Greetings, Dan Here!

In these previews, we've seen a lot of new player options presented from the supplement for both the pilot and their mech. Yet, from all the new mech options, we've seen nothing concerning the primary mech parts. Currently a mech's performance directly correlates to which megacorp it's primary components have been obtained from. Since pilots can mix an match the various parts together they can prioritize what aspects of their performance they wish to improve individually. That said, there is no doubt that Sakura-made parts are best overall, and many pilots will be motivated to obtain a fully Sakura-build mech for the best all around performance. While mechs will each still have a number of customizations that will make each unique, it can lead to some standardization in mech performance in high end machines. That's where X Tech comes in.

X Tech are primary mech parts of mysterious origins. Whether they are experimental, paranormal, or even alien in nature, these mech parts have unprecedented performance when compared to all remnant machines. They cannot currently be replicated by the factions of the arks, and the load they put on a mech's system is so great only one can be installed per mech. Any pilot who manages to come across an X Tech part when out on a mission will consider themselves extremely lucky. (Or unlucky, as they will have just painted a bullseye on the back of their mech since any number of powers will be willing to kill to obtain the fringe tech.) X Tech parts can only be obtained while on missions, and thus are completely at the GM's discretion when they are acquired. Put in terms of fantasy RPGs, these can be considered your magic item rewards for overcoming great challenges.

There three grades of X Tech for each primary mech part, X Alpha, X Sigma, and X Omega. X Alpha parts will have superior performance than even Sakura equipment. X Sigma parts will have capabilities similar to Anodyne equipment, but come with an additional separate benefit. X Omega parts have capabilities in line with Blitz Tech parts, but have a superior added benefit to it. As an example of what can be expected, all three examples for X Tech Frames have been provided below:

• X Alpha: 60 Armor Points
• X Sigma: 36 Armor Points + When damage is suffered, the pilot may make a Mech Piloting check to reduce the damage taken by their Mech Piloting Bonus
• X Omega: 24 Armor Points + Armor repairs 1d4 Armor Points at the start of the pilots turn

X Tech parts provide for tangible rewards GMs can give their players, while encouraging further customization in high end mechs. Next time, we will take a look at a new mech option that provides additional roleplaying opportunities for players called, Machine Tulpas. Until then, thank you for your interest and I look forward to seeing you are the launch of The Beneath Twisted Earth Premium Versions and Beneath Twisted Earth: Overdrive!