My Simplified and Well-Tested Rules

[Trokodile174]

My first few playthroughs, I found the rulebook a bit confusing and hard to learn (mostly because I was trying to learn it as I go because my opponent didn't know how to play, either, and wouldn't give me a lot of time to do so). In frustration, I decided the best thing to do is make my own rules and use those instead, because then it would all be in my head and I wouldn't need to consult the rulebook every. five. seconds.
I keep the 4-system limit and company sizing, as well as station rules, in all games.
I don't play with the doomsday clock, as it seems a little weird. Most of my games end up at 5-6 full rounds, and then it goes really quickly with reduced frame numbers. Total rounds are about 9-11.
Usually, I count terrain as the standard 3-brick-high ruling, but some pieces I have don't count. I also use a terrain called Energy Shielding, which, if destroyed, comes back in-between rounds. However, a single hit destroys it.
A single unit of measurement is about 5 studs. Movement is determined by a single D6, with frames moving up to that many units, but at least one. Ranges are as follows:
= 1 Unit
= 2 - 8 Units
= > 8 Units
Attack dice are one d6 per barrel, with every other one becoming a d8 instead. Limits can vary, but the overall cap is six (and this is only with an added hindrance).
Defense dice are one automatic, plus one for each system. A tie or a higher number rolled by the defender prevents damage; that value stays until the end of the round.
Win conditions are to be the last one left standing or to capture all stations. This second condition means each team needs three stations.
The most-changed thing is systems. I couldn't understand them, and instead use them for a different purpose: an artillery frame without a scope or system has their and rolls reduced by two.
SSRs are global, and do not need a specifc carrier. They deal a of damage to an opponent and are best suited for an otherwise-unarmed frame.
Turn order is decided by a dice roll, with the lowest number being first. Each player starts with the same amount of points: 1 for each frame, plus 1 for each station. Players should have matching frame counts. Turn order after round 1 is based off of points. When there is no change, turn order remains the same.
In a round, each frame can be activated only once. A dead frame takes no actions, and it is skipped.
Cover is omni-directional and is not based on line of sight, but proximity. Being within 1 unit of cover considers a frame protected. Defense rolls from a protected frame affect the cover, not the frame. (Example: A Chub is protected and rolls a six for defense. Then, it moves away from its cover and is attacked. The Chub rolls defense again, and gets a two. The two is the value you would apply to this combat.)

I hope you enjoyed, and these rules are quite balanced and well-tested. If there are any questions, please ask or improvise.

[Vitoria]

[Trokodile174]

[Mantisking]

When and where did you play the demo?

The Doomsday Clock is really important. You say your games normally run five to six rounds? That's a lot of long games. We've never played six rounds in our group and five round games only happen 26% of the time. Whereas four round games happen 46% of the time and three round games happen 28% of the time. so the Doomsday Clock is an important part of the rules and learning to use it effectively as a player is crucial.

[Blorf]

I'm going to jump in here and agree that the rules could be better presented. That's why several attempts have been undertaken by players through the years to do just that.

In my opinion, the best version that exists is still only available in the beta version of the official MFZ app... But since that's not out in the wild yet, here's the second best version.

Hope it helps.

http://hazardcreative.com/mfz-ch/

[Trokodile174]

[Mantisking]

[Trokodile174]