And Now for Another Mechanic...

And Now for Another Mechanic...

Third in my series adding more vehicle options to starfinder, after soldier and solarian options, I'm diving into the mechanic class. Personally, I think it's been a grave injustice that mechanics of all people didn't have this already, but here goes: 

Mechanic Alternate Class Feature - Vehicle (Replaces Artificial Intelligence)

You begin play with a customized vehicle you built and maintain with your own hands. As you gain levels, the vehicle improves in sophistication and becomes more powerful.

Chassis – Pick the type of vehicle you want to use:

• Cycle – a quick, maneuverable vehicle with a minimum of cargo or passenger capacity.
• Cruiser – a midsized vehicle large enough to transport the party and fast enough to get where ever you need to go.
• Hauler – a lumbering juggernaut of a vehicle tough, dependable, and can carry massive amounts of cargo or passengers.

This choice is permanent and cannot be changed later.

Once you have chosen your chassis, consult the rules in that chassis’s section to determine the statistics of your vehicle.

As directed, also consult this Size Chart:

	Dimensions	Damage	DC	AC	Control Modifier	Attack Modifier	Payload
Diminutive	/4	-4 dice	+8	+4	+8	-8	/4
Tiny	/3	-3 dice	+6	+3	+6	-6	/3
Small	/2	-2 dice	+4	+2	+4	-4	/2
Medium	x.75	-1 dice	+2	+1	+2	-2	-
Large	x1	0	+0	+0	+0	+0	-
Huge	x2	+1 dice	-2	-1	-2	+2	x2
Gargantuan	x3	+2 dice	-4	-2	-4	+4	x3
Colossal	x4	+3 dice	-6	-3	-6	+6	x4

Cycle

Size – The Cycle’s size is one step larger than the mechanic’s size.

Dimensions – The base dimensions of the cycle are 5 ft. wide, 10 ft. long, 3 ft. high. This is modified by the number in the dimension’s column of the Size Chart, based on the cycle’s actual size.

Type – Cruisers are land vehicles. Mods may be used to change or add-to this. At certain levels it upgrades to hover, then antigrav, and eventually you get a free modification to it beyond even that.

Base Modifiers – the base modifiers of the cycle are +2 Piloting for the control roll, and -1 attack (–3 at full speed). These are modified by the Control modifier and Attack modifier on the Size Chart, based on the cycle’s size. Larger vehicles have better attack modifiers and worse control modifiers.

Cover – Cruisers provide no cover to the driver or passengers.

Damage - All vehicles have a collision attack. It’s damage and DC are decided by the rules in the Core rulebook. The Size Chart shows the correct modifiers for that damage and DC based on size.

Each cycle’s speed, HP, Hardness, EAC and KAC are shown on the Cycle Chart, and are based on level. EAC and KAC are further modified by the Size Chart.

Systems – Each cycle gains the indicated systems at the appropriate level on the Cycle Chart.

Payload* – Cargo, Passengers, and Weapon Mounts are purchased with the Payload points. The number of points of payload you have available to spend is equal to the amount indicated on the Cycle Chart, modified by the number indicated on the Size Chart.

• 1 Bulk of Cargo is 1 Point.
• 1 Passenger is 3 points for an exposed, no-cover seat for a medium passenger (a cycle may have no more than 1 exposed passenger), modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle).
• 5 points for a side-car that provides ½ cover to that passenger (a cycle may have no more than one side-car) , modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle).
• The cost of a driver-controlled weapon mount is equal to the weapon’s bulk+1, and must have a fixed forward or backward fire arc.
• A passenger controlled weapon must be designated as either a rear turret (360 degree fire arc) or a side-car turret, which can fire in any direction except towards the driver at their side. Passenger controlled weapon mounts cost points equal to the weapon’s bulk+2.

Mods* – this is the number of vehicle mods that can be purchased and applied to the vehicle.

*You can change these choices by spending 24 hours rebuilding the vehicle, or when you level up.

Lvl	Drive Speed	Full Speed	Travel Speed	HP	Hardness	AC E/K	System	Payload	Mods
1	20	500	57	7	5	10/12	Autocontrol, Master Control	10	1
2	20	500	57	14	5	11/13		10	1
3	25	625	71	21	5	13/15	Autopilot	10	2
4	25	625	71	28	5	14/16		10	2
5	25	625	71	35	5	16/18		10	3
6	30	750	85	42	7	17/19	Hover	15	3
7	30	750	85	49	7	18/20		15	4
8	30	750	85	56	7	19/21		15	4
9	30	750	85	63	7	20/22		15	5
10	35	875	99	70	7	22/24		15	5
11	35	875	99	77	10	23/25		20	6
12	35	875	99	84	10	24/26	Antigrav	20	6
13	35	875	99	91	10	26/28		20	7
14	35	875	99	98	10	27/29		20	7
15	40	1000	114	105	10	28/30		20	8
16	40	1000	114	112	15	29/31		25	8
17	40	1000	114	119	15	30/32		25	9
18	40	1000	114	126	15	31/33	Bonus Motive	25	9
19	40	1000	114	133	15	32/34		25	10
20	40	1000	114	140	15	33/35		25	10

Cruiser

Size – The Cruiser’s size is one step larger than the mechanic’s size.

Dimensions – The base dimensions of the cruiser are 10 ft. wide, 10 ft. long, 5 ft. high. This is modified by the number in the dimension’s column of the Size Chart, based on the cruiser’s actual size.

Type – Cruisers are land vehicles. Mods may be used to change or add-to this. At certain levels it upgrades to hover, then antigrav, and eventually you get a free modification to it beyond even that.

Base Modifiers – the base modifiers of the cruiser are +0 Piloting for the control roll, and -3 attack (–5 at full speed). These are modified by the Control modifier and Attack modifier on the Size Chart, based on the cruiser’s size. Larger vehicles have better attack modifiers and worse control modifiers.

Cover – Cruisers provide improved cover to the driver and/or passengers. This can be increased to full with mods. 

Damage - All vehicles have a collision attack. It’s damage and DC are decided by the rules in the Core rulebook. The Size Chart shows the correct modifiers for that damage and DC based on size.

Each cruiser’s speed, HP, Hardness, EAC and KAC are shown on the Cruiser Chart, and are based on level. EAC and KAC are further modified by the Size Chart.

Systems – Each cruiser gains the indicated systems at the appropriate level on the Cruiser Chart.

Payload* – Cargo, Passengers, and Weapon Mounts are purchased with the Payload points. The number of points of payload you have available to spend is equal to the amount indicated on the Cruiser Chart, modified by the number indicated on the Size Chart.1 Bulk of Cargo is 1 Point.

• 1 Passenger is 3 points for an exposed, half-cover seat. This may be upgraded to improved cover for an additional point, modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle).
• 5 points for a normal interior passenger seat, modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle).
• The cost of a driver-controlled weapon mount is equal to the weapon’s bulk+1, and must have a fixed forward or backward fire arc.
• A passenger-controlled weapon must be designated as either a turret (360 degree fire arc) controlled by an exposed passenger, or a sponson turret, which can fire in a 180 degree fire arc on the side it is mounted controlled by an internal passenger. Passenger controlled weapon mounts cost points equal to the weapon’s bulk+2. You cannot have more passenger-controlled weapon mounts than you do passengers.

Mods* – this is the number of vehicle mods that can be purchased and applied to the vehicle.

*You can change these choices by spending 24 hours rebuilding the vehicle, or when you level up.

Lvl	Drive Speed	Full Speed	Travel Speed	HP	Hardness	AC E/K	System	Payload	Mods
1	15	450	51	10	5	13/15	Autocontrol, Master Control	30	1
2	15	450	51	20	5	14/16		30	1
3	15	450	51	30	5	16/18		30	2
4	20	600	68	40	5	17/19	Autopilot	30	2
5	20	600	68	50	7	18/20		30	3
6	20	600	68	60	7	19/21		40	3
7	20	600	68	70	7	20/22		40	4
8	25	750	85	80	7	22/24	Hover	40	4
9	25	750	85	90	10	23/25		40	5
10	25	750	85	100	10	24/26		40	5
11	25	750	85	110	10	26/28		50	6
12	30	900	102	120	10	27/29		50	6
13	30	900	102	130	15	28/30		50	7
14	30	900	102	140	15	29/31		50	7
15	30	900	102	150	15	30/32		50	8
16	30	900	102	160	15	31/33	Antigrav	60	8
17	35	1050	119	170	20	32/34		60	9
18	35	1050	119	180	20	33/35		60	9
19	35	1050	119	190	20	35/37		60	10
20	35	1050	119	200	20	36/38		60	10

Hauler

Size – The Hauler’s size is two steps larger than the mechanic’s size. Haulers may increase their size with

Dimensions – The base dimensions of the Hauler are 5 ft. wide, 10 ft. long, 7.5 ft. high. This is modified by the number in the dimension’s column of the Size Chart, based on the Hauler’s actual size.

Type – Haulers are land vehicles. Mods may be used to change or add-to this. At certain levels it upgrades to hover, then antigrav, and eventually you get a free modification to it beyond even that.

Base Modifiers – the base modifiers of the Hauler are -2 Piloting for the control roll, and -4 attack (–6 at full speed). These are modified by the Control modifier and Attack modifier on the Size Chart, based on the Hauler’s size. Larger vehicles have better attack modifiers and worse control modifiers.

Cover – Haulers provide improved cover to the driver and/or passengers. This can be increased to full with mods. 

Damage - All vehicles have a collision attack. Its damage and DC are decided by the rules in the Core rulebook. The Size Chart shows the correct modifiers for that damage and DC based on size.

Each Hauler’s speed, HP, Hardness, EAC and KAC are shown on the Hauler Chart, and are based on level. EAC and KAC are further modified by the Size Chart.

Systems – Each Hauler gains the indicated systems at the appropriate level on the Hauler Chart.

Payload* – Cargo, Passengers, and Weapon Mounts and even Expansion Bays are purchased with Payload points. The number of points of payload you have available to spend is equal to the amount indicated on the Hauler Chart, modified by the number indicated on the Size Chart.

• 1 Bulk of Cargo is 1 Point.
• 1 Passenger is 3 points for an exposed, half-cover seat, modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle). This may be upgraded to improved cover for an additional point.
• 5 points for a internal passenger seat, modify this by the payload number on the size chart for larger passengers (use size of passenger rather than size of vehicle).
• The cost of a driver-controlled weapon mount is equal to the weapon’s bulk+1, and must have a fixed forward or backward fire arc.
• A passenger-controlled weapon must be designated as either a turret (360 degree fire arc) controlled by an exposed passenger, or a sponson turret, which can fire in a 180 degree fire arc on the side it is mounted controlled by an internal passenger. Passenger controlled weapon mounts cost points equal to the weapon’s bulk+2. You cannot have more passenger-controlled weapon mounts than you do passengers.
• Haulers may also purchase starship expansion bays at a cost of 25 points per expansion bay slot it takes up. They may not purchase any expansion bay that has size requirements.
• They may also purchase a Hangar Bay that can carry 1 vehicle 1 size category smaller than it, or 2 that are 2 size categories smaller, or 4 that are 3 size categories smaller, etc. This costs 25 payload.

Mods* – this is the number of vehicle mods that can be purchased and applied to the vehicle.

*You can change these choices by spending 24 hours rebuilding the vehicle, or when you level up.

Lvl	Drive Speed	Full Speed	Travel Speed	HP	Hard	AC E/K	System	Payload	Mods
1	10	300	34	20	5	16/18	Autocontrol, Master Control	50	1
2	10	300	34	40	5	17/19		50	1
3	10	300	34	60	5	18/20		50	2
4	10	300	34	80	7	19/21		50	2
5	15	450	51	100	7	20/22		50	3
6	15	450	51	120	7	22/24	Autopilot	75	3
7	15	450	51	140	10	23/25		75	4
8	15	450	51	160	10	24/26		75	4
9	15	450	51	180	10	26/28	Hover	75	5
10	20	600	68	200	15	27/29		75	5
11	20	600	68	220	15	28/30		100	6
12	20	600	68	240	15	29/31		100	6
13	20	600	68	260	20	30/32		100	7
14	20	600	68	280	20	31/33		100	7
15	20	600	68	300	20	32/34		100	8
16	25	750	85	320	25	33/35		150	8
17	25	750	85	340	25	35/37		150	9
18	25	750	85	360	25	36/38	Antigrav	150	9
19	25	750	85	380	30	38/40		150	10
20	25	750	85	400	30	39/41		150	10

Vehicle Mods

Motive System Replacement – You may replace your vehicle’s motive system with another type, replacing it’s land speed with either a Water (surface) speed, or replace it’s land speed with a swim or flight speed at half its original land speed.

Motive System Addition – At a cost of 2 mod slots you may add an additional motive system. You may add a swim speed at half your primary motive system speed, or you may add a burrow speed at 1/10 your primary motive system speed. You must have the enclosed mod before you can select this one.

Enclosed – Your cruiser or hauler becomes fully enclosed, giving the driver and all interior passengers full cover.

Oil Slick – As a standard action you pay activate this oil slick and trail grease behind your vehicle. This fills all spaces your vehicle leaves until the end of your next turn with a grease that functions like the grease spell. Any vehicles that move into a space filled with grease must make a piloting check or lose control. The DC of this check is equal to the DC for your mechanic’s tricks. This may be used once before needing to be refilled. This mod may be taken multiple times. It gains an additional use before needing to be refilled for each additional time it is taken.

Smoke Screen - As a standard action you pay activate this smoke screen and trail smoke behind your vehicle. This fills all spaces your vehicle leaves until the end of your next turn with a smoke that functions like the fog cloud spell. Any vehicles that take a race action inside the smoke screen must make a piloting check or lose control and crash. The DC of this check is equal to the DC for your mechanic’s tricks. The smoke also covers the vehicle deploying it, and its passengers. This may be used once before needing to be refilled. This mod may be taken multiple times. It gains an additional use before needing to be refilled for each additional time it is taken.

Missile Rack – A concealed rack designed to carry and launch independent missiles targeted at another vehicle’s motive system. It can be filled by up to 4 of any missile ammunition a personal weapon might use. Once per turn as a standard action the driver may trigger one of these missiles to fire at a target within sight making a normal ranged attack. Any damage dealt to another vehicle with one of these forces it to make a piloting check DC 15+(1.5 x Level)+the amount of damage dealt to the vehicle. Failing this check causes the vehicle to go out of control.

Towing Hitch and Reinforcements – This hardpoint is sufficient to allow the cruiser or hauler to tow another vehicle up to one size category larger than itself. This mod may be taken multiple times, each one increasing the size of vehicle you may tow by one size category. If you go past colossal size, you may tow grounded starships.

Comm System – This is a planet-wide comm system on a huge or smaller vehicle. Or a system-wide comm system on a gargantuan or larger vehicle.

Junk – When a nearby technomancer tries to cast a junk spell they may deal 1d10 damage to this vehicle to provide the necessary bulk of junk material for the spell. If this vehicle gains the broken condition, its driver must make a piloting check DC 15+Level or the vehicle will explode dealing 1d10 damage per level to everything and everyone within 5 ft. plus 5 ft per size category larger than large. While the broken condition remains, this check must be passed each time the vehicle takes damage. Gain your level in extra payload.

Enhanced Sensors – The cruiser or hauler gains a sensor suite that can allow the crew to make perception checks using its senses. The range is 100 ft per size category. This mod may be selected multiple times. Each time it is selected choose from one of the following senses: Darkvision, Blindsense (Vibration), Blindsense (Heat).

Sense Through – You must have selected enhanced sensors before selecting this. The vehicle’s enhanced sensors gain the sense through ability an can penetrate barriers.

Breach – After the pilot makes a successful ram action against an object with a hull or wall, if the rammed object has the broken condition, the breacher’s pilot can use a swift action to activate cutting lasers, drills, claws, or other devices mounted on the front of this vehicle. These devices create a hole in the rammed object up to 8 feet in diameter, allowing creatures to pass freely from the breacher into the breached object.

Reinforced Ramming Frame – A specially designed frame, kinetic dampeners, or other technology prevents this vehicle from taking damage when its pilot performs a successful ram action.

Autopilot Proficiency Module – Your Autopilot becomes proficient with one weapon type and can spend a standard action operating that weapon if it is not currently operating the vehicle. 

Autopilot Skill Module – Your Autopilot becomes trained in one skill, with a bonus equal to the skill bonus equal to the skill bonus an AI would have. The vehicle's computer tier is considered 1/2 of it's level for this purpose. 

Manipulator – Install an armature on your cruiser or hauler with some form of gripping mechanism. It is capable of holding and lifting items equal to two steps lower than the vehicles size. It can be used for a variety of purposes from working with salvage to loading cargo.  

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Solarian Powers Inspired by Tron

Solarian Powers Inspired by Tron

From the movie Tron Legacy

Continuing my theme of bringing more vehicle combat into Starfinder, today, I have some Solarian features inspired by Tron, light-cycle combat included. It occurred to me that some Solarian out there may have turned their Solar Mote into a projector. A major theme of the class is the control of photons or light. That opened up a basketful of possibilities that lead me to the abilities detailed below. I hope you all enjoy it.

Solarian Class Features

Solar Manifestation - Solar Projector

Mysterio from Spiderman: Far From Home

Your solar mote functions similarly to a holographic projector, but manipulates both light and gravity to manifest it’s “images.”

The basic function of the Solar Projector is to act like the spell Holographic Image with a spell level of 1 at first level. At third level and every 3 levels after, raise the spell level this ability uses by 1. The duration of this spell is are unattuned, or for 1 round.

Stellar Revelations

Available at level 2

Hardlight Fabrication – Photon

You use your solar projectors to create a piece of technological gear out of hardlight. It may be any technological item with an item level equal to your level or lower. It remains as long as you are photon attuned or 1 round. You may only have one such item created for each point of photon attunement you have.

Zero Point Power – Graviton

Each round that you are graviton attuned, your Solar Projector may draw power from the force of objects touching and being drawn together from gravity. You gain charges you can spend to power any gear that takes batteries equal to the number of attunement points you have. These points replenish up to your new attunement level each round, no matter how many you spent the last round. Alternatively, you may power a vehicle with this ability as long as you are graviton attuned. If powering a vehicle, you may not spend any points to power any other devices. This power does not function while you are under the effect of zero gravity.

Available at level 6

Light Cycles – Photon

You use your Solar Projector to manifest a Basic Enercycle made out of hardlight. It has E- and KAC equals yours, HP equal to 2x your level, and hardness equal to your level. It does not gain the broken condition and is only destroyed when it runs out of HP. Its collision damage is based on your level. The collision DC is equal to your Stellar Revelation DC. It gains a bonus to its speeds equal to +5/+25/+2 per additional Solarian level you have. It lasts until it is destroyed, you are no longer Photon attuned, or 1 round.

Personal Driving Surface – Graviton

Ghost Rider driving up a building

You may use your solar projector to change the direction of gravity’s pull on a vehicle or power armor you are in (operating or as a passenger) by up to 90 degrees allowing it to drive full speed up vertical surfaces. You can not increase this further than 90 degrees from the normal local gravity. The surface that is driven on must still be able to sustain the weight of the vehicle, or it will break as normal. When you use this power, the vehicle must transition from the normal gravity to the altered surface. To do this, the driver must make a piloting check equal to your stellar revelation DC. Failing this check causes the vehicle to crash. This only affects a vehicle or power armor you are in, other vehicles or power armor are still subject to normal local gravity. This power lasts as long as you are graviton attuned, you dismiss it as a move action, or 1 round.

Available at level 10

Solar Wall – Photon

Tron Legacy

You may use your solar projector to trail a wall of hardlight behind you as you travel. You may spend 1 resolve point to cause each space you exit during your turn to fill with this wall. Its height is equal to yours. If you are operating a vehicle or in power armor, it instead uses that item’s height. If you or your vehicle are more than one square wide, pick one square for the wall to be generated inside. This hardlight wall otherwise has the same statistics as a wall of force and is vulnerable and resistant to the same things. Any vehicle colliding with your Solar Wall takes damage equal to the collision damage of a vehicle of your level. Once generated, each square of Solar Wall remains in place until you are no longer photon attuned or for 1 round.

Spatial Cover - Graviton

You use your Solar Projector to bend space in your vicinity. Increase the amount of cover that everyone within 5 ft of you (yourself included) benefits from by 50%. If you are inside a vehicle when you use this power, it instead increases the amount of cover the vehicle provides to all its crew and passengers by 50%. This power lasts for as long as you are graviton attuned or for 1 round.

Available at level 14

Holographic Terrain – Photon

You may use your Solar Projector to alter the appearance of the terrain around you. This functions as a Holographic Terrain spell-like ability. It has a duration of as long as you are photon attuned or 1 round. Once you have used this revelation, you can’t use it again until the next time you regain Stamina Points after a 10-minute rest.

Gravitic Passwall - Graviton

Tron Legacy

Your Solar Projector can bend space/time in a way that lets you bypass energy barriers. This ability functions as a Passwall spell-like ability. However, rather than passing through physical barriers, it instead allows you to pass through energy walls like a wall of force spell, a wall of fire spell, etc. without suffering their effects. It may even penetrate force fields. Ones activated, the hole remains as long as you are graviton attuned or 1 round.

Available at level 16

Veil – Photon

You may use your Solar Projector to alter the appearance of the people around you. This functions as a Veil spell-like ability. It uses your stellar revelation DC. It has a duration of as long as you are graviton attuned, till you dismiss it, or 1 round.

Sympathetic Vibration – Graviton

You may use your Solar Projector to alter the gravity of a structure or item to cause it to begin collapsing. This functions as a Sympathetic Vibration spell-like ability. As long as you are gravity attuned, that structure continues to take the indicated damage each round. The ability ends when you are not longer graviton attuned or after 1 round.

Zenith Powers

Shadowy Fleet – Photon

You may use your Solar Projector to make a shadowy fleet appear high above and begin bombarding an area. This functions as a Shadowy Fleet spell-like ability. It does damage equal to the damage a solar weapon would deal at your current level. If you have a Solarian Crystal in your mote, it modifies the damage of this ability. It uses your stellar revelation DC.

Shrink Item – Graviton

You may use your solar projector to reduce the size and bulk of an item. This functions as a Shrink Item spell-like ability with a spell level equal to one third your Solarian level. If you target a vehicle with this ability, instead of its usual limits, you may affect one unoccupied vehicle that is your size category or smaller, plus one size category higher for every spell level higher than 1^st.

Tron Legacy

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Fighting with Vehicles

Fighting with Vehicles

I have thought for a long time that vehicles were not getting enough love in Starfinder. It’s the future, if you can’t shoot or stab someone while travelling 150 mph what’s even the point? In an effort to fix that, I came up with this. I hope you all enjoy it.

Soldier Fighting Style - Lancer

Like the medieval knights, Lancers deploy to the field of battle aboard steeds that can range from enercycles to power armor and wield long handled melee weapons that can be used defensively or even at range. Sometimes called cyberknights, these warriors are as dangerous as pilots as they are with a weapon.

Loyal Spear-1st

Thrown weapons you wield, that are not ammunition or grenades, gain the effects of a returning fusion. The returning weapon always travels to where you are instead of where you were when you threw it. This does not count towards the maximum number of fusions the weapon may have. 

Pole Master-5th

When throwing a Pole Weapon* you may apply any gear boost you have that modifies a melee weapon to the thrown weapon attack instead. You consider all pole weapons to have the thrown weapon quality with a range of 5 ft for each point of strength bonus you have. If your pole weapon already has the thrown special quality, it increases its range by 5 ft per point of Strength Bonus.

*Pole Weapons include any Lance, Pike, Spear, or Staff. This includes advanced versions of these like Nova Lances, Cryopikes, Singing Spears, Stun Staffs, or any similar weapons.

Cybersteed-9th

While Piloting a vehicle no larger than one size category bigger than you, which also provides no cover to the driver, you may pilot it through a cybernetic connection, without using your hands. While doing this, if you make no other attacks this round, you may make one attack with a weapon in your hands as a free action while controlling the vehicle. This attack has the same penalty as if you were making a full attack, even though you only make one attack. You may also spend one resolve point to gain the effects of Shot on the Run and Spring Attack feats until the end of turn. If using a Pole Weapon* that weapon gains the penetrating special quality also until end of turn.

Note: If using the Creature Companion rules from Alien Archive 3, this ability may be used while controlling a mount instead of a vehicle. It otherwise remains the same.

Road Warriors-13th

Any vehicle you pilot increases its ram DC by 1 for every 3 Soldier levels you possess. You also apply your weapon specialization bonus to the collision damage. You are considered proficient in any vehicle mounted weapon and apply your weapon specialization bonus to them.

Note: If using the Creature Companion rules from Alien Archive 3, you may apply your weapon specialization bonus to your mount’s natural attacks instead.

Dragoon Leap-17th

You may make a Leap when Charging and come down on an enemy from above. This ignores an amount of difficult terrain equal to your jump distance (or Jump Jet Distance, if applicable). You must end your charge in any space adjacent to the target, it does not need to be the closest space, but must be within your charge distance. Make an Athletics check equal to 20+the target’s CR. If successful, the target is knocked prone in addition to other effects of the attack. Other creatures within your natural reach at the place you land must make an opposed strength check against you, or they will also be knocked prone. You get a +4 bonus on this check and do 1d10+5 damage to everyone knocked prone by this attack if you are wearing Power Armor. This ability may not be used in the void.

Vehicles

These vehicles are high-tech “mounts” designed specifically for use by Lancers. These ones are optimized for Large creatures. For medium or small creatures, change the size to Large and its dimensions to (4 ft wide, 10 ft long, 3 ft high).

This article was the real-world inspiration for the following vehicles. They have even more articulate armatures and can operate at high speeds.

Cybercyle LEVEL 4

PRICE 6750
Huge ground vehicle (7 ft. wide, 15 ft. long, 6 ft. high)
Speed 40 ft., full 600 ft., 65 mph
EAC 16; KAC 17; Cover none
HP 28 (14); Hardness 5
Attack (Collision) 6d4 B (DC 10)
Modifiers +2 Piloting, -0 attack (-2 at full speed)
Systems Onboard Computer, Cargo 2 bulk; Passengers 1
Onboard Computer: This vehicle has a tier 2 computer. It is Hardened and can only be accessed through a cybernetic dataport. It has feedback, a tier 1 shock grid, and a control module allowing it to operate the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION
This vehicle features multiple wheels on armatures which allow it to have an extremely smooth ride in almost any ground terrain. Its computers are housed in the main body. Designed to be operated either cybernetically or by more traditional means.

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“Destroyer” Cybercycle LEVEL 8
PRICE 32,000Huge land and water vehicle (7 ft. wide, 15 ft. long, 6 ft. high)
Speed 40 ft., full 600 ft., 65 mph
EAC 18; KAC 20; Cover none
HP 100 (50); Hardness 10
Attack (Collision) 8d10 B (DC 14)
Attack (Turret) (NIL Grenade Launcher, Squad) (by grenade, range 70 ft., ammo 12)
Modifiers +2 Piloting, +0 attack (+2 at full speed)
Systems Onboard Computer, Automated loader; Cargo 2 Bulk; Passengers 1
Onboard Computer: This vehicle has a tier 4 computer. It is Hardened and can only be accessed through a cybernetic dataport. It has a firewall, feedback, a tier 1 shock grid, and a control module allowing it to operate the vehicle, a control module for operating the grenade launcher, and an AI which can use either one of the control modules.

Automated Loader: This device consists of a small robotic arm and a storage compartment that holds up to 2 bulk of ammunition for the grenade launcher. The AI can activate the automated loader as a move action to reload the grenade launcher.

DESCRIPTION
Where the basic cybercyle uses wheels, the Destroyer model uses turbines on its armatures to hover above terrain. While it can’t achieve true flight, it is able to operate on land or water. It has an AI which typically operates the turret mounted grenade launcher while the operator does the driving. This model also carries heavier armor than the basic model.

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“Magus” Cybercycle LEVEL 16
PRICE 640,000Huge air, land, void and water vehicle (7 ft. wide, 15 ft. long, 6 ft. high)
Speed 40 ft., full 600 ft., 65 mph
EAC 30; KAC 31; Cover none
HP 280 (140); Hardness 15Attack (Collision) 18d10 B (DC 20)
Attack (Turret) (NIL Grenade Launcher, Squad) (by grenade, range 70 ft., ammo 12)
Modifiers +2 Piloting, +0 attack (+2 at full speed)
Systems Onboard Computer, Automated loader; SAASI System; Cargo 2 Bulk; Passengers 1
Onboard Computer: This vehicle has a tier 8 computer. It is Hardened and can only be accessed through a cybernetic dataport. It has a firewall, feedback, a tier 1 shock grid, and a control module allowing it to operate the vehicle, a control module for operating the grenade launcher, control module for the SAASI system, and an AI, which can use any one of the control modules at a time.

Automated Loader: This device consists of a small robotic arm and a storage compartment that holds up to 2 bulk of ammunition for the grenade launcher. The AI can activate the automated loader as a move action to reload the grenade launcher.

SAASI (Spell Ampule and Serum Injector) System: This system holds up to 5 Spell Ampules and 10 Serums. It includes monitoring systems that allow the onboard AI to check your health and help keep you alive. It can be programed with uses other than medical and is not limited only to healing effects.

DESCRIPTION
Where the basic cybercyle uses wheels, the Magus model uses antigravity systems on its armatures to easily pass through any environment, even the void of space. It can achieve true flight and even function on asteroids or other airless voids. Typically constructed from star metals, its much heavier armor and hardened systems are difficult to destroy. It has an AI which typically operates the turret mounted grenade launcher and the SAASI system while the operator does the driving.

Weapons

Let’s discuss a lancer’s armament for a bit. Clearly, they would be using a “Pole Weapon” which is going to be taking both hands, while they use a cybernetic connection to the vehicle to drive. They can poke with it or chuck it at someone for some limited range. And they might be satisfied with that, especially with the ability to race their vehicle into range of your target. But they might want to carry a gun too, and I wanted to point out some options to do just that.

The best way to do this in my opinion is to use a nuar maze core (see the nuar entry in Alien Archive) to combine the Lancer’s pole weapon with a longarm or heavy weapon (among other things). It can switch between the two component weapons with a swift action giving them ready access to multiple ways of fighting at a moment’s notice.

The next best option would be either an integrated small arm, part of your armor, so you don’t have to stow the pole weapon. Or a cybernetic one for the same reason. Though most small arms lack much more range than a good thrown weapon, so this option may not offer you anything.

Lastly there is the more standard option of carrying additional weapon. If this is the rout you want to take, you’ll be stowing or dropping your weapons to switch to the other. This is not idea, but to help speed up that process I recommend also using nullspace accessories or even Uniclamps, each of which will make it easier to switch weapons.

In the future, I’ll present to you a mechanic that gets custom vehicle instead of a drone or exocortex. Until then, I hope you enjoy my posts and find them useful.

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