Looking for thoughts on Heavy Gear game

[maxxon]

Thanks for the link, but I was more asking about the "fluff" behind Heavy Gear.  Since it appears anime based I'm guessing lightning fast mechs that skate around on rocket jets etc.    I will check out their rules just for kicks though.

It's basically trying to be the unlicensed VOTOMS game. Pretty much everything you see in VOTOMS has a counterpart in HG.

VOTOMS is on the more realistic side of mecha anime, though it does get a bit weird later in the series. Still, fast, furious and mostly one-shot kills. The rules don't quite manage to capture this, IMHO.

The HG fluff is mostly forgettable: abandoned colony world, two sides in constant conflict (North and South), some additional smaller factions, maybe the colonial overlords are making a comeback... No aliens as far as I recall.

[Agis]

...The HG fluff is mostly forgettable: abandoned colony world, two sides in constant conflict (North and South), some additional smaller factions, maybe the colonial overlords are making a comeback... No aliens as far as I recall.

Sorry have to disagree, the recent (last 3 years) development has brought BIG changes, new factions (Utopia, Eden etc) with minis, the CEF is back with a vengeance etc.

IMO a very rich Setting!

[kenohhkc]

I agree Agis. Very rich.

And I will continue to wait with baited breath for the "possible dedicated HG supplement" for ViDe. Fingers crossed as usual.

[manic _miner]

 I like the background in the books and the art work is nice too.

 Just got a North G.P.squad today.Four Hunters and a Headhunter.Very nice little miniatures.Not too sure about the seperate guns on them.

 Got more on the way from Wayland games as they have 30% off at the moment.

 So now i have eight gears and a pack of five bikes.Not a bad start to yet another project .

[maxxon]

Sorry have to disagree, the recent (last 3 years) development has brought BIG changes, new factions (Utopia, Eden etc) with minis, the CEF is back with a vengeance etc.

I admit I'm not up to date with it.

It just never really sparked any interest with me. All I was thinking "why would I game this when I could be gaming VOTOMS?"

Though I have to say there really isn't any created-for-a-game background that I really like.

[Elbows]

So if I wanted to get up to speed on Heavy Gear, where would I start?  Is there a fundamental book or an animated series?  I love me some Robotech and VOTOMS, but I'm open to more mecha based stuff.  I do really wish I could get a serious game of VOTOMS going as well - that'd be awesome.

[Agis]

So if I wanted to get up to speed on Heavy Gear, where would I start?  Is there a fundamental book or an animated series? 

A good starting Point are the rulebooks.
You can get a shorter Version of the current rules via Drivetrh RPG or Wargame Vault for free.
There is also a lot of Background on the DP9 Website.

[Elbows]

Sounds good, thanks Agis.

[Jakar Nilson]

So if I wanted to get up to speed on Heavy Gear, where would I start?  Is there a fundamental book or an animated series?

Ignore the animated series. In canon, it's a children's show from the Southern Republic.

The RPG books are actually choke full of info, but there's a lot of them. But for a good dive into the setting, I would recommend the first three storybooks.

The cinematics from the first game are also a good way to dive in:

[manic _miner]

 Great painted miniatures Achilles.

 Got a few more Gears yesterday.All for the South this time.

 Really need to buy a book to see how to create forces.At the moment i have been buying what i like and what Wayland games have in stock which is not much.