We’ve got the basic mecha and we have the pilots to take it into battle, but a single machine does not a mecha game make. While the increasing skill of the pilots is definitely the best way for Our Heroes to take the fight to the enemy upgrading their machines is a close second. In this relatively straightforward System Hack for Genesys Mecha we’re rolling out another four machines in the CHM line of mecha, from an improved general-purpose one to some decidedly specialized equipment. Your Ogo falling behind, and you need to catch up? Leave it shattered on the battlefield and need a new ride? Take these latest machines out for a test flight!

CHM-02 Dacar

Silhouette: 3

Crew: 1 Pilot

Skill: Driving/Piloting – While still incapable of flight, compared to the Ogo the Dacar is equally capable on the ground or in space without needing to be modified.

Hull Threshold: 20 Strain Threshold: 20

Brawn Characteristic: 3

Traits: Unwieldy 3

Armor: 3 Handling: +0 Speed: 4

Ranged Defense: 0 Forward, 0 Rear

Melee Defense: 0 Forward, 0 Rear

Hard Points: 5

Weapons: Dacar Fist (Clash; +0 Damage; Critical 5; Range [Engaged]; Built-In) x2

The CHM-02 Dacar is the machine designed to replace the CHM-01 Ogo, although the Ogo’s ease of use has made that a slow process. Still, the Dacar is faster, tougher, stronger, and more maneuverable than its predecessor, and most up-and-coming pilots prefer it. The only area that it has not improved in is its weaponry; it largely uses the same hand-held arsenal present in the hands of the Ogo.

CHM-03 Peren

Silhouette: 3

Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Gunner (optional)

Skill: Driving – The Peren is a strictly ground-bound machine, barring modifications.

Hull Threshold: 20 Strain Threshold: 20

Brawn Characteristic: 3

Traits: Unwieldy 2

Armor: 4 Handling: -2 Speed: 2

Ranged Defense: 1 Forward, 1 Rear

Melee Defense: 1 Forward, 1 Rear

Hard Points: 2

Weapons: Peren Fist (Clash; +1 Damage; Critical 5; Range [Engaged]; Built-In) x2, 180mm Shoulder Cannon (Gunnery; 10 Damage, Critical 3, Ranged [Strategic]; Blast 8, Breach 3, Vicious 2, Inaccurate 3, Built-In)

The CHM-03 Peren is a well-armored dedicated artillery mecha, able to deliver punishing damage at the strategic level. It’s shoulder-mounted cannon delivers indirect fire at any target on the battlefield, and while it is not the most accurate the blasts created by its shells can still deal ruinous damage. While possible to operate with a single pilot the Peren comes standard with a tandem cockpit, creating room for a gunner. This gunner can operate the shoulder cannon and other secondary systems, while the pilot keeps the mecha moving and operates any hand-held weaponry. It’s not a fast machine, however, and the top-heavy weight makes it difficult to control.

CHM-04 Capax

Silhouette: 3

Crew: 1 Pilot

Skill: Driving/Piloting

Hull Threshold: 15 Strain Threshold: 15

Brawn Characteristic: 2

Traits: Unwieldy 4, Flyer

Armor: 2 Handling: +1 Speed: 5

Ranged Defense: 1 Forward, 1 Rear

Melee Defense: 1 Forward, 1 Rear

Hard Points: 3

Weapons: Capax Fist (Clash; +0 Damage; Critical 5; Range [Engaged]; Built-In) x2, Seeker Missiles (Gunnery; 6 Damage; Critical 3; Ranged [Medium], Breach 2, Blast 3, Guided 3, Limited Ammo 6)

The CHM-04 Capax has finally achieved the hope of many mecha engineers and pilots: unassisted flight. The Capax is thus among the fastest mass-produced machines in the field, extremely agile and difficult to catch. This speed and nimbleness has come at a cost, however, in lighter armor and fewer system redundancies. It’s a machine for daring pilots and hit-and-run tactics, not the faint of heart nor a slugging match. To assist in this mission goal the Capax’s wing binders carry several fire-and-forget missiles that can keep hunting targets after the Capax has darted away to safety.

CHM-05 Verdeloth

Silhouette: 3

Crew: 1 Pilot

Skill: Driving/Piloting

Hull Threshold: 20 Strain Threshold: 12

Brawn Characteristic: 3

Traits: Unwieldy 2

Armor: 3 Handling: -1 Speed: 4

Ranged Defense: 0 Forward, 0 Rear

Melee Defense: 0 Forward, 0 Rear

Hard Points: 4

Weapons: Verdeloth Fist (Clash; +0 Damage; Critical 5; Range [Engaged]; Built-In) x2, Shoulder-Mounted Ion Blaster (Gunnery; 6 Damage; Critical 3; Range [Medium]; Built-In, Ion, Breach 2)

The CHM-05 Verdeloth is an experimental line that was designed with one idea in mind: mecha are expensive to make, and the side that has more of them will usually win. Rather than the solid ammunition used by most CHM machines, the Verdeloth’s Built-In Ion Blaster fires destabilizing energy meant to knock out a mecha’s systems rather than destroy the machine outright. This allows an enemy mecha to be salvaged, repaired, and then used against its original owners. It’s not without drawbacks, however: the Blaster puts quite the strain on the reactor, ironically making Verdeloths more susceptible to system strain than other machines.

Hey, I gave the Ogo its name for a village of cannibal halflings from Dark Sun. Might as well name the next four machines after characters from an Eberron game.

Genesys Mecha Armory

As for all those hand-held weapons from the Ogo, which remain the mainstay armament of the rest of the CHM line, well you can find all those nice and neat by using this fine and elegantly crafted link. That includes every weapon and attachment created so far for Genesys Mecha, and it’ll be updated as more are cooked up. By common sense and reader request it and other links putting all of the Genesys Mecha material in one place will be added to this and other articles in the near future.

A slight note, because it could be important. When it comes to using ranged weapons at Engaged range Genesys leaves it up to common sense as to which weapons become unusable. I’ve more or less done the same thing, but would highly suggest that weapons like the Ogo Bazooka and the Peren’s 180mm Shoulder Cannon fall into the realm of unusable if their targets manage to get into Engaged. Just so there’s something to keep the heavy weapons mecha on their toes.

So, what do we think of the CHM-02 Dacar, CHM-03 Peren, CHM-04 Capax, and CHM-05 Verdeloth? Do they surpass the Ogo without going too far? Are they machines you’d be glad to take into the battlefield or horrible walking deathtraps? What other kinds of mecha do you think could be added to the CHM line? Let us know! Next time on System Hack: Genesys Mecha we’ll be investigating the consequences of all these giant robots smashing one another with Expanded Critical Hits!

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