This Week’s post delves into the grimy world of private contractors.
Each of the MAC Attack Factions will have a distinct visual identity, but I wanted to include an option for players to either stray from their faction's aesthetic for a few miniatures, or field a slightly less coherent force altogether.
Mercenaries, or at least privately manufactured MACs, seems like the obvious solution here.
You can't drive them quite as recklessly as the MAC pilots who are committed to your cause, but they come with a little added flexibility in their variants, a nod to Battletech's many variants of each Battlemech.
Dying for a cause or living in shame.
There’s no freedom out here, but at least you can pick your poison.
- AcesHigh, MAC Pilot for HireAny Force can take as many Hired MACs as they like, sometimes even making up the entire Force. Hired MACs do not benefit from the Faction’s special rule or special module. Use the rules below instead.
SELF-PRESERVATION
When a Hired MAC has 3 or more destroyed modules it cannot intentionally cause a collision.VARIANTS
Prepare two versions of each hired MAC. Three of the modules must be identical. The remaining three must be of the same module type (Weapon or Hardware) but may otherwise be entirely different.When the MAC deploys to the board, decide which variant you are using and discard the other.
Hired MACS are otherwise built as normal. The entries below are some notable MACs for hire.
The Freelance [12pts]
Class 1 MACGuard Variant
1 - SB2 StormCannon
2 - Booster
3 - Booster
4 - Coolant
5 - Vent
6 - PlateHunter Variant
1 - SP2-V RadGun
2 - Booster
3 - Booster
4 - Coolant
5 - Servo
6 - GyroThe Purge [16pts]
Class 2 MACFire Variant
1 - SB2-T Burner
2 - SB2-T Burner
3 - Conductor
4 - Radiator
5 - Radiator
6 - ExofieldAcid Variant
1 - SB2-C ToxiGun
2 - SB2-C ToxiGun
3 - Gyro
4 - Radiator
5 - Radiator
6 - ExofieldThe Red Ocelot [17pts]
Class 2 MACBrawler Variant
1 - LG3-X SeekerRockets
2 - Double P2 Piston
3 - Servo
4 - Gyro
5 - Radiator
6 - RadiatorSniper Variant
1 - LG3-X SeekerRockets
2 - Double LP2-N IonCannon
3 - Cloak
4 - Optics
5 - Radiator
6 - RadiatorThe Goliath II [20pts]
Class 3 MACCruiser Variant
1 - LB2 Autocannon
2 - LB2 Autocannon
3 - LB2 Autocannon
4 - Coolant
5 - Casing
6 - GuardianDestroyer Variant
1 - LD3-X PhotonRockets
2 - LD3-X PhotonRockets
3 - LD3-X PhotonRockets
4 - Coolant
5 - Casing
6 - GuardianThe War Queen [22pts]
Class 3 MACIronclad Variant
1 - SF3 FlakCannon
2 - Double SP2 Pulsebeam
3 - Double Radiator
4 - Plate
5 - Plate
6 - PlateJump Variant
1 - SF3 FlakCannon
2 - Double SP2 Pulsebeam
3 - Double Radiator
4 - Jet
5 - Intake
6 - IntakeWhen negotiations fail we can make success.
- Apex Solutions, Private MAC Manufacturer
Elsewhere
Prismatic Wasteland talks about the power of childlike creativity in relation to the Summer Lego RPG Setting Jam
Dreaming Dragonslayer tries to apply Traveller guidance to the Firefly boardgame
VISIONS UNVEILLED has a few days left of funding and looks like a really cool trove of setting inspiration. Go and check it out.
Coming Soon
Over on Patreon I dip into the past.
15 Years Ago I wrote the first half of 100 Interesting Magic Items. Perhaps I'll finish it for the 20th Anniversary. This is by far my most viewed blogpost of all time, perhaps because it feels like it could be D&D content. Guess I really fucked up by making my own games!
Expect the full post here and on the blog next week.
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