{"slug":"beam-saber","title":"Beam Saber","url":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/beam-saber","agentUrl":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/beam-saber.json","summary":{"blurb":"Beam Saber is a Forged in the Dark mecha-war TTRPG about pilots, custom vehicles, and squads trying to survive an endless conflict across known space.","atAGlance":"Forged in the Dark mecha war • 4-5 players with GM • Paid core with free quickstart • Custom pilots, vehicles, and squads • Best for campaign play about survival, faction pressure, and costly missions","whyItFits":"Beam Saber gives TTRPG Games a missing Forged in the Dark mecha-war option between Lancer's tactical buildcraft, BattleTech's military lineage, Girl by Moonlight's anime-drama FitD play, and Scum and Villainy's spacefaring mission pressure. It helps readers choose whether they want giant-machine stories driven by squad consequences and emotional survival rather than grid combat."},"constraints":{"playerRange":"4-5 players + Game Master","sessionRange":"180-240 minutes","setupMinutes":30,"characterCreationMinutes":45,"prepLevel":"Medium","priceModel":"Paid"},"fit":{"beginnerFriendly":0,"newGmFriendly":3,"oneShotFriendly":1,"campaignFriendly":1,"soloFriendly":0,"improvBurden":"Medium","structureLevel":"Guided","contentIntensity":"Medium"},"scores":[{"key":"complexity","label":"Complexity","value":3},{"key":"new_gm","label":"New GM Fit","value":3},{"key":"roleplay","label":"Roleplay Focus","value":4},{"key":"combat","label":"Combat Focus","value":4},{"key":"tactical","label":"Tactical Depth","value":3},{"key":"campaign","label":"Campaign Depth","value":4}],"availability":{"quickstartAvailable":1,"pdfAvailable":1,"physicalBookAvailable":1,"vttReady":1},"recommendations":{"bestFor":["Groups that want mecha action tied to pilot beliefs, squad identity, faction pressure, and the cost of war.","Forged in the Dark tables that want missions, engagement rolls, clocks, stress, downtime, and consequences in a science-fiction war frame.","Campaigns where custom vehicles and pilot relationships should grow alongside the squad's reputation and obligations."],"avoidIf":["You want grid-tactical mech combat, detailed range bands, or balanced skirmish encounters to be the main draw.","Your group dislikes Forged in the Dark procedures such as position, effect, clocks, stress, and flashbacks.","You need a short, lightly organized book rather than a dense mecha campaign toolkit."]},"facets":{"genres":["Anime and JRPG-Inspired","Military","Science Fiction","Space Opera"],"systems":["Forged in the Dark (FitD)"],"mechanics":["Campaign","Character Customization","Class-Based","Collaborative Worldbuilding","Narrative-Driven","Resource Management","Team-Based"],"themes":["Bleak","Political","Psychological"],"decisionTags":["Award-Winning","One-Shot Friendly","Rules Medium"]},"links":{"websiteUrl":"https://austin-ramsay.itch.io/beamsaber?ac=YUqaLN4pVvG","reviewsUrl":"https://austin-ramsay.itch.io/beamsaber?ac=YUqaLN4pVvG"}}