GURPS [Mecha]?

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by SuedodeuS

I've heard there's a 4e VDS in the works (or at least on the "to-do" list), which would probably include things like mechas and battlesuits. Until then, you have a few options.

Convert: Just do a straight conversion of the 3e stats to 4e. I never played/read any of 3e, so I don't know what changed between the editions, but I'm certain there are those on these fora willing to give some pointers.

Extrapolate: Ultra-Tech has some battlesuits in it that you might be able to adapt to get the smaller mechs, and I would expect the Spaceships system to extrapolate down to at least SM+3, maybe smaller. There's been some discussion on the boards about minimum size for certain components (notably the Control Room), meaning below SM+4 you might have to take up multiple modules for some systems (in the Control Room example, I think SM+4 has the smallest cockpit possible - so SM+3 would have to devote 3 modules to it, SM+2 would devote a whopping 10).

Scratch: The least useful option, but sometimes all you can do. Basically, decide what you want it to be capable of, and give it stats that reflect that. What is the smallest weapon that can reliably damage it (or, what is the largest that it can reliably shrug off hits from)? Give it a DR that reflects this. What kinds of weapons does it use? Give it ST sufficient for using such weaponry. And so forth. You can also use some vehicles of similar size and function (like APC's, tanks, etc) to give you ballpark stats to aim for. You can build most any mecha you can think of using the Character Creation rules, although that won't give you any idea on what's appropriate or how much it should cost.

Sorry I don't know what VDS means. 4e is pretty clear though. lil' help?