The one thing Sci-Fi fans have over D&D players is giant frickin’ flying space robots with lasers beams… That, and space ships! It’s not fair, is it? Well, thanks to our goblin engineers we think we finally have an answer to your fantasy / Gundam mash-up needs. Join us as we enter into the world of Fantasy Mechs.

Mechs have been a staple of the tabletop scene since FASA Corporation first unleashing Battletech to gamers in 1984. As popularity for tabletop games waned, Battletech found a new home in video games, finally giving players the opportunity to control giant fighting machines 1st hand. The first game in the series, Mechwarrior hit the screen in 1989 and has seen several sequels since. The latest game Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries launched December 10 2019 for Microsoft Windows PC. Similar in concept but predating Battletech is the Japanese Phenomena Gundam. April 7 1979 saw the TV show Mobile Suit Gundam introduce what would become modern Mecha Anime to Japanese audiences. Fans lapped it up and an entire industry was born.

The Gundam franchise has had many incarnations with new shows and movies as well as manga, toys, and more. One of the more popular hobbies to come from this is GunPla, plastic kits featuring many of the giant militaristic robot suits from the franchise. This shares many of the hobby aspects with model building and wargaming such as Warhammer 40,000 where hobbyists put together kits and paint their creations.

What has all this to do with Dungeons & Dragons you may ask? We can’t have futuristic sci-fi robots prowling The Forgotten Realms. The answer would be, of course… why not? Sure, having such behemoths would be OP, but there is nothing wrong with having a bit of fun from time to time. If planned properly, in the right setting and with an antagonist that warrants such drastic action, an encounter can be played out with controllable giant machines. These ‘Mechs’ should not be allowed to run wild over the lands, rather they should be used in limited circumstances and with clear boundaries that prevent them from leaving.

If you are planning a campaign using the ideas proposed, the first question to ask is how and where these can be used. Don’t try to shoe-horn them into an existing campaign or setting, this is going to require some homebrew world-building. Usage should be limited, this can be achieved by having a boundary that when crossed causes a mech to deactivate and slump to the ground. Think those annoying shopping trolleys with the wheel locks! You could also have your intrepid adventurers be transported to an alternative dimension or an impenetrable enclosed area, their only chance to escape is to use the tools around them. Both of these examples give a lot of scope as to how they could be used but limits their interaction with the outside world.

There are precedents within D&D lore that could allow the creation of mech-like. From a magic perspective, we have “Animate Objects” and “Mold Earth” both could be used to build giant clay golem constructs. The Engineer allows the construction of devices. With a little creativity, a DM could have groups of powerful NPCs push the boundaries of what is known in order to create these giant abominations.

Here are two different mechs to get you going. Remember to use these wisely and adjust them to suit your gaming needs

Mechs (Magical)

Magical mechs are constructed using the arcane energies of the earth. It takes many powerful Wizards to build a magical mech, but once completed these clay-like constructs can be piloted by a single Wizard above level 5. The structures look like statues until they begin to move and create cracks along its joints. Barely visible to the untrained eye, arcane energy flows throughout, betrayed by tiny tendrils attempting to escape. DMs may choose to make magical mechs that are susceptible to Earthquake damage that create cracks in the clay structure. If there are too many cracks then the mech will fail.

The controlling player should make an Intelligence roll each turn (or at DMs discretion) to maintain control. If the roll is failed then another player with the skills can try to take over by making an Intelligence roll. If all rolls fail then the mech is out of control this turn and may not take any actions but can have actions made against it. Players may attempt to regain control on subsequent rounds.

Constructed Mechs (Engineered)

Constructed Mechs are manufactured by NPC Engineers. They use a variety of materials depending upon the resources available in the area around which they are constructed. Some materials and more susceptible to damage than others, especially against different attacks. For example, wood will burn easily and metal will corrode if attacked with acid. DMs should consider whether this will interfere negatively with the narrative before applying any penalties. Requires a pilot with the Engineer class above level 5.

The controlling player should make a Dexterity roll each turn (or at DMs discretion) to maintain control. If the roll is failed then another player with the skills can try to take over by making a Dexterity roll. If all rolls fail then the mech is out of control this turn and may not take any actions but can have actions made against it. Players may attempt to regain control over subsequent rounds.

Source: Wikipedia -Mechwarrior, Wikipedia - Gundam

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