Tabletop Role-Playing 🇺🇸United States21st century

Lancer RPG

Officially LANCER: The Roleplaying Game

TACTICAL MECHA TABLETOP RPG by MASSIF PRESS (Miguel Lopez, Tom Bloom, 2019) — set in a POST-ANOMALY 4th-millennium sci-fi setting where PCs are LANCERS (elite mech pilots) working for the humanitarian UNION coalition. HYBRID system: NARRATIVE-DRIVEN out-of-mech RP (streamlined mechanics), then GRID-TACTICAL COMBAT inside mechs on hex/square grid (rich, class-based mech customization). D20 mechanic for narrative; unique DAMAGE + STRUCTURE + STRESS + HEAT tracks for mech combat. WEB-BASED COMPCON character-builder + free CORE RULES.

⏱~240 min🌤indoor

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Cooperative narrative + tactical mecha combat — advance a LANCER PILOT through Levels 0-12, unlock mech LICENSES, complete missions for Union/faction interests.

Rules

Basic rules

TWO GAME LAYERS: (1) NARRATIVE (out-of-mech): d20 + Trigger vs. difficulty 10-20; simple skill-check RP; (2) TACTICAL (in-mech): hex/square grid, class-based mech builds
Signature hybrid 2-layer design.
MECH STATS: HP, ARMOR, EVASION, E-DEFENSE (electronics), HEAT (build up), STRESS (breaks apart), STRUCTURE (frame integrity)
Signature 7-stat mech system.
PILOT LEVELS 0-12; each level unlocks new MECH LICENSE (mount-and-play frame) from 22+ available
Signature 22+ mech licenses.
LICENSING: 3 LICENSE LEVELS (I, II, III) per frame — unlock frame chassis, WEAPONS, SYSTEMS, CORE POWERS
Signature 3-license-level unlock.
CORE POWERS: each frame's SIGNATURE ABILITY (once-per-scene) — e.g., BARBAROSSA'S 'RAIN CANNON' AoE artillery
Signature signature powers.
COMBAT: grid-based; ACTIONS: MOVE, QUICK ACTION, FULL ACTION, REACTION, FREE ACTIONS; VERY TACTICAL positioning
Signature action economy.
OVERCHARGE: mech pushes past safe operation for bonus die but adds HEAT; HEAT MELTDOWN cascade if unmanaged
Signature overcharge/heat tension.
UNION SETTING: post-anomaly humanitarian faction; playable factions include IPS-N (industry), SSC (bespoke elegance), HORUS (obscure paracausal), HA (Union military), Harrison Armory (imperial)
Signature multi-faction setting.

Scoring

Narrative + tactical — no scoring; character progression via XP + Manufacturer License Points.

Win condition · Cooperative narrative outcome; mission success; pilot legacy.

Equipment

LANCER CORE RULEBOOK (~430 pp, PDF free / hardcover paid)
Signature core rulebook.
COMPCON web app (free) — character + mech builder + digital dice + character-sheet manager
Signature CompCon web tool.
d20 for skill rolls + narrative combat
Standard d20.
d6 for damage + smaller checks; d3, d4 for status effects
Standard supporting dice.
GRID or HEX BATTLEMAP + tokens/miniatures for mech combat (Foundry VTT + Roll20 modules exist)
Signature tactical grid.
MECH SHEETS + PILOT SHEETS (CompCon-generated)
Signature 2-track sheet system.

Terminology

Lancer: Elite mech pilot — the PC role.
COMPCON: Free web app for building/managing pilots + mechs.
Trigger: Character narrative-skill modifier (like a proficiency).
Overcharge: Push mech past safe limit for bonus die + Heat.
License: Unlockable manufacturer-frame permission granting new gear.
Core Power: Signature once-per-scene mech ability.
Union: The humanitarian galactic coalition sponsoring Lancers.

Major competitions

GenCon Lancer one-shots + convention tables
annual · USA + global convention circuit · since 2019
ENnie Awards (Lancer won Gold Silver 2020-2021)
annual · GenCon, Indianapolis · since 2001

Where it is played

Governing bodies

Massif Press (publisher)
Founded 2019 · USA

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Miguel Lopez (US, co-designer)
Tom 'Trigger' Bloom (US, co-designer)
Massif Press team + Lancer digital-VTT community

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Lancer (RPG)— Wikipedia
Massif Press official— Massif Press
CompCon web app— CompCon

Last verified 2026-08-28.verified