Mech Combat Rules

Adapted from SF1E Tech Revolution to PF2E

Module Implementation: This system is implemented via the MechActorSheet. Create a Vehicle actor, then right-click → Sheet → Mech Sheet.

Overview

Mechs are piloted combat vehicles that blur the line between personal armor and vehicles. Unlike standard vehicles, mechs are designed for direct combat engagement and feature:

Mech Points (MP): Resource pool for powering weapons and systems
Heat Management: Weapons and systems generate heat that must be vented
Hardpoint System: Modular weapon and system mounting locations
System Damage: Location-based damage tracking

Mech Frames

Frame Sizes

Frame	HP	Hardpoints	Speed	MP/Turn	Level Range
Light	20	3	40 ft	2	1-6
Medium	40	4	30 ft	3	5-12
Heavy	60	5	25 ft	4	10-16
Superheavy	100	6	20 ft	5	14-20

Frame Statistics

Each mech frame provides base statistics that can be modified by upgrades:

Hit Points: Base HP; threshold at 50% of max
Hardness: Damage reduction applied before HP loss
AC: Armor Class for attacks targeting the mech
Fortitude/Reflex: Saving throw modifiers
Speed: Land movement speed (may include fly, climb, swim)

Hardpoint Locations

Mechs have six hardpoint locations for mounting weapons and systems:

Location	Icon	Typical Mounts
Left Arm	🤜	Melee weapons, shields, manipulators
Right Arm	🤛	Melee weapons, shields, manipulators
Left Shoulder	🎯	Missile launchers, heavy ranged weapons
Right Shoulder	🎯	Missile launchers, heavy ranged weapons
Torso	🛡️	Armor systems, sensors, cockpit upgrades
Legs	👢	Movement systems, stability enhancers

Hardpoint Limits

Each frame size determines the maximum number of hardpoints that can be utilized:

Light: 3 hardpoints
Medium: 4 hardpoints
Heavy: 5 hardpoints
Superheavy: 6 hardpoints

Mech Points (MP)

Mech Points represent the mech's available power for combat actions.

MP Recovery

At the start of each turn, the mech's MP pool refills to its maximum based on frame size.

MP Costs

Action Type	Typical MP Cost
Light weapon fire	0-1 MP
Heavy weapon fire	1-2 MP
Missile salvo	2-3 MP
System activation	1-2 MP
Emergency maneuver	1 MP
Boost speed	1 MP

Heat Management

Heat Generation

Weapons and systems generate heat when used:

Source	Heat Generated
Energy weapon	1-2 heat
Ballistic weapon	0-1 heat
Missile launch	1 heat
System activation	0-2 heat
Sustained fire	+1 heat

Heat Thresholds

Heat Level	Status	Effect
0 - 69%	Normal	No penalties
70 - 99%	Warning	-1 to attack rolls
100% (Threshold)	Critical	-2 to all checks; some systems fail
Max	Meltdown	Reactor critical; immediate shutdown

Venting Heat

Vent Heat ◆◆ (2 actions) Reduce heat by 2 per action spent. The mech cannot attack during a turn it vents heat.

Emergency Vent ◆◆◆ (3 actions) Reduce heat to 0. The mech is flat-footed until its next turn and cannot use reactions.

Operational States

Mechs operate in one of four states:

State	Description	Effect
Shutdown	Powered down	Cannot act; immune to EMP
Standby	Low power mode	Cannot attack; half speed; reduced heat
Combat Ready	Full operation	Normal combat capability
Overloaded	Maximum power	+2 damage; +2 heat generation

Changing States

Changing operational state is a free action at the start of your turn. Transitioning from Shutdown to Combat Ready takes 1 full round.

System Damage

When a mech's HP drops below its threshold, system damage may occur.

Damage Locations

Location	Effect When Damaged
Left/Right Arm	Weapons mounted here cannot fire
Left/Right Shoulder	Weapons mounted here cannot fire
Torso	-2 to AC; cockpit exposed
Legs	Speed reduced by half; cannot run
Sensors	-4 to Perception; cannot use targeting systems
Reactor	-2 MP per turn; chance of meltdown

Inflicting System Damage

When an attack deals damage exceeding the mech's hardness by 10 or more, the attacker may choose to target a specific system (instead of dealing HP damage).

Repairing System Damage

System damage can be repaired:

In Combat: 3 actions + Crafting check (DC = 15 + mech level)
Out of Combat: 10 minutes + Crafting check (DC = 10 + mech level)
Full Repair: 1 hour in a repair bay; all systems restored

Mech Combat Actions

Operator Actions

The operator uses standard PF2E actions while piloting a mech:

Fire Weapon ◆ (1 action) Make a ranged attack using a mech weapon. Uses operator's attack modifier + mech weapon bonus.

Melee Strike ◆ (1 action) Make a melee attack using a mech weapon or the mech's fist. Uses operator's attack modifier.

Stride ◆ (1 action) Move the mech up to its Speed.

Take Cover ◆ (1 action) Gain cover using mech's size and position.

Special Mech Actions

Power Slide ◆◆ (2 actions) Move up to double Speed in a straight line. Enemies in path must succeed at Reflex save (DC = 10 + mech level) or be knocked prone.

Stomp ◆◆ (2 actions) Make a melee attack against all creatures in a 10-foot square. Deals 2d8 + Strength modifier bludgeoning damage.

Shield Bash ◆ (1 action) Requirement: Mech has shield mounted on arm Make a melee attack with the shield. On hit, target is pushed 10 feet.

Eject ◆◆ (2 actions) Emergency operator ejection. Operator lands in an adjacent square and takes 2d6 falling damage.

Entering and Exiting Mechs

Board Mech ◆◆◆ (3 actions) Enter an unoccupied mech and activate systems. Mech starts in Standby state.

Disembark ◆◆ (2 actions) Safely exit a mech in Standby or Shutdown state. Operator appears in adjacent square.

Forced Entry ◆◆◆ (3 actions) Enter an enemy mech by force. Requires Athletics check vs. mech's Fortitude DC. On success, previous operator is ejected.

Sample Mech Frames

Light Frame: Scout Walker

Level 3 | Price: 500 gp

HP: 20 (Threshold 10) | Hardness: 5
AC: 18 | Fort: +8 | Ref: +10
Speed: 40 ft, climb 20 ft
Hardpoints: 3 | MP: 2/turn
Special: Enhanced sensors (+2 Perception)

Medium Frame: Battle Chassis

Level 8 | Price: 2,500 gp

HP: 40 (Threshold 20) | Hardness: 10
AC: 24 | Fort: +14 | Ref: +12
Speed: 30 ft
Hardpoints: 4 | MP: 3/turn
Special: Reinforced cockpit (operator has cover)

Heavy Frame: Assault Platform

Level 13 | Price: 10,000 gp

HP: 60 (Threshold 30) | Hardness: 15
AC: 30 | Fort: +22 | Ref: +16
Speed: 25 ft
Hardpoints: 5 | MP: 4/turn
Special: Integrated shield generator (5 temp HP/round)

Superheavy Frame: War Colossus

Level 18 | Price: 50,000 gp

HP: 100 (Threshold 50) | Hardness: 20
AC: 38 | Fort: +30 | Ref: +20
Speed: 20 ft
Hardpoints: 6 | MP: 5/turn
Special: Devastating stomp (10-foot radius, 4d8 damage)

Sample Mech Weapons

Arm-Mounted Weapons

Power Fist

Level: 3 | Price: 150 gp
Damage: 2d8 B | Traits: Melee, shove
MP Cost: 0 | Heat: 0

Chainblade

Level: 5 | Price: 400 gp
Damage: 2d10 S | Traits: Melee, deadly d10
MP Cost: 0 | Heat: 1

Laser Cannon

Level: 7 | Price: 1,000 gp
Damage: 3d8 fire | Range: 120 ft
MP Cost: 1 | Heat: 2

Shoulder-Mounted Weapons

Missile Pod

Level: 6 | Price: 800 gp
Damage: 2d6 fire (area) | Range: 200 ft
MP Cost: 2 | Heat: 1
Special: 20-foot burst

Autocannon

Level: 8 | Price: 1,500 gp
Damage: 2d12 P | Range: 150 ft
MP Cost: 1 | Heat: 1
Special: Automatic (can attack twice per turn)

Plasma Projector

Level: 12 | Price: 5,000 gp
Damage: 4d10 fire | Range: 100 ft
MP Cost: 2 | Heat: 3
Special: Ignores 5 hardness

Sample Mech Systems

Defensive Systems

Reactive Armor

Level: 5 | Price: 500 gp
Location: Torso
Effect: +2 hardness; when hit by critical, reduce to normal hit once per combat
MP Cost: 0 (passive) | Heat: 0