Rust Never Sleeps, plus interviews with Salvage Union, Bring Your Own Mech

• A unique post-apocalyptic setting
• with a D20 system based on the Quest SRD
• for 3-6 players + the GM
• features building and upgrading mechs
• with salvage encounters and combat
• And gorgeous art by Alex Connolly, Hamish Frater, Francesco Silva, and Aled Lawlor

I recommend this game! Frankly, if I’m featuring a game, I am likely to recommend it.

I would recommend Salvage Union to someone looking for an OSR-style game who likes customization and involved, theatre-of-the-mind combat. I think it's a great introduction to this style of mecha ttrpgs, which is why I picked it for the first monthly feature, especially for those who may be interested in (but also a little intimidated by) Lancer.

Two other quick points. First, the book itself is worth purchasing, if you like physical copies. It's quite gorgeous and mimics an instructional handbook or manual. Second, the game has three very tempting adventure books, two of which are written by noteworthy authors: Luke Gearing and Diogo Nogueira.

Panny: We drew from a wide range of inspirations from the mecha, post-apocalyptic and wider sci-fi and fantasy genres. Mortal Engines, which I loved as a kid, set in a world where huge city-like machines devour one another, was a big inspiration for the ‘Union Crawlers.' I also read a lot of cold war era literature such as Roadside Picnic and The Road, and The Penultimate Truth, especially for our adventure module False Flag which had that vibe. Films such as ‘Robot Jox’ and Space Sweepers were also inspirations.

In regards to RPGs the system is based off of a game called Quest which we drew a lot from, we also were inspired by Lancer, The Mecha Hack, and the design principles of the wider ‘OSR’ sphere in games such as MÖRK BORG, and Old School Essentials.

Panny: What Salvage Union does really well is combine a simple rules framework with a high amount of character and mech customisation options, creating a Mech game that emulates the feel of many of the beloved elements of the genre such as Mech customisation, punchy combat with lots of interesting options, and faction based conflict, but without a lot of the bloat common in games within the genre. It’s also set in a unique, post-apocalyptic world ruled by a corpo oligarchy, but one in which the focus is on the hope of rebuilding that world with your community.

Panny: If you enjoy Mech games Salvage Union will hopefully feel like a unique take on the genre with its mixture of exploration of a post-apocalyptic world, salvage based gameplay, and easy to learn rules.

If you’ve never played a Mech game before then it’s a great introduction to the genre due to being simple to pick up whilst emulating many of the most fun parts of why people enjoy Mech games. Other than that I guess making robots explode is fun?

Panny: Beyond those mentioned in the touchstones, Troika! By Melsonian Arts Council Is one of my favourite games, especially in how it creates an organic game world via its wide array of 36 different character classes.

I’ve also just started playing in a campaign of Wolves upon the Coast by Luke Gearing and it’s superb so far.

Aki: I’ve consumed a lot of mecha related content absent-mindedly, but I think I really started liking mechs after Pacific Rim. I just love giant robots beating up other giant things.

BYOM started as a fun joke by my GM Reed and my castmate Amelia. I was invited to join the podcast and try out the Lancer system. At the time, I was a lot more well-versed in mech media so I was pretty much down for anything. It's why our vibes are so chill, we’re just here to have a good time, but we’re also all very into telling stories. I think it's my personal talent to bullshit, but meaningfully. How else would I get a mercenary e-girl streamer.

Aki: The only challenge I faced in BYOM besides scheduling was playing the game for a year and doing accuracy wrong. Everything else has been an absolute joy. BYOM has been very well received by the Lancer community and Vim has been super fun to play.

Aki: I’m not sure what our most popular episode is, but I can definitely name a few off the top of my head that always sits well with listeners. The Schlorpening episode because of the word “Schlorp” and the introduction of New Tijuanna 2, a planet, is also super popular. I think some of our newer episodes have also stuck strong with fans.

Personally, I am most proud of the fact that we managed to make our hiatus a part of our podcast’s canon timeline.

Reaching 100k downloads was also pretty wild.

We’ve done A LOT on this show LOL.

Aki: Girl by Moonlight, which is a forged in the dark system about magical girls, has a mecha magical girl adventure path!

If you’re interested in checking out more mecha stuff that I (Aki) do, I play that adventure in a streamed AP on MagiRPG called “Armored Hearts.” Our stream should be done by the time this is out so if you can find the VODs on MagiRPG’s YouTube channel.

NHP Shaka's Ukuwa Station is a classic in the Lancer community, you are missing out if you don’t check it out.

Aki: Follow us on Bluesky at @bringyourownmech.bsky.social. We have SO MUCH STUFF planned for the future.