Chicks Dig Giant Robots: Armored Trooper Votoms RPG

Another of the anime licenses picked up by R. Talsorian Games in the late 90's, the Armored Trooper Votoms RPG is based on the anime of the same name from the early 80's. With a bleak setting and complex plot, ATV was one of the earliest hard-science mecha anime, and would influence much of the genre.

 The  System

The ATV RPG uses the Fuzion system, same as the Bubblegum Crisis RPG. All the major parts - character creation, task resolution, and combat - remain the same, although some attributes and skills may have been altered. One change of note is that ATV does not include the Lifepath system to determine a character's personality.

The Setting

For decades, a bloody war between two star systems has torn the galaxy apart. Now, a cease-fire has been declared, and an uneasy peace has settled over the many worlds touched by conflict. After so many years of war, however, peace does not come easily to those who fought. A young AT pilot participates in a covert operation that leaves him caught in the middle of a vast conspiracy to control everything.

If anything, the setting information provided in the ATV RPG is more extensive than that provided in the BGC RPG, despite only being a solitary book. In addition to stats for all the mecha and major characters seen in the show, there is a chapter devoted to mapping out the series. This chapter is divided into four sections, one for each arc of the story. Each section includes relevant maps, pictures of important locations, and simple stat blocks for any minor characters that show up in the arc. A synopsis of every episodes is also included, as well as a relationship chart showing how all the major players of the arc relate to each other. The ubiquitous GM chapter discussing the themes of the series and possible campaign frameworks is also present. Finally, a bibliography of useful reference material and a media history of the show rounds things out.

The Mecha

Mecha in ATV are known as Armored Troopers. They stand between 3 to 4 meters tall, and the pilot sits in the chest with his head located inside the mecha's helmet. Control is achieved with a traditional joysticks-and-pedals setup, aided by a computer that can be programmed with preset maneuvers for rapid activation. Most have wheels or treads built into the bottom of the feet for rapid movement. They carry a variety of weapons, either integrated into the machine or as handheld packages.


There are 18 ATs detailed in the book, complete with tech specifications for verisimilitude. There's also a quick-and-dirty guide for making custom ATs, similar to the Hardsuit construction rules in BGC EX. And since ATV uses the Fuzion rules, just about anything could be cooked up using MZP and the conversion notes in BGC B&A.

My Opinion

The system is as good as it was for Mekton and BGC, but I'm less likely to play ATV then either of those. I like my mecha more space-opera-y then gritty, and ATV is squarely in the second category. In addition, the setting is a very grim, weary place, and that doesn't appeal to me.

However, I do appreciate what had to have been a lot of research and attention to detail to get so much series information into the book. It makes me sad that R. Talsorian isn't doing as much as they used to, because you can tell they really loved making these game/guides. I would recommend the ATV RPG to anyone who liked the anime, whether or not they're a roleplayer.

The Armored Trooper Votoms RPG is also unfortunately out of print, but you might be able to find copies on eBay or at online retailers like Noble Knight Games or Troll and Toad.

Next up: Punch Cthulhu in the face with your war machine!