Line #16 TabletopGame/Mekton


1	''Mekton'' is a HumongousMecha TabletopRPG published by Mike Pondsmith under his Creator/RTalsorianGames, and was, in fact, the first Mecha RPG ever published. All official settings are RealRobot settings, but it is possible to run a SuperRobot game within the rules as well.
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3	!'''Editions'''
4	* '''"White Box" Mekton''':The very first Mekton published, it was more of a wargame or boardgame than an RPG. The mecha battle on a hexmap representing an entire planet.
5	* '''Mekton''':Published in 1985. The first anime mecha role-playing game (''{{TabletopGame/BattleTech}}'' was only a boardgame at this time.) Introduced the world of Algol.
6	* '''Mekton II''': Second edition rules
7	* '''Mekton Zeta''': Third edition rules, with greater emphasis on replicating anime.
8	* '''Mekton Zero''': A planned new edition, backwards compatible with ''Zeta''. [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1888572386/mekton-zero Was successfully funded on Kickstarter]], but has since [[VaporWare failed to materialize]]. In 2018, backers were given their money back, however Pondsmith continues to insist that the game will still be made. [[DevelopmentHell Eventually.]]
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10	!'''Settings'''
11	!!'''Official Settings'''
12	* '''Algol''': The first published Mekton setting. A chilly world on the brink of an impending ice age, Algol is home to a lost colony of humans struggling to survive against an increasingly hostile environment, alien invasion, and each other. Was [[ContinuityReboot Rebooted]] with each edition before being abandoned due to [[ExecutiveMeddling editorial policy changes]]- or was, prior to Mike Pondsmith's taking control of the company. Makes a comeback in the upcoming Mekton Zero.
13	* '''Bendar Empire''': Introduced in ''Mekton Empire'', a ''Mekton II'' supplement - The Bendar Spiral Galaxy is home to a vast and ancient Imperium in decline. The forces of darkness threatens the Imperium from without while decadence and decay destroy it from within. It is a time of adventure and intrigue, of political machinations and star-spanning battles. Mekton Empire provides epic scope to the game of Mekton. Giant battlefleets ply the void, scheming politicians maneuver for power, and great mysteries hide secrets that could destroy, or save, an entire Galaxy. Mekton Empire is a cross between ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' and ''Manga/TheFiveStarStories'', where characters can become heroes for their deeds of honor and turn around to be stabbed in the back by their closest friend. Abandoned, but containing the Algol setting as yet another planet.
14	* '''TabletopGame/JovianChronicles''': Originally a setting for ''Mekton II'' created by Creator/DreamPod9, before being published as a game in its own right under a different system. Has been described as "American ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}''" (well, Canadian Gundam actually), revolving around a conflict in our own solar system between the powers of the Jovian Confederation and the Central Earth Government and Administration.
15	* '''Invasion Terra''': The default setting for ''Mekton Zeta'', with Earth being invaded by an expansionist galactic empire. Heavily influenced by ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross''. Initially developed as a test-game for the Zeta edition before being published.
16	* '''Imperial Star''': Introduced in ''Mekton Zeta'' - similar to ''Mekton Empire'', but set in our own galaxy. Written up in the ''Mekton Zeta'' rulebook before being abandoned.
17	* '''Starblade Battalion''': The last published sourcebook in the Mekton line to date. A sequel to Cyberpunk 2020, but set so far in its future that you wouldn't notice. Earth and its Pleiades Colonies locked by their respective governments in a war that nobody really wants, that the titular Starblade Battalion (a [[LaResistance rebel group]] made up from [[RagtagBunchOfMisfits disidents of both sides]] plus {{Space Pirates}}) tries to stop. Easily comparable to ''[[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Zeta Gundam]]'' and ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]''.
18	* '''Gundam Senki''': Japanese release only - a licensed ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' RPG [[note]] specifically, the Universal Century's One Year War, although supplements covering other eras were planned.[[/note]] using the Mekton rules. An English-language release [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was planned, but fell through]].
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20	!!'''Fan Settings'''
21	* '''Virtual Mekton'''[[http://virtualmekton.tripod.com/]] : Teenagers battle it out in virtual-reality mecha combat, in between school and other activities. Inspired by the game ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'' and the manga ''Break-Age''
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23	A new edition of ''Mekton'' has been bandied around since the ninties under various names such as ''Mekton Double Zeta'' and ''Mekton ZERO''. However, the game itself has been essentially out of print and all attempts to revive it have thus far resulted in extensive delays and cancellations. After a well-funded Kickstarter project, Mike Pondsmith 's new edition ''Mekton Zero'' [[ScheduleSlip has slipped]] from its expected delivery date by over five years and Pondsmith has begun refunding backers, which makes a lot of people (including backers) wary of its status.
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26	!!Mekton provides examples of the following tropes:
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28	* ChunkySalsaRule: The rules for nukes are heavy on this sort of thing; if you're in the hex where it goes off, you're dead. The same applies to supernovae, except that every hex within about 100 AU of the star is treated as 'where it goes off'.
29	* CombiningMecha: A set of rules allows for this by allowing players to equip individual mechs with a system that allows them to fuse into a different design.
30	* DoppelgangerSpin: The Shadow Imager, providing the page quote, no less.
31	* EnergyWeapon: All of your classics are well represented: laser rifles, plasma cannons, beam swords, hell even beam shields.
32	* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: Dremmond's death and exocution of his Master Plan in ''Rimfire'' cannot be averted, no matter what the players do.
33	* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Likely to be invoked at least once, given that the game wears its [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam influences]] on its sleeve.
34	* GracefulInTheirElement: In ''Zeta'', Mark Benjamin Michaels is described as "terminally clumsy outside of a cockpit".
35	* GratuitousJapanese: Many of the headings of the ''Zeta'' books include hiragana or katakana as well as English.
36	* HumongousMecha: Building and fighting them in the vein of Franchise/{{Gundam}} is the basic premise, though this is simply one of your options for construction.
37	* LaserBlade: Energy Melee Weapons.
38	* LoveAtFirstPunch: One of the illustrations in ''Zeta'' is of a man and woman engaged in a swordfight. The second panel shows them sitting together on a couch, showing their daughter a photo album (presumably a picture of the fight), with the swords hanging on the wall behind them, with the caption, "And that's how your father and I met, dear."
39	* MacrossMissileMassacre: Missile weapons were worthless unless fired in huge swarms
40	* MechaTropes: DUH. Their ''Mekton Plus'' sourcebook reads like a checklist. AMechByAnyOtherName? Check. MetaMecha? Check. MiniMecha? Check. MotionCaptureMecha? Check. AnimalMecha? Check. TelescopingRobot? Check.
41	* MoreDakka: Burst Value effectively determine a weapon's rate of fire, and a Burst 8 can be found on the gnarliest machine guns. Certain weapons, such as beam sweepers, have an infinite burst value, effectively signifying constant fire as long as it's being used.
42	* OfficialGameVariant: Although slightly encouraged all around, The Mekton Z+ rulebook makes it clear that the method provided for determining random psionic abilities in [=PCs=] is just a suggestion and that referees [the Game Masters] have the final say in how to determine them.
43	* OrganicTechnology: An expensive but potent upgrade from that ''Mekton Plus'' sourcebook.
44	* PointDefenseless: Somewhat averted in that a properly-designed point defense system can utterly shred Mektons, and do it from a much further range than they can be effectively replied to. However, for this reason, many [=GMs=] prefer NOT to properly design their point defense systems.
45	* PoweredArmor: Another option, if it suits you, drawing more inspiration from Anime/BubblegumCrisis.
46	* [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race Guys]]: The invaders in ''Invasion Terra'' are depicted as a warrior culture with a strict code of honor. Consisting primarily of clones of their finest warriors, scientists and other specialists, they seek to subjugate other humanoid species whenever they encounter them.
47	* PsychicPowers: Psionics can be incorporated into character creation starting with ''Mekton Empire'' . ''Zeta'' offers the ability to scale them up to give your mech psychic powers as well.
48	* {{Railroading}}: The ''Operation Rimfire'' module for Mekton II read more like a script then an adventure - everything was predetermined, right down to the villain's Narmy death.
49	** Despite the railroading, ''Rimfire'' is easily the single most popular Mekton module there is, which says a lot about the Mekton playerbase.
50	* RealRobot: All official settings. Staying true to its ''Gundam''-inspired roots, it both co-exists and blurs the line with the SuperRobotGenre, all depending on what build you go for.
51	* RunningGag: similarly-named NPC pilots asking the also similarly-named NPC techs to build outrageous designs and being [[WrenchWhack hit on the head with a wrench]] are depicted in almost all versions of the game
52	** The Mekton Z mailing list has a few, the largest of which involves ''action figures'' after Cyberpunk V3's rather unique choice of ''illustration materials''.
53	* StatuesqueStunner: Jalia Zell, an [[ActionGirl elite]] [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Imperial military clone]] in the Invasion Terra campaign setting is depicted (in her statistics and in the couple of fairly low detail drawings of her) as being tall, long legged and very attractive. [[spoiler:In quintessential anime fashion, her official storyline has her become [[CuriosityCausesConversion intrigued by the Terran pilot who captured her]], [[HumanityIsInfectious as well as in human culture and life beyond war]], before returning to her people. She later [[ThePowerofLove defects to the Terran side mid-battle to be with her adversary-turned lover]] and [[BattleCouple joins his squadron]].]]
54	* SuperDeformed: Yes, it even has rules for ''this''. The books are -- [[{{Dedication}} quite literally]] -- dedicated to anime fans, after all.
55	* SuperRobot: It can do these too. Super robots statted out in the first Mecha Manual include the Zeiru Ronin and the combiners [=GodFang=] Y, [=GodWing=] X and [=GodGriffon=] VX.
56	* ThisIsADrill: The Mekton Zeta corebook lists drills among the weapons.
57	* TransformingMecha: The ''Roadstriker'' supplements provide options for creating mechs that transform into a variety of vehicles. In ''Zeta'', this is included in the core rules.
58	* SpacePirates: ''Starblade Battalion''. They're a fairly loose alliance of noble criminals and various renegades, more or less a space-faring version of the edgerunners from ''Cyberpunk 2020''.
59	* WaveMotionGun: You can set up a charging time for your energy weapons, which gives a steadily more significant discount as the time gets longer. Add this to Mega-Beam, which lets you hit every location on your target at once, and make the weapon big enough...

Context TabletopGame / Mekton