Heavy Gear

[jhilahd]

So I like Mecha games.

 

Love me some CAV2.

 

But I'm intrigued by the Heavy Gear Tactical Game by Dream Pod 9.

I used to have the RPG, back when it first came out, but never played the mini's game.

I actually used to shun wargames, I was an RPGer only. Pfft, what was I thinking?

 

Now its almost a complete reversal. I find I can play mini games easier than prepare for an RPG. Weird.

I digress...

 

I know there's a new version out of their tactical rules and was curious to see what anyone thought.

 

Thanks,

Jhilahd

[Lars Porsenna]

I have the 2e rules box set (as well as a number of sourcebooks). In a nutshell these rules are awesome. Just flat out great. It uses an opposed dice pool mechanic that rewards good luck. FREX, if the 2 opponents are veterans, they get 3 dice IIRC. Vet 1 throws dice to shoot at vet 2. Vet 1 rolls 4, 3, 4 for a total score of 5 (4 is the highest value, and you ADD 1 for every other highest value showing, in this case 2 4's); Vet 2 rolls a 1, 1, and 2, for a total score of 2 (2 being the highest face value, and no other 2's showing up), so he gets hit. Vet 1 is shooting with an LAC (Light AutoCannon, which has a x8 damage multiplier), so his damage to vet 2 is a total of 40 (5x8). Vet 1 has an armor factor of 11. Since 40 is more than 3 times the target's armor factor, it is counted as an Overkill and the piece is removed from play.

 

It's a great system, and realistic yet simple. The biggest gripe I have is that OOTB its hex-based, thouth like Battletech there are minis rules. My other gripe is that the setting isn't nearly as expansive, detailed, epic, and doesn't make the same statement that Battletech's does (then again I have yet to find a mech setting that DOES even approach Battletech's level). With that in mind, though, its progressive, and does have an Anime feel, which is what DP9 was going for (it even has purple super-troopers!).

 

Damon.

[Faraday77]

Played 2nd edition. Still a great game with a nice setting, many good points and a blast to play.

 

The incredibly long delay to get the new core rules and minis out killed it for me a while ago, so I can't comment on the 'HG Miniature Rules'.

[Hoarfrost]

I haven't seen the 3rd. Ed. yet, but I've played, and still play, 2nd. Ed with wild, maniacal glee...

 

As Damon has already hinted at, it's quite a bit more deadly that just about any other Mecha game I've played so far - units rarely survive more than two or three good hits. It also has quite a different approach to Battletech - while BT is much about the Mech as the ultimate heavy tank, HG is more about the Gear as a sort of ultra-heavy infantry. This means that both the challenges (a single tank can spell doom to a squad of Gears) and the tactics (hinding, spotting for guided IF weaponry, electronic warfare, leapfrogging and the like are *big* in HG) differ quite abit in those two games.

 

There's a non-hex, full tabletop rulebook out for 2nd. Ed. that goes on eBay for less than $5 from time to time. The 3rd. Ed. rules also feature non-hex, full tabletop rules.

 

Lastly, I'd actually disagree with Damon on the scope of Heavy Gear's background. Since there's a full RPG associated with Heavy Gear, the background is actually very expansive and detailed (down to the favourite Ice-Cream flavors in the Nations of Terra Nova... ), and is a gorgeous world to roleplay on. Also, TTG and RPG connect nicely, so that quite a number of my campaigns had crossover from one to the other.

[Erion]

The 2nd edition of the game was fun and deadly. Can you say "cascading system failures"?

 

BEST mecha game background out there. They even publish books that don't contain a single stat for either the RPG or the miniature game, just to advance the storyline.

 

Sadly, DP9's support waned to the point of nothingness for almost two years in advance of the third edition rules (which were VERY late and very scaled-down from the originally announced project). The player base has eroded badly and they are struggling to restore it.

[jhilahd]

Cool.

 

I got the 2nd ed Tactical book off of www.drivethrurpg.com about 6 months ago as a freebie. I just need to print it. I've been sitting on, while learning/loving/growing with CAV2.

 

But something about these gears that are under 2 meters tall, and are agile and powerful is cool.

 

Now to find a game store that carries the mini's.

[Chrome]

Now to find a game store that carries the mini's.

I've got two boxed sets of the basic minis: one Northern and one Southern that I'm willing to sell. I've got a ton of 2nd edition books as well. If anyone wants to make me an offer, PM me and I'll get you a list.