True "Hybrid" Mecha Form
'Hybrid' is kind of a poor name for its form, even though it was originally meant to be a 'hybrid' of the speed of a fighter and the walking and arm capability of the humanoid. The original creators of the mode undoubtedly envisioned the Gerwalk/Guardian-mode type form, but personally, I could see it used for *any* type of high-speed, somewhat humanoid form. Perhaps 'Streamlined' would be a better name for it. I could, after all, see a slim, aerodynamic 'speed-skater' unit, rolling past a bunch of slower wheel-equipped mechs, which get punched by the faster guy as he goes by. Which reminds me--the MA bonus should be applied to *one* movement mode, whether it be propulsion or not--though from a GM POV, I'd probably not allow too many 'speed-walkers'. Then again, a unit specifically designed to run fast would make sense, depending on the setting. ;-)
Second, the sensors--all this fuss over a bloody -2 to *Awareness*? Yeesh. Here's an idea--each level of Sensor gives a bonus of +1 (might shift this to +.5 per level--don't have the table handy) to Awareness while using the sensors, to a max of a bonus equal to Awareness skill. This bonus is, of course, reduced or eliminated by ECM. If you want more bonus, get bigger sensors. If you have a problem with a -2 penalty, get bigger sensors. If you keep getting blased by that twerp with the Cloak, get bigger sensors. ;-)
There are alternatives, though--One might be to rule that you can bypass the -2 penalty, *but* your sensors will act as 2 levels below normal while operating in that fashion.
One thing MZ+ does need, though, is a *true* 'Hybrid' setup--the Mechbook 1 (the thing that was out before MZ was, with the squid-mecha) fudged this a bit with Efficient transformation, but that only really works when the unit makes a transition from one environment to another, such as air to water.
PROPOSAL: Hybrid form. Cost: x0.15
Allows builder to 'combine' the capabilities of two or more forms, allowing both to be used simultaneously. If both forms have MA/MV bonuses, then take the worst of the two bonuses. If the two forms both have penalties, then take the worst of the penalties. If one has a penalty, and the other a bonus, then add the two. If more than two forms are involved, and some have bonuses and some have penalties, get the worst of each type, and add.The final unit will have the special abilities and hardpoint capabilities of the component forms. Note that the hybrid cost is for a form totally separate from any of the component forms, and the x.15 is added to the total of the costs of the component forms. If the builder desires to have one or all of the component forms other than the 'native' form as an independent form from the hybrid, the cost for that form must be paid again. Also, a hybrid form built this way may *not* be taken as a native form--the unit will cost the same as if the least expensive of the component forms was it's native form.
Optional: A GM may want to give a point break to units that have this 'hybrid' as the only form, since it can't transform to the 'native' form used in figuring the hybrid cost above. A x-.05 to x-.1 break is suggested.
Rules by: Chris Forsyth
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