Where to start the Braves (Yuusha) series?

For most people the most well known Braves show is The King of Braves: GaoGaiGar released in 1997 and then followed up with the GaoGaiGar FINAL OVA in 2000. It was the final show in the Braves franchise and studio Sunrise went all out delivering a tour-de-force in the Mecha genre, it was beloved both by Mecha fans and casual viewers when it was released.

Although still very popular today, not many people know that GaoGaiGar is the final show in a series. This post hopes to illuminate some of the other shows in the Braves / Yuusha franchise you may be interested in.

(Note: Yuusha is the original Japanese name that is translated as Braves for this series, when searching for information on these shows if you can’t find what you are looking for using the Braves keyword, try using Yuusha instead.)

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VER9 Preview – G Gundam and Wing

Here’s a preview for the VER9 layout for G Gundam and Wing, both of which received a rebalance to comply with the VER9 design standards including the Power stat as well as a higher EQ Slot maximum for certain units.

Additionally the Gundam Fight rules were updated with a new version for High Mobility which now lets you interrupt your opponent and attempt to move on the battlefield to stay out of range of shooting or melee. You can see the full pdf below.

ver9-layout-g-gundam-and-wing Download

MechaStellar VER9 – Updated Draft

The DRAFT VER9 Rules have been uploaded. You can find them on the Draft VER9 page here: https://mechastellar.com/ver9-drafts/

VER 9 Core Rules Updates

Super Titans type split into Super Titan (Super Robot) and Kaiju / Super Heavy (Jaeger, Megadeus)
Power is no longer a requirement for Super Titans and Kaiju, they now operate the same as a MS does.
The Power stat now provides a bonus to your attacks. It is named Havoc for Kaiju / Super Heavies.
Not every unit will have a Power or Havoc stat, typically it is used for very powerful units, or ones who specialize in throwing their opponents and destroying terrain.
Updated Crash Through rules under Full Throttle
Added Throw Terrain under Shooting Attack
Added Target Lock +1 ARM PEN in Sensors range.
Reverted “Pilot Tier” nomenclature to “Pilot Level” to prevent confusion with unit tiers based on Performance
Adjusted the Improvise skill and moved it to Universal skills. Added the Seize the Day Universal Skill.
Moved Expert Evasion to the core rules as an optional replacement. Updated cost to be [M-X]
Expanded Pilot Skills – Removed the cost reduction for Indomitable, Heavy Arms & Assault Types.
Pilot Traits: Added Zeal (Driven II) and Solo Operative (Lone Wolf II). Combined Legendary & Genius Pilot. Combined Noble with Fighting Spirit.
Updated Stun DMG to also affect Power
Clarified Battle Damage regarding stacking
Gritty MS – Shield Breaks are now optional
Added Dangerous Terrain

MechaStellar VER9 Layout Examples – Zeon REV2

Here’s an update to the Zeon layout. We’ve been experimenting with putting equipment options on the unit profile sheet this lets us cut down on duplicate profiles. Below is the PDF

ver9-layout-zeon-rev2-2 Download

In VER 8 it was 32 pages and 91 profiles.

In VER 9 the Zeon Roster is down to 20 pages and includes 96 Profiles with a few new additions

MechaStellar VER9 Layout Examples – Federation

Here’s an example of the VER9 Layout for the Federation Mobile Suits.

ver9-layout-federation Download

Also here’s a pair of rules we’re considering for VER 9. One to provide a benefit to units with high Sensors range (besides the standard deployment bonus) and another meant for Kaiju and other colossal creatures who lack a shooting weapon.

MechaStellar VER9 Layout – 08th MS Team

Here’s an example layout for the 08th MS Team. I’ve been toying around with including weapon options on the sheet to cut down on the number of profiles featuring an alternate weapon. Let me know what you think.

ver9-layout-08th-ms-team Download

MechaStellar VER9 Layout Preview – Zeon Units from Mobile Suit Gundam

Below you’ll find the completed list of Zeon units from Mobile Suit Gundam.

ver9-layout-zeon Download

MechaStellar Playtest Photos – Magellan Class Battleship #3

Below is a collection of photos of when we were testing the Earth Federations Magellan class Battleship as well as the updated Stellar Warship rules for MechaStellar VER 8.7 focusing on the Captain’s Orders section. Below is a very brief battlereport as well.

You can read the previous two Magellan battleship reports here. Game 1 and Game 2.

We begin with a Magellan with a skilled captain bringing the Blue Destiny unit 3 along with several GM Command Space types. Against them are the same Zeon forces as the previous game, two Musais, a Gelgoog, 3 Rick Doms, a Zaku II Commander and several Zaku IIs.

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Terrain for Gundam and other Mecha – N Scale Buildings

Gundam N Scale Buildings 1/400 Collection Neue Ziel

You can play MechaStellar with figures and model kits big and small. For players who prefer to use larger scale figures and models for Gundam and various other Mecha series you will also want to use larger terrain. In this post we’ll look at N Scale buildings and a few different scales of Gundam figures.

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MechaStellar Playtest Photos – Magellan Class Battleship #2

Magellan class Battleship Salamis Class Cruiser GM Sniper Custom Guncannon GM

Below is a collection of photos of when we were testing the Earth Federations Magellan class Battleship as well as the updated Stellar Warship rules for MechaStellar VER 8 focusing on the Captain’s Orders section. Below is a very brief battlereport as well. You can find the first Magellan battle here and the third one here.

We begin with a Magellan with a Skilled Captain and two Salamis cruisers in its strike group each carrying a Guncannon and two GMs while a brand new GM Sniper Custom is aboard the Magellan. They are striking at the Zeon fortress A Baoa Qu and this sector is fielding two Musai cruisers (one with a skilled Captain), a Gelgoog, three Doms, a Zaku Commander and 5x Zaku IIs.

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