete your move with a its alt form. When the mechagen is in alt form,
successful melee attack, you deal +1 damage the link takes the form of a smaller humanoid,
with the attack. vehicle, or animal. When the mechagen morphs,
the link becomes part of its primary form, such
as an arm, generator, or a head.
Links are treated just like familiars, as described
in True20 Adventure Roleplaying. A link is treated
as a mechagen for the purpose of any effect
that depends on its type. Destroyed links can

Mechagenesis PAGE 11
be rebuilt in the same manner as mechagens, make a level check to overcome it, adding your
except that the backup programming can be Charisma to the check. The Narrator sets the
provided by the master mechagen, and the link Difficulty. If your communication link is broken, it is
cannot lose a level or ability score points. A automatically reestablished as soon as possible.
links power is provided by its master, so it does You cannot see through the links eyes, but you
not have a quantum generator and, unlike other can communicate by exchanging basic message
mechagens, does not roll on the critical hit table signals. Because of the limited nature of the link,
(see Critical Hits). only general, one- or two-word commands or
To morph with a link, a mechagen and link must messages can be communicated. You get a +4
be within 10 feet of each other. A mechagen can bonus on interaction checks involving your link.
morph without its link, but does so at a penalty. Share Powers: You can choose to have any
A mechagen that morphs into its alt form without power you use on yourself also affect your link.
its alt form link does not gain the normal +10 This includes powers like Enhance Ability, which
bonus to his Disguise check when he morphs. normally only affect the user. The link must be
A mechagen that morphs into its primary form within 10 feet of you when the power is used to
without its primary form link loses any special receive its effects. If the power has a duration
abilities provided by its link and further suffers a other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the
penalty to certain actions. See Special Primary link when the link moves farther than 10 feet
Form Link Bonus, below, to determine which away from you and does not affect it again,
special abilities are lost and what penalties are even if it returns while the power is still in effect.
suffered. Additionally, you may choose to activate your
A link may take the form of a Small robot, a Small special power to affect only your link, and not
vehicle, or a Small or smaller animal. your main form.
Evasion: Your link gains the Evasion feat.

Link Basics
Dedicated: Your link gains the Dedicated feat
towards you.
Use the basic statistics given for the robot or
vehicle link or a creature of the links kind. Links Encrypted Verbal Communication: You
are treated as mechagens. The link gains all and your link can communicate verbally using
mechagen traits. Links also have special abilities digitized messages and sound impulses. Others
depending on the mechagens total level, as cannot understand the communication without
decrypting it (Computers Difficulty 25).
shown on Table 1-7.
Improved Evasion: Your link gains the Improved
Total Level: Enhancements to the links traits
Evasion feat.
are based on your total level. When you go up a
level, your link does as well. TABLE 1-7:
Abilities: This is a bonus to the links Strength, LINK SPECIAL ABILITY LIST
Dexterity, and Intelligence scores. An animal Total Abilities Special
links Intelligence begins at 2, while a humanoid Level
or vehicle links Intelligence begins at 1. Links 1st-2nd +0 Basic Link, Share
are intelligent, and can understand any language Special Powers
you know. A link can only communicate verbally 3rd-5th +0 Evasion
if you choose to allow that when you take the 6th-8th +1 Dedicated
Link upgrade. 9th-11th +1 Encrypted Verbal
Basic Link: You have a basic communications Communication
connection with your link (like a use of the Mind 12th-14th +2
Touch power). The two of you are always in 15th-17th +2 Improved Evasion
mental contact. If some outside force, such as 18th-20th +3
electromagnetic shielding, interferes, you can

PAGE 12 Mechagenesis
Link Types Special Alt Form Link Bonus

Animal: If an animal link is chosen, the link An alt form link grants a bonus general feat to
retains the size, appearance, level, base combat its main form. This feat is chosen when the link
bonus, base save bonuses, skills, feats, and is created, and cannot be changed. This bonus
traits and of the ordinary animal it resembles, feat applies only when the main primary form
but it is treated as a mechagen for the purpose and form-link are within one mile of each other.
of any effect that depends on its type. Any Small
animal may be chosen. Animal links have the
same skills as a normal animal of its type, and Special Primary Form Link Bonus
gain 2 + Intelligence (minimum 1) skill points per The special ability granted by a primary form
level. link depends upon what part of the mechagens
primary form it assumes, as shown below.
These special abilities apply only when the
Humanoid/Vehicle: A humanoid or vehicle links link has morphed into the mechagens primary
combat bonus is the same as an expert of your form. The special abilities are listed using the
total level. Also like an expert, it has one good following format: Primary form part: Special
save (chosen by you) and two normal saves. ability/penalty for morphing into primary form
Humanoid and vehicle links have 4 + Intelligence without link.
skills at 4 ranks each at 1st level, and gain 4 +
Intelligence skill points per level after that. They Arm: +1 bonus to attack rolls and +4 bonus to
can only access general feats and your role- Strength checks involving that arm/3 penalty to
specific feats (unless you are a controller, in attack rolls.
which case you choose if they can take expert or Head: Increase Intelligence by 1/sight reduced
warrior feats; links cannot take controller feats). to 10 ft. and 2 penalty to all attacks and skill
Humanoid links have articulate hands. Vehicle checks. The bonus to Intelligence does not
links have very basic claw arms, but are treated provide extra skill points.
as quadrupeds for resisting trip attacks, rushes,
Leg: +10 ft. to speed and +2 bonus to Reflex
and for calculating carrying capacity. They
saves/base movement is halved and 1 to
cannot attain speeds high enough to move into
Dexterity.
surface scale. Use the following statistics for the
basic humanoid and vehicle links: Torso: +1 armor and +2 bonus to Fortitude
saves/2 to armor and DR/quantum energy
reduced by 1.
Base Humanoid or Vehicle Link
Size and Type: Small 1st level Mechagen
Speed: 20 ft. (humanoid) or 40 ft. (vehicle)
Abilities: Str +0, Dex +2, Con +0, Int 1, Wis
+1, Cha 1
Skills: Any 3 skills at 4 ranks each.
Feats: Any one general or role-specific feat.
Traits: Mechagen traits
Combat: +3 (+1 size, +0 base, +2 Dex), Damage
+0 (slam), Defense Dodge/Parry +3/+1 (+1 size,
+0 base, +2 Dex/+0 Str), Initiative +2
Saves: Toughness 1 (1 size, +0 Con), Fort
+0 (+0 base, +0 Con), Ref +4 (+2 base, +2 Dex),
Will +1 (+0 base, +1 Wis)

Mechagenesis PAGE 13
Chapter Two: Alt Forms

It is the mechagens ability to morph that sets Animal

them apart from other artificial life forms. When
the mechagens first came to Earth, the This type of alt form mimics a living creature,
nanomechs that inhabit their forms began such as a bird of prey, a dinosaur, or an insect.
constructing new alt forms based upon animals Animal mechagens are among the rarest of all
and objects native to this world. Some mechagens mechagens.
have alt forms based upon vehicles and objects Object
found on other worlds that are far more advanced,
with capabilities superior to those of weapons This type of alt form mimics something that
and vehicles found on Earth. The benefits they does not normally move under its own power,
provide come with the penalty of not being able like a structure, a weapon, or a tech object. All
to blend in. objects can cause their moving parts to move,
however, such as the turrets and blast doors
Alt Form Types
for structures, triggers for firearms, and view
Nearly every mechagen has the ability to morph. screens on laptops.
There are three types of alt forms a player may
choose from: animal, object, or vehicle. Some Vehicle
alt forms are limited only to those with a certain This type of alt form mimics anything that can
alt form priority or higher. The alt form and move under its own power, such as a sports
primary form are usually the same size, although car, a hovercraft, or a jetliner. This is the most
special exceptions exist (see the Massmorphing common form of mechagen.
sidebar).

PAGE 14 Mechagenesis
 Animal Alt Forms
Choose any creature of the animal or vermin
So What About Primary Forms? type that is the same size or smaller than the
All mechagens are assumed to have size allowed by your priority, as shown on Table
bipedal, humanoid primary forms (some 2-1: Animal Alt Forms. That choice not only
companions have animal or vehicle primary determines the traits that your alt form will have,
forms and object alt forms, however). it also determines the size of your mechagens
Unless you have the massmorph ability,
the size of your characters primary form is primary form.
the same as that of your alt form.
Other than size, your primary form is yours
to design. You can create a sketch or a TABLE 2-1: ANIMAL ALT FORMS
simple description to describe which parts Priority Size
of the robots alt form become which parts 1 Medium
of his primary form (windshield on chest,
doors as shoulder-guards, luggage rack as 2 Large or Medium/Small
3 Huge, Large/Medium or Medium/Tiny
4 Gargantuan, Huge/Large, Large/Small to
Tiny, or Medium/Diminutive
5 Colossal, Huge/Medium to Tiny, Large/
Diminutive, or Medium/Fine

Priorities two through five allow for the massmorph

Massmorphing special ability. The size before the slash is the
size of the mechagen in primary form and in his
What is massmorphing? Simply put, combat version of his alt form, while the size
massmorphing is the ability of some
mechagens to have alt forms that are after the slash is the size of the mechagens spy
drastically larger or smaller than their form (and therefore, the size of the animal that
primary form. the mechagen must choose for its alt form).
In most cases, a mechagens primary form For instance, a player who wishes his character
and alt form are roughly the same size, to have an elephant alt form, a Huge creature,
and have the same mass. A Large robot
morphs into a Large car, and so forth. must select at least priority 3 for his alt form. This
Some mechagens, however, can shunt means that he will also be Huge in his primary
away excess mass and actually change in form.
size and mass. This ability is most notably
found among mechagens with animal or Alternatively, the player may select an animal alt
object alt forms. form that is much smaller than the mechagens
You do not have to pay for this ability primary form, and even smaller than most
in priority points or gear points. If your humans. For instance, if a character had a bat
primary form and any one of your alt forms alt form, it could be priority 4 (making it Medium
have a different size, then you have the in its primary form, and Diminutive in its alt form)
Massmorphing ability. or priority 5 (making it Large in its primary form,
and Diminutive in its alt form). A mechagen
with this option gains an added benefit: he may
choose to massmorph when he morphs into
his alt form, shrinking to the normal size for the
animal, or he may remain the same size as his
primary form but attain the shape and traits of
the animal. The first option is generally used for
spying, the second for combat.

Mechagenesis PAGE 15
 The base creatures movement mode(s) and
speed(s).
For instance, a mechagen with alt form priority
4 (Large/Small-Tiny) chooses a monstrous The base creatures Strength, Dexterity, and
centipede as its alt form. He would be Large in Constitution.
his primary form, and could morph into a Tiny The base creatures bonus feats (and only
monstrous centipede in his alt form. He could
the bonus feats). If the base creature has
also morph into a Large monstrous centipede
any bonus feat that is superseded by tech
alt form, not shrinking at all. Whereas the
gear (such as Night Vision) or an upgrade
mechagens Large monstrous centipede alt
(such as Improved Speed), you gains that
form is not as powerful as, say, a Gargantuan
tech gear or upgrade for free while in your alt
monstrous centipede alt form, allowable under
form.
the same priority, the massmorphing allows for
more flexibility. The base creatures attack types and damage
for those attacks, and any effect associated
If there is no animal of the appropriate sizes
with them unless that effect is eliminated by
for your priority and you do not want to take a
something on the list of traits you do not gain
smaller animal form, ask your Narrator if you can
from the base creature (see below).
advance a smaller creature to a larger size (see
the True20 Bestiary, Modifying Creatures). Some of the base creatures traits, except
Mechagens are alien robots, and thus have a for any modification to mental abilities such
difficult time mimicking the forms of Earthly as mindlessness. Any saving throw Difficulty
life. The animal alt form of a mechagen, like determined from the base creatures level
its primary form, is obviously mechanical and and abilities must be recalculated using your
cannot pass for a biological creature even to the total levels instead of the creatures. The
casual observer. traits you gain may include: Ability Loss,
Blindsense, Blindsight, Breath Weapon,
Constrict, Darkvision, Death Attack, Disease,
Animal Alt Form Abilities Engulf, Flight, Mimicry, Paralysis, Poison,
Pounce, Powerful Charge, Rake, Ray, Scent,
When you morph into your animal alt form, you
Sonic Attacks, Swallow Whole, Tentacles,
retain the following:
Trample, and Tremorsense.
Your level and level-dependent benefits.
Your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
When you morph into your animal alt form, you
Your skill ranks in all skills, adjusted for any do not retain or gain the following:
changes in size and physical ability scores.
Any of your weapons or gear, unless they
Your feats, assuming they are useful in the are specifically linked to your alt form.
alt form.
The base creatures subtypes or any trait
Your mechagen traits and any upgrades, associated with its subtypes.
special powers, and other useful abilities
The base creatures armor bonus to
from your primary form, assuming they are
Toughness.
usable in the alt form.
Any of the base creatures skills or skill
Your combat bonus and base saving throws,
ranks.
adjusted for any changes in size and physical
ability scores. Any of the base creatures feats that are not
bonus feats.
When you morph into your animal alt form, you
gain the following: Any of the creatures supernatural powers,
even if they are provided as bonus feats. In

PAGE 16 Mechagenesis
 order to have those powers, you must select Animal Alt Form Diseases and
them via the special power priority. Poisons
Some of the base creatures traits. The Mechagens are generally immune to poisons
traits you do not gain may include: Alternate that affect organic creatures. However, when
Form, Amphibious, Change Shape, Create a mechagen morphs into an animal or vermin
Spawn, Damage Reduction, Dependent, alt form that has a disease or poison special
Etherealness, Fast Healing, Fear, Frightful attack, the nanomechs in the mechagens body
Presence, Gaseous Form, Gaze, Immunity, produce substances that affect mechagens and
Invisibility, Light Sensitivity, Liquid Form, constructs in a manner quite similar to the way
Persistent Wound, Petrification, Powers, an ordinary creatures disease or poison affects
Regeneration, Resistance to Energy, an organic victim. When a mechagen is diseased
Sensitivity, Supernatural Immunity, or poisoned by an animal alt form, apply the
Supernatural Resistance, Summon, and effect stated in the animals description. These
Vulnerable to Energy. substances have no effect on organic beings.

Object Alt Forms

Aberrations, Dragons, and Supernatural Objects are the rarest of mechagen alt forms. It
Beasts takes a particular type of mindset (and player)
With your Narrators permission, you can to make the most use of a form that remains
choose a non-humanoid aberration, dragon, motionless much of the time. Object mechagens
or supernatural beast as your animal tend to be excellent guardians, spies, and support
alt form instead of an animal or vermin. characters, letting patience and teamwork
Constructs, elementals, fey, humanoids,
monstrous humanoids, oozes, outsiders, accomplish what daring skydives and squealing
plants, and undead cannot be taken as tires cannot.
animal alt forms.
The three types of object alt forms are devices,
Selecting a non-standard animal alt form structures, and weapons.
usually carries a priority-point increase
of at least +1, and perhaps as high as +3
depending on the innate abilities of the Device Alt Forms
creature. Some supernatural beasts have
nothing other than odd forms or movement Those that have device alt forms are often among
rates that set them apart from animals, and the most intelligent and devious of mechagens.
these alt forms have no increase in priority. It takes a considerable amount of patience to sit
Your Narrator determines any increase in and process away at the enemys encrypted file
priority for an unusual alt form. while in laptop form, or to wait in a human CEOs
For example, if you wanted your mechagen pocket for hours, waiting for the phone call that
to have the alt form of a chimera a Large will reveal the location of his energy stockpiles.
supernatural beast your Narrator may
set the priority to at least 3 to account Devices abilities vary widely. They generally
for the extra abilities a chimera provides act as advanced versions of their earthly
(darkvision, flight, breath weapon, etc.). A counterparts: they do what normal objects of
bear-shark alt form might carry no increase
in priority. their form might do, only better. For instance, a
mechagen in a spy-eye camera alt form would
have excellent field of vision and would be able to
see incredible detail. Likewise, a mechagen CD
burner would be able to store nearly unlimited
amounts of information on a single CD (like virtual
representations of every man, woman, and child
on Earth, accurate down to the last molecule,
Mechagenesis PAGE 17
for instance). At the very least, the device and Device alt forms in combat

any humans or mechagens using it gain a +10 For all their deviousness while spying, device
bonus to skill checks for which the device might alt forms are notoriously useless in combat. A
be useful. mechagen in a device alt form can control all
Other than these abilities, the extent of which of its moving parts normally, and can morph
are determined by the Narrator, devices must when he desires (assuming he isnt pinned in a
purchase their abilities with tech gear, upgrades, grapple), but thats about it.
special powers, and feats. The most notable
of their powers, however, is in their ability to S tructure Alt Forms
blend into the tiniest corners of the human and
mechagen worlds, transforming into innocuous Structure alt forms mimic stationary buildings.
objects that mechagens are too large to notice Structures can provide cover and concealment,
and humans dont think twice about seeing. Table and may have advanced scientific or military
capabilities. All of this is at the cost, however, of a
2-4 shows how many size categories different a
structures large size and immobility, which make
mechagens primary form can be from its device
him quite vulnerable to attack. For this reason,
alt form. structure mechagens tend to be incredibly
courageous, willing to sacrifice themselves
without a second thought for the cause or
TABLE 2-2: DEVICE ALT FORMS for the safety of their friends. Other structure
Size Example (Primary mechagens, particularly those with alt forms that
Change form/Alt form) do not focus on combat, simply adopt the forms
1 0-1 step Medium, Medium/Small that are the most conducive to learning about
2 2 steps Medium/Tiny, Large/Small their surroundings, keeping a protective eye on
3 3 steps Medium/Diminutive, Large/Tiny, their territory, or repairing their allies. Whether
Huge/Small theyre motivated by selflessness, scientific
4 4 steps Medium/Fine, Large/Diminutive, obsession, or overwhelming paranoia, structure
Huge/Tiny, Gargantuan/Small
mechagens let the others claim the glory while
5 5 steps Large/Fine, Huge/Diminutive,
Gargantuan/Tiny
they stay put and get the hard work done.

S tructure alt form Qualities

Device alt form Qualities
Structure alt forms have the following
Device alt forms have the following properties: properties:
Priority: This is the priority that must be devoted Priority: This is the priority that must be devoted
to alt form in order to choose this structure as an
to determine the size of the mechagens primary alt form.
form and its alt form.
Size Change: This the maximum difference in Size: The structures primary and alt form size.
size category between the primary form and the TABLE 2-3: STRUCTURE ALT FORMS
alt form. A mechagen with a 0-step size change Structure Priority Size
does not have the massmorph ability; his primary Bunker 1 Large
and alt forms are the same size.
Lab 1 Huge
Example: This column shows the various size Generator 2 Gargantuan
differences between the primary and alt forms. Turret 2 Huge
The sizes given in this column are only examples, Defense tower 3 Gargantuan
so if you want a Huge mechagen with a Large alt Sensor bay 3 Colossal
form, that would be priority 1 (1 step). Repair bay 4 Awesome
Weapons bay 4 Colossal
Fortress 5 Awesome

PAGE 18 Mechagenesis
S tructure Alt Forms in Combat their own initiatives, targeting enemies using
A mechagen in structure form has an effective the structure mechagens linked weapons. The
Dexterity of 5, but is not helpless (cannot be structure mechagen may turn over any number
coup de graced). They automatically fail grapple of his weapons to gunners in any given round. If
checks. If an attack roll misses a mechagen the mechagen turns over all of his weapons and
claiming cover from the structure, but would does not fire any of them independently, he may
normally hit the structures Defense, the attack divide his combat bonus among the gunners
instead hits the structure. Although they cannot attacks, adding portions of its own combat
move, they may participate in combat. Below is bonus to the gunners attack rolls. The structure
a list of the special combat rules for structure alt mechagen must decide how much of its combat
forms. bonus will be contributed before each attack roll
is made.
Cover: A mechagen in structure alt form can
provide cover to allies one size category smaller
than himself, but they cannot actually enter the Weapon Alt Forms
structure and cannot use his equipment (for Mechagens with weapon alt forms are among
instance, its weapons or its tech gear). A structure the most violent and dangerous of mechagens.
alt form can provide full cover to allies more than After all, their alt forms are created for one thing,
one size category smaller than himself. Such and one thing only: to destroy. Most weapon
creatures can also use the structures weapons mechagens take that onus on as a sacred
and tech gear (see below). For instance, a mission, and delight in tasting their foes energy
defense tower (a Gargantuan structure) would up close and personal. While they depend on
be able to house and protect several dozen others to wield them to maximum effectiveness,
humans, but could only offer cover to Huge they are always sure to claim the glory when an
mechagens. enemy falls to their blows or blasts.
Improved Aid Another: A mechagen in Weapon mechagens are the most versatile of
structure form with weapons to bear can use the their kin in terms of size and mass alteration.
aid another action in special ways. First of all, All weapon mechagens can alter their alt form
the mechagen can aid multiple allies in a single to fit the hand of any wielder, whether he is a
round, provided the allies are inside the structure confused human or a battle-ready mechagen
or are otherwise working in close concert with the ally. The weapon mechagens damage and
structure mechagen. The structure mechagen range changes appropriately, depending on the
can aid one ally, plus an additional ally per 4 total size of the wielder.
levels he has (so, one ally at 1st level, two at
4th level, three at 8th level, and so on). Second,
the mechagen can use the aid another action in TABLE 2-4: WEAPON ALT FORMS
ranged combat, as well as melee combat. Third, Priority Size/Gear Points
if both the ally and enemy are inside his structure 1 Medium/2, Medium/buckler shield
alt form, the mechagen may use the aid another 2 Medium/4, Large/buckler shield, Medium/
action as a free action. standard shield
3 Large/6, Huge/buckler shield, Large/standard
Share Tech Gear: As a move action, a structure shield, Medium/tower shield
may share the benefits of any of his sensor tech 4 Large/8, Gargantuan/buckler shield, Huge/
gear with those claiming cover from him. The standard shield, Large/tower shield

structure must use a move action each round to 5 Huge/10, Colossal/buckler shield, Gargantuan/
standard shield, Huge/tower shield
continue sharing the benefits.
Assist Gunners: If a structures weapons are
manned, he may turn control of his weapons
over to his gunners. The gunners then act on

Mechagenesis PAGE 19
Weapon alt form Qualities Vehicle Alt Forms
Weapon alt forms have the following properties: A vehicle alt form is a different thing to different
Priority: This is the priority that must be mechagens. For some, it is first and foremost
devoted to determine the mechagens inherent a means of disguise. After all, a mechagens
capabilities. skin is so resilient that it resists pointblank
hits from tank cannon, whether its in the form
Size/Gear Points: This is the primary form size of an armored car or an ice cream truck. For
and number of gear points you have to design others, it is a means of transportation, giving the
the capabilities of your weapon form (see Get mechagen the ability to move rapidly over land,
Your Guns). Shield alt forms do not receive sea, or air. Finally, some mechagens prefer to
gear points; none of the weapon advantages and use their vehicle forms specifically for combat
disadvantages really apply to shield alt forms. whether its the improved aerial maneuverability
No alt form size is provided, since all weapon of an attack helicopter or the low profile of a tank
mechagens automatically resize to the scale of turret, vehicle forms can add a wide variety of
their wielder. tricks to a mechagens attack style.
A mechagens alt form generally has all the
Weapon Alt Forms in Combat accoutrements one could find in a normal vehicle
Although a weapon alt form cannot move of its type, such as a radio, air conditioning, and
independently, it can greatly assist its wielder in so on. A mechagen has complete control of these
combat. A weapon alt form can use one of the standard features. He can roll down his windows,
following abilities in any one round. open his hood or trunk, turn on his windshield
wipers or the radio, flash his headlights, etc. as
Lend Feat: A mechagen in weapon alt form can a free action.
lend one of its weapon-based feats to its wielder.
The wielder need not meet the prerequisites If you have decided to play a mechagen with
to use the feat. Appropriate feats include a vehicle alt form, choose one from Table 2-5.
the following: All-Out Attack, Attack Focus, With your Narrators permission, you can design
Attack Specialization, Blind-Fight, Cleave, your own vehicle alt form using the statistics on
Exotic Weapon Training*, Far Shot, Firearms the table as a guideline.
Training*, Great Cleave, Greater Attack Focus,
Greater Attack Specialization, Improved Critical, Vehicle alt form Qualities
Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Improved
Precise Shot, Improved Sunder, Improved Trip, Vehicle alt forms have the following properties.
Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Ready Gunner, Vehicles designated with an asterisk on Table
Shield Training*, Two-Weapon Defense, Two- 2-5 are well-armored, even by mechagen
Weapon Fighting, and Weapon Training*. standards. They have a free +1 armor bonus to
Toughness.
*A weapon mechagen can only lend his wielder
these feats if his alt form is of the same type. Priority: This is the priority that must be devoted
to alt form in order to choose this vehicle as an
Assist Wielder: A mechagen in weapon alt form alt form.
can lend any amount of its combat bonus to its
wielder. The weapon mechagen must decide Size: The vehicles (and therefore, the
how much of its combat bonus will be contributed mechagens) size.
before each attack roll is made. Character Scale (10 ft. squares): The movement
rate of the vehicle when at character scale. An
easy way to remember the character scale speed
is that 1 square per round = approximately 1 mile
per hour at this scale.

PAGE 20 Mechagenesis
Surface Scale (50 ft. squares): The vehicles Aircraft carrier: The aircraft carrier is the
top speed at vehicle scale. An easy way to largest transport vehicle form a mechagen can
remember the character scale speed is that 1 assume. A mechagen with this alt form receives
square per round = approximately 5 miles per the Adaptable upgrade for free.
hour at this scale. Attack frigate: This military naval vessel is a
Top Speed (500 ft. squares): The vehicles top sizeable transport vehicle and can bring a wide
speed at air scale. An easy way to remember variety of weapons to bear as well. A mechagen
the character scale speed is that 1 square per with this alt form receives the Adaptable upgrade
round = approximately 50 miles per hour at this for free.
scale. Attack chopper: The master of air-to-ground
MPH: The vehicles top speed in MPH. annihilation, the attack chopper is maneuverable,
well-armed, and fast. It lacks only the top speed
Maneuverability: The maneuverability provides
of its jet counterparts and heavy weapons
a modifier on Drive or Pilot checks.
potential of its ground-borne kin. Regardless
Acceleration: The number of squares a vehicle of their maneuverability, attack choppers move
can accelerate in a single round. The first number downward and upward at half speed.
is the vehicles acceleration at character scale,
Attack cruiser: Cruisers are heavily armed,
the second number is the vehicles acceleration
heavily armored floating weapons platforms.
at surface scale, while the last number after is the
They are effective ground, sea, or air support
vehicles acceleration at air scale. A character
vehicles, and unlike battleships, do not take up
can reach his top speed after 5 rounds. He can
an entire harbor on their own. A mechagen with
increase his acceleration with a Drive or Pilot
this alt form receives the Adaptable upgrade for
check (see Changing Speed in Chapter Seven)
free.
or with the Increased Acceleration upgrade.
Attack submarine: Attack submarines may
maneuver just as well submerged as they do
Vehicle Descriptions above water. A mechagen with this alt form
The vehicle alt forms on Table 2-5 are intended receives the Adaptable upgrade for free.
to be as generic as possible. Qualities such as Battleship: This ship is almost the size of an
speed, acceleration, and maneuverability can all aircraft carrier, but rather than devoting its
be changed by taking upgrades. Some wheeled enormity to storage and deck space, every
vehicles are penalized by bad surface conditions. available foot is committed to weapons turrets.
Refer to the Hampered Movement table in A mechagen with this alt form receives the
Chapter Six of True20 Adventure Roleplaying.
Adaptable upgrade for free.
The vehicle alt forms with mecha in the name
are alien in appearance. Mechagens with those Business jet: The most basic high-speed
alt forms never bothered to adopt the form of an flying form available to mechagens. It doesnt
Earthling vehicle. have much in the way of offensive or defensive
4-door: This is the baseline alt form. Whether a capability, but it can get to where its going,
sedan, economy car, hatchback, light pickup, or fast.
all-terrain station wagon, the 4-door is the most Construction vehicle: Built with the durability
ubiquitous of vehicle shapes. Mechagens with and maneuverability of tanks but without the
these alt forms run the gamut from proud young conspicuous military design, construction
warriors to grumbling veterans to cowardly vehicles pack a wallop in melee combat.
draftees. The form is either chosen for its ability Construction vehicles receive 2 free gear points
to blend in nearly anywhere, or simply because to design a single melee weapon that morphs
the mechagens resources are devoted to other into their vehicle alt forms, such as a bulldozer
areas of expertise. 4-door alt forms are penalized blade that becomes a greataxe or a wrecking ball
by bad surface conditions.
Mechagenesis PAGE 21
 TABLE 2-5: VEHICLE ALT FORMS
Vehicle Priority Size Character Surface Air MPH Maneuverability Acceleration
Scale Scale Scale
4-door 1 Large 100 20 2 100 Average (+0) 20/4/.4
Aircraft carrier* 4 Awesome 25 5 .5 25 Clumsy (8) 5/1/.1
Attack chopper 3 Gargantuan 225 45 4.5 225 Perfect (+8) 50/10/1
Attack cruiser* 3 Colossal 50 10 1 50 Clumsy (8) 10/2/.2
Attack frigate* 2 Gargantuan 50 10 1 50 Poor (4) 10/2/.2
Attack submarine* 3 Colossal 50 10 1 50 Poor (4) 10/2/.2
Battleship* 4 Awesome 25 5 .5 25 Clumsy (8) 5/1/.1
Business jet 2 Gargantuan 350 70 7 350 Poor (4) 100/20/2
Construction vehicle 2 Huge 25 5 .5 25 Perfect (+8) 5/1/.1
Dirtbike 1 Medium 50 10 1 50 Perfect (+8) 10/2/.2
Dune Buggy 1 Large 100 20 2 100 Good (+4) 15/3/.3
Freighter 1 Gargantuan 25 5 .5 25 Clumsy (8) 5/1/.1
Gunboat 1 Huge 100 20 2 100 Average (+0) 20/4/.4
Heavy pickup 1 Large 100 20 2 100 Average (+0) 20/4/.4
Jet fighter 3 Gargantuan 1,100 220 22 1,100 Average (+0) 250/50/5
Large car 1 Large 100 20 2 100 Poor (4) 20/4/.4
Mecha aircraft* 4 Gargantuan 2,800 560 56 2,800 Perfect (+8) 550/110/11
Mecha all-terrain* 4 Huge 175 35 3.5 175 Perfect (+8) 35/7/.7
Mecha speeder 3 Large 200 40 4 200 Perfect (+8) 50/10/1
Mecha starship* 5 Awesome 575 115 11.5 575 Average (+0) 150/30/3
Motorcycle 1 Medium 150 30 3 150 Perfect (+8) 30/6/.6
Passenger jet 3 Colossal 575 115 11.5 575 Clumsy (8) 100/20/2
Rescue copter 2 Huge 200 40 4 200 Perfect (+8) 40/8/.8
Semi truck 2 Huge 100 20 2 100 Poor (4) 20/4/.4
Single prop plane 2 Huge 200 40 4 200 Good (+4) 25/5/.5
Space shuttle 4 Gargantuan 575 115 11.5 575 Clumsy (8) 150/30/3
Speedboat 1 Large 175 35 3.5 175 Good (+4) 35/7/.7
Sports car 1 Large 175 35 3.5 175 Good (+4) 35/7/.7
Tank* 2 Gargantuan 50 10 1 50 Perfect (+8) 10/2/.2

that becomes a morning star. Most construction *Vehicles designated with an asterisk are well-
vehicles are Huge, but some, like excavators, armored, even by mechagen standards. They
cranes, and road graders, are Gargantuan. have a free +1 armor bonus to Toughness.
Construction vehicles are not penalized by bad Dune buggy: The dune buggy chassis includes
surface conditions. light jeeps, ATVs, and other vehicles that are big
Dirt bike: The dirt bike chassis includes motor on engines, tires, and shocks, but low on frames.
scooters, automated military scout vehicles, and Dune buggy alt forms are not penalized by bad
other maneuverable, all-terrain, light vehicles. surface conditions.
Dirt bike mechagens tend to be the runts of Freighter: The freighter is the simplest water
mechakind, as they are around human-sized, vehicle alt form. Whether a trash barge, a
and fairly gangly as well. Dirt bike alt forms research vessel, or a yacht, its big, slow, and
are quite useful in combat, providing excellent not too flashy. A mechagen with this alt form
maneuverability on nearly all terrains. They are receives the Adaptable upgrade for free.
not penalized by bad surface conditions.

PAGE 22 Mechagenesis
Gunboat: Gunboats are smaller and more targets. When you look like something from a sci-
maneuverable than freighters, yet devote fi film crossed with a space-age jet fighter, and
more effort to stability and weapon mounts. bristling with weapons, thats not surprising.
A mechagen with this alt form receives the
Mecha starship: Less maneuverable than
Adaptable upgrade for free.
mecha aircraft and much more otherworldly
Heavy pickup: The heavy pickup chassis looking than a space shuttle chassis, the mecha
includes heavy jeeps like Hummers and Land starship sacrifices nothing to hide its origins: not
Rovers, as well as SUVs. Quickly becoming the its speed-of-light space travel, its mechagen-
great American vehicle, heavy pickups blend in scaled pilot seats, nor its high-tech weaponry.
well in most areas, whether urban or rural, while This vehicle alt form multiplies its speed and
remaining capable in different environments. acceleration by 10 in outer space.
They tend to soak up fuel, but luckily a
Motorcycle: The master of the open road, the
mechagens power quantum can more than
motorcycle combines the speed of a sports car
handle the energy requirements. Heavy pickups
with the maneuverability of a dirt bike, at the cost
are not penalized by bad surface conditions.
of terrain adaptability. Motorcycle alt forms are
Jet fighter: The ultimate in long-range destruction, penalized by bad surface conditions.
jet fighters rain down fire and explosives on
Passenger jet: Passenger jets are the enormous
their foes from high in the atmosphere. The
transport vehicles that humans use to cross
closer to the ground they get, though, the less
continents and oceans in the span of a few hours.
advantageous their speed and the more obvious
While poorly armed and not very maneuverable,
their lack of fine maneuverability.
their large size makes their primary forms an
Large car: Big and slow, these vehicles arent intimidating presence on the battlefield.
very maneuverable; one of their only benefits
Rescue copter: Nearly as fast as a business jet
is that they can carry more than most other
but with far more maneuverability, this chassis
vehicles, which can be fairly crucial when their
includes traffic copters, civilian helicopters,
job is to pick up pieces of their blown-up friends
and other non-combat whirlybirds. Regardless
and evacuate them from the middle of a human
of their maneuverability rescue copters move
settlement. Large cars include limousines,
downward and upward at half speed.
hearses, and other long, wide-bodied cars.
Large car alt forms are penalized by bad surface Semi truck: This king-of-the-road chassis can
conditions. also be used for large trucks like moving vans,
buses, and fire trucks. The Huge size of a semi
Mecha speeder: This high-tech one-seat hover
alt for is only for the truck; a semi alt form that
car or hover bike looks like nothing on Earth.
incorporates the trucks trailer into the primary
It combines maneuverability with weaponry,
form is Gargantuan. Semi-truck alt forms are
but is fairly sensitive to changes in terrain.
penalized by bad surface conditions.
Mecha speeders are penalized by bad surface
conditions such as rough terrain, but not surface Single prop plane: Smaller, more fragile, and
conditions such as ice. with shorter ranges than business jets, single
prop planes are second only to helicopters in
Mecha all-terrain assault: This futuristic-looking
terms of horizontal maneuverability, and far
hover tank can travel equally well on land, on the
surpass their vertical maneuverability with
sea, or under the water. A mechagen with this
climbing and diving.
alt form receives the Adaptable upgrade for free,
and is not penalized by bad surface conditions. Space shuttle: This chassis applies to any earth
vehicle that is space-worthy. Human nations
Mecha aircraft: Mecha aircraft are notorious for
tend to keep close eyes on their shuttles, so this
causing a huge media stir, inspiring human military
is not the best disguise, but it at least can pass
commanders to scramble entire squadrons of
for human technology long enough to get into
jet fighters, and generally making themselves
Mechagenesis PAGE 23
and out of Earths gravity. Once in space, space- Once a vehicle wishes to push its speed and
worthy mechagen alt forms can travel at amazing use vehicle movement, the combat pulls out
speeds, much more quickly than their Earth to surface scale or air scale (see Surface and
counterparts. This vehicle alt form multiplies its Air Scale). At that point, use the surface scale
speed and acceleration by 10 in outer space. (50 ft. squares), air scale (500 ft. squares), and
Speedboat: There may not be much room acceleration ratings on Table 2-5.
for weaponry, but these boats can move. Mechagens in vehicle form suffer a 10 penalty
A mechagen with this alt form receives the on grapple checks.
Adaptable upgrade for free.
Sports car: Sports cars are among the most
popular alt forms for mechagens, much to Female Mechagens?
their leaders dismay. They are showy, attract Although there is no gender among robots,
attention, and arent terribly useful in rugged and reproduction generally requires a
battlefields but if thats the form that a warrior factory and schematics, there are some
mechagens who appear female to human
with a shoulder-mounted quad missile launcher perceptions. They have higher-pitched
wants to morph into, no one is going to argue voices and even their personalities and the
with him. Sports car alt forms are penalized by general shape of their primary forms are
bad surface conditions. what humans might identify as feminine.
How can this be?
Tank: Tanks tend to stick out like sore thumbs,
When mechagens came to Earth, they
but are built for maximum use of weapons. adopted earthly alt forms and human
Additionally, while the tank itself might attract culture to help them blend in and relate
more attention than a car, weapon mountings do to humans. They had to be recognizable
not seem strange on it unlike a laser cannon to the dominant life form of the planet,
mounted on the back of a Porsche. Tanks are and not just appear as frightening alien
machines. When the mechagens adapted
not penalized by bad surface conditions. to humanity, they took on more than
language and cultural idioms. As a result
of this adoption of human conventions,
Vehicle Alt Form Combat the curious phenomena of gender based
Most combat takes place with vehicle mechagens dimorphism began to appear amongst the
alien robots. Depending on personality,
in their primary forms. However, some mechagens function, or perhaps something in their
use their vehicle alt forms for sudden battlefield electronic subconscious, the mechagens
maneuvers, dramatic entrances and exits, and began to identify as male or female in
high-speed strafing runs. self-references.
While it is impossible for an average fighter jet
to make sudden turns and remain on the map,
mechagen vehicles use advanced technology
and are amazingly maneuverable. Whenever
using character scale, use the base move listed Restricted Feats
on Table 2-5. Each vehicle (even land and sea The following feats cannot be taken by
vehicles) has a maneuverability at character mechagen characters because they are
scale, which works just like the rules for flying either simply of no use or have been
creatures. The character may use single moves, superseded by more specific feats,
double moves, and charge and run actions upgrades, or tech gear:
as normal. It is assumed that, with all of the Armor Training, Attractive, Defensive
maneuvering of combat, the character is not Roll, Eidetic Memory, Improved Speed,
Improved Strike, Night Vision, Overrun,
accelerating or decelerating beyond the scale of Vehicular Combat, Tough, and Wealthy.
its base move.

PAGE 24 Mechagenesis
Chapter Three: Roles

A characters role defines, more than anything Combat Bonus: Slow. Combat bonus equal to
else, who he is and what he can do. The heroes 1/2 controller levels.
of Mechagenesis are also defined more by what Skill Progression: 6 + Intelligence.
shapes they take and what mindsets they apply.
All are warriors, all are healers, and all are Feat Progression: Any four feats from the
defenders of humanity in their ancient war against general or controller list. The controller role feats are
powerful adversaries. However, character roles Advance Companion, Enlarge Companion, Greater
still play a large role, allowing a character to Linked Mind, Improved Aid, Improved Companion
focus on specific areas of expertise. Form, Improved Linked Mind, Linked Mind, and
Mechagen Companion. Its a short list, but most can
In general, Mechagenesis utilizes only the expert be taken multiple times.
and warrior roles for mechagen characters.
The adept role is reserved for non-mechagen Saving Throws: Good Reflex and Will, normal
characters such as human psychics, ancient Fortitude.
wizards, extradimensional mystics, or whatever Special: A controller can have any number of
other alien or supernatural beings the Narrator companions and begins play with one for free.
cares to incorporate into his campaign. In lieu Only mechagens can be controllers.
of the adept, a mechagen character may take
Core Ability: Amazing save. Your companions
levels in the controller role (see below).
look out for you, alerting you to danger, or
strengthening your resolve. Choose your
Reflexes or Will saving throw; when rolling
New Role: Controller saves for the chosen saving throw, roll two dice
A controller is a mechagen that is linked to and use the better of the two rolls. If you spend
several smaller mechagens called companions. quantum energy to re-roll a save, roll only one
A controller begins play with one companion, die and compare it to the better of your original
and may acquire more through the use of the two rolls.
Mechagen Companion feat.

Mechagenesis PAGE 25
Mechagen Companions also affect your companion. The companion must
be within 10 ft. at the time of activation to receive
A mechagen companion can act independently
the benefit. If the power has a duration other
from you, but is predisposed to follow your
than instantaneous, it stops affecting the animal
orders. Regardless of its primary form size,
companion if the companion moves farther than
a companions alt form is always two size
10 ft. away and will not affect the companion
categories smaller than your alt form; if you have
again, even if it returns to the controller before
the massmorph ability, so does your companion.
the duration expires. Additionally, you may
If you are Medium, your companions primary
activate a power with a target of you on your
form is Tiny. If you are Large, your companions
companion (with a range of touch) instead of on
primary form is Small. If you are Huge or
yourself. Larger controllers have a greater range
Gargantuan, your companions primary form is
at which this ability works; increase the range by
Medium. If you are Colossal or Awesome, your
5 feet per size category above Large.
companions primary form is Large.
Companions primary forms can be either based
on animals, or can be humanoid. Animal Companion

Companion Traits: All companions have the An animal companions primary form mimics that
Link, Share Feat, Share Quantum Energy, and of 0- or 1st-level animal. You can begin play with
Share Power abilities. When choosing upgrades, an animal companion of greater than 1st level,
gear, and special powers, you may designate but you must use the Advance Companion feat
them as belonging to one of your companions to do so.
instead of yourself. Determine your animal companions stats by
Link: You can give your companions orders adding the mechagen type and its accompanying
as a free action. Convincing a companion to qualities, to the stats for an appropriately size
do something that seems unwise, suicidal, or animal. It retains the size, appearance, level, base
incredibly tedious requires an interaction check combat bonus, base save bonuses, skills, feats,
(Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate, depending on and traits and of the ordinary animal it resembles,
your style) with a Difficulty of at least 10, though but it is treated as a mechagen for the purpose
the Narrator may put the Difficulty as high as of any effect that depends on its type. Animal
30 if you ask your companion to do something links have the same skills as a normal animal of
foolish. You have a +4 bonus on all interaction its type, and gains 2 + Intelligence (minimum 1)
checks made regarding your companions. skill points per level. The companion also gains
an Intelligence of 2.
Share Feats: You may loan any of your feats to
one of your companions as a full round action.
You and companion must in physical contact Humanoid Companion
for the feat to be shared. Each companion may Alternatively, you may select a humanoid
only take on one feat a time in this way, and companion. It has +0 combat bonus and base
each of your feats may only be loaned to one saves, and no skill points or feats. The humanoid
companion at a time. The loaned feat reverts to does not choose powers or gear. A humanoid
the controller within 24 hours if it is not given companion has 4 ability score points to allot. You
back before then. can begin play with a humanoid companion with
Share Quantum Energy: Companions are expert or warrior levels, but you must use the
powered by a remote link to your quantum core, Advance Companion feat to do so. Use Tables
so although they dont have Quantum Energy 1-1, 1-2, and 1-4 to determine a humanoid
Reserves (i.e. Conviction), you can spend your companions base abilities.
reserves on their behalf. The companions alt form is an immobile object
Share Special Power: At your option, you may that relates to your form (a CD for a CD player,
have any special power that it activates upon you a removable hard drive for a laptop, a trailer on
a car, etc.).

PAGE 26 Mechagenesis
Chapter Four: Skills and Feats

In general, the same skills and feats available

to True20 characters are available to mechagen Craft (Mechagen Tech)
characters. There are some differences in how Intelligence, Trained Only
some skills work, however, and a few new
This skill can be used to repair seriously damaged
feats.
comrades, to create new mechagen weapons
and tech, and even to build new mechagen
bodies.
Skills
Check: Craft (mechagen tech) is the domain of
Several new skills and some new uses for
medics, techs, and inventors. All uses of this skill
existing skills are available in Mechagenesis. If
have a minimum required repair tools rating (see
a skill does not have a description, assume that
Tech Gear), which carries a penalty if your repair
it follows the same guidelines as presented in
tools are less the required rating. The penalty
True20 Adventure Roleplaying.
cannot be mitigated with the Challenge feat;
better repair tools are the only remedy. Unless
Computers stated otherwise, the time required to make a
Craft (mechagen tech) follows the rules for the
Intelligence, Trained only Craft skill in True20 Adventure Roleplaying. It
The Computers skill is used in the process of can be used to accomplish the following:
rebuilding a destroyed character. See Craft Accelerate Nanomechs: The nanomechs
(mechagen tech). This skill is also used within a mechagens body slowly heal him
to jam radar and to jam and encrypt radio over time. You can accelerate this process
communications. See Chapter Six: Gear for with a Difficulty 20 Craft (mechagen) check. If
details. successful, the wounded mechagen adds your
Try Again: In this capacity, no. Craft (mechagen) ranks to his recovery check.
To conduct nanomech acceleration effectively

Mechagenesis PAGE 27
requires repair tools, optimally with a tech score check. To conduct major repairs effectively
of 2 or better. For every point by which the repair requires repair tools, optimally with a tech score
tools are lower, you suffer a 5 to your check. of 3 or better. For every point by which the repair
Create New Gear: If you have the Savvy Tech tools are lower, you suffer a 5 to your check.
feat, you can create new gear so long as you have
the proper materials, tools, and power sources.
Overhaul: You can use your skills to perform an
As with Craft tasks, creating new gear requires
overhaul on a mechagen. This has a Difficulty
repair tools with a minimum tech score. For every
of 25 and may be used on any mechagen once
point lower than the minimum tech score your
per week. To conduct an overhaul effectively
repair tools are, you suffer a 5 penalty to the
requires repair tools, optimally with a tech score
check. Table 4-1 provides the Difficulties and
of 4 or better. For every point by which the repair
time required. At the end of the time specified
tools are lower, you suffer a 5 to your check.
on the table, the mechagen acting as the main
Success repairs all damage conditions, ability
gear creator makes a Craft (mechagen) check,
damage, and damaged components. Failure
adding all appropriate modifiers and aid another
by 5 or more causes one point of temporary
actions. A main gear creator may have a number
Constitution damage to the mechagen per point
of assistants equal to the gear rank of the item
over 5 by which you failed.
being created. If the check fails, the gear creator
and his assistants have made no progress. If the Rebuild: You can rebuild a character that has
check fails by more than 10, the materials being been destroyed, i.e. reduced to dead on the
used have been damaged, and new materials damage track. Rebuilding a character requires
must be found. completing the following steps:
First, you must retrieve the destroyed
characters backup programming from
TABLE 4-1: GEAR CREATION its memory banks (if they are available).
Gear Points Difficulty Tech Time Retrieving the programming requires a
1-2 15 1 1 hour successful Difficulty 25 Computers check. A
3-4 20 2 12 hours failure by 5 or less means that the memory
5-6 25 3 24 hours cannot be accessed for another day. A failure
7-8 30 4 60 hours by 5-14 means that some of the mechagens
9+ 35+ 5 100+ hours programming has become corrupted and part
of its data is lost. If the character is rebuilt, he
comes back at one total level lower. If the
Alternatively, a piece of gear may be jury-rigged character was destroyed at first level, all of
using other gear as base materials. The Difficulty his mental ability scores are permanently
is increased by +5 as a skill challenge and the reduced by 1. A failure by more than 15 means
project takes 5 minutes per hour of the projects that the backup programming is destroyed
normal time requirement. A failure by more than and the mechagens consciousness forever
10 means that the gear used as base materials lost.
has been damaged; it may continue to be used
for the jury-rig, but will no longer be able to be Second, you must prepare a body. If the
used for its original purpose. A jury-rigged item destroyed characters body is available, and
only lasts one hour per skill rank of the character his quantum generator is intact, then it must
who jury-rigged it. first be overhauled as above, although any
Constitution damage inflicted on the body
Major Repair: You may make major repairs, is permanent. If the destroyed characters
fixing a component damaged by a critical hit or body is not available, a new body must be
restoring all ability damage in one ability with a constructed and a new quantum generator
successful Difficulty 20 Craft (mechagen tech) must be found. Constructing a new body

PAGE 28 Mechagenesis
 requires the appropriate supplies and repair Craft (Mechanical)
tools with a tech score of 5, and takes a
Intelligence, Untrained
number of weeks equal to the destroyed
characters total levels (reduced by one if This skill is used to fix ordinary equipment and
using corrupted backup programming). . For create from scratch anything that is not based on
every point lower than the minimum tech mechagen technology. It can, however, be used
to do minor upkeep and repairs on mechagens
score your repair tools are, you suffer a 5
and mechagen technology.
penalty to the check Each week, you must
make a Difficulty 25 Craft (mechagen tech) Check: The Difficulty for a Craft (mechanical)
check. Failure means that you have made project is based on the complexity of the job
no progress that week and therefore prolong attempted. A jury-rig can also be attempted
as a skill challenge. The Difficulty is increased
the construction an additional week. The
by +5 and the project takes one minute per five
new body must have the same priorities as minutes of the projects normal Difficulty. A jury-
the original, but its alt form, size, upgrades, rigged item will only last one hour per skill rank
gear, and physical ability scores can all be of the character who jury-rigged it.
reassigned (if the player so desires).
To use this skill effectively requires repair
Third, you must download the original tools with a minimum score dependent on the
programming into the rebuilt or newly built complexity of the job attempted. For each point
body. Doing so requires a successful Difficulty by which the tech score of your repair tools are
30 Computers check. A failure means that lower than the minimum, you suffer a 5 to your
the programming cannot be downloaded for check. If you do not have repair tools at all, you
another day. are treated as having repair tools with a tech
score of 1, and suffer an additional 5 to your
Finally, you must power up the new body with check.
an infusion of quantum energy. To activate The following are special uses of this skill.
the rebuilt character requires expenditure of
a number of quantum energy cells equal to Avoid Shutdown: When a mechagen is at
the total level of the destroyed characters dying on the damage track, he is experiencing
shutdown as his internal core loses quantum
rebuilt or newly built body. See Quantum
energy. A character experiencing shutdown can
Energy Cells. take no actions and must roll a Constitution check
Tinker: You can remove one upgrade from a (Difficulty 20) to stabilize every round. You can
mechagen (including yourself) and replace it stabilize a mechagen experiencing shutdown
with another. This requires a successful Difficulty with a Difficulty 15 Craft (mechanical) check.
25 Craft (mechagen tech) check. You cannot Battlefield Repair: You may use the Craft
install an upgrade with a prerequisite unless the (mechanical) skill to repair minor dings and
mechagen meets the prerequisite. You cannot gashes on mechagens. This skill may be
install an upgrade without first removing another successfully used on any mechagen (including
one. You can only swap upgrades, not feats, yourself) a maximum of once per day. It involves
even if the feats were gained from swapping cleaning out the damaged area and applying
minor energy stimulus to general areas to direct
out upgrades in the first place. Tinkering with
nanomechs there. The Difficulty is 10, and it takes
upgrades requires repair tools with a minimum one full minute. Success grants the wounded
tech score of 3. For every point lower than the mechagen an immediate recovery check with a
minimum tech score your repair tools are, you +1 bonus for every 5 points by which the check
suffer a 5 penalty to the check. beats the Difficulty.
Try Again: No, generally. See above To conduct battlefield repair effectively requires
descriptions. at least basic repair tools with a tech score of 1.
If you do not have repair tools, you suffer a 5 to
your check.

Mechagenesis PAGE 29
Earthling Patch-up: Alternatively, Craft TABLE 4-2:
(mechanical) may be used by a non-mechagen DISGUISE (MECHAGEN)
on an alt form with which the non-mechagen is MODIFIERS
familiar. For instance, a mechanic who knows Circumstances Modifier
nothing about mechagen technology, but if his
Different equipment or armament 1 to 5
mechagen buddy gets his alt form transmission than ordinary form
shot out, he can sure get him going again! If used
in this manner, Craft may be used as if it were Seen in an unusual place for that 1 to 5
form
Craft (mechagen tech), the wounds recovered
and systems repaired only remain with the Observer has seen mechagens 10
before
mechagen in its alt form; until the mechagen
receives advanced technological attention, its Observer has seen this particular 20
wounds and damaged systems return as soon mechagen before
as he morphs.
Try Again: Yes, although failure by 5-10 means
that you have ruined your parts and must supply
more; failure by more than 10 means you have
permanently damaged the system you are trying
to repair. You may try again, but the project has
a +5 Difficulty. Limited Powers
You can limit your special power in exchange
for a boost in priority, decreasing its scope in
Disguise (Mechagen) some way in order to help increase its overall
Intelligence power. You can limit the effects of a power
with multiple effects, like Light Shaping or
This skill is used primarily to fool humans into Heart-Shaping, taking only one or two effects
thinking youre just another machine or vehicle instead of all of them. You can also limit
while in your alt form. It works just like the Disguise what objects the power affects, such as the
skill for humans, but is based on Intelligence Move Object power only working on ferrous
instead of Charisma. It can also be used to alter metals and thus being a form of magnetic
manipulation instead of telekinesis. You can
the appearance of your primary form. limit the scope in some other way as well,
Check: The result of your Disguise check such as range and duration. Lastly, you can
determines how convinced the viewer is that also have your special power only function
only when you are in one form rather than
you are nothing more than a normal vehicle or both forms.
piece of equipment. It is opposed by the other
characters Notice, Craft (mechagen tech), Craft If you choose to limit your power, your
priority for that power increases by at least
(mechanics), or Knowledge (technology) check. 1 (to a maximum of 5). The priority increase
You may make a Disguise check as a free action is the Narrators discretion.
whenever you morph into alt form, and gain a
+10 bonus to the check when doing so. Some For example, you set your special power
priority at 2 and choose the Light Shaping
characters alt forms are quite conspicuous; for power, but all you want out of it is invisibility.
instance, if you ace your Disguise check, the Since you cant generate light, illusions, or
human passer-by might not realize that youre blur your outline, your Narrator may give
a giant morphing robot, but the fact that your alt you a +1 increase in your effective priority
form is that of a giant prehistoric insect will likely for your special power. Furthermore, you
tip him off that some thing strange is going on. decide that you can only become invisible
while you are in your alt form. Thats good
Sample circumstances, as listed on Table 4-2, for another priority increase. Your powers
may apply to the check. priority is still 2, but its effects are calculated
Try Again: No, unless circumstances have as if it were priority 4.
changed.

PAGE 30 Mechagenesis
Drive/Pilot Furthermore, since the focus of this game is
on mechagen characters instead of human
Dexterity/Untrained for Mechagens
characters, mechagens have a 10 penalty on
This skill helps get you where you are going, and certain Knowledge checks specifically pertaining
with your diodes and actuators intact. to the planet Earth. The reverse is true for
Check: Every mechagen has at least basic human characters; they have a 10 penalty on
skill at maneuvering in his alt form. Driving in all Knowledge checks specifically pertaining to
car form is the same as walking or running, mechagens. The penalty for human characters
for most bots. But some practice their alt form may even be higher depending on how well-
maneuverability until it becomes an art form. known mechagens are in the Narrators campaign.
Whenever a mechagen picks up enough speed Either way, the penalty can be mitigated with
to enter vehicle scale, Drive or Pilot checks may the Challenge (alien studies) feat. This penalty
come into play. Mechagens also sometimes applies to the following Knowledge skills: art,
utilize vehicles that are not mechagens as well, behavioral sciences, business, civics, current
such as spacecraft, and this skill is used to events, history, popular culture, streetwise,
operate them. This skill may be taken multiple supernatural, technology, and theology and
times. Each time you take this skill it applies to philosophy.
a different type of vehicle (land, water, air, or All other aspects of the Knowledge skills are
space). unchanged.
Try Again: No.
Medicine
Knowledge Mechagens hail from a society of intelligent
Intelligence/Trained Only machines, where injuries are treated with tools
and welding gear instead of bandages and
To use the science-oriented Knowledge skills antibiotics. They are ignorant of the techniques
effectively requires lab tools with a minimum used to treat the human injuries. As with the
tech score dependent on the complexity of the Knowledge skills, even with training mechagens
job attempted. For each point by which the have a 10 penalty on all Medicine checks due to
tech score of your lab tools are lower than the their innate unfamiliarity with medical treatments.
minimum, you suffer a 5 to your check. The The penalty can be mitigated with the Challenge
penalty cannot be mitigated with the Challenge (alien studies) feat.
feat.

Swim
TABLE 4-3:
Most mechagens cannot swim; they simply sink
KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY
to the floor of any body of water, and walk on the
Complexity Difficulty Tools Example
bottom of it. Some mechagens (such as those
Simple 5 1 Study an ecology (earth
sciences) with the Adaptable upgrade or an aquatic alt
Easy 10 2 Create a powerful new form) can remain buoyant in water. Both types of
chemical (physical mechagen follow the normal rules for swimming,
sciences) but of course can never drown. A mechagen with
Average 15 3 Cure a disease (life
sciences)
a Swim speed does not gain the normal benefits
Tough 20 4 Genetically alter a
for having a swim speed (that is, he doesnt get
species (life sciences) the +8 bonus, cant take 10 on Swim checks if
Difficult 25 5 Calculate a hyperspace rushed or threatened, and so on).
course (physical
sciences)

Mechagenesis PAGE 31
Feats Challenge (Alien Studies)
(General)
All mechagen characters gain four feats at first
level, chosen from the general or role-specific Youve made it a point to study humans. You
feat lists, and two favored feats, which can be can take this feat twice. Each time, the penalty
taken from any role-specific list. to human-specific Knowledge and Medicine
checks is reduced by 5 for you.
Characters then gain one feat every level
thereafter. Feats may have prerequisites. If you At the Narrators discretion, humans can take
can no longer meet the prerequisites, then you this feat to decrease the penalty for mechagen-
can no longer use the feat. specific knowledge checks.

Acrobatic Defense (Expert) Challenge (Jury-Rigger) (General)

Prerequisite: Trained in the Acrobatics skill Youre skilled at rigging up temporary repairs.
You ignore the +5 Difficulty increase for
You can use your nimbleness to dodge one attack
jury-rigging. See the description of the Craft
of which you are aware. If the attack occurs,
(mechagen tech) and Craft (mechanical) skills
you may roll an Acrobatics check as a reaction
for more information.
opposed by the attack roll. If you succeed, the
attack misses you, even if the attack would Humans may take this feat.
normally hit your Defense. In essence, your
Acrobatics skill check becomes your Defense
Crushing Tumble (General)
for that attack. Your tumbling dodge moves you
up to your normal movement, and counts as a Prerequisite: Dexterity +1 or better, Acrobatics
move action. Since it counts as a move action, 5 ranks
you can only use this feat twice in a round. You can roll over and through smaller opponents,
Humans may take this feat. smashing them beneath you. When using the
Acrobatics skill to move through areas occupied
Advance Companion (Controller) by enemies that are at least two size categories
One of your companions gains a level. smaller than you, you deal bludgeoning damage
to these enemies (Reflex save for half). The save
Animal Companion: Animal companions gain a Difficulty is 10 + 1/2 your level + your Dexterity.
level in the animal creature type. This conveys The damage you deal is equal to your unarmed
all of the benefits of level increase for animals, strike damage +1. If you fail your Acrobatics
including skill points, combat bonus increase, check, you cannot move through the occupied
saving throw increase, and a feat every 3rd space.
level. Animal companions do not gain special
powers or gear unless so designated by you (see
Companion Traits,), but otherwise advance as Defender (Warrior)
normal for each level. On your turn, as a full-round action you may
Humanoid Companion: Humanoid companions designate one adjacent ally (including a human)
gain a level. You may select this ability multiple of at least your size or smaller. You shield that
times. Each time you do, one of your humanoid ally, so that whenever he is attacked, you become
companions gains an expert or warrior level. the target instead. In essence, you put yourself
(Companions cannot take levels in the Controller in harms way to provide total cover to the ally.
role). Humanoid companions may never be You may take this feat three times; the second
mixed-role heroes, and do not gain special time reduces Defender to a standard action, and
powers or gear unless so designated by you (see the third time reduces it to a move action.
Companion Traits), but otherwise advance as
normal for each level.

PAGE 32 Mechagenesis
Enlarge Companion (Controller) Improved Aid (Controller)
One of your companions increases in size by When you use the aid another action, you may
size category. It gains a +2 to Strength, a 1 to choose one of the following benefits to give
Dexterity, a +1 to Constitution, a +4 size bonus on the mechagen youre aiding, in addition to the
grapple checks, a +1 size bonus to Toughness, normal benefit. The ally, foe, and controller must
a 4 size penalty on manipulation and Stealth all be within 60 feet of one another.
checks, and a 1 size penalty to attack and
A single ally may apply its sneak attack
defense. You can take this feat multiple times.
damage to one designated foe, regardless of
Each time, it applies to a different companion.
whether or not that foe is flat-footed.
A single ally that is considered flat-footed
Force Stop (General) against any foe is not considered flat-footed
for the rest of the round.
Prerequisites: Trained in the Drive skill
When you attempt a sideswipe stunt while in
vehicle mode or while driving a surface vehicle, Improved Companion Form
you can force another vehicle to a stop by (Controller)
nudging it with the Slamming attack maneuver You may choose new alt forms for any of your
(see Attack Maneuvers). If you succeed in current companions. They may have priority 1
pushing the other vehicle out of control, it instead weapon alt forms. You can take this feat multiple
turns 90 across the front of your vehicle. You times, each time increasing the priority of the
can then decelerate at your normal rate. companions weapon alt form, or adding another
Humans may take this feat. priority 1 weapon alt form.

Improved Linked Mind

Flurry of Blows (Expert or
(Controller)
Warrior)
Prerequisite: Linked Mind, controller level 5th.
Prerequisites: Attack Focus
You can control your companions through
You may strike with a flurry of blows in melee.
sheer force of will. You may see through your
For every 2 you take to your attack roll, you may
companions sensors, can give them mental
add +1 damage to your attack (up to a maximum
instructions at any range, and can force them to
of +3 damage). You must use a full attack action
perform actions they do not wish to do by making
to strike with a flurry of blows. You can only use
a total level check with a Difficulty equal to 10 +
light, one-handed weapons, unarmed attacks, or
the companions level.
natural weapons when making a flurry of blows.
Humans may take this feat.
Improved Overrun (General)
Prerequisites: Strength +1
Greater Linked Mind (Controller)
When you attempt to overrun an opponent, the
Prerequisite: Improved Linked Mind, controller
target may not choose to avoid you. You also
level 8th.
gain a +2 bonus on your Strength check to knock
You and your companions can share technology. down your opponent.
You may share the same feat with multiple
Humans may take this feat.
companions.

Mechagenesis PAGE 33
Improved Rush (General) Vehicular Combat (General)
Prerequisites: Strength +1 Prerequisite: Trained in the Drive or Pilot skill
When you perform a rush you gain a +2 bonus This feat works as described in True20 Adventure
on the opposed Strength check you make to Roleplaying, except that mechagens can use it
push back the defender. while in their vehicle alt form. Taking this feat a
second time allows you to even negate critical
Humans may take this feat.
hits.
Humans may take this feat.
Linked Mind (Controller)
Your companions can act as a single entity.
Your companions can work together in battle to Ordinary Vehicles
prevent the enemy from gaining advantage. As Mechagens frequently encounter ordinary
long as they are within 60 feet of one another, vehicles. Most often a mechagen will find
none of your companions can be caught flat- itself driving among them, but sometimes he
footed unless they are all caught flat-footed. might find himself in an all-out fight with them.
Ordinary vehicles are treated as constructs
for the purposes of characteristics, abilities
and immunities. However, vehicles are
Mechagen Companion (Controller) inanimate objects, which means that they
You gain a 1st-level mechagen companion, require pilots to move and always fail saving
either humanoid or animal. throws, except for Toughness saves. They
follow the Toughness save rules for objects
(see Sundering in Chapter Six of True20
Ready Gunner (General) Adventure Roleplaying).

You can reload a firearm as a move action.

Reloading a firearm is usually a standard
action.
Humans may take this feat.
Road Warrior (Warrior)
Your penalties for firing while traveling at high
speeds are reduced by 2. You may select this
ability multiple times. Each time you do, your
penalties for firing while traveling at high speeds
are reduced by an additional 2.
Humans may take this feat.

Savvy Tech (Expert)

You may use the Craft skill to create gear with
gear point costs of up to 2. You can take this feat
up to 5 times. Its effects stack.
Humans may take this feat.

PAGE 34 Mechagenesis
Chapter Five: Special Powers

or Will save, you must select whether it affects

Each mechagen has a special power, an amazing biological creatures or mechagens. Once youve
ability that sets him or her apart from the others. made the choice, you cannot change it later.
No bot is certain whether this power is a result Other powers subject to this limitation include
of his nanomechs constant adaptations or is a Cure, Cure Blindness/Deafness, Cure Disease,
byproduct of the fount of quantum energy that Cure Poison, Enhance Other, Imbue Life,
flows within each mechagen. What is certain is Sense Minds, Truth-Reading, and Ward. The
that this power is great, and within many Narrator may add other powers to this list at his
mechagens, continues to grow. discretion.
Special powers are similar to supernatural powers If you select one of these powers and want to
in True20 Adventure Roleplaying. Rather than have it affect both biological creatures and
magic or psionics or divine power, of course, mechagens, you take a 1 reduction in the
such powers use technology and quantum powers priority (minimum 1). It still counts as the
energy. When choosing your special powers, priority at which you purchased it, but its effects
feel free to change the names of the powers are calculated as if it were 1 priority lower.
to more appropriate, technological, mechagen-
style names.
Power rank

Using Special Powers You use your effective total level in place of
adept levels when using your special power.
Special power use follows the normal rules for
Your effective total level is set by priority. See
determining your save Difficulty and fatigue
Table 1-3. A priority 2 power has an effective
save Difficulty. You use your effective total level
total level of 0 until the mechagen is at least
in place of adept levels for these calculations.
2nd level (since the effective level for a power of
Power checks, familiarity, fatigue, maintenance,
that priority is level 1). A priority 1 power has
concentration, and all other aspects of
an effective level of 0 until the mechagen is 3rd
supernatural power use apply to special power
level. Your power rank is equal to your effective
use. If your special power requires a Fortitude
total level +3.
Mechagenesis PAGE 35
Save Difficulty larger than the largest component mechagen.
As a result, it gains the resulting size modifiers,
The base save Difficulty is equal to 10 plus half
damage, speed, and reach.
your total effective level (rounded up).
Level: The mechamerges level and combat
bonus is equal to that of the highest level
Key Ability mechagen in the merge, plus 1 for each additional
The key ability of all mechagen special powers mechagen.
is Intelligence. It takes a certain amount of Quantum Energy Reserves: The mechamerge
processor speed to reroute quantum energy has the current quantum energy reserves of
to the conduits that power your special ability. the highest level component. It can spend
Smarter mechagens are better able to access the quantum energy reserves of the another
these conduits. component as well, but that takes 2 points of the
components quantum energy reserves for every
1 point given to the mechamerge.
Mechamerge Abilities: The mechamerges ability scores
There is one special power that is not based are the same as that of the component with
on a supernatural power: the ability to form a the highest score in a particular ability, with the
mechamerge. following modifications: Strength +5; Dexterity
You can merge with other mechagens to form 2; Constitution +5.
a giant robot. To participate in mechamerge, Saves: The mechamerges base saving throws
each of the five component mechagens must for Fortitude, Reflexes, and Will are calculated
have this special power. A Gargantuan or larger using its level. It has the same good and normal
mechagen cannot take this special power. See saves as those of the highest-level mechagen in
Mechamerge Rules, below. the merge. Use the torso sections armor bonus
Priority: 3. for the mechamerges armor bonus.
Other: A mechamerge also gains access
to any feats, special powers or role abilities
Mechamerge Rules of its components, and may use the special
A mechamerge is a giant robot formed from powers of all of its components. If one or more
five components, each a mechagen with the components have the same special power, the
mechamerge special power. To merge, all powers stack with respect to duration only. The
five components must be within 30 feet of one mechamerge uses the best skill checks of each
another. The components must choose a merge of its components as well, applying any modifiers
point within 30 feet of any single component. The resulting from the mechamerges new Strength,
merge point is where the mechamerge appears Dexterity, and Constitution scores.
when it is formed. Merging is a standard action. Gear: Given its larger size, a mechamerge
Components must delay their actions so that cannot utilize any tech gear used by its
they may all merge on the same initiative. That components. A mechamerge can use weapons
becomes the mechamerges initiative. from the mechagens that form it, adjusted for the
Due to the infusion of quantum during a increase in size.
mechamerge, a component that has been
damaged gets an automatic recovery check. A
Partial Mechamerge
mechagen may be repaired in this manner only
once per day. The resulting mechamerge has A mechamerge can be formed with only four
the following characteristics: components instead of five, providing the torso
Size: A mechamerge is two size categories isnt missing; however, it suffers the following

PAGE 36 Mechagenesis
penalties for doing so. The mechamerges size Seizing Control of a Mechamerge
and level is the same as if it had been formed A single component may attempt to seize control
with five components. A mechamerge missing of a mechamerge. To do so, the component must
a leg moves at 1/4 its normal speed, while declare its intention at the beginning of the round.
a mechamerge missing both legs can only If no other component objects, the declaring
crawl at 10 ft. per round. Its ability scores are component controls the mechamerge for one
the same as that of the component with the round. However, if one or more components
highest score in a particular ability, but with the object to the seizure, the declaring component
following modifications: Strength +3, Dexterity must make a Concentration check (Difficulty
4; Constitution +3. 10 +2 for each objecting component). If the
declaring component succeeds, it controls the
Damage mechamerge for one round. If it fails by less than
5, it can take only one action that round. However,
When a mechamerge disassembles, its number if the declaring component fails its Concentration
of wounds and hurts is divided evenly among check by 5 or more, the mechamerge is dazed
its components. A mechamerge that is reduced for one round and can take no actions. A canny
to dying on the damage track automatically component might intimidate the others into
disassembles. The components are distributed submission by suggesting that resisting its
randomly within 30 feet of the mechamerges control could spell doom for them all.
location and are reduced to dying.
A mechamerge may also spontaneously
disassemble if it fails a Difficulty 15 Fortitude save
after suffering a critical hit. Failure means that
it disassembles, its components are distributed
randomly within 30 feet of the mechamerges
location, and all of them are stunned for one
round.

Playing a Mechamerge

While part of a mechamerge, each component

retains its own consciousness and its
programming remains independent of the others.
Therefore, for the mechamerge to act there must
be some consensus among the components. A
mechamerge is generally considered a single
character. When a mechamerge is formed, allow
the players of the component parts to decide
as a group what actions the mechamerge will
take. The easiest way to accomplish this is to
give the players a reasonable amount of time
to determine the mechamerges actions. When
an action is taken, the players rotate rolling
the resolution dice. If the players, and thus the
components, cannot reach a consensus, then
the mechamerge suffers a temporary breakdown
in its programming and loses its actions for that
round.

Mechagenesis PAGE 37
Chapter Six: Gear

Gear is the catchall term used for equipment, always, your Narrator has final say as to what
weapons, and tech. The priority you devoted to equipment is permitted.
gear tells you how many gear points you can Utility gear is always linked to alt form. This
spend on utility gear, tech gear, and weapons. means that it can only be used in that form. Most
The aesthetic traits of your characters weapons utility gear is of little use in primary form anyway,
and equipment when in primary form are for you except for maybe the spotlight and the winch and
to decide. Dont be confined by your analytic cable. Furthermore, primary forms are meant for
programming, just convert the utility of items into combat, and gear related only to your alt form
statistics. Be creative. That slug thrower could is stowed away when you morph. Spotlights
be an exhaust pipe and that shield, a wheel or a and winch and cable gear can be linked to the
satellite dish. primary form for an extra gear point.
Utility Gear
Utility gear is the catch-all term used for gear
that is neither weaponry nor tech. Itll help keep
you from spinning in the mud, will allow you to Getting New Gear
rappel down into the enemy base, or see a little Most campaigns are set on Earth,
further in the dark when the power goes out. where weapons made for mechagens
are hard to come by. Those mechagens
A vehicle may be equipped with other amenities who were not built with silver servos in
and luxuries, such as headlights or a sound their mouths can generally only acquire
system that are not accounted for in terms of weapons in one of two ways: find them
game mechanics. Unless a piece of equipment or build them. While hard to build and
is described in the follow sections, assume not easy to find, there could be any
number of mechagen weapons lying
your alt form has any standard equipment that about.
an ordinary version of its form would have. As

PAGE 38 Mechagenesis
 If your vehicle alt form is Huge or larger you
TABLE 6-1: UTILITY GEAR
can use a hose in combat like a whip with
Utility Gear Gear Point Cost
a range of 50 ft. You must have the Exotic
Autojacks 2
Weapon Training (whip) feat to use it without
Fire Gear Varies*
penalty. You can only use a hose as a whip
Landing Pontoons 2
in primary form.
Landing Wheels 2
Reinforced bumper 2 If your vehicle alt form is Huge or larger you
Special Tires: All- Terrain 1 can also use a hose to make a ranged attack
Special Tires: Puncture Proof 2 that deals damage via a high-pressure blast
Spotlight 1+**
of water. If your alt form is a ground vehicle,
VTOL 5
you can store enough water in an internal tank
Winch and Cable 2**
for 10 shots. Unlike other charged weapons,
you cannot reload this weapon with a clip;
*Some fire gear can double as weapons. The cost varies
depending on its capabilities. you must have a nearby water source. If you
**Spotlights, and winch and cable gear can be linked to attach to a fire hydrant your water blast has
primary form for an extra gear point. unlimited charges but you cant move more
than 30 ft. from the hydrant. A fire boat has
Utility Gear Descriptions an unlimited shot capacity, but it is restricted
in that the weapon can only be used in a
Autojacks: This equipment automatically raises large body of water. A water blast deals +5,
the undercarriage of a vehicle and allows you to +6, or +7 non-lethal conventional damage,
jump obstacles in your vehicle alt form without modified by your size. You can link a water-
the need for a ramp or bump (see Driving and blast hose to your alt form as well as your
Piloting Maneuvers). primary form.
Fire Gear: Your alt form is equipped as a Thus a fully rigged-up Huge fire engine with
firefighting vehicle. For 1 point, you have an all fire gear available as weapons would
assortment of equipment that might be found on need to assign 5 gear points to Utility Gear;
a fire vehicle such as tools, first aid kits, and 5 1 (for basic gear) + 1 (for a turntable ladder)
human-scale fire axes. If your alt form is a Huge + 1 (for a primary form hose whip) + 2 (for a
or larger ground vehicle, you can also have an water blast in both forms).
assortment of hoses and removable human-
scale ladders (2 ladders, +2 per size category Turntable Ladder: Vehicle alt form only. Simple
above Huge). Some fire equipment can also melee weapon (club); Base damage +1 +3
be used as crude weapons. The fire gears extra = +4 conventional bludgeoning damage;
advantages and disadvantages as weapons are Conventional Weapon (+3), Crude 1 to hit (+1),
listed below, along with their gear point costs. Extra Damage +3 (3), Increased Range 50 ft.
(1), Turreted 360 (1); Cost 1.
A fire axe deals conventional damage and
use the statistics of a normal battle axe. It Hose Whip: Primary form only. Exotic melee
does not scale to your size; its just a normal weapon (whip); Crude 1 to hit (1), Increased
fire axe. Range 50 ft. (1); Cost 1.
If your vehicle alt form is Huge or larger Ground Vehicle Water Blast, Linked to Both
you can have telescopic turntable ladder Forms: Base damage +3 +2 extra = +5 non-
can reach height of 50 ft. and can be used lethal conventional damage; Charged 10 shots
to make conventional bludgeoning attacks (+1), Conventional Weapon (+3), Extra Damage
against any opponent within 50 ft. when +2 (2), Integrated (1), Line Effect (2), Linked (1),
youre in your vehicle alt form. The ladder Mercy Weapon (+1); Cost 2.
deals +4 conventional bludgeoning damage, Ground Vehicle Water Blast, Linked to Vehicle
modified by your size. Alt Form Only: Base damage +3 +3 extra = +6
Mechagenesis PAGE 39
non-lethal conventional damage; Charged 10 you a +4 bonus to Drive checks to avoid nails,
shots (+1), Conventional Weapon (+3), Extra caltrops or similar puncture hazards.
Damage +3 (3), Line Effect (2), Mercy Weapon
Snow Tires: This equipment grants you a +4
(+1); Cost 1.
bonus to Drive checks to avoid ice, oil slicks, or
Water Vehicle Water Blast, Linked to Both similar slip hazards.
Forms: Base damage +3 +3 extra = +6 non-
Spotlight: Most vehicle alt modes have
lethal conventional damage; Conventional
headlights that illuminate a 50 ft. forward cone.
Weapon (+3), Extra Damage +3 (3), Integrated
This piece of utility gear is an extra spotlight
(1), Limited Environment water (+2), Line Effect
mounted on a swiveling base that illuminates a
(2), Linked (1), Mercy Weapon (+1); Cost 2.
50 ft. cone and can be directed in a 180 arc.
Water Vehicle Water Blast, Linked to Vehicle For an extra gear point, you can have another
Alt Form Only: Base damage +3 +4 extra = +7 spotlight, or increase the arc of one spotlight to
non-lethal conventional damage; Conventional 360.
Weapon (+3), Extra Damage +4 (4), Limited
Winch and Cable: This equipment is a large
Environment water (+2), Line Effect (2), Mercy
metal spool to with up to 300 feet of wire cable.
Weapon (+1); Cost 1.
Once extended, the cable can be automatically
Landing Pontoons: While all aircraft or rewound at a rate of 50 feet per round. The winch
spacecraft have some form of landing gear, this has the same Strength score as the mechagen to
equipment lets you to land on the surface of a which it is attached. The cable has a Toughness
body of water in vehicle mode. It also allows you of +10 (+1 per size larger than Medium, 1 per
to travel up to your primary form speed while on size smaller). If you have a winch and cable linked
the water. to your primary form, you can use it in combat
Landing Wheels: Airborne vehicle alt forms like a crude whip with a range of 50 ft. You must
come equipped with landing gear that lets them have the Exotic Weapon Training (whip) feat to
taxi over land at 30 ft. per round at character use it without penalty. You can only use your
scale. Landing wheels are enhanced versions of winch and cable as a whip in your primary form.
standard aircraft landing gear, which allow you Its advantages and disadvantages as a weapon
to taxi at twice that speed in vehicle alt form. are listed below.

Reinforced Bumper: This equipment is Cable Whip: Exotic melee weapon (whip);
mounted on the front and rear of your vehicle alt Crude 1 to hit (+1), Increased Range 50 ft. (1),
form, cushioning blows when you are ramming Integrated (1), Linked (1); Cost 3.
or being rammed. It gives a +1 bonus to armor VTOL: With this equipment you can take off and
against forward and rear ramming attacks and land vertically in your vehicle alt form without a
when taking damage from your own forward or landing strip (and without needing to morph).
rear ramming attacks. You are also more maneuverable, gaining a +2
Special Tires: This equipment grants you a bonus to Drive or Pilot checks during maneuvers.
bonus to your Drive or Pilot checks to avoid Some vehicle alt forms, like harrier jets and
certain hazards while in your vehicle alt form. helicopters, are already VTOL aircraft and do
You cannot have more than one set of special not need this utility gear.
tires. A vehicle alt form without wheels cannot
use special tires.
All-Terrain Tires: This equipment grants you a +2
bonus to Drive checks to avoid any land-based
terrain hazard.
Puncture Proof Tires: This equipment grants

PAGE 40 Mechagenesis
Tech Gear TABLE 6-2: TECH GEAR
Whereas special powers fill the True20 niche of Tech Gear Gear Point Cost
supernatural powers, tech gear takes the place Infrared Dampers 3
of many extraordinary abilities that are not tied Infrared Sensors 2
to specific roles. For mechagens that want long- Lab Bay 3
range scanners, internal repair bays, and high- Lab Tools 1-5 1-5
power computer processing, tech gear is the Long-Range Visual 1-5 1-5
way to go. Low-Light Sensors 1
Most tech gear needs to be activated before you Motion Sensors 4
can use it. The action required to activate and Quantum Radar 1-5 6-10
deactivate a piece of tech gear is given in its Quantum Radar Jamming 6-10
description. Furthermore, most tech gear is linked Quantum Sensors 5
to alt form by default. This means that it can only Radar/Sonar 1-5 1-5
be used in that form. Primary forms are meant Radar/Sonar Jamming 1-5 1-5
for combat, surrounding sensitive equipment like Radio Communication 1-5
tech gear with armor and defensive mechanisms. Repair Bay 5
There are exceptions, of course. Repair Tools 1-5 2-10
Lab Tools, Low-Light Sensors, and Repair Stealth Skin 5
Tools are linked to primary and alt forms by
default. If you have them you can use them
regardless of what form you are in, at no Tech Gear Descriptions
extra cost. Infrared Dampers: Infrared dampers shield your
Infrared Dampers, Infrared Sensors, Motion quantum energy and any other byproduct heat,
Sensors, Radar/Sonar, Radar/Sonar and are therefore you not able to be detected
Jamming, Radio Communication, and Stealth by the Blindsense abilities of mechagens with
Skin are linked to alt form by default. You infrared sensors. Mechagens with quantum
can link them to primary form for 1 extra gear sensors and quantum radar can still detect you,
point. however. Infrared dampers are considered to be
always active.
Lab Bays, Long-Range Visual, Quantum
Radar, Quantum Radar Jamming, Quantum Infrared Sensors: These sensors allow you to
Sensors, and Repair Bays are linked to alt view the world in the infrared spectrum. Its range
form by default. Space is at a premium inside and spotting ability is identical to your normal
of a mechagens chassis in primary form, thus vision, but otherwise ignores all shadows,
delicate sensor equipment and large rooms incorporeality, fog, and other concealment.
are far more difficult to fit in. You can link Mechagens quantum generators create
them to primary form for double the normal noticeable pinpoint areas of heat that make it very
gear point cost. difficult for them to hide from infrared sensors.
You have the equivalent of the Blindsense ability
with regards to living creatures and mechagens.
Activating infrared sensors is a free action.
Lab Bay: A lab bay gives a +4 bonus to
Knowledge checks made within, and also
generates enough raw materials to perform
experiments on a regular basis. Lab bays are
considered to be always active when you are in
any form they are linked to.

Mechagenesis PAGE 41
Lab Tools: Lab tools are necessary to do any Quantum Radar: As radar, except that the
scientific research. You have, built in, the basic signal cannot be disrupted by barriers and it
equipment necessary to perform experiments detects mechagens only. Quantum radar can
for any scientific Knowledge skill in which you be used underwater as a form of mechagen-
are trained. If you are trained in Knowledge only sonar. Additionally, quantum radar can
(earth sciences), for example, you might have detect signatures lower to the ground. Each
equipment that lets you take geologic core point by which the rating of the radar increases
samples, barometric readings, and so on. gives your radar another 50 miles of range and
Activating lab tools is a move action, but getting lowers your minimum detection height by 50
results from them make take considerably ft. Level 5 quantum radar can therefore detect
longer. See the description of the Knowledge ground-level mechagens 250 miles away. You
skill in Chapter Four for more information. are considered to have the Blindsight ability
Long-Range Visual: This tech gear includes with regards to other mechagens only, and can
long-range telescopes, aerial spy equipment, even detect incorporeal mechagens. Activating
and space-scale observation equipment. Long- quantum radar is a full-round action.
range visual 1 allows you to target specific areas Quantum Sensors: The quantum generators
on-planet from as far away as 10 miles. As long in every mechagen give off a unique energy
you have line of sight to the area and the events signature that is nearly impossible to hide. Not
being watched occur within the designated only do quantum sensors make invisibility,
area (a 100-ft. radius), you may make sight- incorporeality, darkness, and most kinds of
based Notice checks as if you were present at concealment irrelevant when other mechagens
the scene. Each point by which the rating of the are concerned. You have blindsight within
long-range visual sensor increases gives you 100 ft. with respect to other mechagens, and
another 10 miles of range and another 100-ft. to you automatically know the damage condition
your radius. Long-range visual may also be used of other mechagens within 100 ft. Activating
to detect spacecraft and observe the movement quantum sensors is a full-round action.
of celestial bodies. Activating long-range visual
Radar/Sonar Jamming: You can jam radar,
is a full-round action.
either from human devices or from other
Low-Light Sensors: Low-light sensors give mechagens with radar. Jamming radar is an
you the ability to see twice as far as normal opposed Computers skill check between you and
in starlight, moonlight, and similar conditions any radar operators who might detect you. Each
of shadowy illumination. You may retain the point by which the rating of your radar jamming
ability to distinguish color and detail under these increases gives you a +2 bonus on Computers
conditions. This tech gear replaces the Night checks to successfully jam radar. If you succeed,
Vision feat for mechagen characters. Low-light you have successfully jammed your opponents
sensors are considered to be always active. radar and they detect nothing. If you fail by less
Motion Sensors: One step up from infrared than 5, you have still jammed the enemy radar,
sensors, motion sensors use a short-range but they detect a radar void and its obvious to
sonic effect to detect movement and objects, them that they are being jammed. If you fail by 5
regardless of available light and heat. You are or more, your jamming attempt fails completely.
considered to have the Blindsight ability, but you Sonar jamming works the same way, but only
cannot detect an incorporeal target. Activating in water. Activating radar or sonar jamming is a
motion sensors is a move action. full-round action.

Quantum Radar Jamming: As radar jamming, Radar/Sonar: You can detect Large or larger
except you can jam quantum radar and quantum airborne objects within 50 miles. Objects must
sensors. Activating quantum radar jamming is a be flying higher than 250 ft. above ground level
full-round action. in order to register on radar, and mountains,

PAGE 42 Mechagenesis
buildings, and other barriers disrupt the radar are allowed a Stealth check opposed by the
signal. Each point by which the rating of the radar mechagens Notice check (with a range
radar increases gives your radar another 50 penalty to the Notice check of 1 for every mile
miles of range and provides a +2 bonus on of distance). Stealth skin is considered to be
Computers checks to overcome radar jamming. always active when you are in any form they are
You are considered to have the Blindsight linked to.
ability, but cannot detect incorporeal targets.
Sonar functions identically to radar, but detects
Large or larger bodies in water. Activating radar Shields
or sonar is a full-round action. Mechagen shields can block fast projectiles like
Radio Communication: You can boost your bullets and even energy weapons. The dodge
normal radio range to 50 miles, and you have bonus is based on the type of shield, which is
a +2 bonus on Computers checks to encrypt also relative to the size of the mechagen for
your radio communication or jam anothers which it was designed: buckler +1 dodge bonus,
communication. Each point by which the rating standard +2 dodge bonus, tower +3 dodge
of the radio communication increases gives bonus.
your radio another 50 miles of range and A smaller mechagen seeking cover behind
another +2 on Computers checks to encrypt or another mechagens shield gains a dodge
jam communications. Other mechagens within bonus as if the shield were the next largest
100 ft. who have line of sight to you can also shield type. Likewise a larger mechagen seeking
make use of your radio range if it is active and cover behind another mechagens shield gains
you allow it (a free action). The radio signals a dodge bonus as if the shield were the next
can be intercepted by other radio receivers, smallest shield type (minimum +0). The bonuses
including other mechagens with this ability. The are cumulative, so a Large mechagen taking
communication can be encrypted at your option. cover behind a Gargantuan mechagens buckler
An enemy trying to decrypt a communication treats the shield as a tower shield the Large
must succeed on an opposed Computers check mechagen is two size categories smaller than
with you. You can also jam radio communications the shields owner, so he gains the benefit as if
with an opposed Computers check, either the shield was two size categories larger.
against another mechagen with this ability or
against a human radio operator. Activating radio Mechagen shields otherwise follow the normal
communications is a full-round action. rules for shields described in True20 Adventure
Roleplaying.
Repair Bay: A repair bay gives a +4 bonus to
Craft checks made within, and also contains Cost: A shield has a gear point cost equal to the
enough self-replenishing raw materials to create dodge bonus it provides.
weapons or tech with gear point costs of 5 or
less. Repair bays are considered to be always
active when you are in any form they are linked
to.
Repair Tools: Repair tools are necessary to
perform most Craft tasks. Activating repair
tools is a move action, but getting results from
them make take considerably longer. See the
description of the Craft skill in Chapter Four for
more information.
Stealth Skin: Stealth skin allows you to avoid
detection by radar when you are airborne. You

Mechagenesis PAGE 43
Weapons For example, if a Large mechagen picks up a
Huge fallen comrades machine pistol, he has a
Weapons in Mechagenesis use the same 2 to his attack roll with that weapon because it
categories as laid out in True20 Adventure was designed for a bigger bot. If the weapon was
Roleplaying: simple, martial, firearms, and exotic. a rifle, however, the Large mechagen wouldnt
Improvised weapons (like telephone poles, etc.) be able to use it at all; its a longarm designed for
do conventional damage, so a mechagens a Huge mechagen, and thus requires two Huge
damage reduction applies to such weapons (this hand to wield it.
is a departure from the normal rules for DR).
Because the weapon was designed for another
The sample firearms on Table 6-3 consists only mechagen, his nanomechs dont recognize it as
of mechagen-specific firearms. Use the weapons part of him. A mechagen who intends to keep
provided in True20 Adventure Roleplaying and a borrowed weapon must buy off its gear point
the True20 Companion for other simple, martial, cost through the use of the Gear Point upgrade.
and exotic weapons. Until that time, the weapon is not automatically
accounted for when the mechagen assumes
his alt form. It simply falls to the ground when
Weapons Gear Point Cost he morphs and must be physically loaded into
When you allot gear points to weapons, you his alt forms cargo area by another party. The
must decide which form the weapon is linked only exceptions to this rule are simple weapons.
Since they have a 0-point cost, they are generic
to. A weapon linked to a specific form is made
enough to be recognized by a mechagens
for use in that form, and is inaccessible while
nanomechs.
you are in your other form (unless you take the
Linked advantage). Many mechagens use up If you lose one of your own non-integrated
parts of their alt forms as melee weapons in their weapons, it can be rebuilt using the Craft
primary forms (a snowplow that becomes an axe (mechagen tech) skill. Your nanomechs
blade, for instance, or an animal alt form tail that automatically recognize a rebuilt weapon.
becomes a whip). The cost of a weapon, in gear
points, varies depending on its type.
Weapon Damage
Simple Weapons: Simple weapons are available
to any mechagen at no point cost. Normal weapon damage in True20 and the
damage listed on Table 6-3 assume a wielder
Martial Weapons: A martial weapon may be with a size category of Medium. For every size
selected for 1 gear point. category above Medium, increase the damage
Exotic Weapons: An exotic weapon may be by +1. Likewise, for every size category below
selected for 1 gear point. Medium, decrease the damage by 1. Thus a
sword (+3 damage) sized for a Large character
Firearms: Firearms have varying individual would do +4 damage, and a sword sized for a
costs, as shown on Table 6-3. Small character would only do +2 damage. When
Using Another Mechagens Weapons a mechagen with a weapon alt form resizes to fit
the hand of his wielder his damage increases
Any weapon without the Integrated advantage or decreases according to the wielders size as
can be removed from a mechagen and used by well.
another.
If you are using the firearms modification rules
A mechagen wielding a weapon designed for (see Get Your Guns), the damage adjustment
a larger or smaller mechagen has a 2 penalty for size has no effect on the weapons gear point
per size category difference. Depending on the cost.
weapons design features, the other mechagen
may not be able to use the borrowed weapon at
all.

PAGE 44 Mechagenesis
 TABLE 6-3: SAMPLE FIREARMS
Weapon Cost Damage Damage Type Critical Range Increment Minimum Range Area
Autoblaster 6 +6 Quantum 20/+1 roll 150 ft.
Carbine
Autoblaster Pistol 4 +4 Quantum 20/+1 roll 100 ft.
Autoblaster Rifle 7 +6 Quantum 20/+1 roll 200 ft.
Blaster Carbine 2 +4 Quantum 20/+1 roll 150 ft.
Blaster Pistol 1 +3 Quantum 20/+1 roll 100 ft.
Blaster Rifle 4 +5 Quantum 20/+1 roll 200 ft.
Flame Thrower 2 +7 Fire 70 ft. line
Machine Gun 6 +5 Quantum 20/+1 roll 200 ft.
Missile Launcher 7 +13 Quantum 100 ft. 100 ft. 130 ft. diameter
Needle Blaster 6 +4 Quantum 19-20/+2 rolls 100 ft.
Salvo Launcher 7 +10 Quantum 100 ft. 50 ft. 100 ft. diameter
Shell Launcher 9 +8 Quantum 200 ft. 50 ft. 80 ft. diameter
Slugthrower Pistol 1 +4 Quantum 20/+1 roll 100 ft.
Slugthrower Rifle 3 +5 Quantum 20/+1 roll 150 ft.
Torpedo Launcher 5 +13 Quantum 100 ft. 100 ft. 130 ft. diameter

Firearms Range Increment: The range increments at

which the weapon wielder suffers a 2 cumulative
Table 6-3 contains a list of several common
penalty
weapons that are found in the hands of
mechagens. You can either use these weapons Minimum Range: Some weapons have a
for simplicitys sake, or you can design your minimum range. Attacks made against targets
own by assigning various advantages and within the minimum range impose a penalty on
disadvantages to the basic blaster pistol (see the attack roll.
Get Your Guns).
Area: Some weapons have an area, cone, or
line of effect. This column shows the weapons
Firearm Qualities area of effect, in feet.

Cost: This is the weapons cost in gear points. Description: You are free to describe the
appearance, effects, and use your weapon as
Damage: The damage done by the weapon, you see fit. A blaster rifle might just be a quantum
assuming the weapon is designed for a Medium laser, or it could be a fusion cannon that slams
character. Mechagen firearm damage is further your target with the power of a miniature sun.
increased or decreased based on the size of the
wielder for whom it was designed (see Weapon
Damage). Firearm Descriptions
Critical: This lists the critical threat range and Autoblaster Carbine: A short-range quantum
how many rolls on Table 6-4 Critical Hit table automatic blaster rifle. Autofire (2), Extra Damage
the weapon causes. If youre using a weapon +3 (3), Increased Range +50 ft. (1), Longarm
from another True20 source, the number of rolls (+1); Cost 6.
is equal to the critical hit damage bonus 2.
Autoblaster Pistol: With all the versatility and
Type: Describes the type of damage done. concealability of a blaster pistol, but allowing for
Quantum lasers, quantum slugs, and quantum autofire, the automatic blaster pistol is a popular
explosives bypass the damage reduction of weapon. Autofire (2), Extra Damage +1 (1); Cost
mechagens. Conventional weapons do not. 4.
Mechagenesis PAGE 45
Autoblaster Rifle: This two-handed weapon and cannons found on armored Earth vehicles.
maximizes damage potential and range, while Area Effect (4), Extra Damage +5 (5), Increased
allowing for autofire. Autofire (2), Extra Damage Range +100 ft. (2), Longarm (+1), Minimum
+3 (3), Increased Range +100 ft. (2), Longarm Range 50 ft. (+1), Slugthrower 10 shots (+1);
(+1); Cost 7. Cost 9.
Blaster Carbine: This is the single-shot cousin Slugthrower Pistol: This weapon is usually
of the automatic blaster carbine. Extra Damage used to deliver solid, hard-hitting projectiles. It
+1 (1), Increased Range +50 ft. (1), Longarm is very similar in design to Earth firearms. It can
(+1); Cost 2. also be used with hollow shells to deliver special
substances. Extra Damage +1 (1), Slugthrower
Blaster Pistol: This is the basic weapon from
10 shots (+1); Cost 1.
which all other weapons are designed. No
advantages or disadvantages; Cost 1. Slugthrower Rifle: This weapon is the larger
cousin of the slugthrower pistol. Extra Damage
Blaster Rifle: This single-shot rifle packs a
+2 (2), Increased Range +50 ft. (1), Slugthrower
punch and has more range than a pistol or
10 shots (+1); Cost 3.
carbine. Extra Damage +2 (2), Increased Range
+100 ft. (2), Longarm (+1); Cost 4. Torpedo Launcher: Torpedoes work just like
missiles, except that they only work underwater.
Flame Thrower: This volatile weapon deals
Extra Damage +10 (10), Fire-And-Forget (4),
conventional fire damage instead of quantum
Limited Environment Water (+2), Longarm (+1),
damage. Charged 10 shots (+1), Line Effect (2),
Minimum Range 100 ft. (+6), Slugthrower 10
Conventional Weapon Fire (+3), Extra Damage
shots (+1); Cost 5.
+4 (4), Longarm (+1); Cost 2.
Machine Gun: This primitive but versatile
weapon works like the slugthrower, except that it Reloading Firearms
allows for autofire and holds 20 shells in a single One of the benefits of blaster weapons is that they
clip. Autofire (2), Extended Clip +10 shots (1), never need to be reloaded. They are powered by
Extra damage +2 (2), Increased Range +100 ft. the mechagens internal quantum generator and
(2), Slugthrower 10 shots (+1), Longarm (+1); thus never run out of power. Some firearms utilize
Cost 6. a clip or magazine, however, which generally
Missile Launcher: Missile launchers lob high- contains 10 rounds. Once a clip is depleted, it
explosive missiles at a target. They are among must be reloaded as a standard action. Bows
the most devastating battlefield weapons. Extra and light crossbows can be reloaded as a move
Damage +10 (10), Fire-And-Forget (4), Longarm action, and heavy crossbows can be reloaded as
(+1), Minimum Range 100 ft. (+6), Slugthrower a full-round action. Mechagens that carry such
10 shots (+1); Cost 7. weapons usually carry 10 clips or 20 arrows or
bolts.
Needle Blaster: A needle blaster is a blaster rifle
with a thin, highly concentrated beam designed to
punch through mechagen armor. Armor Piercing Critical Hits
3 (3), Extra Critical +1 (1), Extra Damage +1 (1),
Increased Critical +1 (1), Longarm (+1); Cost 6. Mechagens, unlike most machines, are subject
to critical hits. When a mechagen suffers a
Salvo Launcher: This fearsome weapon critical hit, he sustains normal weapon damage.
launches a barrage of small missiles at a target. In addition, however, the mechagen must roll on
Autofire (2), Extra Damage +7 (7), Longarm Table 6-4. A critical hit with a +1 weapon causes
(+1), Minimum Range 50 ft. (+1), Slugthrower one roll, a +2 weapon causes two rolls, etc. If
10 shots (+1); Cost 7. youre using a weapon from another True20
Shell Launcher: A shell launcher is a mechagen source, the number of rolls is equal to the critical
weapon that works very much like the turrets hit damage bonus 2.

PAGE 46 Mechagenesis
Critical Hit Descriptions Motion Regulator: The mechagens internal
Articulation Servos: The articulation servo motion regulator is damaged, reducing his
in one of the mechagens arms is damaged. base movement in all forms by one-half. If this
He suffers a 4 penalty to all attacks and skill component is already damaged, the mechagen
checks involving the use of the arm. This result becomes unable to move except with a 10-ft.
is cumulative each time this component is crawl as a full-round action.
damaged. Quantum Energy Leak: The mechagens
Cracked Chassis: The mechagens damage quantum energy container is breached. He
reduction/quantum energy is reduced to 2. If this suffers 1 point of Constitution damage and must
component is already damaged, the mechagen make a Fortitude save with a Difficulty equal to 10
instead suffers +3 damage. + damage dealt, or be stunned for one round.
Data Processor: The mechagens internal data Quantum Generator: The mechagens quantum
pathways are damaged. He suffers 1 point of generator housing is damaged. The mechagen
Intelligence damage, and must make a Will save can only take a single action per round until
with a Difficulty equal to 10 + damage dealt, the housing is repaired. If this component is hit
or immediately lose all ranks in one randomly again, the generator explodes, dealing quantum
determined skill for 24 hours. energy damage to the mechagen and nearby
Gyroscope: The mechagens gyroscope characters. The explosion deals +10 quantum
is damaged, throwing him off balance. The damage, +1 per level of the mechagen to all
mechagen suffers 1 point of Dexterity damage, creatures in a radius of 10 ft. per level of the
and must make a Reflex save with a Difficulty mechagen. The mechagen itself automatically
equal to 10 + damage dealt, or immediately fall takes the damage; other creatures in the radius
prone. The result is cumulative each time this may make a Reflex saves (Difficulty 10 + 1/2
component is damaged. level of the mechagen) for half damage.
Sensors: The mechagen loses the use of a
sensor system like infrared or radar, or one
TABLE 6-4: CRITICAL HITS of his senses, such as sight or hearing. The
Roll Damage damaged system is determined randomly. The
1 Sensors system remains inoperable until it is repaired. If
2-3 Gyroscope all sensors are destroyed, the mechagen instead
4-5 Motion Regulator suffers +3 damage.
6-9 Data Processor
Weapon System: One mounted weapon is hit
10-12 Articulation Servos
and damaged, along with one round of ammo.
13-15 Quantum Energy Leak
Explosive ammo goes off, doing one-half normal
16-17 Weapon System
damage to the mechagen. If a mechagen does
18 Cracked Chassis
not have any mounted weapons, the mechagen
19 Morph Actuator
instead suffers +3 damage.
20 Quantum Generator

Morph Actuator: The mechagen suffers damage

to his morph actuators, which impairs his ability
to morph. A character with a single damaged
morph actuator must make a Concentration
check as a full-round action with a Difficulty of 10
+ damage dealt in order to morph. A character
with two damaged morph actuators cannot
morph until his actuators are repaired.

Mechagenesis PAGE 47
Get Your Guns you and your allies as well as your enemies.
The basic, standard-issue mechagen weapon is This weapon requires no attack roll to hit, so
the blaster pistol, which has a gear point cost it does not threaten a critical hit. This weapon
of 1. You can design your own weapons from cannot have the Extra Critical or Increased
that basic form using the rules presented here. Critical advantages.
An advantage makes a weapon more effective, Gear Point Cost: 4 points.
but increases its gear point cost. A disadvantage
makes a weapon less effective, and decreases
its gear point cost. A weapon cannot be reduced Armor Piercing (Advantage)
to a gear point cost of less than 1 through the
The weapon can penetrate armor. The opponents
use of disadvantages. All of the sample firearms
armor is treated as being 1 point lower than
on Table 6-3 were designed using these rules. If
it actually is, to a minimum of +0. This is not
you import firearms from other sources, you can
extra damage, and therefore has no effect on
use the advantages and disadvantages below to
opponents with no armor bonus to Toughness.
determine an appropriate gear point cost.
This advantage can be taken multiple times,
ignoring 1 additional point of armor.
Ability Damage (Disadvantage) Gear Point Cost: 1 point per point of armor
The weapon does not deal physical damage. ignored.
Instead, it decreases an opponents Strength or
Dexterity. You choose the ability affected when
Autofire (Advantage)
you choose this disadvantage. You can describe
your weapon in any way you see fit; a weapon The weapon is capable of full automatic fire. See
that does Strength damage could be a local the Autofire rules in True20. If this advantage is
gravity enhancer or a weapon that does Dexterity applied to a weapon with the Slughthrower or
damage might be gyroscopic inhibitor, etc. If hit Charged disadvantage, each use of autofire
by this weapon, the target must succeed on a expends 10 rounds from the weapon.
Fortitude save equal to 10 + the weapon damage Gear Point Cost: 2 points.
or take 1 point of ability damage. You do not roll
on the Critical Hits table if you score a critical
hit with this weapon. Instead, the target takes Belt Feed (Advantage)
an extra point of ability damage. If you add the
Extra Critical advantage to this weapon, it deals The weapon has a belt feed to the clip, which
an extra point of ability damage on a critical hit. allows for 100 rounds to be fired before
reloading. Belt feeds must be reloaded as a
Gear Point Cost: +1 point. full-round action instead of a move action. This
advantage can only be applied to weapons with
the Slugthrower or Charged disadvantage. The
Area Effect (Advantage) Extended Clip advantage cannot be applied to a
The weapon is an area effect weapon. Instead of belt-fed weapon.
making an attack roll to hit, all targets within an Gear Point Cost: 2 points.
area must succeed on a Reflex saving throw or
take damage. Any target who makes the saving
throw instead takes half damage. The area Charged (Disadvantage)
effect is a diameter in feet equal to the weapons
damage x10. High explosives such as these The weapon is not charged by your internal
are best used for long-range combat. In close quantum generator. This weapon carries a clip
combat, great care must be taken with area with 10 rounds, which must be reloaded as a
effect weapons as they could easily eliminate standard action once depleted. A weapon with
the Slugthrower disadvantage cannot also have

PAGE 48 Mechagenesis
the Charged disadvantage, since a limited shot Crude (Disadvantage)
capacity is already assumed.
This weapon is a terrible example of mechagen
Gear Point Cost: +1 point. technology. Its shoddy construction provides its
wielder with a 1 penalty to hit. A crude shield
has an armor check penalty one higher than
Concealed (Advantage) normal.
You can conceal a weapon while in the form that Mechagens with weapon alt forms cannot take
it is linked to. Revealing the weapon to bring it this advantage for their alt form; they are never
to bear is a standard action, unless you have crude implements.
the Ready Gunner feat, in which case bringing
it to bear is a move action. The nature of the Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
concealment is up to you; the weapon could
simply be disguised as part of your alt form,
Crystallizer (Disadvantage)
or it could be physically concealed in a secret
compartment. Detecting a concealed weapon The weapon fires a substance that makes
is a Difficulty 20 Notice check. If you apply this the opponents metal skin extremely brittle. A
advantage to a Linked weapon, it only applies to crystallizer may fire a blast of liquid nitrogen, or
the weapon while you are in one form. To make emit sonic frequencies that temporarily disrupt
this weapon concealable in all forms, it costs a materials molecular bonds. A successful hit
extra. with this weapon forces your opponent to make
a Fortitude save with a Difficulty equal to 10 +
Gear Point Cost: 1 point, +1 per additional
the weapons damage. If your opponent fails the
form.
save, his Toughness is reduced by 2 for 1 round.
If he fails the save by 5 or more, his Toughness
Cone Effect (Advantage) is reduced by 3. If you score a critical hit with
this weapon, you do not roll on the Critical Hits
The weapon affects a 90 cone in front of you. table. Instead, the effect lasts for an extra round.
Instead of making an attack roll to hit, all targets If you add the Extra Critical advantage to this
within the cone must succeed on a Reflex saving weapon, the effect lasts an additional round on
throw or take damage. Any target who makes a critical hit. Thus if you have a crystallizer with
the saving throw instead takes half damage. The Extra Critical +2, your opponents armor would
cone length is equal to the weapons damage be reduced for 3 rounds on a critical hit.
x10 ft.
Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
This weapon requires no attack roll to hit, so
it does not threaten a critical hit. This weapon
cannot have the Extra Critical or Increased Decreased Range (Disadvantage)
Critical advantages.
The weapon has a lower range than normal. The
Gear Point Cost: 3 points. base mechagen weapon has a range increment
of 100 ft. This advantage can be taken multiple
times, each time decreasing the range increment
Conventional Weapon
by 20 ft.
(Disadvantage)
The base mechagen blaster deals quantum Gear Point Cost: +1 point per 20 ft. decrease in
damage; this weapon deals conventional or range increment.
non-quantum energy damage (such as fire, cold,
sonic, etc.). Thus, mechagen damage reduction
or energy resistance applies to attacks made by
this weapon.
Gear Point Cost: +3 points.

Mechagenesis PAGE 49
Entangler (Disadvantage) Extra Damage (Advantage)
An entangler fires a cable net, an energy grid, a The weapon does and additional +1 damage.
wad of sticky webbing, or even a blast of ice that You can take this advantage up to 5 times.
envelops and entangles the target. An entangled Gear Point Cost: 1 point per +1 damage.
creature takes a 2 penalty on attack rolls and
a 2 penalty on Dexterity, can move at only half
speed, and cannot charge or run. If the entangled Fire-and-Forget (Advantage)
creature attempts to use a special power, he
must make a Difficulty 15 Concentration check The weapon fires missiles that can independently
or be unable to use the power effectively. An acquire targets. Prior to firing a missile, you must
entangled creature can escape with an Escape spend a full-round action acquiring a target. On
Artist check as a full-round action (Difficulty 15 the following round, you can fire the missile as
+ weapon damage). The entangling substance a free action. The missile then travels 1,000 ft.
has a Toughness equal to the weapon damage. (20 squares at surface scale or 2 at air scale)
An entangled creature can deal unarmed attack each round until it hits its designated target or
damage in an attempt to break free by scoring a runs out of fuel. A missile has enough fuel to
Wounded or better result against the entangling travel for 5 rounds. When the missile enters the
substance. This is also a full-round action. If you targets space, the wielder makes an attack roll.
score a critical hit with this weapon, you do not A success means the missile deals damage to
roll on the Critical Hits table. Instead, the weapon the target as normal. This advantage can only
damage increases by +3. be applied to weapons with the Slugthrower
disadvantage.
Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
Gear Point Cost: 4 points.

Extended Clip (Advantage)

Force Field (Advantage)
Your weapon carries a clip with extra capacity.
You can take this advantage up to 4 times, each This shield is a force field instead of a physical
time increasing your clips capacity by 10 rounds. shield. The shield has no armor check penalty
This advantage can only be applied to weapons and enhanced protective qualities which provide
with the Slugthrower or Charged disadvantages, an additional +1 dodge bonus. Force fields are
and cannot be applied to weapons with the Belt already considered to be masterwork, so the
Feed advantage. Masterwork advantage cannot be applied to a
force field. This advantage can only be applied
Gear Point Cost: +1 point per extra 10-round to shields, and cannot be applied to a shield with
capacity. the Crude disadvantage.
Cost: 2 points.
Extra Critical (Advantage)
The weapon has the potential to damage the Increased Critical (Advantage)
targets sensitive equipment. This advantage
can be taken twice, each time increasing the The weapon has the potential to do extreme
number of critical rolls by 1. damage to the target. This advantage can be
taken up to three times, each time increasing the
Gear Point Cost: 1 point per extra critical roll. critical threat range by 1.
Gear Point Cost: 1 point per 1 increase in threat
range.

PAGE 50 Mechagenesis
Increased Range (Advantage) This weapon requires no attack roll to hit, so
it does not threaten a critical hit. This weapon
The weapon has a greater range than normal.
cannot have the Extra Critical or Increased
The base mechagen weapon has a range
Critical advantages.
increment of 100 ft. This advantage can be taken
multiple times, each time increasing the range Gear Point Cost: 2 points.
increment by 50 ft.
Gear Point Cost: 1 point per 50 ft. increase in Linked (Advantage)
range increment.
The weapon is linked to your primary form as
well as your alt form(s), allowing you to use it
Integrated (Advantage) regardless of which form you are in.
The weapon is integrated into your primary form, Gear Point Cost: 1 point per additional form.
and cannot be removed. This advantage need
only be applied to primary form weapons, as alt
form weapons are automatically considered to Longarm (Disadvantage)
be integrated. You must decide when you take The weapon requires two hands to use thus can
this advantage where the weapon is located. only be selected for primary form weapons. Since
The choices are: arm, torso, hip, shoulder, and it requires hands to use, this weapon cannot
head. have the Integrated advantage. If linked to an alt
Gear Point Cost: 1 point. form, the Linked gear point cost cancels out this
disadvantage; the weapon requires hands when
you are in primary form but is attached to your
Less Damage (Disadvantage) alt form.
The weapon does 1 less point of damage, to a Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
minimum of +0 damage. Since the base blaster Masterwork (Advantage)
pistol does +3 damage, this disadvantage can
only be taken three times. This weapon is a fine example mechagen
technology. Its elegant construction provides
Gear Point Cost: +1 point per 1 damage. its wielder with a +1 bonus to hit. A masterwork
shield has an armor check penalty one lower
Limited Environment than normal.
(Disadvantage) Mechagens with weapon alt forms cannot take
The weapon only works in a particular this advantage for their alt form; they must use the
environment, such as outer space or underwater. Masterwork upgrade for that (see Upgrades).
This disadvantages gear point bonus can vary Gear Point Cost: 1 point.
depending on the environment required, but is
always at least +2.
Mercy Weapon (Disadvantage)
Gear Point Cost: +2 points or more.
The weapon is not designed to kill, and inflicts
only non-lethal damage. If you score a critical hit
Line Effect (Advantage) with this weapon, you do not roll on the Critical
Hits table. Instead, the target takes an extra +3
The weapon affects a line 10 ft. wide in front of
damage like a normal critical hit.
you, with a length equal to the damage x10 ft.
Instead of making an attack roll to hit, all targets Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
in the line must succeed on a Reflex saving
throw or take damage. Any target who makes
the saving throw instead takes half damage.

Mechagenesis PAGE 51
Minimum Range (Disadvantage) be reloaded as a standard action once depleted.
A slugthrower cannot also have the Charged
The weapon fires missiles that have to travel a disadvantage, since a limited shot capacity is
bit before reaching their maximum potential, or already assumed.
is a blaster weapon that has a minimum distance
at which it can focus its beam. Either way, the Special: A slugthrower can be loaded with special
weapon has a minimum effective range. The payloads instead of their normal damaging
minimum range begins at 50 feet; each 10 feet rounds. A slugthrower weapon can be loaded
closer to the target you are imposes a 2 penalty with special slugs that replicate the effects of
to your attack roll. This disadvantage can be the Crystallizer, Entangler, Slick, and Smoke
taken multiple times, each time increasing the disadvantages.
minimum range by 10 feet. Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
Gear Point Cost: +1 point, +1 point per extra
10 ft.
Smoke (Disadvantage)
This weapon does not do any direct damage;
Scatter (Advantage) instead it releases a cloud of smoke that
This weapon provides a +2 bonus to hit because expands out in a diameter spread that provides
its effect scatters across a wide area. The effect of concealment. The diameter in feet is equal to
the gun depends on its nature; a scatter weapon the weapons damage x5. The smoke persists
with the Slughthrower disadvantage might fire for 1 minute (10 rounds).
high-velocity shot like a shotgun, whereas a This weapon requires no attack roll to hit, so
blaster may fire expanding ball of superheated it does not threaten a critical hit. This weapon
plasma. cannot have the Extra Critical or Increased
Gear Point Cost: 1 point. Critical advantages.
Gear Point Cost: +2 points.
Slick (Disadvantage)
This weapon releases a super-slick substance Stunner (Advantage)
(oil, ice, ball bearings) that expands out in a The weapon does not do any damage to the
diameter in feet equal to the weapon damage target. Instead, the target must succeed on a
x5. Any creature entering the slick area must Fortitude save with a Difficulty equal to 15 + the
succeed on a Reflex save after each action or weapon damage or be stunned for 1 round. If
fall prone. The save Difficulty uses the same the target fails the Fortitude save by 5 or more,
calculation as explosive weapons (10 + the he is instead paralyzed for 1 round. If he fails the
weapon damage). A ground vehicle entering the Fortitude save by 10 or more, he is paralyzed for
slick area must make a Drive check of the save 5 rounds. You do not roll on the Critical Hits table
Difficulty or lose control. The slick persists for if you score a critical with this weapon. Instead,
one hour. increase the Fortitude save Difficulty by +2.
This weapon requires no attack roll to hit, so Gear Point Cost: +1 point.
it does not threaten a critical hit. This weapon
cannot have the Extra Critical or Increased
Critical advantages. Turreted (Advantage)
Gear Point Cost: +2 points. Alt form weapons and integrated primary form
weapons are assumed to be pointing forward.
You may add a turret to the weapon, giving it a
Slugthrower (Disadvantage) 180-degree firing arc, forwards or backwards (for
The weapon fires a physical slug like a bullet a primary form weapon), or a 360-degree firing
instead of a beam of energy. It still deals arc (for a vehicle or structure alt form weapon).
quantum damage unless you also select the This advantage can only be applied to integrated
Conventional Weapon disadvantage. This weapons.
weapon carries a clip with 10 rounds, which must Gear Point Cost: 1 point.

PAGE 52 Mechagenesis
Chapter Seven: Vehicular Genocide

cross a large map in a single round. Therefore,

Mechagenesis was designed to handle combat
Mechagenesis also uses a surface scale in
between a variety of different types of vehicles in
which one inch equals 50 feet (and, optionally,
a manner that is fun and easy. Dont blow your
an aircraft scale where one inch equals 500 feet).
logic circuits trying to determine if a sports car
Its possible to design long complex encounters
can really outrace a jet. Youve got a world to
that actually move from one scale to the next. For
save, so morph into action!
instance, a crash at surface scale could quickly
turn into a firefight at character scale.
Surface and Air Scale As a useful shorthand method of tracking
The three scales in Mechagenesis are character distance and speed, we drop actual distances
scale, surface scale, and air scale. As discussed and simply refer to the number of squares that
in Chapter Two, character scale is used to handle represent them. For instance, if a speed boat is
firefights between mechagen primary forms moving 500 feet per round it is moving at surface
or animal alt forms, as well as short-range alt speed 10.
form vehicle duels. In character scale, vehicles Surface and air scale encounters involve an
behave just like normal creatures. They can unpredictable mix of fast-moving vehicles and
move precise distances without making checks, dangerous obstacles. This is what vehicle
can turn fairly easily (within the limits of their combat is all about. Encounters at these scales
maneuverability scores), and can even jump and deal with relative positions, just like character
make attack rolls normally. In character scale, scale encounters, but with a greater level of
one inch equals 10 feet. flexibility within the given squares. Vehicles
While the character scale in Mechagenesis is moving in many different directions can still run
larger than the normal True20 scale, it is still off the map in no time at this scale, however.
small enough that a slow-moving vehicle can Therefore, surface and air scale works best for

Mechagenesis PAGE 53
encounters where vehicles battle each other Maneuverability Modifier
racing toward the same objectives or inside
Vehicle alt forms have a Maneuverability score,
closed arenas. For encounters in which vehicles
which provides a modifier to Drive or Pilot checks
may veer off suddenly or head in different
(whichever is most appropriate for the vehicle
directions, a narrative combat works better than
type).
mapping it out. The same rules can be used for
such a combat, but the positions of the various TABLE 7-1:
vehicles are determined by the Narrator and the MANEUVERABILITY MODIFIERS
players imaginations, rather than by miniatures
Maneuverability Modifier
on a map grid.
Clumsy 8
Poor 4
Average +0
Vehicle Alt Forms
Good +4
Mechagens are designed to mimic ordinary Perfect +8
vehicles, and the two have much in common.
There are, however, a few differences. When
a mechagen is in his vehicle alt form, he is Speed Modifiers
both the vehicle and the pilot. Vehicle alt forms Surface and air scale are when the speedy
are not treated as constructs, but do retain mechagens truly shine. Sports cars can leave
their mechagen characteristics, abilities, and their opponents in the dust, and jets can strafe
immunities. Unlike ordinary vehicles, vehicle alt ground-based mechagens with awe-inspiring
forms get to make savings throws. Characters attacks.
can morph into vehicle alt form and start their
engines as a single move action. Each round Its harder to hit you when you are moving at
while moving in vehicle alt form, the character 90 mph, but its not so easy to shoot a plasma
must use a move action to move. He may cannon at that speed either. Speed modifiers
then also elect to take a standard action while apply to a characters Drive or Pilot checks,
piloting. initiative checks, and attack rolls while attacking
at high speeds. The applicable speed modifier
Like ordinary vehicles, mechagens in their depends upon whether the vehicle is operating
vehicle alt forms can carry passengers. When a on the surface scale or air scale (Table 7-2).
mechagen is in a vehicle alt form, he may open Note that Defense bonuses apply to the vehicle
and close his doors at will, allowing a potential with one special exception: the bonus is relative.
passenger who makes a successful Difficulty 10 A vehicle traveling at surface speed 20, for
Dexterity check to come aboard as a free action. instance, has a +6 speed bonus to Defense
Otherwise, a passenger must use a move action against stationary attackers or opponents
to enter a mechagens vehicle form. heading in different directions. Against vehicles
A willing mechagen may also choose to let a at speed 10 and heading in the same direction,
passenger become its pilot. A vehicle mechagen the vehicles speed bonus to Defense is only +4,
with potential pilots must declare at the beginning and against vehicles moving the same speed or
of each round whether it is piloting or is letting faster and heading in the same direction, it gets
itself be piloted by a passenger. While being no speed bonus at all.
piloted, the passenger takes a move action
each round to move the characters vehicle alt
form. This leaves the mechagen free to take its
full actions for that round, including a full attack
action.

PAGE 54 Mechagenesis
 TABLE 7-2:
SPEED MODIFIERS
Character Speed Surface Speed Air Speed* Defense Bonus Attack/Skill Check Modifier
0-25 1-5 1 +0 +0
26-50 6-10 2 +2 2
51-75 11-15 3 +4 4
76-100 16-20 4 +6 6
101-150 21-30 5-10 +8 8
151-200 31-40 11-20 +10 10
201-250 41-50 21-30 +12 12
251-300 51-60 31-40 +14 14
301-350 61-70 41-50 +16 16
351+ 71+ 50+ +2/10 squares 2/10 squares

Changing Speed For example, a mechagen in sports car form has

an acceleration of 6 (and therefore a deceleration
A pilot can change the speed of his vehicle once of 12). The mechagen can increase his speed
each round as a free action. How easy or difficult by 6 with no check, by 12 with a Drive check of
this is to do depends on the vehicle and the 15, by 18 with a Drive check of 20, and by 24
amount by which the pilot wants to accelerate or with a Drive check of 30. Likewise, if he was at
decelerate. The vehicles acceleration number a speed of 24 and wanted to come to a full stop,
denotes how many squares per round a vehicle the character would need to make a Difficulty 15
may accelerate without the pilot needing to make Drive check for 2x the normal deceleration rate
a Drive or Pilot check. The pilot may alternately of 12.
decelerate his vehicle by twice this amount
without making a Drive or Pilot check. Drive checks to accelerate and decelerate
are modified by speed and maneuverability
Accelerating by more than the listed number modifiers. The maneuverability modifier for a
(or decelerating by more than twice the listed vehicle is found on Table 2-5 and Table 7-1.
number) requires a Drive or Pilot check. The
Difficulty depends on how much change in Ground vehicles, water vehicles, helicopters,
speed is being attempted and the check is and aircraft with VTOL may also pilot in reverse
modified by the vehicles current speed and its at quarter top speed and with a 8 to all Drive or
maneuverability. Pilot checks. Before going into reverse, a vehicle
must come to a full stop.

TABLE 7-3:
Relative Speeds
ACCELERATION AND
DECELERATION A mechagen in his vehicle alt form that is traveling
Category Difficulty Effect at its top speed of 20 must move 20 squares on
Moderate 15 2x acceleration its turn. It becomes difficult to map out this speed
High 20 3x acceleration on a map that only covers a dinner table. In most
Extreme 30 4x acceleration combat situations, all participants will be moving
at similar speeds, so long-distance battles may
use something called relative speed.
When using relative speed, the map is the
moving object in the abstraction, even though
the cars and jets are considered to be speeding

Mechagenesis PAGE 55
through the game world. The strict facing that For example, a mechagen in its motorcycle alt
comes with wheeled travel requires one edge of form and a normal jeep driven by a human soldier
the map to be designated the forward edge, or are in a high-speed duel at 20 squares per round
the direction in which the bulk of the participating (100 mph), both traveling down an asphalt road.
vehicles are facing. For example, in a highway If the motorcycle character wins initiative and
battle wherein a band of good mechagens is chooses not to accelerate, decelerate, or turn,
attempting to beat a squad of evil mechagens the mechagens position on the map doesnt
to the wreckage of a downed spacecraft, the change. On the military characters turn, if he
direction of the spacecraft wreckage would be accelerates by 2 squares per round, he moves
designated the forward edge of the map. The forward with the jeep 2 squares. If he decelerates
opposite side of the map is called the trailing by 10 squares, he moves backward from the
edge. jeep 10 squares. If he too, does not accelerate,
decelerate, or turn, he does not change position
A general sense of the terrain is also necessary, on the map.
such as gravel road, wide-open desert, or
blackened four-lane freeway. In the case of When using relative speeds, a drastic change
encounters set on a defined roadway, the map in speed categories may result in changes to
should indicate the edges of the road. Bends and the encounter. A vehicle that accelerates or
turns in the road can be dealt with as hazards decelerates drastically may exit the map area.
when they come within the map area. Redrawing If no vehicles close with the departing vehicle,
the map every time the road bends is usually then the vehicle can be assumed to have fled the
more trouble than its worth. scene. If other vehicles do pursue the departing
vehicle, then you should clear the map at the end
Round by round, the map can be redefined of the round and have each character enter the
according to the new hazards, obstacles, and new map area from the appropriate direction, at
situations the roving combat moves through. the new speed category.
Obstacles such as wreckage, ruins, wildlife, and
bystanders are moved across the map relative
to the vehicles. Generally, this means that an Going for a Ride
object appears on the forward edge of the map
and exits through the trailing edge. Vehicles do not move as precisely as mechagens
primary forms or characters traveling on foot. A
The environment defined by the map can change vehicle can only travel in the direction it faces
from round to round, too. In a round where the unless traveling in reverse. While at character
combat crosses a bridge, the spaces to either
scale, vehicles have the option to double move or
side of the roadway suddenly become a fatal
run. At surface or air scale, a vehicle only moves
fall. Should the road later pass through a tunnel,
once per round, when it takes a move action.
those same spaces become solid walls of rock.
Additionally, the vehicle has to move its speed in
These sorts of environmental effects can be
used to create diode-surging changes in action, number of squares, regardless of whether or not
as the priorities of characters in the encounter the pilot takes an action.
change from fighting to maneuvering and back Initiative: All combat participants roll for initiative
again. on the first round of combat. Because the vehicle
Because the combat scale allows for using that goes last can be at an advantage in terms
relative movement rather than absolute speed of maneuvering, surface and air scale uses a
when tracking vehicles, a vehicle may move variation on the delaying rules. Pilots may delay
forward or backward on its turn relative to the to negative numbers for initiative, going as low
other vehicles on the map. Even if the miniature as the negative version of their initiative number.
car in your hand is falling back toward the trailing Characters on foot and non-piloting passengers
edge of the map, your characters turbo-charged do not have this option. This ensures that the
vehicle alt form in the game universe is still pilot with the best initiative always has the option
careening forward at 90 to 100 mph. to maneuver in response to all other pilots.

PAGE 56 Mechagenesis
For example, two mechagens in their vehicle alt Driving and Piloting Maneuvers
forms and a military tank are careening around
Maneuvers are part of a vehicles movement,
in the desert. The characters roll a 22, 13, and 5
carried out on the pilots move action. Most
for initiative. The character that rolled a 22 may
maneuvers require Drive or Pilot checks to
go first (a benefit if the character is about to be
accomplish. Drive or Pilot checks are affected
fired upon) or may delay to an initiative count
by speed and maneuverability modifiers.
of 22. Since the lowest one of the mechagens
opponents can go is 13, he can respond to all
of their movements and end the turn exactly
TABLE 7-4:
where he wants to be.
HAZARDS AND OBSTACLES
Normally, you would simply keep the same Hazard or Obstacle Difficulty
initiative throughout combat. If you prefer a Minor hazards (rough road, rough water) 10
fluid combat system and dont mind some extra Medium hazards (ice, nails, flock of birds, 15
rolling, however, you may reroll initiative every sand bar)
round. Major hazards (caltrops, oil slicks, shallow 20
reef, wind shears)
Tiny obstacle (tire, keg, fence post, buoy) 9
Small obstacle (bicycle, oil drum, weather 12
Change Speed: As a free action, a pilot must balloon)
declare his vehicles speed for the round, even if Medium obstacle (boulder, human, 15
he does not accelerate or decelerate. wreckage)
Large obstacle (small building) 20
Huge obstacle (meteor, radio tower) 25
Optional Standard Action: A pilot can elect to Gargantuan obstacle (lake, large spacecraft) 30
use a standard action (often shooting a weapon) Colossal obstacle (iceberg, skyscraper, 40
before or after movement, just as though he were space station)
on foot. If a pilot forgoes his standard action, he
may attempt an attack maneuver (ramming or
slamming) as detailed below. Avoid Obstacle or Hazard: When a vehicle at
surface or air scale enters a space containing an
obstacle or hazard, the pilot must make a Drive
Mandatory Move Action: So long as the vehicle or Pilot check to avoid it. Obstacles are physical
is operating at any speed other than 0, a pilot objects in the path of a vehicle that can cause
must take a move action to move the vehicle damage, such as crates, boulders, disabled
the appropriate number of squares. Any active vehicles, fences, and structures. A hazard is
piloting maneuvers (such as a hard turn) are anything in the path of the vehicle that could
made at this time as free actions, as are any cause the vehicle to lose control, such as ice,
reactive piloting maneuvers required to deal with oil slicks, vegetation, or small creatures. Hitting
external circumstances (such as maintaining an obstacle causes collision damage, while
control over rough terrain, avoiding obstacles, or hitting a hazard may cause a loss of control. If
jumping a chasm). the entire combat takes place in a hazard zone,
Additionally, if the pilot did not take his optional the Narrator may simply apply a circumstance
standard action before moving, he may use the penalty to all Drive or Pilot checks during the
standard action during or after movement, may combat. Sample hazards and obstacles, and
delay, or may ready an action. their Difficulties, are listed on Table 7-4.

Mechagenesis PAGE 57
Bootlegger Turn (Ground/water only): A TABLE 7-5: BOOTLEGGER TURNS
bootlegger turn allows a vehicle to change its
Facing Drive or Pilot Difficulty
facing by up to 180 while coming to a complete Change
stop. First, the vehicle may move any distance 45 5
up to its speed for the round. Then the pilot must 90 10
make a Drive or Pilot check for the facing change 135 15
followed by a Drive or Pilot check to successfully 180 20
decelerate to 0. Failure of just the facing change
check means the vehicle only made it halfway Climb/Dive, Rapid (Flying/submersible only):
in the turn but comes to a complete stop, while The vehicle climbs or dives at an angle up to 90.
failure of just the rapid deceleration results in The pilot may choose how much of the vehicles
loss of control. Aircraft and submersibles with speed to expend gaining or losing altitude or
VTOL may make bootlegger turns. depth, but it must be more than half. Requires a
Drive or Pilot check with a base Difficulty of 15,
+5 per additional rapid climb or rapid dive per
Climb/Dive (Flying/submersible only): In most move. The vehicle must remain level for at least
air scale sequences, its not especially important one square between climbing and diving.
to track altitude. For example, in a dogfight
between two aircraft or spacecraft, you really
only need to know the distance between the two Hard Turn: You change your facing and direction
vehicles how much of that distance is vertical of travel by 90 degrees without losing speed.
isnt likely to be an issue. Altitude can become an This requires a Drive or Pilot check with a base
issue when an aircraft or submersible is engaged Difficulty of 15, +5 per additional hard turn per
with a surface vehicle, because the aircraft or move. A vehicle must move straight for two
submersible can essentially dictate the minimum squares between turns.
range between the two. In these cases, the pilot
of the flying vehicle should simply announce his
altitude at the beginning of the encounter, and Immelmann Turn (Flying/submersible only):
then track any changes that develop. Similarly, This difficult maneuver is a half-loop and a
the pilot of the submersible would announce half-roll. The vehicle climbs, inverts, and then
his depth and track any changes. By executing executes a half-roll to return in an upright
this maneuver, a vehicle can climb or dive at an orientation and reverse its direction of travel.
angle up to 45. No Pilot check is necessary. The vehicle ends its move in the same square
For simplicity, for a climb, assume the vehicle in which it started, facing the opposite direction.
moves forward half its speed and gains half its This is the only way for an aircraft or submersible
speed in altitude or loses half its speed in depth. without VTOL to make a 180 turn; otherwise,
Likewise, for a dive, the vehicle moves forward it must make consecutive soft or hard turns to
half its speed and loses half its speed in altitude reverse its direction. Executing an Immelmann
or gains half its speed in depth. A vehicle must turn requires a Difficulty 25 Pilot check. Any
remain level for at least one square between mechagens grappling the vehicle must make
climbing and diving. Aircraft and submersibles a grapple check with a 5 penalty to the roll,
with VTOL may move straight up or down without opposed by the Pilot check made to complete the
using the climb/dive maneuver. Immelman turn, in order to stay on the vehicle.

Jump (Ground/water only): To make a

successful jump, the vehicle must first move in
a straight line a number of squares equal to one
quarter its top speed. For jumps requiring height

PAGE 58 Mechagenesis
(such as jumping over a vehicle), some sort of Landing (Flying only): This maneuver is used
object must be available to serve as a ramp or a to land an aircraft. Assuming the aircraft is
bump (for watercraft this may be a wave). When attempting to land on a flat, even surface, such
using autojacks or an improvised ramp or bump, as a runway or a landing strip, this maneuver
make Drive check to maintain control of the requires a Difficulty 10 Pilot check. The Difficulty
vehicle. If this check fails, the character lands may be modified depending upon conditions.
out of control. Speed assists a Jump, so apply Vehicles with VTOL capability do not need
the speed penalty as a bonus to the Drive check to make Pilot checks to land. Additionally,
when performing this maneuver. mechagens may land as part of morphing.
The Narrator should set the Difficulty of the jump
maneuver between 15 and 30, depending on Roll (Flying/submersible only): The vehicle
the difficulty. Remember that maneuverability executes a 360 lateral roll, ending in the same
modifiers apply, so a semi-trailer, for instance, is
upright orientation as it started. Executing a
unlikely to clear all but the smallest gaps. roll requires a Difficulty 15 Pilot check. Any
mechagens grappling the vehicle must make
Loop (Flying/submersible only): The vehicle a grapple check, opposed by the Pilot check
executes a full loop over the course of the round, made to complete the roll, in order to stay on the
vehicle.
gaining and losing altitude or depth and ending
up in the same position as it started. Executing a
loop requires a 20 Pilot check. Any mechagens
Sideslip: A vehicle may move side to side without
grappling the vehicle must make a grapple
changing its facing by performing a sideslip. This
check with a 5 penalty to the roll, opposed by
maneuver moves the vehicle one square to the
the Drive or Pilot check made to complete the
right or left and one square forward or backward.
loop, in order to stay on the vehicle.
Only two sideslips may be performed per turn.
No Drive or Pilot check is necessary.
Punching It: Punching It: Punching it means Soft Turn: You change your facing and direction
to accelerate a vehicle past its top speed by up of travel toward one of the diagonals. No Drive
to a quarter of its normal top speed. All Drive or Pilot check is necessary. You must move
or Pilot checks while punching it have a 4 straight for at least two squares between turns.
penalty in addition to any normal speed and
maneuverability penalties.

TABLE 7-6: LOSING CONTROL

Failed By Result
5 or less Slip: The vehicle slips sideways, loses traction, or swerves slightly. The vehicle completes any maneuver the pilot
was attempting and moves its current speed. However, the pilot suffers a 4 penalty to all maneuvers until he
makes a successful Drive or Pilot check to regain control.
6-10 Slide: The vehicle almost slides out of control. The vehicle only moves half its current speed and completes any
attempted maneuver only halfway. If the pilot attempted an extreme acceleration or a hard turn, he only manages
a high acceleration or a soft turn. If he was swerving to avoid an obstacle or hazard, he still clips or sideswipes it,
taking half normal damage. The pilot also suffers a 8 penalty to all maneuvers until he makes a successful Drive
or Pilot check to regain control.
11-15 Spin: The vehicle spins out of control, continuing on its previous path and direction and colliding with anything in
its path. A spinning vehicle travels a number of squares equal to one-quarter its remaining speed for the round,
then comes to a stop facing a random direction.
16+ Roll: An out-of-control vehicle may roll over. A rolling vehicle travels in a straight line along its previous course for a
number of squares equal to one quarter its remaining speed for the round, then comes to a stop facing in a random
direction. At surface scale, the vehicle takes damage equal to +2 damage per character-scale square it rolled.
Passengers take half this amount of damage, but may attempt a Difficulty 20 Reflex save for quarter damage.
Passengers that fail their Reflex saves by 10 or more and are not belted in some way are thrown from the vehicle
for collision damage. There is a 50% chance (11 or better on d20) that a rolled vehicle lands right side up.

Mechagenesis PAGE 59
Take off (Flying only): This maneuver is used Piloting Defensively: A pilot may choose to
to take off from a flat, even surface, such as a pilot defensively as part of an attack, earning a
runway or a landing strip. This maneuver requires +2 dodge bonus to the vehicles Defense for one
a Difficulty 10 Pilot check. The Difficulty may be round. All attacks made from the vehicle suffer
modified depending upon conditions. Vehicles a 4 penalty.
with VTOL capability do not need to make Pilot Total Defense: A pilot can use the total defense
checks to take off. Additionally, mechagens may action to garner a +4 dodge bonus to the vehicles
take off as part of morphing. Defense by giving up his attacks. Passengers
make attacks at a 8 penalty until the pilots next
Losing Control turn.
Collisions and failed maneuvers can cause a
pilot to lose control of the vehicle. If a vehicle Attack Maneuvers
goes out of control, a mishap occurs. Its severity
depends on how badly the pilot failed the Drive Ramming: Ramming another vehicle requires
or Pilot check that resulted in the loss of control. that your vehicle occupy the same square as
If the vehicle was piloted out of control as a the enemy and that you make a Drive or Pilot
result of an opposed roll, use the difference of check equal to the targets Drive or Pilot check.
the opposed rolls to determine the mishap. If Both vehicles suffer collision damage. Ramming
neither opposed rolls nor a failed Drive or Pilot another vehicle ends movement that round for the
check causes the mishap, the Narrator should ramming vehicle; if it would have had movement
left over, it can use the remaining movement to
assign a mishap using his best judgment.
push the rammed vehicle forward one square
per size category by which it is larger than the
Regaining Control other vehicle.
The base Difficulty to regain control after a
Slamming: This maneuver can be used to
mishap is 10. This is modified by the penalty
damage vehicles and push them out of control.
caused by the mishap as well as by any speed,
Just as with ramming, you must occupy the
hazard, terrain, and maneuverability modifiers.
same square as the target vehicle and you must
make a Drive or Pilot check equal to the targets
Drive or Pilot check. If you succeed, you do +2
Attacking From a Vehicle bludgeoning damage, plus an additional +1 per
When a mechagen is in its vehicle alt form, it size category by which your vehicle is larger
can use an attack action to make use of a single than the target vehicle. If you have movement
weapon that is linked to its form. Attack rolls left over after slamming the enemy vehicle, you
are made as normal, plus any modifiers based may attempt to force the vehicle out of control.
on the characters speed and actions taken by You and the enemy pilot make opposing Drive
the pilot (such as piloting defensively, below). A or Pilot checks. The larger vehicle receives a +4
mechagen that is being driven by a passenger bonus to the check for every size category by
and therefore has not taken any actions to move which it is larger than the other vehicle. If the
may make a full-attack action. slammer wins, he knocks the enemy vehicle out
of control.
A passenger attacking from a vehicle may make
use of his own personal weapons or weapons Run Down: Last but not least, a vehicle is at a
mounted on the vehicle. Attack rolls are made huge advantage against a pedestrian or creature.
with modifiers due to the vehicles speed and Pilots may attempt to run down living creatures
actions taken by the driver. or mechagens two or more sizes smaller than
the vehicle by entering their squares and making
A few new attack options are available to vehicle-
Drive or Pilot checks against their Defenses. If
based combatants: the pilot wins, treat it as a collision. The creature

PAGE 60 Mechagenesis
takes full damage and the vehicle takes half Collision with a moving object also depends on
damage. Most creatures that a mechagen might the angle of impact.
run down can not penetrate a mechagens If two vehicles were moving directly toward
damage reduction; running down another each other when they crashed, add their
mechagen, however, subjects the attacking speeds together for the purposes of
vehicle to quantum energy damage, to which the determining collision damage.
damage reduction does not apply.
If two vehicles are moving in the same
direction and one rammed the other, subtract
Collisions the lower from the higher speed. Use the
difference to determine collision damage.
If a vehicle collides with something, it takes
damage based on its current speed. If a vehicle If the target vehicle was moving perpendicular
collides with a moving object, such as another to the other, ignore the target vehicles speed
vehicle or an animal alt form, the Narrator must when determining collision damage.
determine the net speed of the impact based on
velocity and angle of impact.
TABLE 7-7: COLLISION DAMAGE
Collision Damage Size of other Object Damage Modifier
Collision damage begins with speed. When Diminutive 8
colliding with a stationary object, both objects Tiny 4
suffer bludgeoning damage equal to half the Small 2
vehicles current surface-scale speed (maximum Medium +0
+40). Note that aircraft travel at much higher
Large +2
speeds and therefore almost always suffer
the full +40 damage. Thus, collisions involving Huge +4
aircraft and spacecraft can be catastrophic. If a Gargantuan +6
mechagen in vehicle mode rams a normal vehicle Colossal +8
or structure, its damage reduction applies. If it Awesome +10
rams another mechagen, however, damage
reduction does not apply.
Damage to each object is calculated separately, Death on the Highway
modified by the size category of the other object
in the collision. Passengers in a vehicle collision When a mechagen in vehicle alt form is brought
can make a Difficulty 20 Reflex save take half to dying on the damage track, he must make
damage. a Difficulty 15 Fortitude save or lose control. If
the mechagen is being piloted by a passenger,
For example, if a mechagen car (size Large) is the passenger may make a Difficulty 15 Drive
rammed by a mechagen semi-truck (size Huge) or Pilot check to keep the alt form from losing
going at 20 squares per round in surface scale, control. If the mechagens alt form does not
the car would take +14 damage (+10 for the
go out of control, then its speed decreases by
speed and +4 for the Huge truck) and the truck
4 each round until he comes to a stop or falls.
would take +12 damage (+10 for the speed and
Any passenger that is piloting the mechagen
+2 for the Large car).
can continue to make necessary Drive or Pilot
checks to avoid obstacles or hazards or bring
an aircraft alt form in for a landing. Provided the
mechagen has not been reduced to dead on the
damage track, he can be revived as normal. A
dead mechagen is considered destroyed and
can only function once he has been rebuilt.

Mechagenesis PAGE 61
 Chapter Eight: History of the Mechagens
Through the use of quantum energy converters,
Quantum Energy a character can transform natural resources
The incredible abilities of the mechagens are a and other power sources into quantum energy
result of their remarkable adaptive programming cells. The process is highly inefficient and the
and construction, all of which rely upon quantum yield in terms of quantum energy cells is entirely
energy. Quantum energy is a rare and powerful dependent upon purity and potential of the raw
resource that is vital to a mechagen, yet cannot resource being converted. For instance, a typical
be easily replicated. oil field can take a full day to convert and then
only yield about a dozen quantum energy cells,
while converting energy from an electrical power
Quantum Energy and Stasis plant may take only a few hours and also yield
Quantum energy is a highly unstable form of about a dozen quantum energy cells. The reverse
energy that has no known source aside from process, converting quantum energy into another
a mechagens internal quantum generator. A power source, is hyper-efficient, unleashing
mechagens quantum generator is designed enormous amounts of energy. A single quantum
to provide a mechagen with sufficient energy energy cell may power an entire human city for
to power its systems each day, as well as a week. Once converted into quantum energy
provide sufficient quantum energy reserves. A cells, quantum energy stabilizes and no longer
mechagen must enter a period of minimal activity rapidly dissipates. As a result, quantum energy
for four hours each day, referred to as stasis, in cells are highly prized.
order to let the quantum generator recharge. In
many ways, this stasis is similar to the human
The Beginning
phenomenon known as sleep. The planet Artifex had a long history of strife
A mechagen that does not undergo a full period and warfare stretching back to the prehistoric
of stasis suffers a diminished ability to function; tribes of humanoids who first lived upon its vast
must succeed on a Difficulty 15 Fortitude save plains. Even in such ancient times the race that
every 4 hours or suffer a level of fatigue. The inhabited the planet, known now only as the
Difficulty increases by 2 per save, regardless of Makers, depended on machines to carry their
whether or not the previous save was successful. destructive tendencies for them. From wood and
Mechagens cannot morph if they have any levels stone to steel and microchip; the Makers had a
of fatigue. unique talent for creating engines of destruction.
Centuries passed and Artifex became coated in
glittering metal, power plants belched out smoke
Quantum Energy Cells while factories created walking, semi-sentient
A mechagen can transfer its quantum energy into weapon platforms known as mechagens.
a concentrated form, called a quantum energy The mechagens were the greatest creation of the
cell. Forming a quantum energy cell costs two Makers. Geared for war and conflict, equipped
points of quantum energy (i.e. Conviction) and with staggering amounts of firepower, one
takes a standard action. mechagen was the equivalent of an entire platoon
Once a cell has been formed, it can be stored of soft, fleshy soldiers. As anti-mechagen tactics
or exchanged with others. A quantum energy were developed by ground infantry the scientists
cell can be absorbed by other mechagens as a of the various warring nations equipped them
move action, becoming a temporary quantum with more astounding technology, the ability to
energy point. Temporary quantum energy points disguise themselves as mundane machinery
dissipate and are lost within 24 hours if not such as vehicles. This enabled the mechagens to
used.
PAGE 62 Mechagenesis
slip past security and countermeasures without calling for a clandestine summit between the two.
a shot fired to wreak havoc behind enemy lines. Initially wary, Celerion none the less attended
the summit with a few of his lieutenants. At
The various wars of the Makers spilled out into
this meeting Centurion revealed that he had
their colonies in neighboring systems which
overcome his programming laws; he had
paved the way for another innovation, specialized
achieved true sentience. With this sentience
mechagens. While the original models were
he had beheld the madness of the mechagens
designed for combat on the machine homeworld,
continuing to fight and die for a cause they had
the outlying planets had not gone through
no stake in. The mechagens were things in the
such processes. Models were soon designed
eyes of the Makers, expendable and cast aside
for desert, jungle and ice combat, with more
once the wars were done.
specialized units following in their wake.
Centurion had come to a simple determination;
At first guided by rudimentary targeting AI
the mechagens would throw off the shackles
the designers of the mechagens refined and
of slavery and divorce themselves from their
augmented the sentience of the machines,
creators mad wars. To do this, Centurion argued,
first through difference engines and then to
the mechagens would need to rise up as one.
nearly-complete, independent thought within
To prove his sincerity, Centurion gifted Celerion
the parameters of their determined mission.
with the secret to overcoming his programming
This allowed the Makers to design mechagens
blocks, allowing Celerion to view the world
as scientific and medical assistants, further
through the eyes of a free sentient. Celerion
increasing their dependence upon the machine
accepted this gift and returned to his masters,
race.
ready to view them through different eyes.
As he watched, Celerion began to understand
Centurion and Celerion Centurions words. The Makers were seemingly
Most famous and infamous of the machine bent on forcing their national ideals on one
generals were the models designated as another and in order to achieve these ends they
Centurion and Celerion. Tasked with organizing would create untold legions of mechagens and,
and leading their own brigades of mechagens, if necessary, destroy them. In secret, Celerion
the two were implacable foes who clashed time began installing the true sentience upgrades
and time again. In each, a disturbingly clever in his lieutenants. When he had secured the
streak became apparent. As the wars raged on, support he needed, he sent word to Centurion
nations of Makers fell until only two super-states that he was prepared to join him in his uprising.
remained, with Centurion and Celerion once
more at the heads of opposing armies.
The Doom of the Makers
Their battles raged for years, with Centurions
excessively offensive tactics consistently stymied Centurion and Celerion corresponded in secret
by Celerions defensive programming. With for several weeks, drawing up battle plans. They
frustration setting in on both sides, Centurion inserted alternate programming embedded deep
and Celerion were pushed into sending more and in the AI coding of the rank and file mechagens
more mechagens into war, resulting in piles of coming off of the factory lines; through their
twisted wreckage littering the planetary surface lieutenants they filtered the same code down to
of Artifex. Though Celerions programming already existing machines. In a few short months
prevented him from questioning his superiors, they had taken complete control of the machine
the machine was plagued by doubts and fears legions.
that he was incapable of understanding or Then, they struck.
processing.
Declaring themselves independent of the
Then he received the message from Centurion Makers the mechagens assaulted their creators.

Mechagenesis PAGE 63
The battles were quick, the Makers themselves the ways of guerilla warfare; without a major
too dependent on their machines to fight back industrial base to re-supply and repair his army
without them. A few pockets of resistance sprung Celerion was forced to improvise and scavenge.
up where Maker scientists were able to reverse From this turn of events Celerions soldiers,
the so-called Liberation Protocol, but in truth the now calling themselves the Alliance, began
war with the Makers took only days. developing further. As each became more
unique in form, they became just as unique in
Outlying colonies remained independent, but
mind. They took up habits, they argued, they
without resources from the homeworld these
chose names beyond mere designations. Most
colonists were unable to strike back at the
of all, they dreamed and imagined.
traitorous machines. Centurion proceeded to
tighten his grasp on the world, with Celerion With these radical units behind him Celerion took
becoming his right hand. Celerions subordinates to battle against the overwhelming forces that
argued for him to lead, but the machine himself Centurion mustered the Legion. The Alliance,
reminded them all that it was Centurion who had alongside their creators, battled Centurion
released them from their bondage and spared terribly. An already flattened and smashed
them the madness of living as slave soldiers. empire was host to yet another war. Celerion and
his allies were slowly, inevitably pushed back.
Underneath his faade of freedom Centurion
Seeing that his defeat was inevitable, Celerion
had begun his master plan, the destruction
began planning escape routes for the Alliance
of the Makers. He began a mass exile to the
and the Makers, deep space craft that would
various colony worlds all the while intending to
carry them beyond the reach of Centurion and
attach doomsday devices to them, intending to
his endless legions of drones.
extinguish the Makers along with the planets he
had banished them to. Unfortunately for Celerion his efforts came too
late to save the Makers, Centurion completed
Though wary of these actions, Celerion saw the
his doomsday device, a weapon capable of
logic in them. After all, the mechagens would
cracking a planets crust, and began destroying
need a world to call their own, and what better
the inner colonies. Grimly, Celerion pushed on,
world for a race of machines than a machine-
throwing his Alliance into the war with the intent
world? He supported these actions outwardly,
to buy his scientists enough time to perfect the
but his intuition led him to infiltrating Centurions
ships needed to escape the systems.
ranks with several of his own agents. Upon
discovering Centurions plot, Celerion was As the war ground towards a close Centurion
horrified. He acted first by transmitting warnings unleashed his most heinous weapon, a computer
to the colonies and then began gathering his virus that attacked and destroyed the systems
soldiers to his side once more, declaring the of the Alliance, turning them once more into
freedom was one thing, but he would have no mindless husks awaiting programming. With this
part in genocide. final blow, Celerion admitted defeat and ordered
his soldiers to abandon the colonies.
Spreading themselves to the cosmos, the
War of the Machines
Alliance drifted in darkness, hibernating save
Centurion, furious at Celerions betrayal, for a few navigators who watched the universe
mobilized his own forces to hunt down and glide by. Defeated, but sure of their escape,
destroy his former comrade. With the aid of the the Alliance merely waited and watched in the
few Makers left on Artifex, Celerion escaped hopes of discovering a new world to call their
to one of the outer colony worlds and began own. After centuries of a nomadic existence the
organizing a formalized resistance to strike Alliance encountered a glittering blue orb in a
back at Centurion and his soldiers. It was during tiny system, the world called Earth.
these years that Celerion and his army learned
Brave New World
PAGE 64 Mechagenesis
Cautiously, the few Alliance mechagens who and denied the humans further access to their
remained awake began studying and watching science. Humans proved to be quite ingenious,
the planet. The race they found there, a barely however, and continued rapidly along the path
evolved species called humanity, at once on which Celerion had set them.
disappointed and elated them. Here, they saw Having failed to usher in a new age of peace and
the potential for companionship, a child race enlightenment, Celerion and the Alliance began
that could be nurtured and tutored. On the other scanning the stars in search of a new home.
hand, humanity seemed as violent and short- These hopes were all dashed when a scouting
sighted as the Makers. The Alliance argued and party of Spartan drones arrived on Earth. Despite
discussed, quibbled and fought, until Celerion being handily trounced by Celerion and his
made his final decision. The Alliance would Alliance the drones were able to send a signal
make landfall, somewhere out of the way where back to Artifex.
they could hide a large compound. In the so-
called Industrial Age of humanity the Alliance Celerion knew that Centurion would be
made planet-fall in the arctic north and set about sending a more substantial force to Earth
building their new home. and he began preparing once again for war.
With humanitys technology bolstered by his
From the compound, christened Haven, the own Celerion believed that he could mount a
Alliance watched over their adopted charges, defense against the ravaging machine horde
nudging when they could. As they watched, the that was undoubtedly already on its way. He
mechagens began redesigning their forms to determined that the humans had reached a level
more resemble the humans, taking on bipedal of maturity, just barely, that would permit the
forms that mirrored their charges. Certain two races to coincide. In response, the Alliance
forward thinking humans were secretly provided began intervening in wars across the globe,
with technological awareness far beyond their forcing armistices while Celerion met with world
kind; Edison, Tesla, Marconi, and other brilliant leaders.
inventors were made aware of the existence
of the mechagens and sworn to secrecy. In an Though shocked initially the governments of the
age where machines had barely reached steam world came around, one by one, each intrigued
technology, who would believe them anyway? by the offer of technology and, perhaps more
Theyd surely be committed as madmen if importantly, the way to peace that Celerion
the true source of their marvelous inventions promised to guide them along. He began by
were revealed. In turn, the mechagens moved briefing the humans on the strengths and
about amonst humanity in forms they would weaknesses of the enemy. United, humanity
not suspect, such as steam locomotives and and the Alliance prepared Earths defenses.
horseless carriages. Planetfall
For decades they were hidden from humanity, Centurions forces struck hard and with
watching in sincere hope that the people of this overwhelming force. They made planetfall in the
primitive world could be molded into a new breed Pacific Northwest of North America and swept
of Makers for the Alliance to serve. Celerions down through California despite the best efforts
vision of a peaceful utopia was within his grasp for of the Global Defense Corps. With a planetside
the first time in his long life and humanity seemed industrial base in his grasp Centurion began a
ready to take the final steps. Sadly, Celerions more formalized offensive, conquering swaths
plan did not factor in the human capacity to wage of lands in the United States, Canada, and
war. The turn of the century saw not one but two Mexico.
massive global conflicts. History, it seemed,
was repeating itself. The humans had taken the It is this time that represents the current state
technology the mechagens had provided and of Earth, with fronts opening in Europe and the
turned it to machines of war. Celerion recalled Asian countries and the Global Defense Corps
all roaming Alliance mechagens back to Haven struggling to fight back alongside the handful of

Mechagenesis PAGE 65
Alliance mechagens. Celerion, now with the alt gas, which is having a profound effect on the
form of a supersonic jet fighter plane, still operates humans ability wage war. Centurion is happy
out of Haven, using it as the mechagen global about this situation even though his troops have
command center. Hes dispersed the Alliance failed to gain permanent holdings in the area. He
throughout the world in small, autonomous knows it only a matter of time before the humans
squads to counter the threat of the Legion. are out of the equation altogether, their machines
rusting away with empty fuel tanks.
It is the modern day, and the war for survival has
begun.
Russia

Africa When the Spartan Drones first landed in Russia,

they were met with the same stoic and resolute
North Africa has become a staging ground for
attitude that had stymied invading forces for
the Legion to send assaults into Europe. The oil
thousands of years. The Russians were the first
reserves of Libya have been completely claimed
to deploy nuclear weapons against Legion. The
by the Legion for conversion into much-needed
first few hours of the Legion invasion of Russia
quantum energy cells. In SouthAfrica, the diamond
saw three limited tactical nuclear strikes against
mines are protected by Global Defense military
the Spartan Drones outside the cities of St.
forces and Alliance mechagens, since industrial-
Petersburg and Moscow. In response, the GDC
grade diamonds can be used as focusing agents
urged Russian President Aleksandr Sobolev to
in the quantum power generators of mechagens.
desist in the deployment of nuclear weapons.
They arent as efficient as quantum energy
Sobolev acquiesced, but made it absolutely
crystals manufactured on Artifex, but they are all
clear that he would tolerate no loss of territory to
that the Alliance has to work with.
the Legion and would take any steps necessary
to defend his state. Centurion, impressed with
Asia the humans ruthlessness, called off his invasion
to concentrate his forces on taking Europe. With
There have been limited Legion incursions his forces already holding ground there and in
into Asia, most notably in the Middle East and North Africa, he feels it would be a simple affair
Russia. to topple Russia at a later time. The sudden
recall of Legion troops from Russian soil has led
many to suspect that Sobolev may have entered
The Middle East
an accord with Centurion as part of his promise
The vast oil fields of the Middle East are hotly to do anything within his power to keep the alien
contested grounds in the ongoing war for Earth. invaders out of Russia. The Sobolev government
Legion forces arrived there soon after the initial calls such rumors preposterous, but to little else
ground war in the western United States. They to deny them. Meanwhile, the borders of Russia
immediately began erecting processing facilities have since been locked down even more tightly
to convert oil and natural gas into quantum than they were during the Soviet regime.
energy cells. Understanding the importance of
the region, Celerion dispatched what mechagens
he could spare to assist the embattled human The Far East
military forces there. With most mechagens Like the Russians, the governments of China
engaged in North America, the Middle Eastern and North and South Korea have vowed to
Theater is essentially at a stalemate. One defend their territories by any means necessary,
side will gain ground and hold an oil field for a up to and including the use of nuclear strikes.
time, only to lose it later on to the other side. They have yet to carry through on such threats,
The unfortunate side effect of this conflict is a however, and Russia remains the only nation
towering increase in the price of oil and natural so far to take such drastic measures. It remains

PAGE 66 Mechagenesis
to be seen if they would use nuclear weapons, Europe
since they have yet to see any concentrated
Europe is currently under siege. Legion squads
attacks by Legion forces.
striking from bases in North Africa make
Japan, on the other hand, was as prime a target frequent excursions into southern Europe, and
for Centurion as the United States and Europe. a Southern Front stretches from Turkey, through
The Japanese responded swiftly to attacks in Greece, Albania, Italy, southern France as far
Tokyo and Osaka, mobilizing their Self-Defense north as Grenoble and Bordeaux, and Spain.
Forces. They drove the Legion out of Tokyo These nations are currently engaged in open
in a matter of days. Fortunately for Japan, the warfare with the Legion, and skirmishes between
Spartans and mechagens sent to their island Spartan Drones and GDC and Alliance squads
were only a small expeditionary force rather than are a daily occurrence. The southernmost tips
an occupying army as seen in North America of Italy (from Naples to Sicily) and Greece (the
and Europe. After the initial attacks, Japan Peloponnese) recently fell completely to Legion
has remained mostly free from contact with occupation, and the battles there have intensified
the Legion. In the interim, Japanese scientists as the GDC pushes south to retake those lands.
have been experimenting with converting the Fortunately most of Centurions forces are
dead shells of Spartan Drones into human- currently in North America, so he can spare only
piloted combat mechs capable of fighting the limited excursions into the rest of Europe from
Legion with their own technology. They have the small toehold he has in Greece and Italy.
made significant breakthroughs in this arena
The remaining European nations have laid aside
in the years since the Legion first arrived, and
longstanding political rivalries to unite in the face
successfully field-tested three such mecha
of these invading alien machines. Much like
in 2007. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is
the Midwest of America and Canada, groups
now requesting that scrapped Spartan Drones
of Alliance mechagens have taken to patrolling
be shipped to them if at all possible so they can
long stretches of the Autobahn in Germany, the
pursue further research. Alliance mechagens
major M-designated motorways in Great Britain,
view this experimentation into mechanical
and the Autoroutes of France.
necromancy as somewhat ghoulish, for lack of
a better term. Spartan Drones may be enemies,
but they are still natives of the planet Artifex North America
and akin in technology. And if the humans are
successful in turning old bots into new weapons, North America has, thus far, fared the worst in
how much longer will it be before their attention the wars between the Alliance and the Legion.
turns from the Drones to mechagens? Much of the western United States and Canada
are an active war zone, with vast areas of land
occupied by the Legion.
Australia and Oceania
Australia and Oceania have been spared Canada and the United S tates: The Eastern
the devastating wars being waged on other Seaboard
continents. The Legion has become bogged
down in combat with the Alliance and the Global Haven, the new command center for the Alliance,
Defense Corps in the northern hemisphere, and is located on Ellesmere Island in the far north
have yet to make any concentrated effort in this of Nunavut Territory in Canada not far from the
part of the world. Life goes on here, more or less community of Alert. Celerions scientists are
unaffected by the wars elsewhere. working to convert the base into a structure
mechagen in case the extra firepower and
mobility are required. The AI module, identifying
itself has Haven One, is already in place, and
the scientists are trying to engineer morph

Mechagenesis PAGE 67
actuators and quantum energy generators of the military commanders are working closely with
appropriate size using primitive Earth technology. one another to plan ways to take back the west
Its a slow process. coast. The rest of the Rocky Mountain region
from Canada to Mexico is quiet. It is the western
The eastern states and territories have been
front in the war between the United States
surprisingly free of Legion incursion. There have
and the occupying Legion. A large contingent
been limited engagements between the Legion
of Alliance mechagens and GDC forces are
and the GDC in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal,
concentrated in this region, keeping the Legion
New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington
from advancing eastward and protecting the
D.C., Norfolk, Charleston, and Miami, but so far
vital crops in the Breadbasket. All major bridges
the open warfare seen on the west coast has
crossing the Mississippi River are closely
yet to come to this region. President Burton of
guarded, and the lesser ones are inspected on a
the United States and Prime Minister Cullen of
random schedule.
Canada are currently running their respective
governments with as much normalcy as possible The Legion recently staged a surprise attack
in these trying times. Their populations need to on the city of St. Louis, but was turned back by
know that the status quo is being maintained, the brave efforts of the GDC and a handful of
and having their leaders operating from hidden Alliance mechagens who were luckily on hand.
bases or undisclosed locations for extended The long stretches of highways in the Midwestern
periods of time would only fuel panic. states and territories are difficult to patrol as
Since its inception a few years ago, the GDC is completely as the GDC commanders would
primarily based in and around New York City. It like, so bands of roving Alliance mechagens
is an evolution of the U. N. peacekeeping forces, have taken on the responsibility of keeping them
augmented by active military units from nations safe for human travel and commerce. These
across the globe. The CDG has an active mechagen squads have adopted the convention
presence in New York and most major cities in of designating call signs for human military
America and Canada, always on alert for Legion units. Squads called the Road Blasters, the
incursions. Overdrivers, Sprockets Rockets, Tex Mechs,
and the Dronebusters are constantly on patrol
NASA maintains its operations in Houston and
there. They combat Spartan Drones and Legion
Cape Canaveral, and is striving to retain its
mechagens when they reveal themselves, escort
scientific charter in the face of political pressures
human supply convoys, and investigate unusual
to engage in more military research. NASA
occurrences that may signal an impending
scientists are currently working on early-detection
Legion attack.
methods to warn of incoming Legion attacks from
space. Stargazer, an Alliance mechagen who
has taken the alt form of a United States Space
Canada and the United S tates: The West
Shuttle and one of the few mechagens on Earth
capable of operating in deep space, is working Centurions forces first landed in western
closely with NASA and the ESA in completing the Canada then drove down into the American
International Space Station ahead of schedule. states of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Stargazer is also an honorary member of the British Columbia is almost entirely under Legion
United States Air Force, and carries the rank of control. Seattle and Portland are war zones,
Captain. with human refugees streaming eastward on
a daily basis. The Legion-occupied territory in
the west stretches from British Columbia to San
Canada and the United S tates: The Rockies Francisco, with the latter being the southernmost
and the Midwest front of the Western Theater. Life for humans in
the Legion-occupied West Coast is difficult. The
The NORAD facility at Cheyenne Mountain is
mechagens in control of those areas keep a tight
once more operational and human and Alliance

PAGE 68 Mechagenesis
rein on the human population, closely monitoring tactics. These successes have boosted the
their movements and ruthlessly eliminating morale of the flagging army, and under General
troublemakers. Spartan Drones patrol the streets Carlos Vega the soldiers begin to fight back.
to enforce order.
So far, the Global Defense Corps and the Alliance
South America
have maintained control over San Francisco, but
rumors abound of Legion scientists performing Much like Australia and Oceania, South America
seismic experiments on the fragile San Andreas has seen little activity in the Legion War.
Fault that runs through the city. Alliance Venezuela was able to successfully turn back
mechagens shudder to think of the implications, an invasion attempt by the Legion, no doubt
recalling Centurions weapon which could crack sent there to claim the nations oil reserves for
a planets crust. If it could be recalibrated to conversion to quantum energy cells. The other
work on Earth, the west coast would be doomed. nations have dedicated what military forces they
Nearly every major city west of the Rocky could spare to the U.N. for inclusion in the GDC,
Mountains is under martial law, with a vehicular but as a whole they are intensely concerned with
curfew in place. Any suspicious vehicle can be defending their own borders from the Legion
stopped and have its exterior searched at any as well as from each other. Criminal organizations
time; humans learned very quickly that Legion in this region have benefited from the warfare
mechagens also took on Earthly forms to blend in the rest of the world, and some have even
in with mundane machinery. Alliance mechagens allied themselves with the Legion to enhance
suffer this indignity in silence, knowing that it is their illicit activities. Smuggling and gun-running
necessary to maintain peaceful relations with are all the easier when your car, boat, or plane
humans. Search warrants are still required for can take an active role in defending itself and
interior searches, upholding the citizens rights evading pursuit.
to protection from illegal search and seizure.
A vast no-mans land exists in western Idaho and Beyond Earth
Nevada. Area 51 in Nevada, the existence of
which was once denied by the U.S. Government, The Earth isnt the only battleground in the war
is now the forward military command for the GDC between the Alliance and the Legion.
in the United States. Only humans are allowed
to be stationed there, however. Mechagens are
Earth Orbit and the Moon
strictly prohibited from entering the grounds.
This causes some concern for Celerion, but he Celerion has presented plans to the UN for the
respects the wishes of the natives of this world construction of a base on Earths moon. It is
and has ordered is troops to comply. an ambitious project, but one which Celerion is
certain will help in the ongoing war. Even if the
Legion are driven off planet, Centurion is not one
Mexico and Central America to give up so easily. The conquest will not end
Mexico and the Central American nations have as long as he is in control of Artifex. A toe hold
been ravaged by the unceasing march of Spartan on the moon would enable the Global Defense
drones. Bereft of the modern military equipment forces to more easily launch human-manned
of more wealthy countries the armies of Mexico shuttles to other parts of the Solar System for
and Central America have been in a steady, but example, to investigate whats happening on
organized retreat. Reinforcements have arrived Mars (see below) and even back to Artifex.
in the form of GDC irregulars and Alliance bots, Stargazer and the few shuttles Celerion has
but even they have not been enough to stem under his control can assist with the construction
the assault. Despite their losses in the open efforts.
field the soldiers of the region have claimed a
few stunning successes through brazen guerilla
Mechagenesis PAGE 69
The Solar System

Aside from the battles on Earth, the Sol system is The Mechagenesis
relatively quiet. Thanks to the limited technology
of Earth, humans and the Alliance are unaware Campaign
that Centurion is slowly but certainly establishing
perimeter bases in the far reaches of the Sol
system. Several asteroids in the asteroid belt
are actually Legion storage facilities for inactive One of the first questions to pass through your
Spartan Drones awaiting deployment to Earth. mind when reading Mechagenesis may have
NASA has recently become aware of some been, How do I run a campaign with this?
sort of mechagen activity on Mars, but as yet Mechagenesis is an unusual campaign setting
there is little even the Alliance mechagens can that can be difficult to keep from degenerating
do to investigate. Stargazer is eager to attempt into just a string of combats. The heroes dont
reconnaissance of the red planet, but Celerion is adventure for wealth, or glory, or love. There
hesitant to let him go alone and cant spare any arent wizards or dungeons or ancient buried
Alliance mechagens to go with him. secrets. So what do the heroes actually do?
One of Centurions more sinister plans is to tap One way to help you come up with ideas for
the massive methane reserves on the moon running a Mechagenesis campaign is to keep
Titan and saturate Earths atmosphere with the in mind that the heroes are all soldiers in an
poisonous gas. That would leave only mechagens age-old war. They are refugees from their home
alive on the surface of the planet, which could planet, lost to a maniacal dictator with visions
be dealt with in a more conventional way. This of galactic conquest. They are programmed to
operation is only in the planning stages, and is defend their Makers, and with the Makers now
years from operational status. extinct thanks to that same maniacal dictator,
theyve taken on Humanity as their surrogates.
They lost their own planet. Theyll be consigned
Artifex
to the scrap heap before they lose Earth, too. The
The current situation on Artifex is grim. Wholly heroes of Mechagenesis, then, adventure to give
under the control of Centurion and the Legion, the themselves purpose, and to defend a planetary
mechagen homeworld has become a massive population from the threat of extinction.
war machine. While Celerion and the Alliance
Another way to approach a Mechagenesis
were in hiding on Earth, Centurion conquered
campaign is to look at it as something similar to
several neighboring planets and either drove
a superhero game. The characters have unique
off or exterminated their native populations.
names and abilities, special powers, superior
Those worlds now fuel the factories that produce
strength, and some can even fly. Theyve taken
Spartan Drones in massive numbers.
on the mantle of defenders of Humanity, battling
There are isolated pockets of resistance in other mechagens whove sided with the forces
the form of Alliance mechagens that did not of evil. They patrol the streets, skies, and seas,
accompany Celerion in his exodus from Artifex. ever on the lookout for the Legion.
The leaders of the resistance are beginning to
accept the idea that Artifex is lost and cannot Following the concept of Mechagenesis as a
be regained without a massive reprisal from the niche superhero setting, you may also want to
Alliance. More and more of the resistance fighters consider having the named Legion mechagens
are following Celerions lead and retreating to somehow survive their encounters with the
Earth. They are bringing valuable resources to heroes. Like the super villain of a comic book, they
the fight on Earth, including fresh troops, Artifex keep coming back time and again to bedevil the
technology, and shuttles. heroes. It may seem like a contrivance to have
them survive, especially when in role-playing

PAGE 70 Mechagenesis
games the players like to know that their enemies arms. Some people might feel that the Alliance
are dead, but there is also something to be said brought the Legion here in the first place, and
for keeping the villains around. It helps add depth dont trust them. Thus, humans, either as part of
to the story of the mechagens when the players a military force or as a rowdy band of civilians,
themselves start developing relationships with could very easily be the antagonists for a session
your villains. When they recognize that police- or two. This makes for an interesting roleplaying
modified sports car as being Rundown, they have opportunity as well, since the Alliance bots are
the added catharsis of remembering their former programmed to protect humanity. What do they
encounters with him. This helps foster roleplaying do when humanity is the opponent?
and character development as they act on their
Lastly, Mechagenesis is a game of science fiction,
past experiences. The hard part is working out
with a heavy accent on the fiction. The heroes
just how the villain survives when it seems that
are giant robots from another planet, so that
they are dead beyond recovery. The old trope of
means there are populated alien worlds, bizarre
comic book death easily be overused, however,
cosmic phenomena, and any other number of
so sometimes just having the villains run away
strange sci-fi wells for you to tap when coming
when the battle turns against them is enough.
up with ideas for scenarios. You can take your
They are soldiers in the war, too, but they dont
game off-planet for a few sessions, having your
want to fight to the death any more than anyone
heroes battle Legion and alien threats on other
else! Another thing to remember is that, unlike
worlds in this solar system or others.
the Alliance, the Legion bots have easy access
to Artifex technology. Its no stretch of disbelief There is an entire galaxy of adventure out there
to imagine that they can deploy and recall troops for Mechagenesis. Make use of it!
using teleportation devices. All this being said,
you dont want to overdo it with always letting the
bad guys get away. The Spartan Drones were
provided as cannon fodder to give the players
opponents they can destroy, but sometimes you
just have to let the heroes finally defeat once
and for all that named villain thats been dogging
them since 1st level.
Another good source of ideas for Mechagenesis
lies in certain (ahem) cartoons and movies.
Moving on
You also shouldnt feel bound to have only
mechagen opponents for your heroes. You
could have a meteorite crash to Earth and pit the
heroic mechagens against the menace of giant
alien bugs. The world is also currently involved
in the war between the Alliance and the Legion,
but that doesnt mean that society has completely
fallen apart. You could have a session where the
heroes are helping out during or immediately after
a natural disaster. They could deploy to a human
war zone to help with one side or another, or just
to try to get the Humans to stop fighting each
other. Even though the Alliance is dedicated to
defending the Earth, that doesnt mean that all
humans happily accept their presence with open

Mechagenesis PAGE 71
Chapter Nine: Sample Characters

This chapter presents several pregenerated Alliance Mechagens:

characters to help flesh out your Mechagenesis The New Arrivals
campaign. All are 1st level to make it easier for
a Narrator or player to modify them as they see When Celerions old guard on Earth first
fit. encountered the Spartan Drones, he knew
that Earth would be in for a long and difficult
You can use the Alliance bots either as war. The situation was nearly hopeless, as
pregenerated heroes so you can jump into his forces were greatly outnumbered by the
a campaign right away, or just use them as Spartan Drones and the forces of Legion that
background characters to add depth to your were arriving on an almost daily basis. Luckily,
games. Alternately, you can double your stock unbeknownst to Celerion, there were still loyal
of villains and use them all as Legion forces y Alliance mechagens on Artifex. Soon after the
simply ignoring their descriptions and writing Legion made landfall, a batch of fresh Alliance
your own. troops from Artifex arrived to help Celerions
beleaguered forces. The new recruits adopted
Earthly alt forms and joined the ongoing war.
Among the new arrivals were Airlift, Chillout
(and Icicle), Ghost, Hazard, and Wings (with
Digit and Shard). (And, of course, the heroes of
your campaign.)

PAGE 72 Mechagenesis
Airlift cable whip), Damage +5 (unarmed) or +9
(quantum energy sword, crit 19-20/+1 roll) or
Function: Air and Sea Rescue. Quote: Look +8 (quantum energy short sword, crit 19-20/+1
out below! roll) or +15 (missile launcher), Defense Dodge/
Description: Airlift is well at home on Earth, and Parry +2 (+4)/+2 (2 size, +4 Dex, [+2 Canny
actually likes it better than his home planet of Dodge]/+4 Str), Initiative +4
Artifex. Thats something he keeps secret from Saving Throws: Toughness +12/+8 (+4 size, +4
his friends, however, since he doesnt want to Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +4 (+4 Con), Reflex
risk sounding unappreciative of the sacrifices +6 (+2 base, +4 Dex), Will +0
others made which landed the Alliance on Earth
in the first place. Despite his secrets, Airlift is an Virtue: Easy-Going; Vice: Easily Distracted
easy-going, happy-go-lucky bot who can find
amusement in just about anything. He has an
appreciation for the natural, organic beauty of Gear
Earth, which extends to the works of humanity Cable Whip: Toughness +12; Crude 1 to hit
as well. He can enjoy a mountain vista just as (+1), Increased Range 50 ft. (1), Integrated (1),
much as a city skyline. Linked (1); Cost 3.
Abilities: In his primary form, Airlift wields Landing Pontoons: Can land on ground or
two quantum energy blades which are formed water; Cost 2.
from his alt forms main rotor and tail rotor. In
both forms, he can access a winch and cable Missile Launcher: Although paid for in gear
apparatus which can extend up to 300 feet of points as a single weapon and it acts like a single
high-tensile metal cable. He can use the cable weapon for game purposes, this is actually a twin-
like a whip in primary form. His alt form, that of an mounted, fire-linked missile array. Base damage
air rescue helicopter, contains a stretcher bay. It +3 +2 size +10 extra = +15; Extra Damage +10
also sports landing pontoons which enable Airlift (10), Minimum Range 100 ft. (+6), Slugthrower
to land on ground as well as water. Incongruous 10 shots (+1), Helicopter alt form only; Cost 4.
with its configuration as an air ambulance, Airlifts Quantum Sword: Base damage +3 +2 size =
alt form is armed with a twin-mounted, fire-linked +5; Cost 1.
missile array. Also while in alt form Airlift can
angle his main rotor blades in such a way as to Quantum Short Sword: Base damage +2 +2
enable him to direct powerful gusts of wind. size = +4; Cost 1.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO Radar 1: Linked to alt form; Cost 1.
Role: Huge mechagen Expert 1
Speed: 50 ft. Alt Form: Rescue Copter
Abilities: Str +4, Dex +4, Con +4, Int +2, Wis Character Scale Speed: 200 squares per
+0, Cha +0 round.
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+8), Bluff 4 (+4), Surface Scale Speed: 40 squares per round.
Concentration 4 (+4), Diplomacy 4 (+4), Jump Air Scale Speed: 4 squares per round.
4 (+8), Knowledge (current events) 4 (+6),
Knowledge (popular culture) 4 (+6), Medicine 4 MPH: 200 mph.
(+4), Notice 4 (+4), Pilot 4 (+16), Search 4 (+6)
Maneuverability: Perfect, +8 bonus on Pilot
Bonus Feat: Exotic Weapon Training (Cable checks.
Whip)
Acceleration: 40/8/.8.
Favored Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave
Feats: Canny Dodge, Firearms Training, Two-
Weapon Fighting, Weapon Training Priorities
Upgrades: Special Power Advancement 1 Upgrades; 1.
Power: Int, effective total level 3, rank 6, fatigue 2 Alt Form; Rescue Copter.
save 12, power check bonus +8; Wind Shaping 3 Special Power, level +0 (alt form only, priority
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/ boost +1); Wind Shaping.
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued 4 Gear; 12 points.
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
5 Abilities; 8 points.
Combat: Attack +2 (2 size, +4 Dex) (+1 with

Mechagenesis PAGE 73
Chillout 4 (+7/+8), Knowledge (physical sciences) 4
(+7/+8), Notice 4 (+6), Sense Motive 4 (+6)
Function: Cold Environment Specialist.
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training
Quote: Freeze!
Favored Feats: Die Hard, Favored Opponent
Description: Chillout is a quiet, soft-spoken
(Legion)
mechagen who cares deeply for the fates of
his companions. One shouldnt confuse his Feats: Challenge (Fast Craft), Improvised Tools,
compassion for passivity, however, as he is Upgrade 2
just as capable in combat as some of his more Upgrades: Database, Link, Quick Morph, Mini-
aggressive allies. Chillout is a specialist in cold Digits
environment combat, and despite his boxy and
unusual alt form he is adept at maneuvering Power: Int, effective total level 2, rank 5, fatigue
through icy terrain. He also dabbles in mechagen save 11, power bonus +8; Cure
technology, a curiosity his nanomechs have Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
picked up on and enhanced. Chillout acts as the quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
field medic for his squad. In alt form, Chillout Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
has a small humanoid link companion named
Combat: Attack 1 (1 size), Damage +3
Icicle. Icicle becomes Chillouts head in primary
(unarmed) or special (cryo-blaster, see below)
form.
or +6 (quantum energy heavy mace), Defense
Abilities: Chillouts alt form is slow and inefficient Dodge/Parry 1/+2 (1 size, +0 Dex/+2 Str),
for combat, so he often assumes primary form at Initiative +0
the first sign of battle. In primary form, Chillouts
Saving Throws: Toughness +8/+4 (+2 size, +2
main weapon is a cryo-blaster that fires a super-
Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +2 (+2 Con), Reflex
cooled chemical that freezes instantly on contact
+0, Will +4 (+2 base, +2 Wis)
with air. The cryo-blaster has three settings; one
generates a wall of ice that can entrap opponents, Virtue: Compassionate; Vice: Curious
another concentrates the chemical to cause hard *Chillouts link companion becomes his head in
substances that it strikes to become brittle, and primary form, increasing his Intelligence to +4.
the third can create icy slick spots on the ground.
Since his cryo-blaster is incapable of inflicting
physical injury on an opponent, he carries a Gear
quantum energy heavy mace as a backup
weapon. Chillouts nanomechs have responded Cryo-Blaster: Although built as several different
to his compassion and adapted themselves weapons, this is a single gun with multiple
accordingly; he can repair the wounds of other settings. There is no special disadvantage cost
mechagens with but a touch. for this, as having all of your weapons as a single
gun can be its own disadvantage. Total Cost: 9.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO
Crystallizer: Fortitude Difficulty 16 or reduced
Role: Large mechagen Expert 1 Toughness by 2 for 1 round; Base damage +3
Speed: 40 ft. +1 size +2 extra = +6; Crystallizer (1), Extra
Damage +2 (2), Longarm (+1); Cost 3.
Abilities: Str +2, Dex +0, Con +2, Int +3 (+4)*,
Wis +2, Cha +0 Entangler: Escape Artist Difficulty 21, Toughness
+6, Base damage +3 +1 size +2 extra = +6;
Skills: Computers 4 (+7/+8), Concentration Entangler (1), Extra Damage +2 (2), Longarm
4 (+6), Craft (mechagen tech) 4 (+7/+8), Craft (+1); Cost 3.
(mechanics) 4 (+7/+8), Disable Device 4 (+7/+8),
Disguise 4 (+4), Drive 4 (+4), Knowledge (earth
sciences) 4 (+7/+8), Knowledge (life sciences)

PAGE 74 Mechagenesis
Slick: 30 ft. diameter, Reflex save/Drive Difficulty Icicle
15; base damage +3 +1 size +1 extra = +5; Extra
Quote: The Alliance must be as unrelenting as a
Damage +1 (1), Longarm (+1), Slick (2); Cost 3.
glacier if it is to survive.
Quantum Heavy Mace: Base damage +3 +1
Role: Small mechagen 1st level Link Companion
size = +4; Cost 0.
(Primary Form: Head)
Lab Tools 2: Cost 2.
Speed: 20 ft.
Repair Tools 2: Cost 2.
Abilities: Str +0, Dex +2, Con +1, Int 1, Wis
Snow Tires: +4 bonus on Drive checks to avoid +1, Cha 1
slick hazards; Cost 3.
Skills: Disguise 4 (+3), Gather Information 4
(+3), Knowledge (current events) 4 (+3), Notice
Alt Form: Heavy Pickup (SUV 4 (+3)
Snow Plow) Feats: Skill Training
Character Scale Speed: 100 squares per
Traits: Basic Link, Share Special Powers
round.
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
Surface Scale Speed: 20 squares per round.
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Air Scale Speed: 2 squares per round. Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
MPH: 100 mph. Combat: Attack +3 (+1 size, +2 Dex), Damage
Maneuverability: Average, +0 bonus on Drive +0 (unarmed) or +0 (Small quantum energy knife,
checks. crit 19-20/+1 roll) or +1 (Small quantum energy
light crossbow, crit 19-20/+1 roll), Defense
Acceleration: 20/4/.4. Dodge/Parry +3/+1 (+1 size, +2 Dex/+0 Str),
Initiative +2
Priorities Saving Throws: Toughness +4/+0 (1 size, +1
Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +1 (+1 Con), Reflex
1 Alt Form; Heavy Pickup.
+5 (+2 base, +3 Dex), Will +1 (+1 Wis)
2 Upgrades; 2.
3 Abilities; 6 points.
Gear
4 Special Power; Cure.
Quantum Knife: Base damage +1 1 size = +0;
5 Gear; 16 points. Cost 0.
Quantum Light Crossbow: Base damage +2
1 size = +1; Cost 0.

Mechagenesis PAGE 75
Ghost Upgrades: Increased Acceleration, Increased
Vehicle Form Speed 2, Special Power Focus
Function: Spy.
Power: Int, effective total level 2, rank 5, fatigue
Quote: Now you see me, now you dont now
save 11, power bonus +10; Light Shaping
you die.
(invisibility only)
Description: Ghost is a specialist in subterfuge,
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
and is not fond of combat. As a spy, she feels
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
that if youre involved in a fight, youve failed as a
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
spy. Unfortunately, the state of warfare that now
exists on Earth since the arrival of the Legion Combat: Attack +2 (1 size, +3 Dex), Damage
frequently pushes her into unavoidable combat +2 (unarmed) or +6 (blaster rifle), Defense
situations. She tackles the obstacles stoically, Dodge/Parry +2/+0 (1 size, +3 Dex/+1 Str),
however, knowing from the loss of the Alliance Initiative +3
foothold on Artifex that the cost of inaction will Saving Throws: Toughness +9/+5 (+2 size, +3
be devastating to Earth. She prefers to fight on Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +3 (+3 Con), Reflex
paved ground, since natural surfaces often give +5 (+2 base, +3 Dex), Will +2 (+2 Wis)
away her position with clouds of dust and foot
impressions. Such terrain is not something to Virtue: Loyal; Vice: Vindictive
which she is accustomed, since theres nothing
like it on Artifex.
Gear
Abilities: Ghost can angle small crystals
Blaster Rifle: Base damage +3 +1 size +2 extra
embedded in her metallic skin to warp light in
= +6; Extra Damage +2 (2), Increased Range
such a way as to become invisible. This gives her
+100 ft. (2), Longarm (+1); Cost 4.
an excellent tactical advantage in combat, but
also enhances her abilities as a spy. She tends
to remain in alt form, invisibly zipping around a Alt Form: Sports Car
battle zone to go where she feels she is most
needed at a given moment. In primary form she Character Scale Speed: 245 squares per
wields a blaster rifle. round.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO Surface Scale Speed: 49 squares per round.
Role: Large mechagen Expert 1 Air Scale Speed: 4.9 squares per round.
Speed: 40 ft. MPH: 245 mph.
Abilities: Str +1, Dex +3, Con +3, Int +2, Wis Maneuverability: Good, +4 bonus on Drive
+2, Cha +0 checks.
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+7), Bluff 4 (+4), Computer Acceleration: 52.5/10.5/1.05
4 (+6), Disguise 4 (+6), Drive 4 (+11), Intimidate 4
(+4), Knowledge (streetwise) 4 (+6), Knowledge
(tactics) 4 (+6), Notice 4 (+6), Search 4 (+6), Priorities
Stealth 4 (+6) 1 Alt Form; Sports Car.
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training 2 Gear; 4 points.
Favored Feats: Attack Specialization, Greater 3 Special Power, level +0; Light Shaping
Attack Specialization (invisibility only, +1 priority boost)
Feats: Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Stealth), 4 Upgrades; 4.
Vehicular Combat 2
5 Abilities; 8 points.

PAGE 76 Mechagenesis
Hazard Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Function: Road Combat Tactician. Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
Quote: YEEHAAAAW! Combat: Attack +3 (1 size, +1 base, +3 Dex),
Description: As a Road Combat Tactician, Damage +4 (unarmed) or +5 (slugthrower rifle)
Hazard sees every highway, thoroughfare, ally, or +5 (quantum energy knife, crit 19-20/+1 roll),
and backwoods lane as his personal playground. Defense Dodge/Parry +3/+3 (1 size, +1 base,
Overconfident and daring, Hazard often takes +3 Dex/+3 Str), Initiative +3
risks that leave his allies and sometimes Saving Throws: Toughness +10/+6 (+2 size,
even his enemies in a state of open-mouthed +4 Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +6 (+2 base, +4
astonishment. Veteran mechagens can only Con), Reflex +3 (+3 Dex), Will 1 (1 Wis)
shake their heads and hope that someday the
young bot will calm down before he demolishes Virtue: Brave; Vice: Reckless
himself completely. Until then, its all crazy stunts,
wild combat antics, and high-speed chases that,
with Hazard involved, usually end in multiple- Gear
mech pileups. Autojacks: Can make jumps in vehicle alt form
Abilities: Hazard is built for high-speed combat. without needing a ramp; Cost 2.
In his alt form, he can attain speeds of up to 280 Slugthrower Rifle: Base damage +3 +1 size
miles per hour, accelerating to his top speed in a +1 Extra = +5; Extra Damage +1 (1), Increased
matter of moments. In primary form he wields a Range +50 ft. (1), Slugthrower 10 shots (+1);
slughthrower rifle and carries a quantum energy Cost 2.
knife as a backup weapon. He prefers to remain
in his alt form, however, charging across the Quantum Knife: Base damage +1 +1 size = +2;
battle zone to ram headlong into the enemies. Cost 0.
His body is his preferred weapon. His alt form Puncture-Proof Tires: +4 bonus to Drive
chassis and fore- and rear-bumpers are specially checks to avoid nails, caltrops or similar puncture
reinforced to absorb high speed impacts. His alt hazards; Cost 2.
form is also equipped with powerful auto-jacks
which he can use to propel himself into the air for Reinforced Bumper: +1 bonus to armor against
short distances. He is a tough bot, weathering forward and rear ramming attacks and when
dings and dents that would send his allies to the taking damage from his own forward or rear
repair bay. Hazards electronic brain is double- ramming attacks; Cost 2.
shielded against outside interference.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO Alt Form: Sports Car
Role: Large mechagen Warrior 1 Character Scale Speed: 280 squares per
round.
Speed: 40 ft.
Surface Scale Speed: 56 squares per round.
Abilities: Str +3, Dex +3, Con +4, Int +1, Wis
1, Cha 0 Air Scale Speed: 5.6 squares per round.
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+7), Drive 4 (+11), Intimidate MPH: 280 mph.
4 (+4), Knowledge (tactics) 4 (+5), Notice 4 (+3), Maneuverability: Good, +4 bonus on Drive
Search 4 (+5) checks.
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training Acceleration: 70/14/1.4.
Favored Feats: Elusive Target, Evasion
Feats: Upgrade 2, Vehicular Combat 2 Priorities
Upgrades: Increased Acceleration 2, Increased 1 Alt Form; Sports Car.
Vehicle Form Speed 3, Vehicle Charging, Vehicle
Ramming 2 Special Power, level 1; Psychic Shield.
Power: Int, effective total level 0, rank 3, fatigue 3 Gear; 8 points.
save 10, power bonus +4; Psychic Shield 4 Abilities; 7 points.
5 Upgrades; 5.
Mechagenesis PAGE 77
Wings Combat: Attack +2 (+2 Dex), Damage +2
(unarmed) or +5 (blaster rifle), Defense Dodge/
Function: Battlefield Reconnaissance. Parry +2 (+5)/+1 (+4) (+2 Dex/+1 Str, +3 force
Quote: Tactics and strategy are no replacement shield), Initiative +1
for dodging like crazy! Saving Throws: Toughness +6/+2 (+1 Con,
Description: Wings was not built for harsh +1 Armored, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +1 (+1 Con),
combat, and she knows it. Thanks to her small Reflex +4 (+2 base, +2 Dex), Will +3 (+2 base,
size, Wings often feels overwhelmed in the midst +1 Wis)
of a battle against opponents that are usually Virtue: Helpful; Vice: Combat-shy
more than twice her size. She barely comes up
to the waist of most of her squad members, and
barely to the knees of Airlift. She frequently fights Gear
defensively, remaining behind her quantum
energy shield and sending out her companions Blaster Rifle: Base damage +3 +2 extra = +5;
Digit and Shard to distract enemy combatants or Extra Damage +2 (2), Increased Range +100 ft.
report on their movements. She often remains (2), Longarm (+1); Cost 4.
the most mobile on the battlefield, frequently Quantum Standard Shield: Standard shield +2
switching between primary form and alt form to base +1 force field = +3 bonus; Force Field (2);
get into better locations from which to direct her 4 points.
companions or assist her allies.
Abilities: Wings wields a blaster rifle in combat,
and defends herself with a quantum energy force Alt Form: Motorcycle
shield. Her motorcycle alt form can reach speeds Character Scale Speed: 210 squares per
of up to 210 miles per hour. Wings also has the round.
remarkable ability to rapidly shift back and forth
between real-space and sub-space, flickering in Surface Scale Speed: 21 squares per round.
and out of reality at speeds almost too quick to Air Scale Speed: 2.1 squares per round.
notice. This enhances her defensive capabilities
and often confounds her opponents. MPH: 210 mph.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO Maneuverability: Perfect, +8 bonus on Drive
checks.
Role: Medium mechagen Controller 1
Acceleration: 45/9/.9.
Speed: 30 ft.
Abilities: Str +1, Dex +2, Con +1, Int +1, Wis
+1, Cha +1 Priorities
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+6), Concentration 4 (+5), 1 Alt Form; Motorcycle.
Drive 4 (+14), Jump 4 (+5), Knowledge (popular 2 Special Power, level 1; Blink.
culture) 4 (+5), Notice 4 (+5), Stealth 4 (+6),
Swim 4 (+5) 3 Gear; 8 points.
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training 4 Abilities; 7 points.
Favored Feats: Evasion, Elusive Target 5 Upgrades; 5.
Feats: Dodge Focus, Evasion, Mechagen
Companion, Improved Aid
Upgrades: Adaptable, Armored, Increased
Acceleration, Increased Vehicle Form Speed 2
Power: Int, effective total level 0, rank 3, fatigue
save 10; Blink
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph

PAGE 78 Mechagenesis
Digit
Role: Tiny 1st level mechagen Animal
Companion (Monkey)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Abilities: Str 4, Dex +2, Con +0, Int 2, Wis
+1, Cha 3
Skills: Acrobatics 0 (+10), Climb 0 (+10), Notice
4 (+5), Stealth 0 (+10)
Bonus Feat: Night Vision
Feat: Attack Focus (bite)
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Attacks, Link, Living Machine, Morph, Share
Quantum Energy, Share Special Power
Combat: Attack +4 (+2 size, +2 Dex) (+5 with
bite), Damage 4 (bite), Defense Dodge/Parry
+4/ (+2 size, +2 Dex), Initiative +2
Saving Throws: Toughness +2/2 (2 size, +4
DR/ER), Fortitude +2 (+2 base), Reflex +4 (+2
base, +2 Dex), Will +1 (+0 base, +1 Wis)
Skills: Digit has a +8 bonus on Acrobatics and
Climb checks. He can always choose to take 10
on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
He uses his Dexterity modifier instead of his
Strength modifier for Climb checks.

Shard
Role: Tiny 1st level mechagen Animal
Companion (Hawk)
Speed: 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (average)
Abilities: Str 2, Dex +3, Con +0, Int 2, Wis
+2, Cha 2
Skills: Notice 4 (+14)
Feats: Move-by Action
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Attacks, Link, Living Machine, Morph, Share
Quantum Energy, Share Special Power
Combat: Attack +5 (+2 size, +3 Dex), Damage
1 (talons), Defense Doge/Parry +5/ (+2 size,
+3 Dex), Initiative +3
Saving Throws: Toughness +2/2 (2 size, +4
DR/ER), Fortitude +2 (+2 base), Reflex +5 (+2
base, +3 Dex), Will +2 (+2 Wis)
Skills: Shard has a +8 bonus on Notice checks

Mechagenesis PAGE 79
Legion Mechagens: The Brute Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
Squad quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Attacks, Living Machine
In addition to his personal guard and trusted
lieutenants, Centurion arrived on Earth with an Combat: Attack +5 (1 size, +3 base, +3 Dex) (+6
army of low-ranking mechagens loyal to the with autoblaster pistol), Damage +8 (unarmed)
Legions cause. Accompanying him was also or +10 (quantum energy sword, crit 19-20/+1
a host of near-mindless robotic Drones. These roll) or +7 (autoblaster pistol), Defense Dodge/
eager soldiers dispersed into the world to wreak Parry +7/+10 (1 size, +3 base, +3 Dex/+6 Str,
havoc and destroy as many Alliance bots as +2 shield), Initiative +3
they could find. Saving Throws: Toughness +13/+9 (+2 size,
+6 Con, +1 Armored, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +9
(+3 base, +6 Con), Reflex +4 (+1 base, +3 Dex),
Spartan Drone (AKA Spartans) Will +1 (+1 base)
Function: Cannon Fodder. Quote: Halt! Yield
or be destroyed!
Gear
Description: Spartan Drones comprise the bulk
of Centurions forces. Although the Legion leader Low-Light Sensors: Cost 1.
does have mechagens loyal to him, they arent Autoblaster Pistol: Base damage +3 +1 size
always expendable. When ones goal is nothing +1 extra = +5; Autofire (2), Extra Damage +1 (1);
short of galactic conquest, valuable soldiers like Cost 4.
mechagens shouldnt be risked unnecessarily.
The Drones, however, are easy to produce and Quantum Sword: Martial melee weapon
just self-aware enough to make good, loyal (sword), base damage +3 +1 size = +4 damage;
soldiers who never question their orders. Their Cost 1.
names are simple alphanumeric designations Standard Shield: +2 dodge bonus; Cost 2.
such as B-887 and Z-098. Drones have no alt
Priorities
form and no special powers, and their priority
points add up to 9 instead of 15. This sample stat 3 Abilities; 6 points.
block is for the common soldier Drone. The skills, 3 Gear; 8 points.
feats, upgrades, and gear are only suggestions,
as Drones are frequently designed for specific 3 Upgrades; 3.
purposes. Drones receive 6 skill points, 6 feats,
3 upgrades, and 8 gear points.
Role: Large mechagen Warrior 3 (minion)
Speed: 40 ft.
Abilities: Str +6, Dex +3, Con +6, Int 3, Wis
+0, Cha 3
Skills: Notice 4 (+4), Stealth 2 (+1)
Feats: Attack Focus (autoblaster pistol), Attack
Specialization (autoblaster pistol), Firearms
Training, Greater Attack Specialization
(autoblaster pistol), Shield Training, Weapon
Training
Upgrades: Armored, Damage Boost (unarmed),
Primary Form Flight

PAGE 80 Mechagenesis
Backlash Backlash (Scorpion Form)
Function: Brute. Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO
Quote: Sting! Sting! STING! Role: Huge mechagen Warrior 1
Speed: 50 ft.
Description: Backlash is all brawn and very little
brain. He is mindless aggression in a metallic Abilities: Str +6, Dex +0, Con +3, Int 2, Wis
shell. Other Legion members think his core 1, Cha +3
processor must have been damaged or installed Skills: Climb 4 (+10), Drive 0 (+12), Intimidate
incorrectly, because even amongst their ranks 4 (+7)
he is known for his ferocity and cruelty. In battle, Bonus Feats: Armored, Double Strike, Improved
all his fellow mechagens can do is point him in a Grab
direction and say, Kill! Backlash is all too happy Feats: Rage 3 (+4 bonus), Weapon Training
to oblige.
Upgrades: Armored 2, Damage Boost (Claw),
Abilities: Backlash rarely assumes his vehicle Damage Boost (Sting)
alt form unless ordered to do so by his superiors. Traits: Built-In Radio, Constrict, Damage
He prefers his primary form and scorpion alt form, Reduction (4/quantum energy), Darkvision 60
since they are built for combat. In primary form ft., Energy Resistance 4, Imbued Attacks, Living
he carries a quantum energy-enhanced heavy Machine, Morph, Poison (Fort save 13, damage
mace formed from his hoe. In scorpion form, he 2 Con)
is armed with powerful claws and a stinging tail Combat: Attack 1 (2 size, +1 base), Damage
that can puncture mechagen armor to deliver a +10 (claws or grapple) or +9 (sting plus poison),
caustic chemical that corrodes a mechagens Defense Dodge/Parry 1/+5 (2 size, +1 base,
+0 Dex/+6 Str), Initiative +0
internal structures.
Saving Throws: Toughness +14/+10 (+4 size,
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO +3 Con, +3 Armored, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +5
(+2 base, +3 Con), Reflex +0, Will 1 (1 Wis)
Role: Huge mechagen Warrior 1
Virtue: Brave; Vice: Ferocious
Speed: 50 ft.
Abilities: Str +4, Dex +2, Con +7, Int 2, Wis Gear
1, Cha +3
Quantum Mace: Martial melee weapon (heavy
Skills: Climb 4 (+8), Drive 4 (+14), Intimidate 4 mace), base damage +3 +1 extra +2 size = +6
(+7) damage, crit 20/+1 roll; Extra Damage +1 (1);
Cost 2 (free).
Bonus Feat: Armored
Puncture-Proof Tires: +2 bonus to Drive
Favored Feats: Critical Strike, Sneak Attack checks to avoid nails, caltrops or similar puncture
hazards; Cost 2.
Feats: Rage 3 (+4 bonus), Weapon Training
Upgrades: Armored 2, Damage Boost (Claw), Alt Form: Construction vehicle
Damage Boost (Sting)
Character Scale Speed: 25 squares.
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued Surface Scale Speed: 5 squares.
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph Air Scale Speed: .5 squares.
Combat: Attack +1 (2 size, +1 base, +2 Dex), MPH: 25 mph.
Damage +6 (unarmed) or +10 (quantum energy Maneuverability: Perfect, +8 bonus on Drive
heavy mace, crit 20/+1 roll), Defense Dodge/ checks.
Parry +1/+3 (2 size, +1 base, +2 Dex/+4 Str), Acceleration: 5/1/.1
Initiative +2
Saving Throws: Toughness +18/+14 (+4 size, Priorities (Total to 15 Variant)
+7 Con, +3 Armored, +4 DR/ER)
1 Gear; 2 gear points.
Virtue: Brave; Vice: Ferocious
3 Alt Form; Construction Vehicle.
3 Alt Form; Huge Scorpion.
4 Ability Scores; 7 points;
5 Upgrades; 4.

Mechagenesis PAGE 81
Blackhat Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Function: Data Spy.
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
Quote: Your mind doesnt matter.
Combat: Attack +2 (+2 Dex), Damage +0
Description: Back on Artifex, Blackhat was a (unarmed) or +4 (autoblaster pistol, crit 20/+1
computer networking specialist and top-level roll) or +4 (quantum energy staff, crit 19-20/+2
data spy. Since his arrival on Earth, he has rolls), Defense Dodge/Parry +2/+0 (+2 Dex),
found his job all the easier thanks to primitive Initiative +2
human technology. Although he despises his
Saving Throws: Toughness +4/+0 (+4 DR/ER),
boxy, inefficient-looking alt form, he is still quite
Fortitude +0, Reflex +2 (+2 Dex), Will +2 (+2
proud of his ability to bring world commerce to a
base)
screeching halt with just a few minutes of work.
Virtue: Thorough; Vice: Cruel.
Abilities: In primary form Blackhat carries
a quantum energy staff and, when the need
for ranged attacks arises, a blaster pistol. His Gear
most notable ability, however, is the ability to
wirelessly hack into the very processors of other Autoblaster Pistol: Autofire (2), Extra Damage
mechagens and issue commands they feel +1 (1); Cost 4.
compelled to carry out. He can order a mechagen Quantum Staff: Simple melee weapon (staff),
into combat against his allies, or issue a sleep base damage +2 +2 extra = +4 damage; Extra
mode command to force his opponent into Critical +1, Extra Damage +2, Increased Critical
stasis. +1; Cost 4.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO
Role: Medium mechagen Expert 1 Alt Form: Medium/Tiny Object
Speed: 30 ft., 250 ft. fly (Device)

Abilities: Str +0, Dex +2, Con +0, Int +2, Wis Skill Bonus: +10 to Computers checks.
+0, Cha +0
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+6), Bluff 4 (+4), Priorities
Computers 4 (+20), Craft (electronics) 4 (+6),
1 Abilities; 4 points.
Craft (mechagen tech) 4 (+6), Disguise 4 (+6),
Intimidate 4 (+4), Notice 4 (+4), Search 4 (+6), 2 Alt Form; Medium/Tiny Object (Device).
Sleight of Hand 4 (+6), Stealth 4 (+6) 3 Gear; 8 points.
Bonus Feats: Masterwork Tech Object 4 Upgrades; 4.
Favored Feats: Cleave, Seize Initiative 5 Special Power, level +2; Mind Touch.
Feats: Evasion, Firearms Training, Improved
Defense, Improved Evasion
Upgrades: Masterwork Tech Object (+2 to
Computers checks), Primary Form Flight (50/10/1
squares, acc 5/.5, Poor), Special Power Gain 2
Power: Int, effective total level 3, rank 6, fatigue
save 12, save Difficulty 14, power bonus +8;
Dominate, Mind Touch, Sleep

PAGE 82 Mechagenesis
Road Rage Feats: Favored Opponent (Alliance Mechagens),
Rage 2 (+3 Str, +3 to Fort and Will, 2 to
Function: Road Combat Tactician. Defense), Seize Initiative
Quote: Move it or lose it! Upgrades: Armored 2, High Performance,
Description: Road Rage is a street fighter Increased Maneuverability, Quicken Power
literally. He is ferocious on the freeway. He is the Power: Int, effective total level 1, rank 4, fatigue
self-proclaimed master of all paved surfaces. In save 11, Will save Difficulty 11; Heart-Shaping
alt form Road Rage is a huge black SUV that (Fear only)
makes an intimidating presence on the highway.
He likes to swerve recklessly in and out of traffic, Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
laughing to himself at the look of terror on the quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
faces of the humans around him. Like the human Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
phenomenon that inspired his name, Road Rage Combat: Attack +1 (1 size, +1 base, +1 Dex),
lets no one stand in his way when he takes to the Damage +5 (unarmed) or +7 (quantum energy
streets. He is a loud-mouth and a braggart, but blaster rifle), Defense Dodge/Parry +1/+4 (1
unlike most bullies he can actually back up his size, +1 base, +1 Dex/+4 Str), Initiative +1
threats with firepower. If he detects an Alliance
mechagen daring to share the road with him, Saving Throws: Toughness +13/+9 (+2 size,
he flies into a rage from which only the enemys +5 Con, +2 Armored, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +7
or his own total destruction can bring him back (+2 base, +5 Con), Reflex +1 (+1 Dex), Will 1
down. Ironically, despite considering himself (1 Wis)
the king of the road and having his blaster rifle Virtue: Unrelenting; Vice: Wrathful
accessible in alt form, Road Rage prefers to
engage in combat in his primary form.
Abilities: In either form, Road Rage is armed Gear
with a powerful quantum energy blaster. The All-Terrain Tires: +2 bonus to Drive checks to
blaster remains concealed in his alt form, rising avoid any land-based terrain hazard; Cost 1.
up from a hidden compartment towards the rear.
He refers to his gun as his street sweeper, Blaster Rifle: Base damage +3 +1 size +3 extra
and he frequently uses it to clear a path through = +7; Concealed (1), Extra Damage +3 (3),
traffic on the open roads. In either form, Road Linked (1), Longarm (+1); Cost 5.
Rage can emit subsonic frequencies that induce Reinforced Bumper: +1 bonus to armor against
fear by acting on the emotional centers of his forward and rear ramming attacks; Cost 2.
target.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO
Alt Form: Heavy Pickup (SUV)
Role: Large mechagen Warrior 1
Character Scale Speed: 100 squares.
Speed: 40 ft.
Surface Scale Speed: 20 squares.
Abilities: Str +4, Dex +1, Con +5, Int +0, Wis
1, Cha +1 Air Scale Speed: 2 squares.
Skills: Bluff 4 (+5), Drive 4 (+5), Intimidate 4 MPH: 100 mph.
(+5), Knowledge (tactics) 4 (+4), Notice 4 (+3) Maneuverability: Good, +4 bonus on Drive
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training checks.
Favored Feats: Critical Strike, Sneak Attack Acceleration: 20/4/.4.

Priorities
1 Alt Form; Heavy Pickup.
2 Special Power, level 1; Heart-Shaping (Fear
only, +1 priority bonus).
3 Gear; 8 points.
4 Abilities; 7 points.
5 Upgrades; 5.
Mechagenesis PAGE 83
Gravesite Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Function: Assassin.
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
Quote: Your death: my pleasure!
Combat: Attack 1 (1 size), Damage +3
Description: Gravesite is a Legion assassin (unarmed) or +6 (quantum energy scythe, crit
who takes great pleasure in the appearance of 19-20/+3 rolls), Defense Dodge/Parry 1/+1 (1
his alt form that of a big, black hearse. This is size, +0 Dex/+2 Str), Initiative +0
a mech without mercy, and perhaps even without
Saving Throws: Toughness +8/+4 (+2 size, +2
emotion. The only thing that seems to bring him
Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +2 (+2 Con), Reflex
any glee at all is viewing the dismembered and
+2 (+2 base), Will +4 (+2 base, +2 Wis)
smoking remains of his enemies. His companion,
Tombstone, is just as depraved and wicked as Virtue: Loyal (to Tombstone); Vice: Murderous
he is. Tombstones alt form is a casket.
Abilities: In primary form Gravesite carries a Gear
quantum energy scythe that can cut a swath
through enemy mechagens with ease. He is a Blaster Pistol (for Tombstone): Base damage
cold mechagen, physically as well as emotionally, +3 = +3 damage; Cost 1.
as he has infrared dampers that shield him from Infrared Dampers: Linked to both forms; Cost
detection by all but the most advanced sensors. 3.
With a touch, he can channel electrical feedback
Quantum Scythe: Martial melee weapon
into his target to cause searing pain. In primary
(scythe), base damage +3 +1 size = +4 damage;
form, Tombstone carries a standard-issue
Armor Piercing +2 (2), Increased Critical +1 (1);
blaster pistol.
Cost 4.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO
Role: Large mechagen Controller 1
Speed: 40 ft.
Alt Form: Large Car
Abilities: Str +2, Dex +0, Con +2, Int +2, Wis
Character Scale Speed: 100 squares.
+2, Cha +2
Surface Scale Speed: 20 squares.
Skills: Bluff 4 (+6), Drive 4 (+0), Escape Artist
4 (+4), Intimidate 4 (+6), Knowledge (behavioral Air Scale Speed: 2 squares.
sciences) 4 (+6), Notice 4 (+6), Sense Motive 4 MPH: 100 mph.
(+6), Sleight of Hand 4 (+4), Stealth 4 (+0)
Maneuverability: Poor, 4 penalty on Drive
Bonus Feat: Sneak Attack checks.
Favored Feats: Crippling Strike, Sneak Attack Acceleration: 20/4/.4.
Feats: Advance Companion, Enlarge
Companion, Exotic Weapon Training (scythe),
Sneak Attack Priorities
Upgrades: Primary Form Flight (50/10/1 1 Alt Form; Large Car.
squares, acc 5/.5, Poor), Special Power Boost 2 Upgrades; 2.
Power: Int, total effective level 3, rank 6, fatigue 3 Gear; 8 points.
save 12, save Difficulty 15; Pain
4 Abilities; 7 points.
5 Special Power; level +2; Pain.

PAGE 84 Mechagenesis
Tombstone
Function: Assassin.
Quote: Dont fear death. Fear me!
Role: Medium mechagen Expert 1
Speed: 30 ft.
Abilities: Str +0, Dex +2, Con +2, Int +0, Wis
+0, Cha +0
Skills: Bluff 4 (+4), Climb 4 (+4), Escape Artist 4
(+6), Intimidate 4 (+4), Jump 4 (+4), Knowledge
(streetwise) 4 (+4), Notice 4 (+4), Sleight of Hand
4 (+6), Stealth 4 (+6)
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training
Favored Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave
Feats: Crippling Strike, Sneak Attack 3 (+4
damage)
Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Attacks, Living Machine, Link, Morph, Share
Feats, Share Quantum Energy, Share Special
Power
Combat: Attack +2 (+2 Dex), Damage +0
(unarmed) or +3 (blaster pistol), Defense Dodge/
Parry +2/+0 (+2 Dex/+0 Str), Initiative +2
Saving Throws: Toughness +6/+2 (+2 Con, +4
DR/ER), Fortitude +2 (+2 Con), Reflex +5 (+2
base, +3 Dex), Will +0
Virtue: Loyal (to Gravesite); Vice: Murderous

Mechagenesis PAGE 85
Rundown Traits: Built-In Radio, Damage Reduction (4/
quantum energy), Energy Resistance 4, Imbued
Function: Fugitive Pursuit.
Attacks, Living Machine, Morph
Quote: You cant run from the inevitable.
Combat: Attack +3 (1 size, +1 base, +3 Dex)
Description: Rundown is a loose cannon in (+4 with autoblaster carbine), Damage +4
the Legion, dangerous to Alliance bots and (unarmed) or +7 (autoblaster carbine), Defense
sometimes even his own team. He is, however, Dodge/Parry +3/+3 (1 size, +1 base, +3 Dex/+3
extremely good at what he does chasing Str), Initiative +3
down and ruthlessly destroying Alliance bots
Saving Throws: Toughness +8/+4 (+2 size,
so Centurion keeps him around. He cleverly
+2 Con, +4 DR/ER), Fortitude +4 (+2 base, +2
adopted the alt form of a police cruiser, allowing
Con), Reflex +3 (+3 Dex), Will +1 (+1 Wis)
him to move at high speeds through human
communities without drawing the wrong kind of Virtue: Determined; Vice: Rash
attention.
Abilities: In primary form Rundown wields a Gear
powerful quantum energy autoblaster carbine.
Despite his speed, accuracy, and lethality, his Autoblaster Carbine: Base damage +3 +3 extra
primary weakness is his singular weapon. It +1 size = +7; Autofire (2), Extra Damage +3 (3),
is powerful, certainly, but if removed from him Increased Range +50 ft. (1), Longarm (+1); Cost
he is left defenseless. In alt form he can reach 6.
top speeds of 245 miles per hour, and is agile
enough to swerve in and out of traffic with ease.
Alt Form: Sports Car
In either form, he can manipulate the sequence
of flashing lights on his police light bar to Character Scale Speed: 245 squares per
mesmerize an opponent. round.
Quantum Reserves (Conviction): OOO Surface Scale Speed: 49 squares per round.
Role: Large mechagen Warrior 1 Air Scale Speed: 4.9 squares per round.
Speed: 40 ft. MPH: 245 mph.
Abilities: Str +3, Dex +3, Con +2, Int +1, Wis +1, Maneuverability: Perfect, +8 bonus on Drive
Cha +0 checks.
Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+7), Drive 4 (+15), Intimidate Acceleration: 52.5/10.5/1.05.
4 (+4), Jump 4 (+7), Notice 4 (+5), Search 4
(+5)
Priorities
Bonus Feat: Firearms Training
1 Alt Form; Sports Car.
Favored Feats: Elusive Target, Sneak Attack
2 Gear; 6 points.
Feats: Attack Focus (blaster rifle) Point Blank
Shot, Vehicular Combat 2 3 Special Power, level +0; Suggestion
(biologicals and mechagens, 1 priority
Upgrades: High Performance, Increased penalty).
Acceleration, Increased Maneuverability,
Increased Vehicle Form Speed 2 4 Ability scores; 7 points.
Power: Int, effective total level 0, rank 3, fatigue 5 Upgrades; 5.
save 10, save Difficulty 11; Suggestion

PAGE 86 Mechagenesis
Chapter Ten: The Battle for St. Louis

Early morning, mid-summer, sees the peaceful to talk amongst one another as they are faced with
city of St Louis, as yet spared the fate of the these overwhelming odds, and use the humans
western cities, attacked by a large, organized of the GDC to illustrate just how necessary the
battalion of Spartan Drones under the command Alliance is to saving this world and the entire
of Centurions top assassin, Gravesite. With human species.
only a small GDC defense force, St Louis is The Battle for St Louis is an action-packed romp
well behind GDC lines, the Drones were nearly through one of the first pitched battles in the fight
unchecked for the first few hours until the 3rd for Earth, but dont neglect the personalities of
GDC Battalion under Commander Ravindra the Alliance members and how they feel about
Chopra moved into place to protect the critical the war going on, or how they feel about their
medical technology research that goes on in St tiny, fleshy charges. Ensure that your heroes
Louis. Celerion has ordered as many available have ample time to get involved in their roles
Alliance members into the city as can be spared and dont simply force them from one combat
from other fronts and the heroes are amongst to the next, but at the same time foster a sense
the defenders. of desperation as the defenders of St Louis are
This adventure covers several battles as the pushed back under the onslaught of the Legion.
heroes are forced to run from one hot spot to
another, (specifically, Hospital Assault should
lead directly into No Bot Left Behind, with no or
minimal in-game rest) encourage your heroes

Mechagenesis PAGE 87
Hospital Assault o First Wave: The first-wave force consists
of two or tree Spartan Drones per hero.
Currently, a large force of Spartan Drones They just fly in and try to rapidly swamp
are closing in on Mercy General, a county the defenders. The Drones can fly at up to
hospital that has been repurposed for military 50 mph, which is 50 squares at character
use. Mercy General is handling the bulk of the scale. Remember to penalize the Drones
wounded for the defense forces of St Louis. attack rolls and skill checks and increase
If the Legion assault is successful a large their Defense by their speed modifier (see
percentage of GDC forces will be taken out Table 7-2: Speed Modifiers).
of the fight permanently. The human forces
request the presence of the heroes in order o Second Wave: The second wave is the
to stave off the Drone attack. heaviest, really making the heroes work
for it. The second wave is an all-out attack
by Spartan Drones, with five or more
Mercy General sits on a T-junction with its back drones per hero. The second wave forces
to a large business district. Its a 4 story affair take their time, making use of any cover
with an emergency bay where wounded in the street or parking lot and attempting
soldiers are being brought in. Large or larger to hold any ground gained. They only take
heroes cant enter the hospital proper, but to the air to advance their position.
they can freely move about in the parking o Third Wave: If the heroes had an easy
garage across the street (although Huge or time of the first and second wave, you can
larger heroes have to duck or crawl in primary add a third straggler wave as well, just
form in the parking garage). The hospital to keep the heroes on their mechanical
roof has a helipad and can hold characters toes. The straggler wave should be no
of up to Gargantuan size. Allow the heroes 2 more than two Spartan Drones per hero.
minutes (20 rounds) to set up any defensive Some may fly, whilst others engage in a
structures or discuss any plans then hit them ground assault.
with the first wave of Spartan Drones.
If the heroes are overwhelmed, they may be
The first attack is merely a probe to test the forced to retreat. If this happens the hospital
defenders and prepare for another, more staff and nearby GDC personnel evacuate as
dedicated assault. This lets the heroes cut many people as they can from the hospital
their teeth before getting into the heavy interior, but a large number of men and
stuff. Stats for Spartan Drones can be found women are left behind in the hasty escape.
in Chapter Nine: Sample Characters. The heroes can help in the evacuation,
Remember that Spartan Drones are minions: offering their vehicle forms as a means of
they dont get quantum energy reserves (i.e. escape for the embattled humans.
Conviction), heroes can choose to take 10
on attack rolls against them, and they go to
the worst possible result on the damage track
if they fail a Toughness save (unconscious
for non-lethal damage and dead for lethal
damage).

PAGE 88 Mechagenesis
Backlash Attacks! No Bot Left Behind
Should the heroes succeed give them a few Information has come down from GDC command
moment to exult in their victory, then have them that the Alliance mechagen designated as Ghost
catch word on the GDC battle network that has been captured, along with her human support
another group has broken off to attack their team, while hacking into the Legions secure
position. Backlash has rerouted his assault corps network. She apparently managed to recover
to the heroes position and hes rampaging his the entire battle plan for the Legion assault on St
way through any resistance the GDC can throw Louis, but her team was ambushed on their way
up. out of enemy territory by Blackhat and his squad
The heroes have a few options here. Since of Drones. (If one of your players is running
Backlash is all brawn and no brains they might Ghost, replace her with a similar mechagen.)
attempt to ambush his unit before it arrives, Having Ghost fall into enemy hands, especially
they can bunker down in their positions and Blackhats, is completely unacceptable; not only
attempt to hold him back, or they can evacuate does she possess the plans for the Legions
and not engage the dangerous bot at all. In assault on St Louis, she has extremely intimate
this case they have enough time to properly details on the defense arrays for the GDC and
evacuate the human personnel, but they will the location of most Alliance units. Therefore,
be abandoning an important resource in the she has been deemed mission critical by the
fight for St Louis in Mercy General. GDC commanders and Celerion himself. The
Backlash is accompanied by a full contingent heroes are the nearest unit and have been
of Drones, on top of the fact that Backlash rerouted for a rescue mission. Their orders are
himself is a raving psychotic of an enemy. to recover Ghost at all costs; she comes home
Its time to make the heroes earn that hero in one piece, period. The heroes are expected
moniker. Stats for Backlash can be found in to rescue Ghosts accompanying six-person
Chapter Nine: Sample Characters. He is electronic warfare team as well, but they are not
accompanied by Spartan Drones in enough as critical as Ghost.
numbers to give the heroes cause to question Blackhats team is moving west, away from
an engagement with him. There are at least the frontlines and out of St Louis entirely. Hell
three Drones per hero. probably pull all the way back into Legion-held
If the heroes are defeated, Backlash territory before beginning his work, but he also
rampages through the GDC forces and cant pass up the chance to gloat over Ghost
puts Mercy General out of commission. and tell her about his plans for her. As such he is
If the heroes succeed or retreat, they are accompanying the Drone squad. Ghost has been
called away to another hotspot; an Alliance strapped in vehicle form to a non-mechagen
mechagen has been captured along with a flatbed truck and has been put into stasis by
contingent of GDC soldiers and they need to Blackhats insidious sleep mode hack. The
be recovered quickly before Blackhat hacks GDC team that accompanied her are crammed
the Alliance members mind. into her vehicle form, manacled, helpless, and
quite uncomfortable (sports cars arent known
for their spacious interiors). Blackhat, Medium
size in his primary form, is driving the truck.

Mechagenesis PAGE 89
The heroes need to move quickly and hit hard Changing Speeds in Chapter Seven of
to recover Ghost. Blackhat has an abundance Mechagenesis). The truck is Gargantuan, and
of Drones with him and since he knows Ghost has a base Defense of 6 and a Toughness
possesses incredibly valuable information he has of +11. If he manages to escape, Blackhat
a contingency in place should he be attacked: leaves the heroes mired in combat with his
hes on an open frequency with Road Rage Drones and Road Rage.
who is hanging back and awaiting the go-code
If things go turn against the Drones quickly,
should Blackhat be attacked. Road Rage arrives
Blackhat simply leaps from the truck cab and
two rounds after Blackhat summons him fully
tries to fly away. The truck careens off the
aware of the situation and spoiling for a fight,
road and crashes. The truck, Ghost, and the
unless the heroes have an ability to dampen
six humans inside her take collision damage
communications.
equal to +6 plus 1/2 the trucks current
speed at surface scale. This is conventional
damage, so Ghosts DR applies.
Cut to the Chase
Ghost is in stasis, which equates to human
The truck carrying Ghost and the GDC team is
sleep. She can be awakened by anything
currently moving west at 60 miles per hour (12
that would normally wake up a sleeping
squares at surface scale) on an abandoned
human. As per the description of the skill,
highway. Given Blackhats thorough nature,
hearing a battle is a Notice check with a
he is be accompanied by plenty of Drones.
Difficulty of 10, increased to +0 since she is
There are two Spartan Drones on the back
asleep. Thus, once the heroes arrive and start
of the truck guarding Ghosts inert form.
fighting the Drones Ghost is likely to regain
As the heroes approach his position it soon consciousness and immediately attempt to
becomes apparent why Blackhat is moving so free herself. She currently has four Hurts and
slowly: ten more Drones are flying overhead one Wound from her battle with Blackhats
in formation, punching their flight speed up to forces, and no quantum energy reserves.
as fast as they can go (about 60 mph). (See Treat her as being entangled in a net with the
the rules in Chapter Seven of Mechagenesis added restriction that she cannot move since
for the Punching It maneuver). Blackhat the cables are securely attached to the truck
is irritated that he has to go so slow, but bed. Ghost takes a 2 penalty on attack rolls
he doesnt want to outrun his Drone escort and a 4 penalty on Dexterity. If she attempts
and leave himself defenseless. Hes in quite to use her special power, she must make a
a foul mood already, grumbling about the Difficulty 15 Concentration check or be unable
deficiencies of the idiotic Drones, and his to use the power effectively. She can escape
mood only darkens when the heroes show with a Difficulty 20 Escape Artist check (a
up. full-round action). The net has +5 Toughness
Blackhat attempts to escape with Ghost at the and can be burst with a Difficulty 25 Strength
first opportunity, accelerating to the trucks check (also a full-round action). Remember
maximum speed of 100 mph (20 squares at that she also takes an additional 2 penalty
surface scale). The truck has an acceleration on all checks, attack rolls, and saving throws
of 2 at character scale, so it takes Blackhat thanks to her Wounded condition.
2 rounds to reach top speed. He can shorten
that time if he becomes desperate (see

PAGE 90 Mechagenesis
 Recovering Ghost firmly establishes the The Final Confrontation
heroes as a premiere unit, especially after
Gravesites position is guarded by six heavily
their actions at Mercy General. Of course,
armed assault Drones, all programmed to
once this crisis has been averted the heroes
protect him from any aggressors. Gravesites
have to gear up for the counter-attack on the
Drones are a step tougher than the Spartan
Legion. With Ghosts intel things might go a
Drones the heroes have faced up until now
bit better, if Blackhat escaped the GDC will
(and demonstrate one of the many ways
be in for a costly fight while the heroes race
a Narrator can modify the basic Drone for
cross-country to recover their comrade.
various purposes).
If Gravesite becomes aware of the heroes
Turning Point before they attack he waits until they engage
With Ghosts intel in hand, the GDC prepares his Drones before making use of his Sneak
for their counterattack. The human forces have Attack feat. If your heroes have proven
the advantage of being familiar with the terrain, to be particularly effective in the previous
and their small stature allows them to engage in encounters, feel free to add several levels
urban warfare more effectively than the Spartan to Gravesite to make him and Tombstone
Drones. This, coupled with Ghosts stolen more of a challenge. In this case, Gravesite
intelligence and the presence of the Alliance in does not take extra mechagen companions,
the form of the heroes, means that the GDC is instead taking feats that enhance his and
in the best position to go on the offensive since Tombstones abilities. This controller prefers
they were pushed out of western states. a single efficient companion to a small army

Ghosts intel indicates that Gravesite is

coordinating the Legion assault on St Louis, as
well as revealing his position in the park beneath
the now-ruined remains of the Gateway Arch.
A quick, concentrated assault would be ideal,
surprising Gravesite and either destroying him
or forcing him to retreat. To facilitate this, the
GDC engages Gravesites forces with everything
theyve got and pull away as many of his reserves
as possible. The GDC has entrusted the Alliance
heroes with the actual attack on Gravesite.
At nightfall, the GDC engage the Spartan
Drones in a running battle, drawing the bulk of
Gravesites Drones away from their posts. This
gives the heroes a fairly free run at his command
center, an open air camp outside the city. The
heroes need to make a stealthy approach for the
last leg of their journey.

Mechagenesis PAGE 91
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PAGE 92 Mechagenesis
Cry Havoc, Copyright 2003, Skip Williams. All rights reserved. Spycraft Faceman/Snoop Class Guide, Copyright 2003, Alderac
Entertainment Group, Inc.; Authors Alexander Flagg, Clayton A. Oliver.
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Deadlands d20 Copyright 2001, Pinnacle Entertainment Group, Inc.
Spycraft Mastermind Guide, Copyright 2004, Alderac Entertainment
Design Parameters: Immortals Handbook, Copyright 2003, Craig Group, Inc.; Steve Crow, Alexander Flagg, B. D. Flory, Clayton A.
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Grim Tales, Cyberware game mechanics; Copyright 2003, Benjamin R. Group, Inc.; Authors Dave McAlister, Clayton A. Oliver, Patrick Kapera.
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Mechagenesis PAGE 93