Lancer: NPCs Rebaked

The Galliard Applied Systems BWV-AT-01 "Bach," categorized as an Assault-archetype platform by the Universal Threat Assessment Manual, represents the manufacturer's premier military chassis design, and is a common sight within the Diasporan armies and militias across the Cersine Expanse. Like many models within its archetype, the Bach boasts sturdy and resilient construction optimized for frontline engagement along with integrated fire-control systems for heavy-caliber ballistic weaponry. A simple and straightforward strike chassis, the Bach's proprietary hardpoint interlink system makes incorporating aftermarket modifications more difficult than many clients prefer, with the manufacturer citing industrial espionage and piracy concerns. Galliard offers their own line of fully compatible upgrade packages for an additional cost, which many suspect to be the actual motivation behind this precaution...

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Lancer: NPCs Rebaked is a third-party supplement for LANCER: The Mech RPG, intended to give GMs an assortment of fresh takes on existing NPC options that can replace or exist alongside those found in the Lancer core rulebook, all with an eye towards transparency, ease of use, readily graspable tactics, and memorable challenges for their players to be pitted against.

This 83 page supplement features the following:

• New NPC Structure Damage and Overheating tables. Designed for those NPCs that aren't standard enemies but also aren't Ultras either, made to be simpler and more streamlined with fewer debilitating outcomes that can randomly render such NPCs ineffective.
• NPCs Rebaked. All 30 of the Lancer core rulebook's mech NPCs, from the Ace to the Witch, have been given overhauls designed to make them more cohesive, give them more sharply-focused tactical and gameplay identities, and smooth out rough and unintuitive edges.
• Bespoke Grunts. Rather than a template, these Grunts are bespoke units designed to be Grunts from the outset. Simple and straightforward, these units require no construction or choosing among 30 different NPC classes. Simply select which type you want from five different role-oriented Grunt units (Artillery, Controller, Defender, Striker, or Support) and go.
• The Revised Veteran Template. A new look at the Veteran template, which now gives NPCs the chance to take unique class-specific traits to represent their experience and training. Give Veteran Assaults the benefit of Commando training, exert pressure on the battlefield with a Veteran Demolisher's Heavy Tread, or lock down enemies with a Veteran Sniper's Blinding Laser.
• The Revised Ultra Template. Designed with greater dramatic impact and interaction in mind, this new Ultra template broadens the selection of powerful Ultra traits, weapons, and systems to enable a wider variety of playstyles, while avoiding frustrating blanket immunities that can discourage players from attempting various tactics. Launch Aceso Flocks and utilize the Ontolotactical Array to support your allies, make use of Harbinger Rockets and H0R_OS v?? Puppet Crasher to control the opposition, and employ deadly new weapons like the Miniaturized Railgun and HyperDense Blade.

Designer's Notes accompanying each entry, providing detailed explanations behind major changes and design decisions.

Each of these elements is designed with an eye towards modularity; you can use them together or pick individual components that you wish to use while ignoring the rest, and you can use them as a replacement for core rulebook material or alongside it. For example, you could use bespoke Grunts and also make use of the core rulebook's Grunt template, or you could choose not to use the new Structure Damage and Overheating tables if you prefer the viscerality of the default version. You can even use rebaked NPCs alongside their core rulebook versions if you want. None of these components require the use of others in order to function.

Along with a pdf featuring cover art by Peyton Gee and layout by Minærva McJanda, it also includes an lcp file compatible with Lancer's Comp/Con digital toolset for ease of use and integration in your games. Note that this lcp requires the Lancer core rulebook paid version lcp in order to function. An additional lcp for Foundry users is also included to help manage Deployable elements such as Engineer turrets. These lcps are courtesy of PilotNET Discord server members Eleonor, stebb, and SkydivingSnake. When loaded into Comp/Con rebake NPCs will be identifiable by a [K] suffix after their name, i.e. Assault [K].