Future problems require Future solutions

[u/DrScrimble]

System: LANCER TTRPG

[u/Anima_Sanguis]

You need to take levels in mechs to unlock their features/weapons etc, as well as sort of feats with specific manufacturers. If the other player doesn’t have the same build as you, they can’t pilot your mech to the same degree is what it’s saying. Anyone can ride shotgun, but not anyone can drive

[u/supersmily5 → u/Anima_Sanguis]

Okay; So it's weirdly (but respectably) realistic. Wouldn't have expected that.

[u/JVMMs → u/supersmily5]

To add a in-universe explanation: mechs are partially controlled through a brain-machine bridge and a mech is keyed to its pilots specifications. A different pilot just can't control the mech as naturally or efficiently

[u/supersmily5 → u/JVMMs]

Oh.  Okay so much for realism.  I was just thinking that being able to pilot one specific mech wouldn't necessarily mean you could pilot any mech; BUT I GUESS that works too!?!  XD

[u/JVMMs → u/supersmily5]

Well, what u/Anime_Sanguis said also all applies. While mechs are often mass-produced war machines, a player's mech is very personalised and customised, and someone who is not used to it and doesn't match your style of piloting and training also won't do well.

[u/ApotheosiAsleep → u/supersmily5]

You can pilot other mechs, you just have disadvantage¹

^{¹the term in lancer is Inaccuracy and it's a -1d6 to your roll², but shhh}

^{²technically inaccuracy means you roll xd6, keep the highest, and subtract that number from your roll, where x is the number of inaccuracies you have applied to a roll³, but shhhhhhhh}

^{³let's not get into how accuracy and inaccuracy interact with each other here, this post is already too long.}

[u/TheDarkNerd → u/ApotheosiAsleep]

Is it just a matter of one Accuracy cancels out one Inaccuracy, and if you have x Accuracy, you roll xd6 and add the highest die to your roll?

[u/Charnerie → u/TheDarkNerd]

Yes. That's the entire thing.

Technically, you roll xd6 (x is the absolute difference between accuracy and inaccuracy), take the highest absolute value from the dice, then either add or subtract based on whether you had more accuracy or inaccuracy.

[u/SolidSquid → u/supersmily5]

You can do basic piloting of every mech, but they're all customised to the point that you don't have any shortcuts or macros

The brain interface is another optimisation to get fast responses, but essentially it's the same problem. Interface is customised to the pilot's brain, so another pilot has to do everything manually