MechaTop

Last piece of the puzzle + MechaTop team contest
over 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 03:03:20 AM

Good morning dear pilot and have a great start to the week! 🥳

Over the past few days, we've been fixing the last few production issues on the rulebook: misalignments, margins, etc. 🤓

We had to remove the light gray color from the pages and also the page decorations in function of an easier layout to process. 

The result is satisfactory and therefore also the last piece of the puzzle will be put into production and then finally everything will be shipped to us in Italy, in the warehouse that will help us in the various shipments.  😅

By the end of this week we want to bring all the paper orders to the warehouse so they can get organized with the boxes of various sizes.

Yes because we want that when the material arrives from China everything is ready: order sheets of each backer, any eventual invoice, etc. 🤓

For this reason we have already sent the BackerKit email that gives you the possibility to change your address.

On the other hand, we are proceeding with the playtest of the infantry mode (which will be released in the second book of the campaign trilogy, in the following Kickstarter):

- Infantry vs Infantry

- Infantry vs Mecha

- Infantry + Mecha vs Mecha

In the last game a timid Steel Jeeg together with 3 soldiers armed with missile launchers suffered a heavy defeat against Soundwave + Laserbeak + Jaguar.

The balance and rhythm of the game still convince us! 🤩🥳🥰

Now is it time to add new pilot classes or rather new combat training skills?
For example I could add to any class: "Marine aiming training" for your pilot's firearms.
Or my pilot could be a Thai Boxing master: mediocre at driving a mecha but extremely lethal in hand-to-hand combat.
This last skill, however, requires a very long training (over 7 years at least) and so perhaps deserves a class of its own? A class that would also provide for possible training by the master to new students?
What do you think?

...and while we playtest the infantry mode Christian is working out the mode for large spaceships. 😎

This mode will be introduced in the third book of the MechaTop campaign but we haven't decided yet if we'll release it along with the second one or if we'll do a third Kickstarter specifically for it. 

In this mode the pilot does NOT have to press buttons but give orders to different departments of the unit. 

The system will always use MechaTop's buttons but with a different activation system.... 

It will also be possible to launch units (mecha or aircraft) into combat! 

Christian also made a video where he briefly explains how to properly secure the models to the base and where he advises against using the supports that hold the mecha suspended: 

Finally, we want to share with you a nice contest that we launched on Facebook: #mechatopteam 

that works this way:

"Show us your MechaTop team! 

Starting today and throughout the month of February, we will be sharing your MechaTop teams on the MechaTop Facebook main page! 

Teams can consist of 1-5 models whose total is 1,800 points.

Upload your photo to MechaTop Brave Pilots Facebook group with the ashtag #mechatopteam , we will share it on the official page (the most populated) and enjoy the likes! 

The two teams that get the most likes/shares/comments will have the chance to clash in a remote session, hosted by the creators of MechaTop. 

1 like: 1 point

1 comment: 3 points

1 share: 5 points"

And this is a video summary of the first week's participants! 😎🤩🥳

Ok that's all, wishing you a wonderful continuation of the week! 🥳

MechaTop team

Gunpla kitbashing and Excel stat card creator
over 3 years ago – Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 07:22:24 AM

Good morning dear pilot 🥳

today we want to show you a couple of very interesting things! 🤓

The model you see below is the result of a very simple Gunpla kitbashing between Gyancelot and Fuunsaiki, the mount of the Master Gundam:

In correspondence of the model, then, it has been created also its stat card:

A 1,800 point mecha specializing in charges, close combat with some powerful mid-range weapons. Once destroyed then, the top acts as a "Cockpit Escape System" allowing you to field the standard version of Gyancelot! 🤩 🥰

This model has triggered a certain emulation in other players who are now gearing up to make other mecha "mythical" as minotaur, hydra, cerberus... 🧐 🤓

Recall the card of the "Kratos Zakus":

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that we have created a very useful tool to calculate the cost of your custom models: an Excel spreadsheet that will guide you in the creation of the card in an (almost entirely) automatic process. 

Just like in the instruction book, the spreadsheet asks you for the technology level of the mecha and its size in meters. (This first sheet works with mecha up to 30 meters tall; more will be released later for larger mecha [and Kaiju] with their more powerful weapons).

After entering these data the sheet will calculate the recommended structure points (it will then always be possible to enter the desired value). 

At this point you must enter the data of the armor and the shield: number of structure points and material of which they are composed:

Then it's time to enter the movement value:

Then you will need to choose weapons. (The sheet contains all the weapons already present in the rules plus gives you the possibility to create new ones).

After choosing the various weapons, it's time for the specials: 

Also in this case all the specials of the regulation are reported but it will be necessary to manually enter the cost of skills that cost "X every 600":

Before I entered my value of 50 the score was 590.... 

Now that the mecha costs 640 however the skill no longer costs 50 but 100, so I'm going to change 50 to 100 and get the finished card! 

Also you can insert new weapons by going to the weapons sheet:

After inserting it you will find it in the list of weapons in the main sheet.

The file, with instructions on how to use it, is already present in the Mega web folder!

We are sure that with this tool everything will be easier and faster! 

Let us know what you think!

Thanks

Cheers

Mechatop team

MechaTop long-term project
over 3 years ago – Fri, Jan 08, 2021 at 10:48:01 PM

Good morning dear pilot, 

while we are waiting for the goods to arrive from China we are working to ensure long life to MechaTop. 🥳

Yes, because MechaTop is not like all the other games that come out on Kickstarter that make an initial blaze and then disappear within a few months. 😎

The enthusiasm you are showing us gives us confirmation that the game is really good and so we put on track:

- translations of the PDF rulebook in German and French, then based on interest we will also proceed with the translation of the other manuals;

- "Infantry" game mode: for when the pilot is forced to get off his mecha or simply has to perform missions on his own. This part will be introduced in the second book of MechaTop's campaign.

- "Fleets" game mode: to use large warships (or space ships) with the help of the rest of the fleet. This mode will be released in the third book of the campaign. 

These last two game modes are not simply "new stat cards" but exclusive and dedicated systems for the specific game mode. 🤩

We already had rules for infantry squads, but we weren't fully convinced and so these cards weren't released. 

Instead, we are now working on a new system that takes into account realism and the short duration of game rounds. 🤓

The new system takes into account the pilot's heart rate (adrenaline), as opposed to his concentration. 

For example, if my pilot were to run for 200 meters and then lie down and aim to shoot with a sniper rifle, it would take him a few seconds to calm down his heart rate and thus be able to shoot accurately! 

Similarly, if a pilot stood still and took aim for an hour and then had to suddenly get up and start running, he would not have, at least in the first few steps, the same performance as he would have after warming up his muscles properly. 

In our case it will be possible to perform the actions with a small malus. 

This leads the player to keep his pilot as balanced as possible and makes it even more fun! 

The latest playtest games already show the game's balance in terms of scores, and our playtesters find it a really fun mode that complements MechaTop in this aspect as well. 

This mode is even more RPG, since it allows complete freedom in buying weapons and equipment reserved for the pilots themselves. 

The card you see reversed in the picture is the first prototype of the infantry card, which will be placed side by side to the pilot card and in which will be written, in the appropriate slots, weapons and equipment. The upper part instead will keep track of the adrenaline / concentration oscillations summarizing all the bonuses / maluses. 

We believe that the infantry mode, as it has been designed, will bring to MechaTop also many classic wargamers, tired of the usual "move and attack" mode. 🥳

We thank you again for your support and are so glad to have you on board on this amazing adventure together! 🤩

Good Friday and happy weekend from the MechaTop team 🤗

Happy new year!
over 3 years ago – Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 08:59:58 AM

Good morning and happy New Year dear pilot! 

2021 will be a fantastic year: we will finally be able to compete and field our mecha teams in the MechaTop World Tournament 🥳

Whatever happens, we'll meet (in person or virtually) and play with new friends: mecha and wargame enthusiasts like us... and the story continues ! 🤩

From next week we will start shipping the "extra books" (Campaign Book #1 and Strategy Guide) to those who bought them separately, with a dedicated shipment. 

All other copies will be sent with the complete order, once it is available.  

Please note that copies are extremely limited and will only be available while stocks last. 

The production of the basic sets is now 80% complete... Everything was supposed to be finished and shipped by the end of the year and instead... They let us be disappointed again...

The good news is that we managed to get an extra for this delay accumulation: 12 extra cards for each base set! 🥳

They would have preferred to give us a discount on the total supply but we specifically asked for something that would benefit our supporters! 🤗

So we decided, together with our playtest group, to include 12 additional upgrade cards: doubling or even tripling some of them. 

In this way it will be possible to share them with a second player (who can choose the same card already taken by us), or to build real team strategies (3 units parachuted onto the battlefield, or 3 units all equipped with smoke launchers). 😎

We wish you a wonderful first day of the year! 

See you soon! 

MechaTop team

MechaTop Monday Update
over 3 years ago – Mon, Dec 21, 2020 at 12:37:02 PM

Good morning dear pilot,

Today we show you the final product of the first book of the MechaTop campaign trilogy and the strategy guide, both printed in a super limited edition. (AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW!) 🥳

As announced in the previous update, the production of MechaTop has started and we naively thought we could take a well-deserved Christmas break... 🥰

But the Chinese company keep on filling us with questions and so we kept the working shift in the Chinese GMT... At least until production is finished and shipping on its way. 🤓

But since the production of MechaTop will be extremely limited, they are counting on finishing everything within the current week and shipping immediately. 🤩

For those who missed the previous update, we have made a short video showing the plastic/cardboard components contained within the basic MechaTop set:

Another extremely limited edition item is the deck of special cards for solo mode.  

Here is again the video where Christian demonstrates the solo game mode: we believe that in this period it is a really good alternative game, so don't miss to book your copy! 

Then we would like to remind you that we have also put loose button tokens on sale: if you have bought the basic set and want to deploy two additional units (from 10 to 12) or if you have tried the digital copy and already realised the importance of artfully made button tokens! 

We are at your disposal to unlock your order on BackerKit and allow you to add anything you need to your current order (Octagonal bases, extra dice, extra button tokens, limited edition books...), just contact us! 

In the meantime, we wish you a peaceful Christmas! 🥰

Have a nice week!

Mechatop team