Lancer vs Mothership
Compare Lancer and Mothership side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Lancer | Mothership | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi, Horror |
| Play Style | Tactical, Mecha, Grid-Based, Character Building, Combat-Heavy, Heroic, Crunchy | Rules-Light, Deadly, One-Shot Friendly, Survival, Atmospheric, Low-Prep, Cinematic, Fast-Paced |
| Core Mechanic | Narrative scenes use d20 roll-over (10+ succeeds), with backgrounds granting advantage and triggers adding flat bonuses. Mech combat is grid-based and tactical — no initiative, players and NPCs alternate turns. Pilots progress through License Levels (LL0–LL12), unlocking new chassis, weapons, and systems across five manufacturers with 30+ mech frames. | Roll d100 under stat/skill. Stress and panic mechanics escalate tension. |
| Dice | d20 + d6 | d100 |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Accessibility | High | High |
| Community | Medium | Medium |
| License | Lancer Third Party License | 3rd Party License |
| Cost | Free (PDF) / $$ | $ |
| Publisher | Massif Press | Tuesday Knight Games |
| Year | 2019 | 2022 |
| Best For | Groups who want deep tactical mech combat with meaningful customization layered on top of accessible narrative play — giant robot enthusiasts seeking a modern alternative to BattleTech. | Terrifying sci-fi horror one-shots and short campaigns. Panic table creates unforgettable moments. |
| Highlights | Free core PDF, extensive mech customization with 30+ frames, clean split between rules-light narrative and crunchy tactical combat, Comp/Con companion app is well-integrated, active community | Rules-light, well-regarded module library, panic system creates mechanical tension |
| Considerations | Mech combat dominates — narrative half feels thin by comparison, steep learning curve from sheer volume of mech options, genre-locked to sci-fi mech fiction, requires grid/VTT for combat | Panic table can cascade and end sessions abruptly, limited long-campaign support in core rules, stress mechanics can feel repetitive over extended play |