Lancer

Lancer TTRPG · Lancer TTRPG

Lancer

Lancer is a sci-fi mecha RPG. You play as skilled pilots in towering machines on missions that test teamwork and ideals. You chase warlords, protect colonies, and choose whom to trust among corporations, rebels, and governments. People love the deep customisation, precise tactics, and stories that range from tough military choices to heartfelt cockpit moments. A professional Game Master shapes the world, sets clear objectives, and maintains tight pacing so every decision counts.

A session feels like a briefing, character scenes, then a cinematic drop. You plan, coordinate roles, and hit the field as a squad. Positioning and teamwork matter, and the spotlight rotates so everyone gets their moment to shine. It suits dedicated groups, game-night one-shots, birthdays, and company teams that enjoy problem-solving. It welcomes new players with guidance and rewards veterans who love tinkering with builds. Meet our Game Masters to find the right fit.

How to play Lancer

Outside the cockpit, you roll a d20 to see if your pilot clears a risky task. In mech combat, you roll a d20 to hit, then add or subtract Accuracy or Difficulty by rolling a few d6s and taking the highest as a modifier. On your turn, you move on a square map, take actions like firing, boosting, stabilising, or hacking, and manage heat and damage. Clear objectives drive each fight, from holding a zone to breaching a bunker.

You bring your pilot idea and play style. Pick a frame and gear, or grab a prepared character. A pencil or a digital sheet works. A professional Game Master provides the mission brief, tactical maps, tokens, teach-as-you-go rules, safety tools, and prebuilt enemies. Online, they run it on a virtual tabletop with voice chat. See supported options for online play.

In a one-shot, you jump straight into a focused mission with streamlined builds and fast choices. Expect a full arc in one session, with a clean debrief. In a campaign, you unlock licences over time, upgrade your mech, and face recurring rivals and factions. Political choices shape future ops, and your squad's reputation opens doors or closes them. Both styles support 2 to 5 players.

Double-exposure portrait of a smiling person seated in front of bookshelves
Double-exposure portrait of a smiling person seated in front of bookshelves
Top-down view of a purple twenty-sided die with the gold number 16 visible. Twenty-sided dice are best known from dnd.
Top-down view of a purple twenty-sided die with the gold number 16 visible. Twenty-sided dice are best known from dnd.

Common questions

I’m new to Lancer. Can I pick things up as we go?

Yes. You don’t need to read the book first. A professional Game Master will teach you the core turn flow, heat, and status effects as they arise. You can begin with a simple frame and a focused kit, or use a prebuilt pilot to dive straight in. Expect quick cheat sheets and reminders to help you make informed choices without feeling overwhelmed by the rules. If you prefer a coach-style table, check out GM playstyles to find someone who teaches while maintaining a steady pace.

How tactical is Lancer compared to D&D?

Lancer focuses heavily on tactical combat. Battles utilise a square grid, clear objectives, and significant positioning. You manage heat, structure, and systems, rather than spell slots. Expect fewer encounters per session, but each one is a set piece with terrain, cover, and relevant status effects. Outside of combat, roleplay is flexible and quick, so most of the rules are centred around the battlefield. If you enjoyed D&D with miniatures and maps, or appreciated the teamwork aspect of 4e, you will feel right at home after a brief adjustment.

How many players are there and how long does a mission take?

It works well with 2 to 5 players. The ideal number is 3 to 4, allowing for quicker turns and clear roles for everyone. A one-shot mission typically fits within 3 to 4 hours. New groups might need an extra 20 to 30 minutes for onboarding. In campaigns, expect one major combat plus scenes, or two shorter combats, per session. Briefing and debriefing frame the action, ensuring choices have significance without slowing things down.

Can you help me construct my mech and pilot?

Absolutely. Share your concept and preferred role, such as artillery, support, or skirmisher. A professional Game Master can facilitate a brief build chat, offer curated options, or provide ready-to-play pilots at a specified licence level. You can respec between early missions if you want to experiment with a different frame or talent focus. Printed sheets or a digital sheet both work. You bring the vibe, and the GM helps translate it into elements that shine on the table.

Is Lancer appropriate for kids or teens?

Yes, with guidance. The game’s theme is war, but the tone can be set to hopeful heroics and kept free of graphic detail. The tactical rules are detailed, so it is best suited for teens or focused younger players who enjoy turn-based games. Generally, ages 12 and up work well. A professional Game Master uses safety tools, checks lines and veils, and can tailor missions towards rescue, exploration, and teamwork rather than bleak military drama.

Do you use the latest rules or any home rules?

Sessions use the current official Lancer rules. Your Game Master may introduce minor, clearly stated adjustments to maintain a smooth pace, such as standardised objective timers or simplified ammo tracking where appropriate. Any changes will be explained upfront and noted on your sheet or mission brief, ensuring you are always aware of what is in play. If your group prefers to stick strictly to the rules, just let the GM know, and they will adhere to the core procedures.

Can we play online with proper maps and tools?

Yes. Online sessions utilise a virtual tabletop with grid maps, tokens, line-of-sight, and dice. Voice chat ensures coordination is smooth, and the GM manages assets and automation so you can concentrate on your decisions. If your team includes both in-person and remote players, a hybrid setup is also feasible with a clear camera on the map. See supported options on our online play platforms page.

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Genres you can play in Lancer

  • Mecha

    Climb into the cockpit and take control of a massive machine. Mecha play combines intense battles, smart engineering, and faction…

    View genre: Mecha
  • Space Opera

    Epic sci-fi melodrama set among the stars, featuring daring pilots, noble rebels, tyrants wielding planet-destroying weapons, and a crew…

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  • by Amber

    Anime

    Big emotions, bold archetypes, and dynamic battles. Assemble your crew, exchange witty banter, and advance in narratives that resonate like…

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  • Dystopian

    Struggle to breathe in a world that monitors your every action, think 1984. Conceal, hack, and resist as you navigate oppressive laws…

    View genre: Dystopian
  • Military

    Close-knit squads under fire, tough decisions, maps laid out, and the strain of supply lines. Think Band of Brothers, but you call the…

    View genre: Military
  • Rebellion

    Whispered schemes, audacious raids, and tough decisions as you stand up to authority. Imagine The Hunger Games vibe brought to your table…

    View genre: Rebellion
  • Futuristic

    Adventures set in the near to far future where technology influences every decision, from vibrant neon megacities to remote deep-space…

    View genre: Futuristic

What players are saying

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varied experience levels, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed for our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I organised a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is really passionate about it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us make great progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided; they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A great first experience with D&D. Amber was excellent at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating on attack strategies with my colleagues was a fun activity that provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly a legend as a DM! He's cheerful, adaptable, and incredibly experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in a fun manner and engaged every player in the story, whether they were vocal or reserved. If you go adventuring with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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